Dumplings Before I Go
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Romance
Set in Chinatown in the 1970s, two restaurant workers—a woman living a life of stability and a traveler about to embark on his next journey—form an unlikely bond during their last night in the same kitchen.
Dumplings Before I Go
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Romance
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $11,580 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
32 supporters | followers
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Set in Chinatown in the 1970s, two restaurant workers—a woman living a life of stability and a traveler about to embark on his next journey—form an unlikely bond during their last night in the same kitchen.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Logline
Set in Chinatown in the 1970s, two restaurant workers—a woman living a life of stability and a traveler about to embark on his next journey—form an unlikely bond during their last night in the same kitchen.
Synopsis
OLI has everything a woman like her could ask for—a stable job, a stable home, and a stable partner. But when she comes across an advert for an airline company, Oli realizes that she yearns for something more. It’s not quite a mid-life crisis, but for the first time, Oli wonders if this is really how she wants to spend the rest of her life…
Late at night and unable to sleep, Oli slips out of bed to go on a walk. She finds herself back at the restaurant she works at and is surprised to see her co-worker ANDY in the kitchen, making dumplings. It is a tradition of his—to make dumplings whenever he is about to leave a place.
Oli learns that Andy is a nomadic traveler, and has finally saved up enough money. Tonight, he will be off to his next destination.
Andy teaches Oli how to make dumplings and along with it an important lesson: Dumplings aren’t hard to make, the key is to find a method that works for you. At the end of the day, so long as it tastes good and satisfies the soul, the rest is up to you. The world is your oyster.
The night comes to an end and the two go their separate ways. Oli returns to work the next morning, but everything feels different. It is then she makes her decision. That evening, Oli tears her partner from his work. Tonight, all that can wait. For tonight, they make dumplings.
Basic information
Title: “Dumplings Before I Go”
Length: 8-10 minutes
Genre: Romance/Drama
Shooting Date: September/October 2024
Shooting Location: Los Angeles, CA
Estimated Budget: $11,500
Theme(s):
- Change is scary but often necessary.
- It's okay to feel lost. You'll find your way.
Inspirations/Comps
Genre
This is a romance/drama film, except no one falls in love. Rather, it is a film about culture, self-discovery, and the fear of change.
It is Lost in Translation meets Past Lives, in Wong Kar Wai’s visual style.
Why this story?
There’s a tradition back home on my father’s side of the family: you always make dumplings before someone leaves. Ever since I could remember, whenever I went to visit my grandparents, they would always make us dumplings before our flight. No matter what time of the day it was, they would get up and make dumplings from scratch. Growing up, I never quite understood why they did, but in recent years, the pieces have begun to fall into place.
It’s been over a year since my grandfather’s passing. Although he had long forgotten me before then, I will always remember him by the silhouetted bend of his back as he rolled out dumpling wrappers in front of the kitchen window. Although he had long forgotten that the girl in front of him was his granddaughter, a child he raised from birth and used to chase around the house laughing and grumbling under his breath, he will never forget to make her dumplings—not just because it’s tradition, but because deep down, he knows. Whoever this girl was, he wanted her to chase after her dreams and to be safe on all her journeys.
In my family, we seldom say goodbyes. Instead, we make dumplings.
In recent years, I’ve finally come to understand. All along, it had been an excuse—an excuse to spend just a little more time together, to sit in each other’s company and simply be. It’s a wishing of luck, a reminder of courage. And we all need a little bit of that sometimes. I know I certainly do. And that is why I want to tell this story.
What scares me most in life isn’t being unsuccessful or even being a failure, but rather it’s regretting not doing something. I think a lot of us feel that way, yet still, we often find ourselves stagnant, scared to go, scared to change. And that is totally valid. Change is scary. It’s hard to take that first step. But every journey starts somewhere and ultimately comes to an end. You might not have it all figured out now, but you have an entire lifetime. So take that step, say those words, do the thing that scares you most. This film is your sign.
Meet the Team
Budget - Where will your support go?
We are looking to raise $11,500 to kickstart our film. The funds will go towards locations, cast and crew, production design, wardrobe, hair and makeup, food, equipment, and post-production.
For a student production like ours, any support you can offer would mean the world, whether it be monetary donations, sharing our campaign, or giving it a follow!
Thank you in advance for any contributions. Together, let’s bring this story to life :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment (Lighting + Camera + Truck rentals)
Costs $1,550
We’d love to shoot on an Arri Alexa Mini as well as have some other grip and electric items. We also need a truck to transport everything!
Cast & Crew
Costs $2,550
We can’t make a movie without our amazing cast and crew!
Location
Costs $3,800
We need a lovely restaurant and kitchen + vintage apartment perfect for the story! But locations can be costly…
Catering & Crafty
Costs $1,300
A well-fed cast and crew = a happy cast and crew :)
Props + Set Decoration
Costs $1,500
To build a world in the 70s, our production designers have a lot to do!
1970s Wardrobe & Makeup
Costs $300
We are dressing our characters in 70s clothing as well as kitchen-wear!
Post Production
Costs $500
We can’t have a movie without a soundtrack! Unfortunately, I am no composer myself, so here’s to hiring a composer!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Logline
Set in Chinatown in the 1970s, two restaurant workers—a woman living a life of stability and a traveler about to embark on his next journey—form an unlikely bond during their last night in the same kitchen.
Synopsis
OLI has everything a woman like her could ask for—a stable job, a stable home, and a stable partner. But when she comes across an advert for an airline company, Oli realizes that she yearns for something more. It’s not quite a mid-life crisis, but for the first time, Oli wonders if this is really how she wants to spend the rest of her life…
Late at night and unable to sleep, Oli slips out of bed to go on a walk. She finds herself back at the restaurant she works at and is surprised to see her co-worker ANDY in the kitchen, making dumplings. It is a tradition of his—to make dumplings whenever he is about to leave a place.
Oli learns that Andy is a nomadic traveler, and has finally saved up enough money. Tonight, he will be off to his next destination.
Andy teaches Oli how to make dumplings and along with it an important lesson: Dumplings aren’t hard to make, the key is to find a method that works for you. At the end of the day, so long as it tastes good and satisfies the soul, the rest is up to you. The world is your oyster.
The night comes to an end and the two go their separate ways. Oli returns to work the next morning, but everything feels different. It is then she makes her decision. That evening, Oli tears her partner from his work. Tonight, all that can wait. For tonight, they make dumplings.
Basic information
Title: “Dumplings Before I Go”
Length: 8-10 minutes
Genre: Romance/Drama
Shooting Date: September/October 2024
Shooting Location: Los Angeles, CA
Estimated Budget: $11,500
Theme(s):
- Change is scary but often necessary.
- It's okay to feel lost. You'll find your way.
Inspirations/Comps
Genre
This is a romance/drama film, except no one falls in love. Rather, it is a film about culture, self-discovery, and the fear of change.
It is Lost in Translation meets Past Lives, in Wong Kar Wai’s visual style.
Why this story?
There’s a tradition back home on my father’s side of the family: you always make dumplings before someone leaves. Ever since I could remember, whenever I went to visit my grandparents, they would always make us dumplings before our flight. No matter what time of the day it was, they would get up and make dumplings from scratch. Growing up, I never quite understood why they did, but in recent years, the pieces have begun to fall into place.
It’s been over a year since my grandfather’s passing. Although he had long forgotten me before then, I will always remember him by the silhouetted bend of his back as he rolled out dumpling wrappers in front of the kitchen window. Although he had long forgotten that the girl in front of him was his granddaughter, a child he raised from birth and used to chase around the house laughing and grumbling under his breath, he will never forget to make her dumplings—not just because it’s tradition, but because deep down, he knows. Whoever this girl was, he wanted her to chase after her dreams and to be safe on all her journeys.
In my family, we seldom say goodbyes. Instead, we make dumplings.
In recent years, I’ve finally come to understand. All along, it had been an excuse—an excuse to spend just a little more time together, to sit in each other’s company and simply be. It’s a wishing of luck, a reminder of courage. And we all need a little bit of that sometimes. I know I certainly do. And that is why I want to tell this story.
What scares me most in life isn’t being unsuccessful or even being a failure, but rather it’s regretting not doing something. I think a lot of us feel that way, yet still, we often find ourselves stagnant, scared to go, scared to change. And that is totally valid. Change is scary. It’s hard to take that first step. But every journey starts somewhere and ultimately comes to an end. You might not have it all figured out now, but you have an entire lifetime. So take that step, say those words, do the thing that scares you most. This film is your sign.
Meet the Team
Budget - Where will your support go?
We are looking to raise $11,500 to kickstart our film. The funds will go towards locations, cast and crew, production design, wardrobe, hair and makeup, food, equipment, and post-production.
For a student production like ours, any support you can offer would mean the world, whether it be monetary donations, sharing our campaign, or giving it a follow!
Thank you in advance for any contributions. Together, let’s bring this story to life :)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment (Lighting + Camera + Truck rentals)
Costs $1,550
We’d love to shoot on an Arri Alexa Mini as well as have some other grip and electric items. We also need a truck to transport everything!
Cast & Crew
Costs $2,550
We can’t make a movie without our amazing cast and crew!
Location
Costs $3,800
We need a lovely restaurant and kitchen + vintage apartment perfect for the story! But locations can be costly…
Catering & Crafty
Costs $1,300
A well-fed cast and crew = a happy cast and crew :)
Props + Set Decoration
Costs $1,500
To build a world in the 70s, our production designers have a lot to do!
1970s Wardrobe & Makeup
Costs $300
We are dressing our characters in 70s clothing as well as kitchen-wear!
Post Production
Costs $500
We can’t have a movie without a soundtrack! Unfortunately, I am no composer myself, so here’s to hiring a composer!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
.