Color Of God
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy
The spirit of an Indian immigrant is tested as he is fueled by memories of home, faith in the gods above, and a vibrant imagination. This film captures the unbreakable spirit of millions like me who thrive on bits and pieces as they stay afloat between their past and present in a divided world.
Color Of God
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
27 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$4,510
Goal: $9,000 for production
The spirit of an Indian immigrant is tested as he is fueled by memories of home, faith in the gods above, and a vibrant imagination. This film captures the unbreakable spirit of millions like me who thrive on bits and pieces as they stay afloat between their past and present in a divided world.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Logline & Synopsis:
Smar is an immigrant from India, he works as a food delivery driver and already lives off of very little: namely memories of home and bland food he can barely acclimatize to, when he is devastated by a freak bike accident and loses everything he owns. He miraculously survives and finds refuge in a deep dark corner of a foreign city that he is too afraid to leave due to a lack of understanding the language, knowing the culture, or any money.
He is tested by the universe in his quest to survive on the bare minimum: a vibrant imagination, faith, love, memories of home, and the gods that shaped his childhood. He has to sell his religion by eating meat, and finds unlikely companions in his dark corner of the world. He has a fascination with the little light that enters his dark corner and he struggles to remember what color looks like. He reflects upon how words divide the world despite their true purpose. He is on a quest to find a reason to stay alive, and it comes from seemingly disconnected people: namely a constipated angry man and a spoilt rich couple.
Above - Snippets of his vibrant imagination that keeps him alive. All drawn from Smar's (my) childhood, the memories of home, the epic stories of the mighty Gods that are meant to protect him, the abundance of light, and the warmth of his mother's love for him.
Below - Snippets of the antithesis of his vibrant past: a dull dark corner where he survives only by drawing from a past he cannot return to. As life tests him here, he puts together his theory on how the universe functions and the nature of all of us a collective. How far can he push what he calls the "thousand year old unbreakable human spirit."?
his is a whimsical story about the interconnectedness of the universe and our tendency to categorize and divide based on arbitrary lines on a map and words on a page, and a portrait of the hopes, dreams, faith, and aspirations of millions like Smar and myself who thrive off the bits and pieces of their imagination in a dull, bleak reality.
The Ws + Context (Where are we?):
THIS - Because it is a story of hope, faith, perseverance, home, finding a new home, the triumph of art, color and lights. And how it keeps people going in the worst of times! All told with whimsy, and an elevation from reality: inspired by the director's vibrant childhood and it's lively films!
ME - Because I have personally experienced the complexities of leaving behind my home at a young, impressionable age and dealt with a lot of the same struggles as the protagonist of the story in my own life (admittedly less whimsical ways). More info on other members of this team (including cast) are in the "team" section of this page.
Also - Here is a link to me (the Director's) work, bio, and anything else you'd want to know! - Mrugesh Thakor - Portfolio & Bio
NOW - With war, violence, and instability at an alarming high, any story that takes a whimsical path and explores these boundaries and attempts to break them all is of supreme importance!
And in a more selfish way, somewhere deep down this film's making will heal parts of my inner turmoil that still affect me years after making the transition. Take that, kid who thought I rode to school on elephants in India!
Where are we now? - Our team of 20 has been hard at work for the last couple months. We have locked all locations, actors, crew. We have finished shot listing and are currently creating our daily schedules for all our shoot days. Our Production design team is working hard to weave a magical set that truly sells the whimsy of this film. We have scheduled test shoots and rehearsals for September so we are ready for smooth shoot days in October and November!
Characters:
Themes, Audience, Primary Comparisons:
Having grown up between the East and West, I was fortunate enough to gather inspiration from both ends of the world! The above mentioned films (and many others I could not logistically fit into one pitch) influenced me to shape a unique blend of two worlds in my mind. Thank you Ang Lee, Pan Nalin, Anurag Basu, Hideaki Anno, Wes Anderson, and countless other geniuses for laying the foundation for us.
Budget & Timeline:
There are 3 major expenses for the making of this film:
- Locations & Props - Since this film has a very specific visual treatments, we are in need of places and props that serve all our purposes while still being the right aesthetic fit.
- Travel - Not only is transporting our 22 person crew to an from shoots an expense, but also the fact that the director needs to travel to India in order to work with a completely different unit of production.
- Post Production - Editing this film will be the director's task, but what is going to cost a lot of money is a complicated sound mix. We are not filming on location for a few important scenes that will need elaborate sound design and mixing. Additionally, this film's classical Indian soundtrack will require extremely talented artists in India to play music that is cumbersome to record.
Whether we raise the required money or not, this film will be made! We are shooting the USA bits in 4 - 5 days in October. The India portion will be shot in November over 2-3 days.
Thank you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
3rd Party Rentals
Costs $1,250
We are looking for 3rd party gear rental for certain items we do not normally have access to: A Gib Arm for Example.
Food & Transport For Crew (USA)
Costs $2,000
This is key in order for all of our wonderful and talented crew to work to their fullest ability!
Actor Fees
Costs $750
Our actors are willing to give it their all, it would be wonderful to offer them an incentive!!
Director's ticket to India + Expenses
Costs $1,500
We unfortunately cannot afford to fly the entire crew to india for the portions shot there. But the director needs to be there!
Share this update!
About This Team
Director:
I am Mrugesh Thakor, a Brooklyn based filmmaker and storyteller. Growing up between two continents and having had the fortune of seeing different parts of the world has had a huge influence on me as an artist. I started filmmaking when I noticed the harsher side of life in New York city and felt the urge to do something to help the world. Film is my way of giving back, and I intend to do so by telling stories about just how connected this word truly is. We as people have taken some lines on a map and words on a paper too seriously, despite how arbitrary they truly are. I hope that my films can make people take a step back and notice the oneness of the universe. I use art to express the divisions and misunderstandings in my own life that cause me sorrows. In some way somewhere, this expression heals my own soul, and in turn of all those who consume my art.
When I was in 2nd grade and found myself alone, I played intense Bollywood sound tracks and developed quite the temper. Due to the temper, my parents sent me to a boarding school in a forest in southern India surrounded by people from everywhere. There, I became obsessed with the idea of being a pro-runner at age fourteen while playing the Rocky movie soundtrack. This led me to spend time in a Kenyan village to learn from the best where I contemplated my true passion and witnessed a way of life dramatically different from mine. Soon, my family moved across the world to America and I dealt with a huge blow in my face. Here, I discovered and fought for my true passion for film, all while coping with intense generational and cultural differences.
During all of this, a fantastical film world in my head secretly found joy and entertainment even in life’s worst moments and my art is a result of everything I have seen and everything I’ve felt. It is a criticism of an unequal world, an appreciation of the solace we find in love. It is romanticizing the drive that finding one’s passions gives humans. It is also a contemplation on all boundaries made by man. I want to bring people together by taking a step back and looking into their own selves, and film is my way of doing this.
For summer 2024 I have been selected as a scholar of the Gotham Film and Media Career Development Program. I am also a film production and distribution intern at First Run Features. I have directed several narrative and documentary shorts, commercials, and even some music videos. At Pratt, I am a video producer for Pratt Sidelights+ and a film studio monitor as well as a student mentor for Pratt film/video. I am also a video editor at Vinyl Footnote Productions, as well as various other clients in a freelance capacity. In the past, I was a film production intern for Midnight Media & Misha Calvert for fall 2023. My films have been recognized at the Indian Independent Film Festival and the New York Lift-Off Film Festival.
Producers:
Tim Bohrman is a Director, Screenwriter, and Producer. Director of several short films and a feature-length film, Tim works in all genres and forms of filmmaking including narrative, documentary, and experimental film. Tim is currently finishing post-production on his film "The Nutcracker" following a successful private screening at Film at Lincoln Center. Tim is also an avid screenwriter with years of experience. Upon the completion of nine produced screenplays and two pilot scripts, Tim begins his second feature-length screenplay summer 2024, and is seeking work as a staff writer, script coordinator, or assistant. In addition to producing his own films, Tim is a consulting producer on independent and student films, as well as a producer via Enchanted Blade Films. Tim is currently producing a Carmel High School short film as a part of EBF's High School Film Program. Not limited to film, Tim is a producer of independent theater and mixed media works.
Kaashvi Agarwal is a producer and director studying at Tisch School of the Arts. She is from India, and she decided to commence her exploration of the film and television realm in New York City. Her creative pursuits reflect a deep fascination with enigmatic themes, such as the uncanny, magic realism, and the profound influence of memories. Kaashvi's unique vision and storytelling prowess are evident in her ongoing projects, where she skillfully explores the intricacies of the human experience. Kaashvi is also produced an array of short films that illustrate her narrative skill. Besides film producing she also plays a pivotal role as an event producer at the Production Lab at NYU. In this role, Kaashvi contributes to a development center dedicated to supporting the next generation of creatives, aiding them in designing and launching thriving careers in their respective industries. Beyond filmmaking, Kaashvi seeks solace in nature, indulging in her love for trekking.
DOP / Producer:
Aaron Hu (He/Him) is a director of photography/ documentary filmmaker born in New Jersey. As a teenager, he was always drawn to films and the process in how they were made. Eventually, he started to watch Youtube videos on filmmaking and started his journey into the world of film. He is currently studying filmmaking at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York City towards a bachelor's degree. He is primarily a director of photography but also acts as a documentary filmmaker..
With cinematography, he wants to capture the pure essence of the director he is working with, and work with them to find a look that they believe in. He is a firm believer in the idea that there is no good or bad cinematography, there is simply cinematography that is right or wrong for the story being told.
Cast:
Riyan A
li is a New York City based actor and writer. Originally from Karachi, Pakistan he moved to Columbus Ohio at the age of 9. Later moved to NYC and recently graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. His notable recent credit includes a short film VEERE that screened at the 3x5 film festival for which he earned a nomination for best actor in the leading category. He aspires to continually improve in his craft and skills in front of the camera and on stage! He would like to thank the team for bringing him on board. And a special thank you to his loved ones!
After funding her education with an early theatrical career in Chicago, Maura Moreau flourished on Wall Street and as an Austin business owner. Her involvement in Vancouver film projects brought her back to New York where she originated the role of Dr. Signa in the off Broadway production of Science. Recent film roles include attorneys, doctors, cultish leaders, and mothers. Maura is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Earl Fechter is a film and theater actor who works throughout the northeast but primarily in metro-NYC and greater Boston. He studied with the Chubbuck Studio. Earl has more than 70 film credits. His most recent theatrical performance was this spring in the role of ‘Judge Brack’ in Ibsen’s play “Hedda Gabler”. Earl is excited to work with the cast and crew in playing ‘Rich Man’ in Mrugesh Thakor’s film “Color of God.”
Michael Muniz is a film actor. He was a standup comedian for 25 years (80s-2010s). He saw his fellow standup comedians on a tv show as background actors and then became one myself. Since November 2021 He has been a part of 197 shoots consisting of tv shows, movies, music videos. He has had speaking parts, featured parts and regular non descript parts. He is also a family man and a poker player. He is also a retired train dispatcher,
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Logline & Synopsis:
Smar is an immigrant from India, he works as a food delivery driver and already lives off of very little: namely memories of home and bland food he can barely acclimatize to, when he is devastated by a freak bike accident and loses everything he owns. He miraculously survives and finds refuge in a deep dark corner of a foreign city that he is too afraid to leave due to a lack of understanding the language, knowing the culture, or any money.
He is tested by the universe in his quest to survive on the bare minimum: a vibrant imagination, faith, love, memories of home, and the gods that shaped his childhood. He has to sell his religion by eating meat, and finds unlikely companions in his dark corner of the world. He has a fascination with the little light that enters his dark corner and he struggles to remember what color looks like. He reflects upon how words divide the world despite their true purpose. He is on a quest to find a reason to stay alive, and it comes from seemingly disconnected people: namely a constipated angry man and a spoilt rich couple.
Above - Snippets of his vibrant imagination that keeps him alive. All drawn from Smar's (my) childhood, the memories of home, the epic stories of the mighty Gods that are meant to protect him, the abundance of light, and the warmth of his mother's love for him.
Below - Snippets of the antithesis of his vibrant past: a dull dark corner where he survives only by drawing from a past he cannot return to. As life tests him here, he puts together his theory on how the universe functions and the nature of all of us a collective. How far can he push what he calls the "thousand year old unbreakable human spirit."?
his is a whimsical story about the interconnectedness of the universe and our tendency to categorize and divide based on arbitrary lines on a map and words on a page, and a portrait of the hopes, dreams, faith, and aspirations of millions like Smar and myself who thrive off the bits and pieces of their imagination in a dull, bleak reality.
The Ws + Context (Where are we?):
THIS - Because it is a story of hope, faith, perseverance, home, finding a new home, the triumph of art, color and lights. And how it keeps people going in the worst of times! All told with whimsy, and an elevation from reality: inspired by the director's vibrant childhood and it's lively films!
ME - Because I have personally experienced the complexities of leaving behind my home at a young, impressionable age and dealt with a lot of the same struggles as the protagonist of the story in my own life (admittedly less whimsical ways). More info on other members of this team (including cast) are in the "team" section of this page.
Also - Here is a link to me (the Director's) work, bio, and anything else you'd want to know! - Mrugesh Thakor - Portfolio & Bio
NOW - With war, violence, and instability at an alarming high, any story that takes a whimsical path and explores these boundaries and attempts to break them all is of supreme importance!
And in a more selfish way, somewhere deep down this film's making will heal parts of my inner turmoil that still affect me years after making the transition. Take that, kid who thought I rode to school on elephants in India!
Where are we now? - Our team of 20 has been hard at work for the last couple months. We have locked all locations, actors, crew. We have finished shot listing and are currently creating our daily schedules for all our shoot days. Our Production design team is working hard to weave a magical set that truly sells the whimsy of this film. We have scheduled test shoots and rehearsals for September so we are ready for smooth shoot days in October and November!
Characters:
Themes, Audience, Primary Comparisons:
Having grown up between the East and West, I was fortunate enough to gather inspiration from both ends of the world! The above mentioned films (and many others I could not logistically fit into one pitch) influenced me to shape a unique blend of two worlds in my mind. Thank you Ang Lee, Pan Nalin, Anurag Basu, Hideaki Anno, Wes Anderson, and countless other geniuses for laying the foundation for us.
Budget & Timeline:
There are 3 major expenses for the making of this film:
- Locations & Props - Since this film has a very specific visual treatments, we are in need of places and props that serve all our purposes while still being the right aesthetic fit.
- Travel - Not only is transporting our 22 person crew to an from shoots an expense, but also the fact that the director needs to travel to India in order to work with a completely different unit of production.
- Post Production - Editing this film will be the director's task, but what is going to cost a lot of money is a complicated sound mix. We are not filming on location for a few important scenes that will need elaborate sound design and mixing. Additionally, this film's classical Indian soundtrack will require extremely talented artists in India to play music that is cumbersome to record.
Whether we raise the required money or not, this film will be made! We are shooting the USA bits in 4 - 5 days in October. The India portion will be shot in November over 2-3 days.
Thank you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
3rd Party Rentals
Costs $1,250
We are looking for 3rd party gear rental for certain items we do not normally have access to: A Gib Arm for Example.
Food & Transport For Crew (USA)
Costs $2,000
This is key in order for all of our wonderful and talented crew to work to their fullest ability!
Actor Fees
Costs $750
Our actors are willing to give it their all, it would be wonderful to offer them an incentive!!
Director's ticket to India + Expenses
Costs $1,500
We unfortunately cannot afford to fly the entire crew to india for the portions shot there. But the director needs to be there!
Share this update!
About This Team
Director:
I am Mrugesh Thakor, a Brooklyn based filmmaker and storyteller. Growing up between two continents and having had the fortune of seeing different parts of the world has had a huge influence on me as an artist. I started filmmaking when I noticed the harsher side of life in New York city and felt the urge to do something to help the world. Film is my way of giving back, and I intend to do so by telling stories about just how connected this word truly is. We as people have taken some lines on a map and words on a paper too seriously, despite how arbitrary they truly are. I hope that my films can make people take a step back and notice the oneness of the universe. I use art to express the divisions and misunderstandings in my own life that cause me sorrows. In some way somewhere, this expression heals my own soul, and in turn of all those who consume my art.
When I was in 2nd grade and found myself alone, I played intense Bollywood sound tracks and developed quite the temper. Due to the temper, my parents sent me to a boarding school in a forest in southern India surrounded by people from everywhere. There, I became obsessed with the idea of being a pro-runner at age fourteen while playing the Rocky movie soundtrack. This led me to spend time in a Kenyan village to learn from the best where I contemplated my true passion and witnessed a way of life dramatically different from mine. Soon, my family moved across the world to America and I dealt with a huge blow in my face. Here, I discovered and fought for my true passion for film, all while coping with intense generational and cultural differences.
During all of this, a fantastical film world in my head secretly found joy and entertainment even in life’s worst moments and my art is a result of everything I have seen and everything I’ve felt. It is a criticism of an unequal world, an appreciation of the solace we find in love. It is romanticizing the drive that finding one’s passions gives humans. It is also a contemplation on all boundaries made by man. I want to bring people together by taking a step back and looking into their own selves, and film is my way of doing this.
For summer 2024 I have been selected as a scholar of the Gotham Film and Media Career Development Program. I am also a film production and distribution intern at First Run Features. I have directed several narrative and documentary shorts, commercials, and even some music videos. At Pratt, I am a video producer for Pratt Sidelights+ and a film studio monitor as well as a student mentor for Pratt film/video. I am also a video editor at Vinyl Footnote Productions, as well as various other clients in a freelance capacity. In the past, I was a film production intern for Midnight Media & Misha Calvert for fall 2023. My films have been recognized at the Indian Independent Film Festival and the New York Lift-Off Film Festival.
Producers:
Tim Bohrman is a Director, Screenwriter, and Producer. Director of several short films and a feature-length film, Tim works in all genres and forms of filmmaking including narrative, documentary, and experimental film. Tim is currently finishing post-production on his film "The Nutcracker" following a successful private screening at Film at Lincoln Center. Tim is also an avid screenwriter with years of experience. Upon the completion of nine produced screenplays and two pilot scripts, Tim begins his second feature-length screenplay summer 2024, and is seeking work as a staff writer, script coordinator, or assistant. In addition to producing his own films, Tim is a consulting producer on independent and student films, as well as a producer via Enchanted Blade Films. Tim is currently producing a Carmel High School short film as a part of EBF's High School Film Program. Not limited to film, Tim is a producer of independent theater and mixed media works.
Kaashvi Agarwal is a producer and director studying at Tisch School of the Arts. She is from India, and she decided to commence her exploration of the film and television realm in New York City. Her creative pursuits reflect a deep fascination with enigmatic themes, such as the uncanny, magic realism, and the profound influence of memories. Kaashvi's unique vision and storytelling prowess are evident in her ongoing projects, where she skillfully explores the intricacies of the human experience. Kaashvi is also produced an array of short films that illustrate her narrative skill. Besides film producing she also plays a pivotal role as an event producer at the Production Lab at NYU. In this role, Kaashvi contributes to a development center dedicated to supporting the next generation of creatives, aiding them in designing and launching thriving careers in their respective industries. Beyond filmmaking, Kaashvi seeks solace in nature, indulging in her love for trekking.
DOP / Producer:
Aaron Hu (He/Him) is a director of photography/ documentary filmmaker born in New Jersey. As a teenager, he was always drawn to films and the process in how they were made. Eventually, he started to watch Youtube videos on filmmaking and started his journey into the world of film. He is currently studying filmmaking at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York City towards a bachelor's degree. He is primarily a director of photography but also acts as a documentary filmmaker..
With cinematography, he wants to capture the pure essence of the director he is working with, and work with them to find a look that they believe in. He is a firm believer in the idea that there is no good or bad cinematography, there is simply cinematography that is right or wrong for the story being told.
Cast:
Riyan Ali is a New York City based actor and writer. Originally from Karachi, Pakistan he moved to Columbus Ohio at the age of 9. Later moved to NYC and recently graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. His notable recent credit includes a short film VEERE that screened at the 3x5 film festival for which he earned a nomination for best actor in the leading category. He aspires to continually improve in his craft and skills in front of the camera and on stage! He would like to thank the team for bringing him on board. And a special thank you to his loved ones!
After funding her education with an early theatrical career in Chicago, Maura Moreau flourished on Wall Street and as an Austin business owner. Her involvement in Vancouver film projects brought her back to New York where she originated the role of Dr. Signa in the off Broadway production of Science. Recent film roles include attorneys, doctors, cultish leaders, and mothers. Maura is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Earl Fechter is a film and theater actor who works throughout the northeast but primarily in metro-NYC and greater Boston. He studied with the Chubbuck Studio. Earl has more than 70 film credits. His most recent theatrical performance was this spring in the role of ‘Judge Brack’ in Ibsen’s play “Hedda Gabler”. Earl is excited to work with the cast and crew in playing ‘Rich Man’ in Mrugesh Thakor’s film “Color of God.”
Michael Muniz is a film actor. He was a standup comedian for 25 years (80s-2010s). He saw his fellow standup comedians on a tv show as background actors and then became one myself. Since November 2021 He has been a part of 197 shoots consisting of tv shows, movies, music videos. He has had speaking parts, featured parts and regular non descript parts. He is also a family man and a poker player. He is also a retired train dispatcher,