This film explores the process of burying a dream and finding rebirth. We already have two-thirds of our budget thanks to our grant sponsors, and we invite you to be part of making this film by carrying it to the finish line!
This film explores the process of burying a dream and finding rebirth. We already have two-thirds of our budget thanks to our grant sponsors, and we invite you to be part of making this film by carrying it to the finish line!
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Story
Mission Statement
This female-led film features women of color working in STEM fields: two rocket scientists, an astronaut, and a doctor.About The Project
te·los
noun (ˈteläs): an ultimate object or aim; end, purposeDanika's just been accepted as an Astronaut Candidate for the space station program. She's also a drone pilot and loves tinkering with her homemade drone. She's eager to join her mentor, Amy Caplan, who's currently living on the space station.
But when she develops rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, she's disqualified from space flight.
Danika gets an offer to work on the Telos Mission—a NASA program to send a probe to Saturn's moon, Titan—and she's not thrilled. At first. But the geeky designer in her soon takes over. She joins the mission and begins to fall in love with her work. Her mentor Amy reminds her that her passion all along has been to discover new frontiers, not to fly in circles around the Earth. Thus Danika designs a probe that goes farther than she ever could have in a space ship.
The images will carry the film—no sappy dialogue, no melodrama.
This film was inspired by the beautiful images of outer space I saw while browsing NASA's archive. The awesome part is that we'll actually get to use these videos from NASA in the film! I want to create visual harmony between the shots of outer space and the shots on Earth, to show how connected Danika is to space.
I believe space connects everyone, not just science nerds. Every human being, when they see images of space and pause to take it in, can't help experiencing awe. Inevitably it becomes a bit existential: we're all connected by the realization of our smallness and search for meaning. This film is about a woman who finds purpose for herself, even after losing her dream. While writing the script, I realized I must have been influenced by watching my brother's journey: he got rheumatoid arthritis at age 21, and despite setback after setback, he's never stopped creating meaning for himself.
This film is for him, and for all those searching for their telos.
Note on how we are responding to COVID-19
We shot the film in August 2020 with a small crew and rigorous safety measures that complied with the CDC, and we are grateful to report that no one contracted COVID-19.
CAST
Candice D'Meza: Danika Candice is theater/film actor and has been called one of the “Seven Young Houston Theater Actors To Watch” in the Houston Press. She was last seen on Houston stages at The Alley Theater. She is also the winner of the 2018 Best Utility Player from the Houston Press Theater Awards. To learn more about her, visit www.candicedmeza.com.
Devika K: Amy Caplan Originally an engineer designing offshore platforms, Devika obtained a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and became a Tech Lawyer while writing and acting in plays. She has performed in numerous films, and she's taking the role of a NASA project manager in Telos.
Elisabet Davis: Dr. Nguyen Elisabet is an American model, actress, designer, and Texas Film Commission certified production assistant based in Houston, TX. Elisabet began modeling in 2017, appearing in a fashion show featured on Houston Life TV’s These Boots Were Made to Rodeo (KPRC Houston Channel 2, NBC’s local affiliate) segment. She has appeared in various commercials, industrials, & branding campaigns for organizations and corporations, and will make her film debut in Telos, as Dr. Nguyen.
BUDGET
Here's the breakdown of where the funding will come from and where it will go.
These charts represent our best calculations of which specific budgetary needs the funds be meeting.
STORYBOARD SNAPSHOTS
While Amy lives in the space station, she and Danika keep in touch by sending each other videos they take: Danika sends Amy her drone shots, and Amy sends Danika her space station shots.
Later in the film:
Danika is a drone pilot. Her drone, which she built herself, becomes a motif for the probe she will later design and underscores her passion for exploring the places humans cannot go.
As she recovers from the news of her diagnosis, she rebuilds herself by giving herself a task to focus on: repairing her drone. As she finds herself again, her renewed interest in her drone becomes a new interest in the Telos Mission.
We've been working hard to get this film ready to shoot over the last year and a half. We hope you'll be a part of its creation.
Incentives
$10
What Planet Are You?
Tell us your birthday, and we'll post a picture of your zodiac planet and give you a shoutout on all our social media channels!
$25
Celestial Music
You'll receive a private link to the finished film—and to tide you over in the meantime, you'll get a link to a Spotify playlist of space-themed music that inspired Natalie while she wrote the film.
$50
The Soundtrack
You'll receive a digital download of the film's final soundtrack!
PLUS
- Private link to finished film
- Natalie's Spotify playlist of music that inspired the film
$75
The BTS Package
You're into this movie. You'll get a thumb drive with storyboard images from early conception to final shot list, screenplay draft excerpts, behind-the-scenes photos, and some of the NASA images that inspired Natalie.
PLUS
- Private link to video
- Digital download of the soundtrack
$100
The Premiere
Two tickets to private premiere in Houston, TX
PLUS
- Private link to video so you can keep enjoying it
- Digital download of the soundtrack
Claimed: 27 of 250
$150
Your Name is Art
Storyboard artist Max Anton will use the letters of your name to make a personalized picture of something you're really into—spaceships, cats, guitars—and you'll get the file emailed to you!
PLUS
- Two tickets to Private Premiere
- Private link to video
- Digital download of the soundtrack
$250
One-on-One
Option A: One-on-One with The Bowtie Guy!
Producer Jason A. Raschen will read your short film script and give you notes and advice on your upcoming production over the phone or via Zoom.
Option B: Drone Photography
Danika is a drone pilot, and flying something that goes where she cannot becomes an important part in the film. Get your choice of three 8"x10" drone photo prints by the film's real-life drone pilot Nate LaValley. See this link for options.
Both Options Include:
- Two tickets to private premiere in Houston, TX
- Private link to film
- Digital download of soundtrack
$500
Mentor
Option A: One-on One with The Bowtie Guy PLUS! Producer Jason A. Raschen will read your feature film script and give you notes and advice on your upcoming production over the phone or via Zoom.
Option B
You're not the filmmaker but your high schooler wants to make movies? Writer/director Natalie would love to offer five one-hour mentoring sessions in person or online to a young filmmaker!
PLUS (both options):
- Two tickets to private premiere in Houston, TX
- Private link to video
- Digital download of the soundtrack
$750
Private Event
Natalie and Jason will show "Telos" at your school, organization, or event, accompanied by a Q&A. We'd love to give a plug for why we need more women in STEM, why inclusion matters, thriving with chronic illness, or whatever is most pertinent to your event! You and/or your organization will also get special thanks in the credits, and we'd be happy to give you a plug on social media!
PLUS:
- Two tickets to private premiere
- Private link to video
- Digital download of soundtrack
$1,000
Associate Producer
You'll be credited as an Associate Producer in the film and on IMDb. If you don't have an IMDb page yet, we'll make you one!
- PLUS
- Two Tickets to private premiere in Houston, TX
- DVD copy of the film
- Digital download of the soundtrack
- Any other lower incentive that caught your eye! We'll contact you so you can let us know!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
What Planet Are You?
Tell us your birthday, and we'll post a picture of your zodiac planet and give you a shoutout on all our social media channels!
$25
Celestial Music
You'll receive a private link to the finished film—and to tide you over in the meantime, you'll get a link to a Spotify playlist of space-themed music that inspired Natalie while she wrote the film.
$50
The Soundtrack
You'll receive a digital download of the film's final soundtrack!
PLUS
- Private link to finished film
- Natalie's Spotify playlist of music that inspired the film
$75
The BTS Package
You're into this movie. You'll get a thumb drive with storyboard images from early conception to final shot list, screenplay draft excerpts, behind-the-scenes photos, and some of the NASA images that inspired Natalie.
PLUS
- Private link to video
- Digital download of the soundtrack
$100
The Premiere
Two tickets to private premiere in Houston, TX
PLUS
- Private link to video so you can keep enjoying it
- Digital download of the soundtrack
Claimed: 27 of 250
$150
Your Name is Art
Storyboard artist Max Anton will use the letters of your name to make a personalized picture of something you're really into—spaceships, cats, guitars—and you'll get the file emailed to you!
PLUS
- Two tickets to Private Premiere
- Private link to video
- Digital download of the soundtrack
$250
One-on-One
Option A: One-on-One with The Bowtie Guy!
Producer Jason A. Raschen will read your short film script and give you notes and advice on your upcoming production over the phone or via Zoom.
Option B: Drone Photography
Danika is a drone pilot, and flying something that goes where she cannot becomes an important part in the film. Get your choice of three 8"x10" drone photo prints by the film's real-life drone pilot Nate LaValley. See this link for options.
Both Options Include:
- Two tickets to private premiere in Houston, TX
- Private link to film
- Digital download of soundtrack
$500
Mentor
Option A: One-on One with The Bowtie Guy PLUS! Producer Jason A. Raschen will read your feature film script and give you notes and advice on your upcoming production over the phone or via Zoom.
Option B
You're not the filmmaker but your high schooler wants to make movies? Writer/director Natalie would love to offer five one-hour mentoring sessions in person or online to a young filmmaker!
PLUS (both options):
- Two tickets to private premiere in Houston, TX
- Private link to video
- Digital download of the soundtrack
$750
Private Event
Natalie and Jason will show "Telos" at your school, organization, or event, accompanied by a Q&A. We'd love to give a plug for why we need more women in STEM, why inclusion matters, thriving with chronic illness, or whatever is most pertinent to your event! You and/or your organization will also get special thanks in the credits, and we'd be happy to give you a plug on social media!
PLUS:
- Two tickets to private premiere
- Private link to video
- Digital download of soundtrack
$1,000
Associate Producer
You'll be credited as an Associate Producer in the film and on IMDb. If you don't have an IMDb page yet, we'll make you one!
- PLUS
- Two Tickets to private premiere in Houston, TX
- DVD copy of the film
- Digital download of the soundtrack
- Any other lower incentive that caught your eye! We'll contact you so you can let us know!
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Director: Natalie LaValley has worked on over thirty promotional videos, short films, music videos, and short documentaries. She loves producing, writing, and editing as well as directing (just not all at once). She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts and a minor in Writing. And from hereon out, she will use the 1st person.
Producer: Jason A. Raschen is an Award-Winning Film Producer His films have screened at numerous film festivals including SXSW, The Bend Film Festival, The Literally Short Film Festival, The Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) Showcase, The Houston Cinema Arts Festival, and The Austin Film Festival. Jason A. Raschen also currently serves on the Board of Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP). I (Natalie) met Jason at a Women in Film and TV event, and he immediately connected me with opportunities and grants I hadn't known anything about!
Director of Photography: Paul Dufilho is the Corporate Storyteller for National Oilwell Varco, where he produces videos about the history and people of his company. I worked with Paul on two narrative short films where he was the DP and I was a producer. I loved his work and couldn't be more thrilled to work with him on Telos.
1st Assistant Director: Estrella Calderon has produced multiple short films, winning various awards at the 48 Hour Film Project in Houston. She captured behind-the-scenes content for the feature film The Challenger Disaster (2019), and she was the 1st AD for Chris Hartwell’s short film “The Way That I Take” (2019). I was a producer on Hartwell's film, and when Estrella wrapped us two hours early every day of the shoot, I knew I'd never want any other 1st AD.
1st Assistant Camera: Weihan Lin is a photographer and filmmaker who enjoys capturing precious moments of life, an athlete who loves outdoors, and an introvert friend who love seafood!
Production Manager: Christian Webster is her own boss, running her own freelancing business where she directs, produces, shoots, and edits gorgeous videos for clients. She's organized, she communicates, and she gets things done!
Drone Pilot & Audio Technician: Nate LaValley is a licensed drone pilot, photographer, and audio technician. He has extensive experience in all areas of live production as well as all areas of film production. If you asked him to juggle while doing a backflip, he could probably do that too. Nate LaValley has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media.
Production Designer: Jane Philip and I are long-standing collaborators. She's made me a better filmmaker. When I saw her vision and attention to detail as a production designer, I knew I had to have her on Telos.
VFX Artist: Joshua Sikora is a film producer and Director of the Cinema and New Media Program at my alma mater. He's mentored me as a filmmaker and has created beautiful visual effects of space on his own films. He loves space.
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