Paulina
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
Paulina is a heartfelt dramedy set in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains during WWII. Highlighting the overlooked lives of Appalachian people, this film revives a forgotten slice of history. By supporting Paulina, you’re helping to honor these stories and amplify their voices.
Paulina
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
5 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,700 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
25 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Paulina is a heartfelt dramedy set in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains during WWII. Highlighting the overlooked lives of Appalachian people, this film revives a forgotten slice of history. By supporting Paulina, you’re helping to honor these stories and amplify their voices.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Set in the quiet hills of Toccoa, Georgia, during the war-torn spring of 1943, Paulina follows the story of Nick Taylor, a sharp-dressed polio survivor who works at the local general store. He is not-so-secretly in love with Paulina, a spirited country girl with her sights set on a dashing soldier passing through town. One sweltering afternoon, Paulina steps into the store to buy trim for a dress she’s crafting to catch her soldier’s eye. As Nick helps her pick out the appliques and lace, he tries to warn her through tense banter and half-hearted jabs about the fleeting nature of love. But Paulina, caught up in the whirlwind of romance, brushes off his concerns.
That evening, Nick visits Paulina’s home at her request, only to find her dressed in the very outfit he helped piece together, proudly flashing an engagement ring from her soldier. Fighting back tears, Nick offers his congratulations and trudges off into the night, alone. Paulina is a tender, folksy portrait of small-town love and the bittersweet echoes of what might have been.
The visual style of Paulina combines the charm of 1940s screwball comedies with the evocative melancholy of Southern Gothic films.
Drawing inspiration from the haunting, muted tones of Vilhelm Hammershøi’s paintings, Paulina will immerse viewers in a world of period-accurate details and stunning Blue Ridge landscapes. The film's visual storytelling captures the irony and tension of its characters’ lives, weaving humor and heartbreak into a visual language.
The story of Paulina resonates now more than ever. Set in the Spring of 1943, the film explores themes of unspoken love, personal sacrifice, and societal constraints—issues that continue to shape our world today. By reimagining Anton Chekhov’s Polinka in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Paulina highlights the humanity of Appalachia, a region often overlooked or misrepresented in media. This is especially timely in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which exposed how Appalachia remains marginalized in the national conversation.
Our adaptation brings Chekhov’s universal themes into a historical and cultural setting that reflects the complexities of both past and present Appalachia. Paulina invites audiences to reflect on how the struggles of love, loss, and societal constraints echo through time, challenging them to consider whether the present is just as stifling as the past—and if that’s a reality we want to uphold.
As literary scholar Bob Blaisdell notes in Chekhov Becomes Chekhov: The Emergence of a Literary Genius: “There are no happy love stories in Chekhov’s fiction, but there are plenty of comic ones, and of them [Polinka] is one of his most touching.” With its richly atmospheric setting and emotionally compelling characters, Paulina connects timeless themes to urgent contemporary conversations.
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded.
We must reach this goal in 30 days
or we won't receive a single penny!
We have crafted the budget for Paulina to efficiently and authentically produce a period piece short film while honoring the constraints of independent filmmaking. Centered around a three-day shoot in North Georgia, our $8,700 budget focuses on key elements like Production Design, Location Fees, Equipment Rentals, Catering, and Insurance to bring our story to life in a professional and polished way.
We aim to raise $8,700 to bring Paulina to life. These funds will cover:
- Authentic 1940s costumes and props to create a fully immersive period setting.
- Essential camera and lighting equipment to capture the film’s lush visual style.
- Support for our talented team of local artists and filmmakers who are dedicated to crafting this heartfelt story.
My name is Alex Richard Thomas, and I am a Southern filmmaker. With Paulina, I want to explore the quiet, often overlooked lives of Appalachia; how people here live, how they treat one another, and how small-town dramas persist even in the face of immense change.
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the upheaval of World War II, Paulina captures the pain of those left behind. This is not a story of grand battles or sweeping victories; it’s about the fleeting moments of heartbreak that linger after everything else fades. The parallels to our own time are startling. As we navigate natural disasters, pandemics, and a world on edge, the resilience of these characters feels both timeless and urgent. Most stories set in the 1940s focus on the grandiosity of World War II. Paulina examines the everyday struggles of folks left behind in small, forgotten towns. Society’s constraints still trap us in silence, in misunderstandings, in the inability to connect. But within that heartbreak lies hope. Paulina and Nick endure, just as we all must endure- that's why I want to tell this story.
With your support, we’ll:
- Secure our locations.
- Begin pre-production work to design the world of 1943 Appalachia.
- Shoot the film in North Georgia over three days.
- Edit and polish the final product for submission to major film festivals.
Your contributions will directly help us take Paulina from script to screen!
Even if you can’t contribute financially, you can still help make Paulina a success! Share this campaign with friends, family, and anyone who loves history, classic literature, indie film, or stories with heart. Together, we can ensure this story gets told.
Join us in supporting PAULINA, an upcoming Appalachian Dramedy. Follow @PaulinaShortFilm and use the link below to find out how you can contribute! www.seedandspark.com/fund/paulina
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $1,400
This portion of the budget will go towards securing time period locations for our film and our insurance.
Camera
Costs $2,400
This portion of the budget will go towards securing the proper camera equipment for our film.
Costumes
Costs $1,425
This portion of the budget will go towards securing the time period costumes for the film.
Props
Costs $1,075
This portion of the budget will go towards getting antique props for the film.
Catering
Costs $2,400
This portion of the budget will go towards feeding our amazing cast and crew!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our approach to assembling the crew for Paulina is deeply rooted in our commitment to telling authentic stories and supporting the creative community in North Georgia. This project is a reflection of the culture, history, and artistry of the region, and we believe the best way to honor that is by working with talented professionals who understand its unique character. By focusing on crew members with ties to the area, we aim to create a production that not only showcases Appalachian storytelling but also uplifts the local film community.
Alex Richard Thomas is an award winning filmmaker and graduate of the Film MFA program at the University of Georgia where he developed a passion for films that examine the past with a Southern slant. His interest in film began while directing theater in the Atlanta area and grew at UNC School of the Arts, where he was selected for the prestigious film directing program. He has made over a dozen short films which have screened in film festivals around the country. Most notably, his film, Jukebox Girl, premiered at the Atlanta Film Festival.
Lora Hogan - Producer
Lora has a background in acting and publicity. Having trained at Emory University, the Atlantic Acting School, and the American Conservatory Theatre, she has a deep appreciation for Chekhov and the power of historical storytelling. She is passionate about ensuring that Paulina reaches its audience, recognizing the vital role of marketing and social media in bringing beautifully crafted films to life.
Jennifer Mullinix - Producer
Jennifer Mullinix is an Atlanta-based Producer and Script Supervisor with experience in feature films, shorts, and episodic series. With a background in business management and education, she transitioned into the film industry, bringing a keen eye for detail and a deep passion for storytelling. She is excited to coproduce Paulina and bring this 1940s Appalachian drama to life.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Set in the quiet hills of Toccoa, Georgia, during the war-torn spring of 1943, Paulina follows the story of Nick Taylor, a sharp-dressed polio survivor who works at the local general store. He is not-so-secretly in love with Paulina, a spirited country girl with her sights set on a dashing soldier passing through town. One sweltering afternoon, Paulina steps into the store to buy trim for a dress she’s crafting to catch her soldier’s eye. As Nick helps her pick out the appliques and lace, he tries to warn her through tense banter and half-hearted jabs about the fleeting nature of love. But Paulina, caught up in the whirlwind of romance, brushes off his concerns.
That evening, Nick visits Paulina’s home at her request, only to find her dressed in the very outfit he helped piece together, proudly flashing an engagement ring from her soldier. Fighting back tears, Nick offers his congratulations and trudges off into the night, alone. Paulina is a tender, folksy portrait of small-town love and the bittersweet echoes of what might have been.
The visual style of Paulina combines the charm of 1940s screwball comedies with the evocative melancholy of Southern Gothic films.
Drawing inspiration from the haunting, muted tones of Vilhelm Hammershøi’s paintings, Paulina will immerse viewers in a world of period-accurate details and stunning Blue Ridge landscapes. The film's visual storytelling captures the irony and tension of its characters’ lives, weaving humor and heartbreak into a visual language.
The story of Paulina resonates now more than ever. Set in the Spring of 1943, the film explores themes of unspoken love, personal sacrifice, and societal constraints—issues that continue to shape our world today. By reimagining Anton Chekhov’s Polinka in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Paulina highlights the humanity of Appalachia, a region often overlooked or misrepresented in media. This is especially timely in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which exposed how Appalachia remains marginalized in the national conversation.
Our adaptation brings Chekhov’s universal themes into a historical and cultural setting that reflects the complexities of both past and present Appalachia. Paulina invites audiences to reflect on how the struggles of love, loss, and societal constraints echo through time, challenging them to consider whether the present is just as stifling as the past—and if that’s a reality we want to uphold.
As literary scholar Bob Blaisdell notes in Chekhov Becomes Chekhov: The Emergence of a Literary Genius: “There are no happy love stories in Chekhov’s fiction, but there are plenty of comic ones, and of them [Polinka] is one of his most touching.” With its richly atmospheric setting and emotionally compelling characters, Paulina connects timeless themes to urgent contemporary conversations.
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded.
We must reach this goal in 30 days
or we won't receive a single penny!
We have crafted the budget for Paulina to efficiently and authentically produce a period piece short film while honoring the constraints of independent filmmaking. Centered around a three-day shoot in North Georgia, our $8,700 budget focuses on key elements like Production Design, Location Fees, Equipment Rentals, Catering, and Insurance to bring our story to life in a professional and polished way.
We aim to raise $8,700 to bring Paulina to life. These funds will cover:
- Authentic 1940s costumes and props to create a fully immersive period setting.
- Essential camera and lighting equipment to capture the film’s lush visual style.
- Support for our talented team of local artists and filmmakers who are dedicated to crafting this heartfelt story.
My name is Alex Richard Thomas, and I am a Southern filmmaker. With Paulina, I want to explore the quiet, often overlooked lives of Appalachia; how people here live, how they treat one another, and how small-town dramas persist even in the face of immense change.
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the upheaval of World War II, Paulina captures the pain of those left behind. This is not a story of grand battles or sweeping victories; it’s about the fleeting moments of heartbreak that linger after everything else fades. The parallels to our own time are startling. As we navigate natural disasters, pandemics, and a world on edge, the resilience of these characters feels both timeless and urgent. Most stories set in the 1940s focus on the grandiosity of World War II. Paulina examines the everyday struggles of folks left behind in small, forgotten towns. Society’s constraints still trap us in silence, in misunderstandings, in the inability to connect. But within that heartbreak lies hope. Paulina and Nick endure, just as we all must endure- that's why I want to tell this story.
With your support, we’ll:
- Secure our locations.
- Begin pre-production work to design the world of 1943 Appalachia.
- Shoot the film in North Georgia over three days.
- Edit and polish the final product for submission to major film festivals.
Your contributions will directly help us take Paulina from script to screen!
Even if you can’t contribute financially, you can still help make Paulina a success! Share this campaign with friends, family, and anyone who loves history, classic literature, indie film, or stories with heart. Together, we can ensure this story gets told.
Join us in supporting PAULINA, an upcoming Appalachian Dramedy. Follow @PaulinaShortFilm and use the link below to find out how you can contribute! www.seedandspark.com/fund/paulina
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $1,400
This portion of the budget will go towards securing time period locations for our film and our insurance.
Camera
Costs $2,400
This portion of the budget will go towards securing the proper camera equipment for our film.
Costumes
Costs $1,425
This portion of the budget will go towards securing the time period costumes for the film.
Props
Costs $1,075
This portion of the budget will go towards getting antique props for the film.
Catering
Costs $2,400
This portion of the budget will go towards feeding our amazing cast and crew!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our approach to assembling the crew for Paulina is deeply rooted in our commitment to telling authentic stories and supporting the creative community in North Georgia. This project is a reflection of the culture, history, and artistry of the region, and we believe the best way to honor that is by working with talented professionals who understand its unique character. By focusing on crew members with ties to the area, we aim to create a production that not only showcases Appalachian storytelling but also uplifts the local film community.
Alex Richard Thomas is an award winning filmmaker and graduate of the Film MFA program at the University of Georgia where he developed a passion for films that examine the past with a Southern slant. His interest in film began while directing theater in the Atlanta area and grew at UNC School of the Arts, where he was selected for the prestigious film directing program. He has made over a dozen short films which have screened in film festivals around the country. Most notably, his film, Jukebox Girl, premiered at the Atlanta Film Festival.
Lora Hogan - Producer
Lora has a background in acting and publicity. Having trained at Emory University, the Atlantic Acting School, and the American Conservatory Theatre, she has a deep appreciation for Chekhov and the power of historical storytelling. She is passionate about ensuring that Paulina reaches its audience, recognizing the vital role of marketing and social media in bringing beautifully crafted films to life.
Jennifer Mullinix - Producer
Jennifer Mullinix is an Atlanta-based Producer and Script Supervisor with experience in feature films, shorts, and episodic series. With a background in business management and education, she transitioned into the film industry, bringing a keen eye for detail and a deep passion for storytelling. She is excited to coproduce Paulina and bring this 1940s Appalachian drama to life.