Silence and Sound
Orange, California | Film Short
Family, Drama
In 1970s California, a traditional Chinese drummer discovers his son has been drumming with a Japanese schoolboy, and must reconcile his WWII trauma or risk failing to pass on his musical legacy.
14 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$3,450
Goal: $15,000 for production
In 1970s California, a traditional Chinese drummer discovers his son has been drumming with a Japanese schoolboy, and must reconcile his WWII trauma or risk failing to pass on his musical legacy.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In 1970s Southern California, fifty-year-old Michael is a father, a WWII veteran, and a Chinese immigrant who preserves and honors his cultural identity by teaching Chinese drums at his local cultural center. Michael’s greatest joy is passing down his musical practice to his seventeen-year-old son, Peter, who shares his love for Chinese drumming.
When Peter one day demonstrates an unfamiliar drumming technique, Michael is led to discover that Peter has made a new friend with whom he’s been drumming: Katsushi, a Japanese Taiko drummer. Upon this revelation, Michael’s unspoken and unhealed war trauma from Japan’s invasion of China resurfaces. Normally a kind and welcoming man, Michael’s knee-jerk reaction drives him to lash out at Peter and punish him for his friendship with Katsushi and their intercultural drumming practice.
Awash in memories and old wounds, Michael is forced to either face his trauma head-on or allow his silence to build a wall between him and his son.
THE DIRECTION
This film is an incredibly personal story to director L-J ShenFilerman that intersects culture, music, and history. As a tri-racial, bilingual filmmaker with family both abroad and in the United States., holding multiple identities is a gray area he’s always been passionate to explore. L-J's grandfather survived WWII in China, but passed away before L-J was born. Through active inquiry into his mother’s relationship with him, L-J has come to intimately understand how the Japanese invasion of his grandfather’s homeland inflicted a pain he never processed, and almost never spoke about.
L-J has witnessed how generational trauma is passed down, and what it takes to heal it—that only through conversation and conflict between generations can this pain can be processed. This film highlights the power of the U.S. in this healing process, for only in the cultural melting pot of this country can trauma between peoples be so readily confronted and given the chance to heal.
THE COLLABORATION
As their culminating senior thesis film at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, this project comes full circle for L-J and producer Sarah Falco. With L-J having played Chinese percussion since he was 7, and Sarah being a musician for much of her life, their musical backgrounds naturally integrate with their love of filmmaking—they both believe in the rhythms that connect all of us. The pair have worked closely together since their freshman year, and have a deep understanding of each other on personal, creative, and project-management levels.
Behind L-J and Sarah stands a team of dedicated filmmakers, many of whom are Asian-American artists passionate about telling stories infused with hope. The team strives to embody the film’s mission of historical education and cultural exchange throughout the entirety of the creative process.
Beyond the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the history of WWII in East Asia is often undertaught in Western culture. Furthermore, the pressures of immigration often left those who moved to the U.S. after the war without a platform to share the pain of their combat experience.
The generation of soldiers and civilians who experienced the direct impacts of WWII is growing older and gradually passing away. It is important for us as young filmmakers to tell the stories of people who lived and fought for our freedom, and who continued to fight a silent struggle of war trauma after returning home. The impacts of these events trickle down through generations, and we hope to open up important conversations about difficult histories that are all too often ignored, both in the household and history books.
A story that highlights the lived experiences of immigrants in the U.S. is extremely relevant in this age where immigrants are facing violent, unprecedented prosecution. We hope to provide a poignant reminder that the fabric of the U.S. is made rich with the stories and cultures of people from all over the world, with one such example in Michael and the story of his family.
We must raise 80% of our fundraising goal to receive the green light from Seed & Spark and access our funds. We believe strongly in this story and our team’s ability to bring it to life, but we can’t do it without you!
Support our campaign! Your contribution, whatever the size, takes us one step closer to bringing our story to the screen. Choose an incentive or pledge an item from our wishlist–whatever works best for you. No amount of help is too small!
Where Your Support Goes:
In alignment with our wishlist, we aim to raise $15,000 to cover the production costs for our shoot this November and push us through post production this winter. Silence and Sound will be finished and delivered in March of 2027.
Our Reach Goals:
If we're lucky enough to exceed our goals, we will be able to put more money toward festival submissions, giving our film momentum and life beyond Chapman University. As our Senior Thesis Film, Silence and Sound is the culmination of four years of education and artistic practice for our entire crew, and we hope the Dodge College screen is only the beginning.
Follow our campaign on Seed&Spark, and find us on social media! Stay tuned for production updates and come along with us through the creative process.
Spread the word! To reach our fundraising goal, we must extend our networks as far as they’ll go! Sharing our story and campaign online or in your community helps more than you know.
Share your support with these prewritten messages!
I’m so excited to support @silenceandsoundfilm, a Dodge College thesis production about cultural exchange, generational healing, and traditional Chinese and Taiko drumming. Learn more about the project and support now: https://seedandspark.com/fund/on-silence-and-sound
I just pledged to @silenceandsoundfilm, a Dodge College thesis film by @ljshenfilerman which intersects culture, music, and history in a story about hope and healing. Please consider supporting and sharing! https://seedandspark.com/fund/on-silence-and-sound
By telling a story about cultural exchange and generational healing through the lens of a traditional Chinese percussionist in 1970s Southern California, “Silence and Sound” is a short film which hopes to bring difficult family conversations out into the open. Join @ljshenfilerman in bringing the project to life: https://seedandspark.com/fund/on-silence-and-sound
Thank you so much for your help in making Silence and Sound a reality. Our entire team cares deeply about this story, and we couldn’t be more grateful for your support and belief in our production.
This wouldn’t be possible without you!
All the best,
L-J ShenFilerman 沈君明, Director & Co-Writer | [email protected] | ljshenfilerman.com
Sarah Falco, Producer | [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Drum Rentals
Costs $2,000
At the centerpiece of our film, Chinese and Taiko drums will be needed for rehearsals, shoot days, and post production sound recording.
Talent
Costs $3,000
Help us properly compensate our talented actors and drumming doubles for their dedicated portrayal of these characters!
Locations
Costs $2,000
Period-accurate locations will make the fabric of our film immersive and believable.
Set Operations
Costs $3,000
Our talented cast and crew need nourishing meals to fuel their work on set!
Cinematography Equipment
Costs $2,500
High quality lighting and camera gear will allow us to capture a sharp, meaningful image.
Production Design
Costs $2,500
To bring to life SoCal of the 1970s, our art team must source period-accurate props, set decoration, and costumes!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a dedicated team of Chapman University students with a history of collaboration and a passion for purposeful filmmaking. Read our bios to get to know us!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In 1970s Southern California, fifty-year-old Michael is a father, a WWII veteran, and a Chinese immigrant who preserves and honors his cultural identity by teaching Chinese drums at his local cultural center. Michael’s greatest joy is passing down his musical practice to his seventeen-year-old son, Peter, who shares his love for Chinese drumming.
When Peter one day demonstrates an unfamiliar drumming technique, Michael is led to discover that Peter has made a new friend with whom he’s been drumming: Katsushi, a Japanese Taiko drummer. Upon this revelation, Michael’s unspoken and unhealed war trauma from Japan’s invasion of China resurfaces. Normally a kind and welcoming man, Michael’s knee-jerk reaction drives him to lash out at Peter and punish him for his friendship with Katsushi and their intercultural drumming practice.
Awash in memories and old wounds, Michael is forced to either face his trauma head-on or allow his silence to build a wall between him and his son.
THE DIRECTION
This film is an incredibly personal story to director L-J ShenFilerman that intersects culture, music, and history. As a tri-racial, bilingual filmmaker with family both abroad and in the United States., holding multiple identities is a gray area he’s always been passionate to explore. L-J's grandfather survived WWII in China, but passed away before L-J was born. Through active inquiry into his mother’s relationship with him, L-J has come to intimately understand how the Japanese invasion of his grandfather’s homeland inflicted a pain he never processed, and almost never spoke about.
L-J has witnessed how generational trauma is passed down, and what it takes to heal it—that only through conversation and conflict between generations can this pain can be processed. This film highlights the power of the U.S. in this healing process, for only in the cultural melting pot of this country can trauma between peoples be so readily confronted and given the chance to heal.
THE COLLABORATION
As their culminating senior thesis film at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, this project comes full circle for L-J and producer Sarah Falco. With L-J having played Chinese percussion since he was 7, and Sarah being a musician for much of her life, their musical backgrounds naturally integrate with their love of filmmaking—they both believe in the rhythms that connect all of us. The pair have worked closely together since their freshman year, and have a deep understanding of each other on personal, creative, and project-management levels.
Behind L-J and Sarah stands a team of dedicated filmmakers, many of whom are Asian-American artists passionate about telling stories infused with hope. The team strives to embody the film’s mission of historical education and cultural exchange throughout the entirety of the creative process.
Beyond the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the history of WWII in East Asia is often undertaught in Western culture. Furthermore, the pressures of immigration often left those who moved to the U.S. after the war without a platform to share the pain of their combat experience.
The generation of soldiers and civilians who experienced the direct impacts of WWII is growing older and gradually passing away. It is important for us as young filmmakers to tell the stories of people who lived and fought for our freedom, and who continued to fight a silent struggle of war trauma after returning home. The impacts of these events trickle down through generations, and we hope to open up important conversations about difficult histories that are all too often ignored, both in the household and history books.
A story that highlights the lived experiences of immigrants in the U.S. is extremely relevant in this age where immigrants are facing violent, unprecedented prosecution. We hope to provide a poignant reminder that the fabric of the U.S. is made rich with the stories and cultures of people from all over the world, with one such example in Michael and the story of his family.
We must raise 80% of our fundraising goal to receive the green light from Seed & Spark and access our funds. We believe strongly in this story and our team’s ability to bring it to life, but we can’t do it without you!
Support our campaign! Your contribution, whatever the size, takes us one step closer to bringing our story to the screen. Choose an incentive or pledge an item from our wishlist–whatever works best for you. No amount of help is too small!
Where Your Support Goes:
In alignment with our wishlist, we aim to raise $15,000 to cover the production costs for our shoot this November and push us through post production this winter. Silence and Sound will be finished and delivered in March of 2027.
Our Reach Goals:
If we're lucky enough to exceed our goals, we will be able to put more money toward festival submissions, giving our film momentum and life beyond Chapman University. As our Senior Thesis Film, Silence and Sound is the culmination of four years of education and artistic practice for our entire crew, and we hope the Dodge College screen is only the beginning.
Follow our campaign on Seed&Spark, and find us on social media! Stay tuned for production updates and come along with us through the creative process.
Spread the word! To reach our fundraising goal, we must extend our networks as far as they’ll go! Sharing our story and campaign online or in your community helps more than you know.
Share your support with these prewritten messages!
I’m so excited to support @silenceandsoundfilm, a Dodge College thesis production about cultural exchange, generational healing, and traditional Chinese and Taiko drumming. Learn more about the project and support now: https://seedandspark.com/fund/on-silence-and-sound
I just pledged to @silenceandsoundfilm, a Dodge College thesis film by @ljshenfilerman which intersects culture, music, and history in a story about hope and healing. Please consider supporting and sharing! https://seedandspark.com/fund/on-silence-and-sound
By telling a story about cultural exchange and generational healing through the lens of a traditional Chinese percussionist in 1970s Southern California, “Silence and Sound” is a short film which hopes to bring difficult family conversations out into the open. Join @ljshenfilerman in bringing the project to life: https://seedandspark.com/fund/on-silence-and-sound
Thank you so much for your help in making Silence and Sound a reality. Our entire team cares deeply about this story, and we couldn’t be more grateful for your support and belief in our production.
This wouldn’t be possible without you!
All the best,
L-J ShenFilerman 沈君明, Director & Co-Writer | [email protected] | ljshenfilerman.com
Sarah Falco, Producer | [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Drum Rentals
Costs $2,000
At the centerpiece of our film, Chinese and Taiko drums will be needed for rehearsals, shoot days, and post production sound recording.
Talent
Costs $3,000
Help us properly compensate our talented actors and drumming doubles for their dedicated portrayal of these characters!
Locations
Costs $2,000
Period-accurate locations will make the fabric of our film immersive and believable.
Set Operations
Costs $3,000
Our talented cast and crew need nourishing meals to fuel their work on set!
Cinematography Equipment
Costs $2,500
High quality lighting and camera gear will allow us to capture a sharp, meaningful image.
Production Design
Costs $2,500
To bring to life SoCal of the 1970s, our art team must source period-accurate props, set decoration, and costumes!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a dedicated team of Chapman University students with a history of collaboration and a passion for purposeful filmmaking. Read our bios to get to know us!