Ella's Suite is a romantic short film set entirely in an elevator in 1940s New York City. The story follows Otis and Mary as they fall in love in a world that doesn't see them. This is the love story we've all felt once, or twice, in our lives, waiting for that right moment to call someone our own.
Ella's Suite is a romantic short film set entirely in an elevator in 1940s New York City. The story follows Otis and Mary as they fall in love in a world that doesn't see them. This is the love story we've all felt once, or twice, in our lives, waiting for that right moment to call someone our own.
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Story
Mission Statement
We're a crew of mostly black & brown creatives reclaiming our slice of life on the big screen. We want to share a romantic story that shows a more layered view of the past that everyone can enjoy. We're excited to create a short film that connects us all and uplifts black and brown voices.About The Project
CONCEPT
The goal of this film is to provide a more layered cinematic look at African American characters; particularly with regard to genre, style and narrative agency. In the history of cinema, Black people have been stereotypically portrayed as subservient characters primarily in proximity to trauma. While the history of Black trauma is indeed important to remember as we strive for more equality, so too is the need to see Black characters fall in love, laugh, experience joy and have narrative agency of their own that is beyond the dominant power of the white characters in a given film.
Ella’s Suite explores romance and comedy using a landscape and aesthetic reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood. However, this time we are writing our own narrative to include a much more colorful picture of the past.
Ella's Suite will be a film production utilizing the unique talent of a black and brown cast and crew. Through our collective experiences in the film industry, we still see a lack of diversity. So, we have all come together for this project to set a standard of what we imagine equitable filmmaking can look and feel like in the future. With your support, this film will help nurture the fact that Black stories matter!
WHY NOW?!
We believe Ella's Suite to be an essential project opportunity for black and brown artists to look forward to during this global pandemic. By crowdfunding now, you are helping secure future work for these artists.
*A NOTE ON COVID-19*
This production will observe all safety requirements as set forth by the CDC to ensure a safe film set for all. While our main set is a small elevator car, we will ensure proper distancing, sanitation procedures and proper use of face coverings. We aim to shoot this film as soon as it is safe to do so and will have patience until then! Safety first!
"Crowdfunding rose out of the ashes of the 2007–2008 financial crisis. It’s a testament to the indomitable spirit of creators. It also led audiences out of a very dark time — one great idea at a time. It was revitalizing for so many people’s spirits, and also revitalizing for the creative economy." - Emily Best, Seed&Spark Founder and CEO
VISUAL STYLE
The cinematography in the film, Ella’s Suite, should complement it’s poetic subject matter and charming characters. For this reason, we are choosing to use smooth camera movements and still frames. With the use of warm tungsten lights, the color selected will provide both a richness and subtle softness to the film. Using 4:3 will give us strict boundaries to compose shots economically, which will purely serve the storyline of the film.
BUDGET
* WE HAVE SET AN INITIAL GOAL OF $10,000 IN ORDER TO HAVE ENOUGH FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY. *
STATUS
We are currently in the pre-production. What does that mean? We have written the script, we have assembled our cast/production team and are now solidifying our finances before moving into the shooting phase of the film. After aquiring funding for the film, we plan on using our budget to secure a studio space, build our set, assemble our costumes and rent our camera equipment. After we are done filming, we will use the rest of our budget for post-production purposes (i.e editing, sound design, sound mix, color correction and music).
Once the film is complete, we intend to submit to various film festivals and showcases around the world. We will keep you updated along the way via this platform and social media.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Personally, this project is inspired by my grandfather who was a Pullman Porter and is also a love letter to Jazz, which to me is one of the most important (yet under valued) contributions to come from Black Americans. Ella’s Suite will also be an opportunity for me to finally get to work with a majority Black & Brown team.
Incentives
$15
Spread The Love!
You show US some love, we'll show YOU some sweet social love on our Instagram Story!
$25
A Postcard from Ella's Suite Just for You!!
Sending you a personalized hello from Ella's Suite in 1940's New York City.
- This digital postcard will feature a personalized message from one of the many characters in our film posted to our instagram feed and your email.
Sold Out!
$50
Fresh Baked Bread From Ella's Kitchen! (NY Only)
Drooling at the sight of fresh baked bread? Get yourself a hot loaf of sourdough bread from expert baker and producer Nick Collins. This special treat will be available for New York pick up only!
Sold Out!
$75
Ella's Secret BBQ Sauce
If you know about this sauce, you know it's GOOD! This is Josh's secret family receipe mason-jarred just for you. Act fast, this deal won't last!
Sold Out!
$100
Private Yoga Session
Keep those lindy hop muscles limber with a Yoga session just for you taught by a special guest from the cast and crew! (Virtual or live, Covid/location depending)
Sold Out!
$500
A Climbing Date with Josh and Rikki (NY Only)
Catch a day of rock climbing and cinema for you and a friend with the Director and Cinematographer of Ella's Suite! We will treat you to expert climbing instruction and then world class cinema at one of New York's finest theater establishments. (Covid scheduling available :) )
Claimed: 0 of 1
$1,000
Producer Credit
Help Black Filmmakers do their work! You'll receive an Associate Producer credit on the film, as well as an invitation to set (when it is safe of course)... see how the magic is made!
Claimed: 2 of 3
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
Spread The Love!
You show US some love, we'll show YOU some sweet social love on our Instagram Story!
$25
A Postcard from Ella's Suite Just for You!!
Sending you a personalized hello from Ella's Suite in 1940's New York City.
- This digital postcard will feature a personalized message from one of the many characters in our film posted to our instagram feed and your email.
Sold Out!
$50
Fresh Baked Bread From Ella's Kitchen! (NY Only)
Drooling at the sight of fresh baked bread? Get yourself a hot loaf of sourdough bread from expert baker and producer Nick Collins. This special treat will be available for New York pick up only!
Sold Out!
$75
Ella's Secret BBQ Sauce
If you know about this sauce, you know it's GOOD! This is Josh's secret family receipe mason-jarred just for you. Act fast, this deal won't last!
Sold Out!
$100
Private Yoga Session
Keep those lindy hop muscles limber with a Yoga session just for you taught by a special guest from the cast and crew! (Virtual or live, Covid/location depending)
Sold Out!
$500
A Climbing Date with Josh and Rikki (NY Only)
Catch a day of rock climbing and cinema for you and a friend with the Director and Cinematographer of Ella's Suite! We will treat you to expert climbing instruction and then world class cinema at one of New York's finest theater establishments. (Covid scheduling available :) )
Claimed: 0 of 1
$1,000
Producer Credit
Help Black Filmmakers do their work! You'll receive an Associate Producer credit on the film, as well as an invitation to set (when it is safe of course)... see how the magic is made!
Claimed: 2 of 3
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Josh Greenwood (Otis) is an actor and director based in Brooklyn. He has studied in both Colorado and New York City inluding the University of Colorado, Esper Studio and UCB theater. He has performed in various new york productions and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Fetstival. Josh has been seen on Adult Swim and Amazon networks. His directorial work has been featured on Vimeo Staff Picks, FieldMag and The Sidewalk Film Festival.
Courtney Sauls (Mary) is an actor based in Los Angeles. She can be seen on Netflix’s “Dear White People” as Brooke. Other recent credits include “Brockmire” on FX Network.
Tatiana Fenner is a Brooklyn based film producer and yogi. Growing up as a dancer and performer, she later realized she had a hunger for what goes into making something happen. Once making the decision to transition from performer to producer, she graduated from Syracuse University studying Theatre Management in the Department of Drama. She considers herself forever a student, endlessly searching for what speaks deeply to her, loud enough it can be shared with others.
Tatiana has recently produced a short documentary focusing on the divide of marginalized people who exist in wellness spaces called “The People Of Climbing,” which has recently been screened with Sidewalk Film Festival. She also resides on the Programming Committee for The Lower East Side Film Festival, getting the opportunity to screen several hundred films, curating the voices of upcoming artists from around the world. As she works on current projects, she balances out her days filming by sharing the world of yoga with others.
Rikki Porter is a Southern California native, who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. She is an alumna of Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, where she obtained her MFA in Cinematography. Rikki’s eclectic and outstanding work as a Director of Photography includes several short films, documentaries, and experimental films. In 2019, her work was on display in the short film, Good News. The film was honored at the 57th New York Film Festival and acknowledged at the Maryland Film Festival.
Aside from her expertise as a Cinematographer, Rikki has an extensive background in lighting, sound, and electronic music. In her spare time, Rikki is an avid rock climber. She has combined both of her passions when asked to shoot videos for outdoor rock climbing events. Her other pastimes are drawing and graphic design. Rikki’s latest interest is developing a green thumb!
Nick Jaco Collins is a LA-born NY-based film producer and assistant director. He has worked his way up through the production world traveling from state to state working on episodic and film productions. His producing credits include “Blackaroni & Cheese” and “Brooklyn Moving Company” which won best pilot at SeriesFest 2019. His television AD credits include “Billions”, “The Sinner” and “Hightown”. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado.
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