HYACINTH GIRL
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Experimental
A mute clown is condemned to suffer the violence of a perpetually dissatisfied audience. On the night they discover their voice, they are transported to a liminal space in which they must choose one of two paths.
HYACINTH GIRL
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Experimental
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
16 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$785
Goal: $3,260 for production
A mute clown is condemned to suffer the violence of a perpetually dissatisfied audience. On the night they discover their voice, they are transported to a liminal space in which they must choose one of two paths.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Hyacinth Girl follows Delia, a mute clown condemned to suffer the abuse of a perpetually dissatisfied audience. As they discover their voice and in turn, their capacity to break free of their circumstance, they are faced with a choice: return to the violence they know or move towards an unfamiliar freedom.
Simplistic portrayals of abuse fill our screens, often misrepresenting the psychological impact of violence in favor of easily digestible narratives. Rarely are we offered a film that focuses on the interiority of survivors, one that can sift through the myriad contradictions and maladaptations of an abused mind. In creating Hyacinth Girl, I aim to carve a space for these complexities.
Pierrot was first known as Pedrolino, a character created in the late 16th century by commedia dell'arte actor Giovanni Pellesini. Pedrolino was conceived as a show barker, next evolving into a primo Zanni, a cunning servant in commedia scenarios. By the 17th century, Pedrolino became known to the French as "Pierrot" thanks to the Comedie-Italienne.
Pierrot, as John Rudlin describes in "Commedia dell'Arte: An Actor's Handbook," is "a loner, an observer of the follies of others," characterized by "stoicism in the face of misery, [surviving] his oppression by pretending to be simple" and "[anesthetizing] his sensitivity by pretending to have no feelings."
This film is shaped by my desire to express otherwise inexpressible parts of my personal journey. It began as a dream, aching to be realized as I traversed my own path of self-discovery.
I've often despised the mental anguish that became my burden--feelings of irreparable brokenness, shame, and fear. All feelings that form the emotional core of Hyacinth Girl. In a way, this film feels like a step towards further disrupting that anguish and discovering my artistic voice, just as Delia discovers theirs.
The work of Federico Fellini, particularly his films La Strada and Nights of Cabiria, form the foundation of Hyacinth Girl's tonal and aesthetic language.
The Boyfriend, Parisian Pierrot, and Don't Look Now capture the visual aesthetic.
Your generous donations will be used to purchase and process film, rent equipment, and hire roles for the production phase. They will also be used to provide food, drink, and transportation for our collaborators. Taking care of and compensating them is of the utmost importance. Please refer to the budget breakdown for further details.
Budget Breakdown
Why film?
Film is expensive--I know! But the dreamy quality of 16mm makes it the best option to illustrate the liminal space in which Hyacinth Girl lives, between a dream and reality.
Stretch Goals
+500: Allows us to purchase more film and secure a greater variety and quantity of shots ♥️
+1,000: Allows us to hire an editor for post-production ♥️♥️
+2,000: Allows us to hire a composer for post-production ♥️♥️♥️
+3,000: Allows us to fund festival submissions ♥️♥️♥️♥️
PRE-PRODUCTION: SEPTEMBER 2024 - NOVEMBER 2024
PROOF OF CONCEPT / CASTING / FUNDRAISING
PRODUCTION: NOVEMBER 2024 - DECEMBER 2024
FILMING
POST-PRODUCTION: DECEMBER 2024 - MARCH 2025
EDITING / COMPOSING
DISTRIBUTION: APRIL 2025
Caitlin Dullahan-Bates (Writer/Director/Producer/DP)
Caitlin is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in NYC. She has spent most of her life on the stage, first as a dancer and then as an actor. In recent years, she's yearned to develop her own projects, seeking greater influence over the stories she tells. In melding her love for film photography and classic film, Caitlin realized her passion for filmmaking. Hyacinth Girl is her first independent creation.
MAKE A PLEDGE
All pledges, no matter how small, are deeply and sincerely appreciated. Check out the incentives and make a pledge at the top right of the page.
FOLLOW & SHARE
If you're excited by this project, please follow and share! Spreading the word is essential to the success of Hyacinth Girl.
Check out our IG @hyacinthgirlfilm for the latest updates!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew
Costs $450
This film would not be possible without the hard work of our cast & crew. We aim to demonstrate that we value their time, skill, & artistry.
Equipment
Costs $145
Covers lighting and sound rentals, necessary for capturing the auditory and visual landscape.
Share this update!
About This Team
Caitlin Dullahan-Bates (Writer/Director/Producer/DP)
is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in NYC. She has spent most of her life on the stage, first as a dancer and then as an actor. In recent years, she's yearned to develop her own projects, seeking greater influence over the stories she tells. In melding her love for film photography and classic film, Caitlin realized her passion for filmmaking. Hyacinth Girl is her first independent creation.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Hyacinth Girl follows Delia, a mute clown condemned to suffer the abuse of a perpetually dissatisfied audience. As they discover their voice and in turn, their capacity to break free of their circumstance, they are faced with a choice: return to the violence they know or move towards an unfamiliar freedom.
Simplistic portrayals of abuse fill our screens, often misrepresenting the psychological impact of violence in favor of easily digestible narratives. Rarely are we offered a film that focuses on the interiority of survivors, one that can sift through the myriad contradictions and maladaptations of an abused mind. In creating Hyacinth Girl, I aim to carve a space for these complexities.
Pierrot was first known as Pedrolino, a character created in the late 16th century by commedia dell'arte actor Giovanni Pellesini. Pedrolino was conceived as a show barker, next evolving into a primo Zanni, a cunning servant in commedia scenarios. By the 17th century, Pedrolino became known to the French as "Pierrot" thanks to the Comedie-Italienne.
Pierrot, as John Rudlin describes in "Commedia dell'Arte: An Actor's Handbook," is "a loner, an observer of the follies of others," characterized by "stoicism in the face of misery, [surviving] his oppression by pretending to be simple" and "[anesthetizing] his sensitivity by pretending to have no feelings."
This film is shaped by my desire to express otherwise inexpressible parts of my personal journey. It began as a dream, aching to be realized as I traversed my own path of self-discovery.
I've often despised the mental anguish that became my burden--feelings of irreparable brokenness, shame, and fear. All feelings that form the emotional core of Hyacinth Girl. In a way, this film feels like a step towards further disrupting that anguish and discovering my artistic voice, just as Delia discovers theirs.
The work of Federico Fellini, particularly his films La Strada and Nights of Cabiria, form the foundation of Hyacinth Girl's tonal and aesthetic language.
The Boyfriend, Parisian Pierrot, and Don't Look Now capture the visual aesthetic.
Your generous donations will be used to purchase and process film, rent equipment, and hire roles for the production phase. They will also be used to provide food, drink, and transportation for our collaborators. Taking care of and compensating them is of the utmost importance. Please refer to the budget breakdown for further details.
Budget Breakdown
Why film?
Film is expensive--I know! But the dreamy quality of 16mm makes it the best option to illustrate the liminal space in which Hyacinth Girl lives, between a dream and reality.
Stretch Goals
+500: Allows us to purchase more film and secure a greater variety and quantity of shots ♥️
+1,000: Allows us to hire an editor for post-production ♥️♥️
+2,000: Allows us to hire a composer for post-production ♥️♥️♥️
+3,000: Allows us to fund festival submissions ♥️♥️♥️♥️
PRE-PRODUCTION: SEPTEMBER 2024 - NOVEMBER 2024
PROOF OF CONCEPT / CASTING / FUNDRAISING
PRODUCTION: NOVEMBER 2024 - DECEMBER 2024
FILMING
POST-PRODUCTION: DECEMBER 2024 - MARCH 2025
EDITING / COMPOSING
DISTRIBUTION: APRIL 2025
Caitlin Dullahan-Bates (Writer/Director/Producer/DP)
Caitlin is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in NYC. She has spent most of her life on the stage, first as a dancer and then as an actor. In recent years, she's yearned to develop her own projects, seeking greater influence over the stories she tells. In melding her love for film photography and classic film, Caitlin realized her passion for filmmaking. Hyacinth Girl is her first independent creation.
MAKE A PLEDGE
All pledges, no matter how small, are deeply and sincerely appreciated. Check out the incentives and make a pledge at the top right of the page.
FOLLOW & SHARE
If you're excited by this project, please follow and share! Spreading the word is essential to the success of Hyacinth Girl.
Check out our IG @hyacinthgirlfilm for the latest updates!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew
Costs $450
This film would not be possible without the hard work of our cast & crew. We aim to demonstrate that we value their time, skill, & artistry.
Equipment
Costs $145
Covers lighting and sound rentals, necessary for capturing the auditory and visual landscape.
Share this update!
About This Team
Caitlin Dullahan-Bates (Writer/Director/Producer/DP)
is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in NYC. She has spent most of her life on the stage, first as a dancer and then as an actor. In recent years, she's yearned to develop her own projects, seeking greater influence over the stories she tells. In melding her love for film photography and classic film, Caitlin realized her passion for filmmaking. Hyacinth Girl is her first independent creation.