Cup of Noodles

Los Angeles, California | Film Short

Drama, Experimental

Madison Davis

1 Campaigns | California, United States

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This campaign raised $8,330 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

65 supporters | followers

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As Mandy is stepping into womanhood, she must directly confront what she wants in life and how she wants to connect with the outside world. On a Tinder date with a drug dealer, Noah, she might be searching in the wrong places or might find exactly what she is looking for.

About The Project

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

Mission Statement

In a world that profits off of women's fear and low self-worth, our work aims to empower women to play for what they actually want in life, and to truly listen to themselves.

The Story

     Emma, Jana, and Madison: these are the pioneers for the Cup of Noodles film. All have worked in roles both in front of and behind the camera and really wanted to collectively develop a story from a female perspective. To create a story that empowers new thoughts and feelings is the ultimate goal.

 

"Real intimacy is a sacred experience. It never exposes its secret trust and belonging to the voyeuristic eye of a neon culture. Real intimacy is of the soul, and the soul is reserved."

— John O'Donohue

The Logline
   A theater major and a drug dealer go on a first date. Mandy, the actress, must decide what she really wants in life amidst a night of intimate connection in Los Angeles.

 

"I believe our movies, songs, and entertainment portray relationship norms that are actually trauma bonds (instability, betrayal, fear of abandonment [and] lack of authentic connection. I believe many relationships are actually two people unconsciously attempting to change or control each other in an attempt to stay safe (or to not be abandoned)" -Niole LePera

What is intimacy? Where do we belong? Where are we needed? What makes one an artist?

     With this story being from a female perspective, we wanted to explore how women take up space.  Do women create enough space for themselves to exist and to stand in empowerment? Does the outside world create a safe space for feminine energy and/or a safe space for women to explore? To take up their space?

     As Mandy moves through this script as an open vessel trying to find her place, this space, she gets to confront A LOT -- and a lot within the context of dating. She does this not just for a femme-audience, but for all humans who possess the same longing for a deeper meaning and connection. There is more to life than just checking off all the boxes.

                          

And this is what "Cup of Noodles" aims to explore.

     Through a day in the life of Mandy, an actress who studies intentions, personalities, relationships, and dynamics, she will need to confront her own values and tap into a profound power within her (both feminine, masculine, and magical) in order to step into the freedom she craves: freedom to be loud, emotional, sexual, successful, safe, and ultimately respected.

 

MANDY: 20 yo (You've already read about her)

NOAH: 19 yo, after following a business opportunity to work closely under a big-time LA plug, Noah finds himself alone in the city, looking for a glimpse of a real connection. He has a deep well of emotions under the surface, is smart, charming, capable, but feels tied down to the life he has now. Desperate for a clean slate. Very observant, empathetic, introverted, and currently trying to quit nicotine (has a history of other addiction)

DAVID, 22 yo, a self-absorbed but well-intentioned actor/producer/musician. Conventionally very attractive, but is literally a narcissist and a master at playing “the nice guy”. He has a lot of energy that bursts wherever he goes, but disinegrates when he is no longer needed. Obsessed with his story as “the underdog”,  and this to cringe-worthy levels. Will most likely “make it” and has "the glow".

 

Dialogue-structure wise, a lot of inspiration was pulled from Richard Linklater’s “The Before Trilogy”. The dialogue should feel very individual to each of the actors cast as the leads. 


     This lends itself well to making the audience feel like a fly-on-the wall, watching and observing these close to real-life scenarios. However, as we flip into the surreal and saturated events that bubble up in the third act, the cinematic choices must reflect this as well. For that, a good amount of inspiration was pulled from Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche New York as well as the HBO show Euphoria. This script is colorful and ultimately character focused, no matter how abstract vs grounded. (Think MSG Cup of Noodles Fever Dream)

"I believe that true 'couple goals' is actually relationships where both people work to heal their childhood trauma and feel completely free to express what they think, feel, and need."  -Nicole LePera

Where are we in production?

Currently we are casting the other leads, Noah and David, as well as gathering our crew for production. (So far the crew is all women -- how cool!) 

We plan to film our 3-day shoot this Fall following all SAG-AFTRA guidelines and COVID compliance guidelines from the CDC.

 

Also...

If we surpass our campaign goal of $10,000 our first priority is to pay our film crew proper rates. (Production and Post)

The film will be submitted to film festivals and available on Youtube after its Festival run.

And lastly...

...Thank you for helping us bring this story to life!

Wishlist

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

Actors

Costs $1,000

Our actors and extras are going to bring this story to life!

Crew

Costs $4,200

Our crew is the backbone of the project!

Equipment

Costs $1,000

We only need to rent a package for the week that's all!

Craft Services

Costs $780

Everyone gets fed well on this set sheeeeesh!

Permits

Costs $1,200

Here's to making The City of Los Angeles our backdrop! Insurance/Permits/Locations!

Post-Production

Costs $1,820

We have some amazing colorists, editors, and musicians looking to be compensated as well!

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

Jana Claire Price (DIRECTOR) - Jana is a budding filmmaker known for short films such as "The Last Legend" and "Where is Catherine Stuart?"  After 19 years of acting, dance, and amateur filmmaking, Jana takes her plethora of skills from costuming to editing with her on every film she makes.  Jana has earned a Bachelor's degree in Acting and Costume Design from California State University Fresno and a professional acting certificate from PCPA.  Currently Jana is studying for her certificate in directing from Los Angeles City College.

 

Madison Davis (WRITER/ACTOR) - Madison is an actress and writer born and raised in Los Angeles. She started performing in theater and story ballets throughout high school and later attended PCPA Conservatory where she trained rigourously and acted in a broad range of musicals and plays. (Peter Pan, The Wolves, The Addams Family) Since school, Madison has gravitated towards Suzuki and Viewpoints training. Cup of Noodles marks her writing debut for the screen and she is so excited to share this story!

Emma Evans (PRODUCER) - Emma Evans is a producer and director based in Los Angeles and originally from Dallas, Texas. She started her career as an actor, soon made the transition to behind-the-camera working as a writer and director, and is now primarily a producer. She produced shorts and features, her projects screening internationally at festivals such as South by Southwest, Beverly Hills Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, Los Angeles CineFest, Gold Movie Awards London, and more, along with multiple award nominations. She has two projects premiering in Dallas in August. She is currently studying business at UCLA and working at a film sales & distribution company.

Current Team

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