Forget-Me-Nots
Glens Falls, New York | Film Feature
Drama, Family
Mental illness can be an undercurrent in our lives as we navigate complexities on the surface. Grace is coping with the fear & freedom of being in her 20's while her father Henry is facing an un-certain future & a past that keeps slipping away. The fragility of life is something we all connect to.
Forget-Me-Nots
Glens Falls, New York | Film Feature
Drama, Family
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,710 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
52 supporters | followers
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Mental illness can be an undercurrent in our lives as we navigate complexities on the surface. Grace is coping with the fear & freedom of being in her 20's while her father Henry is facing an un-certain future & a past that keeps slipping away. The fragility of life is something we all connect to.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
FORGET-ME-NOTS: A FAMILY DRAMA
Aspiring writer and type A personality, Grace Morris puts her life on hold to take care of her father Henry who suffers from dementia. With the help of a quirky waitress named Agnes, she recreates memories from her childhood to help Henry hold on. She soon realizes that he is not the only one who needs a reminder of what's really important. Surprise visits from her high school crush Jack and her distant sister Margaret only complicate things. As Grace grapples with some hard truths about herself and her family, can she finally learn to let go and allow her own life to blossom?
THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Forget-Me-Nots is unique in that it explores depression and dementia in an inter-generational way. These mental illnesses are not often portrayed through the lens of an entire family unit. In this story, we get to see how these all-encompassing, deeply nuanced illnesses shape the lives of our characters and their relationships over time.
The film creatively tackles the freedom and fear associated with being in your twenties. Our protagonist is navigating naivety and maturity while putting her life on hold to care for her ailing father. This is a very specific and poignant place to be and the film explores every corner of her experience with sensitivity and depth.
GET TO KNOW THE CHARACTERS
Grace is a reserved and contemplative writer who puts the needs of others before her own. She is known as a "Daddy's girl", especially since the untimely passing of her mother Emily. This leads her to move back into her childhood home to take care of her father who is slipping further away. To help him hold on, she recreates memories their from her childhood. She realizes that the only thing her father wants is for her to learn to let go and allow life to blossom into what it’s meant to be but will she be able to let go of the past herself?
Henry Morris recently turned 70 and is still reeling from a diagnosis of dementia. He is becoming increasingly more weak, suffering from confusion and memory loss. He loves being outdoors admiring the garden originally planted by his beloved wife Emily. Emily took her own life years ago and Henry has been grasping onto her memory ever since, even now as it slips away. Henry has always been the bedrock of the family, especially for his daughter Grace. He enjoys spending quality time with her since she moved back home, however, he wishes that she would start her own family soon.
Jack is a 27 year old hardworking landscaper and childhood friend of Grace. Jack is the down-to-earth guy next door type. He is genuine and solid in his life choices. He wants what's best for Grace and her family but not at the detriment of himself or them. He is strong-willed and reminds Grace a lot of her father. Jack comes around to help Henry and Grace restore Emily’s garden. The flowers are not the only thing starting to blossom though, his feelings for Grace are growing the more he reconnects with her.
Agnes is in her early 70's with a sharp memory, an outspoken personality but has a soft side about her that is kind and nurturing. She is an old friend of Henry’s and just happens to work at his favorite diner in town. Agnes hasn't seen Grace in years but remembers Grace coming into the diner with her father as a child and even remembers her order. Her and Henry's friendship goes all the way back to high school. Before Grace moved back home, Agnes would stop by and check on Henry. Now, Agnes has become a friend to Grace and a confidant for Henry. Agnes is the embodiment of hometown comforting nostalgia.
Margaret is Grace’s caring yet distant older sister. She is currently dealing with her own family drama and suffering from depression like her mother. She is doing her best to finally come around for her father and Grace, realizing how important their love is to her. Margaret's limited screen time is deeply layered and full of important moments that give insight into Emily's mental and emotional state, as well as Margaret's. She is the epitome of a young mother trying to rally for her kids while holding onto a slowly sinking sense of self.
Emily Morris passed away a few years ago but we see her through many of Henry’s flashbacks. She suffered from depression and spent most of her time gardening as a coping mechanism. She was a sweet, loving wife and mother to her two beautiful daughters but was at times cold and distant, lost in her thoughts.
A STORY THAT HITS CLOSE TO HOME
There are many aspects to the story that people of all ages can relate to directly or indirectly. Our writer and co-director, Kayla Romanowski, wanted to to create a story that brought the audience through the highs and lows of every day family life. A lot of the scenes are based from Kayla's life experiences. Throughout the film, you'll get a hint of her childhood memories, witness the bond she shares with her own father, and feel the emotional rollercoaster of dealing with mental illness and caring for an ill loved one.
KEY DEMOGRAPHICS
While our film has broad appeal, our goal is to make an impactful cinematic experience for our core audience. A large portion of our target audience is women ages 20-35 who have experienced the loss of a parent as an adult child and those struggling to care for their aging parents. Women who are finding a work-life balance while reaching goals both personal and professional while the ground under their feet keeps shifting.
Our target audience also includes senior citizens grappling with dementia and being in the care of their adult children while trying to maintain an active lifestyle. We explore the changing relationship from caregiver to the one being cared for. Family units struggling with mental illness make up another portion of our target audience. Our film explores the ripple effects that depression and dementia have on families over the course of time. Knowing who our film is for guides all aspects of our process from story to tone, editing style, those we approach for financial backing, distribution and more.
THE FUTURE OF FORGET-ME-NOTS
We need all the support we can get and it starts in your hands! You can become a part of this emotional and beautiful film.
Community support will be a huge asset to the film in pre-production through post. We will be reaching out to news outlets statewide via print, online, television and radio during production and during/after festival season. This will increase our reach and get people interested in our film early on. This will translate into a social media following which festivals and distributors will look for. A preview screening of the film will be a great fundraiser and generate buzz.
We will be submitting to festivals locally, nationally and internationally. Festivals provide visibility for the film through advertisements, screenings and special events while gaining a dedicated following for the project. Having attended and worked festivals, the majority of their demographic are almost always millennials and seniors which fits our target audience.
We are seeking distribution via iTunes, Netflix and PBS. After the festival circuit, applications to PBS and it's affiliates will be sent out. If distribution is not acquired via a festival, the film will go through an aggregator for release.
Thank you for your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food & Drink
Costs $1,000
We're lucky to get discounts on food/drinks but we have to keep those tummy grumbles at bay all day!
Lens rental
Costs $500
We have a great camera and amazing lights but we need a killer lens to make the footage pop!
Actor Fees
Costs $4,000
The cast is vital and we want to make sure they are compensated fairly. Grants will close gaps here.
Hair & Makeup
Costs $1,500
We want our actors to sink completely into their roles. On-set hair and makeup will go a long way.
Props & Set Dec
Costs $300
We are bargain shoppers! There are a few key props we need to make the film authentic.
Share this update!
About This Team
Snarky Aardvark Films, LLC (est. 2012) is a production company based in Queensbury, NY. They specialize in collaborations with area small businesses, non-profits and individual artists to create high-quality promotional, historical and educational videos.
Snarky Aardvark Films has created dozens of short films, some of which have been award-winning and shown on WMHT, as well as, screened at various film festivals. A documentary feature film titled Charles Evans Hughes & The Adirondacks is currently in production. Their experimental, dramatic short film titled Unattainable (written and co-directed by Kayla Romanowski) is making the festival rounds in 2018 and 2019.
Our team is comprised of award-winning talent who are all local to the Glens Falls, New York area. We will be adding positions as we approach our shooting dates in summer of 2019.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
FORGET-ME-NOTS: A FAMILY DRAMA
Aspiring writer and type A personality, Grace Morris puts her life on hold to take care of her father Henry who suffers from dementia. With the help of a quirky waitress named Agnes, she recreates memories from her childhood to help Henry hold on. She soon realizes that he is not the only one who needs a reminder of what's really important. Surprise visits from her high school crush Jack and her distant sister Margaret only complicate things. As Grace grapples with some hard truths about herself and her family, can she finally learn to let go and allow her own life to blossom?
THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Forget-Me-Nots is unique in that it explores depression and dementia in an inter-generational way. These mental illnesses are not often portrayed through the lens of an entire family unit. In this story, we get to see how these all-encompassing, deeply nuanced illnesses shape the lives of our characters and their relationships over time.
The film creatively tackles the freedom and fear associated with being in your twenties. Our protagonist is navigating naivety and maturity while putting her life on hold to care for her ailing father. This is a very specific and poignant place to be and the film explores every corner of her experience with sensitivity and depth.
GET TO KNOW THE CHARACTERS
Grace is a reserved and contemplative writer who puts the needs of others before her own. She is known as a "Daddy's girl", especially since the untimely passing of her mother Emily. This leads her to move back into her childhood home to take care of her father who is slipping further away. To help him hold on, she recreates memories their from her childhood. She realizes that the only thing her father wants is for her to learn to let go and allow life to blossom into what it’s meant to be but will she be able to let go of the past herself?
Henry Morris recently turned 70 and is still reeling from a diagnosis of dementia. He is becoming increasingly more weak, suffering from confusion and memory loss. He loves being outdoors admiring the garden originally planted by his beloved wife Emily. Emily took her own life years ago and Henry has been grasping onto her memory ever since, even now as it slips away. Henry has always been the bedrock of the family, especially for his daughter Grace. He enjoys spending quality time with her since she moved back home, however, he wishes that she would start her own family soon.
Jack is a 27 year old hardworking landscaper and childhood friend of Grace. Jack is the down-to-earth guy next door type. He is genuine and solid in his life choices. He wants what's best for Grace and her family but not at the detriment of himself or them. He is strong-willed and reminds Grace a lot of her father. Jack comes around to help Henry and Grace restore Emily’s garden. The flowers are not the only thing starting to blossom though, his feelings for Grace are growing the more he reconnects with her.
Agnes is in her early 70's with a sharp memory, an outspoken personality but has a soft side about her that is kind and nurturing. She is an old friend of Henry’s and just happens to work at his favorite diner in town. Agnes hasn't seen Grace in years but remembers Grace coming into the diner with her father as a child and even remembers her order. Her and Henry's friendship goes all the way back to high school. Before Grace moved back home, Agnes would stop by and check on Henry. Now, Agnes has become a friend to Grace and a confidant for Henry. Agnes is the embodiment of hometown comforting nostalgia.
Margaret is Grace’s caring yet distant older sister. She is currently dealing with her own family drama and suffering from depression like her mother. She is doing her best to finally come around for her father and Grace, realizing how important their love is to her. Margaret's limited screen time is deeply layered and full of important moments that give insight into Emily's mental and emotional state, as well as Margaret's. She is the epitome of a young mother trying to rally for her kids while holding onto a slowly sinking sense of self.
Emily Morris passed away a few years ago but we see her through many of Henry’s flashbacks. She suffered from depression and spent most of her time gardening as a coping mechanism. She was a sweet, loving wife and mother to her two beautiful daughters but was at times cold and distant, lost in her thoughts.
A STORY THAT HITS CLOSE TO HOME
There are many aspects to the story that people of all ages can relate to directly or indirectly. Our writer and co-director, Kayla Romanowski, wanted to to create a story that brought the audience through the highs and lows of every day family life. A lot of the scenes are based from Kayla's life experiences. Throughout the film, you'll get a hint of her childhood memories, witness the bond she shares with her own father, and feel the emotional rollercoaster of dealing with mental illness and caring for an ill loved one.
KEY DEMOGRAPHICS
While our film has broad appeal, our goal is to make an impactful cinematic experience for our core audience. A large portion of our target audience is women ages 20-35 who have experienced the loss of a parent as an adult child and those struggling to care for their aging parents. Women who are finding a work-life balance while reaching goals both personal and professional while the ground under their feet keeps shifting.
Our target audience also includes senior citizens grappling with dementia and being in the care of their adult children while trying to maintain an active lifestyle. We explore the changing relationship from caregiver to the one being cared for. Family units struggling with mental illness make up another portion of our target audience. Our film explores the ripple effects that depression and dementia have on families over the course of time. Knowing who our film is for guides all aspects of our process from story to tone, editing style, those we approach for financial backing, distribution and more.
THE FUTURE OF FORGET-ME-NOTS
We need all the support we can get and it starts in your hands! You can become a part of this emotional and beautiful film.
Community support will be a huge asset to the film in pre-production through post. We will be reaching out to news outlets statewide via print, online, television and radio during production and during/after festival season. This will increase our reach and get people interested in our film early on. This will translate into a social media following which festivals and distributors will look for. A preview screening of the film will be a great fundraiser and generate buzz.
We will be submitting to festivals locally, nationally and internationally. Festivals provide visibility for the film through advertisements, screenings and special events while gaining a dedicated following for the project. Having attended and worked festivals, the majority of their demographic are almost always millennials and seniors which fits our target audience.
We are seeking distribution via iTunes, Netflix and PBS. After the festival circuit, applications to PBS and it's affiliates will be sent out. If distribution is not acquired via a festival, the film will go through an aggregator for release.
Thank you for your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food & Drink
Costs $1,000
We're lucky to get discounts on food/drinks but we have to keep those tummy grumbles at bay all day!
Lens rental
Costs $500
We have a great camera and amazing lights but we need a killer lens to make the footage pop!
Actor Fees
Costs $4,000
The cast is vital and we want to make sure they are compensated fairly. Grants will close gaps here.
Hair & Makeup
Costs $1,500
We want our actors to sink completely into their roles. On-set hair and makeup will go a long way.
Props & Set Dec
Costs $300
We are bargain shoppers! There are a few key props we need to make the film authentic.
Share this update!
About This Team
Snarky Aardvark Films, LLC (est. 2012) is a production company based in Queensbury, NY. They specialize in collaborations with area small businesses, non-profits and individual artists to create high-quality promotional, historical and educational videos.
Snarky Aardvark Films has created dozens of short films, some of which have been award-winning and shown on WMHT, as well as, screened at various film festivals. A documentary feature film titled Charles Evans Hughes & The Adirondacks is currently in production. Their experimental, dramatic short film titled Unattainable (written and co-directed by Kayla Romanowski) is making the festival rounds in 2018 and 2019.
Our team is comprised of award-winning talent who are all local to the Glens Falls, New York area. We will be adding positions as we approach our shooting dates in summer of 2019.