FAMILIAR explores a place of outward calm, where the call of birds hit the ear with loveliness even when it’s a cry of distress. This is a fairytale seen through the eyes of the aged, who have scratched and clawed through life and know with certainty that magic is always tied to mortal peril.
FAMILIAR explores a place of outward calm, where the call of birds hit the ear with loveliness even when it’s a cry of distress. This is a fairytale seen through the eyes of the aged, who have scratched and clawed through life and know with certainty that magic is always tied to mortal peril.
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Story
Mission Statement
Our team ranges from college grads to middle-aged creatives, gathered together in a sleepy North Carolina town as it begins to awaken. Here the enthusiasm of youth and the wisdom of age come together to inform a story about family relationships, the dynamics of power, and the right to belong.About The Project
The FAMILIAR
A groundskeeper vies against her accomplished brother for control of her house, until a mysterious cat appears to tip the balance.
The TEASER
Watch a teaser for the film on Vimeo!
The FAMILY
A mother/daughter collaboration
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Through mutual love, respect, and a desire to support each other, this mother/daughtger team leans into what it truly means to support women in film.
For Rebecca, reaching this moment wound through 21 years, 6 daughters, a teaching career, and many hours spent writing in carpool lines and on park benches.
For Katie, this path is the first step towards a dedicated career in film. It involves moving alone to a big city, sacrificing fun and family time to work and build connections.
Both of these paths are good, both of these paths are necessary for the world. Women in film are living persons, not concepts, and their journeys do not look all alike. Supporting women in film means supporting the convoluted, difficult choices that every woman must make in the service of what they love.
In championing - and loving - each other's story, Rebecca and Katie hope to inspire others to embrace that complicated beauty.
The STORY
The TALENT
We are delighted to work with these experienced actors, and to watch them bring the characters of FAMILIAR to life!
Michael Gabel
Claire Schoonover
Squiggy
(handled by Corkey Miller of Action Animals USA)
The TEAM
Assembled from close friends, past collaborators, chance encounters, recommendations from total strangers, family, professional contacts and loved ones who weren't really given a choice, we're a combination of a whole lot of passion and weirdness. Check this space often for updates as we add to our team in big ways and small.
The TIME and PLACE
Elizabeth City, NC is a lovely small town that has been hit hard during the pandemic. Situated on the banks of the Pasquotank River, it's charm is a secret known only to those lucky enough to pass through.
Our film aims to bring some attention to the peace this city has to offer. While our story is contained, the luxurious natural beauty of the place forms a conterpoint to the darker, more claustrophic elements of this fairytale.
As a SAG production, our set will include a COVID compliance officer, sanitation stages, pre-shoot COVID tests for all cast and crew, daily temperature checks, and masking for everyone not on-camera. Our entire cast and crew has been fully vaccinated, but we will be taking no chances as the health of not just our team but our team's family and friends is a priority.
The tranquility that runs through the Pasquotank River is deep, and we aim to respect that not only on film, but in the hearts (and lungs!) of everyone involved in this project.
Please consider supporting our film and joining us on this dark but beautiful journey by sharing the image below on social media!
Incentives
$10
Song Sparrow: social media shout-out
You love to sing to your neighbors - sharing about what you've learned, what you find beautiful or interesting, or just how your day is going! We will do the same and sing about our love of YOU to the world on social media.
$25
Golden Song Sparrow: a digital postcard thank-you
Your lovely song forms a connection between the natural and human world. To thank you for forging this connection, you'll be sent a digital postcard with a unique poetic portent for you to divine.
Includes:
- social media shout out
$50
Cassin Sparrow: watch the film!
You can be hard to find in the wild, but you have the most beautiful voice! We can relate; short films are difficult to find if you don't regularly attend film festivals. Contributers at this level will recieve a private link to view the film once it is complete - listen to our song from the comfort of your own safe habitat!
Includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
$100
Business 100
Help us help you help us! And it's tax-deductable! Any business donations will recieve communication from us ASAP regarding your incentive.
$100
White-Throated Sparrow: your face in the film
You are easy to spot because of your gorgeously prominent bill, and you love to hang out in backyards where the neighborhood can admire you. Let's continue to celebrate your pizzazz by putting your face in our movie! Send us a photo of yourself and we will make sure everyone sees your prominent bill.
This incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- link to view film
$150
House Sparrow: a birdhouse of your own
House Sparrow
You love to live around humans - you make yourself known and are happy to perform for some tasty crumbs. But you need your own space too. So it only makes sense that we give you a unique little home for the yard, where you can feel cozy and express some creativity.
This incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- link to view film
- your face in the film
Now the entire neighborhood knows you are here!
$250
Business 250
Help us help you help us! And it's tax-deductable! Any business donations will recieve communication from us ASAP regarding your incentive.
$250
Brewer Sparrow: IMDB credit
Brewer Sparrow:
Once we find your habitat we can find you. Let's lift a toast to your generosity by pointing the way toward your online habitat with an IMDB credit.
Incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- your face in the film
- unique birdhouse
$1,000
Business 1000
Help us help you help us! And it's tax-deductable! Any business donations will recieve communication from us ASAP regarding your incentive.
$1,000
Bell Sparrow: Associate Producer credits
Bell Sparrow :
You are the early bird who gets the worm. While others might waste their time flitting around the trees, you forage on the ground to provide for your family. Because of your dedication, you are successful where other flighty birds aren't. For your investment here, you will have foraged an Associate Producer credit.
Incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- your face in the film
- unique birdhouse
- IMDB credit
$5,000
Botteri Sparrow: Executive Producer
Botteri Sparrow :
You can be rather secretive - your rust brown and tan appearance blends into the background well. When you want your fellow sparrows to know you are there, you sing your own particular song. You are a rare bird: often sought, rarely found, which makes you the perfect Executive Producer for this film.
Incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- your face in the film
- unique birdhouse
- IMDB credit
$7,000
THE FAMILIAR
THE FAMILIAR
You are the most exquisite animal of all: one so generous and open that your bonds to human creativity run deep and strong. As a Familiar, you will be given offerings of all the previous incentives, as well as an invitation to attend the film's private premiere in lovely Elizabeth City, NC. Lodging and board will be provided for a night's stay in addition to local artisan gifts, and you will be invited to a celebration dinner with all cast and crew in attendance. Bring your water shoes - there is plenty to explore in the magic waters of the Pasquotank River.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Song Sparrow: social media shout-out
You love to sing to your neighbors - sharing about what you've learned, what you find beautiful or interesting, or just how your day is going! We will do the same and sing about our love of YOU to the world on social media.
$25
Golden Song Sparrow: a digital postcard thank-you
Your lovely song forms a connection between the natural and human world. To thank you for forging this connection, you'll be sent a digital postcard with a unique poetic portent for you to divine.
Includes:
- social media shout out
$50
Cassin Sparrow: watch the film!
You can be hard to find in the wild, but you have the most beautiful voice! We can relate; short films are difficult to find if you don't regularly attend film festivals. Contributers at this level will recieve a private link to view the film once it is complete - listen to our song from the comfort of your own safe habitat!
Includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
$100
Business 100
Help us help you help us! And it's tax-deductable! Any business donations will recieve communication from us ASAP regarding your incentive.
$100
White-Throated Sparrow: your face in the film
You are easy to spot because of your gorgeously prominent bill, and you love to hang out in backyards where the neighborhood can admire you. Let's continue to celebrate your pizzazz by putting your face in our movie! Send us a photo of yourself and we will make sure everyone sees your prominent bill.
This incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- link to view film
$150
House Sparrow: a birdhouse of your own
House Sparrow
You love to live around humans - you make yourself known and are happy to perform for some tasty crumbs. But you need your own space too. So it only makes sense that we give you a unique little home for the yard, where you can feel cozy and express some creativity.
This incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- link to view film
- your face in the film
Now the entire neighborhood knows you are here!
$250
Business 250
Help us help you help us! And it's tax-deductable! Any business donations will recieve communication from us ASAP regarding your incentive.
$250
Brewer Sparrow: IMDB credit
Brewer Sparrow:
Once we find your habitat we can find you. Let's lift a toast to your generosity by pointing the way toward your online habitat with an IMDB credit.
Incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- your face in the film
- unique birdhouse
$1,000
Business 1000
Help us help you help us! And it's tax-deductable! Any business donations will recieve communication from us ASAP regarding your incentive.
$1,000
Bell Sparrow: Associate Producer credits
Bell Sparrow :
You are the early bird who gets the worm. While others might waste their time flitting around the trees, you forage on the ground to provide for your family. Because of your dedication, you are successful where other flighty birds aren't. For your investment here, you will have foraged an Associate Producer credit.
Incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- your face in the film
- unique birdhouse
- IMDB credit
$5,000
Botteri Sparrow: Executive Producer
Botteri Sparrow :
You can be rather secretive - your rust brown and tan appearance blends into the background well. When you want your fellow sparrows to know you are there, you sing your own particular song. You are a rare bird: often sought, rarely found, which makes you the perfect Executive Producer for this film.
Incentive includes:
- social media shout out
- portent postcard
- your face in the film
- unique birdhouse
- IMDB credit
$7,000
THE FAMILIAR
THE FAMILIAR
You are the most exquisite animal of all: one so generous and open that your bonds to human creativity run deep and strong. As a Familiar, you will be given offerings of all the previous incentives, as well as an invitation to attend the film's private premiere in lovely Elizabeth City, NC. Lodging and board will be provided for a night's stay in addition to local artisan gifts, and you will be invited to a celebration dinner with all cast and crew in attendance. Bring your water shoes - there is plenty to explore in the magic waters of the Pasquotank River.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Our team is a blend of creatives from all walks of life: from recent college grads embarking on their first forray into the film business to seasoned professionals to stay-at-home-moms-turned-high-school-teachers. We bring a varied combination of life experiences and points of view to bear on this project, while united in one important way: an absolute dedication to artistic excellence.
Here is a sampling of our key crew's work:
Rebecca Mlinek trailer for SOMEBODY KILLED MOM
Robin Noonan Price trailer for NIGHT WAKING
Madeline Tesh Madeline's reel
Katie Mlinek Katie Mlinek 2021 reel
Fer MacFarlane https://vimeo.com/fermacfarlane
Jack Hansen HansenHouse Media
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