Read the script for SWATHE below...

The History of SWATHE

Hello! It’s me, Lauren Greenwood, award-winning screenwriter and soon-to-be first-time director of SWATHE, a short film. 

In April 2017, I wrote the first draft of SWATHE. It was called “Sleep Not” back then. Since then, almost 9 years ago, this script has never let me go. I’ve returned to it a dozen times since, refining it, and planning in my head how someday I’d direct it. This story has always felt like fate to me. After half a decade as working as a professional screenwriter (after a decade of training hard), now SWATHE is finally going to make me a director. 

The Story 

SWATHE explores themes of grief, loss and finding love at unexpected times and places. After her partner’s sudden death, Tracey engages Violet, a professional cuddler, to spend the night with her. It isn’t until she arrives that Violet learns of Tracey’s true intentions and what kind of healing they both really need. 

My Background 

I’m no stranger to the world of shorts. The first produced short I wrote, RED BALLOON, won several awards including Best Screenplay in Short at the San Diego International Kids Film Festival. It’s available for rent on Apple, if you’re curious!

My second short, & OTHER CONCERNS, I adapted from my award-winning 2019 Toronto Fringe play. This one raised $20,000 from a Seed&Spark campaign in 2023 (let’s make it two for two?!). You can see it soon on streamer CBC Gem!

I’ve also written four produced TV movies (Lifetime), one produced horror feature (coming 2026), over 120 videos for Animalogic (2m+ subscribers), and much more.

I’ve directed theatre and am looking forward to expanding the skills I learned for the stage into my directorial style for film. If you want to see what else I’ve done, check out my IMDb page. 

The Cast

Tracey - Andrea Pavlovic

I first met Andi when I cast her in my never-to-be 2020 Toronto Fringe play, “Bygone”. From the first five seconds of her audition, it was clear she was my lead. It was one of the easiest creative decisions I’ve ever made. Her sheer talent, commitment, choices… It was obvious this was just a taste of all the things this incredibly gifted actor would bring to the role. When Fringe was cancelled due to the pandemic, I swore one day I’d work with her again…

Fast forward to me offering her the part in SWATHE. Turns out, she was just as excited to actually work with me as I was with her! My decision to cast Andrea was based, of course, on her exceptional talent, but it was also strategic. She just had a big success with a starring role in IN A VIOLENT NATURE (2024), a Sundance-premiered slasher told from the perspective of the murderous monster. Andrea is on the up and up, I tells ya!

Violet - Ci Hang Ma

I met Ci Hang back in 2018 when we were in the same conservatory program class at The Second City in Toronto. As a class, we created a full length sketch comedy show that was on The Second City main stage, after which we took the same show to the 2019 Toronto Fringe. Throughout this process, Ci Hang and I had a secret shorthand, connecting on a level as performers and people that was truly hilarious and magical.

At that point, Ci Hang hadn’t even really fully committed to becoming an actor, but through this process, I watched as they discovered that acting was the most obvious path forward. And since then, they’ve skyrocketed, something I knew was bound to happen all along! Ci Hang was just upped to series regular in season 3 of Paramount’s SCHOOL SPIRITS, so I’m not the only one who recognizes them for their massive talent. Another meteoric riser! What a stacked cast!

The Set

To keep production costs low, I've written SWATHE to take place primarily in a single location: Tracey's bedroom.

As a result of the loss of her partner, Tracey has started slowly filling up her space with fabric. Imagine a grief-stricken squirrel preparing its hole for winter. It's not a conscious decision, but a natural instinct to try and stave off the terrible feelings that threaten to break through. Even the shades are drawn, blocking out knowledge of day or night. It's the inside of a coffin of her own making.

Visually, I want the set to feel almost claustrophobic at the beginning: Sound and light are muffled by the swathes of fabric everywhere. As Tracey and Violet grow closer, culminating in their dance montage, they begin to tear down the fabrics that surround them, opening up the space and sound.

In the final scene, even the sun shines into her new reality: Tracey has been awoken from her hibernation and is ready to experience life again with Violet at her side.

Why Contribute to SWATHE? 

As a donor, you want to know that your money is going to be used well. 

Proven track record

This isn’t my first Seed&Spark rodeo. & Other Concerns raised almost $20,000 on this very platform for post production and will soon be appearing on streamer CBC Gem after a successful festival run. 

Project feasibility 

To ensure the success of this project, I purposefully focused on feasibility while writing the script. With just two actors, one location and an 8 page script, the scope is attainable within the budget.

Considerable experience 

In January of this year, I also wrote and shot a feature film in just 4.5 days on a shoestring budget. That’s just the most recent on-set experience I’m bringing to this project.

High personal stakes 

This is my DIRECTORIAL DEBUT. This film means everything to me and will be my calling card as I forge ahead in the realm of directing. The stakes are sky high for me and I will not let anything mess this up. 

Natural frugality

I’m a naturally frugal person, intent on stretching every penny as far as possible. Every cent you provide will be treated with the utmost care and respect. 

Respect for YOU and your money

It’s a tough world and a tough economy. Anything you can donate to this film will be treated like the magnificent gift that it is. I will never forget this kindness and will strive to return the favour in whatever way I can. 

The Timeline

Pre-production of SWATHE will begin as soon as this fundraiser closes. The shoot is planned for April 2026, with post-production work continuing throughout the summer.

In September 2026, I aim to have the finished film ready for festival submissions! Then the work of promotion and marketing begins.

Ok, but why does it cost SO MUCH? 

Making a film is expensive. We all know that. One way to do it cheaply is to ask people to work for free. This happens all the time in film. But remember what I said before? This is my DIRECTORIAL DEBUT, which means I’m setting the standard for how I want to work in the future. And that means, every single person on set must be paid a fair, market wage. This is important to me as a director and as a human. 

In my ideal future, and in line with the ideals of the NonDē film movement, working in film is sustainable. Anyone who works in film should be able to pay their rent, eat and still make the art that they love. That’s why I need to start now with this film to set that precedent for the way I want the industry to be. 

Fine, but it’s just MOVIES. It’s not like they’re IMPORTANT. 

That’s where we disagree. Film is one of the most important art forms we have in this age. Film has the power to change hearts and minds in a very tangible way. Films show us who we are as humans and what we could be. They help us understand each other and build empathy. They are also a perfect escape from reality: a comforting place to turn to when reality is too much. Human-made films must be protected and fostered at all cost. 

Whew! That was a lot.