Red Wine Drive is a compassion-driven human narrative film, set in 1979. This film highlights two important social issues - the unnecessary incarceration of women (on the rise - since 1978) and the fact that conversion therapy to minors is still legal in U.S.
Red Wine Drive is a compassion-driven human narrative film, set in 1979. This film highlights two important social issues - the unnecessary incarceration of women (on the rise - since 1978) and the fact that conversion therapy to minors is still legal in U.S.
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Story
Mission Statement
We are an all-inclusive artistic machine! Our cast is mostly women; a women director, writer, 2 women producers and we are running with it! The film itself is about inclusion and the challenges that took place in the 70's. We strive to set that example with everything we create.About The Project
WELCOME!
Hello! My name is Dana Fykerud and I am the writer, director, executive producer, and actor in the short film Red Wine Drive. We have an amazing cast and crew who are all as excited as I am to bring this film to life.
Red Wine Drive is a compassion-driven human narrative film. Set in 1979, a young nurse working in a mental institution forms a risky friendship with a patient that shares a similar condition to her long lost brother. We began shooting our proof of concept trailer in December 2018 and are hoping to finish the short by March 2019. Filming will take place in the beautiful town of Bend, Oregon.
WHAT WE NEED...
My crew and I believe in the important message of this film, and want our story to be heard while also making the best film that we possibly can. With your help, we can reach our goal of $5,000 to cover the costs of enhancements to our production. The money we raise will go towards purchasing better costumes, set pieces, and props that truly represent the film's time period. If we reach our initial goal before the campaign ends, anything over that amount will go towards post-production costs such as enhancing color, sound, music and editing.
IMPACT AND WHY...
First, did you know that the incarceration of women has been on the rise since 1978? Not only that, while incarcerated, women face a greater likelihood of disciplinary action and more severe sanctions for similar behavior when compared to men. The disturbing gender disparity in recent prison population trends is what caught our attention.
Please take a look at this link: THE GENDER DIVIDEThis is absolutely absurd, and while some progress has been made, there is still more that needs to be done in ALL states.
Secondly, thousands of LGBTQ youth, ages 13 to 17, will undergo gay conversion therapy from a licensed health care professional or religious adviser before they turn 18. There are 11 states (plus Washington, D.C.) that have laws or regulations on the books. When doing research on this subject, we were saddened by the fact that many states still allow this barbaric method to be practiced, and that parents still subject their kids to this. I myself was under the impression that it happened so long ago and that no way this would still be going on…I was wrong.
CALL TO ACTION...Our production is not just about the glitz and glamour of film making. We are hoping to achieve something greater with this project and the story that it tells.
OUR PURPOSE - is to create a film that will bring awareness to our audience on these issues.
OUR GOAL - is to connect the audience to these issues in hopes that they can be better resolved
OUR HOPE - is that this film will inspire you to take action in your own communities because we believe that's where change begins.By supporting our project you are helping us make the world a better place...it really is that simple. The instinct to withdraw safely into our own perspectives is appealing, but we believe that in amplifying the heroic qualities of those who are traditionally underestimated, we can unite women and men in the pursuit of the same goal: creating one all-inclusive, compassion-driven human narrative.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP...
If your unable to donate money then we totally understand. Instead, please help us by spreading the word!
* Talk it up with your network of friends and family!
* Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Like WILD SUNFLOWER business page!
* Share our posts and link to the campaign on our page!!!
CAST
Tanya Janeway Thompson - as DAWN WITHERS
Skye Stafford - as SHARON BISHOP
Dana Fykerud - as PENNY HOWARD
Hilda Beltran Wagner - as CAROL McROY
Marla Manning - as MARCELLA POWERS
Shelly Lipkin - as DR. CRAIG
Jenny Jen Meeker - as MARLY SHULL
Audrey Rink - as LAUREL WATERS
Aaron Mangelsdorf - as STEPHEN WILSON
Lizzy Bean - as MELISSA WILSON
Izzy Cookingham - as DANIEL WILSON
EXTRAS: Male Orderly - Michael Coffman, Bob Cutter
Student Nurses - Catherine Christie, Mary Hildebrandt, Amber Wallace / Pinning Nurse - Rhonda Townsend Schantz / Patient - Risa ItaniCREW
Taylor Morden - Director of Photography
Dana Fykerud - Producer
Marla Manning - Producer
Danielle Powell - Producer
Greg Dombrowski - Composer | Secession Studios
RISKS & CHALLENGES...
There are a lot of "firsts" with this project. This is my first screenplay, my first time directing, my first real acting gig for a film, my first time producing and running a movie set...You can see where I am going with this, right? Because of the idea that nobody will support a first timer, some say I shouldn’t even think to mention this and pretend I've been a filmmaker all along. But I'm not going to pretend that I'm someone else, or fib about what I've been doing for the last 20 years.
Truth is, I've been a mom and I chose that path rather than pursue a career after graduate school because I didn't want to miss out on seeing my son grow up. It was hard, really hard, so hard in fact, that oftentimes I wanted to just walk out of my life and not look back. Not because I didn't love my husband or my son, but more in the fact that I had to give up so much of myself because I simply couldn't juggle both motherhood and a career. I wasn't strong enough and when I tried to work part time, things just seem to go sideways pretty fast.
I was overwhelmed and healing up from my own disturbing childhood, so much that I simply didn't have anything left to give. So, instead of running…I stayed, and life taught me some really important other lessons that I would have never learned if I had just focused on myself.
Once my son was out of high school, I hit the ground running and started taking acting classes and began to write my own stuff. I thought to myself... I was a storyteller in the Modern Dance world 20 years ago as a choreographer. Surely I could tell stories through film and then off I went. There was more to it than that, but you get the point.
There are a lot of risks for me personally...professionally too, but more so personally. I'm scared, petrified actually. If I fail, what are people going to think of me? I then take a deep breath and another voice says ..."Stop worrying so much and just step in. You've waited long enough." AND then I begin to settle down...
So, that's what I am doing. I'm stepping in and just doing it.The point I would like to make is that you can also take that step. Do whatever it is you really want to do, no matter the odds, and no matter what phase of life you are at. Stop listening to the naysayers or that stupid voice inside yourself that always starts off by saying... "You don't know enough yet." Do whatever you have to do to ignore that nonsense and keep moving forward. Don't give up, even if it takes 20 plus years. I'm 48 years old and if I can step out of my comfort zone and do this after all these years later, you can too. If you need a listening ear, I'm here for that too. Send me an email and I will respond.
I hope you enjoy our teaser trailer, and are just as excited and inspired as we are to help take this film to the next level. Thank you in advance for listening. My cast, crew, and I all appreciate your time and consideration.
With Heartfelt Gratitude,
Dana FykerudRED WINE DRIVE
In the late 1950’s, Dawn Withers, a determined young woman, longs to know what happened to her brother, who was admitted to a mental institution by their parents several years ago due to his homosexuality. Her parents refuse to tell her his whereabouts, and it’s not until the suicide of her mother one year later that Dawn decides to dedicate herself to becoming a nurse and finding the answers for herself. She begins an investigation of each mental institution that performs electroshock therapy, in hopes that she’ll find her brother in one of them.
Fifteen years later, Dawn finds herself at the last hospital on her list, West Hospital, where she meets a colorful array of nurses and physicians. She is also introduced to West Hospital’s newest arrival, Daniel Wilson. Dawn discovers that Daniel comes from a troubled home life, and that his homosexuality has also caused rifts in his own family. While Dawn connects further with Daniel, she unlocks the secrets of what happened to her brother.
DANA FYKERUD & TANYA THOMPSON
HILDA BELTRAN WAGNER
TANYA THOMPSON
AMBER WALLACE, MARY HILDEBRANDT, AUDREY RINK, TANYA THOMPSON, CATHERINE CHRISTIE & RHONDA TOWNSEND SCHANTZ
ROBERT CUTTER, LAURA LEE COFFMAN, MICHAEL COFFMAN, RISA ITANI
Incentives
$10
Social Media Shout-out!
Our personal thank you on social media for your support!
$15
INDUSTRY ADVICE
Film Industry Advice
ONE Free question regarding the industry to any of our production team, including producers, director, and designers!$25
Video Shout-out on Social Media!
*While on set... We will personally do a video shout-out and post on social media!
$50
Your Own Copy of Red Wine Drive
A download of RED WINE DRIVE to watch as much as you want after the premiere!
...AND all of the above incentives!
$75
COFFEE FROM BEND!
We love COFFEE and if you LOVE coffee then we are golden! We will mail you a bag of our favorite coffee from Bend, Oregon!
AND all of the above incentives!!!
Claimed: 0 of 10
$100
A Postcard Signed by the Cast!
A picture postcard of RED WINE DRIVE - signed by the Cast!
...AND all of the above incentives!
$200
Your Name in "Special Thanks" in the Credits
*Your name will be listed in "Special Thanks" in the credits of RED WINE DRIVE!
*AND... all of the above!
(Travel expenses not included.)
$250
A Movie Poster Signed by the Cast!
* Your very own movie poster signed by the cast!
* AND all the above incentives!
$300
Two Tickets to a Private Screening in Bend!
*2 TICKETS to a Private Screening in Bend, Oregon!
AND...You guessed it - ALL of the above incentives!
(travel expenses not included)
$500
A SURPRISE GIFT!
YOU must LOVE surprises. WE do too and know you are going to LOVE this!
*AND ... all the above incentives!
(travel expenses not included)
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit!
*You'll be listed as an Associate Producer in the credits of RED WINE DRIVE (and on IMDB)!
*PLUS... all of the above!(travel expenses not included)
$2,000
Executive Producer Credit
*Your name will appear in the credits as an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER!
*2 Tickets to a private screening in Bend, Oregon! (travel expenses not included)
*Movie poster signed by Cast and Crew!
*Shout out on social media a few times per day...Ok, so maybe not that much but definitely more than once!
Thank you so much! We are so honored for this kind of support!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Social Media Shout-out!
Our personal thank you on social media for your support!
$15
INDUSTRY ADVICE
Film Industry Advice
ONE Free question regarding the industry to any of our production team, including producers, director, and designers!$25
Video Shout-out on Social Media!
*While on set... We will personally do a video shout-out and post on social media!
$50
Your Own Copy of Red Wine Drive
A download of RED WINE DRIVE to watch as much as you want after the premiere!
...AND all of the above incentives!
$75
COFFEE FROM BEND!
We love COFFEE and if you LOVE coffee then we are golden! We will mail you a bag of our favorite coffee from Bend, Oregon!
AND all of the above incentives!!!
Claimed: 0 of 10
$100
A Postcard Signed by the Cast!
A picture postcard of RED WINE DRIVE - signed by the Cast!
...AND all of the above incentives!
$200
Your Name in "Special Thanks" in the Credits
*Your name will be listed in "Special Thanks" in the credits of RED WINE DRIVE!
*AND... all of the above!
(Travel expenses not included.)
$250
A Movie Poster Signed by the Cast!
* Your very own movie poster signed by the cast!
* AND all the above incentives!
$300
Two Tickets to a Private Screening in Bend!
*2 TICKETS to a Private Screening in Bend, Oregon!
AND...You guessed it - ALL of the above incentives!
(travel expenses not included)
$500
A SURPRISE GIFT!
YOU must LOVE surprises. WE do too and know you are going to LOVE this!
*AND ... all the above incentives!
(travel expenses not included)
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit!
*You'll be listed as an Associate Producer in the credits of RED WINE DRIVE (and on IMDB)!
*PLUS... all of the above!(travel expenses not included)
$2,000
Executive Producer Credit
*Your name will appear in the credits as an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER!
*2 Tickets to a private screening in Bend, Oregon! (travel expenses not included)
*Movie poster signed by Cast and Crew!
*Shout out on social media a few times per day...Ok, so maybe not that much but definitely more than once!
Thank you so much! We are so honored for this kind of support!
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
DANA FYKERUD
Writer / Director / Actor / Executive Producer
Dana Fykerud is a writer, director, and actor currently residing in Bend, Oregon. She holds a BFA from Webster University and an MFA from the University of Arizona in modern dance, with an emphasis on choreography, directing, and performance. After earning her master’s, Dana spent a number of years in Salt Lake City, Utah, teaching dance and movement. In the midst of family life, Dana decided to venture into acting...and discovered a new love. Taking acting workshops led her fortuitously into community theater, and her onstage experiences evolved into acting for film classes with Shelly Lipkin, Kristina Haddad, and Michael Flynn. She soon understood that the genre of film captivated her like no other creative form.
In 2014 she relocated to Bend, Oregon with her husband and son. Needing a forum through which to express and to realize her artistic visions, she founded her own production company, Wild Sunflower Productions. Dana aspires to promote stories that highlight the trials and achievements of women, beginning with Red Wine Drive—a short film that she will be play the role of Penny while directing and producing in the fall of 2018. In addition, Dana is represented by Northwest Models & Talent and is consistently working on her original play, Threads, which she intends to adapt into a feature-film.
MARLA MANNING
Producer/Actor
Marla Manning has been a theater producer and actress for over 25 years. She graduated from Bryn College in Pennsylvania, and now resides in Sisters, Oregon. Her productions have played both nationally (from the cities of New York and Los Angeles, to towns in Florida, Connecticut, and Oregon), and internationally (in the UK cities of London and Edinburgh). Marla’s film and television experience includes working for acclaimed director Robert Greenwald, serving as Director of Development for an independent film producer, and spending over 10 years at A&E Television Networks; while her training includes various classes at NYU and UCLA. In 2016, after having taken on practically every position in developing live theater (particularly director in recent years), Marla founded Silent Echo Theater Company, a 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Sisters, Oregon, whose mission centers around ensuring that educational and transformative theater experiences are inclusive and accessible to all. She produced the award-winning short film, Art (released in 2005), and is excited to reenter the world of filmmaking.
TAYLOR MORDEN
Director of Photography
Taylor Morden has spent his entire career working to make entertaining and informative content. As a film maker he has worked on several features and short films that have gone on to win numerous awards at film festivals around the world, recently winning 'best of the northwest' at the Bend film festival in 2018. As a life long lover of movies with a keen eye for story telling he brings his unique vision and style to every project he works on.
DANIELLE POWELL
Producer
Danielle Powell is an Oregon native with over a decade of Central Oregon real estate knowledge. She spent more than 10 years in Corporate America where she climbed the ladder of success focusing on data analytics and truly relating to people. Danielle help launch the Customer Marketing department at Humm Kombucha developing trade management strategies and process as well as launching them forward with syndicated data. Danielle also Managed the Customer Marketing and Trade Management and Human Resource departments at American Licorice. She is a real estate agent at Duke Warner Realty and resides in Bend with her husband and two sons. Danielle minored in History from Oregon State University and thrives on historic topics and conversation thus fact checking for historic accuracy for this film is a perfect fit!
TANYA JANEWAY THOMPSON
Tanya Thompson is a Portland based actress, and fitness coach. She also writes a healthy lifestyle blog for greenappleactive.com. (Link to the most recent post in bio @tet.fitness.) Over the past decade, Tanya has studied Meisner with Jana Lee Hamblin and has also honed her acting chops with Kristina Haddad, Ted Rooney, Bill Coleus, and Shelly Lipkin.
Tanya can be see in feature films that include: Something Like Summer, The Competition, and a lead role in Unwritten. You can also find her in web series, including: Home Therapy, Hot Bikini Beans, and a starring role in The Old Rogue, which is being well received and winning awards on the festival circuit.
SKYE STAFFORD
Skye Stafford is a Portland based actress. Originally from Chicago, Skye has appeared on stages and screens up and down the west coast. She is incredibly excited to be working on Red Wine Drive and wishes to thank Dana profusely for this fantastic opportunity. She would also like to encourage everyone to check out both of her podcasts - HUSK (www.huskpodcast.com) and EXOPLANETARY (www.exoplanetarymedia.com) both are available wherever you get your podcasts!
JENNY JEN MEEKER
Lover of witty words, pretty things and sneak attacks, Jenny is an up-and-coming actress and aspiring beam of light. She starred in numerous commercials including Nike, Toyota, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, and many more, and is passionately working in overdrive to bring to light narratives that connect humanity, empower, and spread love. On the rare occasion when Jenny isn’t in class training, studying, or on set, you can find her shooting lights out on the basketball court, bouncing like a wild-child in nature, eating copious amount of sticky rice, and planning the next sneak attack!
SHELLY LIPKIN
Shelly Lipkin is an actor, director, playwright. He was Co-Artistic Director of Cygnet Productions from 2000 to 2003 where he co-authored, produced and starred in Vitriol & Violets – Tales From The Algonquin Round Table which won the 2004 Oregon Book Award for Drama. His second play, Sylver Beaches, was also nominated for an Oregon Book Award. At Artist Repertory Theatre he has starred in The Clean House, Blue/Orange and Gross Indecencies; at Profile Theatre he starred in Thief River (Drammy Award for ensemble acting), The Price and Sisters Rosensweig and starred in Twelfth Night with Tygres Heart Shakespeare Company. He has also performed with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Santa Fe Repertory Theatre, PCPA in Santa Maria, and other theatres across the country. Prior to moving to Lake Oswego he spent 20 years in Los Angeles as a television and film actor. Most recently you might have seen him in TNT's series Leverage, Extraordinary Measures starring Harrison Ford, Grimm for NBC, and Portlandia. Shelly is an Associate Director at Portland Actors Conservatory and also teaches film acting and screenwriting at The Art Institute of Portland and screenwriting at Mt. Hood Community College.
AUDREY RINK
Audrey Rink is an actor and director based out of Bend, Oregon. In Central Oregon, Audrey has acted in productions with Cascades Theatrical Company, Silent Echo Theater Company and Second Street Theater, and directed performances with Cascades Theatrical Company and Silent Echo Theater Company. Before moving to Bend in 2017, Audrey earned her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Theater from Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California, and performed in productions with Sonoma State University and Cloverdale Performing Arts Center.
IZZY COOKINGHAM
Izzy Cookingham is a Portland base actor and is 17 years old. Ever since he had his first acting gig - “The Strange Fascinations Of Noah Hypnotik” he immediately caught the acting bug. Izzy made the decision to take acting more seriously and begin private coaching with Shelly Lipkin to hone in his skills. He is so grateful to Shelly and to be a part of this film.
LIZZY DABCZYNSKI BEAN
Lizzy Bean is an actor, singer, entrepreneur, and dog-lover. Most recently claiming residence in Southern California, she's from Michigan, upstate New York, and Utah, with summers in Maine. Lizzy loves voiceover work, has enjoyed a series of roles in various short films and looks forward to portraying the title role in an upcoming pilot of Jen X.
AARON MANGELSDORF
Aaron Mangelsdorf is a Portland based actor and native Oregonian. Aaron has an International Business degree from George Fox University, and has lived and worked throughout North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Aaron studied acting while a freshman in college, and thereafter maintained an interest in revisiting it as an artistic pursuit. Most recently he has studied with Kristina Haddad at the Actors Lab. In addition to acting, Aaron is currently a drummer in a Portland based band, enjoys studying the German language, and traveling with his wife, Jenny, and two children.
MARLA MANNING
(BIO - see above)
HILDA BELTRAN WAGNER
Hilda is an actress based out of Redmond, Oregon. She teaches Theatre and English at Redmond High School. Her most recent directing adventure was Kate Hamill’s Sense and Sensibility, based on the Jane Austen novel. She last appeared on the CTC stage as Barbara in August: Osage County, directed by Sandy Silver.
EXTRAS ON RED WINE DRIVE
CATHERINE CHRISTIE
You may recognize Catherine from previous productions such as Fat Men in Skirts and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. This will be her third production with CTC and her tenth production in two years. Catherine is thrilled to be working with such a talented cast in this holiday production. She is a proud native Bendite and couldn't be more excited to be following her passion with acting in her own home town.
ROBERT CUTTER
Bob Cutter is excited to return to acting after several years focusing on family and career. His previous roles included seasonal musicals such as Bill in A Time for Christmas, Luke in Four Tickets to Christmas, and Fred in A Christmas Carol. He also appeared in a local Blockbuster commercial titled The Shooting Scorn by UmamiMedia.
MICHAEL COFFMAN
Michael Coffman is an actor based out of Bend, Oregon. He grew up in Eugene, Oregon and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Oregon State University in 1991. He graduated with honors from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove in 1995 to receive his Doctorate of Optometry. Michael is an avid epee fencer at the High Desert Fencing Club, and he is the proud owner of several ribbons from Oregon fencing tournaments. He has also acted in a multitude of theater and musical productions at the local theaters, including Cascades Theatrical Company and 2nd Street Theater.
MARY HILDEBRANDTMary Hildebrandt has been performing on stage, consistently, for the past 5 years. Notable credits include Viola/Cesario in Twelfth Night, Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None, and Judy Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. During the day she is a radio personality and voice-over artist for Audible. This past year she completed her 9th audiobook and is currently looking for new opportunities to expand her acting in every capacity.
AMBER WALLACE
Amber Wallace studied theatre at Central Oregon Community College. She participated in community theatre in the southern coast of Oregon in productions such as My Fair Lady, The King's Cloak, and Lucky Leprechaun. Amber plans to pursue more film opportunities and as well as continue her education. She resides in Terrebonne, Oregon with her husband and son.
RHONDA TOWNSEND SCHANTZ
Rhonda Townsend Schantz was most recently seen in Mejaski Choreography’s Jesus Christ Superstar, ( 2018). Other credits are Tiresias, in Silent Echo Theater Company’s ( SETC) Revenge and Sorrow in Thebes, 2018, Bertha in Hen Party, and Lean and Hungry mother in Bad Mothers - Cascade Theatrical Company’s Cascade 10 Black Box series ( 2017), Marlene in Verbatim - SETC’s "Now You're Talking" One Acts (2017), Adult Woman - Top Soil Theatrics’ Spring Awakening ( 2017), and Grimsby - TMP's The Little Mermaid (2016). Directorial credits include You Should Take a Lover (2016) and Its Not Really Suicide, Is It? (2018) for SETC’s “Now You’re Talking One Acts. Thanks to Starlight Opera in San DiegoCalifornia, for casting her as a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz when she was eight years old, igniting her theater passion, and to leading man, husband Michael, for his endless patience and support.
RISA ITANI
Risa Itani was most recently seen in The Addams Family Musical in Bend, Oregon. Risa has been part of numerous community theater productions over the last few years in both Oregon and Montana and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this production.DANA FYKERUD
(BIO - see above)
CREDIT: TRAILER /PROOF OF CONCEPT SHOT BY GNEEL COSTELLO
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