TERMS
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Documentary, Drama
Ask any woman around you.. either they themselves, or someone they know, has experienced pregnancy loss. A very sensitive subject, but also incredibly common, and often missing from our sex education. Supporting this project opens doorways to having more informed and healthy conversations.
TERMS
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Documentary, Drama
3 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,542 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
50 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Ask any woman around you.. either they themselves, or someone they know, has experienced pregnancy loss. A very sensitive subject, but also incredibly common, and often missing from our sex education. Supporting this project opens doorways to having more informed and healthy conversations.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Women and families with diverse perspectives courageously share their personal stories of miscarriage, raising awareness to the nuances of pregnancy, and the one in four who suffer from reproductive issues.
Watch the official trailer to our film, TERMS.
Follow on Instagram @terms.documentary
The goals of this documentary:
Create space for this sensitive, but essential discussion. Build a platform for women and families to speak their truth and help others know they are not alone.
Clarify misinformation, share the nuances of pregnancy, and show the impact our government policies
has on the scope of reproductive healthcare.
Provide resources of support for grief and healing.
The subject of miscarriage is an all too relevant and relatable conversation. Many branches stem from this central topic, starting with our sex education, cultural upbringing, and overall sense of community. Some of the challenges we are currently seeing result from the spreading of misinformation from the beginning. Ignorance leads to ineffective policy, causing a lack of access to necessary healthcare, disproportionately affecting communities of color the most.
The word abortion and its meaning has caused a huge divide. We examine the definition of this word, and why to some it's interpreted as "murder," and to others it's viewed as "healthcare." We explore the theme of "terms." How words shape our understanding, and overall emotional attachment to their meaning. How judgment can quickly overtake one's compassion and empathy, before having all the information.
We hope audiences are inspired to think more compassionately as they enter this election. Our reproduction rights are not black and white.
The catalyst of this journey started with the story of Cristina Quintanilla from El Salvador. In 2018, we made a short film portraying the pivotal moment Cristina's life changed, this very real depiction is the threat pregnant women are facing currently in the United States.
It's been five years since our initial Seed & Spark campaign back in 2019, in which we successfully funded development for the narrative feature film, FOR HER (PARA ELLA), with our short proof of concept, LAS 17. Watch the 3 minute film below.
After the 2019 campaign was completed, we were making excellent progress with casting, but when the Covid pandemic struck in early 2020, FOR HER had to take a backseat. Production was shut down, but I did my best to continue pitching the film, and submitting the script to screenwriting contests to raise awareness to this story.
FOR HER was a top ten finalist in two screenwriting contents:
Empowering Women with Catalyst Studios & Diversity Springboard Screenwriting Contest.
When Roe was overturned in June 2022... I couldn't wait any longer. I decided to pivot, shifting this important film into a documentary. Grateful to have the previous funds that were raised in 2019, I could take this project into my own hands with the green-light I was waiting for, and embark on a new path.
Not only would I be telling the story of one woman, but now, I could provide a platform for many women to share their story. This allowed me to really dive into the nuances of pregnancy, and how frequently the experience of miscarriage occurs. Starting a healthy and necessary conversation for those who don't know how tricky navigating pregnancy can be, and what this can look like.
Since August 2022, I've traveled to 15 states, interviewing a total of 35 different subjects who are either parents of pregnancy loss, or healthcare providers who can speak credibly to clarifying misinformation. I interviewed women who had first, second, or third trimester miscarriages. These are women/families that WANTED their pregnancies, but due to circumstances out of their control, were left with making a devastating choice.
I've met some incredible people, who were brave enough to come forward and speak their truth. I can't wait for you all to connect with them in this film.
This traveling was also made possible by the numerous friends/family who took me in during my filmmaking, some of who gave their free time as my right hand assisting me during the interviews/shoots. Karen, Eddie, Nour, Tiffany, Ian, Ashlee, Peaches, Sarah, Brynn, Leah, Dave & Sue, Samuel, Caitlin, Adam, Francina... I could not have done this without you.
Seed & Spark supporters gifted me the opportunity to start this film, and now I am here asking for help with finishing costs. So here we are, on the anniversary of completing our previous funding campaign (July 19, 2019), reigniting our community for support in helping us cross the finish line!
$10,000 covers the bare minimum this campaign needs to complete the film.
Any stretch costs will support marketing and distribution, so audiences can see it!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Color Correction
Costs $2,000
Color correction in film is a technical process that adjusts color, contrast, and exposure to make footage look natural.
Music & Score
Costs $2,500
I am enlisting my brilliant musical friends to create several different musical pieces to amplify the film's emotional content.
Graphics & Animation
Costs $2,500
Any and all text or animation needed to aid in storytelling.
Entertainment Attorney
Costs $3,000
Legal Council. Approving Errors & Omissions.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Alyssa Carter - Director, Producer
With a thorough background in musical theater and improv, the pull to building a career in the entertainment industry has always been strong for Alyssa.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production from California State University Northridge, she found herself diving into various forms of the freelance film world in Los Angeles, such as casting, assistant directing, and starting her own production company producing professional acting reels.
Since 2016, Alyssa has held the title of Creative Producer for companies such as Maker Studios, Fine Brothers Entertainment, Disney Plus, and most recently, one of the top social media ad agencies, TubeScience. Alyssa‘s true passion and skill sets lie in writing and directing films. She has produced several award winning short films and is currently in the process of directing her first feature length documentary, TERMS. Alyssa continues to explore a multitude of creative storytelling that help to elevate and amplify the unheard voice.
Karen Rivas - Editor
Karen is a graduate of California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Editing. She currently resides in Los Angeles, Ca as a professional video editor with over 8 years of experience specializing in digital media and marketing promos, as well as short films and documentaries. Karen edited and translated the short film, LAS 17, the catalyst story that lead to the development of the documentary project, TERMS. She is grateful to be a part of bringing awareness to these empowering stories.
Alyssa Salter - Editor
With a decade’s worth of professional video editing experience, Alyssa’s work ranges from digital media to advertising, short films, and documentaries. She has worked with clients including Netflix, NewEgg, New Rockstars, and Nickelodeon. She currently edits for one of the top YouTube series, SMOSH. Editing has been her lifelong passion, and she is eager to use her skill set to work on this meaningful documentary with a team of talented and creative women.
Cara Bomar Towles - Assistant Editor
Cara has 9 years of professional video editing experience in Hollywood, Los Angeles and the surrounding area. She has experience in a wide range of projects such as music videos, YouTube/digital content, advertising and short form narrative. She currently is a Lead Editor at a top Social Media ad agency and works closely with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, editing videos for their YouTube page, social media, and Oscar Ceremonies. She resides in the LA area, with her husband and 2 cats, Ringo and Starr. She is excited to work on this project to expand her craft in documentaries, and to be involved in a subject that is important, meaningful and relevant.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Women and families with diverse perspectives courageously share their personal stories of miscarriage, raising awareness to the nuances of pregnancy, and the one in four who suffer from reproductive issues.
Watch the official trailer to our film, TERMS.
Follow on Instagram @terms.documentary
The goals of this documentary:
Create space for this sensitive, but essential discussion. Build a platform for women and families to speak their truth and help others know they are not alone.
Clarify misinformation, share the nuances of pregnancy, and show the impact our government policies
has on the scope of reproductive healthcare.
Provide resources of support for grief and healing.
The subject of miscarriage is an all too relevant and relatable conversation. Many branches stem from this central topic, starting with our sex education, cultural upbringing, and overall sense of community. Some of the challenges we are currently seeing result from the spreading of misinformation from the beginning. Ignorance leads to ineffective policy, causing a lack of access to necessary healthcare, disproportionately affecting communities of color the most.
The word abortion and its meaning has caused a huge divide. We examine the definition of this word, and why to some it's interpreted as "murder," and to others it's viewed as "healthcare." We explore the theme of "terms." How words shape our understanding, and overall emotional attachment to their meaning. How judgment can quickly overtake one's compassion and empathy, before having all the information.
We hope audiences are inspired to think more compassionately as they enter this election. Our reproduction rights are not black and white.
The catalyst of this journey started with the story of Cristina Quintanilla from El Salvador. In 2018, we made a short film portraying the pivotal moment Cristina's life changed, this very real depiction is the threat pregnant women are facing currently in the United States.
It's been five years since our initial Seed & Spark campaign back in 2019, in which we successfully funded development for the narrative feature film, FOR HER (PARA ELLA), with our short proof of concept, LAS 17. Watch the 3 minute film below.
After the 2019 campaign was completed, we were making excellent progress with casting, but when the Covid pandemic struck in early 2020, FOR HER had to take a backseat. Production was shut down, but I did my best to continue pitching the film, and submitting the script to screenwriting contests to raise awareness to this story.
FOR HER was a top ten finalist in two screenwriting contents:
Empowering Women with Catalyst Studios & Diversity Springboard Screenwriting Contest.
When Roe was overturned in June 2022... I couldn't wait any longer. I decided to pivot, shifting this important film into a documentary. Grateful to have the previous funds that were raised in 2019, I could take this project into my own hands with the green-light I was waiting for, and embark on a new path.
Not only would I be telling the story of one woman, but now, I could provide a platform for many women to share their story. This allowed me to really dive into the nuances of pregnancy, and how frequently the experience of miscarriage occurs. Starting a healthy and necessary conversation for those who don't know how tricky navigating pregnancy can be, and what this can look like.
Since August 2022, I've traveled to 15 states, interviewing a total of 35 different subjects who are either parents of pregnancy loss, or healthcare providers who can speak credibly to clarifying misinformation. I interviewed women who had first, second, or third trimester miscarriages. These are women/families that WANTED their pregnancies, but due to circumstances out of their control, were left with making a devastating choice.
I've met some incredible people, who were brave enough to come forward and speak their truth. I can't wait for you all to connect with them in this film.
This traveling was also made possible by the numerous friends/family who took me in during my filmmaking, some of who gave their free time as my right hand assisting me during the interviews/shoots. Karen, Eddie, Nour, Tiffany, Ian, Ashlee, Peaches, Sarah, Brynn, Leah, Dave & Sue, Samuel, Caitlin, Adam, Francina... I could not have done this without you.
Seed & Spark supporters gifted me the opportunity to start this film, and now I am here asking for help with finishing costs. So here we are, on the anniversary of completing our previous funding campaign (July 19, 2019), reigniting our community for support in helping us cross the finish line!
$10,000 covers the bare minimum this campaign needs to complete the film.
Any stretch costs will support marketing and distribution, so audiences can see it!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Color Correction
Costs $2,000
Color correction in film is a technical process that adjusts color, contrast, and exposure to make footage look natural.
Music & Score
Costs $2,500
I am enlisting my brilliant musical friends to create several different musical pieces to amplify the film's emotional content.
Graphics & Animation
Costs $2,500
Any and all text or animation needed to aid in storytelling.
Entertainment Attorney
Costs $3,000
Legal Council. Approving Errors & Omissions.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Alyssa Carter - Director, Producer
With a thorough background in musical theater and improv, the pull to building a career in the entertainment industry has always been strong for Alyssa.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production from California State University Northridge, she found herself diving into various forms of the freelance film world in Los Angeles, such as casting, assistant directing, and starting her own production company producing professional acting reels.
Since 2016, Alyssa has held the title of Creative Producer for companies such as Maker Studios, Fine Brothers Entertainment, Disney Plus, and most recently, one of the top social media ad agencies, TubeScience. Alyssa‘s true passion and skill sets lie in writing and directing films. She has produced several award winning short films and is currently in the process of directing her first feature length documentary, TERMS. Alyssa continues to explore a multitude of creative storytelling that help to elevate and amplify the unheard voice.
Karen Rivas - Editor
Karen is a graduate of California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Editing. She currently resides in Los Angeles, Ca as a professional video editor with over 8 years of experience specializing in digital media and marketing promos, as well as short films and documentaries. Karen edited and translated the short film, LAS 17, the catalyst story that lead to the development of the documentary project, TERMS. She is grateful to be a part of bringing awareness to these empowering stories.
Alyssa Salter - Editor
With a decade’s worth of professional video editing experience, Alyssa’s work ranges from digital media to advertising, short films, and documentaries. She has worked with clients including Netflix, NewEgg, New Rockstars, and Nickelodeon. She currently edits for one of the top YouTube series, SMOSH. Editing has been her lifelong passion, and she is eager to use her skill set to work on this meaningful documentary with a team of talented and creative women.
Cara Bomar Towles - Assistant Editor
Cara has 9 years of professional video editing experience in Hollywood, Los Angeles and the surrounding area. She has experience in a wide range of projects such as music videos, YouTube/digital content, advertising and short form narrative. She currently is a Lead Editor at a top Social Media ad agency and works closely with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, editing videos for their YouTube page, social media, and Oscar Ceremonies. She resides in the LA area, with her husband and 2 cats, Ringo and Starr. She is excited to work on this project to expand her craft in documentaries, and to be involved in a subject that is important, meaningful and relevant.