Shooting a Stray
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
What happens when violence meets innocence?
Shooting a Stray
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
6 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,285 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
18 supporters | followers
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What happens when violence meets innocence?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
14-year-old James struggles with his conscience after being tasked by his mother to hunt and kill a stray dog
SHOOTING A STRAY follows James, a 14-year-old boy. He lives in rural Maryland and has a complicated relationship with his mother Molly.
One day, Molly asks James to hunt and shoot a stray dog, which has been a nuisance around their home. James struggles with his morality, and his loyalty to his mother, as he uneasily embarks on this grim task.
KEY CHARACTERS
Reserved and contemplative, with a mix of obedience and quiet rebellion. James is willing to comply with his mother's harsh requests, but his hesitant and tender side is shown through his actions. The absence of his father casts a shadow of unresolved grief and expectations from his mother.
She is blunt, with a tendency to be dismissive and abrasive towards James. She thinks this treatment will transform James into becoming a man, gaining hardening traits lacked by his father.
VISUAL REFERENCES
WHY THIS FILM? AND WHY NOW?
This film is based on a story my father had told me so it holds personal significance to me. But beyond that, I believe contemporary media has left us desensitized to violence. The consequences of inflicting harm are seldom fully explored and treated as trivial.
I aim to peel back the nuances of this subject and cross-examine the ramifications which arrive with violence. What's more, the James/Molly relationship is my way of studying loyalty and maternal bonds.
FUNDING
While $8,000 is the minimum amount we need to bring our film to life (shooting begins in April!), additional funds — a stretch goal — would afford us superior filmmaking capabilities and ensure that Shooting a Stray reaches the widest audience possible.
Here is what an expanded budget will achieve:
- Raising $9,000 would go towards further enhancing production design, specifically as it relates to crafting a period feel
- Raising $10,000 would enable us to invest in more expensive, atmospheric locations that require heavy-duty transport/lodging
- Raising $12,000 would go towards all of the costs aforementioned, as well as allaying any unforeseen expenses
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
FOLLOW our campaign! Growing followers unlocks access to products, services, and festival fee waivers courtesy of Seed & Spark.
SHARE our campaign via social media or email! Spreading the word with your network will help us build an audience and bring this project to life! Send this campaign out to someone you know. Text, email, or anything you can do to get our film out there is a major help.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Transportation
Costs $500
Because without locations, there is no film!
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $700
Because if no one sees it, there is (or may as well be) no film!
Food/Lodging
Costs $2,000
Because without food, or places to stay, there is no film!
Production Design
Costs $1,100
Because without art/production design, there is no film!
Locations
Costs $1,000
Because without locations to shoot at, there is no film!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Liam is a director, writer, and actor based in New York City. Growing up in a small town in Maryland. he discovered his passion for storytelling through writing graphic novels and comic strips. Now his stories have evolved to the screen ranging from absurd comedies to grim dramas. he is currently finishing up his last semester at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Growing up in a small Connecticut town alongside two brothers, one goldfish and an armada of stuffed animals, Hunt began his filmmaking career at a young age with a slew of independent home movies shot with his father's Flip camcorder (all of which, to his dismay, are widely available on YouTube). His present day moviemaking efforts are slightly more sophisticated, frequently focusing on darkly comedic and/or absurdist plots and believably unbelievable characters. He currently studies at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Sania is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in New York City. She grew up in San Diego, always at the beach with her camera. She loves to shoot narrative, dance, fashion, documentary, and does photography on the side. In her free time, Sania loves to cuddle up with her tiny shitzu-poodle, Max, or listen to her 50 hour long playlists. She is excited to collaborate on this project to string together the vision of the team!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
14-year-old James struggles with his conscience after being tasked by his mother to hunt and kill a stray dog
SHOOTING A STRAY follows James, a 14-year-old boy. He lives in rural Maryland and has a complicated relationship with his mother Molly.
One day, Molly asks James to hunt and shoot a stray dog, which has been a nuisance around their home. James struggles with his morality, and his loyalty to his mother, as he uneasily embarks on this grim task.
KEY CHARACTERS
Reserved and contemplative, with a mix of obedience and quiet rebellion. James is willing to comply with his mother's harsh requests, but his hesitant and tender side is shown through his actions. The absence of his father casts a shadow of unresolved grief and expectations from his mother.
She is blunt, with a tendency to be dismissive and abrasive towards James. She thinks this treatment will transform James into becoming a man, gaining hardening traits lacked by his father.
VISUAL REFERENCES
WHY THIS FILM? AND WHY NOW?
This film is based on a story my father had told me so it holds personal significance to me. But beyond that, I believe contemporary media has left us desensitized to violence. The consequences of inflicting harm are seldom fully explored and treated as trivial.
I aim to peel back the nuances of this subject and cross-examine the ramifications which arrive with violence. What's more, the James/Molly relationship is my way of studying loyalty and maternal bonds.
FUNDING
While $8,000 is the minimum amount we need to bring our film to life (shooting begins in April!), additional funds — a stretch goal — would afford us superior filmmaking capabilities and ensure that Shooting a Stray reaches the widest audience possible.
Here is what an expanded budget will achieve:
- Raising $9,000 would go towards further enhancing production design, specifically as it relates to crafting a period feel
- Raising $10,000 would enable us to invest in more expensive, atmospheric locations that require heavy-duty transport/lodging
- Raising $12,000 would go towards all of the costs aforementioned, as well as allaying any unforeseen expenses
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
FOLLOW our campaign! Growing followers unlocks access to products, services, and festival fee waivers courtesy of Seed & Spark.
SHARE our campaign via social media or email! Spreading the word with your network will help us build an audience and bring this project to life! Send this campaign out to someone you know. Text, email, or anything you can do to get our film out there is a major help.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Transportation
Costs $500
Because without locations, there is no film!
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $700
Because if no one sees it, there is (or may as well be) no film!
Food/Lodging
Costs $2,000
Because without food, or places to stay, there is no film!
Production Design
Costs $1,100
Because without art/production design, there is no film!
Locations
Costs $1,000
Because without locations to shoot at, there is no film!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Liam is a director, writer, and actor based in New York City. Growing up in a small town in Maryland. he discovered his passion for storytelling through writing graphic novels and comic strips. Now his stories have evolved to the screen ranging from absurd comedies to grim dramas. he is currently finishing up his last semester at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Growing up in a small Connecticut town alongside two brothers, one goldfish and an armada of stuffed animals, Hunt began his filmmaking career at a young age with a slew of independent home movies shot with his father's Flip camcorder (all of which, to his dismay, are widely available on YouTube). His present day moviemaking efforts are slightly more sophisticated, frequently focusing on darkly comedic and/or absurdist plots and believably unbelievable characters. He currently studies at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Sania is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in New York City. She grew up in San Diego, always at the beach with her camera. She loves to shoot narrative, dance, fashion, documentary, and does photography on the side. In her free time, Sania loves to cuddle up with her tiny shitzu-poodle, Max, or listen to her 50 hour long playlists. She is excited to collaborate on this project to string together the vision of the team!