RAGE-DAY
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
LGBTQ, Drama
Fate aligns two strangers at a local park, where smashed piñatas and dainty bubbles break emotional walls and generational patterns.Through surreal imagery, mixed media, and playful metaphor, RAGE-DAY is a tender ode to emotional honesty, generational healing, and joy as a radical act of resistance.
RAGE-DAY
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
LGBTQ, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,167 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
47 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Fate aligns two strangers at a local park, where smashed piñatas and dainty bubbles break emotional walls and generational patterns.Through surreal imagery, mixed media, and playful metaphor, RAGE-DAY is a tender ode to emotional honesty, generational healing, and joy as a radical act of resistance.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
OUCH. WHAT'S THAT? OH, A NEW LOW! YIPEE!
Life swung a bat at my chest after college in the spring of 2023. A series of life lessons reopened deep wounds of betrayal that my [redacted parental figure] gifted me. Thanks, dad! I was angry at the past and the world. Like an indie coming-of-age movie, I fatefully stumbled upon a chapter on anger in Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way.
.png)
A few pages and a therapy session later, I was looking shame in the eyes, its gaze electrifying every muscle in my body.
I realized I had been angry at myself.
Lessons meant failure, and as a child of hardworking parents, unaware of their shame, I was NEVER allowed to feel deeply or be anything but their image of perfection. Big feelings can be uncomfortable, but I've learned that...
Agency is anger leaving the body.
.png)
Healing isn't just talk therapy, sound baths, and quietly journaling while birds and leaves serenade your inner monologue.
It's screaming on the 405 with tears in your eyes, choking on snot, concrete boundaries, consistent action, baby steps, and broken sternums that expose softly beating hearts.
This is a whimsical glimpse into my world and the relationship I've shared with anger and shame over nearly two decades.
RAGE-DAY follows DEX (Latine, 20s, they/them) and SMILES (Latino, he/him, 40s), two strangers coping with repressed anger and shame in vastly different ways.
After an unexpected call from his estranged father, SMILES copes with bubbles and a self-care picnic at his favorite park, only to have his zen shaken up by flying piñata guts and primal screams. DEX spirals in the distance, having a full-blown panic attack before SMILES floats in, offering bubbles, breathwork, and the softness every child wants and needs. What begins as a bizarre chance encounter unfolds into an otherworldly exchange. Among the scattered candy are shared truths, humor, and wisdom that reframe anger not as an enemy but as a guide.
In a world of Latinx stereotypes and narratives that exploit trauma for shock value, RAGE-DAY subverts the norm, providing a unique approach to discourses surrounding generational trauma. Telling this story would affirm deep feelers, quiet rebels, old souls, rambunctious leaders, and those looking for a mirror into what can be. RAGE-DAY creates faith and expands beyond narratives of fear and pain. In learning to thrive, we build upon the seeds of survival sown generations before us. Break piñatas (and generational patterns) with DEX and SMILES!
.png)
(Latino, 40s/50s, He/Him)
From running wild in L.A.’s ‘90s party scene to embracing sobriety and meditation in adulthood, Smiles has lived a hard life to find peace. His past makes him wary of showing big emotions. Solo picnics, art, community, and blowing bubbles help him reconnect with what matters most—his inner child.
.png)
(Latinx, 20s, They/Them)
They’re a five-foot-nothing force to reckon with, a sweetie with a sparkling edge. Art therapy teacher by day and aspiring musician every waking hour, Dex navigates the growing pains of a 20-something-year-old dedicated to their art and finding a chosen family. A recent friendship breakup has them guarded but still open. They won't let trauma win, but it’s a heavy battle to do alone.
.png)
RAGE-DAY continues the vulnerable dialogue I began with my previous project, TODO A SU TIEMPO, where I collaged my audio diary alongside an interview with my mom and grandma on themes of mental health, time, and generational healing.
.png)
Though I can't control what people take away from my art, I aim to create dialogue and generate curiosity with every project. My intention with RAGE-DAY is to use whimsical imagery, nuanced characters, and mixed media practices to share my truth with a playful edge. The whimsical world Dex and Smiles share heightens feeling rather than escaping all that we are.
.png)
By donating, you will receive awesome perks + feel the joy of supporting the arts and emerging filmmakers' dreams come true. These contributions will help us cover the costs of intricate production design, camera and lighting equipment, and costumes. Supporting RAGE-DAY will allow us to share this lovely story that explores the bounds of mental health, love, and healing with Latinx characters.
We need roughly $4,000 to cover the cost of our film!
- $400 to feed our wonderful cast and crew while filming.
- $500 for props to help create a more engaging world for our audience.
- $500 for post-production
- $1000 for crew and cast stipends
- $1600 for the necessary equipment and its transportation to bring this story to life.
.png)
RAGE-DAY is currently simmering in pre-production, led by my brilliant friend and producer, Giovanna Trujillo. We’ve assembled a passionate team of young filmmakers to bring this world to life! We are scheduled to complete post-production by September, intentionally timed with Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the film with a community film screening and art event! This event will spotlight local Latinx and queer filmmakers, inviting them to share their work in a safe, affirming space—culminating in a screening of RAGE-DAY.
As someone deeply involved in community-building through my roles at Vidiots Foundation and the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, creating spaces for connection, reflection, and joy is a core part of my practice. Of course, we’re submitting to festivals!
Our dream is to partner with mental health organizations and sponsors that align to create a unique way to release the film once everything is concluded. It’s early days, and we’re eager to share the final project with you.
There are more Dex and Smiles adventures on the way! Perhaps a debut feature—the possibilities are endless here!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Catering + Crafty for our Crew
Costs $400
Providing crafty and catering for our lovely filmmakers on set.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $1,600
Funds to help cover our camera and g&e equipment!
Post Production
Costs $500
Help cover graphics, editing and sound mixing.
Art Department Expenses
Costs $500
This will cover all the piñatas, bubbles, bats and candy splashing around in the film!
Crew + Cast
Costs $1,000
Support our crew who are making this dazzling short!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
BRI | MAKE-UP ARTIST
XIMENA ESCOBAR | PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
OUCH. WHAT'S THAT? OH, A NEW LOW! YIPEE!
Life swung a bat at my chest after college in the spring of 2023. A series of life lessons reopened deep wounds of betrayal that my [redacted parental figure] gifted me. Thanks, dad! I was angry at the past and the world. Like an indie coming-of-age movie, I fatefully stumbled upon a chapter on anger in Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way.
A few pages and a therapy session later, I was looking shame in the eyes, its gaze electrifying every muscle in my body.
I realized I had been angry at myself.
Lessons meant failure, and as a child of hardworking parents, unaware of their shame, I was NEVER allowed to feel deeply or be anything but their image of perfection. Big feelings can be uncomfortable, but I've learned that...
Agency is anger leaving the body.
Healing isn't just talk therapy, sound baths, and quietly journaling while birds and leaves serenade your inner monologue.
It's screaming on the 405 with tears in your eyes, choking on snot, concrete boundaries, consistent action, baby steps, and broken sternums that expose softly beating hearts.
This is a whimsical glimpse into my world and the relationship I've shared with anger and shame over nearly two decades.
RAGE-DAY follows DEX (Latine, 20s, they/them) and SMILES (Latino, he/him, 40s), two strangers coping with repressed anger and shame in vastly different ways.
After an unexpected call from his estranged father, SMILES copes with bubbles and a self-care picnic at his favorite park, only to have his zen shaken up by flying piñata guts and primal screams. DEX spirals in the distance, having a full-blown panic attack before SMILES floats in, offering bubbles, breathwork, and the softness every child wants and needs. What begins as a bizarre chance encounter unfolds into an otherworldly exchange. Among the scattered candy are shared truths, humor, and wisdom that reframe anger not as an enemy but as a guide.
In a world of Latinx stereotypes and narratives that exploit trauma for shock value, RAGE-DAY subverts the norm, providing a unique approach to discourses surrounding generational trauma. Telling this story would affirm deep feelers, quiet rebels, old souls, rambunctious leaders, and those looking for a mirror into what can be. RAGE-DAY creates faith and expands beyond narratives of fear and pain. In learning to thrive, we build upon the seeds of survival sown generations before us. Break piñatas (and generational patterns) with DEX and SMILES!
(Latino, 40s/50s, He/Him)
From running wild in L.A.’s ‘90s party scene to embracing sobriety and meditation in adulthood, Smiles has lived a hard life to find peace. His past makes him wary of showing big emotions. Solo picnics, art, community, and blowing bubbles help him reconnect with what matters most—his inner child.
(Latinx, 20s, They/Them)
They’re a five-foot-nothing force to reckon with, a sweetie with a sparkling edge. Art therapy teacher by day and aspiring musician every waking hour, Dex navigates the growing pains of a 20-something-year-old dedicated to their art and finding a chosen family. A recent friendship breakup has them guarded but still open. They won't let trauma win, but it’s a heavy battle to do alone.
RAGE-DAY continues the vulnerable dialogue I began with my previous project, TODO A SU TIEMPO, where I collaged my audio diary alongside an interview with my mom and grandma on themes of mental health, time, and generational healing.
Though I can't control what people take away from my art, I aim to create dialogue and generate curiosity with every project. My intention with RAGE-DAY is to use whimsical imagery, nuanced characters, and mixed media practices to share my truth with a playful edge. The whimsical world Dex and Smiles share heightens feeling rather than escaping all that we are.
By donating, you will receive awesome perks + feel the joy of supporting the arts and emerging filmmakers' dreams come true. These contributions will help us cover the costs of intricate production design, camera and lighting equipment, and costumes. Supporting RAGE-DAY will allow us to share this lovely story that explores the bounds of mental health, love, and healing with Latinx characters.
We need roughly $4,000 to cover the cost of our film!
- $400 to feed our wonderful cast and crew while filming.
- $500 for props to help create a more engaging world for our audience.
- $500 for post-production
- $1000 for crew and cast stipends
- $1600 for the necessary equipment and its transportation to bring this story to life.
RAGE-DAY is currently simmering in pre-production, led by my brilliant friend and producer, Giovanna Trujillo. We’ve assembled a passionate team of young filmmakers to bring this world to life! We are scheduled to complete post-production by September, intentionally timed with Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the film with a community film screening and art event! This event will spotlight local Latinx and queer filmmakers, inviting them to share their work in a safe, affirming space—culminating in a screening of RAGE-DAY.
As someone deeply involved in community-building through my roles at Vidiots Foundation and the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, creating spaces for connection, reflection, and joy is a core part of my practice. Of course, we’re submitting to festivals!
Our dream is to partner with mental health organizations and sponsors that align to create a unique way to release the film once everything is concluded. It’s early days, and we’re eager to share the final project with you.
There are more Dex and Smiles adventures on the way! Perhaps a debut feature—the possibilities are endless here!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Catering + Crafty for our Crew
Costs $400
Providing crafty and catering for our lovely filmmakers on set.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $1,600
Funds to help cover our camera and g&e equipment!
Post Production
Costs $500
Help cover graphics, editing and sound mixing.
Art Department Expenses
Costs $500
This will cover all the piñatas, bubbles, bats and candy splashing around in the film!
Crew + Cast
Costs $1,000
Support our crew who are making this dazzling short!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!