El Trabajo No Para
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
During the Great Recession in rural North Carolina, a laid-off office worker struggles to upstart his own business in order to pay bills and provide for his loving wife.
El Trabajo No Para
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
1 Campaigns |
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18 supporters | followers
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During the Great Recession in rural North Carolina, a laid-off office worker struggles to upstart his own business in order to pay bills and provide for his loving wife.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Logline
During the Great Recession in rural North Carolina, a laid-off office worker struggles to upstart his own business in order to pay bills and provide for his loving wife.
Synopsis
In 2008 of rural North Carolina, Irving, a Latino in his 30s, began his day preparing his morning coffee. However, a spilled drop on his shirt signifies the beginning of frustrating events challenging his resilience. His wife, Marissa, young and supportive, always comes prepared and helps him change into a clean shirt she had saved away.
Irving’s day continues at work, an office job where he and his friend, Ricky, are the only Latinos there. The office is full of chaos activity but Ricky’s optimism offers brief motivation for Irving. Tensions peak when Irving’s boss lays off both him and Ricky.
Defeated, Irving shuts himself in his cluttered home office, where frustration and hopelessness build in a fit of rage. But Marissa, always with a plan in mind, offers a solution: they should start their own translation service business, specifically for Spanish communities to help others find jobs. Despite Irving’s initial doubts, Marissa’s persistence and their dire financial situation push him to agree. Irving works tirelessly, creating advertisements and trying to get clients. His efforts, however, meet with limited success and skepticism from potential clients.
Financial pressures mount as their water gets shut off due to unpaid bills. The stress overwhelms Irving, but Marissa reassures him. Together, they continue to push forward with their business, handing out flyers and attracting clients.
Ricky shows up at their door with one of their flyers, signaling the beginning of their first client and a glimmer of hope. Despite the ongoing challenges, Irving and Marissa’s journey reflects their resilience, love, and determination to create a better future together.
Themes
The story is surrounded by the themes of resilience, family, and determination. We have all been in stressful situations. Having the support from family and friends motivates us more to continue working towards our goals. It’s what allows us to become stronger.
Mood & Tone
Emotions and themes are expressed through character actions and cinematography. My goal is to bring a sense of warmth and love through these means. Warm hues, such as brown and orange, and soft halation combined with the never-ending support from Marissa, will pull the themes together beautifully. I want my film’s visual style to warmly embrace the audience.
Comps
The Real Story
My short film is a dramatization of my parent’s experience as they tried establishing themselves in the US. As both grew up with very little, success meant a lot to them. In 2008 my father had already established his business, providing translation services for the spanish communities. My dad quickly learned the ways of running a business, handling finances, and supporting others. Over the years, the business grew in size and in services, able to serve more clients with the help of my mother. Together, they have made friends that were soon called family. Now, they still run that business despite my father being past the age of retirement. It is because of their consistent work that I am able to attend film school in LA. If it wasn’t for them and their belief in me, I would not be where I am today.
Why me/why this story?
I didn’t grow up surrounded by creatives, let alone creatives of color. Coming from a small town, the idea of attending film school in LA seemed almost impossible. Yet, here I am, and I owe it all to my parents' unwavering support and love.
This story is deeply personal to me. Creating a film that honors my parents, who come from a background that many can relate to, is a significant achievement—not just for me, but for others who share similar passions and dreams. My goal with this film is to express my gratitude to my parents and to inspire future creators to stay determined and never give up. I will be a testament to those chasing their dreams because meaningful stories deserve to be told.
Characters
Irving (Puerto Rican, 30s)
• Having grown up knowing the importance of family, Irving tries to make the best of his life through hardwork and determination. His goal is to provide a stable life for his wife by opening up his own business for the Latino community. Irving has a habit of spilling coffee on himself and insists on doing things on his own.
Marissa (Mexican, mid 20s)
• Similar to Irving, lives a modest life working as a hotel housekeeper. With loyalty and love, Marissa supports Irving’s goals and wants to live happily wherever they are. Marissa understands Irving and prepares as much as she can. She’s a firm believer of communication and fighting for one’s dreams.
Ricky (Mexican, 30s)
• An old friend of Irving, Ricky has always worked with the value of respect and integrity. With a cheerful nature, Ricky supports Irving with friendship and loyalty.
Budget
Production Details
Shooting Dates: October 4th to October 6th, 2024
Running time: 5-8 minutes
How to Support
Follow our journey here on Seed & Spark and on Instagram @eltrabajonopara for updates and behind-the-scenes content. You can contribute by pledging any amount or choosing a specific incentive as a token of our thanks. Every pledge brings us one step closer to making this film a reality. Not able to pledge? You can still help by sharing our project with your family, friends, co-workers, and anyone else who might be interested. Every share makes a difference!
We thank you for reading about our project and taking the time to support us!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera and Lighting Equipment
Costs $1,700
To achieve the visual style and tone of our film, we will be renting out specific equipment and gear.
Lunch and Crafty
Costs $1,000
Our crew and cast need to be fed! Providing 15-20 people for three days with good food for everyone is an important goal of ours.
Props and Wardrobe
Costs $500
To convey 2008 in the film, we plan on using props and wardrobe of that time period. We would have to go through 3rd party vendors.
Cast and Crew
Costs $3,500
All of our cast and crew should be compensated for their time and work. Their efforts shouldn't go without good pay and recognition.
Location
Costs $2,000
We will be renting out a small and quaint house as well as an office space to shoot on location!
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the Team
Director
Vex Claudio is a rising senior at Loyola Marymount University, studying Film Production. Coming from a small town and being the only student in his high school class to study outside his home state, Vex deeply values the pursuit of dreams. He focuses on visual storytelling with the goal of creating diverse and meaningful stories that emotionally impact audiences. At LMU, Vex has been involved in multiple student productions, primarily working in the camera and lighting departments. Additionally, he has gained valuable industry insight as a creative development intern at Warner Bros. Discovery, where he assisted with major studio projects. Above all, Vex values family, believing that without their support, he would not be where he is today.
Producer
Audrey Wood is a junior double majoring in Film and Television Production and Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Originally from Chandler, AZ, she started making films as a child with her family and pet parakeet as actors. Her family continues to support her and inspire her to create. Now, she has worked on 25+ student films and specializes in assistant directing, producing, and graphic design/social media management. She is passionate about telling stories that inspire a sense of wonder for the little things in life, nostalgia for the past, and joy for the future. Her films have been recognized nationally by organizations such as YoungArts, and she won the 2022 National Student Emmy Award for Writing. As a filmmaker and producer, she strives to build communities and collaborative spaces for creative magic to thrive.
Co-producer
Alex Russell is a screenwriting student at LMU and has previously worked as a script supervisor, 2nd assistant camera, and sound mixer on student sets. This summer, she sound-mixed on a feature film shot over ten days, which allowed her to gain more experience with pre-production. Family is an integral part of Alex’s life, as she is a triplet. Alex considers her two siblings her best friends, and every day, she feels immensely grateful to have grown up alongside them.
Assistant Director
Caleigh Burns will be a sophomore at Loyola Marymount University studying Film Production. While completing her high school studies she took on roles of producer and director for her schools’ bi-weekly television show. During her Freshman year at LMU she worked in the camera room as well as on many student sets, learning a variety of positions from 2nd assistant camera, sound, production design and G&E. Caleigh has a passion for telling stories on screen that illuminate positivity, empathy and hope in our increasingly divided world. Through her storytelling, placing women at the forefront of these narratives, she aims to celebrate their strength, resilience, and diverse experiences. Caleigh has a close knit bond to her family and what she loves is how encouraging, supportive and loving they are.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Logline
During the Great Recession in rural North Carolina, a laid-off office worker struggles to upstart his own business in order to pay bills and provide for his loving wife.
Synopsis
In 2008 of rural North Carolina, Irving, a Latino in his 30s, began his day preparing his morning coffee. However, a spilled drop on his shirt signifies the beginning of frustrating events challenging his resilience. His wife, Marissa, young and supportive, always comes prepared and helps him change into a clean shirt she had saved away.
Irving’s day continues at work, an office job where he and his friend, Ricky, are the only Latinos there. The office is full of chaos activity but Ricky’s optimism offers brief motivation for Irving. Tensions peak when Irving’s boss lays off both him and Ricky.
Defeated, Irving shuts himself in his cluttered home office, where frustration and hopelessness build in a fit of rage. But Marissa, always with a plan in mind, offers a solution: they should start their own translation service business, specifically for Spanish communities to help others find jobs. Despite Irving’s initial doubts, Marissa’s persistence and their dire financial situation push him to agree. Irving works tirelessly, creating advertisements and trying to get clients. His efforts, however, meet with limited success and skepticism from potential clients.
Financial pressures mount as their water gets shut off due to unpaid bills. The stress overwhelms Irving, but Marissa reassures him. Together, they continue to push forward with their business, handing out flyers and attracting clients.
Ricky shows up at their door with one of their flyers, signaling the beginning of their first client and a glimmer of hope. Despite the ongoing challenges, Irving and Marissa’s journey reflects their resilience, love, and determination to create a better future together.
Themes
The story is surrounded by the themes of resilience, family, and determination. We have all been in stressful situations. Having the support from family and friends motivates us more to continue working towards our goals. It’s what allows us to become stronger.
Mood & Tone
Emotions and themes are expressed through character actions and cinematography. My goal is to bring a sense of warmth and love through these means. Warm hues, such as brown and orange, and soft halation combined with the never-ending support from Marissa, will pull the themes together beautifully. I want my film’s visual style to warmly embrace the audience.
Comps
The Real Story
My short film is a dramatization of my parent’s experience as they tried establishing themselves in the US. As both grew up with very little, success meant a lot to them. In 2008 my father had already established his business, providing translation services for the spanish communities. My dad quickly learned the ways of running a business, handling finances, and supporting others. Over the years, the business grew in size and in services, able to serve more clients with the help of my mother. Together, they have made friends that were soon called family. Now, they still run that business despite my father being past the age of retirement. It is because of their consistent work that I am able to attend film school in LA. If it wasn’t for them and their belief in me, I would not be where I am today.
Why me/why this story?
I didn’t grow up surrounded by creatives, let alone creatives of color. Coming from a small town, the idea of attending film school in LA seemed almost impossible. Yet, here I am, and I owe it all to my parents' unwavering support and love.
This story is deeply personal to me. Creating a film that honors my parents, who come from a background that many can relate to, is a significant achievement—not just for me, but for others who share similar passions and dreams. My goal with this film is to express my gratitude to my parents and to inspire future creators to stay determined and never give up. I will be a testament to those chasing their dreams because meaningful stories deserve to be told.
Characters
Irving (Puerto Rican, 30s)
• Having grown up knowing the importance of family, Irving tries to make the best of his life through hardwork and determination. His goal is to provide a stable life for his wife by opening up his own business for the Latino community. Irving has a habit of spilling coffee on himself and insists on doing things on his own.
Marissa (Mexican, mid 20s)
• Similar to Irving, lives a modest life working as a hotel housekeeper. With loyalty and love, Marissa supports Irving’s goals and wants to live happily wherever they are. Marissa understands Irving and prepares as much as she can. She’s a firm believer of communication and fighting for one’s dreams.
Ricky (Mexican, 30s)
• An old friend of Irving, Ricky has always worked with the value of respect and integrity. With a cheerful nature, Ricky supports Irving with friendship and loyalty.
Budget
Production Details
Shooting Dates: October 4th to October 6th, 2024
Running time: 5-8 minutes
How to Support
Follow our journey here on Seed & Spark and on Instagram @eltrabajonopara for updates and behind-the-scenes content. You can contribute by pledging any amount or choosing a specific incentive as a token of our thanks. Every pledge brings us one step closer to making this film a reality. Not able to pledge? You can still help by sharing our project with your family, friends, co-workers, and anyone else who might be interested. Every share makes a difference!
We thank you for reading about our project and taking the time to support us!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera and Lighting Equipment
Costs $1,700
To achieve the visual style and tone of our film, we will be renting out specific equipment and gear.
Lunch and Crafty
Costs $1,000
Our crew and cast need to be fed! Providing 15-20 people for three days with good food for everyone is an important goal of ours.
Props and Wardrobe
Costs $500
To convey 2008 in the film, we plan on using props and wardrobe of that time period. We would have to go through 3rd party vendors.
Cast and Crew
Costs $3,500
All of our cast and crew should be compensated for their time and work. Their efforts shouldn't go without good pay and recognition.
Location
Costs $2,000
We will be renting out a small and quaint house as well as an office space to shoot on location!
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the Team
Director
Vex Claudio is a rising senior at Loyola Marymount University, studying Film Production. Coming from a small town and being the only student in his high school class to study outside his home state, Vex deeply values the pursuit of dreams. He focuses on visual storytelling with the goal of creating diverse and meaningful stories that emotionally impact audiences. At LMU, Vex has been involved in multiple student productions, primarily working in the camera and lighting departments. Additionally, he has gained valuable industry insight as a creative development intern at Warner Bros. Discovery, where he assisted with major studio projects. Above all, Vex values family, believing that without their support, he would not be where he is today.
Producer
Audrey Wood is a junior double majoring in Film and Television Production and Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Originally from Chandler, AZ, she started making films as a child with her family and pet parakeet as actors. Her family continues to support her and inspire her to create. Now, she has worked on 25+ student films and specializes in assistant directing, producing, and graphic design/social media management. She is passionate about telling stories that inspire a sense of wonder for the little things in life, nostalgia for the past, and joy for the future. Her films have been recognized nationally by organizations such as YoungArts, and she won the 2022 National Student Emmy Award for Writing. As a filmmaker and producer, she strives to build communities and collaborative spaces for creative magic to thrive.
Co-producer
Alex Russell is a screenwriting student at LMU and has previously worked as a script supervisor, 2nd assistant camera, and sound mixer on student sets. This summer, she sound-mixed on a feature film shot over ten days, which allowed her to gain more experience with pre-production. Family is an integral part of Alex’s life, as she is a triplet. Alex considers her two siblings her best friends, and every day, she feels immensely grateful to have grown up alongside them.
Assistant Director
Caleigh Burns will be a sophomore at Loyola Marymount University studying Film Production. While completing her high school studies she took on roles of producer and director for her schools’ bi-weekly television show. During her Freshman year at LMU she worked in the camera room as well as on many student sets, learning a variety of positions from 2nd assistant camera, sound, production design and G&E. Caleigh has a passion for telling stories on screen that illuminate positivity, empathy and hope in our increasingly divided world. Through her storytelling, placing women at the forefront of these narratives, she aims to celebrate their strength, resilience, and diverse experiences. Caleigh has a close knit bond to her family and what she loves is how encouraging, supportive and loving they are.