The Drone
Santa Monica, California | Film Short
Thriller, Shorts Program
The award-winning SMC Film Production Program is known for its high-quality education and the production of thought-provoking short stories. This time, a DACA student uncovers a dangerous secret and must race to expose the truth before powerful forces take everything—and everyone—she loves.
The Drone
Santa Monica, California | Film Short
Thriller, Shorts Program
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,700 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
70 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
The award-winning SMC Film Production Program is known for its high-quality education and the production of thought-provoking short stories. This time, a DACA student uncovers a dangerous secret and must race to expose the truth before powerful forces take everything—and everyone—she loves.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
For a young DACA student, freedom isn’t just a dream—it’s a plan. Enrolled in a drone workforce development program at her University, she sees this as her ticket to a stable job, a future, and a way to help support her immigrant family.
But when a routine training flight captures something it shouldn’t—something dangerous—her path to a better life becomes a fight for survival.
The next day, she returns to campus to find the program’s drones destroyed—except for hers, which she took home the night before. Someone knows what she saw…
Once she uncovers the truth, it's a race against time to decide what to do - risk her future to do what is right? Or stay silent in the hopes that she can protect everything - and everyone - she holds dear.
The award-winning Santa Monica College Film Program is renowned for its high-quality education and the production of thought-provoking short stories that continue to use storytelling to hold up a mirror to society and tackle topics important to our society. Our next short film follows a DACA student who accidentally uncovers a dangerous secret and must race to uncover the truth before powerful forces take away everything - and everyone - she holds dear.
Santa Monica College Film Program's student short films have earned a number of awards from prestigious film festivals like the Cannes Film Festival, BAFTA Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards. We need your help to turn this film into a reality, and hopefully, reach similar success!
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Our film deals with justice, courage, and the power of truth. With your donations, we'll be able to tell this delicate story with the justice it deserves. The bigger the budget, the more effectively we'll be able to support every aspect of production, from renting essential equipment (including the drone itself!), locations, permits, covering post-production, and even providing meals for our hardworking team on set.
Every contribution you decide to make will directly benefit our film's success. More importantly, you're helping us shine a light on stories that need to be told and the communities behind them.
If you can help us bring this story to the world, please pledge your support and share our campaign on social media. Follow our Instagram so you can be apart of our journey as we share behind-the-scenes and snippets from the film.
With Seed & Spark, we must raise at least 80% of our goal in order to receive any of your contributions
(Don’t worry, you’ll only be charged if we reach that milestone).
We're in the final stretch, help us push through to the finish line and make this film a reality!
.jpg)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Craft Services
Costs $700
Help keep our team energized and focused with snacks, meals, and drinks throughout the day.
Drone Operator
Costs $1,500
This story's core is a drone, this pays for a licensed drone operator to capture high-quality, dynamic scenes throughout the film.
Festival Circuit
Costs $750
The best way for others to see our film and to support out college is by getting our short out on the festival circuit.
Equipment Rental
Costs $1,000
Help us get the gear we need to shoot at our best, your support goes toward cameras, lighting, sound equipment, and the drone!
Sound Designer
Costs $1,000
A thriller is built on it's ambiance, this pays for sound design, ADR, foley and final mixing.
Location Fees
Costs $750
Help us secure the perfect locations for our shoot, this pays for permits, insurance, and rent for the best spots to tell our story
Transportation & Gas
Costs $500
This pays for getting the crew and equipment to the set safely and efficiently, including gas for vehicles.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet Our Crew
Despite our different backgrounds and career pursuits, our team of 23 people have come together on this project with the united purpose of using film to connect people and share a message. The Drone will let us specialize and lay down the foundation for a strong career in the film industry. To keep things succinct, we're going to mainly focus on our department heads!
Our Executive Producer - Simone Bartesaghi, is an award-winning filmmaker recognized by the Directors Guild of America for his exceptional directing talent. He brings both his passion and experience to our team, having directed acclaimed features like Downstream and Run, the latter earning him Best Screenplay at the Milan International Film Festival.
Drew Davis - Production Coordinator is our resident film expert in technology and equipment, and constantly brings a kind and passionate attitude towards teaching and filmmaking. With experience overseeing over twenty graduate short film projects at Santa Monica College, his knowledge holds a vital part in shaping each and every one of our careers within the film program.
Moving on to our creative heads ...
Let's start with our Director - Adam Byrnes. Adam is in his second year at Santa Monica, which has been the foundation of a career change. Previously, he was a Sr. Manager of Product Management at Amazon where he was a founding member of multiple revolutionary consumer products, such as Amazon Go, the store where you can just walk out! With experience writing, producing, and directing multiple short films (which are also on their separate festival run), we couldn't ask for a better person to lead this story. His vision for this project was chosen by our professors for its originality and focus on genre elements, and you won't be disappointed seeing it.
Now, we wouldn't be telling such an impactful of a story without our Writer - Cierra Pashawn. Though she's written and shot several films, her journey began in childhood, directing friends and family back in living room performances. After years working in a tax office, the passing of her father reminded her life is too short to not pursue what you love and she took a leap of faith toward filmmaking. We couldn't have asked for a more passionate writer for this project. In her own words, "it touches on something that’s so present and reflects a reality so many people are living today. I am incredibly proud to share it with the world".
There'd be blank walls and bare floors without the hard work of our Production Designer - Gracie Easton. Originally from Northern California, this is her second semester at SMC. Beyond building entire worls on set, her creativity spills into everything she does, from photography and oil painting to knitting. Every summer, she brings that same creative energy to her role as a photographer and videographer at summer camp, capturing memories and connecting with kids. We're so fortunate to have one of the sweetest and most innovative minds leading our production design team.
Keeping us grounded on the business side,
(the part us creatives often avoid) is our Producer - Olajide “Kay” Hamed is a screenwriter, producer, and director, whose debut short film Sunset & Vine earned a nomination at the 2022 Cannes Short Film Festival and won the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film. Moving from Houston, Texas to Los Angeles, Kay’s passion for storytelling was sparked by early movie outings with his mother. With a Business Entrepreneurship degree and multiple successful ventures in South Carolina, he moved to Hollywood to fully pursue filmmaking at top film schools. Known for his relentless work ethic and his motto, “Outwork everybody in the room,” Kay is set to graduate Santa Monica College this June with an Associate Degree in Film Production and will pursue his Master’s in Film with a focus on directing at Chapman University this fall.
Next as our Producer is Dawn Colt! With full passion and dedication to every aspect of filmmaking, Dawn brings decades of experience across nearly every department. Whether it's directing, writing, or performing on screen as an actress, she truly does it all! And beyond getting an Associate Degree in Film Production, she's raised a wonderful family. A true quintuple threat, we couldn't be happier to have her leading the charge!
And last but not least is our Unit Production Manager - Kaylee Leong. With experience in documentary film, sports broadcasting, and marketing, Kaylee is honored to bring her logistical and problem-solving skills to the table. Though this is her first time working on a project like this, she is inspired by the challenge this political thriller presents and is ready to help craft the most efficient budget and project possible. Fun fact: if you've seen any of our social media posts, chances are they came straight from her creative mind!
Although we can't highlight everyone in detail ...
We believe it's important to recognize the crew behind the camera, working tirelessly day in and day out to bring this film to life. Without the care and collaboration of our entire team, The Drone wouldn't exist. We're truly honored to work alongside such a dedicated and hardworking group. So without further ado, let's meet our crew!
Kim Robles - Our 1st AD
Julio Garcia, Cierra Pashawn - Our Director of Photography
Amanda Storm, Harrison Magid, Keven Cruz, Dylan Gabl, Grace Olea-Garfias - Our Camera Team
Adam Byrnes, Cierra Pashawn, Dawn Colt - Our Script and Development Team
Dawn Colt, Dieter Jacobs - Our Casting Team
Diego Gallardo, Angelo Bautista, Dieter Jacobs, Juan Salinas - Our Grip and Electric Team.
Andrei Elizarov, Vincent Singer - Our Sound Team
Dawn Colt, Kaylee Leong, Gracie Easton, Adiana Gonzales, Barbie Smith - Our Art Team.
Nicholas Pagel, Vincent Singer - Our Post-Production Team.
Gracie Easton - Our Behind-the-Scenes Team.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
For a young DACA student, freedom isn’t just a dream—it’s a plan. Enrolled in a drone workforce development program at her University, she sees this as her ticket to a stable job, a future, and a way to help support her immigrant family.
But when a routine training flight captures something it shouldn’t—something dangerous—her path to a better life becomes a fight for survival.
The next day, she returns to campus to find the program’s drones destroyed—except for hers, which she took home the night before. Someone knows what she saw…
Once she uncovers the truth, it's a race against time to decide what to do - risk her future to do what is right? Or stay silent in the hopes that she can protect everything - and everyone - she holds dear.
The award-winning Santa Monica College Film Program is renowned for its high-quality education and the production of thought-provoking short stories that continue to use storytelling to hold up a mirror to society and tackle topics important to our society. Our next short film follows a DACA student who accidentally uncovers a dangerous secret and must race to uncover the truth before powerful forces take away everything - and everyone - she holds dear.
Santa Monica College Film Program's student short films have earned a number of awards from prestigious film festivals like the Cannes Film Festival, BAFTA Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards. We need your help to turn this film into a reality, and hopefully, reach similar success!
Our film deals with justice, courage, and the power of truth. With your donations, we'll be able to tell this delicate story with the justice it deserves. The bigger the budget, the more effectively we'll be able to support every aspect of production, from renting essential equipment (including the drone itself!), locations, permits, covering post-production, and even providing meals for our hardworking team on set.
Every contribution you decide to make will directly benefit our film's success. More importantly, you're helping us shine a light on stories that need to be told and the communities behind them.
If you can help us bring this story to the world, please pledge your support and share our campaign on social media. Follow our Instagram so you can be apart of our journey as we share behind-the-scenes and snippets from the film.
With Seed & Spark, we must raise at least 80% of our goal in order to receive any of your contributions
(Don’t worry, you’ll only be charged if we reach that milestone).
We're in the final stretch, help us push through to the finish line and make this film a reality!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Craft Services
Costs $700
Help keep our team energized and focused with snacks, meals, and drinks throughout the day.
Drone Operator
Costs $1,500
This story's core is a drone, this pays for a licensed drone operator to capture high-quality, dynamic scenes throughout the film.
Festival Circuit
Costs $750
The best way for others to see our film and to support out college is by getting our short out on the festival circuit.
Equipment Rental
Costs $1,000
Help us get the gear we need to shoot at our best, your support goes toward cameras, lighting, sound equipment, and the drone!
Sound Designer
Costs $1,000
A thriller is built on it's ambiance, this pays for sound design, ADR, foley and final mixing.
Location Fees
Costs $750
Help us secure the perfect locations for our shoot, this pays for permits, insurance, and rent for the best spots to tell our story
Transportation & Gas
Costs $500
This pays for getting the crew and equipment to the set safely and efficiently, including gas for vehicles.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet Our Crew
Despite our different backgrounds and career pursuits, our team of 23 people have come together on this project with the united purpose of using film to connect people and share a message. The Drone will let us specialize and lay down the foundation for a strong career in the film industry. To keep things succinct, we're going to mainly focus on our department heads!
Our Executive Producer - Simone Bartesaghi, is an award-winning filmmaker recognized by the Directors Guild of America for his exceptional directing talent. He brings both his passion and experience to our team, having directed acclaimed features like Downstream and Run, the latter earning him Best Screenplay at the Milan International Film Festival.
Drew Davis - Production Coordinator is our resident film expert in technology and equipment, and constantly brings a kind and passionate attitude towards teaching and filmmaking. With experience overseeing over twenty graduate short film projects at Santa Monica College, his knowledge holds a vital part in shaping each and every one of our careers within the film program.
Moving on to our creative heads ...
Let's start with our Director - Adam Byrnes. Adam is in his second year at Santa Monica, which has been the foundation of a career change. Previously, he was a Sr. Manager of Product Management at Amazon where he was a founding member of multiple revolutionary consumer products, such as Amazon Go, the store where you can just walk out! With experience writing, producing, and directing multiple short films (which are also on their separate festival run), we couldn't ask for a better person to lead this story. His vision for this project was chosen by our professors for its originality and focus on genre elements, and you won't be disappointed seeing it.
Now, we wouldn't be telling such an impactful of a story without our Writer - Cierra Pashawn. Though she's written and shot several films, her journey began in childhood, directing friends and family back in living room performances. After years working in a tax office, the passing of her father reminded her life is too short to not pursue what you love and she took a leap of faith toward filmmaking. We couldn't have asked for a more passionate writer for this project. In her own words, "it touches on something that’s so present and reflects a reality so many people are living today. I am incredibly proud to share it with the world".
There'd be blank walls and bare floors without the hard work of our Production Designer - Gracie Easton. Originally from Northern California, this is her second semester at SMC. Beyond building entire worls on set, her creativity spills into everything she does, from photography and oil painting to knitting. Every summer, she brings that same creative energy to her role as a photographer and videographer at summer camp, capturing memories and connecting with kids. We're so fortunate to have one of the sweetest and most innovative minds leading our production design team.
Keeping us grounded on the business side,
(the part us creatives often avoid) is our Producer - Olajide “Kay” Hamed is a screenwriter, producer, and director, whose debut short film Sunset & Vine earned a nomination at the 2022 Cannes Short Film Festival and won the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film. Moving from Houston, Texas to Los Angeles, Kay’s passion for storytelling was sparked by early movie outings with his mother. With a Business Entrepreneurship degree and multiple successful ventures in South Carolina, he moved to Hollywood to fully pursue filmmaking at top film schools. Known for his relentless work ethic and his motto, “Outwork everybody in the room,” Kay is set to graduate Santa Monica College this June with an Associate Degree in Film Production and will pursue his Master’s in Film with a focus on directing at Chapman University this fall.
Next as our Producer is Dawn Colt! With full passion and dedication to every aspect of filmmaking, Dawn brings decades of experience across nearly every department. Whether it's directing, writing, or performing on screen as an actress, she truly does it all! And beyond getting an Associate Degree in Film Production, she's raised a wonderful family. A true quintuple threat, we couldn't be happier to have her leading the charge!
And last but not least is our Unit Production Manager - Kaylee Leong. With experience in documentary film, sports broadcasting, and marketing, Kaylee is honored to bring her logistical and problem-solving skills to the table. Though this is her first time working on a project like this, she is inspired by the challenge this political thriller presents and is ready to help craft the most efficient budget and project possible. Fun fact: if you've seen any of our social media posts, chances are they came straight from her creative mind!
Although we can't highlight everyone in detail ...
We believe it's important to recognize the crew behind the camera, working tirelessly day in and day out to bring this film to life. Without the care and collaboration of our entire team, The Drone wouldn't exist. We're truly honored to work alongside such a dedicated and hardworking group. So without further ado, let's meet our crew!
Kim Robles - Our 1st AD
Julio Garcia, Cierra Pashawn - Our Director of Photography
Amanda Storm, Harrison Magid, Keven Cruz, Dylan Gabl, Grace Olea-Garfias - Our Camera Team
Adam Byrnes, Cierra Pashawn, Dawn Colt - Our Script and Development Team
Dawn Colt, Dieter Jacobs - Our Casting Team
Diego Gallardo, Angelo Bautista, Dieter Jacobs, Juan Salinas - Our Grip and Electric Team.
Andrei Elizarov, Vincent Singer - Our Sound Team
Dawn Colt, Kaylee Leong, Gracie Easton, Adiana Gonzales, Barbie Smith - Our Art Team.
Nicholas Pagel, Vincent Singer - Our Post-Production Team.
Gracie Easton - Our Behind-the-Scenes Team.