After $20k of drugs are stolen, Poppy, Bryan, & Javi have 12 hours to round up enough money to repay their boss, Prie, a notoriously deadly gang leader. Poppy follows a young woman’s journey as an addict with a criminal past, exploring topics like addiction, poverty, & misguided youth.
After $20k of drugs are stolen, Poppy, Bryan, & Javi have 12 hours to round up enough money to repay their boss, Prie, a notoriously deadly gang leader. Poppy follows a young woman’s journey as an addict with a criminal past, exploring topics like addiction, poverty, & misguided youth.
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Story
Mission Statement
Born & raised in Southern CA, I've seen the lack of opportunity and resources in poverty-stricken areas like my hometown and the effects it has on communities. My aim is to put a spotlight on these stories and encourage empathy for those driven to criminal activity out of necessity and misguidance.About The Project
After $20k of drugs are stolen – 21- year-old Poppy, her boyfriend Bryan, & their street apprentice 17-year-old Javi – have 12 hours to round up enough money to repay their boss, Prie, a notoriously deadly gang leader. Poppy follows a young woman’s journey as an addict with a criminal past, exploring topics like addiction, domestic abuse, poverty, & misguided youth.
Everyone involved in this project from the cast to the crew have been friends for years! We are a diverse crew, specializing in different crafts from acting, directing, fashion designing, photography and more. This film will allow each one of us to showcase our abilities and work together on a project we're all extremely passionate about. 
I was born and raised on the U.S./Mexico border in a small beach town called Imperial Beach, immersed in Southern California’s gritty surf, skate and street culture. San Diego has deeply shaped my identity, art, and the stories I hope to share with the world. Coming from an underprivileged community, I’ve witnessed the lack of opportunity, resources, and guidance in areas of poverty – and how profoundly it affects families and communities alike. My goal is to shed light on these underrepresented stories and encourage people to find empathy with those who have been pushed to their limits, not entirely by choice, but out of necessity.
In a world where people are seeming to understand each other less and less, POPPY is a story that needs to be told now.
We are currently wrapping up pre-production for Poppy and aim to shoot the first week of March. Once we reach our crowdfunding goal we’ll be able to secure our locations, rent all the necessary gear, finalize our plans, and make this film happen! After the post-production is finished, our next step will be to enter Poppy into all the major film festivals. After our festival run, we will be hosting a private online screening for all of our amazing backers! This project is just the beginning, so we hope you stay along for the rest of the journey!COVID-19 PROTOCOL
Due to the everchanging COVID Pandemic, we will be monitoring the situation closely and will follow the latest SAG guidelines as we get closer to the shoot date.
The creation of this film has had influence from a variety of films, but predominantly dark dramas and crime dramas like -- Good Time, Thirteen, Top Boy, Euphoria, and more. We hope to evoke the same intense emotions that these films/tv shows do, and create a visceral experience for the audience.
The expenses for film production add up super fast! Here's a breakdown of where we will be allocating the funds we raise:
This $12,000 budget will allow us to create this film at the highest level possible while still maintaining low-budget production costs to see this project through.
One of the biggest challenges for young filmmakers is gathering the finances to tell a story. With your support, we will finally be able to execute our plan and acheive our vision for Poppy, and explore the themes of poverty and addiciton in America.
Getting this film produced and out into the world will also help to gain the momentum we need to keep pursuing our passion and build a career in the film industry. We hope to create a lasting relationship with our supporters and take this ride together!
Follow our Seed & Spark Page
This expands our reach on the platform and helps us unlock different incentives like film festival waivers along the way! Here's a shareable link: https://seedandspark.com/fund/poppy
Contribute & Pledge
Your financial help is greatly appreciated. If you can't to contribute we'd love for you to share this with a friend who might be able to!
Spread the Word!
We absolutely cannot do this without YOUR help to spread the word about this film! If you'd like to support us as young filmmakers, please share our campaign via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, however you want! Feel free to copy and paste the messages below!
I'm so excited to see the short film POPPY, by director Gabriel Caswall @cultgabe, and writer/actor Niah Andino @niahandino they are shooting next month in San Diego! Support them with a follow or pledge on @seedandspark: https://seedandspark.com/fund/poppy
Help director Gabriel Caswall @cultgabe & writer/actor Niah Andino @niahandino by supporting their upcoming crime drama short film titled POPPY shooting in San Diego next month! Support them with a follow or pledge on @seedandspark: https://seedandspark.com/fund/poppy
Incentives
$25
Thank you!
Thanks so much! We'll tag you in a special shout out on social media to thank you for your help on this journey!
$50
Starter Package
Welcome on board! You'll now receive an exclusive behind-the-scenes video from the creation of this film. Plus, you'll get your name in the credits as a huge thanks for taking a leap of faith and helping fund this project.
Claimed: 9 of 200
$100
Real Ones
Everything included in the Starter package, your very own exclusive copy of the Poppy script PDF, and a BTS zine with photos of the whole process of making this film!
Claimed: 20 of 100
$200
Be an Extra!
Get a spot in the film as an extra! You'll be able to join us for a day on set, plus receive all previous incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 2
$250
Premiere Package
You'll get everything from the Starter and Real Ones package, plus an exlusive "backers only" online premiere after festival distribution!
Claimed: 1 of 40
$500
Lets Go!
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You'll get everything from the Premiere package, plus a printed copy of the POPPY script signed by the entire cast & crew!
Claimed: 1 of 20
$1,000
Character Named After You
For this pledge, we'll name a character after you, we'll only do this once! Plus receive all previous incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 1
$1,200
IMDB Associate Producer Credit
You get every incentive we have, and you'll be listed as an Executive Producer in the credits and IMDB!
Claimed: 2 of 10
$6,000
IMDB Executive Producer Credit
You get every incentive we have, and you'll be listed as an Executive Producer in the credits and IMDB!
Claimed: 0 of 2
$12,000
The Whole Shabang
Wow! You get it all! And more. You name it. Seriously. Director and Writer, Gabe & Niah will detail your car, walk your cat, mow your lawn...nothing's off the table. In all seriousness, if you're contributing this much, drop us an email and we can discuss a brand new custom reward!
Claimed: 0 of 1
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$25
Thank you!
Thanks so much! We'll tag you in a special shout out on social media to thank you for your help on this journey!
$50
Starter Package
Welcome on board! You'll now receive an exclusive behind-the-scenes video from the creation of this film. Plus, you'll get your name in the credits as a huge thanks for taking a leap of faith and helping fund this project.
Claimed: 9 of 200
$100
Real Ones
Everything included in the Starter package, your very own exclusive copy of the Poppy script PDF, and a BTS zine with photos of the whole process of making this film!
Claimed: 20 of 100
$200
Be an Extra!
Get a spot in the film as an extra! You'll be able to join us for a day on set, plus receive all previous incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 2
$250
Premiere Package
You'll get everything from the Starter and Real Ones package, plus an exlusive "backers only" online premiere after festival distribution!
Claimed: 1 of 40
$500
Lets Go!
You'll get everything from the Premiere package, plus a printed copy of the POPPY script signed by the entire cast & crew!
Claimed: 1 of 20
$1,000
Character Named After You
For this pledge, we'll name a character after you, we'll only do this once! Plus receive all previous incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 1
$1,200
IMDB Associate Producer Credit
You get every incentive we have, and you'll be listed as an Executive Producer in the credits and IMDB!
Claimed: 2 of 10
$6,000
IMDB Executive Producer Credit
You get every incentive we have, and you'll be listed as an Executive Producer in the credits and IMDB!
Claimed: 0 of 2
$12,000
The Whole Shabang
Wow! You get it all! And more. You name it. Seriously. Director and Writer, Gabe & Niah will detail your car, walk your cat, mow your lawn...nothing's off the table. In all seriousness, if you're contributing this much, drop us an email and we can discuss a brand new custom reward!
Claimed: 0 of 1
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
GABRIEL CABRERA CASWALL - Director/Producer/EditorGabriel is both a filmmaker and musician at heart. Growing up in South San Diego, Gabriel was immersed in the surf, skate, street and music culture of California, shaping his art and providing a constant source of inspiration for his work. Recent projects include two mini-documentaries, "Commit" and "The Source", along with a short film titled "YRUYNN". Tackling filmmaking and music independently for the last 6 years Gabriel has learned to be resourceful and efficient, wearing multiple hats from shooting, editing, scoring, and more.
NIAH NICOLE ANDINO - Writer / Lead - "Poppy"
Niah has been devoted to the arts from a young age. Beginning her artistic career training at Pacific Coast Academy of Dance at the age of eight, where she discovered her love of performing. Enrolling herself in the local drama company at 13, she found her insatiable hunger to become an actor. After graduating from SaddleBack College in 2021 with an Associates Degree in Video Journalism, she has devoted herself to the craft. Latest work being the lead in a short film titled ‘Faye & Lexi’ directed by Olivia Wuri, now writing & starring in her short film Poppy.
ANDY WOODWARD - Director of Photography
An established cinematographer in the surfing world, Andy has spent the last year traveling the globe on assignment with professional surfer Noah Beschen gathering footage for their upcoming documentary film. With years of photography experience, Andy is a rising talent based on the North Shore of Oahu, looking to expand his horizons and continue curating beautiful imagery.
ROXANNE GILLOTTEE - Production Designer
Another Southern California native, Roxy studied film production at Saddleback college, with a focus on production design. She has a background in art and fashion. In her free time she enjoys reading, visiting museums, and travel.
JOSIAH SYLSTRA - Wardrobe Designer
Josiah works primarily as a fashion model between his home in San Clemente and Los Angeles, and has worked with brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Aside from modeling, Josiah has developed an eye for fashion over the years, following in his mother's footsteps as a stylist and fashion designer.
BRANDON MOSQUERA - 1st AD / Photographer
Orginially from Jacksonville, FL, Brandon currently resides in San Diego working as a videographer, editor and photographer at a production company. Brandon's work ranges from fashion, to music videos, to commercial work. He specializes in film photography and art direction.
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