Room For Two
Toronto, Canada | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
What happens when we avoid hard conversations and being vulnerable? Over the course of one night at a Niagara Falls love motel, Eva’s confidence in her relationship with Jamie quietly unravels.
Green Light
This campaign raised C$9,698 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
63 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
What happens when we avoid hard conversations and being vulnerable? Over the course of one night at a Niagara Falls love motel, Eva’s confidence in her relationship with Jamie quietly unravels.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Babysitter (Dir. Monia Chokri)
Synopsis
Room For Two follows twenty-seven-year-old Eva as she struggles with the emotional distance in her relationship with her partner, Jamie. Since reconnecting with an emotionally expressive ex online, Eva can’t help but compare her former lover’s openness to Jamie’s quiet reserve. Over the course of one night at a love motel in Niagara Falls, Eva pushes Jamie to express himself but each attempt falls flat. Frustrated and uncertain, she leaves the motel room to get space. As the night unfolds, they grow more disconnected. Can Eva get Jamie to open up? And can Jamie give her the kind of connection she’s convinced she needs?
Director's Statement
I am convinced that one of the main reasons relationships suffer, and ultimately end, is because of bad communication. It’s hard to notice what you are feeling and put it into words—let alone have the courage to tell someone. This is exactly the process that Eva and Jamie struggle with in Room For Two, and the complicated journey we go on with these two characters.
The inspiration for Room For Two came from a place of wanting to understand a formative relationship I had in my late twenties. What was the reason for its ultimate demise? What role did emotional intimacy and communication have in this relationship? And overall, one of the hardest questions to ask—how do we know when it’s time to let go and move on?
Scenes From A Marriage (Dir. Hagai Levi)
Target Audience
Room For Two is a character-driven narrative. Its target audience is adults, particularly those who are interested in nuanced explorations of relationships, emotional complexity, and personal identity. It will also speak to audiences who enjoy films that blend drama with some melancholy and humour (ie. dramedies). With its contemplative pace, emotional depth, and bittersweet tone, it will capture the attention of people who are open to slower, meditative narratives, rather than mainstream, high concept, plot-driven films.
Some creative comparables are Take This Waltz by Sarah Polley, Past Lives by Celine Song, and The Worst Person In The World by Joachim Trier.
The Setting
The Setting is present day, at a three star motel in Niagara Falls, right down the road from a small strip of bars and restaurants. The opening scene is at sunset and the rest of the film takes place at night.
The majority of the film is inside a lover’s themed motel room. The room’s decor is a 90’s aesthetic with a heart-shaped jacuzzi tub. The lighting is warm and moody, using lamps that give off a red and orange hue. There’s streetlights coming in through the curtains, that adds textured layers to the lighting in the room.
The latter part of the film takes place at a local bar down the road. The bar is half-empty, it’s off-season. The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists. There’s a little stage with a projector screen running karaoke.
My Cousin Vinny (Dir. Jonathan Lynn)
Taxi Driver (Dir. Martin Scorsese)
The Visual Language
When Eva and Jamie are both in frame there will be distance between them or actual surface divisions to emphasize their emotional disconnect. The only exception is the scene when they are having sex—this part will be shot with intimate closeups of their body parts and faces. This is the only moment in the film where they are physically very close.
The camera will shoot Eva with tracking shots and static shots, using varying degrees of closeups from different angles, and centred medium shots. Capturing Eva’s expressions and body language. Eva welcomes us into her internal world.
Jamie does not want to welcome us into his world—there’s a distance between him and the camera. He is mysterious and unknowable. The camera will shoot him from behind, through mirrors, and having walls, objects, lighting, or Eva, obstructing our view of him.
Blue Jean (Dir. Georgia Oakley)
Blue Valentine (Dir. Derek Cianfrance)
Scenes From A Marriage (Dir. Hagai Levi)
Beach Rats (Dir. Eliza Hittman)
Timeline
September - October 2025:
• Lock in the shoot dates for three days in late October.
• Hire our crew for the shoot.
• Shoot preparations will include: location scouting, gear rentals, shoot organization and
scheduling.
October 2025:
• Three-day shoot.
November - December 2025:
• Picture edit
• Aim for picture lock in mid December.
January - February 2026:
• Sound design and dialogue mixing
• Collaboration with composer and securing song rights
• Final session sound mix by end of January
• Colouring
• Finalizing film festival strategy
• Final file delivery by the end of February.
March 2026:
• Film festival submissions.
Budget Breakdown
*Important Note: As part of of Seed & Spark's conditions, we must raise at least 80% of our financial goal for us to receive any funds whatsoever.
Our filming/production budget is $15,000. We've opted to make our fundraising goal $10,000 to better our chances of reaching the 80% mark. With the additional $5000 funded by myself.
Our production budget of $15,000 allows us to:
- First and foremost compensate our team fairly
- Shoot on location in Niagara Falls
- Fund the production design, camera, lighting, sound, costumes and catering.
Stretch Goals
If we are able to exceed our goal of $10,000, additional funds will go towards:
- Getting us through production without the need for additional investments.
- Give us the ability to fund our film festival submission fees within Canada and around the world.
- Fund our marketing and promotional materials.
Director's Note from Lisa:
Making a film is a huge feat that requires an incredible amount of money, resources, and support. Your contributions will have a direct impact on how this film gets made. Every investment, no matter the amount, will effect this project and elevate the experience of making this film.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here. I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to make another film and to keep telling stories. It’s my favourite thing in the whole world. ❤️
Lisa Saban
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Insurance
Costs C$1,000
better safe than sorry :)
Location Rentals (Motel & Bar)
Costs C$3,000
Without a location there's no film.
Catering
Costs C$800
We need to keep our team nourished!
Cast & Crew
Costs C$5,200
We need to compensate our talented cast and crew!
Cash Pledge
Costs C$0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Lisa Saban - Writer/Director/Actor
Lisa Saban is a writer and filmmaker based in Toronto. Her work in theatre has premiered at the Montreal and Halifax Fringe Festivals. Her debut narrative short film, Estranged (2022), was an official selection of The Female Eye Film Festival. Lisa writes about artistic process, relationships, and dating on the internet. As a filmmaker, she enjoys telling stories that expose the nuances and messiness of what it means to be a confused human on this earth where not much really makes sense. But alas, we persevere and we move forward in the best way we know how.
Robert Gerow - Actor
Robert Gerow is a Toronto-based actor and creative, specializing in character roles and developing indie projects with close collaborators. Gerow is also lightly seasoned on the stage, starring alongside his mother in The Saviour by Deirdre Kinahan at Here for Now Theatre. Gerow is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and loves Jiu Jitsu, cats and love.
Alfonso “Poncho” Navarro - Producer
Alfonso "Poncho" Navarro is an up-and-coming, Mexican Filmmaker based in Toronto. A versatile producer with experience in successful crowdfunding, community engagement, and delivering films from concept to completion, Poncho's films, Happy Birthday Claudia—which premiered at the Baja California International Film Festival, Shorts Mexico, and others—and With The Wind, which screened at the Edmonton International Film Festival, showcase his
ability to put together impactful narratives that resonate with broad audiences. Beyond narrative filmmaking, Poncho has produced dozens of music videos for independent artists in Mexico and Canada, and runs Moving Image Media, a strategic video production company specializing in commercials for investment, software and technology companies. Currently, Poncho is producing Reclamation: The Story of Inkloosiv Voices, a feature documentary about an inclusive, LGBT/Black-led Gospel choir in Toronto that fosters community and inclusion. This project highlights his passion for meaningful, community-driven storytelling.
Jason D’Souza - Cinematographer
Jason is a talented cinematographer with over nine years of experience in the film industry, specializing in feature films, commercials, and music videos. Having honed their craft in vibrant creative hubs such as Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles, Jason brings a unique perspective and artistic vision to every project. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling through visuals, Jason continues to push the boundaries of cinematography, capturing stunning imagery that resonates with audiences.
Samuel Szigeti - Production Designer
Samuel Szigeti is a production designer and musician based in Toronto. He merges a love of music and design when approaching his work. As a resident of planet-cool, his gritty and impressionistic perspective is the glue for any project's development. His work as a production designer spans across various artistic disciplines—be it music videos, commercials or film, he is always discovering purpose through creation.
Tori Morrison - Music Composer
Tori Morrison is an award winning sound designer and composer originally from amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, AB) on Treaty 6. She is the Director of Production for Outside the March, the Executive Director and Artistic Producer of Tiny Bear Jaws, and she collaborates with writer David Gagnon Walker as Strange Victory Performance. Her recent credits include composing, co-creating music, video design, and producing for I Don't Even Miss You at Factory Theatre (2024, Toronto); sound design and composing for The Woman in Black at Teatro Live! (2024, Edmonton); and sound design and additional music for Murder on the Links at Vertigo Theatre (2024, Calgary). She did multimedia design and producing for This Is the Story of the Child Ruled by Fear with Strange Victory Performance, which toured nine Canadian cities from 2021 to 2024 and has an upcoming Ontario tour in 2025. Tori is an alumna of the Canadian Film Centre Slaight Family Music Residency. Fern, a short film she created with writer David Gagnon Walker and director Lisa Rose Snow, is available on YouTube. Learn more about her work at www.torigmorrison.com.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Babysitter (Dir. Monia Chokri)
Synopsis
Room For Two follows twenty-seven-year-old Eva as she struggles with the emotional distance in her relationship with her partner, Jamie. Since reconnecting with an emotionally expressive ex online, Eva can’t help but compare her former lover’s openness to Jamie’s quiet reserve. Over the course of one night at a love motel in Niagara Falls, Eva pushes Jamie to express himself but each attempt falls flat. Frustrated and uncertain, she leaves the motel room to get space. As the night unfolds, they grow more disconnected. Can Eva get Jamie to open up? And can Jamie give her the kind of connection she’s convinced she needs?
Director's Statement
I am convinced that one of the main reasons relationships suffer, and ultimately end, is because of bad communication. It’s hard to notice what you are feeling and put it into words—let alone have the courage to tell someone. This is exactly the process that Eva and Jamie struggle with in Room For Two, and the complicated journey we go on with these two characters.
The inspiration for Room For Two came from a place of wanting to understand a formative relationship I had in my late twenties. What was the reason for its ultimate demise? What role did emotional intimacy and communication have in this relationship? And overall, one of the hardest questions to ask—how do we know when it’s time to let go and move on?
Scenes From A Marriage (Dir. Hagai Levi)
Target Audience
Room For Two is a character-driven narrative. Its target audience is adults, particularly those who are interested in nuanced explorations of relationships, emotional complexity, and personal identity. It will also speak to audiences who enjoy films that blend drama with some melancholy and humour (ie. dramedies). With its contemplative pace, emotional depth, and bittersweet tone, it will capture the attention of people who are open to slower, meditative narratives, rather than mainstream, high concept, plot-driven films.
Some creative comparables are Take This Waltz by Sarah Polley, Past Lives by Celine Song, and The Worst Person In The World by Joachim Trier.
The Setting
The Setting is present day, at a three star motel in Niagara Falls, right down the road from a small strip of bars and restaurants. The opening scene is at sunset and the rest of the film takes place at night.
The majority of the film is inside a lover’s themed motel room. The room’s decor is a 90’s aesthetic with a heart-shaped jacuzzi tub. The lighting is warm and moody, using lamps that give off a red and orange hue. There’s streetlights coming in through the curtains, that adds textured layers to the lighting in the room.
The latter part of the film takes place at a local bar down the road. The bar is half-empty, it’s off-season. The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists. There’s a little stage with a projector screen running karaoke.
My Cousin Vinny (Dir. Jonathan Lynn)
Taxi Driver (Dir. Martin Scorsese)
The Visual Language
When Eva and Jamie are both in frame there will be distance between them or actual surface divisions to emphasize their emotional disconnect. The only exception is the scene when they are having sex—this part will be shot with intimate closeups of their body parts and faces. This is the only moment in the film where they are physically very close.
The camera will shoot Eva with tracking shots and static shots, using varying degrees of closeups from different angles, and centred medium shots. Capturing Eva’s expressions and body language. Eva welcomes us into her internal world.
Jamie does not want to welcome us into his world—there’s a distance between him and the camera. He is mysterious and unknowable. The camera will shoot him from behind, through mirrors, and having walls, objects, lighting, or Eva, obstructing our view of him.
Blue Jean (Dir. Georgia Oakley)
Blue Valentine (Dir. Derek Cianfrance)
Scenes From A Marriage (Dir. Hagai Levi)
Beach Rats (Dir. Eliza Hittman)
Timeline
September - October 2025:
• Lock in the shoot dates for three days in late October.
• Hire our crew for the shoot.
• Shoot preparations will include: location scouting, gear rentals, shoot organization and
scheduling.
October 2025:
• Three-day shoot.
November - December 2025:
• Picture edit
• Aim for picture lock in mid December.
January - February 2026:
• Sound design and dialogue mixing
• Collaboration with composer and securing song rights
• Final session sound mix by end of January
• Colouring
• Finalizing film festival strategy
• Final file delivery by the end of February.
March 2026:
• Film festival submissions.
Budget Breakdown
*Important Note: As part of of Seed & Spark's conditions, we must raise at least 80% of our financial goal for us to receive any funds whatsoever.
Our filming/production budget is $15,000. We've opted to make our fundraising goal $10,000 to better our chances of reaching the 80% mark. With the additional $5000 funded by myself.
Our production budget of $15,000 allows us to:
- First and foremost compensate our team fairly
- Shoot on location in Niagara Falls
- Fund the production design, camera, lighting, sound, costumes and catering.
Stretch Goals
If we are able to exceed our goal of $10,000, additional funds will go towards:
- Getting us through production without the need for additional investments.
- Give us the ability to fund our film festival submission fees within Canada and around the world.
- Fund our marketing and promotional materials.
Director's Note from Lisa:
Making a film is a huge feat that requires an incredible amount of money, resources, and support. Your contributions will have a direct impact on how this film gets made. Every investment, no matter the amount, will effect this project and elevate the experience of making this film.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here. I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to make another film and to keep telling stories. It’s my favourite thing in the whole world. ❤️
Lisa Saban
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Insurance
Costs C$1,000
better safe than sorry :)
Location Rentals (Motel & Bar)
Costs C$3,000
Without a location there's no film.
Catering
Costs C$800
We need to keep our team nourished!
Cast & Crew
Costs C$5,200
We need to compensate our talented cast and crew!
Cash Pledge
Costs C$0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Lisa Saban - Writer/Director/Actor
Lisa Saban is a writer and filmmaker based in Toronto. Her work in theatre has premiered at the Montreal and Halifax Fringe Festivals. Her debut narrative short film, Estranged (2022), was an official selection of The Female Eye Film Festival. Lisa writes about artistic process, relationships, and dating on the internet. As a filmmaker, she enjoys telling stories that expose the nuances and messiness of what it means to be a confused human on this earth where not much really makes sense. But alas, we persevere and we move forward in the best way we know how.
Robert Gerow - Actor
Robert Gerow is a Toronto-based actor and creative, specializing in character roles and developing indie projects with close collaborators. Gerow is also lightly seasoned on the stage, starring alongside his mother in The Saviour by Deirdre Kinahan at Here for Now Theatre. Gerow is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and loves Jiu Jitsu, cats and love.
Alfonso “Poncho” Navarro - Producer
Alfonso "Poncho" Navarro is an up-and-coming, Mexican Filmmaker based in Toronto. A versatile producer with experience in successful crowdfunding, community engagement, and delivering films from concept to completion, Poncho's films, Happy Birthday Claudia—which premiered at the Baja California International Film Festival, Shorts Mexico, and others—and With The Wind, which screened at the Edmonton International Film Festival, showcase his
ability to put together impactful narratives that resonate with broad audiences. Beyond narrative filmmaking, Poncho has produced dozens of music videos for independent artists in Mexico and Canada, and runs Moving Image Media, a strategic video production company specializing in commercials for investment, software and technology companies. Currently, Poncho is producing Reclamation: The Story of Inkloosiv Voices, a feature documentary about an inclusive, LGBT/Black-led Gospel choir in Toronto that fosters community and inclusion. This project highlights his passion for meaningful, community-driven storytelling.
Jason D’Souza - Cinematographer
Jason is a talented cinematographer with over nine years of experience in the film industry, specializing in feature films, commercials, and music videos. Having honed their craft in vibrant creative hubs such as Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles, Jason brings a unique perspective and artistic vision to every project. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling through visuals, Jason continues to push the boundaries of cinematography, capturing stunning imagery that resonates with audiences.
Samuel Szigeti - Production Designer
Samuel Szigeti is a production designer and musician based in Toronto. He merges a love of music and design when approaching his work. As a resident of planet-cool, his gritty and impressionistic perspective is the glue for any project's development. His work as a production designer spans across various artistic disciplines—be it music videos, commercials or film, he is always discovering purpose through creation.
Tori Morrison - Music Composer
Tori Morrison is an award winning sound designer and composer originally from amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, AB) on Treaty 6. She is the Director of Production for Outside the March, the Executive Director and Artistic Producer of Tiny Bear Jaws, and she collaborates with writer David Gagnon Walker as Strange Victory Performance. Her recent credits include composing, co-creating music, video design, and producing for I Don't Even Miss You at Factory Theatre (2024, Toronto); sound design and composing for The Woman in Black at Teatro Live! (2024, Edmonton); and sound design and additional music for Murder on the Links at Vertigo Theatre (2024, Calgary). She did multimedia design and producing for This Is the Story of the Child Ruled by Fear with Strange Victory Performance, which toured nine Canadian cities from 2021 to 2024 and has an upcoming Ontario tour in 2025. Tori is an alumna of the Canadian Film Centre Slaight Family Music Residency. Fern, a short film she created with writer David Gagnon Walker and director Lisa Rose Snow, is available on YouTube. Learn more about her work at www.torigmorrison.com.