Cinnamon | A Short Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Comedy
This story begins with a waffle that can transport you into uncharted realms of multiverses and intergalactic frontiers. Trials and errors later, this waffle has grown into a thought-provoking and absurdist tale about determination & taking a leap of faith.
Cinnamon | A Short Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Comedy
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
43 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
This story begins with a waffle that can transport you into uncharted realms of multiverses and intergalactic frontiers. Trials and errors later, this waffle has grown into a thought-provoking and absurdist tale about determination & taking a leap of faith.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Created by big fans of the unusual, Cinnamon aims to shine a spotlight on deep friendships and fears, through the use of bizarreness and brotherhood. Bringing together a diverse cast and crew, our journey unfolds with the advanced technology of Black Mirror, the multiverses of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, and the depth of The Midnight Gospel. We hope you'll take this leap of faith with us.
SYNOPSIS
When Fido is especially bored one night, Dominic suggests they do some waffle-making with the assistance of a trusty robot, but he doesn't disclose the risks at hand. As the night goes on, it's revealed that this waffle isn't just any ordinary waffle--if put together correctly, it opens up a portal through time and space. But if they get it wrong, there are consequences. Fido wants to back out, but Dominic is persistent. Will they get it right and have the adventure of a lifetime? Or will they fall short and be lost to the abyss?
WHY THIS STORY?
Waffles and multiverse portals? You're probably asking what this all means. To be honest, we're not exactly sure either. But that's what makes our film worth making.
Cinnamon is a film that embraces the unusual by combining it with the mundane. We want to find magic in our day to day, the same way Dominic and Fido do, and we want to take you along with us as we do.
WHY US?
For the Love: We are embarking on this creative journey purely for the joy of storytelling and the invaluable learning experience it offers. While the process promises to be filled with challenges and discoveries, this project is a labor of love, driven by our passion to explore the art of filmmaking and share a piece of our imagination with others, while reveling in creating something beautiful for all to enjoy.
Representation: Our team represents a collective of PoC creatives and filmmakers, taking on leading roles on crew. Along with our story featuring Hispanic and Asian main characters with authentic performances, Cinnamon is an opportunity to shine light on often-unrepresented talent, on and off screen.
AUDIENCE
Cinnamon is a sci-fi comedy short film with Gen Z leading characters that centers on portraying non-fragile masculine friendships and a nonsensical adventure. This film will appeal to Gen Z folks who enjoy thought-provoking and absurd media such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, Barbie, Black Mirror, and The Midnight Gospel.
STYLE
Cinnamon is a combination of the abnormal, the amusing, and the astounding.
Inspired by science fiction films, Cinnamon's style is grounded in unnatural settings and unconventional reality. This film combines the genres of apocalyptic fiction and surreal comedy to create an illogical reality. The two genres blend together to form a bizarre and surreal comedy and fantasy.
CHARACTERS
Dominic
Dominic is outgoing, charismatic, and fearless. He's always looking for adventure, and his friends consider him to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie. So when he spots a flyer hanging on a lone lamp post that's advertising the opportunity to travel through dimensions if you can just make the perfect waffle...needless to say, he went for it. But as he takes his best friend along on his latest fix, for the first time ever, he finds himself shaken.
Fido
Fido is an introvert who tends to go with the flow (or, in other words, Dominic's flow) without ever asking for much. Although he tags along in all of his best friend's adventures, he prefers himself to remain a willing audience instead of an unwilling participant. When Dominic suggests waffle making as a pastime, Fido is suspicious of its simplicity since Dominic is never one to settle for a casual afternoon. But as the stakes are raised, and it's revealed that this waffle just might take them to a whole new world, Fido decides that it's now or never.
Waithere
Waithere is a sentient humanoid waiter robot who assists customers at Waithere Waffles. They ensure that you only have to wait here once, and never again.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
*Seed & Spark requires at least 80% of our goal raised for the project to be funded.
We must reach this goal in 30 days or we won't receive a single penny!*
Your support is essential to our film. With your contribution, we have the opportunity to ensure every aspect of this film is of the highest quality.
Our goal is to raise at least $5,000 through our fundraising here on Seed & Spark to cover the minimum costs of making this film. With our crew of film students, we're all taking the valuable experience and knowledge that we've earned through the making of our own personal films and working on the sets of others.
The $5,000 will go toward:
- Feeding & covering transportation for our Cast/Crew
- Renting high-quality film equipment
- Securing shoot locations
- Set Design, Makeup/Hair, Props, Costumes
FOLLOW AND SHARE!
*WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER!*
Whether through a donation or by simply sharing our campaign, your contribution is an opportunity to support creative storytelling that can touch hearts and inspire minds. You're not just investing in a film; you're helping bring unique voices and fresh perspectives to the screen.
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality, and together, we can share a compelling story that resonates with audiences around the world. By also following and sharing our work, you're helping us reach a larger audience who may want to help us bring Cinnamon to life.
FREE WAYS TO HELP:
- FOLLOW US ON SEED & SPARK!
- SHARE THIS CAMPAIGN WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
- REMEMBER: NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL! :)
For updates on this project, head over to Sky's Instagram! @SKYDOOOOO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skydooooo/
THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Sky, Bryant, Sam, and Paula :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food/Crafty
Costs $200
It'll help with catering and providing food to the cast/crew! No more pizza on set!
Equipment
Costs $2,000
This will allow us to get better gear and lighting for the shoot!
Props
Costs $300
Waffles gotta look delicious!
Cast/Crew
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to help pay for our cast and crew!
Transportation/Gas
Costs $400
Gas would be very much appreciated!
Location
Costs $600
We'd love to film in a location we envisioned.
Contingency
Costs $500
Just in case we lose the portal...
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Paula Macena (Writer and Co-Producer) is, above all, a writer. But besides this, she is a Brazilian who grew up in New Jersey and had a love for writing since the young age of 7. She loves any and all forms of writing—poetry, novels, songwriting, screenwriting, blogging, you name it— and ended up self-publishing a poetry book at the age of 14 as a result of it. She’s recently completed her bachelor’s degree in Writing and has various works in publications such as The Road Runner, Prometheus Unbound, and Culturally Arts Collective. Her most recent poetry collection, Penance of the Byronic Hero, was published in June 2023 and is available for purchase. In her pursuit of shedding light on marginalized writers, she hosts local writers’ events. When she isn’t writing, you can find her lying in the sun thinking about writing, making too much coffee, and staring lovingly at her cats.
Bryant Oei (Producer) is an upcoming independent filmmaker. Ever since he graduated in 2021 with a BFA in Film Production, he has made his way through student projects to working on short films (The Gift) and Music videos (Homecoming - Rence Royal). Bryant mainly stays behind the camera as a Director of Photography or the Camera Operator. Taking on a different role, Bryant chose to produce this as he has a love for the film’s genres (Comedy and Sci-Fi). Growing up as the class clown and playing lots of video games such as Portal, the script of Cinnamon caught his eye. He is excited to take on the challenge of this role and create an epic comedy film.
Sky Do (Director) is an aspiring film director from California where she's earning her B.A. in Film & Media Studies at University of California, Irvine. From the age of 8, she has dreamed of directing films of her own. She discovered her deeper passion for filmmaking during college and focused on strengthening her craft. She's directed and produced the short films "Senses" (2022), "I Want to Kill You Too" (2023), and "Play By the Book" (2023). When she's not working on her own projects, she's assisting fellow directors and freelancing as a production designer and hair/makeup artist. During her free time, she runs the Fashion & Sneakers Organization at UCI where she coordinates weekly executive meetings and mass social events for the fashion community on campus.
Samuel Han (Director of Photography) was born in Los Angeles and raised in his early teens in South Korea. He is currently enrolled in his last term at UC Irvine, majoring in Film and Media Studies. After outgrowing his interest in digital and analog photography, he pursued becoming a filmmaker and cinematographer. He currently serves as a Video Director at a non-profit organization shoots student projects, and works as a freelance crew in the camera department. He has experience working with Canon, Sony, Blackmagic, RED, and Arri cameras.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Created by big fans of the unusual, Cinnamon aims to shine a spotlight on deep friendships and fears, through the use of bizarreness and brotherhood. Bringing together a diverse cast and crew, our journey unfolds with the advanced technology of Black Mirror, the multiverses of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, and the depth of The Midnight Gospel. We hope you'll take this leap of faith with us.
SYNOPSIS
When Fido is especially bored one night, Dominic suggests they do some waffle-making with the assistance of a trusty robot, but he doesn't disclose the risks at hand. As the night goes on, it's revealed that this waffle isn't just any ordinary waffle--if put together correctly, it opens up a portal through time and space. But if they get it wrong, there are consequences. Fido wants to back out, but Dominic is persistent. Will they get it right and have the adventure of a lifetime? Or will they fall short and be lost to the abyss?
WHY THIS STORY?
Waffles and multiverse portals? You're probably asking what this all means. To be honest, we're not exactly sure either. But that's what makes our film worth making.
Cinnamon is a film that embraces the unusual by combining it with the mundane. We want to find magic in our day to day, the same way Dominic and Fido do, and we want to take you along with us as we do.
WHY US?
For the Love: We are embarking on this creative journey purely for the joy of storytelling and the invaluable learning experience it offers. While the process promises to be filled with challenges and discoveries, this project is a labor of love, driven by our passion to explore the art of filmmaking and share a piece of our imagination with others, while reveling in creating something beautiful for all to enjoy.
Representation: Our team represents a collective of PoC creatives and filmmakers, taking on leading roles on crew. Along with our story featuring Hispanic and Asian main characters with authentic performances, Cinnamon is an opportunity to shine light on often-unrepresented talent, on and off screen.
AUDIENCE
Cinnamon is a sci-fi comedy short film with Gen Z leading characters that centers on portraying non-fragile masculine friendships and a nonsensical adventure. This film will appeal to Gen Z folks who enjoy thought-provoking and absurd media such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, Barbie, Black Mirror, and The Midnight Gospel.
STYLE
Cinnamon is a combination of the abnormal, the amusing, and the astounding.
Inspired by science fiction films, Cinnamon's style is grounded in unnatural settings and unconventional reality. This film combines the genres of apocalyptic fiction and surreal comedy to create an illogical reality. The two genres blend together to form a bizarre and surreal comedy and fantasy.
CHARACTERS
Dominic
Dominic is outgoing, charismatic, and fearless. He's always looking for adventure, and his friends consider him to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie. So when he spots a flyer hanging on a lone lamp post that's advertising the opportunity to travel through dimensions if you can just make the perfect waffle...needless to say, he went for it. But as he takes his best friend along on his latest fix, for the first time ever, he finds himself shaken.
Fido
Fido is an introvert who tends to go with the flow (or, in other words, Dominic's flow) without ever asking for much. Although he tags along in all of his best friend's adventures, he prefers himself to remain a willing audience instead of an unwilling participant. When Dominic suggests waffle making as a pastime, Fido is suspicious of its simplicity since Dominic is never one to settle for a casual afternoon. But as the stakes are raised, and it's revealed that this waffle just might take them to a whole new world, Fido decides that it's now or never.
Waithere
Waithere is a sentient humanoid waiter robot who assists customers at Waithere Waffles. They ensure that you only have to wait here once, and never again.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
*Seed & Spark requires at least 80% of our goal raised for the project to be funded.
We must reach this goal in 30 days or we won't receive a single penny!*
Your support is essential to our film. With your contribution, we have the opportunity to ensure every aspect of this film is of the highest quality.
Our goal is to raise at least $5,000 through our fundraising here on Seed & Spark to cover the minimum costs of making this film. With our crew of film students, we're all taking the valuable experience and knowledge that we've earned through the making of our own personal films and working on the sets of others.
The $5,000 will go toward:
- Feeding & covering transportation for our Cast/Crew
- Renting high-quality film equipment
- Securing shoot locations
- Set Design, Makeup/Hair, Props, Costumes
FOLLOW AND SHARE!
*WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER!*
Whether through a donation or by simply sharing our campaign, your contribution is an opportunity to support creative storytelling that can touch hearts and inspire minds. You're not just investing in a film; you're helping bring unique voices and fresh perspectives to the screen.
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality, and together, we can share a compelling story that resonates with audiences around the world. By also following and sharing our work, you're helping us reach a larger audience who may want to help us bring Cinnamon to life.
FREE WAYS TO HELP:
- FOLLOW US ON SEED & SPARK!
- SHARE THIS CAMPAIGN WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
- REMEMBER: NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL! :)
For updates on this project, head over to Sky's Instagram! @SKYDOOOOO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skydooooo/
THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Sky, Bryant, Sam, and Paula :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food/Crafty
Costs $200
It'll help with catering and providing food to the cast/crew! No more pizza on set!
Equipment
Costs $2,000
This will allow us to get better gear and lighting for the shoot!
Props
Costs $300
Waffles gotta look delicious!
Cast/Crew
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to help pay for our cast and crew!
Transportation/Gas
Costs $400
Gas would be very much appreciated!
Location
Costs $600
We'd love to film in a location we envisioned.
Contingency
Costs $500
Just in case we lose the portal...
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Paula Macena (Writer and Co-Producer) is, above all, a writer. But besides this, she is a Brazilian who grew up in New Jersey and had a love for writing since the young age of 7. She loves any and all forms of writing—poetry, novels, songwriting, screenwriting, blogging, you name it— and ended up self-publishing a poetry book at the age of 14 as a result of it. She’s recently completed her bachelor’s degree in Writing and has various works in publications such as The Road Runner, Prometheus Unbound, and Culturally Arts Collective. Her most recent poetry collection, Penance of the Byronic Hero, was published in June 2023 and is available for purchase. In her pursuit of shedding light on marginalized writers, she hosts local writers’ events. When she isn’t writing, you can find her lying in the sun thinking about writing, making too much coffee, and staring lovingly at her cats.
Bryant Oei (Producer) is an upcoming independent filmmaker. Ever since he graduated in 2021 with a BFA in Film Production, he has made his way through student projects to working on short films (The Gift) and Music videos (Homecoming - Rence Royal). Bryant mainly stays behind the camera as a Director of Photography or the Camera Operator. Taking on a different role, Bryant chose to produce this as he has a love for the film’s genres (Comedy and Sci-Fi). Growing up as the class clown and playing lots of video games such as Portal, the script of Cinnamon caught his eye. He is excited to take on the challenge of this role and create an epic comedy film.
Sky Do (Director) is an aspiring film director from California where she's earning her B.A. in Film & Media Studies at University of California, Irvine. From the age of 8, she has dreamed of directing films of her own. She discovered her deeper passion for filmmaking during college and focused on strengthening her craft. She's directed and produced the short films "Senses" (2022), "I Want to Kill You Too" (2023), and "Play By the Book" (2023). When she's not working on her own projects, she's assisting fellow directors and freelancing as a production designer and hair/makeup artist. During her free time, she runs the Fashion & Sneakers Organization at UCI where she coordinates weekly executive meetings and mass social events for the fashion community on campus.
Samuel Han (Director of Photography) was born in Los Angeles and raised in his early teens in South Korea. He is currently enrolled in his last term at UC Irvine, majoring in Film and Media Studies. After outgrowing his interest in digital and analog photography, he pursued becoming a filmmaker and cinematographer. He currently serves as a Video Director at a non-profit organization shoots student projects, and works as a freelance crew in the camera department. He has experience working with Canon, Sony, Blackmagic, RED, and Arri cameras.