Past and Present
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Action
During the pandemic, many people are losing their loved ones and hope. Through this story, I want to inspire people to not give up even when their backs are is up against the wall. Perseverance, sacrifice, and hope will help you overcome your life obstacles and eventually give you a better future.
Past and Present
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Action
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,155 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
22 supporters | followers
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During the pandemic, many people are losing their loved ones and hope. Through this story, I want to inspire people to not give up even when their backs are is up against the wall. Perseverance, sacrifice, and hope will help you overcome your life obstacles and eventually give you a better future.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"Past and Present" is a fantasy action film about perseverance, sacrifice, and hope. How far are you willing to sacrifice for the things you love for a better outcome?
A young man goes in search of a cure for his wife’s mystery illness. On his journey, a fortune teller tells him his wife was cursed but the journey to save her is risky. He has to advance his martial arts to stop an "ancient thief" from wrong-doing. Nevertheless, he proves that through sheer determination, belief, and perseverance, love can conquer all. With so many failures and the ability to get up and go it again, can he learn the skills required to defeat his enemies and find the cure for his wife before it's too late?
*Reference picture from the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"*
As an immigrant coming from Burma to the United States, I witnessed the sacrifices my parents had to make in order for their three kids to have a better future. They taught me the values of perseverance, sacrifice, and hope. I want to able to connect the life I have experienced as a kid and tell a story in my own way through my journey as a martial artist to inspire others to not give up on your hopes and dreams even when you are hopeless.
As an artist, my goal is to be able to express myself through movement and through the story. Since falling in love with martial arts a year ago, I learned more than ever that if you love something you keep fighting. I found the bridge between my love for martial arts and my personal experience to tell a story that can inspire people. The people involved in this project are very talented and we can’t wait to show the world what we are capable of! Now it’s the time do make this project happen because we’re in an unprecedented time and the world needs to be inspired. With this story, we hope to do just that!
This story is set in both modern Los Angeles and ancient Asia. With the help of a psychic, the protagonist, Johnny, gets to time travel back to stop a stealing in an ancient temple that causes the curse for his wife's sickness. We've found the location and will shoot the whole film in Los Angeles.
*Reference picture from the movie "Samsara"*
The tone of Past and Present would be mystery due to the neon light of the modern psychic store and the red lantern of the ancient temple.
*Reference picture from the photographer "Bo Wen Huang"*
The action scene in this film is one of the spotlights and is rare in the indie short film. Our two lead actors Larry and Hana have been training Wushu for over two years.
*Reference picture from the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"*
We plan on taking precautions and protocols making sure everybody is safe while filming. We plan on having everybody get COVID tests ahead of production day and making sure we follow the white paper guidelines proposed by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to the best of our abilities to provide a safe environment for our cast and crew. This includes but not limited to wear masks, disinfect equipment every day and regularly, and keep a limited crew.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cinematography
Costs $1,550
Black Magic Pocket 6k
Craft service and food
Costs $700
As you know food and crafty are important to feed the crew who will be working long hours and days.
Editor/Color grading/Sound Mixing
Costs $900
We will need to hire professional editors to help us finalize the film to its best quality.
Production design
Costs $1,000
We will need to hire a production designer to give the set its aesthetic feel and authenticity.
Rest of the crew members
Costs $1,000
This $ will be distributed between rest of the crew members such as AD, stunt coordinator, PA, etc.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Actor/Producer Larry Leong
Larry Myo Leong is a dancer, model, athlete, and aspiring actor. Originally born in Burma, he has now been living in LA for more than 19 years, making him fluent in both Burmese and English. In high school, he started taking Breakdancing class in a local dance studio, and fell in love with the art form. Larry then studied ballet and modern at Cal State Long Beach, while being involved in the tricking and breakdancing club. After college, he pursued a career in print modeling and commercial acting, where he has become a prominent face in the industry. He has appeared in various prints and commercials for major brands such as Pepsi, Apple, Mercedes Benz, Kenzo, etc. He booked his first Co-star role in 2017 for a major network for a TV show called “Olive Forever.” Larry wishes to continue to inspire the world with his unique talents.
Director/Writer Bruce Chiu
Bruce Chiu is an aspiring writer, director originally from Taiwan. Since 2011, he had founded a production company in Taipei and made professional commercials and short films. Starting from 2016 Fall, Bruce began his journey at USC School of Cinematic Arts, pursuing his second master’s degree in film production with the emphasis on directing. His film, Flat Echo, one of the USC fund student projects, got into many film festivals and was nominated for the best graduate student film in the Living Skies Film Festival. Another short film he directed, Sunset Sunrise, got selected in the Canadian Screen Award qualified- The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and won the jury award at the USC Asian Pacific Film Festival.
Coproducer Dylan Chow
Dylan was born and raised in Myanmar (Burma). He moved to the US after high school and continue to pursue his passion for acting. Joined the Screen Actors Guild in 2006, Dylan has worked in feature films, music videos, commercials, and print work. He graduated from film school in 2017 with a focus on directing and producing. He is interested in creating, writing, producing, and directing stories that are provoking and based on true events. His short films were screened at various film festivals in Los Angeles and had won numerous awards.
Director of Photography Nathan Votran
Nathan Votran is a director of photography based in Los Angeles. As a Vietnamese American, Nathan’s inspiration behind the camera comes from a mix of mainstream Hollywood and foreign independent styles. Specializing in music videos and scripted narrative films, Nathan has worked on various independent projects since 2014. The Evil Down the Street, an indie feature film he shot, is streaming at Amazon Prime. As a new generation filmmaker, he stands to separate himself through the understanding and leveraging of new technologies to bring the cinematic look to his works.
Editor Kelsy Lua
Originally from the Philippines, Kelsy Lua earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boston University. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion for film and is a recent graduate from USC's School of Cinematic Arts in the MFA Film and Television Production program with a focus on Editing. Kelsy edited numerous short films that were selected to film festivals and won awards. The short film, "On the Clock" was screened at the Creative Mind Group showcase at Cannes Film Festival 2019 and won the Best Narrative Short Award at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival. "Breach of Trust", another short documentary edited, received USC's First Look Industry Award for Best Documentary, shortlisted for BAFTA's Student Awards 2020, and selected at the AFI Fest 2020.
Production Designer Adele Biraghi
Adele Biraghi is a passionate production designer who is a recent MFA graduate from USC School of Cinematic Arts. She previously graduated from Film Practice at the University of Arts, London. Now based in Los Angeles and Milano, she speaks Italian, English, and conversational Spanish. After working in a variety of roles in the art department ranging from to art director, set dresser, sketch artist, researcher, painter, art department assistant, she is now an experienced production designer and has been working on short films, feature films, music videos, commercials as well as non-film projects such as art exhibitions. She feels drawn to projects that have high entertainment value but also challenge the audience to reflect on social issues.
Sound Aobo Huang
Originally from China, Aobo got his MFA in Savannah College of Art and Design and BFA in Beijing Film Academy, majoring in film sound. He has been doing freelance sound work as a sound engineer, sound editor, and re-recording mixer for motion pictures since December 2015 and is experienced with both production and post-production sound.
Sound Yiwen Ma
Yiwen got her BFA in Beijing Film Academy, and she continued pursuing sound design major in Savannah College and Art to get a MFA degree. She has been doing sound work as a sound designer, sound editor, and Foley artist since 2016 and has experience in various themes for motion pictures.
Wardrobe Daisy Bourez
Daisy is a French fashion stylist based in Los Angeles. In 2016, she designed a collection called the Africain print inspired by her africain roots and parisienne style. The living experience in Paris and London gave her the creative inspiration but ultimately choose to stay in Los Angeles for the artistic and cinematic atmosphere. From there, she had the opportunity to assist designers in downtown LA and style in Hollywood for a showroom. She is currently pursuing her career in the movie industry as a wardrobe artist where she can share her creativity and learn from other inspirational people to accomplish successful projects.
Actress Hana Wu
Hana Wu is an Asian American actor who was born in Taiwan and grew up in San Jose, CA. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Sociology and went on to obtain a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and her license in Marriage and Family Therapy before leaving academia behind in pursuit of acting and a black belt in Chinese Kungfu. Early on, she landed leading roles in indie shorts and web series that have gone on to screen at film festivals. She won the award for 'Best Supporting Actress' at Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival in 2019 for her work in "The Kids Table" series and has received a 'Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film' nomination for biographical historical drama "Five Cent Life."
Actress Ran Wei
Ran Wei is an American actress and fashion model. She was born in China and moved to California as a teenager. She started a modeling career after being discovered while working in a clothing store. Her career quickly took off with international campaigns and as the spokesmodel for countless brands. She gained attention in The World Journal, and was shown as the Chinese actress bridging China and America on CCTV, China's predominant state television broadcaster.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"Past and Present" is a fantasy action film about perseverance, sacrifice, and hope. How far are you willing to sacrifice for the things you love for a better outcome?
A young man goes in search of a cure for his wife’s mystery illness. On his journey, a fortune teller tells him his wife was cursed but the journey to save her is risky. He has to advance his martial arts to stop an "ancient thief" from wrong-doing. Nevertheless, he proves that through sheer determination, belief, and perseverance, love can conquer all. With so many failures and the ability to get up and go it again, can he learn the skills required to defeat his enemies and find the cure for his wife before it's too late?
*Reference picture from the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"*
As an immigrant coming from Burma to the United States, I witnessed the sacrifices my parents had to make in order for their three kids to have a better future. They taught me the values of perseverance, sacrifice, and hope. I want to able to connect the life I have experienced as a kid and tell a story in my own way through my journey as a martial artist to inspire others to not give up on your hopes and dreams even when you are hopeless.
As an artist, my goal is to be able to express myself through movement and through the story. Since falling in love with martial arts a year ago, I learned more than ever that if you love something you keep fighting. I found the bridge between my love for martial arts and my personal experience to tell a story that can inspire people. The people involved in this project are very talented and we can’t wait to show the world what we are capable of! Now it’s the time do make this project happen because we’re in an unprecedented time and the world needs to be inspired. With this story, we hope to do just that!
This story is set in both modern Los Angeles and ancient Asia. With the help of a psychic, the protagonist, Johnny, gets to time travel back to stop a stealing in an ancient temple that causes the curse for his wife's sickness. We've found the location and will shoot the whole film in Los Angeles.
*Reference picture from the movie "Samsara"*
The tone of Past and Present would be mystery due to the neon light of the modern psychic store and the red lantern of the ancient temple.
*Reference picture from the photographer "Bo Wen Huang"*
The action scene in this film is one of the spotlights and is rare in the indie short film. Our two lead actors Larry and Hana have been training Wushu for over two years.
*Reference picture from the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"*
We plan on taking precautions and protocols making sure everybody is safe while filming. We plan on having everybody get COVID tests ahead of production day and making sure we follow the white paper guidelines proposed by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to the best of our abilities to provide a safe environment for our cast and crew. This includes but not limited to wear masks, disinfect equipment every day and regularly, and keep a limited crew.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cinematography
Costs $1,550
Black Magic Pocket 6k
Craft service and food
Costs $700
As you know food and crafty are important to feed the crew who will be working long hours and days.
Editor/Color grading/Sound Mixing
Costs $900
We will need to hire professional editors to help us finalize the film to its best quality.
Production design
Costs $1,000
We will need to hire a production designer to give the set its aesthetic feel and authenticity.
Rest of the crew members
Costs $1,000
This $ will be distributed between rest of the crew members such as AD, stunt coordinator, PA, etc.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Actor/Producer Larry Leong
Larry Myo Leong is a dancer, model, athlete, and aspiring actor. Originally born in Burma, he has now been living in LA for more than 19 years, making him fluent in both Burmese and English. In high school, he started taking Breakdancing class in a local dance studio, and fell in love with the art form. Larry then studied ballet and modern at Cal State Long Beach, while being involved in the tricking and breakdancing club. After college, he pursued a career in print modeling and commercial acting, where he has become a prominent face in the industry. He has appeared in various prints and commercials for major brands such as Pepsi, Apple, Mercedes Benz, Kenzo, etc. He booked his first Co-star role in 2017 for a major network for a TV show called “Olive Forever.” Larry wishes to continue to inspire the world with his unique talents.
Director/Writer Bruce Chiu
Bruce Chiu is an aspiring writer, director originally from Taiwan. Since 2011, he had founded a production company in Taipei and made professional commercials and short films. Starting from 2016 Fall, Bruce began his journey at USC School of Cinematic Arts, pursuing his second master’s degree in film production with the emphasis on directing. His film, Flat Echo, one of the USC fund student projects, got into many film festivals and was nominated for the best graduate student film in the Living Skies Film Festival. Another short film he directed, Sunset Sunrise, got selected in the Canadian Screen Award qualified- The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and won the jury award at the USC Asian Pacific Film Festival.
Coproducer Dylan Chow
Dylan was born and raised in Myanmar (Burma). He moved to the US after high school and continue to pursue his passion for acting. Joined the Screen Actors Guild in 2006, Dylan has worked in feature films, music videos, commercials, and print work. He graduated from film school in 2017 with a focus on directing and producing. He is interested in creating, writing, producing, and directing stories that are provoking and based on true events. His short films were screened at various film festivals in Los Angeles and had won numerous awards.
Director of Photography Nathan Votran
Nathan Votran is a director of photography based in Los Angeles. As a Vietnamese American, Nathan’s inspiration behind the camera comes from a mix of mainstream Hollywood and foreign independent styles. Specializing in music videos and scripted narrative films, Nathan has worked on various independent projects since 2014. The Evil Down the Street, an indie feature film he shot, is streaming at Amazon Prime. As a new generation filmmaker, he stands to separate himself through the understanding and leveraging of new technologies to bring the cinematic look to his works.
Editor Kelsy Lua
Originally from the Philippines, Kelsy Lua earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boston University. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion for film and is a recent graduate from USC's School of Cinematic Arts in the MFA Film and Television Production program with a focus on Editing. Kelsy edited numerous short films that were selected to film festivals and won awards. The short film, "On the Clock" was screened at the Creative Mind Group showcase at Cannes Film Festival 2019 and won the Best Narrative Short Award at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival. "Breach of Trust", another short documentary edited, received USC's First Look Industry Award for Best Documentary, shortlisted for BAFTA's Student Awards 2020, and selected at the AFI Fest 2020.
Production Designer Adele Biraghi
Adele Biraghi is a passionate production designer who is a recent MFA graduate from USC School of Cinematic Arts. She previously graduated from Film Practice at the University of Arts, London. Now based in Los Angeles and Milano, she speaks Italian, English, and conversational Spanish. After working in a variety of roles in the art department ranging from to art director, set dresser, sketch artist, researcher, painter, art department assistant, she is now an experienced production designer and has been working on short films, feature films, music videos, commercials as well as non-film projects such as art exhibitions. She feels drawn to projects that have high entertainment value but also challenge the audience to reflect on social issues.
Sound Aobo Huang
Originally from China, Aobo got his MFA in Savannah College of Art and Design and BFA in Beijing Film Academy, majoring in film sound. He has been doing freelance sound work as a sound engineer, sound editor, and re-recording mixer for motion pictures since December 2015 and is experienced with both production and post-production sound.
Sound Yiwen Ma
Yiwen got her BFA in Beijing Film Academy, and she continued pursuing sound design major in Savannah College and Art to get a MFA degree. She has been doing sound work as a sound designer, sound editor, and Foley artist since 2016 and has experience in various themes for motion pictures.
Wardrobe Daisy Bourez
Daisy is a French fashion stylist based in Los Angeles. In 2016, she designed a collection called the Africain print inspired by her africain roots and parisienne style. The living experience in Paris and London gave her the creative inspiration but ultimately choose to stay in Los Angeles for the artistic and cinematic atmosphere. From there, she had the opportunity to assist designers in downtown LA and style in Hollywood for a showroom. She is currently pursuing her career in the movie industry as a wardrobe artist where she can share her creativity and learn from other inspirational people to accomplish successful projects.
Actress Hana Wu
Hana Wu is an Asian American actor who was born in Taiwan and grew up in San Jose, CA. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Sociology and went on to obtain a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and her license in Marriage and Family Therapy before leaving academia behind in pursuit of acting and a black belt in Chinese Kungfu. Early on, she landed leading roles in indie shorts and web series that have gone on to screen at film festivals. She won the award for 'Best Supporting Actress' at Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival in 2019 for her work in "The Kids Table" series and has received a 'Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film' nomination for biographical historical drama "Five Cent Life."
Actress Ran Wei
Ran Wei is an American actress and fashion model. She was born in China and moved to California as a teenager. She started a modeling career after being discovered while working in a clothing store. Her career quickly took off with international campaigns and as the spokesmodel for countless brands. She gained attention in The World Journal, and was shown as the Chinese actress bridging China and America on CCTV, China's predominant state television broadcaster.