ELOISE
New York City, New York | Film Short
Experimental, Drama
Despite her sense of imagination being entwined with drinking, a young woman seeks sobriety. For any who have felt unnaturally drawn to alcohol, been in grief over a childhood dream, lost creative energy, or longed for a different reality - this film is for you.
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This campaign raised $15,087 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Despite her sense of imagination being entwined with drinking, a young woman seeks sobriety. For any who have felt unnaturally drawn to alcohol, been in grief over a childhood dream, lost creative energy, or longed for a different reality - this film is for you.
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Kate is the central character, whose story we are brought to at three distinct points in time. At her youngest she is a dancer recovering from an injury, at the middle point she is a college student grappling with belonging, and, ultimately, the oldest Kate is an alcoholic stuck in a cycle of isolation and hopelessness, unable to find her sense of worth. The through-line at all of these ages is her imaginary friend, “Eloise,” her dazzling confidant whom she looks to for comfort, kinship and direction as their time together transports Kate to a dreamscape of expression and confidence she refuses to let go of as she ages.
“Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren't a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was.” - Cheryl Strayed
- Eloise (Giuliana Augello): Kate’s imaginary friend. Eloise is many things, a projection of heroes and people Kate admires, the shadow self, the addict voice. Above all she is ever part of Kate’s journey and a physical manifestation of hopes, dreams, fears and wounds that inevitably surface.
- Young Kate (Katrina Lagana): The youngest iteration of our protagonist. In the throws of middle school, struggling with a lack of identity after an injury brought her dancing to a halt, and in deep gratitude for the budding relationship with Eloise.
- Middle Kate (Monica Lagana): Kate in her college years, she explores how to be a part of a community, develop identity and, as a consequence, discovers the power of drinking.
- Kate (Isabel Lagana): The centripetal force from which the memories and story come to the forefront. This version of Kate is sifting through her past in order to believe in a sober path forward.
As a team of theatrical performers and dancers, with an intimacy/movement director at the helm, we all come from a background that meets the specific flavor of imagination in this film - the world of dance. Old movie musicals, competition dance trends and slices of contemporary and healing movement curate the lore of our young protagonist, a dancer who suffered an injury herself, and color the world of her sought oblivion and dream spaces.
Aly Tadros has graciously lent us pieces of her music from her 2016 album “Hungry Ghost.” Her contemplative, soulful and heart-driving music was woven into the fabric of the script from its inception and it fuels the choreography and architecture of the world.
Considering this film’s mission is, in part, to foster a sense of community and dispel shame, what better way to embrace that whole-heartedly than to have three sisters share in telling this story that was lived out in isolation.
There are dramatic shifts in tone as Kate changes over time and exposes herself to Eloise’s life-force. As Young Kate, Eloise is like a glowing candle, warming everything in her vicinity with rich hues and light and when Eloise isn’t there, the world lacks luster and color. Over time, as the relationship between Kate and Eloise warps and weathers we see everything riddled with darkness and confusion. The drunken-limbo space will be seductive and warming in order to fold the audience into Kate’s grief when it ceases to have the same effects later in her life.
From the Writer
I have heard from folks that made a decision to get sober that they considered alcohol to be their best friend when it was part of their life. Prior to my own decision to quit drinking, this was my experience as well. Alcohol fueled, however fleeting, a potent communion with my imagination and my desired, pretend version of myself. I reached a crossroads point of dependency; where I could not imagine my world without it and was frightened by the prospect of how painful it would be to continue. The retreat into deep isolation and shame became so substantial, but stories of other people owning that facet of their life and the possibility of transformation brought me such solace.
I needed to hear from people who had felt what I felt, who had compassion for the fiendish nature of the disease of alcoholism to prime me for the possibility of a sober life. This was the inception of “Eloise.” It is, in many ways, my personal narrative told with a magical twist. I hope it serves other people as others’ stories have helped me.
~ Isabel Lagana (Writer/Kate)
“Take one step towards the gods and they will take ten steps towards you.” - Joseph Campbell
Where we are now
Since March we have been cultivating the story, scouting locations and building the visual expectations of this piece. Currently we have a finalized script, a director, the core of our cast, music (provided by Aly Tadros) and one of the root locations where most of the film will take place. As we launch this campaign, we are in the midst of building a team of folks that can help us render what’s on the page! This campaign is an effort to:
- Cultivate our community of viewers and engage with the facets of this story you’re eager to experience.
- Fuel to build a Camera Team, find a Production Designer, Production Staff, Sound Team, Post-Production Staff and compensate them properly for their time and expertise.
- Rent equipment (Camera & LX) that can meet the cinematic expectations of the mission described.
- Prepare us to cover the costs of Travel, Meals, Locations, Costumes, and Insurance that will emerge when we film in November!
- Fund festival submissions.
- Contribute to a wrap party and/or premiere event!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Team
Costs $3,500
In order to shoot the film at the highest quality, we are looking to hire and properly compensate a DP, AC, AD, & Crew.
Production Design
Costs $500
We want the world of "Eloise" to come to life! Help us hire a Production Designer who can do just that.
Production Staff
Costs $1,000
We will need all hands on deck for "Eloise". A full Production Staff will help our days on set run smoothly!
Cast
Costs $1,500
We believe in compensating our actors fairly. Help us pay those in front of the camera for their talents!
Sound
Costs $1,000
If it looks good, it better sound good too! With your help, we will hire an audio team to design and build the "Eloise" soundscape.
Post Production Team
Costs $2,000
The magic happens in the editing room. Help us assemble a team to put all the elements of "Eloise" together.
Camera + LX Rentals
Costs $2,000
Access to high quality, professional grade equipment will ensure that the "Eloise" visuals are pristine.
Meals
Costs $300
Days on set can be exhausting. With your help, we can feed our cast, crew, and creatives during long shoots!
Travel
Costs $300
Train prices keep going up! With your help, we will be able to reimburse our team members for their MTA swipes to and from set.
Locations
Costs $1,000
Your donations will help us capture the diverse settings of "Eloise" and create visual variety in the film.
Costumes
Costs $200
"Eloise" spans over several decades. Help us fundraise to costume our actors in the proper time period clothing!
Festivals
Costs $700
Help us spread the word of "Eloise" by fundraising for Film Festival costs and entry fees!
Insurance
Costs $1,000
Accidents happen. Let's make sure all equipment, space, and people making "Eloise" a reality are covered by insurance.
No Updates Yet
This campaign hasn't posted any updates yet. Message them to ask for an update!
About This Team
Starring/Written by Isabel Lagana
Directed by Acadia Barrengos
Produced by Next Stop Creatives
Choreography by Joshua Keen
Assistant Direction by Maddie Allen
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Kate is the central character, whose story we are brought to at three distinct points in time. At her youngest she is a dancer recovering from an injury, at the middle point she is a college student grappling with belonging, and, ultimately, the oldest Kate is an alcoholic stuck in a cycle of isolation and hopelessness, unable to find her sense of worth. The through-line at all of these ages is her imaginary friend, “Eloise,” her dazzling confidant whom she looks to for comfort, kinship and direction as their time together transports Kate to a dreamscape of expression and confidence she refuses to let go of as she ages.
“Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren't a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was.” - Cheryl Strayed
- Eloise (Giuliana Augello): Kate’s imaginary friend. Eloise is many things, a projection of heroes and people Kate admires, the shadow self, the addict voice. Above all she is ever part of Kate’s journey and a physical manifestation of hopes, dreams, fears and wounds that inevitably surface.
- Young Kate (Katrina Lagana): The youngest iteration of our protagonist. In the throws of middle school, struggling with a lack of identity after an injury brought her dancing to a halt, and in deep gratitude for the budding relationship with Eloise.
- Middle Kate (Monica Lagana): Kate in her college years, she explores how to be a part of a community, develop identity and, as a consequence, discovers the power of drinking.
- Kate (Isabel Lagana): The centripetal force from which the memories and story come to the forefront. This version of Kate is sifting through her past in order to believe in a sober path forward.
As a team of theatrical performers and dancers, with an intimacy/movement director at the helm, we all come from a background that meets the specific flavor of imagination in this film - the world of dance. Old movie musicals, competition dance trends and slices of contemporary and healing movement curate the lore of our young protagonist, a dancer who suffered an injury herself, and color the world of her sought oblivion and dream spaces.
Aly Tadros has graciously lent us pieces of her music from her 2016 album “Hungry Ghost.” Her contemplative, soulful and heart-driving music was woven into the fabric of the script from its inception and it fuels the choreography and architecture of the world.
Considering this film’s mission is, in part, to foster a sense of community and dispel shame, what better way to embrace that whole-heartedly than to have three sisters share in telling this story that was lived out in isolation.
There are dramatic shifts in tone as Kate changes over time and exposes herself to Eloise’s life-force. As Young Kate, Eloise is like a glowing candle, warming everything in her vicinity with rich hues and light and when Eloise isn’t there, the world lacks luster and color. Over time, as the relationship between Kate and Eloise warps and weathers we see everything riddled with darkness and confusion. The drunken-limbo space will be seductive and warming in order to fold the audience into Kate’s grief when it ceases to have the same effects later in her life.
From the Writer
I have heard from folks that made a decision to get sober that they considered alcohol to be their best friend when it was part of their life. Prior to my own decision to quit drinking, this was my experience as well. Alcohol fueled, however fleeting, a potent communion with my imagination and my desired, pretend version of myself. I reached a crossroads point of dependency; where I could not imagine my world without it and was frightened by the prospect of how painful it would be to continue. The retreat into deep isolation and shame became so substantial, but stories of other people owning that facet of their life and the possibility of transformation brought me such solace.
I needed to hear from people who had felt what I felt, who had compassion for the fiendish nature of the disease of alcoholism to prime me for the possibility of a sober life. This was the inception of “Eloise.” It is, in many ways, my personal narrative told with a magical twist. I hope it serves other people as others’ stories have helped me.
~ Isabel Lagana (Writer/Kate)
“Take one step towards the gods and they will take ten steps towards you.” - Joseph Campbell
Where we are now
Since March we have been cultivating the story, scouting locations and building the visual expectations of this piece. Currently we have a finalized script, a director, the core of our cast, music (provided by Aly Tadros) and one of the root locations where most of the film will take place. As we launch this campaign, we are in the midst of building a team of folks that can help us render what’s on the page! This campaign is an effort to:
- Cultivate our community of viewers and engage with the facets of this story you’re eager to experience.
- Fuel to build a Camera Team, find a Production Designer, Production Staff, Sound Team, Post-Production Staff and compensate them properly for their time and expertise.
- Rent equipment (Camera & LX) that can meet the cinematic expectations of the mission described.
- Prepare us to cover the costs of Travel, Meals, Locations, Costumes, and Insurance that will emerge when we film in November!
- Fund festival submissions.
- Contribute to a wrap party and/or premiere event!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Team
Costs $3,500
In order to shoot the film at the highest quality, we are looking to hire and properly compensate a DP, AC, AD, & Crew.
Production Design
Costs $500
We want the world of "Eloise" to come to life! Help us hire a Production Designer who can do just that.
Production Staff
Costs $1,000
We will need all hands on deck for "Eloise". A full Production Staff will help our days on set run smoothly!
Cast
Costs $1,500
We believe in compensating our actors fairly. Help us pay those in front of the camera for their talents!
Sound
Costs $1,000
If it looks good, it better sound good too! With your help, we will hire an audio team to design and build the "Eloise" soundscape.
Post Production Team
Costs $2,000
The magic happens in the editing room. Help us assemble a team to put all the elements of "Eloise" together.
Camera + LX Rentals
Costs $2,000
Access to high quality, professional grade equipment will ensure that the "Eloise" visuals are pristine.
Meals
Costs $300
Days on set can be exhausting. With your help, we can feed our cast, crew, and creatives during long shoots!
Travel
Costs $300
Train prices keep going up! With your help, we will be able to reimburse our team members for their MTA swipes to and from set.
Locations
Costs $1,000
Your donations will help us capture the diverse settings of "Eloise" and create visual variety in the film.
Costumes
Costs $200
"Eloise" spans over several decades. Help us fundraise to costume our actors in the proper time period clothing!
Festivals
Costs $700
Help us spread the word of "Eloise" by fundraising for Film Festival costs and entry fees!
Insurance
Costs $1,000
Accidents happen. Let's make sure all equipment, space, and people making "Eloise" a reality are covered by insurance.
No Updates Yet
This campaign hasn't posted any updates yet. Message them to ask for an update!
About This Team
Starring/Written by Isabel Lagana
Directed by Acadia Barrengos
Produced by Next Stop Creatives
Choreography by Joshua Keen
Assistant Direction by Maddie Allen