Told from the perspective of both partners, Maria and Thomas, we see the raw pain they share and their fear of disappointing the other. It’s told in the style of small vignettes that bring Maria back to the joys of her marriage. While remembering their past, she comes to terms with her future.
Told from the perspective of both partners, Maria and Thomas, we see the raw pain they share and their fear of disappointing the other. It’s told in the style of small vignettes that bring Maria back to the joys of her marriage. While remembering their past, she comes to terms with her future.
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Story
Mission Statement
A women’s story is best told by women and Lavender's lead creatives are not only women but also non-binary individuals and people of color. We are excited to share this story of love, grief, and the choice of pursuing parenthood or not with all of you.About The Project
“Motherhood, to me, isn’t what I thought it would be, and that’s okay.”
Hey Everyone,
Welcome to the Lavender Seed & Spark campaign page. I’m Emily Kalash, the writer and executive producer of this project: Lavender.
When I decided to take on a topic as important as miscarriage, I wanted to remain truthful and honest. As a character-driven short, this piece is for all those living through that experience. It’s painful and difficult and a subject that is often overlooked by the media especially when ten to twenty percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriages.
While this is a delicate conversation, it’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t a sad story. This is a story of empowerment and a story of choice.
Thank you,
EmilyOur Characters:
PHOTO CREDITS :: @RatsandLilies.art
Maria
Maria is a planner, she is precise, stubborn, and resilient. We meet her after she and her partner, Thomas, have experienced several miscarriages. Throughout our time with her, we see her struggling to convince herself that she has value and strength even if she never becomes a mother. These losses will not be her downfall.
Thomas
A gentle and empathetic partner, Thomas maintains optimism and desire to still have children through any means available to them. However, he has trouble seeing and accepting Maria’s hesitancy to pursue parenthood. Their future isn’t as unanimous as it once was.
PHOTO CREDITS ::
MARIA :: "Sleep" by Alyssa Monk, "Like Crazy" Felicity Jones, "Blue Valentine" Michelle Williams
THOMAS ::Andy Warhol, "Like Crazy" Anton Yelnich, "Blue Valentine" Ryan Gosling, "Phantom Heart" Dan Stewart.
THE USE OF THESE IMAGES ARE SOLELY FOR TONE AND PITCHING PURPOSES
The World: Lavender Painted Walls
Photo Stills from Phantom Heart 2022 - Dir. by: Cassie Llanas Dir of Photography: Jeffery Gabriel Silva
Both Maria and Thomas are haunted by their empty second bedroom – haunted by the hopes they once had and quickly fading future they thought they both wanted.
Maria is constantly floating between memory and grief – it’s disorienting and scary to navigate…like driving through haze.
Photo credit: Starting from Top Left: Alyssa Monk, Moriyama, Beryl Chen, Alyssa Monk, Saul Leiter, Andy Warhol - the use of this image is soley for pitching purposes“A woman’s worth is not determined by whether or not she can conceive a child.”
What We Need
LOCATION & PRODUCTION DESIGN
Photo Stills from Phantom Heart (2022) - Dir. by Cassie Llanas, Dir. of Photography Jeffery Gabriel Silva
This is a project in which the location becomes a third character. The majority of our budget will go toward securing the perfect home for Maria and Thomas that is big enough to allow safe COVID-19 practices for the cast and crew.
COVID-19 PREVENTION
COVID-19 has impacted not only big budget film productions, but also small indie filmmakers like ourselves. As we adapt new practices to make set a safe and healthy place for everyone, we could use financial help to help us provide our cast and crew:
-masks -hand sanitizer
-individually packaged meals & snacks -cleaning supplies for shared surfaces
-face shields -etc
BTS from Best Interests Better Intentions (2022)
CREW
Lavender is a story that explores a couple learning how to proceed after exeperiencing miscarriages. We explore how their physical intimacy has changed and thankfully, one of the biggest changes the film industry has made is creating the position of Intimacy Coordinator to ensure that the talent is completely comfortable and feels safe on set in vulnerable moments. Part of our budget will be allocated toward hiring an intimacy coordinator.
Gif Credit: Guy Meets Girl (2020) Dir. by Cassie Llanas Dir of Photography Adrian Izquieta
Don't forget to check out the media section of our campaign to see the Lavender Sizzle Reel full of tonal and visual inspirations!
Want to Get Involved?
Check us out and join the Lavender community on Instagram!
We are @lavendershortfilm2022
Follow us and share our campaign with your friends, family, and that person sitting next to you right now! Because the best way to help our project get off the ground is by spreading the word.
Here's an example of what you can share:
Hey! Look at Lavender's campaign page. It's a short film about a couple learning how to proceed after several miscarriages. I thought you should check it out and support it if you can!
Thank you,
The Lavender Team
Incentives
$10
Love Snuggles
First off, thank you! We are so honored that you’re supporting our project and to
show our gratitude, we’ll show you some online love with a shoutout in our social
media!$25
Tummy Time
Nothing screams fun like building muscles!
In addition to the previous incentives, you’ll receive:
A personalized shoutout post in our social media in the form of a post-it note doodle because our love language cannot only be expressed in words!
$50
Starry Night Nightlight
You are seriously guiding our way through this project and making the dark road of
production ahead that much brighter and easier to navigate.
In addition to the previous incentives, you’ll receive:
A personally curated playlist from director, Cassie Llanas ‒ just make sure to mention
if you want something boppy or something a little more relaxing$75
Silky Smooth Sleeping Sack
You know just how to comfort us.
In addition to the previous incentives, you’ll receive:
A signed post card from the cast and crew AND early access to our final cut of the short$100
Warm Milk and a Rocking Chair
If we are remembering correctly, one of the best parts of feeding time in a rocking
chair is STORY TIME!!!
In addition to the previous incentives, you’ll receive:
A one-page of coverage from our very own Creator and Exec. Producer: Emily Kalash for your
10-page short film.$250
Lifetime Diaper Supply
Daaaaannng! You certainly know how to make our jaws drop!
In addition to all previous incentives, you’ll receive:
An invitation to our production meeting AND table read!**If you aren't local to Chicago - we are happy to have you join us via zoom**
$500
Mary Poppins Nanny Bag
You have EVERYTHING covered! We’re in envy of your preparedness and cool head!
In addition to all previous incentives, you’ll receive:
Our Director, Cassie Llanas, will provide a customized doodle portrait of you or someone of your choose **photograph of you or subject are required**
$1,000
A Full Night's Sleep
WOWEE WOWZER! Your parenting skills are no joke!
In addition to all previous incentives, you’ll receive:
An Executive Producer credit for this project AND Director Cassie Llanas will edit any short 2-5 minute project for you, be it your own promo video, a sizzle reel, professional reel, etc. -
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Love Snuggles
First off, thank you! We are so honored that you’re supporting our project and to
show our gratitude, we’ll show you some online love with a shoutout in our social
media!$25
Tummy Time
Nothing screams fun like building muscles!
In addition to the previous incentives, you’ll receive:
A personalized shoutout post in our social media in the form of a post-it note doodle because our love language cannot only be expressed in words!$50
Starry Night Nightlight
You are seriously guiding our way through this project and making the dark road of
production ahead that much brighter and easier to navigate.
In addition to the previous incentives, you’ll receive:
A personally curated playlist from director, Cassie Llanas ‒ just make sure to mention
if you want something boppy or something a little more relaxing$75
Silky Smooth Sleeping Sack
You know just how to comfort us.
In addition to the previous incentives, you’ll receive:
A signed post card from the cast and crew AND early access to our final cut of the short$100
Warm Milk and a Rocking Chair
If we are remembering correctly, one of the best parts of feeding time in a rocking
chair is STORY TIME!!!
In addition to the previous incentives, you’ll receive:
A one-page of coverage from our very own Creator and Exec. Producer: Emily Kalash for your
10-page short film.$250
Lifetime Diaper Supply
Daaaaannng! You certainly know how to make our jaws drop!
In addition to all previous incentives, you’ll receive:
An invitation to our production meeting AND table read!**If you aren't local to Chicago - we are happy to have you join us via zoom**
$500
Mary Poppins Nanny Bag
You have EVERYTHING covered! We’re in envy of your preparedness and cool head!
In addition to all previous incentives, you’ll receive:
Our Director, Cassie Llanas, will provide a customized doodle portrait of you or someone of your choose **photograph of you or subject are required**$1,000
A Full Night's Sleep
WOWEE WOWZER! Your parenting skills are no joke!
In addition to all previous incentives, you’ll receive:
An Executive Producer credit for this project AND Director Cassie Llanas will edit any short 2-5 minute project for you, be it your own promo video, a sizzle reel, professional reel, etc. - Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Emily Kalash: Writer/Executive Producer
Pronouns: She/Her
Emily is a screenwriter based in Chicago. Her writings range from poems to full-feature screenplays. All speaking to the individuality and creativity of womankind. She strongly relates to the honesty and emotions of the Midwest. It breathes into her writing.
She received her Bachelor's Degree from Columbia College Chicago in Cinema Arts + Sciences. She is currently working on her Master's Degree at DePaul University's Screenwriting MFA Program.
Cassie Llanas: Director
Pronouns: She/They
Cassie is a queer mixed-race Chicanx eager to bring stories to life on whatever screen with have them.
They enjoy creating cartoonish and vulnerable worlds for slice-of-life stories, ESPECIALLY stories that will make you laugh one minute before ripping your heart out, slamming it to the ground, and stomping on it the next.....before making you laugh again through your tears. To check out some of their past and current work, swing by their website: cassieeatsbrains
They're currently in the second year of their MFA Directing program at DePaul and can't wait to make everyone call them Master Llanas.
Gillian Hadding: Producer
Pronouns: she/her(s)
Gillian is an undergraduate student at DePaul University studying creative producing with a minor in finance. She has had the opportunity to work on many amazing sets and has produced several student works so far, including a tv mini-series. When not on set, you can find Gillian at the gym, catching up on some shows, or in her hammock by the lakefront.
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Media
Videos
Images
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Community
Supporters
Followers
