Learning to Make Fire
Portland, Oregon | Film Short
Thriller, Drama
Mallory has been wading in the depths of grief while their partner, Cybil, has been holding down the fort for the two of them. After expressing gratitude to Cybil over dinner one evening, Mallory embarks on a midnight journey into the darkness of their loss.
Learning to Make Fire
Portland, Oregon | Film Short
Thriller, Drama
1 Campaigns | Oregon, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,396 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
76 supporters | followers
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Mallory has been wading in the depths of grief while their partner, Cybil, has been holding down the fort for the two of them. After expressing gratitude to Cybil over dinner one evening, Mallory embarks on a midnight journey into the darkness of their loss.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Hello friends!
My name is Candace Fields and I am the writer and Director of Photography for
"Learning to Make Fire"
Dreams and nightmares are often a space in which my own unprocessed emotions rise to the surface. This film seeks to visually represent the experience of navigating real emotions during our dreams.
(Suspiria, 1977)
Some of my motivation for this script stemmed from dissatisfaction with not having seen enough representation of non-binary and/or queer femme characters in movies and TV. Learning to Make Fire is sort of like the culmination of having watched many femme lead horror and thriller films that lack in true-to-form queer representation and deciding to stop waiting for them to come along.
(La Llorona, 2021)
This story reflects my most recent experience of immense grief. I lost my godparents, Denise and Lou Branchaud, in 2021 and 2022 after they each succumbed to illness and old age. I was lucky to have them in my life for as long as I did. They were integral to my life until the very end. Even though we were not related by blood, they were family to me, family I'd gotten to choose, after I had spent many years in and out of their care.
Losing them really shook me to my core. The loss of these two very important people helped me to realize that as a queer person, chosen family is one of the most important emotional support systems I have, especially while moving through the harsh realities of life in a largely hetero-normative society. The people that we surround ourselves with become integral to our survival amidst a climate of hate aimed directly at the queer community.
(Source: Pinterest)
I have been working in the film industry for over 10 years and I feel that I’ve assembled a solid team of filmmakers that will knock our audience’s socks off with their creative prowess. We are all folks that identify across the gender spectrum and occupy the current margins of the film industry. Each of us work on a wide array of film projects, from indie short films to large-scale union shows. Learning to Make Fire film is short in form, but we are planning to create a film that is meaningful to share with the locals here in Portland and beyond. We hope that it will serve to bolster our skills and later will help us in making bigger films in the future.
I feel that it is important to tell this particular story now through the medium of film because I find that it's crucial to show fellow queer folks that life can persist beyond enduring the deep pains of having loved someone deeply and lost them; that moving through our grief, expressing ourselves through our art, and relying on our community to aid us in times of need, we can be transformed in a positive way.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Mallory & Cybil's house
Costs $50
A film's location is what makes or breaks the world building of the story. We need to lock in a space for 3 whole days.
Camera Equipment Rentals
Costs $500
We need to rent a camera, lenses, monitors, etc. in order to shoot this film. We will be renting from a local source, Koerner Camera.
Grip & Lighting Rentals
Costs $500
We also need to rent lights, grip gear and a dolly for this film. This line will cover the cost of keeping our lights on!
Meals & Crafty
Costs $400
Arguably the most important line in the budget! We have to feed our hardworking crew. Food and water are life!
Art Department Budget
Costs $500
Mallory and Cybil need their home (our film set) to be full of life. This line in our budget will help us decorate the space!
Crew Labor & Kit Fees
Costs $4,000
We cannot make this film without the support of our local Portland film crew. Their time and energy need to be fairly compensated.
Cast Labor
Costs $500
Our two cast members need to be compensated for their time and their talent on set.
Post Production Costs/Fees
Costs $50
We will need color grading, sound mixing/design and funds to submit to film festivals.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Emma Josephson
(she/her/hers)
Director
Emma Josephson is a queer screenwriter and director who is dedicated to sharing thoughtful, visually driven stories with splashes of surrealism. Emma enjoys finding unique and inspiring ways to transform her experiences and stories into films that people can connect with.
She is a multi-hyphenate creative who has gained experience working on independent productions and commercials, and music videos. She now works as a freelance video editor in collaboration with some of the world’s largest companies and on Emmy Award-winning series while developing her own independent passion projects. Her films have been official selections at festivals including the Atlanta Film Festival, Beyond Fest, and have been featured on Short of the Week. Her screenwriting has been nominated for a Student Emmy and Emma’s films have received support through Film Pipeline, OMPA, Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), and Koerner Camera.
Candace Fields
(they/them/theirs)
Writer/Cinematographer
Candace Fields is a non-binary, queer filmmaker that has been working as a camera assistant and camera operator in the Pacific Northwest for 10 years. They graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor's degree in Film Studies and upon graduation has primarily worked on feature-length independent cinema and television shows. Some of their film credits include "Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable", "Invisible Monsters: Serial Killers in America", and "Sometimes I Think About Dying", which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. They have also been the cinematographer on a wide variety of their documentary short film "Babes In Pinland", and several music videos for local Seattle musicians like Nox Novacula and No Baby.
Fran Bittakis
(she/her/hers)
Lead Producer
Fran is a pioneering Thai-American film producer proudly rooted in Portland, Oregon. In 2019 she established JOOP JOOP, a radical creative agency specializing in film production. In just a short time, Fran has co-produced feature films like "New Life", which premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal in 2023 and has produced seven short films, including the award-winning "Visions" by local Portland director, Karina Ripper.
She is a fierce advocate for diversity, co-founded the CINE/SEEN film festival, leads DEI initiatives with the Oregon Media Production Association (OMPA), and in process of joining IATSE Local 488. Fran's philosophy centers on equity, inclusion, and social justice which is exemplified through mentorship programs like the Oregon Pathways PA program.
Cheniqua Coleman
(she/her/hers)
Production Coordinator
Cheniqua Coleman is an inspiring documentary filmmaker, accomplished photographer, and advocate for Black maternal health. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, she approaches filmmaking with an unwavering passion and "all-hands on deck" mentality, eager to master every aspect of the craft with a particular focus on production, photography, and editing. When she's not with her children, Cheniqua can be found pursuing her education in video production at Portland Community College, capturing the essence of new motherhood through her lens or actively volunteering in her local community. Her dedication to storytelling, social impact, and artistic expression positions her as an emerging force in the industry, poised to captivate global audiences.
Vaughn Kimmons
(she/her/hers)
Production Designer
Vaughn is a multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Chicago, IL but is currently residing in Portland, OR. Through digital collage, production design, music composition, wardrobe design and movement performance, she celebrates Blackness as the cosmic source of sacred inspiration and gives a voice to the connective power of shared human nuance.
Sammy Rat Rios
(she/hers | they/them)
"Mallory" / Lead Actor
Sammy Rat Rios received their B.F.A. in Theatre Studies (Directing and Playwriting) from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with additional training from British American Drama Academy's undergraduate conservatory Acting Program in London, UK. Rios is an interdisciplinary performing and visual artist. They acts, write, direct, compose, and design for theatre, film, and podcasts.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Hello friends!
My name is Candace Fields and I am the writer and Director of Photography for
"Learning to Make Fire"
Dreams and nightmares are often a space in which my own unprocessed emotions rise to the surface. This film seeks to visually represent the experience of navigating real emotions during our dreams.
(Suspiria, 1977)
Some of my motivation for this script stemmed from dissatisfaction with not having seen enough representation of non-binary and/or queer femme characters in movies and TV. Learning to Make Fire is sort of like the culmination of having watched many femme lead horror and thriller films that lack in true-to-form queer representation and deciding to stop waiting for them to come along.
(La Llorona, 2021)
This story reflects my most recent experience of immense grief. I lost my godparents, Denise and Lou Branchaud, in 2021 and 2022 after they each succumbed to illness and old age. I was lucky to have them in my life for as long as I did. They were integral to my life until the very end. Even though we were not related by blood, they were family to me, family I'd gotten to choose, after I had spent many years in and out of their care.
Losing them really shook me to my core. The loss of these two very important people helped me to realize that as a queer person, chosen family is one of the most important emotional support systems I have, especially while moving through the harsh realities of life in a largely hetero-normative society. The people that we surround ourselves with become integral to our survival amidst a climate of hate aimed directly at the queer community.
(Source: Pinterest)
I have been working in the film industry for over 10 years and I feel that I’ve assembled a solid team of filmmakers that will knock our audience’s socks off with their creative prowess. We are all folks that identify across the gender spectrum and occupy the current margins of the film industry. Each of us work on a wide array of film projects, from indie short films to large-scale union shows. Learning to Make Fire film is short in form, but we are planning to create a film that is meaningful to share with the locals here in Portland and beyond. We hope that it will serve to bolster our skills and later will help us in making bigger films in the future.
I feel that it is important to tell this particular story now through the medium of film because I find that it's crucial to show fellow queer folks that life can persist beyond enduring the deep pains of having loved someone deeply and lost them; that moving through our grief, expressing ourselves through our art, and relying on our community to aid us in times of need, we can be transformed in a positive way.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Mallory & Cybil's house
Costs $50
A film's location is what makes or breaks the world building of the story. We need to lock in a space for 3 whole days.
Camera Equipment Rentals
Costs $500
We need to rent a camera, lenses, monitors, etc. in order to shoot this film. We will be renting from a local source, Koerner Camera.
Grip & Lighting Rentals
Costs $500
We also need to rent lights, grip gear and a dolly for this film. This line will cover the cost of keeping our lights on!
Meals & Crafty
Costs $400
Arguably the most important line in the budget! We have to feed our hardworking crew. Food and water are life!
Art Department Budget
Costs $500
Mallory and Cybil need their home (our film set) to be full of life. This line in our budget will help us decorate the space!
Crew Labor & Kit Fees
Costs $4,000
We cannot make this film without the support of our local Portland film crew. Their time and energy need to be fairly compensated.
Cast Labor
Costs $500
Our two cast members need to be compensated for their time and their talent on set.
Post Production Costs/Fees
Costs $50
We will need color grading, sound mixing/design and funds to submit to film festivals.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Emma Josephson
(she/her/hers)
Director
Emma Josephson is a queer screenwriter and director who is dedicated to sharing thoughtful, visually driven stories with splashes of surrealism. Emma enjoys finding unique and inspiring ways to transform her experiences and stories into films that people can connect with.
She is a multi-hyphenate creative who has gained experience working on independent productions and commercials, and music videos. She now works as a freelance video editor in collaboration with some of the world’s largest companies and on Emmy Award-winning series while developing her own independent passion projects. Her films have been official selections at festivals including the Atlanta Film Festival, Beyond Fest, and have been featured on Short of the Week. Her screenwriting has been nominated for a Student Emmy and Emma’s films have received support through Film Pipeline, OMPA, Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), and Koerner Camera.
Candace Fields
(they/them/theirs)
Writer/Cinematographer
Candace Fields is a non-binary, queer filmmaker that has been working as a camera assistant and camera operator in the Pacific Northwest for 10 years. They graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor's degree in Film Studies and upon graduation has primarily worked on feature-length independent cinema and television shows. Some of their film credits include "Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable", "Invisible Monsters: Serial Killers in America", and "Sometimes I Think About Dying", which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. They have also been the cinematographer on a wide variety of their documentary short film "Babes In Pinland", and several music videos for local Seattle musicians like Nox Novacula and No Baby.
Fran Bittakis
(she/her/hers)
Lead Producer
Fran is a pioneering Thai-American film producer proudly rooted in Portland, Oregon. In 2019 she established JOOP JOOP, a radical creative agency specializing in film production. In just a short time, Fran has co-produced feature films like "New Life", which premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal in 2023 and has produced seven short films, including the award-winning "Visions" by local Portland director, Karina Ripper.
She is a fierce advocate for diversity, co-founded the CINE/SEEN film festival, leads DEI initiatives with the Oregon Media Production Association (OMPA), and in process of joining IATSE Local 488. Fran's philosophy centers on equity, inclusion, and social justice which is exemplified through mentorship programs like the Oregon Pathways PA program.
Cheniqua Coleman
(she/her/hers)
Production Coordinator
Cheniqua Coleman is an inspiring documentary filmmaker, accomplished photographer, and advocate for Black maternal health. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, she approaches filmmaking with an unwavering passion and "all-hands on deck" mentality, eager to master every aspect of the craft with a particular focus on production, photography, and editing. When she's not with her children, Cheniqua can be found pursuing her education in video production at Portland Community College, capturing the essence of new motherhood through her lens or actively volunteering in her local community. Her dedication to storytelling, social impact, and artistic expression positions her as an emerging force in the industry, poised to captivate global audiences.
Vaughn Kimmons
(she/her/hers)
Production Designer
Vaughn is a multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Chicago, IL but is currently residing in Portland, OR. Through digital collage, production design, music composition, wardrobe design and movement performance, she celebrates Blackness as the cosmic source of sacred inspiration and gives a voice to the connective power of shared human nuance.
Sammy Rat Rios
(she/hers | they/them)
"Mallory" / Lead Actor
Sammy Rat Rios received their B.F.A. in Theatre Studies (Directing and Playwriting) from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with additional training from British American Drama Academy's undergraduate conservatory Acting Program in London, UK. Rios is an interdisciplinary performing and visual artist. They acts, write, direct, compose, and design for theatre, film, and podcasts.