Coasting
New York City, New York | Film Short
Family, Drama
At twelve, Amelia enjoys a close relationship with her father that often excludes her mother. It’s only when her bike is stolen on a family trip to the coast that Amelia realizes the impact this constant power imbalance has on her mom.
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At twelve, Amelia enjoys a close relationship with her father that often excludes her mother. It’s only when her bike is stolen on a family trip to the coast that Amelia realizes the impact this constant power imbalance has on her mom.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
INSPIRATION
“Often father and daughter look down on mother (woman) together. They exchange meaningful glances when she misses a point. They agree that she is not as bright as they are, cannot reason as they do. This collusion does not save the daughter from the mother’s fate.” - Bonnie Burstow
So many women have the shared experience of being devastated by this quote. At twelve, I went through this exact phase: exchanging looks with my dad and brother because mom was running late again, probably putting on make-up; rolling my eyes, embarrassed, when she cried during a sad movie. I’d already unconsciously absorbed so much of the rhetoric that women were less practical, more emotional, weaker, softer, etc., and my fears of becoming like that took on new urgency as puberty hit and suddenly I was not just a kid, but something much more dangerous - a girl, a young woman even. I think it’s in an effort to stave off the inevitable that girls turn so viciously against their moms. And it doesn’t work - at the end of the day, I look in the mirror and see so much of my mother in me. I’m very grateful for that now. I wrote this film looking back at that time, and specifically asking the question: did I ever realize, in my years of being a daddy’s girl, how my mom felt - and did I ever feel bad about it?
Cece Wheeler
Writer/Director
THE STORY
On a family vacation to the coast, Amelia, twelve, unsuccessfully attempts to ride her new bike hands-free. Over dinner, she tries to get her dad, Mark, to convince her mom, Elena, to play Monopoly. Elena is reluctant, so they “compromise” on SORRY! Amelia and Mark’s competitive alliance is more evident than ever as they play, ultimately driving Elena to abandon the game halfway through, much to Amelia’s annoyance.
Angry, Amelia leaves to ride her bike in an empty lot near the dunes. Two boys playing basketball on a court nearby, Connor and Danny, approach and ask to try out her bike. Connor shows off, riding hands free. When she can't do the trick, they taunt her. Just as Amelia is trying to leave, Danny grabs her bike and rides off with it, Connor in tow. Amelia is left alone in the parking lot, embarrassed and scared.
She wanders back towards the house along the beach, where she eventually stumbles on her bike jammed against a fence; upside down, chain undone, tassels ripped. As she walks her bike home, Amelia runs into the boys again; they’re trying to set fire to dry grass under a bandshell. In a moment of rage, she confronts them - then, scared as they give chase, she rides off. She wipes her eye with her arm as she rides, angry but not quite crying. Then she lifts the other arm - for a brief moment, both hands are off.
Later that night, Amelia crawls into bed with her mother, wanting closeness but not sure how to ask for it. Elena, still exhausted from the day, briefly holds her daughter before turning away; caught somewhere between anger and sympathy. Amelia watches her mother - for a moment, she understands.
CURRENT STATUS
We have completed 80% of the filming in Patchogue, Long Island over a 3 day shoot. Unfortunately a coastal storm prevented us from capturing two pivotal scenes that are integral to the story's progression – the scene where Amelia’s bike gets stolen and the one where she confronts the boys and rides off.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
We need your help to complete this film! Your support helps us bring this film to its full potential. We're heading back to Patchogue to film these remaining scenes, and with your generous contribution, we can ensure that every aspect of this story is brought to life authentically and beautifully.
The funds raised will be allocated towards towards renting equipment, compensating our dedicated crew, providing transportation for the cast and crew, and most importantly ensuring that the three growing children who make up part of our talented cast don't run out of fruit snacks and rice krispies treats (we eat them too).
STRETCH GOALS
In the event that we surpass our $3000 goal, our goal will be to direct that funding towards the post-production process.
- Compensating our colorist for their work
- Compensating our post sound mixers and foley artists
- Festival Submissions: We have 3 fantastic child actors making their film debuts with this short and we want the world to see their talent. The team intends to submit this film to festivals like the Hamptons International Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Tribeca Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival and more!
THE CREW
Cece Wheeler – Screenwriter/Director (pictured with her mom!)
Cece Wheeler is a writer / director originally from Seattle, Washington, currently completing her MFA in Film from Columbia University in New York under advisor Bette Gordon. She is interested in stories about girlhood, and exploring the intimate and fraught relationships between people, particularly mothers and daughters.
Sharvari Bhat – Producer
Sharvari Bhat is a Creative Producer from Pune, India. She received a dual degree in Film & Television and Psychology from Boston University and is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Producing at Columbia's School for the Arts. Sharvari's films have been supported by Panavision and NY Women's Fund and she is a recipient of the Arthur Krim Memorial Fellowship.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $850
The team needs to rent and insure the same equipment package we had for the rest of the film!
Transport, Lodging and Meals
Costs $1,500
We want to transport and lodge equipment, actors & crew and ensure the team's comfort on set.
Props and Wardrobe
Costs $200
We need to purchase wardrobe items for the two boys as well as props for the two scenes.
Crew Compensation
Costs $450
Compensating our crew for their hard work!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
THE CREW
Cece Wheeler – Screenwriter/Director
Cece Wheeler is a writer / director originally from Seattle, Washington, currently completing her MFA in Film from Columbia University in New York under advisor Bette Gordon. She is interested in stories about girlhood, and exploring the intimate and fraught relationships between people, particularly mothers and daughters. A recipient of the 2023 Sloan Screenplay Treatment grant, she recently completed post-production on her short film All the Bodies Were Girls, and has written a feature screenplay following four girls at a YMCA summer sleepaway camp.
Sharvari Bhat – Producer
Sharvari Bhat is a Creative Producer from Pune, India. She received a dual degree in Film & Television and Psychology from Boston University and is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Producing at Columbia's School of the Arts. Sharvari's films have been supported by Panavision and NY Women's Fund and she is a recipient of the Arthur Krim Memorial Fellowship.
Gus Aronson – Cinematographer
Gus Aronson is a photographer and filmmaker based out of Chinatown, NY. Embracing ambiguous narrative and vivid color as tools to push against ideas of the document, Gus rejects the notion that photographs are purely evidence of a time past. He explores how photographs can rather function as tarot cards: relics of the past and roadmaps for the future. He has been commissioned by Aperture, the New York Times, New York Magazine, the Cut, and Elle, and was part of the Aperture Summer Open 2020 “Information” show at Fotografiska, NY. His Films have premiered with No Budge and the Mill Valley Film Festival.
Madeline Henderson - Production Designer
Madeline Henderson (she/they) is a 24 year old production designer based in New York. She’s been passionate about art from a young age (see above), and hopes to bring stories to life through intentional design. They were honored to work on this project and to help build a girl world.
John Natalone - Assistant Director
John Natalone is originally from Long Island, New York. He attended Middlebury College where he received a degree in Biochemistry before pivoting into media. When he’s not AD’ing, he’s creating mini-documentaries for his YouTube channel focused on roller coaster and theme park history, or recording for his podcast, Two Across Seating.
THE CAST
Aliya - Playing Amelia
Marcel Simoneau – Playing Mark
Marcel is a New York City based actor who has appeared on TV in: Gotham, God Friended Me, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Fringe, Law & Order, Ed and Strangers with Candy and recently on the first episode of the original Law & Order reboot, a guest starring role on Blacklist and a National commercial for E*Trade. In Film: The Rebound, Imperialists are Still Alive, Horizon, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Stranger, Kinsey, Seduction, Meridian.
Katie Kohler - Playing Elena
Katie Kohler is an actor, producer, and painter based in NYC. She graduated from the University of Montana with a BFA in Acting. She is a founder and producer of The Back Pack, an award-winning physical comedy troupe. Katie has performed in plays at a number of regional theaters and has acted in several independent short and feature length films that have been screened at various film festivals including: SXSW, Fantasia (Montreal), and Seattle International. She is an avid rock climber, dog lover, and will never pass up a farmers market.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
INSPIRATION
“Often father and daughter look down on mother (woman) together. They exchange meaningful glances when she misses a point. They agree that she is not as bright as they are, cannot reason as they do. This collusion does not save the daughter from the mother’s fate.” - Bonnie Burstow
So many women have the shared experience of being devastated by this quote. At twelve, I went through this exact phase: exchanging looks with my dad and brother because mom was running late again, probably putting on make-up; rolling my eyes, embarrassed, when she cried during a sad movie. I’d already unconsciously absorbed so much of the rhetoric that women were less practical, more emotional, weaker, softer, etc., and my fears of becoming like that took on new urgency as puberty hit and suddenly I was not just a kid, but something much more dangerous - a girl, a young woman even. I think it’s in an effort to stave off the inevitable that girls turn so viciously against their moms. And it doesn’t work - at the end of the day, I look in the mirror and see so much of my mother in me. I’m very grateful for that now. I wrote this film looking back at that time, and specifically asking the question: did I ever realize, in my years of being a daddy’s girl, how my mom felt - and did I ever feel bad about it?
Cece Wheeler
Writer/Director
THE STORY
On a family vacation to the coast, Amelia, twelve, unsuccessfully attempts to ride her new bike hands-free. Over dinner, she tries to get her dad, Mark, to convince her mom, Elena, to play Monopoly. Elena is reluctant, so they “compromise” on SORRY! Amelia and Mark’s competitive alliance is more evident than ever as they play, ultimately driving Elena to abandon the game halfway through, much to Amelia’s annoyance.
Angry, Amelia leaves to ride her bike in an empty lot near the dunes. Two boys playing basketball on a court nearby, Connor and Danny, approach and ask to try out her bike. Connor shows off, riding hands free. When she can't do the trick, they taunt her. Just as Amelia is trying to leave, Danny grabs her bike and rides off with it, Connor in tow. Amelia is left alone in the parking lot, embarrassed and scared.
She wanders back towards the house along the beach, where she eventually stumbles on her bike jammed against a fence; upside down, chain undone, tassels ripped. As she walks her bike home, Amelia runs into the boys again; they’re trying to set fire to dry grass under a bandshell. In a moment of rage, she confronts them - then, scared as they give chase, she rides off. She wipes her eye with her arm as she rides, angry but not quite crying. Then she lifts the other arm - for a brief moment, both hands are off.
Later that night, Amelia crawls into bed with her mother, wanting closeness but not sure how to ask for it. Elena, still exhausted from the day, briefly holds her daughter before turning away; caught somewhere between anger and sympathy. Amelia watches her mother - for a moment, she understands.
CURRENT STATUS
We have completed 80% of the filming in Patchogue, Long Island over a 3 day shoot. Unfortunately a coastal storm prevented us from capturing two pivotal scenes that are integral to the story's progression – the scene where Amelia’s bike gets stolen and the one where she confronts the boys and rides off.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
We need your help to complete this film! Your support helps us bring this film to its full potential. We're heading back to Patchogue to film these remaining scenes, and with your generous contribution, we can ensure that every aspect of this story is brought to life authentically and beautifully.
The funds raised will be allocated towards towards renting equipment, compensating our dedicated crew, providing transportation for the cast and crew, and most importantly ensuring that the three growing children who make up part of our talented cast don't run out of fruit snacks and rice krispies treats (we eat them too).
STRETCH GOALS
In the event that we surpass our $3000 goal, our goal will be to direct that funding towards the post-production process.
- Compensating our colorist for their work
- Compensating our post sound mixers and foley artists
- Festival Submissions: We have 3 fantastic child actors making their film debuts with this short and we want the world to see their talent. The team intends to submit this film to festivals like the Hamptons International Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Tribeca Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival and more!
THE CREW
Cece Wheeler – Screenwriter/Director (pictured with her mom!)
Cece Wheeler is a writer / director originally from Seattle, Washington, currently completing her MFA in Film from Columbia University in New York under advisor Bette Gordon. She is interested in stories about girlhood, and exploring the intimate and fraught relationships between people, particularly mothers and daughters.
Sharvari Bhat – Producer
Sharvari Bhat is a Creative Producer from Pune, India. She received a dual degree in Film & Television and Psychology from Boston University and is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Producing at Columbia's School for the Arts. Sharvari's films have been supported by Panavision and NY Women's Fund and she is a recipient of the Arthur Krim Memorial Fellowship.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $850
The team needs to rent and insure the same equipment package we had for the rest of the film!
Transport, Lodging and Meals
Costs $1,500
We want to transport and lodge equipment, actors & crew and ensure the team's comfort on set.
Props and Wardrobe
Costs $200
We need to purchase wardrobe items for the two boys as well as props for the two scenes.
Crew Compensation
Costs $450
Compensating our crew for their hard work!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
THE CREW
Cece Wheeler – Screenwriter/Director
Cece Wheeler is a writer / director originally from Seattle, Washington, currently completing her MFA in Film from Columbia University in New York under advisor Bette Gordon. She is interested in stories about girlhood, and exploring the intimate and fraught relationships between people, particularly mothers and daughters. A recipient of the 2023 Sloan Screenplay Treatment grant, she recently completed post-production on her short film All the Bodies Were Girls, and has written a feature screenplay following four girls at a YMCA summer sleepaway camp.
Sharvari Bhat – Producer
Sharvari Bhat is a Creative Producer from Pune, India. She received a dual degree in Film & Television and Psychology from Boston University and is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Producing at Columbia's School of the Arts. Sharvari's films have been supported by Panavision and NY Women's Fund and she is a recipient of the Arthur Krim Memorial Fellowship.
Gus Aronson – Cinematographer
Gus Aronson is a photographer and filmmaker based out of Chinatown, NY. Embracing ambiguous narrative and vivid color as tools to push against ideas of the document, Gus rejects the notion that photographs are purely evidence of a time past. He explores how photographs can rather function as tarot cards: relics of the past and roadmaps for the future. He has been commissioned by Aperture, the New York Times, New York Magazine, the Cut, and Elle, and was part of the Aperture Summer Open 2020 “Information” show at Fotografiska, NY. His Films have premiered with No Budge and the Mill Valley Film Festival.
Madeline Henderson - Production Designer
Madeline Henderson (she/they) is a 24 year old production designer based in New York. She’s been passionate about art from a young age (see above), and hopes to bring stories to life through intentional design. They were honored to work on this project and to help build a girl world.
John Natalone - Assistant Director
John Natalone is originally from Long Island, New York. He attended Middlebury College where he received a degree in Biochemistry before pivoting into media. When he’s not AD’ing, he’s creating mini-documentaries for his YouTube channel focused on roller coaster and theme park history, or recording for his podcast, Two Across Seating.
THE CAST
Aliya - Playing Amelia
Marcel Simoneau – Playing Mark
Marcel is a New York City based actor who has appeared on TV in: Gotham, God Friended Me, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Fringe, Law & Order, Ed and Strangers with Candy and recently on the first episode of the original Law & Order reboot, a guest starring role on Blacklist and a National commercial for E*Trade. In Film: The Rebound, Imperialists are Still Alive, Horizon, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Stranger, Kinsey, Seduction, Meridian.
Katie Kohler - Playing Elena
Katie Kohler is an actor, producer, and painter based in NYC. She graduated from the University of Montana with a BFA in Acting. She is a founder and producer of The Back Pack, an award-winning physical comedy troupe. Katie has performed in plays at a number of regional theaters and has acted in several independent short and feature length films that have been screened at various film festivals including: SXSW, Fantasia (Montreal), and Seattle International. She is an avid rock climber, dog lover, and will never pass up a farmers market.