Purple Ink
Boston, Massachusetts | Film Short
Drama
A teenager with an undiagnosed disability finds guidance and an unlikely friendship with an old man during his time in physical therapy
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$4,070
Goal: $3,000 for pre-production
A teenager with an undiagnosed disability finds guidance and an unlikely friendship with an old man during his time in physical therapy
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Purple Ink explores the emotional and psychological effects of growing up with a disability from a young age, breaking the myth that disabilities like arthritis are exclusive to those in an older age bracket. It tackles themes of friendship, hope, and the acceptance of one's body, as the main character learns to love himself despite what he thinks makes him an outsider.
Chase begrudgingly attends physical therapy for an unknown disease affecting the mobility in his lower body. He feels alienated from the older patrons in the studio until he meets Daren, an older man, and the two bond over their love for older music. As the two quickly become close friends, Daren realizes that Chase is carrying a lot of emotional baggage, and does his best to open him up, helping him learn to love himself.
I spent the first 15 years of my life tackling an unknown disability. From waking up in the middle of the night to excruciating pain and stiffness, to being unable to go to school due to my immobility, it was a lonely and difficult undertaking. Worst of all, I thought that whatever this thing was affecting me, it was also defining me, and even years after I was finally diagnosed, I carried the weight of feeling like I was always on the outside.
Once I was finally diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at age 16, a miracle solution was provided: injections that put my disease into remission. After years of strength training, it's almost easy for me to pretend that arthritis isn’t a part of my life anymore, as I have recently completed a half marathon and 100-mile bike ride. However, I cannot deny how formative this experience was, and the work I had to do, and still have to do, physically and emotionally, to get to where I am today. I know that many out there have not been as fortunate yet to find answers or solutions to what may be affecting their body, and I want the film to speak to that struggle and ask them to hold out hope, as well as accept that this is merely a part of their identity and not something that they should be ashamed of.
Writing the screenplay was one of the most challenging but personally cathartic creative experiences I have ever had. This is a story that is literally 20 years in the making, and one that only years of processing later can I finally look back on what it all meant to me. The conclusion that I’ve come to is that miracles can happen and there is always a reason to hold out hope, and despite the belief that difference in body and mind can separate us, we really aren’t all that different after all.
- Colin Dowse (Writer/Director/Editor)
Despite the heavy themes that it tackles, Purple Ink approaches its subject with a wide-eyed sense of hope, speaking to those affected by disabilities and those not, that there is always a reason to keep pushing forward in life. The film carries a respectful, lighthearted tone as two main characters playfully bond over their love of older music and other things that give them a sense of purpose.
Chase - Tobin Cleary
Deeply introspective, Chase has juvenile arthritis and struggles with walking and pain in his lower body. He thinks this holds him back, but in reality, it makes him uncommonly observant and wise for his age. He's smart as a whip and a big classic rock fan, which helps him bond with Daren, his elderly counterpart, who helps him to accept his body for what it is and learn to love himself.
Daren - Brian O'Hara
A soft-spoken older man who is admitted to physical therapy due to hip troubles. His health issues place a strain on his relationships. Meeting Chase, who struggles similarly, he develops a paternal bond with him, wishing to share his life's wisdom to help him out of his rut. In helping Chase, he learns a lot about himself.
Paloma - Marilee Alexander
An absolute diamond in the rough of the physical therapy studio, Paloma is an overjoyous old woman who, despite her age, carries uncharacteristically high energy and ambition in her life. She is currently training for the Massachusetts Wrestling Org. Her energy offsets but ultimately inspires Chase
Alex - Alexandra Azan
A passionate hockey player, Alex is admitted to physical therapy after injuring her knee in a game. Her competitive and go-get-em attitude is revered by Chase, and the two bond over being the young people in the studio and their strong desire to return to normalcy.
Pre-Production: January - August 2026
Purple Ink is currently in full swing of pre-production, with its many departments meeting regularly, actors rehearsing, and locations being locked.
Principal Photography: August 28-30th, September 4-6th 2026
Filming will take place over the course of two weekends in the greater Boston area, with the shoot primarily inside a real physical therapy studio, a park, and a pool.
Post-Production: September - January 2026
Editing, scoring, coloring, and visual effects will take place over this time.
Festival Submissions: January 2027 -
The film will have a long festival run targeting festivals with an emphasis on disability and social justice stories.
All project updates will be shared on our Instagram, @purpleink.bfa. Please follow and share if you can, spreading the word about our project and our fundraiser helps tremendously!
Location Costs / Permits ($1,400) Securing a physical therapy studio that matches the look of the one from my childhood is very important for this project
Production Design ($700) To replicate the nostalgic look of an old, worn-down PT office
Craft Services and Food ($900) To fuel our hardworking cast and crew!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $1,400
Securing a physical therapy studio that matches the look of the one from my childhood is very important for this project
Production Design
Costs $700
To replicate the nostalgic look of an old, worn-down PT office
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Colin Dowse (Writer, Director, Editor, Producer)
Colin is an award-winning writer-director-editor currently studying film production at Emerson College. Hailing from a 
background in post-production and visual effects (recently working on a Grammy-winning music video for Keznamdi), he looks to tell stories that mix grounded portrayals of the human condition with elements of magical realism and sci-fi, believing that embracing vulnerability in storytelling is key to creating a memorable and affecting project. Purple Ink is his most personal and ambitious project to date, telling a semi-autobiographical tale drawing directly from his experiences growing up with a disability.
Luca Bevilaqua (Producer)
Luca is a rising senior Media Arts Production major at Emerson College. Luca is a highly passionate, dedicated, and 
hardworking filmmaker with a focus on producing. During his time at Emerson College, he has produced five independent short films and one school-affiliated short film. Luca Bevilacqua has been a longtime collaborator with director Colin Dowse and has had the pleasure of assistant-directing his first college short film, Silly Love Songs. During his time at Emerson, he has shown a great interest in locations. Luca has firsthand experience negotiating and communicating with property owners to ensure a successful collaboration. Luca is extremely excited to work once again with Colin and the rest of the Purple Ink team to bring this incredible project to life.
Beckett Hobbs (Producer)
Hobbs is an award-winning Jewish Writer-Director who studies film at Emerson College. He co-founded Tarot 77 
ductions and the Issaquah Film Festival in 2023 with the mission of creating pathways for young filmmakers to join the film industry. He is a filmmaking Swiss Army knife, learning all production departments, with his specialty in translating his words into dynamic performances and grounded visuals through writing, directing, and producing. Hobbs seeks to promote deep reflection upon ourselves and our communities. He values collaborators who embrace diverse perspectives and create production environments that encourage artistic contributions from all production members. His projects have been featured at NFFTY, SIFF, Hollywood Shortsfest, CineYouth, and more.
Ameena Mussie (Producer)
Ameena Mussie (she/her) is a student at Emerson College pursuing a degree 
Business of Creative Enterprises with a minor in Media Production. She has a background in theatre and live production, with a specialization in stage management and arts administration. Her past experience includes communications & production work with Broadway Green Alliance and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and she currently serves as a Production Assistant for NYO at Carnegie Hall, supporting the planning and execution of summer performances. While her professional experience began in live entertainment, Ameena has expanded her work into collegiate film production, where she continues to build on her production background. She is thrilled to be a producer on her fourth film with the Purple Ink team.
Tyler Lum (Producer)
Tyler Lum is an Asian-American filmmaker studying at Emerson College. With a background in ICA Boston and the Asian 
Community Development Corporation he strives to promote minority voices, believing characteristics that are usually supressed should instead be celebrated and expressed through movements of art. Tyler’s storytelling lens focuses on analyzing human connections, specializing in setting an atmosphere by exploring the relationships between people, whether it be through tragedy or comedy. His past experiences include editing comedy sketches for small content creators and co-producing and editing news segments for WHDH-TV in Boston. He is thrilled to collaborate with those who show passion in expressing their own voice through the lens and celebrates every creative mind he is fortunate enough to work with.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Purple Ink explores the emotional and psychological effects of growing up with a disability from a young age, breaking the myth that disabilities like arthritis are exclusive to those in an older age bracket. It tackles themes of friendship, hope, and the acceptance of one's body, as the main character learns to love himself despite what he thinks makes him an outsider.
Chase begrudgingly attends physical therapy for an unknown disease affecting the mobility in his lower body. He feels alienated from the older patrons in the studio until he meets Daren, an older man, and the two bond over their love for older music. As the two quickly become close friends, Daren realizes that Chase is carrying a lot of emotional baggage, and does his best to open him up, helping him learn to love himself.
I spent the first 15 years of my life tackling an unknown disability. From waking up in the middle of the night to excruciating pain and stiffness, to being unable to go to school due to my immobility, it was a lonely and difficult undertaking. Worst of all, I thought that whatever this thing was affecting me, it was also defining me, and even years after I was finally diagnosed, I carried the weight of feeling like I was always on the outside.
Once I was finally diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at age 16, a miracle solution was provided: injections that put my disease into remission. After years of strength training, it's almost easy for me to pretend that arthritis isn’t a part of my life anymore, as I have recently completed a half marathon and 100-mile bike ride. However, I cannot deny how formative this experience was, and the work I had to do, and still have to do, physically and emotionally, to get to where I am today. I know that many out there have not been as fortunate yet to find answers or solutions to what may be affecting their body, and I want the film to speak to that struggle and ask them to hold out hope, as well as accept that this is merely a part of their identity and not something that they should be ashamed of.
Writing the screenplay was one of the most challenging but personally cathartic creative experiences I have ever had. This is a story that is literally 20 years in the making, and one that only years of processing later can I finally look back on what it all meant to me. The conclusion that I’ve come to is that miracles can happen and there is always a reason to hold out hope, and despite the belief that difference in body and mind can separate us, we really aren’t all that different after all.
- Colin Dowse (Writer/Director/Editor)
Despite the heavy themes that it tackles, Purple Ink approaches its subject with a wide-eyed sense of hope, speaking to those affected by disabilities and those not, that there is always a reason to keep pushing forward in life. The film carries a respectful, lighthearted tone as two main characters playfully bond over their love of older music and other things that give them a sense of purpose.
Chase - Tobin Cleary
Deeply introspective, Chase has juvenile arthritis and struggles with walking and pain in his lower body. He thinks this holds him back, but in reality, it makes him uncommonly observant and wise for his age. He's smart as a whip and a big classic rock fan, which helps him bond with Daren, his elderly counterpart, who helps him to accept his body for what it is and learn to love himself.
Daren - Brian O'Hara
A soft-spoken older man who is admitted to physical therapy due to hip troubles. His health issues place a strain on his relationships. Meeting Chase, who struggles similarly, he develops a paternal bond with him, wishing to share his life's wisdom to help him out of his rut. In helping Chase, he learns a lot about himself.
Paloma - Marilee Alexander
An absolute diamond in the rough of the physical therapy studio, Paloma is an overjoyous old woman who, despite her age, carries uncharacteristically high energy and ambition in her life. She is currently training for the Massachusetts Wrestling Org. Her energy offsets but ultimately inspires Chase
Alex - Alexandra Azan
A passionate hockey player, Alex is admitted to physical therapy after injuring her knee in a game. Her competitive and go-get-em attitude is revered by Chase, and the two bond over being the young people in the studio and their strong desire to return to normalcy.
Pre-Production: January - August 2026
Purple Ink is currently in full swing of pre-production, with its many departments meeting regularly, actors rehearsing, and locations being locked.
Principal Photography: August 28-30th, September 4-6th 2026
Filming will take place over the course of two weekends in the greater Boston area, with the shoot primarily inside a real physical therapy studio, a park, and a pool.
Post-Production: September - January 2026
Editing, scoring, coloring, and visual effects will take place over this time.
Festival Submissions: January 2027 -
The film will have a long festival run targeting festivals with an emphasis on disability and social justice stories.
All project updates will be shared on our Instagram, @purpleink.bfa. Please follow and share if you can, spreading the word about our project and our fundraiser helps tremendously!
Location Costs / Permits ($1,400) Securing a physical therapy studio that matches the look of the one from my childhood is very important for this project
Production Design ($700) To replicate the nostalgic look of an old, worn-down PT office
Craft Services and Food ($900) To fuel our hardworking cast and crew!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $1,400
Securing a physical therapy studio that matches the look of the one from my childhood is very important for this project
Production Design
Costs $700
To replicate the nostalgic look of an old, worn-down PT office
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Colin Dowse (Writer, Director, Editor, Producer)
Colin is an award-winning writer-director-editor currently studying film production at Emerson College. Hailing from a background in post-production and visual effects (recently working on a Grammy-winning music video for Keznamdi), he looks to tell stories that mix grounded portrayals of the human condition with elements of magical realism and sci-fi, believing that embracing vulnerability in storytelling is key to creating a memorable and affecting project. Purple Ink is his most personal and ambitious project to date, telling a semi-autobiographical tale drawing directly from his experiences growing up with a disability.
Luca Bevilaqua (Producer)
Luca is a rising senior Media Arts Production major at Emerson College. Luca is a highly passionate, dedicated, and hardworking filmmaker with a focus on producing. During his time at Emerson College, he has produced five independent short films and one school-affiliated short film. Luca Bevilacqua has been a longtime collaborator with director Colin Dowse and has had the pleasure of assistant-directing his first college short film, Silly Love Songs. During his time at Emerson, he has shown a great interest in locations. Luca has firsthand experience negotiating and communicating with property owners to ensure a successful collaboration. Luca is extremely excited to work once again with Colin and the rest of the Purple Ink team to bring this incredible project to life.
Beckett Hobbs (Producer)
Hobbs is an award-winning Jewish Writer-Director who studies film at Emerson College. He co-founded Tarot 77 ductions and the Issaquah Film Festival in 2023 with the mission of creating pathways for young filmmakers to join the film industry. He is a filmmaking Swiss Army knife, learning all production departments, with his specialty in translating his words into dynamic performances and grounded visuals through writing, directing, and producing. Hobbs seeks to promote deep reflection upon ourselves and our communities. He values collaborators who embrace diverse perspectives and create production environments that encourage artistic contributions from all production members. His projects have been featured at NFFTY, SIFF, Hollywood Shortsfest, CineYouth, and more.
Ameena Mussie (Producer)
Ameena Mussie (she/her) is a student at Emerson College pursuing a degree Business of Creative Enterprises with a minor in Media Production. She has a background in theatre and live production, with a specialization in stage management and arts administration. Her past experience includes communications & production work with Broadway Green Alliance and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and she currently serves as a Production Assistant for NYO at Carnegie Hall, supporting the planning and execution of summer performances. While her professional experience began in live entertainment, Ameena has expanded her work into collegiate film production, where she continues to build on her production background. She is thrilled to be a producer on her fourth film with the Purple Ink team.
Tyler Lum (Producer)
Tyler Lum is an Asian-American filmmaker studying at Emerson College. With a background in ICA Boston and the Asian Community Development Corporation he strives to promote minority voices, believing characteristics that are usually supressed should instead be celebrated and expressed through movements of art. Tyler’s storytelling lens focuses on analyzing human connections, specializing in setting an atmosphere by exploring the relationships between people, whether it be through tragedy or comedy. His past experiences include editing comedy sketches for small content creators and co-producing and editing news segments for WHDH-TV in Boston. He is thrilled to collaborate with those who show passion in expressing their own voice through the lens and celebrates every creative mind he is fortunate enough to work with.