Paper Birds is a dramatic short film that takes us to a crucial moment in the history of American entertainment: the intersection of circus and television in the 1950s. The story is told through the lens of a female protagonist and mostly female cast led by female Writer & Director, Lauren Finerman.
Paper Birds is a dramatic short film that takes us to a crucial moment in the history of American entertainment: the intersection of circus and television in the 1950s. The story is told through the lens of a female protagonist and mostly female cast led by female Writer & Director, Lauren Finerman.
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Story
Mission Statement
By supporting women filmmakers, and movies with strong female leads, you support fresh and compelling perspectives often ignored by film studios. Both our cast and crew hail from all corners of the world and represent a new picture of cinema in America where inclusiveness is respected and honored.About The Project
Paper Birds focuses on a unique moment in time and the intersection of two very different worlds: the fading era of the traditional American circus and the rise of television.
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The year is 1951, and the Champy Family Circus faces imminent foreclosure unless its famous trapeze artist, Charles Champy, and his brother, Bernard Champy, can save it. When Charles loses his trapeze partner to an unfortunate injury, it looks as if they will have to cancel a very crucial New York City show. When Bernard seeks the advice of longtime friend, Danny Duval, a talent agent at William Morris, a solution arises that will have polarizing results: enlist a TV starlets to draw attention to the Champy Circus.
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Virginia Day is a beautiful TV starlet in her 20s who has big aspirations but has just been written off her TV show. Danny sees the circus as the perfect opportunity to get Virginia’s face back in the spotlight and her name back in the papers. The only catch is she’ll have to join the circus while they’re here in New York. The heart of the story takes place between Charles and Virginia, as they learn to co-exist from opposite schools of thought. Charles is reluctant to accept change or sacrifice the integrity of traditional circus artistry. He’s been selling the same tired show for over a decade. Virginia thinks the Champy’s should embrace the new age of television and considers her artistry just as valid and important as his.
Meanwhile, An impending merger threatens the future partnership of the circus as Bernard must make quick decisions on how to keep the show financially afloat. A nervous, introverted man, Bernard is easily manipulated by those trying to make a dollar off his hardships. He negotiates risky business terms that hang the legacy of the family circus, and his relationship with his brother, in the balance. Trying to work in secret, Bernard makes great effort to cover his tracks and come up with the money to pay back their debt.
Our portrayal of this world focuses less on the spectacle of the circus, but of the real and gritty struggles that take place behind the curtains. We are close and intimate with our characters as we follow them on their journey to stay relevant.
Incentives
$15
The Gazelle
Be circus all the time with your Paper Birds Circus pin fastened to you jacket or bag, a paper birds sticker & your very own clown nose.Items included:- Paper Birds Official Sticker
- Clown Nose
- Paper Birds Pin
$20
The Planche
Enjoy a downloadable piece of the films art and also obtain a Thank You on our films website: www.paperbirdsfilms.com$25
The Backend Split
Enjoy a digital download of the film (after its festival run). AND let the world know that you contributed to our film with a unique shout out and thank you from our Twitter! We will also list your name on our thank you wall on our films website: www.paperbirdsfilms.comItems included:- A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of the film
- Shout out on Twitter
- Thank you on our website
$30
The Backend Whip
Enjoy an personalized handwritten letter from our lead starlet Virginia Day and a thank you on our website.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Love letter from Virginia
$40
The Straddle Whip
Personalized signed headshot from the hollywood starlet, Virginia Day. You'll also receive a thank you on our website.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Signed Hollywood Headshot
$50
The Front Somersault
See your name on screen in our Thank You credits! Also receive our digital download of the film (after its festival run) a thank you credit on our website AND a personalized shout out on Twitter!Items included:- A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of the film
- Shout out on Twitter
- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
$75
The Layout
Official Paper Birds T-Shirt. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- T-Shirt
- Thank you credit in the Film
$100
The Layout Half Twist
An exclusive invitation to our private screening in Oakland. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Private screening
$150
The Layout Full Twist
Enjoy official photography taken from the filming of Paper Birds. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Photos from the Shoot
$200
The Layout Double Twist
Climb inside the minds of our filmmakers with these signed storyboards of the film. Also enjoy a thank you on our website and in the credits of the film.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Signed Storyboards
$250
The Half Twisting Double
A Paper Birds vintage movie poster to adorn your hollywood themed halls. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Movie Poster
$500
The Full Twisting Double
Your choice of filmmaking workshop with the filmmakers at French Press Films OR a Screenwriting workshop with writer Lauren Finerman. You can join either workshop live in person here in Oakland or tune in online! You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Filmmaking or Writing Workshop
$750
The Double Layout
Mingle with the talented filmmakers and actors of Paper Birds at our exclusive wrap party. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Invitation to Wrap Party
$1,000
The Double Arabian Layout
Join the Director and Producers of Paper Birds at lunch- ask all of your filmmaking questions or even give us your pitch! You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Lunch with the Filmmakrs
$1,500
The Triple Layout
Join us at our exclusive premiere party following the first showing of the film in the Bay Area. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Invitation to Premiere Party
$2,500
The Double Twisting Triple
Take to the skies yourself with this chance to try flying trapeze! You will also be invited to a private screening of the film, our exclusive premiere party and receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Private screening
- Flying Trapeze Class
$3,000
The Triple Twisting Triple
See the action first hand with this exclusive visit to our film set. Watch how we approach shooting a story that takes place 30 feet in the air. You will also be invited to our private film screening and exclusive premiere party. Additionally, you will receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Private screening
- Invitation to Premiere Party
- Visit to Film Set
$5,000
The Triple Arabian Somersault
Join our team and be part of the magic as we take this film from screenplay to the skies. Come join us as an Executive Producer in the Paper Birds film. You will automatically be included in all screenings, parties and premieres.Items included:- Executive Producer Credit
$10,000
The Quadruple Backflip
For the fashionistas, historians and hollywood enthusiasts like us, you can take home Virginia's original, hand made, vintage style, trapeze costume. Also you will be part of the team as an Executive Producer in the Paper Birds film. You will automatically be included in all screenings, parties and premieres.Items included:- Private screening
- Invitation to Premiere Party
- Original Vintage Costume
- Executive Producer Credit
Claimed: 0 of 5
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
The Gazelle
Be circus all the time with your Paper Birds Circus pin fastened to you jacket or bag, a paper birds sticker & your very own clown nose.Items included:- Paper Birds Official Sticker
- Clown Nose
- Paper Birds Pin
$20
The Planche
Enjoy a downloadable piece of the films art and also obtain a Thank You on our films website: www.paperbirdsfilms.com$25
The Backend Split
Enjoy a digital download of the film (after its festival run). AND let the world know that you contributed to our film with a unique shout out and thank you from our Twitter! We will also list your name on our thank you wall on our films website: www.paperbirdsfilms.comItems included:- A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of the film
- Shout out on Twitter
- Thank you on our website
$30
The Backend Whip
Enjoy an personalized handwritten letter from our lead starlet Virginia Day and a thank you on our website.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Love letter from Virginia
$40
The Straddle Whip
Personalized signed headshot from the hollywood starlet, Virginia Day. You'll also receive a thank you on our website.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Signed Hollywood Headshot
$50
The Front Somersault
See your name on screen in our Thank You credits! Also receive our digital download of the film (after its festival run) a thank you credit on our website AND a personalized shout out on Twitter!Items included:- A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of the film
- Shout out on Twitter
- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
$75
The Layout
Official Paper Birds T-Shirt. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- T-Shirt
- Thank you credit in the Film
$100
The Layout Half Twist
An exclusive invitation to our private screening in Oakland. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Private screening
$150
The Layout Full Twist
Enjoy official photography taken from the filming of Paper Birds. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Photos from the Shoot
$200
The Layout Double Twist
Climb inside the minds of our filmmakers with these signed storyboards of the film. Also enjoy a thank you on our website and in the credits of the film.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Signed Storyboards
$250
The Half Twisting Double
A Paper Birds vintage movie poster to adorn your hollywood themed halls. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Movie Poster
$500
The Full Twisting Double
Your choice of filmmaking workshop with the filmmakers at French Press Films OR a Screenwriting workshop with writer Lauren Finerman. You can join either workshop live in person here in Oakland or tune in online! You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Filmmaking or Writing Workshop
$750
The Double Layout
Mingle with the talented filmmakers and actors of Paper Birds at our exclusive wrap party. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Invitation to Wrap Party
$1,000
The Double Arabian Layout
Join the Director and Producers of Paper Birds at lunch- ask all of your filmmaking questions or even give us your pitch! You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Lunch with the Filmmakrs
$1,500
The Triple Layout
Join us at our exclusive premiere party following the first showing of the film in the Bay Area. You'll also receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Invitation to Premiere Party
$2,500
The Double Twisting Triple
Take to the skies yourself with this chance to try flying trapeze! You will also be invited to a private screening of the film, our exclusive premiere party and receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Private screening
- Flying Trapeze Class
$3,000
The Triple Twisting Triple
See the action first hand with this exclusive visit to our film set. Watch how we approach shooting a story that takes place 30 feet in the air. You will also be invited to our private film screening and exclusive premiere party. Additionally, you will receive a thank you on our website and on screen in the film credits.Items included:- Thank you on our website
- Thank you credit in the Film
- Private screening
- Invitation to Premiere Party
- Visit to Film Set
$5,000
The Triple Arabian Somersault
Join our team and be part of the magic as we take this film from screenplay to the skies. Come join us as an Executive Producer in the Paper Birds film. You will automatically be included in all screenings, parties and premieres.Items included:- Executive Producer Credit
$10,000
The Quadruple Backflip
For the fashionistas, historians and hollywood enthusiasts like us, you can take home Virginia's original, hand made, vintage style, trapeze costume. Also you will be part of the team as an Executive Producer in the Paper Birds film. You will automatically be included in all screenings, parties and premieres.Items included:- Private screening
- Invitation to Premiere Party
- Original Vintage Costume
- Executive Producer Credit
Claimed: 0 of 5
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
We are excited to announce our cast!
LA actress Anna Maiche will be starring as TV starlett Virgina Day, an out-on-her-luck TV actress trying to make a come back in the spotlight. We will follow Virginia as she enters the strange world of the circus and learns that winning over her trapeze partner proves even more difficult than learning the flying trapeze 30 feet in the air. Anna is currently training in flying trapeze lessons for the role.
Her co-star, Ryan Winkles, will play the hardened trapeze star, Charles Champy who refuses to accept an outsider into his families circus. He sees Virginia as a symbol for the the very thing putting his circus out of business: the TV industry. Ryan is a flying trapeze performer, teacher and actor from Boston.
Sarah Al-Kassab plays circus veteran Betty St. James who keeps a watchful and judgmental eye on outsider Virginia Day.
Teddy Spencer plays Bernard Champy, Charles' meek younger brother and circus manager whose trying to keep the circus alive, even at risky costs.
Andrew Spach is the shady William Morris talent agent whose manipulating both Virginia and the Champy Brothers.
Olta Desiderio plays Ivana, the Russian trained trapeze artist whose performed with Charles Champy for years. Her devastating injury spurs the Champy Family Circus to bring in TV starlet Virginia Day.
Lizzie O'Hara plays Shirley, the young circus performer whose made it her job to make sure Virginia has a difficult time succeeding at the circus.
About the Filmmakers:
Writer & Director Lauren Finerman has joined forces with the Oakland based production company French Press Films to make Paper Birds come to life. Lauren and French Press Films have spent the past two years creating content together, upon her arrival in San Francisco, CA. Lauren got her start in film New York City while moonlighting as a professional circus performer at night.
The short film has attracted some very exciting production partners in both the film and circus community in the Bay Area including: Little Giant Lighting & Grip, Trapeze Arts Oakland and the Vau de Vire Society.
Lauren's Directorial Debut, Lift You Up, premiered at the San Francisco Dance Film Festival. Other credits include Producer on baseball documentary, Pussywillow Dirtbags (Santa Cruz Film Festival), Production Supervisor on AMERICANA (Seattle International Film Festival) and Associate Producer on feature length documentary, BALLET 422 which Premiered at Tribeca Film Festival (Documentary Competition) and was acquired by Magnolia Pictures.
Co-Founders Roman Honeycutt, Andrew Juncker & Chris Walters started French Press Films 8 years ago as a means to tell compelling stories for brands and artists. Also reining from French Press, Shirley Wen has signed on to edit the film. Rounding off our dream team is Ben Lunden who will be leading cinematography.
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