RAG DOLL
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Drama
Nora knows struggle. With barely any money to her name, she will go to extreme lengths to make others in her family comfortable. Nora enters an MMA tournament in hopes to win a better future for everyone else, but first she must recognize that her strength extends much farther than the ring.
RAG DOLL
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Drama
Green Light
This campaign raised $11,775 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Nora knows struggle. With barely any money to her name, she will go to extreme lengths to make others in her family comfortable. Nora enters an MMA tournament in hopes to win a better future for everyone else, but first she must recognize that her strength extends much farther than the ring.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Shannon Murray as Nora in "Rag Doll"
Nora is everybody’s rag doll. Her strenuous life consists of doing everything she can to get by the systemically violent world she has grown up in. With her mother’s life fading before her eyes, Nora takes extreme measures to save her – compromising her morality, and putting her physical health at risk. Her mother’s failing health has taken a deep emotional toll on her. As anyone who has lost a very close loved one knows, Nora would do anything to save her.
Catherine, Nora's mother, (Stephanie Erb) comforts her daughter (Shannon Murray) in "Rag Doll"
Nora’s lack of self-confidence and her desperation to keep her mother alive bleed into all areas of her life. During the day she works at a low-rent motel doing whatever it takes to make ends meet. At night, she cares for her dying mother, who, although very loving, is constantly reminding Nora of the reality of her situation. The only thing Nora has for herself is fighting... and that isn't even completely hers. Nora trains at a local MMA gym in exchange for being a "rag doll" for the elite fighters.
When Nora can't afford her mother’s medication and the situation at work reaches a new level, she decides that her only option is to enter an upcoming MMA tournament. Although Nora is very inexperienced, she believes that winning the fight could forge the path for a better future. With her back against the wall and her mother's life on the line, Nora must learn what she is actually fighting for.
Women's stories are not perfect.
Nora's story is no exception.
"Rag Doll" meets Nora where she's at. It's part of what attracted our director, producers, cast, and crew to this story. This story unabashadly dives into the complexities of grieving, the stress of not being able to make ends meet, and the real choices that people make when cornered.
The story hit the heart strings of everyone involved for very human reasons: We have all been in the head space where it seems like each day is a brand new set of problems. With the threat of losing her mother looming over her head, Nora is making the choices she feels necessary to survive... and it is a challenge when every single day feels like a fight to survive.
Nora's fight is like all of our fights for the things we want most. Backed into a corner, the easy reaction is physical - fighting, yelling, throwing things... but real resiliency lies within a mental tenacity that comes with a confidence in ourselves. This story is about developing that confidence and mental resiliency against all the odds.
There's also some really cool MMA moves.
Our cast is so KICK ASS - in real life and on screen.
Nora (Shannon Murray) and Aisha (Roxana Sanchez) fight each other.
Want more? See our Rag Doll website!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound
Costs $5,000
Thump! Wham! Sniffle. Help us bring this to life by investing in great sound.
Festival Fees
Costs $2,000
We want to bring this film to you! Help us with app fees & deliverables.
Prints and PR
Costs $3,000
Put our name in lights with lobby cards, posters, press kits, a website, & advertising costs!
Share this update!
About This Team
Bailey Kobe, Director
A graduate of University of Southern California's elite Peter Stark Program, Bailey has excelled in filmmaking and development. He formed a production company, Double Entente Films, with Stark classmate Frederic Imbert. They have multiple projects optioned and in development for film and television and continue to produce hit music videos and commercials for clients such as Yves Saint Laurent, Ubisoft, Universal, Lincoln, and Dior. His recent film credits include "The Caterpillar's Kimono" and "The Babymoon".
Aymae Sulick, Cinematographer
Aymae Sulick graduated from University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. Her credits include "So Long Song", "Paths That Cross", "Da Capo", "Big Brother", "Stripped", "Toddlers and Tiaras", "Housequake", "Africa Ten", and "From the Shadows".
Shannon Murray, Producer and Actress
Shannon was raised in a small town in Delaware, and was very big into sports, martial arts and drama club. Shannon studied Kung Fu and karate and was also on the schools mat wrestling team.
At 15, Shannon started pursuing her acting career traveling to Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York City. After four years of studying and performing in NYC she decided to give Los Angeles a try. It has been nine years since her initial move to LA and she has kept very busy working in front and behind the camera. When she’s not working you can find her in the muay thai gym training. Her most recent credits include "Oz The Great & Powerful", "Love Sonia", "Starian", "The Maestro", "Super Sportlets", "Afraid to Sleep", and "Idled".
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Shannon Murray as Nora in "Rag Doll"
Nora is everybody’s rag doll. Her strenuous life consists of doing everything she can to get by the systemically violent world she has grown up in. With her mother’s life fading before her eyes, Nora takes extreme measures to save her – compromising her morality, and putting her physical health at risk. Her mother’s failing health has taken a deep emotional toll on her. As anyone who has lost a very close loved one knows, Nora would do anything to save her.
Catherine, Nora's mother, (Stephanie Erb) comforts her daughter (Shannon Murray) in "Rag Doll"
Nora’s lack of self-confidence and her desperation to keep her mother alive bleed into all areas of her life. During the day she works at a low-rent motel doing whatever it takes to make ends meet. At night, she cares for her dying mother, who, although very loving, is constantly reminding Nora of the reality of her situation. The only thing Nora has for herself is fighting... and that isn't even completely hers. Nora trains at a local MMA gym in exchange for being a "rag doll" for the elite fighters.
When Nora can't afford her mother’s medication and the situation at work reaches a new level, she decides that her only option is to enter an upcoming MMA tournament. Although Nora is very inexperienced, she believes that winning the fight could forge the path for a better future. With her back against the wall and her mother's life on the line, Nora must learn what she is actually fighting for.
Women's stories are not perfect.
Nora's story is no exception.
"Rag Doll" meets Nora where she's at. It's part of what attracted our director, producers, cast, and crew to this story. This story unabashadly dives into the complexities of grieving, the stress of not being able to make ends meet, and the real choices that people make when cornered.
The story hit the heart strings of everyone involved for very human reasons: We have all been in the head space where it seems like each day is a brand new set of problems. With the threat of losing her mother looming over her head, Nora is making the choices she feels necessary to survive... and it is a challenge when every single day feels like a fight to survive.
Nora's fight is like all of our fights for the things we want most. Backed into a corner, the easy reaction is physical - fighting, yelling, throwing things... but real resiliency lies within a mental tenacity that comes with a confidence in ourselves. This story is about developing that confidence and mental resiliency against all the odds.
There's also some really cool MMA moves.
Our cast is so KICK ASS - in real life and on screen.
Nora (Shannon Murray) and Aisha (Roxana Sanchez) fight each other.
Want more? See our Rag Doll website!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound
Costs $5,000
Thump! Wham! Sniffle. Help us bring this to life by investing in great sound.
Festival Fees
Costs $2,000
We want to bring this film to you! Help us with app fees & deliverables.
Prints and PR
Costs $3,000
Put our name in lights with lobby cards, posters, press kits, a website, & advertising costs!
Share this update!
About This Team
Bailey Kobe, Director
A graduate of University of Southern California's elite Peter Stark Program, Bailey has excelled in filmmaking and development. He formed a production company, Double Entente Films, with Stark classmate Frederic Imbert. They have multiple projects optioned and in development for film and television and continue to produce hit music videos and commercials for clients such as Yves Saint Laurent, Ubisoft, Universal, Lincoln, and Dior. His recent film credits include "The Caterpillar's Kimono" and "The Babymoon".
Aymae Sulick, Cinematographer
Aymae Sulick graduated from University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. Her credits include "So Long Song", "Paths That Cross", "Da Capo", "Big Brother", "Stripped", "Toddlers and Tiaras", "Housequake", "Africa Ten", and "From the Shadows".
Shannon Murray, Producer and Actress
Shannon was raised in a small town in Delaware, and was very big into sports, martial arts and drama club. Shannon studied Kung Fu and karate and was also on the schools mat wrestling team.
At 15, Shannon started pursuing her acting career traveling to Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York City. After four years of studying and performing in NYC she decided to give Los Angeles a try. It has been nine years since her initial move to LA and she has kept very busy working in front and behind the camera. When she’s not working you can find her in the muay thai gym training. Her most recent credits include "Oz The Great & Powerful", "Love Sonia", "Starian", "The Maestro", "Super Sportlets", "Afraid to Sleep", and "Idled".