In Line
San Diego, California | Film Short
Drama, Experimental
"In Line" follows Clara, an anxious woman waiting in an unending queue of people stretching around the Earth. While surrounded by a bleak cityscape, she encounters others who share their perspectives on the formation. Most wait for family, others for faith, and some for the enigmatic "White Wall".
In Line
San Diego, California | Film Short
Drama, Experimental
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,096 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
75 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
"In Line" follows Clara, an anxious woman waiting in an unending queue of people stretching around the Earth. While surrounded by a bleak cityscape, she encounters others who share their perspectives on the formation. Most wait for family, others for faith, and some for the enigmatic "White Wall".
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Beginning of the Line
Have you ever waited in the checkout line at your local grocery store? Or at airport security, anxious that you'll miss your flight? How about in the line of people crossing the U.S-Mexico border every day in droves of thousands? If you have, then this question has probably crossed your mind: "How long is this gonna take?"
For the people inhabiting the world of In Line, the answer to this question... is forever. Our film imagines what life would be like if lines weren't just an annoying part of life. In this alternate reality, all of humanity exists in one endless single-file nightmare. The rules are strict, the surroundings are bland, and directive is simple: Stay. In. Line.
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What Happens In Line, Stays In Line
Clara, a chronically stressed woman in her 20s, silently shuffles forward amongst countless others in the Line. She has no identity aside from her uniformed business casual outfit, and no guidance aside from a randomly assigned number.
While in line, she witnesses a young rebel suddenly resist the flow of the formation, and subsequently face the violent repercussions of disobedience. Frazzled and disturbed, Clara complies when she is instructed to move to a different subsection of the line, starting her strange journey.
Clara encounters cryptic characters throughout her trek; like Aunt Hope and Valor, who make her question her beliefs, compliance, and self-identity. They speak of a mythical structure called the “White Wall”, that is rumoured to be waiting at the end of the line… if there is an end.
How Far In Line Are We?
We have everything secured for film! Locations, actors, crew, equipment, we just need the funds to get there! It has taken close to 8 months to get this project off the ground. Our goal is to film in late March of this year and go straight into post production.
The film will go through a traditional festival run including San Diego local festivals!
Festivals:
- San Diego Int'l Film Festival
- San Diego Latino Film Festival
- Palm Springs Int'l Short Fest
- Slamdance
- Austin Film Festival
If we surpass our goal, the funds will be exclusively for this project! Extra funds will be use to pay our crew an adequate and appropriate rate, festival fees (not included in the budget), post production fees, and private screenings to promote the film.
.png)
The main plot of In Line surfaced from a conversation with Abner's roommate, Mikaela. Abner then looked up stories based on infinite lines and found "In The Queue" by Keith Laumer. A short story which In Line is invspired by.
Abner is influenced by every movie he watches. But for In Line, he visualized the film in a very specific way. Black and white aesthetic inspirations from Metropolis, The Tragedy of Macbeth, and Better Call Saul. All it combined with the aesthetic and tones of Poor Things, The Lobster, and Mr Robot.
Abner Vargas
I'm a filmmaker at heart. I love telling stories, but doing so with words, was never easy to me. This is why I love filmmaking. Expressing myself through moving pictures feels like magic. I also enjoy the collaborative effort of making a movie.
I grew up in the Mexicali-Calexico border region, where I learned that my life was very different from the rest of the United States. Waking up at 4AM to cross the border with thousands of other people was just one of the many daily activities I had to deal with in order to get to school or see my friends. Little did I know that this would be one of many lines I would stand in with close to no purpose or logical sense.
In Line is special to me because it derives from my own experiences dealing with bureaucratic nonsense from the government and other agencies combined with the absurd way in which I see life.
Previous work
I’ve always been obsessed with mixing reality with the surreal. My last short, Future Leftovers, was a very personal look at my mental state during the 2020 lockdowns and BLM protests. This short mixed in real life problems with surreal elements. In Line flips that ratio. It’s an alternate universe with an infinite line, but it’s anchored by the very real, very complicated feelings of identity, hope, and oppression.
.png)
WE MUST HIT 80% OF OUR GOAL IN ORDER FOR US TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS!
Budget
Our goal is to crowdfund $12,500. This is what the money will go towards:
- Crew
- Actors and travel
- Set dressing and props
- Meals and crafty
- Equipment
- Insurance
FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE AND STAY TUNE WITH OUR PRODUCTION!
INSTAGRAM: @INLINESHORTFILM
TIKTOK: @WHOISABNER_
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Incentives Costs
Costs $200
Expenses for printing, mailing, and developing the incentives for campaign.
Cast
Costs $1,150
Our talented cast need to get some compensation!
Lenses
Costs $600
We need great lenses to get a sharp look for our B&W style.
Meals
Costs $2,000
This will feed our entire crew and sustain us through long hours of filmming.
Insurance
Costs $800
Insurance for everyone and all equipment on set.
Production Crew
Costs $3,950
This is the cost for our entire crew! Without them, there would be no film!
Lights
Costs $1,000
A 1-ton truck van with enough lights and equipment to support our production.
Travel Expenses
Costs $300
Accomodation and gas expenes for a couple of our crew traveling!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Abner Vargas
Writer/Director
Abner is a Mexican-American filmmaker and UC San Diego alumnus whose work explores the complexities of human connection and mental health. Born and raised on the Mexicali-Calexico border, Abner blends his unique cultural perspective with a cinematic style inspired by luminaries like Sam Esmail, David Lynch, and Denis Villenueve. He brings a decade of versatile industry experience ranging from international TV production to high-stakes sports broadcastin to his narrative filmmaking.
Hudson Ortiz
Producer
Hudson Ortiz is an independent producer of Jewish and Mexican-American descent from Southern California. Going from HVAC Technician to self-taught filmmaker, Ortiz brings a tradesman's mentality to producing. He joins "In Line" after making his narrative directorial debut with "El Toro Lento": A story of perseverance and persistence framed within the world of Lucha Libre.
Lucia Arenas
Social Media Producer
Lucia is a freelancer from San Diego. She received her education from SDSU and now works in the film/TV industry in Southern California. When she's not behind the camera, she's in front of it hand modeling or filming herself in action! Growing her social media audience since High School, she knows the algorithm better than instagram itself.
Cameron Lui
Assistant Director
Cam Lui started his filmmaking career by Assistant Directing on thesis films at Chapman University, learning the inner workings of production while pursuing his screenwriting degree. Quickly he came to love bridging the gap between the creative and logistical aspects of filmmaking. Some of his favorite movies are The Master, The Host, Pineapple Express and everything Yorgos Lanthimos has made. When not making or watching movies, he likes going to concerts or hanging out with his cat while playing Pokemon.
Natalia Moscoso
Director of Photography
Natalia Moscoso (she/her) is a queer Mexican-American cinematographer based in Los Angeles, raised in the bordertown of Chula Vista, CA. She specializes in narrative, commercial and music video production. She is a CSUN Alumni, with a BA in Film & Television Arts and a minor in psychology, a unique combination that allows her to view cinematography through a psychological lens. Natalia draws on her unique upbringing and life experiences to infuse her work with deep passion and emotional resonance.
Gizelle Lopez
Production Designer
Gizelle is a film and digital photographer who found her calling at the intersection of curiosity and heritage. What started with a vintage Minolta and a father’s encouragement has evolved into a dedicated practice of capturing authentic human connection and environmental storytelling. Currently immersed in the tactile world of home-developing 35mm film, Gizelle’s work is a testament to the saying "echando ganas."
Alberto Marmolejo
Gaffer
Alberto is a cinematographer based in San Diego, CA. with an AS in Digital Media. He has experience in editing, gaffing, gripping, and technical directing. As of 2021, he's shifted to specialize in the roles of Camera Operator, Assistant Camera (1st, 2nd), and Director of Photography.
Andrew Tylenda
Composer
Andrew Tylenda is a musician working as the composer for In-Line. He is a hip-hop producer under the alias Acid Murphy, and utilizes both digital and analog tools to shape his sound. His interest in dystopian stories and long-time collaborations with Abner Vargas lead to his spot on the team. Using found sound, foley techniques, and instrumentation, he hopes to help shape the world of In-Line to match it's brutalism.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Beginning of the Line
Have you ever waited in the checkout line at your local grocery store? Or at airport security, anxious that you'll miss your flight? How about in the line of people crossing the U.S-Mexico border every day in droves of thousands? If you have, then this question has probably crossed your mind: "How long is this gonna take?"
For the people inhabiting the world of In Line, the answer to this question... is forever. Our film imagines what life would be like if lines weren't just an annoying part of life. In this alternate reality, all of humanity exists in one endless single-file nightmare. The rules are strict, the surroundings are bland, and directive is simple: Stay. In. Line.
What Happens In Line, Stays In Line
Clara, a chronically stressed woman in her 20s, silently shuffles forward amongst countless others in the Line. She has no identity aside from her uniformed business casual outfit, and no guidance aside from a randomly assigned number.
While in line, she witnesses a young rebel suddenly resist the flow of the formation, and subsequently face the violent repercussions of disobedience. Frazzled and disturbed, Clara complies when she is instructed to move to a different subsection of the line, starting her strange journey.
Clara encounters cryptic characters throughout her trek; like Aunt Hope and Valor, who make her question her beliefs, compliance, and self-identity. They speak of a mythical structure called the “White Wall”, that is rumoured to be waiting at the end of the line… if there is an end.
How Far In Line Are We?
We have everything secured for film! Locations, actors, crew, equipment, we just need the funds to get there! It has taken close to 8 months to get this project off the ground. Our goal is to film in late March of this year and go straight into post production.
The film will go through a traditional festival run including San Diego local festivals!
Festivals:
- San Diego Int'l Film Festival
- San Diego Latino Film Festival
- Palm Springs Int'l Short Fest
- Slamdance
- Austin Film Festival
If we surpass our goal, the funds will be exclusively for this project! Extra funds will be use to pay our crew an adequate and appropriate rate, festival fees (not included in the budget), post production fees, and private screenings to promote the film.
The main plot of In Line surfaced from a conversation with Abner's roommate, Mikaela. Abner then looked up stories based on infinite lines and found "In The Queue" by Keith Laumer. A short story which In Line is invspired by.
Abner is influenced by every movie he watches. But for In Line, he visualized the film in a very specific way. Black and white aesthetic inspirations from Metropolis, The Tragedy of Macbeth, and Better Call Saul. All it combined with the aesthetic and tones of Poor Things, The Lobster, and Mr Robot.
Abner Vargas
I'm a filmmaker at heart. I love telling stories, but doing so with words, was never easy to me. This is why I love filmmaking. Expressing myself through moving pictures feels like magic. I also enjoy the collaborative effort of making a movie.
I grew up in the Mexicali-Calexico border region, where I learned that my life was very different from the rest of the United States. Waking up at 4AM to cross the border with thousands of other people was just one of the many daily activities I had to deal with in order to get to school or see my friends. Little did I know that this would be one of many lines I would stand in with close to no purpose or logical sense.
In Line is special to me because it derives from my own experiences dealing with bureaucratic nonsense from the government and other agencies combined with the absurd way in which I see life.
Previous work
I’ve always been obsessed with mixing reality with the surreal. My last short, Future Leftovers, was a very personal look at my mental state during the 2020 lockdowns and BLM protests. This short mixed in real life problems with surreal elements. In Line flips that ratio. It’s an alternate universe with an infinite line, but it’s anchored by the very real, very complicated feelings of identity, hope, and oppression.
WE MUST HIT 80% OF OUR GOAL IN ORDER FOR US TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS!
Budget
Our goal is to crowdfund $12,500. This is what the money will go towards:
- Crew
- Actors and travel
- Set dressing and props
- Meals and crafty
- Equipment
- Insurance
FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE AND STAY TUNE WITH OUR PRODUCTION!
INSTAGRAM: @INLINESHORTFILM
TIKTOK: @WHOISABNER_
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Incentives Costs
Costs $200
Expenses for printing, mailing, and developing the incentives for campaign.
Cast
Costs $1,150
Our talented cast need to get some compensation!
Lenses
Costs $600
We need great lenses to get a sharp look for our B&W style.
Meals
Costs $2,000
This will feed our entire crew and sustain us through long hours of filmming.
Insurance
Costs $800
Insurance for everyone and all equipment on set.
Production Crew
Costs $3,950
This is the cost for our entire crew! Without them, there would be no film!
Lights
Costs $1,000
A 1-ton truck van with enough lights and equipment to support our production.
Travel Expenses
Costs $300
Accomodation and gas expenes for a couple of our crew traveling!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Abner Vargas
Writer/Director
Abner is a Mexican-American filmmaker and UC San Diego alumnus whose work explores the complexities of human connection and mental health. Born and raised on the Mexicali-Calexico border, Abner blends his unique cultural perspective with a cinematic style inspired by luminaries like Sam Esmail, David Lynch, and Denis Villenueve. He brings a decade of versatile industry experience ranging from international TV production to high-stakes sports broadcastin to his narrative filmmaking.
Hudson Ortiz
Producer
Hudson Ortiz is an independent producer of Jewish and Mexican-American descent from Southern California. Going from HVAC Technician to self-taught filmmaker, Ortiz brings a tradesman's mentality to producing. He joins "In Line" after making his narrative directorial debut with "El Toro Lento": A story of perseverance and persistence framed within the world of Lucha Libre.
Lucia Arenas
Social Media Producer
Lucia is a freelancer from San Diego. She received her education from SDSU and now works in the film/TV industry in Southern California. When she's not behind the camera, she's in front of it hand modeling or filming herself in action! Growing her social media audience since High School, she knows the algorithm better than instagram itself.
Cameron Lui
Assistant Director
Cam Lui started his filmmaking career by Assistant Directing on thesis films at Chapman University, learning the inner workings of production while pursuing his screenwriting degree. Quickly he came to love bridging the gap between the creative and logistical aspects of filmmaking. Some of his favorite movies are The Master, The Host, Pineapple Express and everything Yorgos Lanthimos has made. When not making or watching movies, he likes going to concerts or hanging out with his cat while playing Pokemon.
Natalia Moscoso
Director of Photography
Natalia Moscoso (she/her) is a queer Mexican-American cinematographer based in Los Angeles, raised in the bordertown of Chula Vista, CA. She specializes in narrative, commercial and music video production. She is a CSUN Alumni, with a BA in Film & Television Arts and a minor in psychology, a unique combination that allows her to view cinematography through a psychological lens. Natalia draws on her unique upbringing and life experiences to infuse her work with deep passion and emotional resonance.
Gizelle Lopez
Production Designer
Gizelle is a film and digital photographer who found her calling at the intersection of curiosity and heritage. What started with a vintage Minolta and a father’s encouragement has evolved into a dedicated practice of capturing authentic human connection and environmental storytelling. Currently immersed in the tactile world of home-developing 35mm film, Gizelle’s work is a testament to the saying "echando ganas."
Alberto Marmolejo
Gaffer
Alberto is a cinematographer based in San Diego, CA. with an AS in Digital Media. He has experience in editing, gaffing, gripping, and technical directing. As of 2021, he's shifted to specialize in the roles of Camera Operator, Assistant Camera (1st, 2nd), and Director of Photography.
Andrew Tylenda
Composer
Andrew Tylenda is a musician working as the composer for In-Line. He is a hip-hop producer under the alias Acid Murphy, and utilizes both digital and analog tools to shape his sound. His interest in dystopian stories and long-time collaborations with Abner Vargas lead to his spot on the team. Using found sound, foley techniques, and instrumentation, he hopes to help shape the world of In-Line to match it's brutalism.