Going Down - A Film About Injustice and Revenge

Calgary, Canada | Film Short

Drama, Thriller

Ryan Northcott

1 Campaigns | Alberta, Canada

Green Light

This campaign raised C$11,080 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

73 supporters | followers

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Going Down takes on Injustice in classism, racism, and sexism in the Justice System where if you’ve got money you can get away with anything. Michelle, a BIPOC Woman, takes justice and revenge into her own hands when a corporation isn't held accountable in the tragic death of her daughter Abigail.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

Our film is a diverse exploration into a justice system wrought with racism, sexism, and classism. With two lead BIPOC cast and a heavy theme, Going Down explores the lengths people will go to rise above and persevere against racism, sexism, classism, and an unjust system. This time - we get a win.

The Story

THE STORY

AN ELEVATOR | A MOTHER | A LAWYER | INJUSTICE | REVENGE

After losing her child in a high-profile tainted milk incident at the hands of a large dairy conglomerate – represented in court by the company's smarmy lawyer Robert Kimball – Michelle Lucas gets revenge and takes justice into her own hands when the justice system fails to hold those at fault accountable for the death of her only child.

Going Down is a film about the fight against corporate greed and power, and how they use that power to get away with murder and in the case of Michelle Lucas, to face no accountability for their actions. Michelle, a woman of color, faces an almost insurmountable battle and when every legal avenue is exhausted - she takes matters into her own hands.

Michelle v. Goliath.

 

WHAT IT'S REALLY ABOUT & WHY THIS FILM?

CORPORATE POWER | RACISM | CLASSISM | SEXISM

Let's face it: While many Corporations advertise they're on the right side of history, their actions prove otherwise. They exist solely to make money and they'll do whatever it takes to maintain the flow including union busting, wage gaps and suppression, environmental degradation, inequality, and teams of lawyers to fight the little people who demand accountability.

We wrap this together in Going Down. Robert represents everything wrong and Michelle represent the desire in all of us to see justice in a system that is rotten to its core...and Walter? Our conscience. 

How far would we go to get justice?

 

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

ART DEPARTMENT | CREW WAGES | FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS | MUSIC

If you're as passionate as we are about equality and fighting racism, sexism, classism, and corporate power - Going Down gives the little people a win - delivering in a most satisfying and juicy way.

Follow Us and Share!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoingdownfilm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoingdownfilm

Website: https://www.goingdownfilm.com

 

90% of Going Down takes place in an Elevator...in 1985. It's not practical nor safe especially in a COVID-19 world. Real world elevators are too small and we can't control the lighting or sound environment. Building a set elevator allows us to pull walls away and film at a safe distance, get great angles, and have a set to ourselves to explore the story in a deeper way.

This is our third short film and while we've always taken pride in paying people for their time, this funding will allow us to hire our crew experts in their field for the right amount - not just an honorarium. This applies to the Talent, HMW Departments, Camera Crew, Sound Department, and other Production people.

 

We want to raise $10,000, but we have stretch goals!

If we raise $12,500:
We'll have contingency money and produce a BTS Film!

If we raise $15,000: 
We'll be able to pay for professional sound design and mix!

If we raise $17,000:
We can pay for an Original Score from a renowned artist!

If we double our goal to an amazing $20,000:
We can pay our Producers & Director for their time and creativity (they're sacrificing they're pay for the project)

 

THE GOING DOWN LOOK

VISUALS | MOOD

We were lucky enough to get together to take some promo photos and video and really captured the look and feel as close as we could. Here are a few shots from our session:

Nikita Kalonji as "Michelle Lucas"

Dallas Soonias as "Robert Kimball"

Dave Trimble as "Walter Ellis"

More Frames of the Look & Feel.

 

THE CAST & CREW (SO FAR)

 

Nikita Kalonji as "Michelle Lucas"

Nikita Kalonji is a Congolese-Canadian, born in Quebec and raised in Kinshasa. Nikita began modelling and acting at a young age when her aunt would bring her to set. Coined a natural, Nikita has always been an entertainer. 

ln September 2020, Nikita landed her first lead role as Zoe Savimbi in The African Family series, Canada’s first African-Canadian series (in post-production).

 

Dallas Soonias as "Robert Kimball"

Dallas Soonias has a unique combination of skills and experiences which contribute to his pursuits in acting, coaching, and performance as a former international athlete. He became the first Indigenous male to represent Canada internationally in volleyball from 2004 to 2016.

An inter-tribal background has allowed Dallas to experience contemporary Indigenous culture and perspectives across Canada. He is Nehiyaw/Anishinaabe from Red Pheasant First Nation in Saskatchewan and Neyaashiinigmiing in Ontario. 

He recently had a speaking role in the award winning TV drama Tribal, and a leading role on the upcoming series, Pipe Nation.

 

Dave Trimble as "Walter Ellis"

David has been working professionally in film and theater since he was 8 years old. His work in theater has earned professional recognition with 4 Betty Mitchell nominations for best actor for his work in Blue Surge, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Pillow Man. David also won the Betty Mitchell Award for best Actor In a Leading role in 2005, for his work on Eric Bogosian’s one man show Drinking In America which he preformed in Calgary and Montreal to sold out houses.

He has been fortunate enough to have spent many a day on set and has loved every second having been directed by such notables as Ang Lee, Rod Lurie, Walter Hill, and Robert Duval. David won an AMPIA for Best Actor in a Lead Role in 2014 for his role In One Night In Aberdeen.

 

Ryan Northcott
Writer/Director/Producer/Editor

Ryan Northcott is Co-Founder, Producer, Director, Director of Photography, Writer, and Editor at MEDIAPOP Films. He has worked on nearly 600 projects in his 10+ years behind the camera. Ryan has spent his entire adult life in the entertainment industry both in-front and behind the camera. 

Ryan is also an accomplished actor, starring in films such as Mystery, Alaska, Let Him Go, and television shows such as JANN on CTV, Tribal, Heartland, The Beach Boys: An American Family, Jasmine Road, and many more.

Going Down is his third short film and first since "Once Upon a Pandemic" appeared in 5 Film Festivals including the Edmonton, Front Range, and Oakville International Film Festivals.

 

Paola Contreras
Director of Photography/Cinematographer

Paola Contreras is a Mexican cinematographer who has studied and worked alongside many international cinematographers in various places such as Los Angeles, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Havana, Cuba. Her works have gained selections in various international film festivals including the New York Indie Film Fest. Her hobbies include playing cello and boxing.

 

Eric Giesbrecht
Producer

 

Lonni Olson
Producer

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Cash Pledge

Costs C$0

Film Festival Fees

Costs C$1,000

When we're ready to show the world Going Down, we'll use this amount to submit to Festivals!

Production Crew & Costs

Costs C$4,000

With this amount we'll hire, pay, and feed our crew with safe COVID protocols and a positive set.

Production Design & Locations

Costs C$3,000

We'll build our Elevator set at a location and secure other locations with an authentic 1985 look.

Equipment & Gear

Costs C$1,000

Adding to the lighting/grip we have, this will help us achieve the visual look and feel we'd like.

Music

Costs C$1,000

Score composing and music licensing costs for a beautiful and haunting auditory experience.

About This Team

THE CAST & CREW (SO FAR)

 

Ryan Northcott
Writer/Director/Producer/Editor

Ryan Northcott is Co-Founder, Producer, Director, Director of Photography, Writer, and Editor at MEDIAPOP Films. He has worked on nearly 600 projects in his 10+ years behind the camera. Ryan has spent his entire adult life in the entertainment industry both in-front and behind the camera. 

Ryan is also an accomplished actor, starring in films such as Mystery, Alaska, Let Him Go, and television shows such as JANN on CTV, Tribal, Heartland, The Beach Boys: An American Family, Jasmine Road, and many more.

Going Down is his third short film and first since "Once Upon a Pandemic" appeared in 5 Film Festivals including the Edmonton, Front Range, and Oakville International Film Festivals.


Nikita Kalonji as "Michelle Lucas"

Nikita Kalonji is a Congolese-Canadian, born in Quebec and raised in Kinshasa. Nikita began modelling and acting at a young age when her aunt would bring her to set. Coined a natural, Nikita has always been an entertainer. 

ln September 2020, Nikita landed her first lead role as Zoe Savimbi in The African Family series, Canada’s first African-Canadian series (in post-production).

 

Dallas Soonias as "Robert Kimball"

Dallas Soonias has a unique combination of skills and experiences which contribute to his pursuits in acting, coaching, and performance as a former international athlete. He became the first Indigenous male to represent Canada internationally in volleyball from 2004 to 2016.

An inter-tribal background has allowed Dallas to experience contemporary Indigenous culture and perspectives across Canada. He is Nehiyaw/Anishinaabe from Red Pheasant First Nation in Saskatchewan and Neyaashiinigmiing in Ontario. 

He recently had a speaking role in the award winning TV drama Tribal, and a leading role on the upcoming series, Pipe Nation.

 

Dave Trimble as "Walter Ellis"

David has been working professionally in film and theater since he was 8 years old. His work in theater has earned professional recognition with 4 Betty Mitchell nominations for best actor for his work in Blue Surge, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Pillow Man. David also won the Betty Mitchell Award for best Actor In a Leading role in 2005, for his work on Eric Bogosian’s one man show Drinking In America which he preformed in Calgary and Montreal to sold out houses.

He has been fortunate enough to have spent many a day on set and has loved every second having been directed by such notables as Ang Lee, Rod Lurie, Walter Hill, and Robert Duval. David won an AMPIA for Best Actor in a Lead Role in 2014 for his role In One Night In Aberdeen.

 

Paola Contreras
Director of Photography/Cinematographer

Paola Contreras is a Mexican cinematographer who has studied and worked alongside many international cinematographers in various places such as Los Angeles, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Havana, Cuba. Her works have gained selections in various international film festivals including the New York Indie Film Fest. Her hobbies include playing cello and boxing.

 

Eric Giesbrecht
Producer

This is Eric’s 4th film in the last 2 years as Producer and the third with Director Ryan Northcott. Once Upon a Pandemic and Operation: Clean Slate had multiple Festival Selections across North America and Half-Day is currently in post-production. He looks forward to getting to work on Going Down to tell a juicy story of revenge and bring to light injustice in the justice system.

 

Lonni Olson
Producer

Lonni Olson is a performer and creator working in theatre, film and television. He’s appeared in Fargo, Black Summer, Winter in Vail to name a few, and is co-creator and star of the web series Word Of Mouth. Lonni has been a private Audition and Self Tape coach for the last six years, helping his clients land gigs in theatre, Film and Television. He has worked with ACTRA Alberta hosting seminars on Stand -In work and Self Tape Auditions, encouraging local talent to excel at their craft.

 

 

We'll add all the exciting people we hire!

Current Team

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