Desolate Avenue
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Romance
Suicide prevention, alcoholism, and loss are topics I want to help spread awareness to the best I can. My entire life, I have experienced or witnessed these events. I have lost many people in my life due to these topics and I want to do whatever I can to help. I hope you can believe this project.
Desolate Avenue
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Romance
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $3,939 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
14 supporters | followers
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Suicide prevention, alcoholism, and loss are topics I want to help spread awareness to the best I can. My entire life, I have experienced or witnessed these events. I have lost many people in my life due to these topics and I want to do whatever I can to help. I hope you can believe this project.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ever since my father passed away, I couldn't help but blame myself for his struggles. Losing him at such a young age put me in such a dark pit that I am glad I was able to pull myself out of. Ever since that day, I have wanted to make stories that are meaningful and impact people. Shedding light on the struggles of my father, and many other people in my life have meant so much to me and I feel as if I am getting that opportunity here. This film is dedicated to people who have had to deal with the trauma that can come with losing a parent at a young age, self-harm, and alcohol abuse. I want to make something beautiful that I wish I was able to see when I was at my lowest.
Terry is a troubled and haunted young man who takes his own life at the beginning of the story. He is surprised by the ability to free-roam the current world with no one being able to see or hear him. This changes once his ex-girlfriend is able to break that rule.
The film will follow us throughout Terry's life and all the struggles he has had to face due to his alcoholic father who tried to change his ways but sadly was unable to. We'll see Terry as he begins to realize that in order to move on to the next stage he needs to make amends with the person he wronged most. That being Jane. The goal won't be to have her forgive him but rather have her be in a position to move forward in her life without holding on to the pain given to her by Terry.
Currently, we are in the process of moving things along to begin production, which we will only be able to do once we hit our goal.
I lost my father at a very young age and it led me to filmmaking which helped me express myself in ways I was not able to with my words. Ever since then, all I have wanted is to make projects that mean something to people and help people grow. Even though I was lucky enough to see my father beat alcoholism before he passed, I still witnessed the toll it took on his mental and physical health. Desolate Avenue is a story that I have wanted to make since I was a kid and I am so happy to finally pursue it.
This project was created to be a tribute to people who have had to suffer from alcoholism and depression. The goal is to shed light on the best way I am currently able to. I want to boost the conversation on mental health that goes unchecked in so many young adults such as myself and the people I hold close to me. I believe we go through terrible things to make sure the next person is guided in ways we wish we could have.
Unchecked mental health is common for a reason and I can only hope that this film if funded can help boost conversation about it in any way shape or form which is why I will be personally making a matching personal donation based on how much I am able to raise during my campaign to charities and fundraisers tackling the same goal. Sadly, the only way for me to create this film before I graduate is through crowdfunding.
Chasing this dream has been a huge journey. But after a year of pre-production, climbing over COVID-19 challenges and other greenlight steps along the way to make sure everyone is safe on set, we are ready to bring this story to life with your help.
When it comes to COVID-19 safety, we will be making all the strides to make sure everyone is safe by hiring a COVID-19 compliance officer along with following the rules and regulations given to us by our school. We are very grateful to have access to camera equipment from our school but we still need contributions and your help to pay for our production and post-production expenses such as locations, set operations, wardrobe, make-up & hair, etc.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
The only way we will be able to reach our goal is by reaching past our personal networks and getting our voice out there. Help support and be a part of our goal to boost conversation on unchecked mental health and alcoholism! Please share our campaign via social media, email, word-of-mouth, or however you prefer. We can't do this without you and your help!
Here are some examples:
Help filmmaker @johnbugajski by supporting his film Desolate Avenue about suicide prevention and alcoholism. Join them on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/desolate-avenue#story
I'm so excited to see the short film DESOLATE AVENUE, by director/writer @johnbugajski, be made in New York this spring. Support them on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/desolate-avenue#story
Instagram: @desolateavefilm
Tiktok: @desolateavenuefilm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
ART DEPARTMENT
Costs $800
We need items to help bring our sets to life!
WARDROBE
Costs $250
Each character has a specific look and palette that means something to them!
MAKEUP AND HAIRDRESSING
Costs $300
We have many visuals we can only achieve through makeup!
LOCATIONS
Costs $2,000
Lucky to have a few locations free but most require payment sadly!
TRANSPORTATION
Costs $800
With all of our equipment, we are going to need to transport it to each location in a secure vehicle
SET OPERATIONS
Costs $753
We need to make sure everything is safe involving stunts and set operations!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
JOHN BUGAJSKI
Director/Writer
John Bugajski is a New York-based student filmmaker. He found love in filmmaking after his father passed, who shared the same interest. John has made many short films throughout High School and College while achieving success in festivals for his film titled "Strain" which he made during his first year as a student. Since then he has directed and produced several student projects and has worked on several professional music videos and commercial sets. The only thing John cares for in the film is to help those who think they are alone to realize they are loved and needed.
GUILHERME GILMAN
Editor
Guilherme Gilman is an Ireland-based Portuguese TV and film editor with a diverse portfolio that includes his award-winning short film, Guardiao, music videos for famous Portuguese artists like BISPO X D'AY, and viral social media content for SK Gaming and Newscheck Ireland. More recently, his work includes being a lead editor for Ireland's prime time Realta Agus Gaolta and Assistant Editor on Junior Eurovision and Name That Tune.
Guilherme was born and raised in Povoa de Varzim, Porto, Portugal where he studied Sound and Image at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Porto. In addition to editing, Guilherme has played competitive and professional volleyball, even winning the national championship in U21 Portuguese Championship. He also received his Master of Post Production Editing at Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom before moving to Dublin, Ireland where he now lives with his partner. On the weekends you can find him either playing volleyball for his current team, the Dalkey Devils, enjoying a nice day along the wild Atlantic coast with his partner, or traveling around Europe.
GINEVRA ZANONI
Producer
Ginevra Zanoni is a senior filmmaking student at the New York Film Academy in NYC. As a producer, she has worked on a wide range of projects and is in the process of producing her own thesis film. Ginevra was born and raised in Modena, Italy, and has been living in NYC for the past two years. She loves producing and screenwriting. Her dream is to dedicate her first feature film to her father, who passed away in March 2021.
KEVEN MEMA
Director of Photography
Keven Mema is a New York-based cinematographer, currently pursuing a BFA in filmmaking at New York Film Academy. He's worked on a number of sets in New York (professional and student). He has worked in the camera department on short films and commercials along with editing work for clients. He believes in stories that are deeply rooted in reliability as well as empathy, he is looking forward to watching this one unfold.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ever since my father passed away, I couldn't help but blame myself for his struggles. Losing him at such a young age put me in such a dark pit that I am glad I was able to pull myself out of. Ever since that day, I have wanted to make stories that are meaningful and impact people. Shedding light on the struggles of my father, and many other people in my life have meant so much to me and I feel as if I am getting that opportunity here. This film is dedicated to people who have had to deal with the trauma that can come with losing a parent at a young age, self-harm, and alcohol abuse. I want to make something beautiful that I wish I was able to see when I was at my lowest.
Terry is a troubled and haunted young man who takes his own life at the beginning of the story. He is surprised by the ability to free-roam the current world with no one being able to see or hear him. This changes once his ex-girlfriend is able to break that rule.
The film will follow us throughout Terry's life and all the struggles he has had to face due to his alcoholic father who tried to change his ways but sadly was unable to. We'll see Terry as he begins to realize that in order to move on to the next stage he needs to make amends with the person he wronged most. That being Jane. The goal won't be to have her forgive him but rather have her be in a position to move forward in her life without holding on to the pain given to her by Terry.
Currently, we are in the process of moving things along to begin production, which we will only be able to do once we hit our goal.
I lost my father at a very young age and it led me to filmmaking which helped me express myself in ways I was not able to with my words. Ever since then, all I have wanted is to make projects that mean something to people and help people grow. Even though I was lucky enough to see my father beat alcoholism before he passed, I still witnessed the toll it took on his mental and physical health. Desolate Avenue is a story that I have wanted to make since I was a kid and I am so happy to finally pursue it.
This project was created to be a tribute to people who have had to suffer from alcoholism and depression. The goal is to shed light on the best way I am currently able to. I want to boost the conversation on mental health that goes unchecked in so many young adults such as myself and the people I hold close to me. I believe we go through terrible things to make sure the next person is guided in ways we wish we could have.
Unchecked mental health is common for a reason and I can only hope that this film if funded can help boost conversation about it in any way shape or form which is why I will be personally making a matching personal donation based on how much I am able to raise during my campaign to charities and fundraisers tackling the same goal. Sadly, the only way for me to create this film before I graduate is through crowdfunding.
Chasing this dream has been a huge journey. But after a year of pre-production, climbing over COVID-19 challenges and other greenlight steps along the way to make sure everyone is safe on set, we are ready to bring this story to life with your help.
When it comes to COVID-19 safety, we will be making all the strides to make sure everyone is safe by hiring a COVID-19 compliance officer along with following the rules and regulations given to us by our school. We are very grateful to have access to camera equipment from our school but we still need contributions and your help to pay for our production and post-production expenses such as locations, set operations, wardrobe, make-up & hair, etc.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
The only way we will be able to reach our goal is by reaching past our personal networks and getting our voice out there. Help support and be a part of our goal to boost conversation on unchecked mental health and alcoholism! Please share our campaign via social media, email, word-of-mouth, or however you prefer. We can't do this without you and your help!
Here are some examples:
Help filmmaker @johnbugajski by supporting his film Desolate Avenue about suicide prevention and alcoholism. Join them on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/desolate-avenue#story
I'm so excited to see the short film DESOLATE AVENUE, by director/writer @johnbugajski, be made in New York this spring. Support them on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/desolate-avenue#story
Instagram: @desolateavefilm
Tiktok: @desolateavenuefilm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
ART DEPARTMENT
Costs $800
We need items to help bring our sets to life!
WARDROBE
Costs $250
Each character has a specific look and palette that means something to them!
MAKEUP AND HAIRDRESSING
Costs $300
We have many visuals we can only achieve through makeup!
LOCATIONS
Costs $2,000
Lucky to have a few locations free but most require payment sadly!
TRANSPORTATION
Costs $800
With all of our equipment, we are going to need to transport it to each location in a secure vehicle
SET OPERATIONS
Costs $753
We need to make sure everything is safe involving stunts and set operations!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
JOHN BUGAJSKI
Director/Writer
John Bugajski is a New York-based student filmmaker. He found love in filmmaking after his father passed, who shared the same interest. John has made many short films throughout High School and College while achieving success in festivals for his film titled "Strain" which he made during his first year as a student. Since then he has directed and produced several student projects and has worked on several professional music videos and commercial sets. The only thing John cares for in the film is to help those who think they are alone to realize they are loved and needed.
GUILHERME GILMAN
Editor
Guilherme Gilman is an Ireland-based Portuguese TV and film editor with a diverse portfolio that includes his award-winning short film, Guardiao, music videos for famous Portuguese artists like BISPO X D'AY, and viral social media content for SK Gaming and Newscheck Ireland. More recently, his work includes being a lead editor for Ireland's prime time Realta Agus Gaolta and Assistant Editor on Junior Eurovision and Name That Tune.
Guilherme was born and raised in Povoa de Varzim, Porto, Portugal where he studied Sound and Image at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Porto. In addition to editing, Guilherme has played competitive and professional volleyball, even winning the national championship in U21 Portuguese Championship. He also received his Master of Post Production Editing at Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom before moving to Dublin, Ireland where he now lives with his partner. On the weekends you can find him either playing volleyball for his current team, the Dalkey Devils, enjoying a nice day along the wild Atlantic coast with his partner, or traveling around Europe.
GINEVRA ZANONI
Producer
Ginevra Zanoni is a senior filmmaking student at the New York Film Academy in NYC. As a producer, she has worked on a wide range of projects and is in the process of producing her own thesis film. Ginevra was born and raised in Modena, Italy, and has been living in NYC for the past two years. She loves producing and screenwriting. Her dream is to dedicate her first feature film to her father, who passed away in March 2021.
KEVEN MEMA
Director of Photography
Keven Mema is a New York-based cinematographer, currently pursuing a BFA in filmmaking at New York Film Academy. He's worked on a number of sets in New York (professional and student). He has worked in the camera department on short films and commercials along with editing work for clients. He believes in stories that are deeply rooted in reliability as well as empathy, he is looking forward to watching this one unfold.