The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Drama, Experimental
A feature film following two strangers as they reluctantly drift into the next chapters of their lives.
The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Drama, Experimental
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,471 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
84 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
A feature film following two strangers as they reluctantly drift into the next chapters of their lives.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Paul, an 80-year-old man with dementia, struggles to process the recent passing of his wife. To seek solace, he tends to the birds in the woods behind his house. After an encounter with Sam, a 24-year-old girl, wandering around the woods, we slowly discover that she too is burdened by grief as the anniversary of her dad’s passing approaches. Sam and Paul bond over their shared hardships and look to the birds for meaning as they reluctantly drift into the next chapters of their lives.
The film carries a heartfelt and poignant tone, delicately balancing between moments of melancholy and glimpses of hope. It delves into themes of loneliness, grief, and the desire to find meaning amidst emotional turmoil. Throughout the narrative, there's a subtle sense of introspection, complemented by an external desire for human connection. The fuzzy camcorder imagery fused with the gentle sounds of late summer, create a meditative atmosphere, inviting viewers to immerse themselves into this unassuming slice of life and to find glimpses of themselves within the characters and the world they occupy.
Shot entirely on late 90s Video8 Camcorders, the texture of the film is filled with vibrant colors of a nostalgic past summer that has since fleeted. Taking inspiration from childhood home movies, I was inspired by the texture of my generations late 90s/ early 2000s camcorder documentations of reality. I wanted to further explore this visual texture by creating tableau-esk images to evoke a familiarity yet distance to the films characters and environment. Drawing influence from impressionist painters such as, David Hettinger, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Mary Cassatt, & Édouard Manet I wanted to experiment with finding a point of convergence where tape can become impressionistic & colorful. A texture matching the film's melancholy emotion of the fleeting moment.
The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know is a piece about a reluctance to advance to the next chapter of life. By utilizing this shooting texture of an obsolete age, I want the audience to pull from subjective experiences, relationships, and memories from their past.
In 2022 my grandmother passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's. Shortly after her passing our family came to the realization that my grandfather had Dementia after he kept forgetting she had passed. Watching the gradual mental decline of a man I admired so deeply led to an emotional whirlwind of extensional questions that became the groundwork of The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know. The film is a gentle and soft reminder that you are not alone in struggling to navigate the overwhelming adversity that accompanies the human experience.
Every film is a world built piece by piece. Our goal is to raise $7,000. Here's a peek into how contributions will translate into the movie:
Lights, Camera, Action!: Shooting on 8mm tape is a unique creative choice, and your support will allow us to capture the film's distinctive aesthetic. This covers essential equipment rentals and purchases, as well as the 8mm tapes itself.
Building the World: From creating a believable atmosphere to outfitting our cast, location and travel expenses, makeup & wardrobe costs, and art department needs (think props that bring the story to life!) are crucial in crafting a film that resonates.
The Final Touches: Post-production is where the magic happens! Your contribution will help us cover the costs of composing a captivating score, color-grading to enhance the visuals, and securing essential hard drives for storage.
Unexpected Extras: The "Misc." category ensures we can address any unforeseen needs that arise during production.
April - June 2024: Pre-Production -- We’re in full swing, and we've assembled an amazing cast and crew. Right now, we're crafting the film's visual identity through storyboards, camera tests, and set design.
July - August 2024: Production -- This Summer, we'll be filming the heart of the movie over 14 exciting days in Upstate New York.
September 2024 - January 2025: Post-Production -- From editing and sound design to color grading and music composition, this phase is where the magic happens. We'll be collaborating closely to bring the film to life, incorporating valuable feedback along the way. We'll also be charting our course for festival success.
March 2025: Picture Lock -- With the film locked, we'll set our sights on prestigious film festivals. Our ultimate goal is to premiere at a critically-acclaimed festival in late 2025 or early-mid 2026, followed by a public release through a distributor in 2026.
DIRECTOR/ DP WORK:
You can find more of Aidan's work on his website.
“How else can I help?”
Spread the word about our campaign! Share our campaign with your friends and family on social media, or tell them about it directly. Every like, share, and conversation brings us closer to our goals.
You can follow the film’s progress on Instagram & Facebook:
@The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know Film
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Pre-Production
Costs $1,400
This category covers essential equipment rentals and purchases, as well as the 8mm tape itself.
Production
Costs $3,500
Creating a believable atmosphere to outfitting our cast, location and travel expenses, makeup & wardrobe costs, and art department needs.
Post-Production
Costs $1,850
Your contribution will help us cover the costs of composing a score, color-grading, and securing essential cloud/hard drive storage.
Miscellaneous
Costs $250
Ensures we can address any unforeseen needs that arise during production.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Aidan Cronin (Writer-Director-DP) + Desirée Tolchin (Producer) + Jack Liden (Sound)
Aidan Cronin: Director/Director of Photography // https://aidanjudecronin.cargo.site/
Aidan Cronin (B.1998) is a Brooklyn based Director/DP. His work explores the human condition through an experimental narrative lens. Aidan’s written & directed work examines the cyclical banality that accompanies our continued existence. His cinematography experiments with repurposing antiquated film cameras, camcorders, and lenses to achieve impressionistic and nostalgic imagery. His work has screened at such festivals as, Atlanta Film Festival, Athens International Film + Video Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival & Palm Springs ShortFest. He has won such recognitions as Best in Show at Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Best Experimental at AIFVF, the Audience Choice Award at Brooklyn Film Festival, and Best Drama at Yale Student Film Festival. Aidan is the co-founder of the Ithaca Experimental Film Festival and is currently one of its festival directors and programmers.
Desirée Tolchin: Producer // https://desireetolchin.cargo.site/
Desirée Tolchin is a seasoned Producer and Director who crafts narratives, both fictional and non- fictional, that explore the often-mundane aspects of our lives. Desirée has produced films that have screened at prestigious festivals like Palm Springs ShortFest, Brooklyn Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Mammoth Lakes, Oxford Film Festival, Athens International Film + Video Festival, and NFFTY. Beyond the independent circuit, Desirée has worked with many A-List clientele as well as a diverse range of brands, including Netflix, Disney, L'Oréal, Gillette, Degree, Nexxus, Philo, Lancôme, McDonald's, and Bullish. Desiree is also one of the Co-Founders of the Ithaca Experimental Film Festival.
Jack Liden: Sound // https://www.jackliden.art/
Jack is a sound artist based in Brooklyn, NY who specializes in post-sound for film and television. As a freelance sound designer and re-recording mixer, Jack has contributed his subconsciously driven, emotive soundscapes to 30+ films since 2019. His mixes have screened at festivals such as DOC NYC, Lucca International Film Festival, and Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. These films have accumulated 12 various festival awards, including Best Experimental wins at Oxford Film Festival and Athens International Film + Video Festival, and Grand Prize at New York Shorts International Film Festival. Since graduating from Ithaca College in 2021, Jack has been a Mix Technician at Postworks New York, one of New York City’s largest post-production facilities. Jack’s Postworks credits include Laura Poitras’ Oscar nominated and Venice Golden Lion winning documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Aaron Schimberg’s Berlin Golden Bear nominated A Different Man, and Paul Schrader's Palme d'Or nominated Oh Canada. Aidan and Jack met during their time at Ithaca College, and have since remained friends and frequent collaborators. They both share a passion for enhancing the cinematic experience by using experimental recording and mixing techniques to create tactile, dynamic soundscapes.
A'lexiz Dennis (Associate Producer) + Kelly Hrebenak (Post Producer) + Philip Thompson (Sound Recordist) + Mira Moreau (Production Designer)
A’lexiz Dennis: Associate Producer // @lexbubble_1414
A'lexiz is an award-winning Producer, Event Manager, and film festival staff member. She has worked for festivals such as Tribeca Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, Hamptons Film Festival and Montauk Film Festival. A'lexiz just wrapped up producing and directing a web series made in part by the Creatives Rebuild New York Grant. This latest project is a testament to her ability to juggle multiple demanding roles while still bringing people’s artistic vision to life.
Kelly Hrebenak: Post Producer
Kelly Hrebenak is a Post Producer based in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Fordham University with a BFA in Film & Television, and an academic concentration in Film Theory & Criticism. During her undergraduate program, she was President of the Fordham University Film Society and helped to organize community events centering around student engagement with classic and contemporary film. After graduation, Kelly entered her current position of Sound Finishing Producer at PostWorks New York. Her professional specialization includes bidding, staffing, and managing the post production sound of a variety of media—including feature-length narrative films and documentaries, scripted television, and independent shorts. She is also head of ADR and VO scheduling for PostWorks, and has extensive experience managing recording sessions with A-List clientele. Kelly has been credited on films that have appeared in major festivals including NYFF, TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, and Cannes. Notable works include Oscar-nominated documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Hellraiser (2022), Bottoms, The Serpent Queen, and How to Blow Up a Pipeline. She has worked with clients such as A24, Netflix, Hulu, Disney, MGM, and Warner Brothers.
Philip Thompson: Sound Recordist // @pntjr
Philip Thompson is a Brooklyn based Filmmaker and Sound Recordist, named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film” in 2023. With experience in location sound for feature-length documentaries and narrative films, as well as a background in music recording, he embraces the natural soundscapes of the acoustic environments in each project he undertakes. His work has received awards from Brooklyn Film Festival, Onion City Experimental Film Festival, AIFVF, NFFTY, and Oxford. He has also screened work at festivals such as Chicago Underground, Lago Film Fest, and Mammoth Lakes. He is a close and frequent collaborator with Aidan Cronin.
Mira Moreau: Production Designer // @miramoreau
Mira is a freelance Production Designer/Art Assistant. She's worked in various roles in film and theater. She most enjoys working with her hands as a props fabricator, set dresser, and seamstress. Mira most recently worked as an Art Assistant for “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point”, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year. She also works as an Art PA for CBS’s “FBI: Most Wanted” and she was the set decorator for the short films “Baquine Friends Forever,” “Kisses and Bullets,” and “Agwu.” Mira has also collaborated with Aidan as the first assistant director on “I Don’t Fight the Dark As Well As I Used To.”
Tommy Gonzalez (Sound Recordist) + Brontë Cook (Wardrobe) + Laura Schaffner (Editing Consultant) + Michael Friedman (Assistant Editor)
Tommy Gonzalez: Sound Recordist // @ilich_0
Tommy Gonzalez is a filmmaker and writer based in New Jersey. His work incorporates fiction and non-fiction elements working in all departments from sound, photography and editing. He was a co-editor on the short film Conversations Between Shifts which was screened at the Big Sky Film Festival and Indy Shorts Film Festival.
Brontë Cook: Wardrobe // @brontecook
Brontë Cook is a Brooklyn-based artist, writer & self-proclaimed fashion icon. She has experience styling for various magazines & short film projects and is excited to lead wardrobe for her first feature film. Her media experience includes audio production (NPR), pop-culture coverage (Flaunt), podcast editing and freelance marketing. She owns and operates Ladyface Boutique, a handmade accessory company. When she isn’t curating outfits, you can find her catching up on the latest music releases or playing in Prospect Park.
Laura Schaffner: Editing Consultant // @sweatpamts
Laura Schaffner is a Brooklyn-based film editor and commercial assistant editor. After graduating from Ithaca College in 2021, she began working as an assistant editor at PS 260, an editorial house offering post-production services for film and commercial content. She has cut spots for popular brands such as Gucci, Dell, Therabody, and Keebler, and has facilitated the breakdown, editorial, and finishing processes for clients such as M&Ms, Universal, HalfMagic, KFC, and Vital Proteins, among others. Outside of her work as an assistant editor, Laura is an editor specializing in both documentary and narrative film. Her work includes BBC’s Fashion Redressed, a promotional piece for Faherty brand; Terra Incognita, a dramatic short; ConvoThree, a short featuring a spoken-word piece; and a trailer for Sadie Bones’ upcoming feature, If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing. Laura and Aidan have collaborated on five films since meeting at Ithaca College, four of which Laura edited. They enjoy experimenting with timing and rhythm, and crafting narratives that resonate with viewers not only through imagery, but through how that imagery is presented.
Michael Friedman: Assistant Editor // @michaelfriedman765
Michael Friedman is an Assistant editor based in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Ithaca College with a BS in Cinema and Photography. After graduation, He worked as an assistant editor at Ancillary Post. Assisting editors for major clients such as Nike, Amazon, Fitbit, and Adidas. Michael has edited experimental short films that have gone on to receive critical acclaim and win multiple awards. One received the Grand Jury Prize at the Onion City Experimental Film + Video Festival as well as Best Experimental Film Audience Award at the Brooklyn film Festival. Another won 1st Prize Experimental Winner at the Athens International Film + Video Festival and won Best Experimental Winner at the Oxford Film Festival.
Ruby Harvey (Sam) + Simon Rabatin (James) + Doug Jamieson (Paul) + Leslie Cronin (Beth)
Ruby Harvey: Cast, Sam
Ruby Harvey is an NYC based actor. She graduated with a BFA in Drama from NYU, specializing in the Stella Adler and Classical studios. She specializes in Shakespeare and film work. Recent credits include Living Reality (dir. Phil Thompson) and Julius Caesar (NYU, Marc Antony/Portia).
Simon Rabatin: Cast, James // @simoncandraw
Simon Rabatin is an actor and an artist living in New York City. He has recently graduated from NYU Tisch from the Stella Adler studio. His recent credits include the role of Angelo in William Shakespeares' Measure for Measure, and the role of Mikey in the film Living Reality (dir. Phil Thompson).
Doug Jamieson: Cast, Paul // @106djamie
Doug received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and is the Author of the book, “Draw from Your Head: A Step-by-Step System of Drawing the Human Figure,” published by Watson Guptil. He has also self-published, “Nighttime Adventures of the Man in the Conical Hat,” a book of his etchings and poetry. Before moving to Treadwell, NY, Doug lived and worked in NYC. He was a freelance Illustrator and courtroom Artist. He now teaches classes at various venues in Delaware and Otsego Counties as well as from his studio in Treadwell. He has received commissions to do paintings for Corporations as well as individuals.
Leslie Cronin: Cast, Beth // @lesliecronin
Leslie Cronin has always had a flare for the dramatics, whether it be on stage or behind the scenes. Leslie was active in the acting scene of her High School and enjoyed many acting and theatre related classes during her college career at City University of Queens. Parenthood found Leslie very active in the PTA where she headed the Arts and Education Committee. Through fundraising the committee was able to bring various programs into the classroom, introducing the students to acting, singing and dancing performances they might not have been exposed to. Leslie has enjoyed small roles in short films and classes through her relationship with students at Ithaca College.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Paul, an 80-year-old man with dementia, struggles to process the recent passing of his wife. To seek solace, he tends to the birds in the woods behind his house. After an encounter with Sam, a 24-year-old girl, wandering around the woods, we slowly discover that she too is burdened by grief as the anniversary of her dad’s passing approaches. Sam and Paul bond over their shared hardships and look to the birds for meaning as they reluctantly drift into the next chapters of their lives.
The film carries a heartfelt and poignant tone, delicately balancing between moments of melancholy and glimpses of hope. It delves into themes of loneliness, grief, and the desire to find meaning amidst emotional turmoil. Throughout the narrative, there's a subtle sense of introspection, complemented by an external desire for human connection. The fuzzy camcorder imagery fused with the gentle sounds of late summer, create a meditative atmosphere, inviting viewers to immerse themselves into this unassuming slice of life and to find glimpses of themselves within the characters and the world they occupy.
Shot entirely on late 90s Video8 Camcorders, the texture of the film is filled with vibrant colors of a nostalgic past summer that has since fleeted. Taking inspiration from childhood home movies, I was inspired by the texture of my generations late 90s/ early 2000s camcorder documentations of reality. I wanted to further explore this visual texture by creating tableau-esk images to evoke a familiarity yet distance to the films characters and environment. Drawing influence from impressionist painters such as, David Hettinger, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Mary Cassatt, & Édouard Manet I wanted to experiment with finding a point of convergence where tape can become impressionistic & colorful. A texture matching the film's melancholy emotion of the fleeting moment.
The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know is a piece about a reluctance to advance to the next chapter of life. By utilizing this shooting texture of an obsolete age, I want the audience to pull from subjective experiences, relationships, and memories from their past.
In 2022 my grandmother passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's. Shortly after her passing our family came to the realization that my grandfather had Dementia after he kept forgetting she had passed. Watching the gradual mental decline of a man I admired so deeply led to an emotional whirlwind of extensional questions that became the groundwork of The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know. The film is a gentle and soft reminder that you are not alone in struggling to navigate the overwhelming adversity that accompanies the human experience.
Every film is a world built piece by piece. Our goal is to raise $7,000. Here's a peek into how contributions will translate into the movie:
Lights, Camera, Action!: Shooting on 8mm tape is a unique creative choice, and your support will allow us to capture the film's distinctive aesthetic. This covers essential equipment rentals and purchases, as well as the 8mm tapes itself.
Building the World: From creating a believable atmosphere to outfitting our cast, location and travel expenses, makeup & wardrobe costs, and art department needs (think props that bring the story to life!) are crucial in crafting a film that resonates.
The Final Touches: Post-production is where the magic happens! Your contribution will help us cover the costs of composing a captivating score, color-grading to enhance the visuals, and securing essential hard drives for storage.
Unexpected Extras: The "Misc." category ensures we can address any unforeseen needs that arise during production.
April - June 2024: Pre-Production -- We’re in full swing, and we've assembled an amazing cast and crew. Right now, we're crafting the film's visual identity through storyboards, camera tests, and set design.
July - August 2024: Production -- This Summer, we'll be filming the heart of the movie over 14 exciting days in Upstate New York.
September 2024 - January 2025: Post-Production -- From editing and sound design to color grading and music composition, this phase is where the magic happens. We'll be collaborating closely to bring the film to life, incorporating valuable feedback along the way. We'll also be charting our course for festival success.
March 2025: Picture Lock -- With the film locked, we'll set our sights on prestigious film festivals. Our ultimate goal is to premiere at a critically-acclaimed festival in late 2025 or early-mid 2026, followed by a public release through a distributor in 2026.
DIRECTOR/ DP WORK:
You can find more of Aidan's work on his website.
“How else can I help?”
Spread the word about our campaign! Share our campaign with your friends and family on social media, or tell them about it directly. Every like, share, and conversation brings us closer to our goals.
You can follow the film’s progress on Instagram & Facebook:
@The Birds Tell Me All There Is To Know Film
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Pre-Production
Costs $1,400
This category covers essential equipment rentals and purchases, as well as the 8mm tape itself.
Production
Costs $3,500
Creating a believable atmosphere to outfitting our cast, location and travel expenses, makeup & wardrobe costs, and art department needs.
Post-Production
Costs $1,850
Your contribution will help us cover the costs of composing a score, color-grading, and securing essential cloud/hard drive storage.
Miscellaneous
Costs $250
Ensures we can address any unforeseen needs that arise during production.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Aidan Cronin (Writer-Director-DP) + Desirée Tolchin (Producer) + Jack Liden (Sound)
Aidan Cronin: Director/Director of Photography // https://aidanjudecronin.cargo.site/
Aidan Cronin (B.1998) is a Brooklyn based Director/DP. His work explores the human condition through an experimental narrative lens. Aidan’s written & directed work examines the cyclical banality that accompanies our continued existence. His cinematography experiments with repurposing antiquated film cameras, camcorders, and lenses to achieve impressionistic and nostalgic imagery. His work has screened at such festivals as, Atlanta Film Festival, Athens International Film + Video Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival & Palm Springs ShortFest. He has won such recognitions as Best in Show at Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Best Experimental at AIFVF, the Audience Choice Award at Brooklyn Film Festival, and Best Drama at Yale Student Film Festival. Aidan is the co-founder of the Ithaca Experimental Film Festival and is currently one of its festival directors and programmers.
Desirée Tolchin: Producer // https://desireetolchin.cargo.site/
Desirée Tolchin is a seasoned Producer and Director who crafts narratives, both fictional and non- fictional, that explore the often-mundane aspects of our lives. Desirée has produced films that have screened at prestigious festivals like Palm Springs ShortFest, Brooklyn Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Mammoth Lakes, Oxford Film Festival, Athens International Film + Video Festival, and NFFTY. Beyond the independent circuit, Desirée has worked with many A-List clientele as well as a diverse range of brands, including Netflix, Disney, L'Oréal, Gillette, Degree, Nexxus, Philo, Lancôme, McDonald's, and Bullish. Desiree is also one of the Co-Founders of the Ithaca Experimental Film Festival.
Jack Liden: Sound // https://www.jackliden.art/
Jack is a sound artist based in Brooklyn, NY who specializes in post-sound for film and television. As a freelance sound designer and re-recording mixer, Jack has contributed his subconsciously driven, emotive soundscapes to 30+ films since 2019. His mixes have screened at festivals such as DOC NYC, Lucca International Film Festival, and Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. These films have accumulated 12 various festival awards, including Best Experimental wins at Oxford Film Festival and Athens International Film + Video Festival, and Grand Prize at New York Shorts International Film Festival. Since graduating from Ithaca College in 2021, Jack has been a Mix Technician at Postworks New York, one of New York City’s largest post-production facilities. Jack’s Postworks credits include Laura Poitras’ Oscar nominated and Venice Golden Lion winning documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Aaron Schimberg’s Berlin Golden Bear nominated A Different Man, and Paul Schrader's Palme d'Or nominated Oh Canada. Aidan and Jack met during their time at Ithaca College, and have since remained friends and frequent collaborators. They both share a passion for enhancing the cinematic experience by using experimental recording and mixing techniques to create tactile, dynamic soundscapes.
A'lexiz Dennis (Associate Producer) + Kelly Hrebenak (Post Producer) + Philip Thompson (Sound Recordist) + Mira Moreau (Production Designer)
A’lexiz Dennis: Associate Producer // @lexbubble_1414
A'lexiz is an award-winning Producer, Event Manager, and film festival staff member. She has worked for festivals such as Tribeca Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, Hamptons Film Festival and Montauk Film Festival. A'lexiz just wrapped up producing and directing a web series made in part by the Creatives Rebuild New York Grant. This latest project is a testament to her ability to juggle multiple demanding roles while still bringing people’s artistic vision to life.
Kelly Hrebenak: Post Producer
Kelly Hrebenak is a Post Producer based in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Fordham University with a BFA in Film & Television, and an academic concentration in Film Theory & Criticism. During her undergraduate program, she was President of the Fordham University Film Society and helped to organize community events centering around student engagement with classic and contemporary film. After graduation, Kelly entered her current position of Sound Finishing Producer at PostWorks New York. Her professional specialization includes bidding, staffing, and managing the post production sound of a variety of media—including feature-length narrative films and documentaries, scripted television, and independent shorts. She is also head of ADR and VO scheduling for PostWorks, and has extensive experience managing recording sessions with A-List clientele. Kelly has been credited on films that have appeared in major festivals including NYFF, TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, and Cannes. Notable works include Oscar-nominated documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Hellraiser (2022), Bottoms, The Serpent Queen, and How to Blow Up a Pipeline. She has worked with clients such as A24, Netflix, Hulu, Disney, MGM, and Warner Brothers.
Philip Thompson: Sound Recordist // @pntjr
Philip Thompson is a Brooklyn based Filmmaker and Sound Recordist, named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film” in 2023. With experience in location sound for feature-length documentaries and narrative films, as well as a background in music recording, he embraces the natural soundscapes of the acoustic environments in each project he undertakes. His work has received awards from Brooklyn Film Festival, Onion City Experimental Film Festival, AIFVF, NFFTY, and Oxford. He has also screened work at festivals such as Chicago Underground, Lago Film Fest, and Mammoth Lakes. He is a close and frequent collaborator with Aidan Cronin.
Mira Moreau: Production Designer // @miramoreau
Mira is a freelance Production Designer/Art Assistant. She's worked in various roles in film and theater. She most enjoys working with her hands as a props fabricator, set dresser, and seamstress. Mira most recently worked as an Art Assistant for “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point”, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year. She also works as an Art PA for CBS’s “FBI: Most Wanted” and she was the set decorator for the short films “Baquine Friends Forever,” “Kisses and Bullets,” and “Agwu.” Mira has also collaborated with Aidan as the first assistant director on “I Don’t Fight the Dark As Well As I Used To.”
Tommy Gonzalez (Sound Recordist) + Brontë Cook (Wardrobe) + Laura Schaffner (Editing Consultant) + Michael Friedman (Assistant Editor)
Tommy Gonzalez: Sound Recordist // @ilich_0
Tommy Gonzalez is a filmmaker and writer based in New Jersey. His work incorporates fiction and non-fiction elements working in all departments from sound, photography and editing. He was a co-editor on the short film Conversations Between Shifts which was screened at the Big Sky Film Festival and Indy Shorts Film Festival.
Brontë Cook: Wardrobe // @brontecook
Brontë Cook is a Brooklyn-based artist, writer & self-proclaimed fashion icon. She has experience styling for various magazines & short film projects and is excited to lead wardrobe for her first feature film. Her media experience includes audio production (NPR), pop-culture coverage (Flaunt), podcast editing and freelance marketing. She owns and operates Ladyface Boutique, a handmade accessory company. When she isn’t curating outfits, you can find her catching up on the latest music releases or playing in Prospect Park.
Laura Schaffner: Editing Consultant // @sweatpamts
Laura Schaffner is a Brooklyn-based film editor and commercial assistant editor. After graduating from Ithaca College in 2021, she began working as an assistant editor at PS 260, an editorial house offering post-production services for film and commercial content. She has cut spots for popular brands such as Gucci, Dell, Therabody, and Keebler, and has facilitated the breakdown, editorial, and finishing processes for clients such as M&Ms, Universal, HalfMagic, KFC, and Vital Proteins, among others. Outside of her work as an assistant editor, Laura is an editor specializing in both documentary and narrative film. Her work includes BBC’s Fashion Redressed, a promotional piece for Faherty brand; Terra Incognita, a dramatic short; ConvoThree, a short featuring a spoken-word piece; and a trailer for Sadie Bones’ upcoming feature, If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing. Laura and Aidan have collaborated on five films since meeting at Ithaca College, four of which Laura edited. They enjoy experimenting with timing and rhythm, and crafting narratives that resonate with viewers not only through imagery, but through how that imagery is presented.
Michael Friedman: Assistant Editor // @michaelfriedman765
Michael Friedman is an Assistant editor based in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Ithaca College with a BS in Cinema and Photography. After graduation, He worked as an assistant editor at Ancillary Post. Assisting editors for major clients such as Nike, Amazon, Fitbit, and Adidas. Michael has edited experimental short films that have gone on to receive critical acclaim and win multiple awards. One received the Grand Jury Prize at the Onion City Experimental Film + Video Festival as well as Best Experimental Film Audience Award at the Brooklyn film Festival. Another won 1st Prize Experimental Winner at the Athens International Film + Video Festival and won Best Experimental Winner at the Oxford Film Festival.
Ruby Harvey (Sam) + Simon Rabatin (James) + Doug Jamieson (Paul) + Leslie Cronin (Beth)
Ruby Harvey: Cast, Sam
Ruby Harvey is an NYC based actor. She graduated with a BFA in Drama from NYU, specializing in the Stella Adler and Classical studios. She specializes in Shakespeare and film work. Recent credits include Living Reality (dir. Phil Thompson) and Julius Caesar (NYU, Marc Antony/Portia).
Simon Rabatin: Cast, James // @simoncandraw
Simon Rabatin is an actor and an artist living in New York City. He has recently graduated from NYU Tisch from the Stella Adler studio. His recent credits include the role of Angelo in William Shakespeares' Measure for Measure, and the role of Mikey in the film Living Reality (dir. Phil Thompson).
Doug Jamieson: Cast, Paul // @106djamie
Doug received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and is the Author of the book, “Draw from Your Head: A Step-by-Step System of Drawing the Human Figure,” published by Watson Guptil. He has also self-published, “Nighttime Adventures of the Man in the Conical Hat,” a book of his etchings and poetry. Before moving to Treadwell, NY, Doug lived and worked in NYC. He was a freelance Illustrator and courtroom Artist. He now teaches classes at various venues in Delaware and Otsego Counties as well as from his studio in Treadwell. He has received commissions to do paintings for Corporations as well as individuals.
Leslie Cronin: Cast, Beth // @lesliecronin
Leslie Cronin has always had a flare for the dramatics, whether it be on stage or behind the scenes. Leslie was active in the acting scene of her High School and enjoyed many acting and theatre related classes during her college career at City University of Queens. Parenthood found Leslie very active in the PTA where she headed the Arts and Education Committee. Through fundraising the committee was able to bring various programs into the classroom, introducing the students to acting, singing and dancing performances they might not have been exposed to. Leslie has enjoyed small roles in short films and classes through her relationship with students at Ithaca College.