Love's Labour's Lost
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Romantic Comedy, Satire
This project is about finding ourselves in Shakespeare's original allegory about oppression. Our film sets this story now and validates women's choices- showing them as strong and capable leaders oppressed by an ingrained ideology. Your support helps make his insightful story accessible.
Love's Labour's Lost
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Romantic Comedy, Satire
1 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $25,650 for development. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
276 supporters | followers
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This project is about finding ourselves in Shakespeare's original allegory about oppression. Our film sets this story now and validates women's choices- showing them as strong and capable leaders oppressed by an ingrained ideology. Your support helps make his insightful story accessible.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Lives are always at stake when people abuse power...
Sometimes those in power see the light and try to correct their ways and embrace love and charity...
But it often comes too late and their labour in love is lost.
Love’s Labour’s Lost is about how laws can be written to only benefit those in power and exploit the underrepresented. We began the project by researching the events surrounding the play’s creation and then asked ourselves - "Do we see these kinds of practices or ideas still occurring today?"
That's why ours takes place now.
The Duke of Navarre and his allies swear an oath into law, that in order for them to study and train for future wars they must ban women from their court.
But they forget that the Princess of France and her advisors Maria, Katherine, and Rosaline are scheduled to visit them on a diplomatic mission to prevent such a war between their countries.
The men fall in love with the women at first sight and are now at risk of perjuring themselves. They somehow rewrite their oaths to allow for love, but by this time the Princess is already skeptical of the Duke's style of governing, especially after seeing its effects for herself.
I keep coming back to Shakespeare because he makes me feel like I belong.
The one thing that our team has in common is that none of us take for granted the feeling of belonging. Growing up as minorities we are all too aware of how culture, regulations and propaganda directly affects our lives. Shakespeare has given us a chance to express our desire to belong; given us a tongue to speak truth to power.
In an effort to provide underrepresented audiences with Shakespeare productions that embrace the stories and challenges we face today, we started the Shakepseare Workshop Film Company and Love’s Labour’s Lost is our first project.
Photo Credit: Lauren Guiteras
Shakespeare is the original protest artist.
His timelessness is based on his skill at calling out prejudice and recognizing everyone's worth. His power of persuasion, logic, and empathy still resembles our thougts and his effort to mirror humanity is a gift that reminds us we all should feel belonging.
With this perspective in mind, the aim is to collaborate with as much inclusivity as possible to shed light on this 400 year old protest play and its impact on modern life.
Our team of filmmakers, artists, actors and Shakespearean scholars provide films and content aimed at further immersing students and modern audiences into Shakespeare in a way that speaks to all of us.
DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER/PRODUCER Nick grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in a large and loving family. His parents were both immigrants at a young age from the Middle East, and he is of mixed Arab and European ethnicity. He attended UCLA's Theatre program and has been featured in television and theatre throughout LA. He's written Shakespeare curriculums for the Broad Stage in Santa Monica and is a former Board member at Theatre West, the longest running theatre in LA, where he has moderated a Shakepeare Workshop for the past 5 years.
PRODUCER Matthew Moy’s television credits include 2 Broke Girls, Marvel’s “New Warriors,” and the award winning animated series “Steven Universe.”
Moy is a proud supporter of the arts and keeping art education in schools. His focus is to create progressive, innovative art projects that leave a guiding handprint for the future.
PRODUCER Kristen Uno is a Los Angeles based film producer and writer. Most recently she line produced the feature film Nous les Coyotes/Anywhere with You, which premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. After a 9-week theatrical run in France, the film was digitally released by The Orchard in Canada and the United States. Kristen has also produced award-winning short films and music videos in addition to branded and commercial content.
CINEMATOGRAPHER Lauren is a Cuban-American cinematographer and photographer based in Los Angeles. In 2017 she earned her MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory. Since then, she has shot narrative features, shorts, documentaries, and music videos throughout the US and internationally. In 2019, she completed principal photography in France on the independent feature "Ma Belle, My Beauty," directed by Marion Hill. The film has earned support from the 2020 IFP Lab program and Sundance Launch Grant Fund.
EDITOR Keara is an LA based freelance editor and assistant editor with an MFA in Editing from The American Film Institute. Originally from Seattle, Keara previously worked as an Illustrator and designer after earning her BFA in Motion and Graphic Design from Cornish College of the Arts. Her first feature film, Survival Skills, will be released spring 2019.
We always meant for our film to provide accessibility to Shakespeare...
...but the pandemic has made it more crucial than ever before to give students a safe way to continue learning. Your support not only makes this film available to them, but you are also making it possible for us to provide a curriculum to for teachers who have expressed a high demand for content like ours.
You are also helping us develop our first feature film and continue to provide access to Shakespeare in unconventional ways during the pandemic.
Some of those creative ways of providing Shakespeare have already begun. Our film has already been used for instruction at the University at Buffalo. We are collaborating with SoulPancake to offer Shakespeare themed content on Tiktok. And finally, we are creating a quiz game for the Center for Art and Performance at UCLA...all while developing Shakespeare cinema for a new generation.
We look forward to teaming up with you to keep giving Shakespeare back to the people!
Thank you and stay safe,
Nick McDow Musleh & the Shakespeare Workshop
Sponsored by:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Educational Content
Costs $5,000
This is the curriculum that will accompany the film to help immerse students and audiences
Line Producing
Costs $13,000
Essential to bridging the development process to the first day of production.
LLC Costs
Costs $890
Because of the level of production, an LLC must be formed to produce a feature length film.
Marketing and Social media
Costs $2,000
Maintaining website, social media, and crowdfunding.
Festival Strategy and Submissions
Costs $2,500
Submitting to festivals requires fees as well as bringing on a professional strategist.
Share this update!
About This Team
Nick Musleh — Writer/Director/Producer
Nick attended UCLA’s Theatre program and has been on television and theatre throughout LA. For several years, he’s been an educator and a Shakespearean. He teaches theatre to all ages. He’s a lover of all music, hip-hop being the very first – it has always been his mom’s favorite music. He thinks movies need more women and people of color as the subjects.
Lauren Guiteras — Cinematographer
Lauren is a Los Angeles based cinematographer and a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory. She has mentored under Michael Price, ASC, and shot feature and short narratives, music videos, and branded content throughout the country. Her work has included projects for The Neighbourhood, Lord Huron, Rose McGowan, The Corner Shop, DreamWorks TV, Goop, and One Vote at a Time. Fast-paced work, The X-Files, and good stories make her feel at home.
Matthew Moy — Executive Producer
Matthew Moy’s television credits include 2 Broke Girls, Marvel’s New Warriors, and the award-winning animated series Steven Universe.
Moy is a proud supporter of the arts and keeping art education in schools. His focus is to create progressive, innovative art projects that leave a guiding handprint for the future.
Keara Burton — Editor
Keara is an LA-based freelance editor and assistant editor with an MFA in Editing from The American Film Institute. Originally from Seattle, Keara previously worked as an Illustrator and designer after earning her BFA in Motion and Graphic Design from Cornish College of the Arts. Her first feature film, Survival Skills, will be released spring 2019.
Lydia Hunter — Producer
Lydia began her entertainment career studying acting at UC Irvine. Recently she formed her production company, Ginger & Tonic Productions, produced two short films and a web-series pilot. When not completely immersed in insurance and paperwork, Lydia can be found acting in a variety of commercials, some with her dog, Traeger.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Lives are always at stake when people abuse power...
Sometimes those in power see the light and try to correct their ways and embrace love and charity...
But it often comes too late and their labour in love is lost.
Love’s Labour’s Lost is about how laws can be written to only benefit those in power and exploit the underrepresented. We began the project by researching the events surrounding the play’s creation and then asked ourselves - "Do we see these kinds of practices or ideas still occurring today?"
That's why ours takes place now.
The Duke of Navarre and his allies swear an oath into law, that in order for them to study and train for future wars they must ban women from their court.
But they forget that the Princess of France and her advisors Maria, Katherine, and Rosaline are scheduled to visit them on a diplomatic mission to prevent such a war between their countries.
The men fall in love with the women at first sight and are now at risk of perjuring themselves. They somehow rewrite their oaths to allow for love, but by this time the Princess is already skeptical of the Duke's style of governing, especially after seeing its effects for herself.
I keep coming back to Shakespeare because he makes me feel like I belong.
The one thing that our team has in common is that none of us take for granted the feeling of belonging. Growing up as minorities we are all too aware of how culture, regulations and propaganda directly affects our lives. Shakespeare has given us a chance to express our desire to belong; given us a tongue to speak truth to power.
In an effort to provide underrepresented audiences with Shakespeare productions that embrace the stories and challenges we face today, we started the Shakepseare Workshop Film Company and Love’s Labour’s Lost is our first project.
Photo Credit: Lauren Guiteras
Shakespeare is the original protest artist.
His timelessness is based on his skill at calling out prejudice and recognizing everyone's worth. His power of persuasion, logic, and empathy still resembles our thougts and his effort to mirror humanity is a gift that reminds us we all should feel belonging.
With this perspective in mind, the aim is to collaborate with as much inclusivity as possible to shed light on this 400 year old protest play and its impact on modern life.
Our team of filmmakers, artists, actors and Shakespearean scholars provide films and content aimed at further immersing students and modern audiences into Shakespeare in a way that speaks to all of us.
DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER/PRODUCER Nick grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in a large and loving family. His parents were both immigrants at a young age from the Middle East, and he is of mixed Arab and European ethnicity. He attended UCLA's Theatre program and has been featured in television and theatre throughout LA. He's written Shakespeare curriculums for the Broad Stage in Santa Monica and is a former Board member at Theatre West, the longest running theatre in LA, where he has moderated a Shakepeare Workshop for the past 5 years.
PRODUCER Matthew Moy’s television credits include 2 Broke Girls, Marvel’s “New Warriors,” and the award winning animated series “Steven Universe.”
Moy is a proud supporter of the arts and keeping art education in schools. His focus is to create progressive, innovative art projects that leave a guiding handprint for the future.
PRODUCER Kristen Uno is a Los Angeles based film producer and writer. Most recently she line produced the feature film Nous les Coyotes/Anywhere with You, which premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. After a 9-week theatrical run in France, the film was digitally released by The Orchard in Canada and the United States. Kristen has also produced award-winning short films and music videos in addition to branded and commercial content.
CINEMATOGRAPHER Lauren is a Cuban-American cinematographer and photographer based in Los Angeles. In 2017 she earned her MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory. Since then, she has shot narrative features, shorts, documentaries, and music videos throughout the US and internationally. In 2019, she completed principal photography in France on the independent feature "Ma Belle, My Beauty," directed by Marion Hill. The film has earned support from the 2020 IFP Lab program and Sundance Launch Grant Fund.
EDITOR Keara is an LA based freelance editor and assistant editor with an MFA in Editing from The American Film Institute. Originally from Seattle, Keara previously worked as an Illustrator and designer after earning her BFA in Motion and Graphic Design from Cornish College of the Arts. Her first feature film, Survival Skills, will be released spring 2019.
We always meant for our film to provide accessibility to Shakespeare...
...but the pandemic has made it more crucial than ever before to give students a safe way to continue learning. Your support not only makes this film available to them, but you are also making it possible for us to provide a curriculum to for teachers who have expressed a high demand for content like ours.
You are also helping us develop our first feature film and continue to provide access to Shakespeare in unconventional ways during the pandemic.
Some of those creative ways of providing Shakespeare have already begun. Our film has already been used for instruction at the University at Buffalo. We are collaborating with SoulPancake to offer Shakespeare themed content on Tiktok. And finally, we are creating a quiz game for the Center for Art and Performance at UCLA...all while developing Shakespeare cinema for a new generation.
We look forward to teaming up with you to keep giving Shakespeare back to the people!
Thank you and stay safe,
Nick McDow Musleh & the Shakespeare Workshop
Sponsored by:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Educational Content
Costs $5,000
This is the curriculum that will accompany the film to help immerse students and audiences
Line Producing
Costs $13,000
Essential to bridging the development process to the first day of production.
LLC Costs
Costs $890
Because of the level of production, an LLC must be formed to produce a feature length film.
Marketing and Social media
Costs $2,000
Maintaining website, social media, and crowdfunding.
Festival Strategy and Submissions
Costs $2,500
Submitting to festivals requires fees as well as bringing on a professional strategist.
Share this update!
About This Team
Nick Musleh — Writer/Director/Producer
Nick attended UCLA’s Theatre program and has been on television and theatre throughout LA. For several years, he’s been an educator and a Shakespearean. He teaches theatre to all ages. He’s a lover of all music, hip-hop being the very first – it has always been his mom’s favorite music. He thinks movies need more women and people of color as the subjects.
Lauren Guiteras — Cinematographer
Lauren is a Los Angeles based cinematographer and a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory. She has mentored under Michael Price, ASC, and shot feature and short narratives, music videos, and branded content throughout the country. Her work has included projects for The Neighbourhood, Lord Huron, Rose McGowan, The Corner Shop, DreamWorks TV, Goop, and One Vote at a Time. Fast-paced work, The X-Files, and good stories make her feel at home.
Matthew Moy — Executive Producer
Matthew Moy’s television credits include 2 Broke Girls, Marvel’s New Warriors, and the award-winning animated series Steven Universe.
Moy is a proud supporter of the arts and keeping art education in schools. His focus is to create progressive, innovative art projects that leave a guiding handprint for the future.
Keara Burton — Editor
Keara is an LA-based freelance editor and assistant editor with an MFA in Editing from The American Film Institute. Originally from Seattle, Keara previously worked as an Illustrator and designer after earning her BFA in Motion and Graphic Design from Cornish College of the Arts. Her first feature film, Survival Skills, will be released spring 2019.
Lydia Hunter — Producer
Lydia began her entertainment career studying acting at UC Irvine. Recently she formed her production company, Ginger & Tonic Productions, produced two short films and a web-series pilot. When not completely immersed in insurance and paperwork, Lydia can be found acting in a variety of commercials, some with her dog, Traeger.