Initiation
Sunnyvale, California | Film Short
Drama, Crime
A young man with a stutter undergoes an intense initiation task into a local gang when faced with limited options to pay for speech therapy.
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This campaign raised $4,531 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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A young man with a stutter undergoes an intense initiation task into a local gang when faced with limited options to pay for speech therapy.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Context:
Jay, an unemployed young adult who severely stutters, lives with his single mom and younger brother Nate in a dilapidated apartment. Despite the unconditional love and support of his family members, Jay feels like a burden and is desperate to help provide for himself and his family. He attends an under-funded stuttering therapy group to work on his fluency, but he feels out of place. Jay prepares for an entry-level job opportunity at business entrepreneur’s / wild media tycoon Teflon Husk’s HypeLoop Company, but is offered a chance to join a local gang and find a place where he belongs. However, in order to initiate into the gang, he must rob a food truck.
Why write Initiation?
I was inspired to write this story by a couple of clients I provided speech therapy for while earning my degree in Speech-Language Pathology. They struggled between embracing their stutter or denying it in their day-to-day lives. Much like their stutter - which blocked their initiation of utterances -these clients felt like they were blocked from seeking happiness or beginning to find human connection. Initiation is my first attempt in presenting specific challenges faced by individuals with communication disorders through a creative lens that aims to blend drama, humor, and suspense.
Budget:
Our total budget ranges from $10-12,000 for a predicted 3-4 day shoot. This estimated minimum budget will cover equipment costs, fees/permits for locations, food for the crew, parking, props and hair & makeup expenses (for the props and materials), and other miscellaneous costs. If the project surpasses our stretched crowdfunding goals, we plan on allocating the extra funds to the development of a longer run-time, stretching the planned 10 minute run-time to 18 minutes. The extra run-time would allow the narrative not only to demonstrate the nuances of initiating into a gang, but dive deeper into the themes of identity and self-acceptance.
What are a few sources of visual inspiration for Initiation?
The style of Initiation will mix in gritty, neon visuals influenced from the Safdie Brothers’ Good Time and emphasize unorthodox framing in a parallel vein to Atlanta cinematographer Hiro Murai. This is in concert with the logic that lighting and framing choices should reflect the inner states of protagonists, especially in narrative driven films. As Jay develops a more nuanced understanding of himself, these visual choices will soften according to his more optimistic internal environment.
What's next for Initiation?
Once the project is completed, viewers will be able to see Initiation on Toe Dip Productions, a YouTube channel dedicated towards narrative content that aims to shine a light on the complexity of human communication through the development of thought-provoking, engaging, and realistic short films. Even though Initiation is designed to be a standalone short film, the story can be expanded into a full feature that can delve deeper into the psychology of Jay and other major players.
How can I help Initiate this project?
Your support means everything in getting this short film made. There are many ways that you can help us make our vision a reality:
- Sharing this campaign with anyone that carries similar interests and please encourage them to donate!
- Following us @initiationshortfilm on Instagram for updates.
- Contacting us if you’d like to write about the story, or are part of a podcast/blog. We’d love to share with everyone news about our film.
Thank you for visiting our campaign page!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
For our Cast
Costs $1,667
Approximately 1/3rd will go toward fair day-rates for our actors, ensuring they are compensated for their time, talent, and preparation.
For our Crew
Costs $1,667
Approximately 1/3rd from Seed & Spark will go towards our essential crew members who will bring the film to life on set.
Miscellaneous Costs
Costs $1,666
Approximately 1/3rd from S&S support will cover necessary expenses such as permits, props, meals, transportation, and equipment rentals.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the Crew:
Meet the Talent:
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Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Context:
Jay, an unemployed young adult who severely stutters, lives with his single mom and younger brother Nate in a dilapidated apartment. Despite the unconditional love and support of his family members, Jay feels like a burden and is desperate to help provide for himself and his family. He attends an under-funded stuttering therapy group to work on his fluency, but he feels out of place. Jay prepares for an entry-level job opportunity at business entrepreneur’s / wild media tycoon Teflon Husk’s HypeLoop Company, but is offered a chance to join a local gang and find a place where he belongs. However, in order to initiate into the gang, he must rob a food truck.
Why write Initiation?
I was inspired to write this story by a couple of clients I provided speech therapy for while earning my degree in Speech-Language Pathology. They struggled between embracing their stutter or denying it in their day-to-day lives. Much like their stutter - which blocked their initiation of utterances -these clients felt like they were blocked from seeking happiness or beginning to find human connection. Initiation is my first attempt in presenting specific challenges faced by individuals with communication disorders through a creative lens that aims to blend drama, humor, and suspense.
Budget:
Our total budget ranges from $10-12,000 for a predicted 3-4 day shoot. This estimated minimum budget will cover equipment costs, fees/permits for locations, food for the crew, parking, props and hair & makeup expenses (for the props and materials), and other miscellaneous costs. If the project surpasses our stretched crowdfunding goals, we plan on allocating the extra funds to the development of a longer run-time, stretching the planned 10 minute run-time to 18 minutes. The extra run-time would allow the narrative not only to demonstrate the nuances of initiating into a gang, but dive deeper into the themes of identity and self-acceptance.
What are a few sources of visual inspiration for Initiation?
The style of Initiation will mix in gritty, neon visuals influenced from the Safdie Brothers’ Good Time and emphasize unorthodox framing in a parallel vein to Atlanta cinematographer Hiro Murai. This is in concert with the logic that lighting and framing choices should reflect the inner states of protagonists, especially in narrative driven films. As Jay develops a more nuanced understanding of himself, these visual choices will soften according to his more optimistic internal environment.
What's next for Initiation?
Once the project is completed, viewers will be able to see Initiation on Toe Dip Productions, a YouTube channel dedicated towards narrative content that aims to shine a light on the complexity of human communication through the development of thought-provoking, engaging, and realistic short films. Even though Initiation is designed to be a standalone short film, the story can be expanded into a full feature that can delve deeper into the psychology of Jay and other major players.
How can I help Initiate this project?
Your support means everything in getting this short film made. There are many ways that you can help us make our vision a reality:
- Sharing this campaign with anyone that carries similar interests and please encourage them to donate!
- Following us @initiationshortfilm on Instagram for updates.
- Contacting us if you’d like to write about the story, or are part of a podcast/blog. We’d love to share with everyone news about our film.
Thank you for visiting our campaign page!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
For our Cast
Costs $1,667
Approximately 1/3rd will go toward fair day-rates for our actors, ensuring they are compensated for their time, talent, and preparation.
For our Crew
Costs $1,667
Approximately 1/3rd from Seed & Spark will go towards our essential crew members who will bring the film to life on set.
Miscellaneous Costs
Costs $1,666
Approximately 1/3rd from S&S support will cover necessary expenses such as permits, props, meals, transportation, and equipment rentals.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the Crew:
Meet the Talent: