Élise and Irina
Raleigh, North Carolina | Film Short
Comedy, Action
Two Type A best friends, Élise and Irina, make a grave mistake in a discount store candle aisle, leading them to abandon their lives as they know them. When they embark on their chaotic journey of misadventure, they discover freedom and themselves along the way.
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Two Type A best friends, Élise and Irina, make a grave mistake in a discount store candle aisle, leading them to abandon their lives as they know them. When they embark on their chaotic journey of misadventure, they discover freedom and themselves along the way.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Élise and Irina are over-thinkers, they're best friends and practically carbon-copies of each other. They love each other fiercely and support each other at a level that teeters on enablement. When a seemingly minor incident occurs as they shop at their local discount store, instead of facing the problem in any way, they abandon the situation completely. They flee the discount store and set out on the "open road" to escape their mistake. As they travel further and further from home they come closer to understanding what it is they really need.
Élise and Irina is silly, absurd and pretty darn sweet. As our characters make increasingly ridiculous decisions their sincerity and heart remain steadfast.
Visually Élise and Irina will appear clean, simple and warm. With a restrained, natural-looking approach to the style of the film, the characters' farcical behavior will shine.
The film's actors Carly Grissom and Ayla Haggerty, our Élise and Irina, know quite a bit about overthinking and blowing things out of proportion. As real-life best friends, Carly and Ayla share that tendency for dramatics. And like their characters, the support they have for one another is absolutely unwavering. This strong support is a major comfort to both the actors and their characters, but when that support is so strong that it airs on the side of enablement, they can get themselves into trouble.
As North-Carolinians, Carly Grissom and Macie Barefoot jump at any opportunity to return home and get creative. Growing up in Raleigh, Carly was surrounded by artists who inspired her deeply. Artists who helped cultivate her artistry and whom she still looks up to today. Every chance she gets to come back to such a rich community of creative people and collaborate with them is something she holds very dear. It's hard for Carly to imagine writing stories that take place anywhere else.
With Élise and Irina we are lucky enough to be filming in some of the area's most iconic spots. If you're a fellow NC resident, you might spot the interior of the legendary Roast Grill or Cary's own Ashworth Drugs.
Do you have a tendency to assume the worst possible outcome when imagining future situations? Are you unable to see the easy answer even when it’s right in front of you? Then you share some similarities with Élise and Irina.
With Élise and Irina, we are bringing you two characters some part of you might relate to. Maybe that anxious voice inside you, or that part of you that is convinced other people are talking or thinking about you when in reality they don't even know you're there. Our film invites you to laugh at, or with, that part of yourself. We hope to bring two complex, ridiculous, open-hearted women to the screen that might act as a mirror to your dramatic side.
We are a group of local artists who could really use your support and would really really appreciate it! To be able to tell Élise and Irina's silly little story in all of its ridiculousness, we need your help. We will make the most of your contribution by providing compensation to our cast and crew, paying for equipment rental and taking care of various other production costs.
You can choose from any of our incentives that fit your budget or make a donation of any amount of your choosing. No pledge is too small, every single dollar counts and is so appreciated!
Follow and engage with us on social media to stay up to date with all things Élise and Irina! We're on Instagram @eliseandirina.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rental
Costs $750
We need proper equipment so that we can look and sound pretty!
Props
Costs $400
There are some props we need, that we won't tell you about now. We don't want to spoil it for you!
Cast and Crew
Costs $2,000
Our cast and crew deserve some compensation for their hard work!
Still Photography
Costs $250
Our lovely photographer is gonna get some really cool stills of our actors for our poster!
Share this update!
About This Team
Carly wanted to create a story that explores what happens when we go with the crazy choice. What happens when we don't attempt to quell that scared, anxious voice our head, but follow through with its desires? How far will we go when we don't check ourselves or have someone to bring us back down to earth? What happens when you're in a situation with someone who doesn't ground you, but encourages your delusions? Basically the "dramatic" girl wants to be dramatic, but under the silliest, most ridiculous circumstances.
The film's actors Carly Grissom and Ayla Haggerty, our Élise and Irina, know quite a bit about overthinking and blowing things out of proportion. As real-life best friends, Carly and Ayla share that tendency for dramatics. And like their characters, the support they have for one another is absolutely unwavering. This strong support is a major comfort to both the actors and their characters, but when that support is so strong that it airs on the side of enablement, they can get themselves into trouble.
Writer, Director, ÉLISE - Carly Grissom is an actor, writer originally from Raleigh, NC, currently based in Brooklyn, NY. She grew up attending the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory and Moonlight Stage Company where she cultivated her love for theatre and performing. She recently appeared as 'Annelle' in North Carolina Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias, directed by Lauren Kennedy. She also performed in Theatre Raleigh's production of Parade as Mary Phagan. Other North Carolina Theatre credits include; Annie, Newsies, Spamalot, Grease, etc. In 2021 she shot her debut short film, co-directed with Macie Barefoot, A Series of Chromatic Events.
Director of Photography - Macie Barefoot is a director, screenwriter, filmmaker, and photographer from Raleigh, North Carolina. From a young age, Macie was fascinated by entertainment and performing arts. Her early involvement in dance, theatre, and photography ultimately led her to develop a great love for film and television. Macie has experience working on award-winning fictional, documentary, experimental, and animated short films. She has additional production experience working on music videos and as a behind the scenes photographer. In 2021, Macie served as a producer, co-director, and director of photography on the queer short film ‘A Series of Chromatic Events’ which is currently in post-production. In 2021 and 2022 Macie collaborated with JAX Media and Netflix, working as a Production Assistant on the new Netflix Original Series ‘Partner Track’. In 2022, Macie wrote, directed, produced, and edited her newest short film and senior thesis piece ‘Lucid’ which she aspires to have a festival run with.
First Assistant Director - Nora Stock is an award-winning writer, director, and film editor. Her most recent work, "Ecstasy Behind the Forgotten," is available now for public view after receiving multiple awards at film festivals. She recently graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Theatre & New Media, and Digital Media and Video Production. Nora has experience working in many filmmaking styles including narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, and music video. She also has backgrounds in acting, theatre production, & digital photography.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Élise and Irina are over-thinkers, they're best friends and practically carbon-copies of each other. They love each other fiercely and support each other at a level that teeters on enablement. When a seemingly minor incident occurs as they shop at their local discount store, instead of facing the problem in any way, they abandon the situation completely. They flee the discount store and set out on the "open road" to escape their mistake. As they travel further and further from home they come closer to understanding what it is they really need.
Élise and Irina is silly, absurd and pretty darn sweet. As our characters make increasingly ridiculous decisions their sincerity and heart remain steadfast.
Visually Élise and Irina will appear clean, simple and warm. With a restrained, natural-looking approach to the style of the film, the characters' farcical behavior will shine.
The film's actors Carly Grissom and Ayla Haggerty, our Élise and Irina, know quite a bit about overthinking and blowing things out of proportion. As real-life best friends, Carly and Ayla share that tendency for dramatics. And like their characters, the support they have for one another is absolutely unwavering. This strong support is a major comfort to both the actors and their characters, but when that support is so strong that it airs on the side of enablement, they can get themselves into trouble.
As North-Carolinians, Carly Grissom and Macie Barefoot jump at any opportunity to return home and get creative. Growing up in Raleigh, Carly was surrounded by artists who inspired her deeply. Artists who helped cultivate her artistry and whom she still looks up to today. Every chance she gets to come back to such a rich community of creative people and collaborate with them is something she holds very dear. It's hard for Carly to imagine writing stories that take place anywhere else.
With Élise and Irina we are lucky enough to be filming in some of the area's most iconic spots. If you're a fellow NC resident, you might spot the interior of the legendary Roast Grill or Cary's own Ashworth Drugs.
Do you have a tendency to assume the worst possible outcome when imagining future situations? Are you unable to see the easy answer even when it’s right in front of you? Then you share some similarities with Élise and Irina.
With Élise and Irina, we are bringing you two characters some part of you might relate to. Maybe that anxious voice inside you, or that part of you that is convinced other people are talking or thinking about you when in reality they don't even know you're there. Our film invites you to laugh at, or with, that part of yourself. We hope to bring two complex, ridiculous, open-hearted women to the screen that might act as a mirror to your dramatic side.
We are a group of local artists who could really use your support and would really really appreciate it! To be able to tell Élise and Irina's silly little story in all of its ridiculousness, we need your help. We will make the most of your contribution by providing compensation to our cast and crew, paying for equipment rental and taking care of various other production costs.
You can choose from any of our incentives that fit your budget or make a donation of any amount of your choosing. No pledge is too small, every single dollar counts and is so appreciated!
Follow and engage with us on social media to stay up to date with all things Élise and Irina! We're on Instagram @eliseandirina.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rental
Costs $750
We need proper equipment so that we can look and sound pretty!
Props
Costs $400
There are some props we need, that we won't tell you about now. We don't want to spoil it for you!
Cast and Crew
Costs $2,000
Our cast and crew deserve some compensation for their hard work!
Still Photography
Costs $250
Our lovely photographer is gonna get some really cool stills of our actors for our poster!
Share this update!
About This Team
Carly wanted to create a story that explores what happens when we go with the crazy choice. What happens when we don't attempt to quell that scared, anxious voice our head, but follow through with its desires? How far will we go when we don't check ourselves or have someone to bring us back down to earth? What happens when you're in a situation with someone who doesn't ground you, but encourages your delusions? Basically the "dramatic" girl wants to be dramatic, but under the silliest, most ridiculous circumstances.
The film's actors Carly Grissom and Ayla Haggerty, our Élise and Irina, know quite a bit about overthinking and blowing things out of proportion. As real-life best friends, Carly and Ayla share that tendency for dramatics. And like their characters, the support they have for one another is absolutely unwavering. This strong support is a major comfort to both the actors and their characters, but when that support is so strong that it airs on the side of enablement, they can get themselves into trouble.
Writer, Director, ÉLISE - Carly Grissom is an actor, writer originally from Raleigh, NC, currently based in Brooklyn, NY. She grew up attending the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory and Moonlight Stage Company where she cultivated her love for theatre and performing. She recently appeared as 'Annelle' in North Carolina Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias, directed by Lauren Kennedy. She also performed in Theatre Raleigh's production of Parade as Mary Phagan. Other North Carolina Theatre credits include; Annie, Newsies, Spamalot, Grease, etc. In 2021 she shot her debut short film, co-directed with Macie Barefoot, A Series of Chromatic Events.
Director of Photography - Macie Barefoot is a director, screenwriter, filmmaker, and photographer from Raleigh, North Carolina. From a young age, Macie was fascinated by entertainment and performing arts. Her early involvement in dance, theatre, and photography ultimately led her to develop a great love for film and television. Macie has experience working on award-winning fictional, documentary, experimental, and animated short films. She has additional production experience working on music videos and as a behind the scenes photographer. In 2021, Macie served as a producer, co-director, and director of photography on the queer short film ‘A Series of Chromatic Events’ which is currently in post-production. In 2021 and 2022 Macie collaborated with JAX Media and Netflix, working as a Production Assistant on the new Netflix Original Series ‘Partner Track’. In 2022, Macie wrote, directed, produced, and edited her newest short film and senior thesis piece ‘Lucid’ which she aspires to have a festival run with.
First Assistant Director - Nora Stock is an award-winning writer, director, and film editor. Her most recent work, "Ecstasy Behind the Forgotten," is available now for public view after receiving multiple awards at film festivals. She recently graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Theatre & New Media, and Digital Media and Video Production. Nora has experience working in many filmmaking styles including narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, and music video. She also has backgrounds in acting, theatre production, & digital photography.