CLAUDETTE

Toronto, Canada | Film Short

Mystery

Green Light

This campaign raised $6,445 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

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Claudette's husband, missing for three months, left her facing certain ruin. She had planned to wrap up the loose ends of her life in the best way that she could think of.... but, now that the detective is here, she might have to rethink things...

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

The Story

We are shooting this film for two days on December 7th and 8th of 2013. The idea will be that we will go forth in whatever manner we can based on our fundraising at that time, which will end a few days after we wrap. This gives you all a unique opportunity to actually be a part of the outcome by contributing in real time in response to activity on set, all through the platform of Seed&Spark. But that's not to say wait to donate! On the contrary, know that every donation increases our ability to make a better film, and the more we have going in, the more resources will be available on the day. 

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT:

I come from a performing background,  having been an actor for over twenty years in Canada and the United States.  I am very excited to be making my directorial debut with CLAUDETTE.

Over the past few years I have been thrilled to have  the opportunity to work on more independent features than I have in the past. It has been a refreshing departure from the mainstream work that has often defined my career. I have found a different passion being a part of story telling that comes from this type of grass roots collaboration.

CLAUDETTE is a concise example of how a moment can change everything in your life, and how the decisions that you make in each moment can have a neverending effect on what becomes of you. Claudette walks out of the story having made decisions that will certainly follow her wherever she goes, it's not our place to judge her decisions, but rather to go through the moments that led her to make the decisions she makes. The clarity of Alexander Cendese's script, the underlying tidal wave of tension that lies beneath its simple dialogue, is what attracts me to the telling of Claudette's story. 

I hope to bring our audience on a dark and exciting journey that teaches them a little bit about Claudette, and maybe even a little bit about the dark side of themselves as well.

- Gabrielle Miller

WRITERS STATEMENT:

"Don't know what I can say about Claudette that wouldn't come back to haunt me, finally had to give her up about the time she began to want me, but I know God has mercy on them who are slandered and humiliated, I'd a-done anything for that woman if she didn't make me feel so obligated. What can I say about Claudette ? Ain't seen her since January, she could be respectably married or running a whorehouse in Buenos Aires."

-Bob Dylan, The Groom's Still Waiting at the Alter

I wrote CLAUDETTE after hearing a line in the Bob Dylan song, 'The Groom's Still Waiting at the Alter.' To be honest it is a song I know well, and a line I have mused over many times, but the motion of the long train ride from New York to Toronto,  and the aide of the fall leaves along the Hudson river, seemed to spurr a creative development.

I wrote CLAUDETTE for Gabrielle Miller to direct. She is one of the most talented actors I have ever known and having been closely involved with her over the last few years has led me to understand her deep desire to approach story telling from a new perspective. We both share an innate interest in telling stories specifically about women who do extraordinary things. Without painting Claudette's actions one way or the other, it can certainly be said that she is a surprising woman.

I wrote CLAUDETTE because I want to continure to generate independent content for our community. That community being the rising tide of film makers of my generation who have toiled to tell their stories on their own terms in lieu of waiting for the phone to ring. This will be my second attempt at crowd source funding for a project of mine, my first attempt having been a success, and I seek to do it again because I again find myself with a project that best exemplifies the spirit of storytelling through film. 

-Alexander Cendese

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Red Epic

Costs $1,200

Digital camera with amazing dynamic range, makes beauty in pictures!

KRAFTY

Costs $100

Snacks between scenes, takes or lighting setups.

LUNCH/MEALS

Costs $400

This is for two Lunches and two 'Second Lunches' if we need to work longer than 12 hours.

Makeup Artist

Costs $360

Make the actors look pretty.

Grip/Electric Swing

Costs $240

This person puts things up and makes them work! Specifically lights and flags and stands.

First Assistant Camera Person

Costs $300

This person pulls focus, possibly the most important thing in a movie.

Full Truck

Costs $720

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

Wardrobe Stylist

Costs $360

Make the actors wear the right things.

Boom Operator

Costs $800

Clear sound is almost the most important thing along with picture.

About This Team

GABRIELLE MILLER - ( Director/Producer)

Gabrielle Miller has appeared in over 75 productions in the past two decades. She is best known for her lead roles on two television series: the runaway hit CTV series Corner Gas, and the critically acclaimed dramedy Robson Arms. In 2013, Gabrielle was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for her role in Mike Clattenburg's feature film Moving Day, the opening film for the Canadian Images Program at VIFF in 2012. Combined, Gabrielle has garnered 12 Gemini and Leo Award nominations and five wins. In 2012, Gabrielle had the honor of being a member of Oldenburg International Film Festival's first ever all female jury. Gabrielle can be heard this fall in the City TV/Hulu adult animated series,  Mother Up!, and her most recent foray in the world of independent film, Down River, can be seen in theaters in the Spring of 2014. Gabrielle splits her time between her residences in New York and Toronto.

ALEXANDER CENDESE -  ( Writer/Producer)

Alexander Cendese is a American/Canadian actor, writer and producer living in New York and Toronto. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to a Canadian father and an American mother, Cendese spent significant time in Florence, Italy growing up, before attending the Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp and eventually, Carnegie Mellon, where he received his Bachelor's in Acting from the School of Drama in 2004. In 2004, Cendese took up permanent residency in New York City, where he has been a working actor ever since. In 2011, Cendese developed, produced and appeared in the feature film, Blumenthal, starring Brain Cox and Laila Robins. Blumenthal had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2013 and is set for a spring 2014 release. Cendese has produced several short films, including Feeling Tall, and Defaced, which he wrote, shot, edited and directed, and he recently wrapped principal photography on the feature, Best Man in the Dark, which he co-wrote and starred in.  Since November of 2012, Cendese has maintained a home in Toronto, as well as New York City.

TARA SPENCER-NAIRN ( Claudette )

Spencer-Nairn was born in Montreal, raised in Vancouver and currently calls Toronto home. A former competitive gymnast, she is a graduate of the Vancouver Film School. Her big breakthrough came in 1999, when she was cast as Lou in the highly-acclaimed film New Waterford Girl which played at Sundance and TIFF and was nominated for seven Genie awards. Tara is best-known for her Gemini-winning turn as Karen Pelly on the #1 rated sitcom Corner Gas. She can currently be seen in the recurring role of Sandy in CTV’s hit drama The Listener.

 
KEN KRAWCZYK, CSC - ( Director of Photography )
 
Having been behind the camera on many award winning series like, Corner Gas, Hiccups, and recently, In Security, Ken Anton Krawcyzk has experienced success at many levels as a director of photography. Although best known for his series work, Krawcysk's love for motion photography goes beyond television comedy. Driven to create engaging photography for over twenty five years, Krawczyk has extended his craft to many feature film and commercial projects. Krawcyzk was nominated for the Gemini Award for best photography in a comedy program in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Most recently he was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for his photography on In Security in 2013.
 

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