Finding Figures
New York City, New York | Film Short
Adventure, Family
As a sperm-donated child, I never saw myself represented in film. "Finding Figures" aims to instill the belief that family is more than blood while normalizing sperm donation for audiences who’ve never been exposed to the process before and the children who grew up with more questions than answers.
Finding Figures
New York City, New York | Film Short
Adventure, Family
1 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $16,053 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
81 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
As a sperm-donated child, I never saw myself represented in film. "Finding Figures" aims to instill the belief that family is more than blood while normalizing sperm donation for audiences who’ve never been exposed to the process before and the children who grew up with more questions than answers.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY
A broke college graduate set on finding his sperm donor father gets stranded in San Diego. While working, he uncovers new clues amidst family drama and job inexperience.
CHARACTERS
INSPIRATION AND LOOK
As the narrative is based on realism, we want to show Nick through a mixture of handheld/minimal camera motion, natural soft lighting, and organic coloring as we see his exploration of beautiful San Diego beaches, remote parts of the city, and the constant movement and roughness of the kitchen. The editing would reflect Nick’s mental state, from quick kitchen shots to long meditative shots at the beach.
Costuming, Art, and Production Design will be vital in Finding Figures, ranging from the files Nick possesses, to the elements of a signature Americana diner, surfboards, work and beach attire, and even the little character details in Nick’s car.
WHY US? WHY NOW?
Donor conception is a rather untouched subject in the media and much less spoken about by our generation. Our production team prides itself on its diversity. We aim to shed light on marginalized and overshadowed societal groups and acknowledge the difficulties that come with conforming to one’s identity.
A taboo subject in a much larger discussion of the implications of surrogacy, our story aims to remind audiences that families are constructed through love as much as they are genetics. Beyond surrogate children, today, we are faced with identity insecurity more than any other generation. Finding Figures reveals that identity is more than nationality and ethnic background and that being from two places gives you the same cultural entitlement as being from one.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
TOTAL: $19,950
Our $19,950 goal is the absolute minimum we need to raise for production.
If we raise $20,000 we'll be able to cover the costs of running our campaign!
If we raise $22,000 we'll be able to cover editing costs!
If we raise $25,000 we'll be able to cover film festival submissions and promotion, ensuring our story will reach the largest possible audience.
MORE WAYS TO HELP OUT!
FOLLOW US ON ALL OUR SOCIALS!
Be sure to follow us here on Seed&Spark, but also follow us on our Instagram. Encourage your friends and family to follow us too!
SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT #FindingFigures!
Tell your friends. family, colleagues, neighbors, and everyone else you know about Nick's journey! Please share our posts, campaign page, and backer updates!
KEEP UP WITH NICK'S ADVENTURE!
Regular visits to our Seed&Spark campaign will keep you informed about our project's progress and increase our chances of being featured on the site's main page!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Festival Submissions
Costs $1,000
We aim to bring Finding Figures to festivals both domestically and internationally. This would allow us to cover submission expenses!
Location Rentals
Costs $4,000
Our film takes place mostly in a San Diego local diner. In order to shoot on location, we will require permits and location rentals.
Hard Drives for Media Management
Costs $320
Our production requires extra hard drives for storage to ensure the safest DIT and editing process.
Art Department, HMU, and Wardrobe
Costs $1,030
While the Production Design of this project is minimal, we aim to produce a project that feels authentic to San Diego and to Latino identity
Stunt Coordinator
Costs $1,100
Our project involves water scenes, and we want to make sure we film our surf sequence in the safest, most professional way possible.
Transportation and Travel
Costs $1,000
We require equipment and crew transportation vans and gas coverage with the amount of equipment, props, cast, and crew we have on set.
Food Expenses
Costs $2,300
We must prioritize the health and well-being of our cast and crew by providing nutritious meals on set to keep them energized.
Production Insurance
Costs $5,000
Our independent production requires production insurance to rent locations, cover loss or damage, and protect our team from any injuries.
Film Scoring
Costs $300
Our film requires original scoring for traditional Cumbia music, as well as a thematic score that matches the theme of our project.
Color Grading
Costs $400
Our film has a very particular, earthy color palette. In order to fulfill our goals for the look of our film, professional grading is vital.
Sound Mixing and Film Editing
Costs $1,800
Finding Figures is a project our team is incredibly passionate about. To bring our dream to fruition, we require professional editing.
Contingencies
Costs $1,700
We have set 10% of our budget allocated to extra fees and costs we may encounter throughout production and post-production.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet our Team!
Director - Sam Centurion
Sam Centurion is a Spanish-American filmmaker majoring in Film and Television at NYU. Through producing, writing, directing, and cinematography, his work explores themes of mixed cultural identity, masculinity, alienation, and the nuances of relationships. He has also worked in the nonfiction and short-form realms in the past and is excited to bring Finding Figures, a semiautobiographical film, to life!
Producer - Anna Caltabiano
Anna Caltabiano is a Brazilian-American filmmaker with a passion for social issues, currently pursuing a degree in Film and Television at New York University. She is also a student member of New York Women in Film and Television, a network of professionals that supports and advances women in the entertainment industry. She has gained valuable skills and experience in video editing, video production, and TV production, working as a director, producer, writer, unit production manager, and first assistant director on various projects. She hopes to use her platform to share stories that matter and inspire change.
Producer - Isabel Adamos
Isabel Adamos is a Filipino-American filmmaker whose creative drive is rooted in amplifying marginalized voices and delving into the complexities of the human experience. Her directorial work has garnered attention at prestigious events like the Lift-Off Sessions Global Network Festival (2023) and on international television through MyxTV’s Filipinx Film Week (2021). As a graduating senior at San Diego State University, Isabel has been recognized as the 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Student of Television, Film, and New Media from the School of Theatre, Television, and Film.
First Assistant Director - Gordon Buck
Gordon Buck is a Los Angeles-based writer and director who just completed his bachelor’s at California State University: Long Beach in Narrative Production with a focus on directing and producing. As a Queer Japanese-American, he strives to create stories that not only speak to pockets of society that are often underrepresented but also tell those stories from a never-before-seen lens. His senior thesis short film, “Tadaima (ただいま),” is set to premiere in May 2024 with a comprehensive domestic and international festival run.
Director of Photography - Sania Bhatia
Sania Bhatia is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in San Diego and New York City. She has received numerous awards for her work at film festivals, including the IndieFEST Awards, SCREEN Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Film Awards. Sania is a second-year at New York University, on her way to graduating with a degree in film and television. Her creative vision is deeply rooted in a commitment to capturing the truth, realities, and complexities of life, resulting in a portfolio of emotionally resonant and relatable work.
Line Producer/Unit Production Manager - Sia Mehta
Sia Mehta is a sophomore student at NYU Tisch from Toronto, Canada, majoring in Dramatic Writing and minoring in Producing and Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. She has experience writing, directing, and producing. She began programming with the Toronto International Film Festival when she was 14. Sia strongly identifies with the themes and subjects of Finding Figures and is so excited for production to begin!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY
A broke college graduate set on finding his sperm donor father gets stranded in San Diego. While working, he uncovers new clues amidst family drama and job inexperience.
CHARACTERS
INSPIRATION AND LOOK
As the narrative is based on realism, we want to show Nick through a mixture of handheld/minimal camera motion, natural soft lighting, and organic coloring as we see his exploration of beautiful San Diego beaches, remote parts of the city, and the constant movement and roughness of the kitchen. The editing would reflect Nick’s mental state, from quick kitchen shots to long meditative shots at the beach.
Costuming, Art, and Production Design will be vital in Finding Figures, ranging from the files Nick possesses, to the elements of a signature Americana diner, surfboards, work and beach attire, and even the little character details in Nick’s car.
WHY US? WHY NOW?
Donor conception is a rather untouched subject in the media and much less spoken about by our generation. Our production team prides itself on its diversity. We aim to shed light on marginalized and overshadowed societal groups and acknowledge the difficulties that come with conforming to one’s identity.
A taboo subject in a much larger discussion of the implications of surrogacy, our story aims to remind audiences that families are constructed through love as much as they are genetics. Beyond surrogate children, today, we are faced with identity insecurity more than any other generation. Finding Figures reveals that identity is more than nationality and ethnic background and that being from two places gives you the same cultural entitlement as being from one.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
TOTAL: $19,950
Our $19,950 goal is the absolute minimum we need to raise for production.
If we raise $20,000 we'll be able to cover the costs of running our campaign!
If we raise $22,000 we'll be able to cover editing costs!
If we raise $25,000 we'll be able to cover film festival submissions and promotion, ensuring our story will reach the largest possible audience.
MORE WAYS TO HELP OUT!
FOLLOW US ON ALL OUR SOCIALS!
Be sure to follow us here on Seed&Spark, but also follow us on our Instagram. Encourage your friends and family to follow us too!
SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT #FindingFigures!
Tell your friends. family, colleagues, neighbors, and everyone else you know about Nick's journey! Please share our posts, campaign page, and backer updates!
KEEP UP WITH NICK'S ADVENTURE!
Regular visits to our Seed&Spark campaign will keep you informed about our project's progress and increase our chances of being featured on the site's main page!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Festival Submissions
Costs $1,000
We aim to bring Finding Figures to festivals both domestically and internationally. This would allow us to cover submission expenses!
Location Rentals
Costs $4,000
Our film takes place mostly in a San Diego local diner. In order to shoot on location, we will require permits and location rentals.
Hard Drives for Media Management
Costs $320
Our production requires extra hard drives for storage to ensure the safest DIT and editing process.
Art Department, HMU, and Wardrobe
Costs $1,030
While the Production Design of this project is minimal, we aim to produce a project that feels authentic to San Diego and to Latino identity
Stunt Coordinator
Costs $1,100
Our project involves water scenes, and we want to make sure we film our surf sequence in the safest, most professional way possible.
Transportation and Travel
Costs $1,000
We require equipment and crew transportation vans and gas coverage with the amount of equipment, props, cast, and crew we have on set.
Food Expenses
Costs $2,300
We must prioritize the health and well-being of our cast and crew by providing nutritious meals on set to keep them energized.
Production Insurance
Costs $5,000
Our independent production requires production insurance to rent locations, cover loss or damage, and protect our team from any injuries.
Film Scoring
Costs $300
Our film requires original scoring for traditional Cumbia music, as well as a thematic score that matches the theme of our project.
Color Grading
Costs $400
Our film has a very particular, earthy color palette. In order to fulfill our goals for the look of our film, professional grading is vital.
Sound Mixing and Film Editing
Costs $1,800
Finding Figures is a project our team is incredibly passionate about. To bring our dream to fruition, we require professional editing.
Contingencies
Costs $1,700
We have set 10% of our budget allocated to extra fees and costs we may encounter throughout production and post-production.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet our Team!
Director - Sam Centurion
Sam Centurion is a Spanish-American filmmaker majoring in Film and Television at NYU. Through producing, writing, directing, and cinematography, his work explores themes of mixed cultural identity, masculinity, alienation, and the nuances of relationships. He has also worked in the nonfiction and short-form realms in the past and is excited to bring Finding Figures, a semiautobiographical film, to life!
Producer - Anna Caltabiano
Anna Caltabiano is a Brazilian-American filmmaker with a passion for social issues, currently pursuing a degree in Film and Television at New York University. She is also a student member of New York Women in Film and Television, a network of professionals that supports and advances women in the entertainment industry. She has gained valuable skills and experience in video editing, video production, and TV production, working as a director, producer, writer, unit production manager, and first assistant director on various projects. She hopes to use her platform to share stories that matter and inspire change.
Producer - Isabel Adamos
Isabel Adamos is a Filipino-American filmmaker whose creative drive is rooted in amplifying marginalized voices and delving into the complexities of the human experience. Her directorial work has garnered attention at prestigious events like the Lift-Off Sessions Global Network Festival (2023) and on international television through MyxTV’s Filipinx Film Week (2021). As a graduating senior at San Diego State University, Isabel has been recognized as the 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Student of Television, Film, and New Media from the School of Theatre, Television, and Film.
First Assistant Director - Gordon Buck
Gordon Buck is a Los Angeles-based writer and director who just completed his bachelor’s at California State University: Long Beach in Narrative Production with a focus on directing and producing. As a Queer Japanese-American, he strives to create stories that not only speak to pockets of society that are often underrepresented but also tell those stories from a never-before-seen lens. His senior thesis short film, “Tadaima (ただいま),” is set to premiere in May 2024 with a comprehensive domestic and international festival run.
Director of Photography - Sania Bhatia
Sania Bhatia is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in San Diego and New York City. She has received numerous awards for her work at film festivals, including the IndieFEST Awards, SCREEN Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Film Awards. Sania is a second-year at New York University, on her way to graduating with a degree in film and television. Her creative vision is deeply rooted in a commitment to capturing the truth, realities, and complexities of life, resulting in a portfolio of emotionally resonant and relatable work.
Line Producer/Unit Production Manager - Sia Mehta
Sia Mehta is a sophomore student at NYU Tisch from Toronto, Canada, majoring in Dramatic Writing and minoring in Producing and Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. She has experience writing, directing, and producing. She began programming with the Toronto International Film Festival when she was 14. Sia strongly identifies with the themes and subjects of Finding Figures and is so excited for production to begin!