Lazy People
Glendale, California | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
The stories of loss and persistent survival are just under the surface in the community of an all-Armenian apartment complex. When the adults are at work, seven-year old Khatchig’s disastrous attempts to impress his neighborhood crush will have far-reaching repercussions.
Lazy People
Glendale, California | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,750 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
54 supporters | followers
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The stories of loss and persistent survival are just under the surface in the community of an all-Armenian apartment complex. When the adults are at work, seven-year old Khatchig’s disastrous attempts to impress his neighborhood crush will have far-reaching repercussions.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Behind the Film
Last year, the UN issued a global ceasefire appeal in concession to the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of this, in Fall 2020, Azerbaijan launched an offensive and reignited an almost century-old conflict with Armenia. The bloodshed and destruction that would follow devastated Armenian communities worldwide, as thousands of young people were drafted and an ancestral land was ripped away.
Over the course of the conflict, old wounds were torn open. This contested strip of land, the mostly ethnic Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, known in Armenian as the Republic of Artsakh, was once again the center of violence and pain. But what hurt even more was the response from the world.
The world ignored them.
The international media underreported the war. Utterly unprepared in the middle of a global pandemic, the Armenian people's pain and voices were disregarded as the war was lost and tens of thousands of people were displaced. Today, centuries-old historic monuments are being co-opted and ancient Armenian cities are renamed, while the state-sanctioned “War Trophy Park” in Baku exhibits the helmets of fallen Armenian soldiers. Six months later, there are POW’s still in Azerbaijan’s custody and Armenians are facing the same reality: either no one knows, or no one cares.
Learn more:
Human Rights Watch: "Azerbaijan: Armenian POWs Abused in Custody"
ArmRadio: "Stop the sham trial of Armenian POWs – MEP Loucas Fourlas"
Eurasianet: "Perspectives | Azerbaijan’s authoritarianism and Baku’s 'Military Trophies Park'"
...
Unseen and unheard, the frustration of the diaspora Armenians had to be funneled somewhere else. Jacqueline Postajian wrote a script.
...
LAZY PEOPLE tells the story of a young boy, Khatchig, who through his childish naivety pays no attention to the deep-rooted pain and loss felt by the grownups around him. His inconsideration is innocent, but no less damaging for that. Emphasizing the stories of immigrant women, this short film is a reflection on the harm that ignorance can cause, but with hope for change and empathy. After bumbling through his interactions with the other residents in his all-Armenian apartment complex, Khatchig will have a chance to grow.
Our intention is to bring compassion and empathy to unseen stories.
Creative Vision
Combining documentary-like filming and an omnipresent narrator with moments of introspective and dreamlike camera work, LAZY PEOPLE gives us both a child's impression as well as deeper insight into the characters that people this all-Armenian apartment complex. We intend to incorporate residents of the actual building that inspired the film as an homage to the vast Armenian community in Los Angeles which is often underrepresented in film and TV.
The perspective of our protagonist Khatchig informs the cinematic view point. His attentiveness is the focus of our camera, just as his inattentiveness will also be reflected in our stylization. Khatchig is a little kid, so he sometimes misses things, or is too caught up in his own dilemmas (like how to impress his crush) to pay attention to the struggles of the older residents. He is our stand in for the outside world, caught up in its own distractions, oblivious to the pain of a small group.
Mother and Son - The foil for Khatchig is his mother Ophelia, a former Yerevan journalist, now unable to find work in her field. Where he is ignorant, she is wise and her voice will inform and bring empathy.
...
Lazy People
The title of our film reflects the prejudice that comes from not understanding people and their stories. "Only lazy people live in apartment buildings."
...
...
Thank You!
Your support makes this film possible. We are lucky enough to be working with an amazing crew of primaly industry volunteers who believe in us and this film. Every dollar given will go towards supplying these technicians with the tools to ply their trade.
We aim for this film to be a catalyst that opens a conversation about the 2020 Azerbiajan-Armenian conflict as well as to spread awareness through a heartfelt and intimate narrative. Once the film is finished we plan to partner with Armenian culture groups as a means to recognize and support their community campaigns. Additionally Lazy People will have a private premier for a cast, crew, and industry partners after completion. Our goal is to share Khatchig's story with as many people as possible and encourage Armenian representation in Film & Television. As a supporter of this project, we will extend film festival screening notices to you and make sure you have a chance to see the final product!
If you aren't able to give financially at this time, we encourage you to share the project or learn more about the 2020 Artsakh War and the affected civilian communities. There are great additional reading materials out there we would love to send your way. Get involved! Spread the word.
Stretch Goals: Any money in excess of our budgetted goals will be redirected to pay our volunteers that have given their time and talents to the film.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Catering
Costs $1,800
It's not easy feeding such a great cast & crew! Good catering is imperative for set morale.
Lights & Equipment
Costs $2,500
Cinema is painting with light. We need to properly equip our gaffer with the best tools.
Camera Package
Costs $2,000
Lenses, filters, dollies and cranes--specific tools will get us exactly the look we need.
Art & Set Decoration
Costs $1,000
Production Design is the art of creating a visual, physical world for the actors to work in.
Insurance
Costs $800
Safety is essential! Insurance is a must for gear & property rentals.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jacqueline Postajian (Writer/Director) : A lifelong cinephile and UCLA graduate, Jacqueline has spent the last two years working in the literary department at APA Talent Agency and is a staff writer for Hollywood Insider. A Glendale native, she wrote "Lazy People" in response to the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War as well as a love letter to the community she loves.
Kathryn Ferentchak (Director) : Raised in Colorado against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, dynamic scenery is an integral part of Kat's filmmaking. She began working on independent cinema at 16 and from there dove full tilt into the Entertainment Industry. Along with gaining credits on TV shows like Showtime's THE LWORD: GENERATION Q and Netflix's AMERICAN VANDAL, over the past few years she has directed multiple award winning and festival screened films under the Bliss Films banner. LAZY PEOPLE will be Kat's 6th short film.
Audrey Cilento (Producer) :Audrey Cilento is a Film & TV producer who currently lives in Los Angeles. During her day job, she is the Director of Development at Nuyorican Productions. She has worked on a variety studio films such as STX’s HUSTLERS, Universal Studio’s MARRY ME, and Lionsgate’s SHOTGUN WEDDING which filmed in the Dominican Republic. Up next, she will associate produce THE MOTHER for Netflix. She has worked with talent such as Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Kenan Thompson, Owen Wilson, Maluma, Billy Porter, Josh Duhamel, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Coolidge, Sara Parker, Reed Morano, Niki Caro, Jason Moore, Lorene Scafaria, and more. At night, Audrey stays creative by doing independent producing, painting, and playing piano. She earned her degrees at Syracuse University in Television, Radio & Film and English Textual Studios.
***
Mko Malkhasyan (Cinematographer) : Mko (Miko) is an Armenian-born cinematographer who currently lives in LA. Miko received BA in Film and Television at Armenian State Pedagogical University, Yerevan in 2001 (studio of Albert Yavuryan, Sergei Parajanov’s Cinematographer). Miko has been a freelance director of photography since 2003; worked on shorts, features, period, war movies, documentaries, 3D, VR projects and dance movies in different countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Russia and USA.
Completed ASC master classes 2017, 2018. Participant of the ASC mentorship program 2019.
Member of the Armenian Union of Cinematographers since 2007.
***
Angella Gasparian (Production Designer) : A Los Angeles based designer with experience in hospitality, fashion, film, theatre, event design, window display design, prop fabrication and furniture design.
***
Denley Ryan (Editor) : A long time collaborator of Bliss Films, Denley Ryan is an editor/director/sound designer from Buffalo, New York. Known for extraordinary sound design Denley’s films are heavy with atmosphere and the unexpected.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Behind the Film
Last year, the UN issued a global ceasefire appeal in concession to the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of this, in Fall 2020, Azerbaijan launched an offensive and reignited an almost century-old conflict with Armenia. The bloodshed and destruction that would follow devastated Armenian communities worldwide, as thousands of young people were drafted and an ancestral land was ripped away.
Over the course of the conflict, old wounds were torn open. This contested strip of land, the mostly ethnic Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, known in Armenian as the Republic of Artsakh, was once again the center of violence and pain. But what hurt even more was the response from the world.
The world ignored them.
The international media underreported the war. Utterly unprepared in the middle of a global pandemic, the Armenian people's pain and voices were disregarded as the war was lost and tens of thousands of people were displaced. Today, centuries-old historic monuments are being co-opted and ancient Armenian cities are renamed, while the state-sanctioned “War Trophy Park” in Baku exhibits the helmets of fallen Armenian soldiers. Six months later, there are POW’s still in Azerbaijan’s custody and Armenians are facing the same reality: either no one knows, or no one cares.
Learn more:
Human Rights Watch: "Azerbaijan: Armenian POWs Abused in Custody"
ArmRadio: "Stop the sham trial of Armenian POWs – MEP Loucas Fourlas"
Eurasianet: "Perspectives | Azerbaijan’s authoritarianism and Baku’s 'Military Trophies Park'"
...
Unseen and unheard, the frustration of the diaspora Armenians had to be funneled somewhere else. Jacqueline Postajian wrote a script.
...
LAZY PEOPLE tells the story of a young boy, Khatchig, who through his childish naivety pays no attention to the deep-rooted pain and loss felt by the grownups around him. His inconsideration is innocent, but no less damaging for that. Emphasizing the stories of immigrant women, this short film is a reflection on the harm that ignorance can cause, but with hope for change and empathy. After bumbling through his interactions with the other residents in his all-Armenian apartment complex, Khatchig will have a chance to grow.
Our intention is to bring compassion and empathy to unseen stories.
Creative Vision
Combining documentary-like filming and an omnipresent narrator with moments of introspective and dreamlike camera work, LAZY PEOPLE gives us both a child's impression as well as deeper insight into the characters that people this all-Armenian apartment complex. We intend to incorporate residents of the actual building that inspired the film as an homage to the vast Armenian community in Los Angeles which is often underrepresented in film and TV.
The perspective of our protagonist Khatchig informs the cinematic view point. His attentiveness is the focus of our camera, just as his inattentiveness will also be reflected in our stylization. Khatchig is a little kid, so he sometimes misses things, or is too caught up in his own dilemmas (like how to impress his crush) to pay attention to the struggles of the older residents. He is our stand in for the outside world, caught up in its own distractions, oblivious to the pain of a small group.
Mother and Son - The foil for Khatchig is his mother Ophelia, a former Yerevan journalist, now unable to find work in her field. Where he is ignorant, she is wise and her voice will inform and bring empathy.
...
Lazy People
The title of our film reflects the prejudice that comes from not understanding people and their stories. "Only lazy people live in apartment buildings."
...
...
Thank You!
Your support makes this film possible. We are lucky enough to be working with an amazing crew of primaly industry volunteers who believe in us and this film. Every dollar given will go towards supplying these technicians with the tools to ply their trade.
We aim for this film to be a catalyst that opens a conversation about the 2020 Azerbiajan-Armenian conflict as well as to spread awareness through a heartfelt and intimate narrative. Once the film is finished we plan to partner with Armenian culture groups as a means to recognize and support their community campaigns. Additionally Lazy People will have a private premier for a cast, crew, and industry partners after completion. Our goal is to share Khatchig's story with as many people as possible and encourage Armenian representation in Film & Television. As a supporter of this project, we will extend film festival screening notices to you and make sure you have a chance to see the final product!
If you aren't able to give financially at this time, we encourage you to share the project or learn more about the 2020 Artsakh War and the affected civilian communities. There are great additional reading materials out there we would love to send your way. Get involved! Spread the word.
Stretch Goals: Any money in excess of our budgetted goals will be redirected to pay our volunteers that have given their time and talents to the film.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Catering
Costs $1,800
It's not easy feeding such a great cast & crew! Good catering is imperative for set morale.
Lights & Equipment
Costs $2,500
Cinema is painting with light. We need to properly equip our gaffer with the best tools.
Camera Package
Costs $2,000
Lenses, filters, dollies and cranes--specific tools will get us exactly the look we need.
Art & Set Decoration
Costs $1,000
Production Design is the art of creating a visual, physical world for the actors to work in.
Insurance
Costs $800
Safety is essential! Insurance is a must for gear & property rentals.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jacqueline Postajian (Writer/Director) : A lifelong cinephile and UCLA graduate, Jacqueline has spent the last two years working in the literary department at APA Talent Agency and is a staff writer for Hollywood Insider. A Glendale native, she wrote "Lazy People" in response to the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War as well as a love letter to the community she loves.
Kathryn Ferentchak (Director) : Raised in Colorado against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, dynamic scenery is an integral part of Kat's filmmaking. She began working on independent cinema at 16 and from there dove full tilt into the Entertainment Industry. Along with gaining credits on TV shows like Showtime's THE LWORD: GENERATION Q and Netflix's AMERICAN VANDAL, over the past few years she has directed multiple award winning and festival screened films under the Bliss Films banner. LAZY PEOPLE will be Kat's 6th short film.
Audrey Cilento (Producer) :Audrey Cilento is a Film & TV producer who currently lives in Los Angeles. During her day job, she is the Director of Development at Nuyorican Productions. She has worked on a variety studio films such as STX’s HUSTLERS, Universal Studio’s MARRY ME, and Lionsgate’s SHOTGUN WEDDING which filmed in the Dominican Republic. Up next, she will associate produce THE MOTHER for Netflix. She has worked with talent such as Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Kenan Thompson, Owen Wilson, Maluma, Billy Porter, Josh Duhamel, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Coolidge, Sara Parker, Reed Morano, Niki Caro, Jason Moore, Lorene Scafaria, and more. At night, Audrey stays creative by doing independent producing, painting, and playing piano. She earned her degrees at Syracuse University in Television, Radio & Film and English Textual Studios.
***
Mko Malkhasyan (Cinematographer) : Mko (Miko) is an Armenian-born cinematographer who currently lives in LA. Miko received BA in Film and Television at Armenian State Pedagogical University, Yerevan in 2001 (studio of Albert Yavuryan, Sergei Parajanov’s Cinematographer). Miko has been a freelance director of photography since 2003; worked on shorts, features, period, war movies, documentaries, 3D, VR projects and dance movies in different countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Russia and USA.
Completed ASC master classes 2017, 2018. Participant of the ASC mentorship program 2019.
Member of the Armenian Union of Cinematographers since 2007.
***
Angella Gasparian (Production Designer) : A Los Angeles based designer with experience in hospitality, fashion, film, theatre, event design, window display design, prop fabrication and furniture design.
***
Denley Ryan (Editor) : A long time collaborator of Bliss Films, Denley Ryan is an editor/director/sound designer from Buffalo, New York. Known for extraordinary sound design Denley’s films are heavy with atmosphere and the unexpected.