Speechless- Post Production
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Shorts Program
When faced with the unimaginable loss of his first love in a tragic accident, Jake struggles to find the words as he starts her eulogy. When literal letters start to pour from Jake, lifelong friend Allison dives deep to help her friend navigate this shared grief.
Speechless- Post Production
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Shorts Program

1 Campaigns | Illinois, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,250 for festivals. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
17 supporters | followers
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When faced with the unimaginable loss of his first love in a tragic accident, Jake struggles to find the words as he starts her eulogy. When literal letters start to pour from Jake, lifelong friend Allison dives deep to help her friend navigate this shared grief.
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
'Speechless’ is a whimsical piece that centers around the loss of a childhood friend and first love. Jake and Allison struggle to navigate this new found grief only to find that though they process it differently, it is something that they now share. Using light and color shifts to guide the viewer in the emotional journey, Speechless touches on themes of grief, friendship, and the importance of mental health awareness. This film is the third in our series, Support on Screen, which showcases films designed to help provide a safe space for people so that they don't have to feel that they are alone in this world. The ultimate goal for this film is to distribute it to mental health facilities to be used as a tool of support.
Mental health is often mis-portrayed in the media and grief is one of the most common emotions never talked about. Speechless is a project centered around giving a voice to those who have none or have lost theirs. It was written from the personal experience of one of our writers, Chris Sage. Because of this we took great care in curating an open and welcoming environment that empowered people of all backgrounds to be in the moment and experience. During production we took great care in handling the fragility of talking about death and the emotional journey a person takes when someone they love has died and how, like fingerprints, no two experiences are the same. We echo this message in the film through the two vastly different experiences Jake and Allison have. Jake quite literally doesn't have words for the grief he feels isolating himself completely in an emotional tornado, while Allison holds the people around her together so tightly that she forgets to feel anything at all.
Hi! Melissa & Shanna here. In 2021, over countless cups of coffee, after working together on three films and a commercial, and in the midst of personal reflection post Covid, we formed Honey & Hemlock Productions. It began, as most ideas do, as an opportunity to create opportunities for ourselves. However, it quickly blossomed into an opportunity for us to provide a platform that gives voices for the voiceless. Together we have almost 20 years combined in this ever changing industry, and our track record is solid. Our films have touched on the topics of depression, domestic violence, grief, teen homelessness, and single motherhood. There is a vital lack of storytelling that rings true surrounding these topics, and in an industry that the gender gaps may never fully be even, we strive to hire at least 50% women for our cast, crews, and creative teams. We are also grateful that four incredible men have trusted us to tell their true stories. ~~MB & SR
This piece, is my directorial debut. I have loved the story from the first day writers Chris Sage and Stephen Schroeder shared it with me and I hope that it inspires those who watch it to take the next step forward in a time where all seems lost. Grief is a state of being that none of us are exempt from and remembering that, though we do not feel it in the same way, we feel it. Sometimes knowing that can make all the difference. ~~ MB
Em Rose Miller is an actor, artist, and standup comedian (when not sitting down) from the suburbs of Detroit Michigan who recently graduated with her BFA in acting from DePaul University. A perennially eccentric misfit, Em has always delighted in being able to make others laugh and think deeply about their own lives. Some of her most notable projects include acting in and directing Radical Acceptance (independent film), Top Girls (The Theatre School at DePaul), and Goosebumps the Musical (Chicago Premiere). Beyond performing, Em considers herself a communicator and wants the opportunity to reach as many people as possible through her words and work.
Garrett Sweere is a Chicago based actor that is originally from a small town in Wisconsin. He always had an interest in the art of acting and is now fully committed to perfecting his craft. Garrett has worn many hats in his life, starting out in the world of construction and labor, then taking a left turn into the very uninteresting field of finance, and finally pursuing his greatest and most important passion: Acting.
Melissa Bronski, Co- Founder, Producer - Director; a California based female filmmaker dedicated to the art of storytelling. She has produced 4 short films, two seasons of ‘Honey Writes Screenplay competition’, Co -directed Solitarity, Which has just completed its film festival run, and made her solo directorial debut with ‘Speechless’. One of the true joys and dedications of her life is her company Honey & Hemlock Productions, which she founded with producer/ director Shanna Riker. She has a deep passion for the work that she does and hopes that her work inspires others to do and be more than they were before seeing it.
Shanna Riker (She/ Her) is an award winning Screenwriter and Director. She has produced nine short films, five of which she directed and one she also wrote. Shanna's short film, The Leap had a successful festival run in 2020, winning three awards. It is now streaming on Revry TV. Shanna's screenplays have been making waves in the festival circuit. Shanna is the co-founder of Honey & Hemlock Productions, a female led production company telling stories through the female lens. Shanna is a full time producer for Spectrum Reach and has produced 30+ national
commercials. Shanna is a proud literary client of Mitchel Stein at The Stein Agency.
Chris Sage is a multi-award winning director and writer based in Austin,Texas. He is best known for My Life as a Romantic Comedy and Nickels. Both of which have enjoyed great success nationwide. Most recently, Nickels took home the award for Best Family Film at the Deep in the Heart Film Festival in Waco, Texas. Heavily influenced by the work of John Hughes, Chris’s films can be categorized as comedies with emotional weight. Chris is passionate about providing quality entertainment for children and opening doors for disabled artists in Hollywood.
Stephen Schroeder is a multi-award winning screenwriter fromSaint Louis, Missouri. He began his career writing commercials and comedic satire for a number of distinguished publications. In 2020, he co-wrote and co-directed his first short film, Nickels, which went on to win multiple awards, including; Best Family Film at the Deep in the Heart Film Festival. As a disabled filmmaker, Stephen is constantly working to provide opportunities and positive representation for handicapped creatives.
We're asking for $5000. Where does it go? Why do we need it? Thank you for asking!
We will use these funds for film festival submissions and distribution. Film festivals are the best, and often the only way for short films to gain an audience. You! Film Festivals place a film in front of audiences that might have never seen it otherwise, therefore they introduce filmmakers to a vast audience that becomes invested in their work and are excited to see what they do next. Film festival submissions average anywhere from $25-$100 per submission. Ideally a film should be submitted to a minimum of 50 festivals. On top of submission fees, we need to provide deliverables and marketing materials to each festival. Some require DCPs, which add up quickly, as well as full sized posters, plus postcards, etc. Then it is vital that we attend these festivals so that we can meet our new audience members in person. If our film is screening is 14 festivals in 14 cities, we need to travel there: Hotel, meals, transportation, flights, etc. Being present at the festivals allows for networking and in person audience building. Thank you for checking out our campaign and joining us on this journey.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $1,500
Film festivals are not only the first way to build an audience, but for short films, often the only way. Submissions range from $25-$100.
Festival Deliverables and marketing
Costs $1,500
Each festival requires different deliverables: DCPs, posters, press kits, etc. We also need marketing materials such as postcards and swag.
Festival Costs
Costs $2,000
Getting in is half the battle. We need to travel to these places so we can meet our audience in person. Flights, hotels, meals, etc-
About This Team
Being on set for Speechless was a dream. Everyone came together in such an incredible way. The cast and crew all clicked and formed friendships and connections that will last far beyond the 48 hours we were on set together. The community also came together with donations of locations, and meals, and time.
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
'Speechless’ is a whimsical piece that centers around the loss of a childhood friend and first love. Jake and Allison struggle to navigate this new found grief only to find that though they process it differently, it is something that they now share. Using light and color shifts to guide the viewer in the emotional journey, Speechless touches on themes of grief, friendship, and the importance of mental health awareness. This film is the third in our series, Support on Screen, which showcases films designed to help provide a safe space for people so that they don't have to feel that they are alone in this world. The ultimate goal for this film is to distribute it to mental health facilities to be used as a tool of support.
Mental health is often mis-portrayed in the media and grief is one of the most common emotions never talked about. Speechless is a project centered around giving a voice to those who have none or have lost theirs. It was written from the personal experience of one of our writers, Chris Sage. Because of this we took great care in curating an open and welcoming environment that empowered people of all backgrounds to be in the moment and experience. During production we took great care in handling the fragility of talking about death and the emotional journey a person takes when someone they love has died and how, like fingerprints, no two experiences are the same. We echo this message in the film through the two vastly different experiences Jake and Allison have. Jake quite literally doesn't have words for the grief he feels isolating himself completely in an emotional tornado, while Allison holds the people around her together so tightly that she forgets to feel anything at all.
Hi! Melissa & Shanna here. In 2021, over countless cups of coffee, after working together on three films and a commercial, and in the midst of personal reflection post Covid, we formed Honey & Hemlock Productions. It began, as most ideas do, as an opportunity to create opportunities for ourselves. However, it quickly blossomed into an opportunity for us to provide a platform that gives voices for the voiceless. Together we have almost 20 years combined in this ever changing industry, and our track record is solid. Our films have touched on the topics of depression, domestic violence, grief, teen homelessness, and single motherhood. There is a vital lack of storytelling that rings true surrounding these topics, and in an industry that the gender gaps may never fully be even, we strive to hire at least 50% women for our cast, crews, and creative teams. We are also grateful that four incredible men have trusted us to tell their true stories. ~~MB & SR
This piece, is my directorial debut. I have loved the story from the first day writers Chris Sage and Stephen Schroeder shared it with me and I hope that it inspires those who watch it to take the next step forward in a time where all seems lost. Grief is a state of being that none of us are exempt from and remembering that, though we do not feel it in the same way, we feel it. Sometimes knowing that can make all the difference. ~~ MB
Em Rose Miller is an actor, artist, and standup comedian (when not sitting down) from the suburbs of Detroit Michigan who recently graduated with her BFA in acting from DePaul University. A perennially eccentric misfit, Em has always delighted in being able to make others laugh and think deeply about their own lives. Some of her most notable projects include acting in and directing Radical Acceptance (independent film), Top Girls (The Theatre School at DePaul), and Goosebumps the Musical (Chicago Premiere). Beyond performing, Em considers herself a communicator and wants the opportunity to reach as many people as possible through her words and work.
Garrett Sweere is a Chicago based actor that is originally from a small town in Wisconsin. He always had an interest in the art of acting and is now fully committed to perfecting his craft. Garrett has worn many hats in his life, starting out in the world of construction and labor, then taking a left turn into the very uninteresting field of finance, and finally pursuing his greatest and most important passion: Acting.
Melissa Bronski, Co- Founder, Producer - Director; a California based female filmmaker dedicated to the art of storytelling. She has produced 4 short films, two seasons of ‘Honey Writes Screenplay competition’, Co -directed Solitarity, Which has just completed its film festival run, and made her solo directorial debut with ‘Speechless’. One of the true joys and dedications of her life is her company Honey & Hemlock Productions, which she founded with producer/ director Shanna Riker. She has a deep passion for the work that she does and hopes that her work inspires others to do and be more than they were before seeing it.
Shanna Riker (She/ Her) is an award winning Screenwriter and Director. She has produced nine short films, five of which she directed and one she also wrote. Shanna's short film, The Leap had a successful festival run in 2020, winning three awards. It is now streaming on Revry TV. Shanna's screenplays have been making waves in the festival circuit. Shanna is the co-founder of Honey & Hemlock Productions, a female led production company telling stories through the female lens. Shanna is a full time producer for Spectrum Reach and has produced 30+ national
commercials. Shanna is a proud literary client of Mitchel Stein at The Stein Agency.
Chris Sage is a multi-award winning director and writer based in Austin,Texas. He is best known for My Life as a Romantic Comedy and Nickels. Both of which have enjoyed great success nationwide. Most recently, Nickels took home the award for Best Family Film at the Deep in the Heart Film Festival in Waco, Texas. Heavily influenced by the work of John Hughes, Chris’s films can be categorized as comedies with emotional weight. Chris is passionate about providing quality entertainment for children and opening doors for disabled artists in Hollywood.
Stephen Schroeder is a multi-award winning screenwriter fromSaint Louis, Missouri. He began his career writing commercials and comedic satire for a number of distinguished publications. In 2020, he co-wrote and co-directed his first short film, Nickels, which went on to win multiple awards, including; Best Family Film at the Deep in the Heart Film Festival. As a disabled filmmaker, Stephen is constantly working to provide opportunities and positive representation for handicapped creatives.
We're asking for $5000. Where does it go? Why do we need it? Thank you for asking!
We will use these funds for film festival submissions and distribution. Film festivals are the best, and often the only way for short films to gain an audience. You! Film Festivals place a film in front of audiences that might have never seen it otherwise, therefore they introduce filmmakers to a vast audience that becomes invested in their work and are excited to see what they do next. Film festival submissions average anywhere from $25-$100 per submission. Ideally a film should be submitted to a minimum of 50 festivals. On top of submission fees, we need to provide deliverables and marketing materials to each festival. Some require DCPs, which add up quickly, as well as full sized posters, plus postcards, etc. Then it is vital that we attend these festivals so that we can meet our new audience members in person. If our film is screening is 14 festivals in 14 cities, we need to travel there: Hotel, meals, transportation, flights, etc. Being present at the festivals allows for networking and in person audience building. Thank you for checking out our campaign and joining us on this journey.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $1,500
Film festivals are not only the first way to build an audience, but for short films, often the only way. Submissions range from $25-$100.
Festival Deliverables and marketing
Costs $1,500
Each festival requires different deliverables: DCPs, posters, press kits, etc. We also need marketing materials such as postcards and swag.
Festival Costs
Costs $2,000
Getting in is half the battle. We need to travel to these places so we can meet our audience in person. Flights, hotels, meals, etc-