Cold
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Film Short
Thriller, Horror
Cold tells the story of Carmen, a woman who wakes up in a strange house and is given 1,000 days to fix the vehicle in her driveway or spend the rest of her life in purgatory. Throughout the film Carmen must battle her harsh environment, isolation and her rapidly declining mental and physical health.
Cold
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Film Short
Thriller, Horror
1 Campaigns | Pennsylvania, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $12,550 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
156 supporters | followers
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Cold tells the story of Carmen, a woman who wakes up in a strange house and is given 1,000 days to fix the vehicle in her driveway or spend the rest of her life in purgatory. Throughout the film Carmen must battle her harsh environment, isolation and her rapidly declining mental and physical health.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Mission Statement
At Foxy Phoenix Productions, our mission is to create compelling and impactful films that captivate audiences and inspire meaningful conversations. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional storytelling through the power of visual media, pushing creative boundaries, and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives.
By staying true to our mission, we aim to contribute to the world of cinema by producing thought-provoking, visually stunning, and socially impactful films that entertain, inspire, and leave a lasting legacy.
The Origins of "Cold"
Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Gregory Poppa, Cold is the heart-wrenchingly, tragic tale of Carmen, a grieving mother who wakes up in a strange house with only a vague note from her guide, Samuel to direct her next 1000 days. Carmen, portrayed by Sugey Cruz. wakes up in a world she doesn’t recognize and is given the task of fixing her vehicle or spend eternity in purgatory. She is accompanied by her companion dog Armando and occasionally hears from her daughter Daniella. Carmen’s struggles lead to her rapidly deteriorating physical and mental health and the extremes of her psyche.
The film was Inspired by the Sundance Mountains, where Greg and Sugey discussed how they wanted to explore the mental and physical state the cold, isolation, and loss would have on a mourning mother. We look forward to diving into complex issues like grief, loss, isolation, depression, and suicide and are looking to partner with local and national groups that deal with these topics to create a film that audiences continue to discuss long after their viewing experiences.
To Pennsylvania, With Love - Why Should You Take a Chance On Us?
Greg and Sugey have previously worked together on "Transient" and "Merry Pawmas" and are using "Cold" to cement a new partnership called Roaming Shadow Productions, which in large part focuses on finding and hiring Pennsylvania talent on and off camera for their works. They are not only passionate about telling stories that examine human frailty and psyche, but are also committed to bringing more narrative filmmaking to Pennsylvania.
They've assembled an all-star cast and crew comprised of the most talented filmmakers from Philadelphia, the surrounding suburbs, Lancaster, and Gettysburg, PA area, who are excited to bring this film to life but in order to do so we need your help. The team's diverse viewpoints and backgrounds also add to the richness and humanity of "Cold" as every head of department plays a crucial role in developing the story and helping us weave this psychological thriller.
Pennsylvania is truly a vast and beautiful state, that provides an ambiance and setting for just about any locale a filmmaker might need. Filming "Cold" in rural Wyalusing, PA will help to bolster the local economy and foster further growth in the budding local film community. Producing more narrative film projects, such as "Cold", and hiring local talent on and off camera, will draw more attention to filmmaking in PA as a strong and viable alternative to other states.
Oh, Oh, Oh... It's Magic
"Cold" employs elements of magical realism to tell Carmen's story. Magical realism is a narrative technique that combines realistic elements with magical or fantastical elements, blurring the line between the ordinary and the extraordinary. While magical realism is most commonly associated with literature, it has also been employed effectively in film to create unique and captivating storytelling experiences.
Magical realism in film allows filmmakers to explore complex themes, emotions, and social issues in a visually captivating and imaginative way. It creates a unique narrative space where the boundaries between the real and the fantastical are blurred, providing a rich and often metaphorical storytelling experience.
Real or Not Real?
Throughout the film Carmen must battle her harsh environment, isolation, and rapidly declining mental and physical health to escape her prison. While there are times Carmen loses her grip on what is real or not real, one thing is for certain, the longer it takes for her to fix her car, the more her mind and body deteriorate at a meteoric pace. Along with elements of movie magic, our award-winning SFX team will develop some real-life gore for Carmen to endure including rapid aging and extreme frostbite.
The Heart of It All
At the heart of the film is a mother’s love for her daughter and it is very important to us to tell that story in a way that pulls the audience in and never lets them off the hook. We want to make sure the film looks and feels full of life to the point that you forget you’re watching a film and that you’re experiencing everything Carmen is experiencing.
The Cast of Cold: Sugey Cruz (Carmen), Greg Poppa (Samuel), Rachel Dolan (Daniella) and Ronin Root (Armando)
Thank You
We want to thank you for your contribution to making this fever dream film a reality.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Keep Us Fed
Costs $500
A full crew is a happy crew!
Insurance and Legal Fees
Costs $500
You never know... we do things by the book!
Props and Set Decoration
Costs $700
Everything needs to look authentic... we have a vision.
Location
Costs $1,250
We need a place to film and we have the perfect setting.
Hero Car
Costs $500
An integral part of the story - Carmen has 1000 days to fix the vehicle or stay in purgatory. 2002 Toyota Rav 4 is ideal car!
Special Effects & Hair/Makeup
Costs $1,000
Our award winning SFX effects and makeup/hair team is going to bring the story to life and decay it in all the right ways.
Lodging and Transportation
Costs $1,800
Lodging for our crew
Crew
Costs $6,000
Help us pay our wonderful production team from Camera, Lighting, Sound, Production Design and SFX!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We have assembled some of the most talented filmmakers in the Philadelphia area. We're excited to have such inspired, dedicated, filmmakers on board
Greg Poppa - Writer/Director/Samuel
Greg Poppa is a Philadelphia-based filmmaker. As a director, he won multiple awards for the short “Foxes,” about two Mesolithic hunter-gatherers’ struggle to survive. This will be his second short as a director. He wants to convey the sense of hopelessness and the repetitive nature of depression. How, no matter the efforts of those around you, the only one who can truly save yourself from despair and loneliness is yourself.
Sugey Cruz - Producer/Carmen
Portrayed by Sugey Cruz. Carmen wakes up in a world she doesn’t recognize and is given the task of fixing her vehicle or spend eternity in purgatory. She is accompanied by her companion dog Armando and occasionally hears from her daughter Daniella. Carmen’s struggles lead to her rapidly deteriorating physical and mental health and the extremes of her psyche.
Jamie Root - Director of Photography
Jamie is an American director, cinematographer, producer, and editor. She has over 13 years of experience with directing, filming and editing short films, web-series, pilots, commercial videos and feature films. Currently, Jamie is second camera operator and lead editor on a feature film being distributed on Netflix. In 2021, Jamie released a narrative called “How to Be Human” which follows six different individuals during their everyday trials and tribulations. Jamie has also been working with special effects and gore makeup for several years. When not working, Jamie enjoys lifting, boxing, hiking, and sleeping.
Leah Borrie - Production Designer
Leah Claire Borrie is a filmmaker, production designer and graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. She has designed sets for music videos, including Megan Thee Stallion’s hit video Captain Hook (122M views) and Jordy’s video Just Friends (660k views), and short films where she has recreated historical time periods and built science fiction worlds. Leah loves to use design to elevate a story with intentional color palettes, textures, and shapes. She prides herself on being a resourceful, creative problem solver with an obsession for the little details.
Otha Hernandez - Assistant Director
Otha Derek Hernandez Peña is a Philadelphia based writer, director, producer, and composer. His most recent projects include the short film Tips Up! (2023) and music video Our June (2021). Otha assistant directed and produced Tips Up! (2023), a highly ambitious 5 minute period piece shot entirely in one shot. As an assistant director, he was responsible for keeping the production on schedule, safety, managing calls sheets, being the liaison to the director, and ensuring the endless spontaneous problems that often occur on film sets were solved.
Chris Ruppert- Assistant Camera and BTS
Born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Chris Ruppert realized his passion for filmmaking in High School when he and his friends created multiple short films. Chris studied graphic design in college and worked at a marketing company for years, honing his design and marketing skills. Then, Chris left his job to start his own business, Creative Element Design, where he began his journey into video production. As an entrepreneur, Chris launched BMN Films in 2018, leading projects culminating in his success today. Chris has directed 4 worldwide distributed feature-length documentaries, 15 short films, written four feature films, and has won numerous awards for his movies and writing.
Diego Brazzo - SFX Supervisor
Diego Brazzo was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania and developed a love for movies at a young age. After highschool, he moved to Florida, where he studied filmmaking and received a bachelor's degree at Full Sail University. He has since directed multiple short and feature-length independent films but focuses most of his attention on prop making, painting, and special effects.
Izzy Isel - SFX Makeup Supervisor
Izzy Isel is a professional special effects makeup artist based in Philadelphia. Originally from Tampa, Florida, Izzy is 23 years old and has spent the past 5 years perfecting her craft. She has a passion for horror, gore and bringing others' ideas to life!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Mission Statement
At Foxy Phoenix Productions, our mission is to create compelling and impactful films that captivate audiences and inspire meaningful conversations. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional storytelling through the power of visual media, pushing creative boundaries, and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives.
By staying true to our mission, we aim to contribute to the world of cinema by producing thought-provoking, visually stunning, and socially impactful films that entertain, inspire, and leave a lasting legacy.
The Origins of "Cold"
Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Gregory Poppa, Cold is the heart-wrenchingly, tragic tale of Carmen, a grieving mother who wakes up in a strange house with only a vague note from her guide, Samuel to direct her next 1000 days. Carmen, portrayed by Sugey Cruz. wakes up in a world she doesn’t recognize and is given the task of fixing her vehicle or spend eternity in purgatory. She is accompanied by her companion dog Armando and occasionally hears from her daughter Daniella. Carmen’s struggles lead to her rapidly deteriorating physical and mental health and the extremes of her psyche.
The film was Inspired by the Sundance Mountains, where Greg and Sugey discussed how they wanted to explore the mental and physical state the cold, isolation, and loss would have on a mourning mother. We look forward to diving into complex issues like grief, loss, isolation, depression, and suicide and are looking to partner with local and national groups that deal with these topics to create a film that audiences continue to discuss long after their viewing experiences.
To Pennsylvania, With Love - Why Should You Take a Chance On Us?
Greg and Sugey have previously worked together on "Transient" and "Merry Pawmas" and are using "Cold" to cement a new partnership called Roaming Shadow Productions, which in large part focuses on finding and hiring Pennsylvania talent on and off camera for their works. They are not only passionate about telling stories that examine human frailty and psyche, but are also committed to bringing more narrative filmmaking to Pennsylvania.
They've assembled an all-star cast and crew comprised of the most talented filmmakers from Philadelphia, the surrounding suburbs, Lancaster, and Gettysburg, PA area, who are excited to bring this film to life but in order to do so we need your help. The team's diverse viewpoints and backgrounds also add to the richness and humanity of "Cold" as every head of department plays a crucial role in developing the story and helping us weave this psychological thriller.
Pennsylvania is truly a vast and beautiful state, that provides an ambiance and setting for just about any locale a filmmaker might need. Filming "Cold" in rural Wyalusing, PA will help to bolster the local economy and foster further growth in the budding local film community. Producing more narrative film projects, such as "Cold", and hiring local talent on and off camera, will draw more attention to filmmaking in PA as a strong and viable alternative to other states.
Oh, Oh, Oh... It's Magic
"Cold" employs elements of magical realism to tell Carmen's story. Magical realism is a narrative technique that combines realistic elements with magical or fantastical elements, blurring the line between the ordinary and the extraordinary. While magical realism is most commonly associated with literature, it has also been employed effectively in film to create unique and captivating storytelling experiences.
Magical realism in film allows filmmakers to explore complex themes, emotions, and social issues in a visually captivating and imaginative way. It creates a unique narrative space where the boundaries between the real and the fantastical are blurred, providing a rich and often metaphorical storytelling experience.
Real or Not Real?
Throughout the film Carmen must battle her harsh environment, isolation, and rapidly declining mental and physical health to escape her prison. While there are times Carmen loses her grip on what is real or not real, one thing is for certain, the longer it takes for her to fix her car, the more her mind and body deteriorate at a meteoric pace. Along with elements of movie magic, our award-winning SFX team will develop some real-life gore for Carmen to endure including rapid aging and extreme frostbite.
The Heart of It All
At the heart of the film is a mother’s love for her daughter and it is very important to us to tell that story in a way that pulls the audience in and never lets them off the hook. We want to make sure the film looks and feels full of life to the point that you forget you’re watching a film and that you’re experiencing everything Carmen is experiencing.
The Cast of Cold: Sugey Cruz (Carmen), Greg Poppa (Samuel), Rachel Dolan (Daniella) and Ronin Root (Armando)
Thank You
We want to thank you for your contribution to making this fever dream film a reality.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Keep Us Fed
Costs $500
A full crew is a happy crew!
Insurance and Legal Fees
Costs $500
You never know... we do things by the book!
Props and Set Decoration
Costs $700
Everything needs to look authentic... we have a vision.
Location
Costs $1,250
We need a place to film and we have the perfect setting.
Hero Car
Costs $500
An integral part of the story - Carmen has 1000 days to fix the vehicle or stay in purgatory. 2002 Toyota Rav 4 is ideal car!
Special Effects & Hair/Makeup
Costs $1,000
Our award winning SFX effects and makeup/hair team is going to bring the story to life and decay it in all the right ways.
Lodging and Transportation
Costs $1,800
Lodging for our crew
Crew
Costs $6,000
Help us pay our wonderful production team from Camera, Lighting, Sound, Production Design and SFX!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We have assembled some of the most talented filmmakers in the Philadelphia area. We're excited to have such inspired, dedicated, filmmakers on board
Greg Poppa - Writer/Director/Samuel
Greg Poppa is a Philadelphia-based filmmaker. As a director, he won multiple awards for the short “Foxes,” about two Mesolithic hunter-gatherers’ struggle to survive. This will be his second short as a director. He wants to convey the sense of hopelessness and the repetitive nature of depression. How, no matter the efforts of those around you, the only one who can truly save yourself from despair and loneliness is yourself.
Sugey Cruz - Producer/Carmen
Portrayed by Sugey Cruz. Carmen wakes up in a world she doesn’t recognize and is given the task of fixing her vehicle or spend eternity in purgatory. She is accompanied by her companion dog Armando and occasionally hears from her daughter Daniella. Carmen’s struggles lead to her rapidly deteriorating physical and mental health and the extremes of her psyche.
Jamie Root - Director of Photography
Jamie is an American director, cinematographer, producer, and editor. She has over 13 years of experience with directing, filming and editing short films, web-series, pilots, commercial videos and feature films. Currently, Jamie is second camera operator and lead editor on a feature film being distributed on Netflix. In 2021, Jamie released a narrative called “How to Be Human” which follows six different individuals during their everyday trials and tribulations. Jamie has also been working with special effects and gore makeup for several years. When not working, Jamie enjoys lifting, boxing, hiking, and sleeping.
Leah Borrie - Production Designer
Leah Claire Borrie is a filmmaker, production designer and graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. She has designed sets for music videos, including Megan Thee Stallion’s hit video Captain Hook (122M views) and Jordy’s video Just Friends (660k views), and short films where she has recreated historical time periods and built science fiction worlds. Leah loves to use design to elevate a story with intentional color palettes, textures, and shapes. She prides herself on being a resourceful, creative problem solver with an obsession for the little details.
Otha Hernandez - Assistant Director
Otha Derek Hernandez Peña is a Philadelphia based writer, director, producer, and composer. His most recent projects include the short film Tips Up! (2023) and music video Our June (2021). Otha assistant directed and produced Tips Up! (2023), a highly ambitious 5 minute period piece shot entirely in one shot. As an assistant director, he was responsible for keeping the production on schedule, safety, managing calls sheets, being the liaison to the director, and ensuring the endless spontaneous problems that often occur on film sets were solved.
Chris Ruppert- Assistant Camera and BTS
Born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Chris Ruppert realized his passion for filmmaking in High School when he and his friends created multiple short films. Chris studied graphic design in college and worked at a marketing company for years, honing his design and marketing skills. Then, Chris left his job to start his own business, Creative Element Design, where he began his journey into video production. As an entrepreneur, Chris launched BMN Films in 2018, leading projects culminating in his success today. Chris has directed 4 worldwide distributed feature-length documentaries, 15 short films, written four feature films, and has won numerous awards for his movies and writing.
Diego Brazzo - SFX Supervisor
Diego Brazzo was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania and developed a love for movies at a young age. After highschool, he moved to Florida, where he studied filmmaking and received a bachelor's degree at Full Sail University. He has since directed multiple short and feature-length independent films but focuses most of his attention on prop making, painting, and special effects.
Izzy Isel - SFX Makeup Supervisor
Izzy Isel is a professional special effects makeup artist based in Philadelphia. Originally from Tampa, Florida, Izzy is 23 years old and has spent the past 5 years perfecting her craft. She has a passion for horror, gore and bringing others' ideas to life!