Clouds in my Coffee
North Bergen, New Jersey | Film Short
Drama
At her mother's negligence, Mona takes care of her preteen sister who navigates a burgeoning relationship with a much older man.
Green Light
This campaign raised $10,067 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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At her mother's negligence, Mona takes care of her preteen sister who navigates a burgeoning relationship with a much older man.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY:
At her mother's negligence, Mona takes care of her preteen sister who navigates a burgeoning relationship with a much older man.
Mona’s mom never really grew up. It’s evident in her financial instability, forgetfulness of her two daughters, and her casual relationships- leaving the pressures of caretaking to her eldest: Mona. Being at a pivotal age, Mona’s pubescent sister, Ameera, struggles to understand herself, burning with more questions than answers. So, with no real parental figure to turn to, Ameera seeks answers by outpouring her trauma in unhealthy ways, and all her older sister can do, is worry... At least, until it’s too much for the siblings to bear.
This film poses a very serious question for many people, today: If home, school, or work cannot be your safe-haven, what communities can you rely on for support?
SETTING THE SCENE:
Imagine a metro-suburban backdrop in a pre-digital world-- all teen-girl-ified. Magazine perfume samples, newspapers with coffee stains, collages and Lisa Frank stickers, ill-watered plants, doodles with multi-colored pens...
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WHY TELL THIS STORY?:
I remember turning 13 and being so angry at the world, surrounded by lots of Ameeras and Monas and even doing a few of the things they do at an attempt to heal the broken parts of me and my relationships with others. I grew up questioning all of the themes in this story and juggling many of the answers on my own. I grew, I overcame-- Then, my sister turned 13. And, like Mona, I wanted her to go through none of what I saw and experienced.
Inspired by Carly Simon’s album title, “Clouds in my Coffee” refers to one’s judgement being clouded and then having to “wake up and smell the coffee,” - a sentiment many grapple with as they come of age.
In a Hollywood landscape where many characters are polarized, where there’s a “good” guy and a “bad” guy, who’s “right” and who’s “wrong”, this film strives to showcase that two things can co-exist. In a Hollywood landscape where the only South Asian-centric films and T.V. shows are stereotypical and specifically about being South Asian, this short film shows that being Brown in a leading role doesn't have to be about being Brown, at all.
I hope this story heals a part of its audience in its seeking to explore one’s personhood.
See previous work: https://samikshathakur.com
TONE, THEMES, & VISUAL GUIDES:
Soft and warm imagery, especially when the sisters share the screen. An emphasis on intimate, close-up, and handheld shots.
WHERE ARE WE IN THE PROCESS?:
Follow "Clouds in my Coffee" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyporcelainpictures/
Our locations are secured. Primary crew is secured. The process of building this world has begun. And we're steadfast in our casting stage! This crowdfunding campaign moves our production forward in a multitude of ways-- securing funding is the first, real step to helping us actually MAKE the film. We really rely on our community to help spread the word and contribute to the project-- it takes a VILLAGE. Check out our "Wishlist section" for a monetary breakdown of the budget. Here's a general overview of what your donations are helping us out with:
BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
All Cast & Crew Meals
Costs $1,200
Film sets require cast & crew to be on their feet for about 10 hours at a time. The least we can do is keep everyone full and fueled.
Hiring Crew
Costs $1,500
Skills come with a cost.
Hiring Actors
Costs $1,500
Talent comes with a cost.
Production Design and SFX Makeup
Costs $1,000
Building a world from the ground up requires lots of resources... and money.
Reimbursing Cast/Crew Transportation
Costs $750
The MTA raised their ticket price and we don't even have to tell you how much gas costs... you already know...
Equipment Rentals + Location Permits
Costs $1,000
Certain gadgets help us achieve the look we want and having somewhere to film would be nice!
Emergency Funds
Costs $1,000
Untoward things happen on film sets all the time and solutions, more often than not, come with a cost.
Music Licensing/Composing
Costs $1,500
Every film has a song it wouldn't be the same without. Because we plan to screen this film at festivals, we need permits that let us do so.
Film Festival Submission Fees
Costs $550
Submitting to film festivals isn't free!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet Our Core Crew:
.png)
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY:
At her mother's negligence, Mona takes care of her preteen sister who navigates a burgeoning relationship with a much older man.
Mona’s mom never really grew up. It’s evident in her financial instability, forgetfulness of her two daughters, and her casual relationships- leaving the pressures of caretaking to her eldest: Mona. Being at a pivotal age, Mona’s pubescent sister, Ameera, struggles to understand herself, burning with more questions than answers. So, with no real parental figure to turn to, Ameera seeks answers by outpouring her trauma in unhealthy ways, and all her older sister can do, is worry... At least, until it’s too much for the siblings to bear.
This film poses a very serious question for many people, today: If home, school, or work cannot be your safe-haven, what communities can you rely on for support?
SETTING THE SCENE:
Imagine a metro-suburban backdrop in a pre-digital world-- all teen-girl-ified. Magazine perfume samples, newspapers with coffee stains, collages and Lisa Frank stickers, ill-watered plants, doodles with multi-colored pens...
WHY TELL THIS STORY?:
I remember turning 13 and being so angry at the world, surrounded by lots of Ameeras and Monas and even doing a few of the things they do at an attempt to heal the broken parts of me and my relationships with others. I grew up questioning all of the themes in this story and juggling many of the answers on my own. I grew, I overcame-- Then, my sister turned 13. And, like Mona, I wanted her to go through none of what I saw and experienced.
Inspired by Carly Simon’s album title, “Clouds in my Coffee” refers to one’s judgement being clouded and then having to “wake up and smell the coffee,” - a sentiment many grapple with as they come of age.
In a Hollywood landscape where many characters are polarized, where there’s a “good” guy and a “bad” guy, who’s “right” and who’s “wrong”, this film strives to showcase that two things can co-exist. In a Hollywood landscape where the only South Asian-centric films and T.V. shows are stereotypical and specifically about being South Asian, this short film shows that being Brown in a leading role doesn't have to be about being Brown, at all.
I hope this story heals a part of its audience in its seeking to explore one’s personhood.
See previous work: https://samikshathakur.com
TONE, THEMES, & VISUAL GUIDES:
Soft and warm imagery, especially when the sisters share the screen. An emphasis on intimate, close-up, and handheld shots.
WHERE ARE WE IN THE PROCESS?:
Follow "Clouds in my Coffee" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyporcelainpictures/
Our locations are secured. Primary crew is secured. The process of building this world has begun. And we're steadfast in our casting stage! This crowdfunding campaign moves our production forward in a multitude of ways-- securing funding is the first, real step to helping us actually MAKE the film. We really rely on our community to help spread the word and contribute to the project-- it takes a VILLAGE. Check out our "Wishlist section" for a monetary breakdown of the budget. Here's a general overview of what your donations are helping us out with:
BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
All Cast & Crew Meals
Costs $1,200
Film sets require cast & crew to be on their feet for about 10 hours at a time. The least we can do is keep everyone full and fueled.
Hiring Crew
Costs $1,500
Skills come with a cost.
Hiring Actors
Costs $1,500
Talent comes with a cost.
Production Design and SFX Makeup
Costs $1,000
Building a world from the ground up requires lots of resources... and money.
Reimbursing Cast/Crew Transportation
Costs $750
The MTA raised their ticket price and we don't even have to tell you how much gas costs... you already know...
Equipment Rentals + Location Permits
Costs $1,000
Certain gadgets help us achieve the look we want and having somewhere to film would be nice!
Emergency Funds
Costs $1,000
Untoward things happen on film sets all the time and solutions, more often than not, come with a cost.
Music Licensing/Composing
Costs $1,500
Every film has a song it wouldn't be the same without. Because we plan to screen this film at festivals, we need permits that let us do so.
Film Festival Submission Fees
Costs $550
Submitting to film festivals isn't free!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet Our Core Crew: