Southern Comfort - An Appalachian Fable
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
Our story touches on the expectations of small-town life for women the 20th century: keeping up appearances, adhering to assigned relationship and gender roles, and maintaining civil discourse. They are still prevalent today for many women, and it is essential to question these accepted norms.
Southern Comfort - An Appalachian Fable
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, Comedy
1 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $2,493 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
33 supporters | followers
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Our story touches on the expectations of small-town life for women the 20th century: keeping up appearances, adhering to assigned relationship and gender roles, and maintaining civil discourse. They are still prevalent today for many women, and it is essential to question these accepted norms.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"When a woman's husband goes missing, two police officers must navigate the complexities of small-town relationships and secrets."
Sundance Fellow and award-winning filmmaker Ava Davis teams up with talented writer Danielle Bryn to spearhead their latest cinematic venture, a short film called "Southern Comfort." This compelling short film, penned by Bryn and directed by Ian Trutt, delves into the hidden epidemic of domestic violence lurking beneath the facade of Southern hospitality.
Where :
A Small town in Appalachia.
When:
Set in the southeastern United States, the story explores the enchanting notion of a "pocket out of time," where smaller towns seem to exist in a realm of their own. Here, the passage of time adopts a unique rhythm, reminiscent of bygone eras like the 1970s, 1980s, or early 1990s.
In these quaint locales, life unfolds at a pace distinct from bustling metropolitan areas and the rest of the country.
What's Happening:
This story touches on the expectations of a woman living in a small town in the 20th century: keeping up appearances, adhering to assigned relationship and gender roles, and maintaining civil discourse. Cheryl’s life experiences challenge these norms, and her choices create an opportunity for others in her life to do the same. They are faced with the question of ‘what is the morally right thing to do?’ in a situation with no easy answer. For me, an important part of being human is to widen our perspectives and understanding of others. My work encourages my audience to do the same.
Who:
Cheryl Evers
[Age] 35
[Occupation] Homemaker
[Description] Cheryl is a delightfully strong and witty Southern woman, though she harbors a secret. Blonde, tall and no nonsense, she is stuck in a loveless marriage that she didn't want in the first place. Cheryl grew up poor, as did many in her community. She didn't have the option of supporting herself, so when Hank, an electrician and a drunk, proposed, her family decided she was going to get married. He wasn't exactly warm and fuzzy, but in this old-school Southern town, he fit the bill of a traditional breadwinner.
Detective Dalton Avery
[Age] 52
[Occupation] Senior Police Detective
[Description] As traditionally Southern as they come, Dalton takes pride in his work, and is respected throughout the town. A pillar of the community, everyone knows him and he knows everyone. Dalton grew up in the same town as Cheryl and Hank, and occasionally comes across Hank at the local bar, The Dipper, when having a beer after a long day on the job. He is charismatic, but when it comes to his job, nothing comes above the law.
Officer Marcus Wilson
[Age] 24
[Occupation] Junior Police Officer
[Description] Officer Marcus Avery is training to become a police detective under the tutelage of Detective Dalton. Marcus is a recent transfer to this small town, this position being his quickest path to become a detective. Marcus grew up in the city, unfamiliar with small town rhetoric, and is doing his best to fit in with middling success. Because he is an outsider, the community doesn't trust him implicitly. He can feel the community questioning, "who is this guy?"
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Craft Services
Costs $100
People need snacks on set. We promised the cast and crew.
Director
Costs $200
El deserves compensation for the work they've put into this project. They have bills to pay.
Production Assistant
Costs $150
The gopher, the grunt, the person who is always running around doing stuff. We are eternally grateful.
Catering (Lunch)
Costs $180
We promised them lunch. Lunch is very important as we need food to eat.
Lighting Package Rental
Costs $200
Let there be light! On the actors faces, and on the set.
Key Grip
Costs $150
Our crew is graciously agreeing to work below scale. They need money to pay bills.
Camera Rentals
Costs $80
Do you like really cool moving shots? So do we! Luckily, all we need to rent is a dana dolly!
Costumes (2 Police Uniforms)
Costs $150
Our script calls for two police uniforms. We'd love it if our actors Hugh and Evan look like the police officers they are playing.
Director of Photography
Costs $150
Nick has bills. We love Nick. Therefore, let's give him money. But seriously, Nick makes magic with the camera!
Sound Recordist
Costs $150
Our Sound Recordist (Mo Alexand, they/them) agreed for so far below scale, and we're so grateful. But they still have bills.
External Hard Drives
Costs $280
All of that beautiful footage has gotta go somewhere!
Post-Production
Costs $600
We need someone to edit, color correct, and mix sound so that it looks good and we can show y'all what we've done!
Cheryl's Costume
Costs $100
Surprisingly, Danielle does not already own a muumuu and accoutrements.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Cast
Danielle Bryn (Actress, Writer, Producer)
Danielle Bryn (Producer, Actor) is a jack-of-many-trades: actor, voiceover artist, comedian and writer, among others. She hails from the Midwest, now residing in Atlanta, GA.
When not acting on screen, Danielle can be heard as the frontwoman of the progressive rock band Athena. She can be seen puppeteering across Georgia with Piccadilly Puppets, and making folks laugh with her improv team Couples Massage.
You can hear Danielle’s voice work in numerous Audio Dramas and Audiobooks, as well a handful of indie video games (they keep casting her as the voice of gods and goddesses, for which she is flattered.)
Danielle is incredibly grateful to Ava Davis for believing in her work and being such a lovely human! For more information on Danielle’s work and her full list of credits and projects, visit daniellebryn.com
Hugh Adams
Hugh Adams has graced stages from New York to Atlanta, embodying the rich tapestry of storytelling. With a career spanning theater, film, and voiceover work, he's a stalwart of Atlanta's burgeoning film scene, celebrating its rapid growth.
Hugh's theatrical journey includes performances at esteemed venues like the Alliance Theater and The Kennedy Center, showcasing his talent in productions such as "Ugly Lies the Bone" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel."
In film, he's lent his skills to projects like "Jinx'd" and Troma film’s "Dumpster Baby," alongside voiceover work for CNN documentaries. Beyond acting, Hugh's impact extends to education and training, where he collaborates with medical and law enforcement professionals to enhance trauma response and investigative procedures.
Through storytelling, Hugh fosters empathy and social growth, proud to contribute to an industry that promotes dialogue and understanding.
Evan Hill Philips
Evan Hill Phillips, a versatile performer and artist, ignited his passion for the stage as a toddler, unknowingly captivating audiences with his spontaneous dance moves at a wedding. Raised in Belleville, MI, Evan pursued his love for the arts early, completing college classes at Washtenaw Community College at age 14 and earning a BFA in Theatre from Michigan State University in 2018.
He later joined the Aurora Apprenticeship Company in Lawrenceville, GA, and now resides in Atlanta. Evan's innovative work includes co-creating "Farm! A Musical Experience," tailored for neurodiverse audiences, and "POND," a sensory-exploratory production. As a resident artist at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Evan has graced the stage in various productions.
In Atlanta, his credits span across numerous theaters, showcasing his talent both on stage and behind the scenes in graphic design and animation. Evan's diverse interests include music, improv, and culinary arts.
Stay connected with him at www.evanhillphillips.com and on Instagram @evanhillphillips.
Crew
Ava Davis (Producer)
Ava Davis, Sundance Fellow ('21, Trans Possibilities Intensive) and also known as the Duchess of Grant Park, is a trans actress, producer/filmmaker, and writer. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her partner, and has appeared on stage in New York City (Pride50) and Atlanta (Alice in Wonderland, Peril, The Odd Couple).
She also advocates for increasing trans and queer representation, especially representation of black, brown, and beige minorities. She founded her production company, Studio Vosges, in 2019 for this reason. She hosts the talk show, The Ava Davis Show, on you42.com.
She has acted in, written, and produced several short films, including Feast, The Decision, and the upcoming experimental horror short, Torn Together. She also created, produced, and acted in the short film The Duchess of Grant Park, about a trans woman who claims the Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta as her duchy. With her production company, Davis recently signed a deal for this short film to screen and stream on Atlanta's PBS affiliate WABE for the next two years.
Ian El Trutt (Director)
Ian Trutt is a nonbinary Latine screenwriter, director, and professionally produced playwright from Atlanta, GA. They specialize in dark comedies and social commentary brought to life with sharp dialogue.
Trutt holds an MFA in screenwriting from UGA under the mentorship of Christine Swanson (Chicago PD, All About Us) and Holly Sorensen (Step Up, Make It Or Break It). Their first cinematic project, Cam Girl, premiered in August 2023 and is streaming now.
For theatre, Trutt directed their own adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel Stardust while at Emory University, where they would graduate with honors. They later assistant directed on the Berkshire Theater Festival's "The Mystery of Irma Vep" and directed a revue at the Colonial Theater. In 2015, they were a Young Playwrights Festival resident at the Horizon Theatre.
Nick Manlavi (Director of Photography)
Nicholas Sempio Manlavi is a self taught Cinematographer from Memphis, Tennessee. He produced his first feature “Paid Leave” with Fred Jones in 2020. Since then, he has relocated to Atlanta, GA and has worked as cinema factotum for many acclaimed directors and production entourages in the area.
Film roles of notable mention include his role as Key Grip on Baby Better Swallow (Get Your Cat on Productions), Gaffer on Sweet Star Grief (Studio Vosges) and Cinematographer for an ongoing list of music videos.
Up and coming, he is working on a pilot script with actor Jason Gonsalves about actualizing one’s identity post-Covid and writing his own slice of life story about holding on to one’s spirit as one ages and domesticates themselves.
Mo Alexand
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"When a woman's husband goes missing, two police officers must navigate the complexities of small-town relationships and secrets."
Sundance Fellow and award-winning filmmaker Ava Davis teams up with talented writer Danielle Bryn to spearhead their latest cinematic venture, a short film called "Southern Comfort." This compelling short film, penned by Bryn and directed by Ian Trutt, delves into the hidden epidemic of domestic violence lurking beneath the facade of Southern hospitality.
Where :
A Small town in Appalachia.
When:
Set in the southeastern United States, the story explores the enchanting notion of a "pocket out of time," where smaller towns seem to exist in a realm of their own. Here, the passage of time adopts a unique rhythm, reminiscent of bygone eras like the 1970s, 1980s, or early 1990s.
In these quaint locales, life unfolds at a pace distinct from bustling metropolitan areas and the rest of the country.
What's Happening:
This story touches on the expectations of a woman living in a small town in the 20th century: keeping up appearances, adhering to assigned relationship and gender roles, and maintaining civil discourse. Cheryl’s life experiences challenge these norms, and her choices create an opportunity for others in her life to do the same. They are faced with the question of ‘what is the morally right thing to do?’ in a situation with no easy answer. For me, an important part of being human is to widen our perspectives and understanding of others. My work encourages my audience to do the same.
Who:
Cheryl Evers
[Age] 35
[Occupation] Homemaker
[Description] Cheryl is a delightfully strong and witty Southern woman, though she harbors a secret. Blonde, tall and no nonsense, she is stuck in a loveless marriage that she didn't want in the first place. Cheryl grew up poor, as did many in her community. She didn't have the option of supporting herself, so when Hank, an electrician and a drunk, proposed, her family decided she was going to get married. He wasn't exactly warm and fuzzy, but in this old-school Southern town, he fit the bill of a traditional breadwinner.
Detective Dalton Avery
[Age] 52
[Occupation] Senior Police Detective
[Description] As traditionally Southern as they come, Dalton takes pride in his work, and is respected throughout the town. A pillar of the community, everyone knows him and he knows everyone. Dalton grew up in the same town as Cheryl and Hank, and occasionally comes across Hank at the local bar, The Dipper, when having a beer after a long day on the job. He is charismatic, but when it comes to his job, nothing comes above the law.
Officer Marcus Wilson
[Age] 24
[Occupation] Junior Police Officer
[Description] Officer Marcus Avery is training to become a police detective under the tutelage of Detective Dalton. Marcus is a recent transfer to this small town, this position being his quickest path to become a detective. Marcus grew up in the city, unfamiliar with small town rhetoric, and is doing his best to fit in with middling success. Because he is an outsider, the community doesn't trust him implicitly. He can feel the community questioning, "who is this guy?"
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Craft Services
Costs $100
People need snacks on set. We promised the cast and crew.
Director
Costs $200
El deserves compensation for the work they've put into this project. They have bills to pay.
Production Assistant
Costs $150
The gopher, the grunt, the person who is always running around doing stuff. We are eternally grateful.
Catering (Lunch)
Costs $180
We promised them lunch. Lunch is very important as we need food to eat.
Lighting Package Rental
Costs $200
Let there be light! On the actors faces, and on the set.
Key Grip
Costs $150
Our crew is graciously agreeing to work below scale. They need money to pay bills.
Camera Rentals
Costs $80
Do you like really cool moving shots? So do we! Luckily, all we need to rent is a dana dolly!
Costumes (2 Police Uniforms)
Costs $150
Our script calls for two police uniforms. We'd love it if our actors Hugh and Evan look like the police officers they are playing.
Director of Photography
Costs $150
Nick has bills. We love Nick. Therefore, let's give him money. But seriously, Nick makes magic with the camera!
Sound Recordist
Costs $150
Our Sound Recordist (Mo Alexand, they/them) agreed for so far below scale, and we're so grateful. But they still have bills.
External Hard Drives
Costs $280
All of that beautiful footage has gotta go somewhere!
Post-Production
Costs $600
We need someone to edit, color correct, and mix sound so that it looks good and we can show y'all what we've done!
Cheryl's Costume
Costs $100
Surprisingly, Danielle does not already own a muumuu and accoutrements.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Cast
Danielle Bryn (Actress, Writer, Producer)
Danielle Bryn (Producer, Actor) is a jack-of-many-trades: actor, voiceover artist, comedian and writer, among others. She hails from the Midwest, now residing in Atlanta, GA.
When not acting on screen, Danielle can be heard as the frontwoman of the progressive rock band Athena. She can be seen puppeteering across Georgia with Piccadilly Puppets, and making folks laugh with her improv team Couples Massage.
You can hear Danielle’s voice work in numerous Audio Dramas and Audiobooks, as well a handful of indie video games (they keep casting her as the voice of gods and goddesses, for which she is flattered.)
Danielle is incredibly grateful to Ava Davis for believing in her work and being such a lovely human! For more information on Danielle’s work and her full list of credits and projects, visit daniellebryn.com
Hugh Adams
Hugh Adams has graced stages from New York to Atlanta, embodying the rich tapestry of storytelling. With a career spanning theater, film, and voiceover work, he's a stalwart of Atlanta's burgeoning film scene, celebrating its rapid growth.
Hugh's theatrical journey includes performances at esteemed venues like the Alliance Theater and The Kennedy Center, showcasing his talent in productions such as "Ugly Lies the Bone" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel."
In film, he's lent his skills to projects like "Jinx'd" and Troma film’s "Dumpster Baby," alongside voiceover work for CNN documentaries. Beyond acting, Hugh's impact extends to education and training, where he collaborates with medical and law enforcement professionals to enhance trauma response and investigative procedures.
Through storytelling, Hugh fosters empathy and social growth, proud to contribute to an industry that promotes dialogue and understanding.
Evan Hill Philips
Evan Hill Phillips, a versatile performer and artist, ignited his passion for the stage as a toddler, unknowingly captivating audiences with his spontaneous dance moves at a wedding. Raised in Belleville, MI, Evan pursued his love for the arts early, completing college classes at Washtenaw Community College at age 14 and earning a BFA in Theatre from Michigan State University in 2018.
He later joined the Aurora Apprenticeship Company in Lawrenceville, GA, and now resides in Atlanta. Evan's innovative work includes co-creating "Farm! A Musical Experience," tailored for neurodiverse audiences, and "POND," a sensory-exploratory production. As a resident artist at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Evan has graced the stage in various productions.
In Atlanta, his credits span across numerous theaters, showcasing his talent both on stage and behind the scenes in graphic design and animation. Evan's diverse interests include music, improv, and culinary arts.
Stay connected with him at www.evanhillphillips.com and on Instagram @evanhillphillips.
Crew
Ava Davis (Producer)
Ava Davis, Sundance Fellow ('21, Trans Possibilities Intensive) and also known as the Duchess of Grant Park, is a trans actress, producer/filmmaker, and writer. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her partner, and has appeared on stage in New York City (Pride50) and Atlanta (Alice in Wonderland, Peril, The Odd Couple).
She also advocates for increasing trans and queer representation, especially representation of black, brown, and beige minorities. She founded her production company, Studio Vosges, in 2019 for this reason. She hosts the talk show, The Ava Davis Show, on you42.com.
She has acted in, written, and produced several short films, including Feast, The Decision, and the upcoming experimental horror short, Torn Together. She also created, produced, and acted in the short film The Duchess of Grant Park, about a trans woman who claims the Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta as her duchy. With her production company, Davis recently signed a deal for this short film to screen and stream on Atlanta's PBS affiliate WABE for the next two years.
Ian El Trutt (Director)
Ian Trutt is a nonbinary Latine screenwriter, director, and professionally produced playwright from Atlanta, GA. They specialize in dark comedies and social commentary brought to life with sharp dialogue.
Trutt holds an MFA in screenwriting from UGA under the mentorship of Christine Swanson (Chicago PD, All About Us) and Holly Sorensen (Step Up, Make It Or Break It). Their first cinematic project, Cam Girl, premiered in August 2023 and is streaming now.
For theatre, Trutt directed their own adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel Stardust while at Emory University, where they would graduate with honors. They later assistant directed on the Berkshire Theater Festival's "The Mystery of Irma Vep" and directed a revue at the Colonial Theater. In 2015, they were a Young Playwrights Festival resident at the Horizon Theatre.
Nick Manlavi (Director of Photography)
Nicholas Sempio Manlavi is a self taught Cinematographer from Memphis, Tennessee. He produced his first feature “Paid Leave” with Fred Jones in 2020. Since then, he has relocated to Atlanta, GA and has worked as cinema factotum for many acclaimed directors and production entourages in the area.
Film roles of notable mention include his role as Key Grip on Baby Better Swallow (Get Your Cat on Productions), Gaffer on Sweet Star Grief (Studio Vosges) and Cinematographer for an ongoing list of music videos.
Up and coming, he is working on a pilot script with actor Jason Gonsalves about actualizing one’s identity post-Covid and writing his own slice of life story about holding on to one’s spirit as one ages and domesticates themselves.