The First Rain in May
New York City, New York | Film Short
Romantic Comedy, Romance
When a psychic tells Talia she will meet the love of her life in Puerto Rico, she embarks on an unexpected adventure. This is an NYU Tisch School of the Arts thesis film, written and directed by Asiana Weddington
The First Rain in May
New York City, New York | Film Short
Romantic Comedy, Romance
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This campaign raised $4,175 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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When a psychic tells Talia she will meet the love of her life in Puerto Rico, she embarks on an unexpected adventure. This is an NYU Tisch School of the Arts thesis film, written and directed by Asiana Weddington
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Soul searching for happiness, Talia finally falls into good luck when a psychic reveals she will meet her soulmate in Puerto Rico. But once she arrives, she’s heartbroken when there is no soulmate to be found.
Disappointed and out of her comfort zone, Talia makes a last-ditch effort to make the most of her vacation on her own. But as usual, everything goes wrong. She finds herself lost, hurt, and drenched in rain. It isn’t until two women come to the rescue and invite her to celebrate the Puerto Rican tradition, La Primera Llovizna de Mayo—the First Rain in May—does Talia understand the true source of happiness - herself.
Representations of the visual style we are aiming for. This piece will be portrayed with warm, saturated colors, placing an emphasis on saturated reds and greens to portray the two sides of Talia’s journey.
“I have a deep interest in understanding contentment. Does it come from our environment? Our relationships? Ourselves? And how much control do we really have over our happiness? These are questions I hear asked by friends and peers, young and old, revealing that at our core, we all really just want the same thing. The characters in this film are representations of that sameness.
The First Rain in May is an exploration of happiness and hope, and the things we do to ensure security and contentment in our lives. Whether through forceful means, like Nathan, or wishful means, like Talia, we make grand risks and sacrifices in the pursuit of personal fulfillment. But the resolution of this story offers an alternative solution, one popular in many Eastern Asian practices and beliefs, that contentment is really as simple as choosing to enjoy the present moment, nothing more and nothing less.
Presented as a heartwarming, romantic-comedy, I hope that the audience walks away from this story feeling entertained, touched, and optimistic that true contentment comes not in the future, or in the past, but right now.”
— Asiana Weddington
The director, producers, and much of the crew of The First Rain in May are graduating from NYU Tisch this coming May. This is our last chance to make a film as a student. It will be our calling card as we enter the industry; an opportunity to establish ourselves as creative and capable artists as we break into the film industry post-grad.
December 2024 - April 2025: Pre-production, fundraising, casting, location scouting, sourcing local resources
May 2025: Six day shoot in Puerto Rico, NYU Graduation for our senior crew members!
June 2025 - August 2025: Post-production, test screenings, incentives release
September 2025 - 2026: Cast & Crew (and investor!) screenings, distribution to festivals and streaming platforms
Local Puerto Rican lore holds that the first rain in May (La Primera Llovizna de Mayo) brings luck to those drenched by it, in a literal sense bringing a fruitful harvest, and in a spiritual sense, bringing good personal fortune. Children and adults alike recall fond memories dancing and bathing in these annual downpours, a ritual in which nature conjures seemingly magical forces.
As the title of this story, this tradition will be used as the catalyst for our protagonist’s change of heart. It encompasses the longing she feels for happiness and good fortune, but also serves as an actionable step in achieving her goal.
This story follows a miserable girl whose main problem is none other than herself. Leaning on luck and desperate to be happy, she finds every reason to blame her bad mood on something external: her ex boyfriend, her circumstances, even the weather.
Talia needs an extreme, actionable decision to exhibit the lengths she will go to be happy. Her sacrifice of time and money to go to Puerto Rico serves as a greater disappointment and sign of bad luck after she discovers it was all a set-up. But through this extreme disappointment in a "fish out of water" environment, she is pushed to take ownership of her life, discovering that the best source of happiness is not something that needs to be wished for, but something she has the power to attain right now.
Practically, Puerto Rico also serves as a great boost in production value, adding a level of visual distinction and that will hold that attention of any audience with wanderlust. Practically, it is also the cheapest, most easily accessible tropical environment for American citizens. Because it is an unincorporated U.S. territory, our New York crew will not require passports or visas or travel. The director's childhood on the Hawaiian Islands has given her a great appreciation for island cultures, and she feels this setting will be the perfect environment for Talia's character growth.
There are a number of ways you can support this film! Claim one of our tiered rewards, or make a pledge with an amount of your choosing. If you're particularly passionate about a specific aspect of the film, visit our wishlist page to make a pledge towards a specific budget item.
I've partnered with a local non-profit in the Bronx, NY, The Gardiner Foundation, to be our fiscal sponsor. The Gardiner Foundation supports the Bronx community after tragedy through monetary support, resources, workshop/mentorship opportunities, etc. Because our film is providing students with valuable professional experience and potential future career opportunities, they believe our project aligns with their mission to support and uplift communities and students. Their fiscal sponsorship means that any donation of $250 or higher becomes a “charitable contribution” and tax-deductible to the donor! So not only will you benefit from this sponsorship, but the foundation will also benefit from volunteer hours and photography services provided by our crew in return for their generosity. If you'd like your donation to be eligible for tax-exemption, please email [email protected].
We are also accepting in-kind donations, such as catering or discounts of any kind. You can also support us by sharing our campaign with friends and family, and spreading the word about the film!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food
Costs $700
Catering and cooking for our cast and crew.
Lodging
Costs $1,000
Housing for our crew while we shoot in Puerto Rico
Equipment
Costs $300
While we intend to use equipment that NYU provides, we need funding for additional rentals, batteries, and hard drives.
Locations
Costs $300
Covers location fees, permits, and on-ground transportation to shooting locations.
Pre Production
Costs $500
Covers costs associated with pre production, including cost of insurance and a location scouting trip in advance of our shoot.
Production Design
Costs $200
Covers costs associated with set design.
Travel
Costs $1,500
Covers costs associated with transporting crew, cast, and equipment to Puerto Rico for the shoot.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Asiana Weddington - Writer & Director
Asiana is a New-York based director, assistant director, and colorist, graduating with a BFA in Film & TV at NYU Tisch School of the Arts this May. Entering the film industry at 16 years old, she has over 80 productions of experience across the U.S. in a variety of roles. In 2023, she qualified as a directing finalist in Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10-10-10 competition, premiering her environmental short, Hindsight (2023). Because Asiana spent the early part of her childhood on the Hawaiian Islands, she enjoys highlighting the collectivist experience and approach to happiness present in many island cultures, such as the setting of this story in Puerto Rico.
Nina Sundermeyer - Producer
Nina Sundermeyer is a New York-based producer from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She is currently working in documentary production at Moxie Films. She has previously worked in development and production roles at CNN, A24, and Imagine Entertainment. A 2024 NYU Tisch graduate, she is passionate about helping fellow filmmakers realize their creative visions through producing and narrative filmmaking.
Isabella Dominguez - Producer
Isabella Dominguez is a director, producer, and actress currently based in New York City, where she is completing her Film and TV degree at Tisch School of the Arts, NYU. With a background in acting, Isabella has starred in both national and international television shows. Over time, she has expanded her creative reach to include writing, directing, and producing. Her award-winning short films, including Memory of You and Devil’s Breath have garnered recognition in multiple categories, such as Best Short, Best Script, Best Cinematography, and Best Performance. Isabella is excited to be a producer for The First Rain in May and is eager to collaborate with the talented team to bring this project to life.
Sofia Moreno Lima - Producer
Sofia Moreno Lima is an emerging filmmaker from the south of Spain, currently based in New York City. She began her creative journey in the visual arts as a painter, and studied Interior Design at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute before transitioning to Film & TV Production at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Sofia is passionate about producing and cinematography, with a strong focus on stories that explore the intersection of identity, creativity, and human emotion.
Liam Podos - Director of Photography
Liam Podos is a Brooklyn-based director of photography and co-founder of Trustfall Studios. He’s perhaps best known for his music video work, having shot over 20 music videos in the past year alone, which have amassed over 200,000 combined views on YouTube and been featured on platforms such as MTV and Billboard. He has worked frequently with artists such as Zoe Ko, Chokecherry, and Eva Westphal and labels Big Loud, Fearless Records, and MNRK. He’s equally passionate about his narrative work, which has screened in festivals around the country. Outside of his film work, Liam is an avid home cook and enjoys reading, frisbee, and tennis.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Soul searching for happiness, Talia finally falls into good luck when a psychic reveals she will meet her soulmate in Puerto Rico. But once she arrives, she’s heartbroken when there is no soulmate to be found.
Disappointed and out of her comfort zone, Talia makes a last-ditch effort to make the most of her vacation on her own. But as usual, everything goes wrong. She finds herself lost, hurt, and drenched in rain. It isn’t until two women come to the rescue and invite her to celebrate the Puerto Rican tradition, La Primera Llovizna de Mayo—the First Rain in May—does Talia understand the true source of happiness - herself.
Representations of the visual style we are aiming for. This piece will be portrayed with warm, saturated colors, placing an emphasis on saturated reds and greens to portray the two sides of Talia’s journey.
“I have a deep interest in understanding contentment. Does it come from our environment? Our relationships? Ourselves? And how much control do we really have over our happiness? These are questions I hear asked by friends and peers, young and old, revealing that at our core, we all really just want the same thing. The characters in this film are representations of that sameness.
The First Rain in May is an exploration of happiness and hope, and the things we do to ensure security and contentment in our lives. Whether through forceful means, like Nathan, or wishful means, like Talia, we make grand risks and sacrifices in the pursuit of personal fulfillment. But the resolution of this story offers an alternative solution, one popular in many Eastern Asian practices and beliefs, that contentment is really as simple as choosing to enjoy the present moment, nothing more and nothing less.
Presented as a heartwarming, romantic-comedy, I hope that the audience walks away from this story feeling entertained, touched, and optimistic that true contentment comes not in the future, or in the past, but right now.”
— Asiana Weddington
The director, producers, and much of the crew of The First Rain in May are graduating from NYU Tisch this coming May. This is our last chance to make a film as a student. It will be our calling card as we enter the industry; an opportunity to establish ourselves as creative and capable artists as we break into the film industry post-grad.
December 2024 - April 2025: Pre-production, fundraising, casting, location scouting, sourcing local resources
May 2025: Six day shoot in Puerto Rico, NYU Graduation for our senior crew members!
June 2025 - August 2025: Post-production, test screenings, incentives release
September 2025 - 2026: Cast & Crew (and investor!) screenings, distribution to festivals and streaming platforms
Local Puerto Rican lore holds that the first rain in May (La Primera Llovizna de Mayo) brings luck to those drenched by it, in a literal sense bringing a fruitful harvest, and in a spiritual sense, bringing good personal fortune. Children and adults alike recall fond memories dancing and bathing in these annual downpours, a ritual in which nature conjures seemingly magical forces.
As the title of this story, this tradition will be used as the catalyst for our protagonist’s change of heart. It encompasses the longing she feels for happiness and good fortune, but also serves as an actionable step in achieving her goal.
This story follows a miserable girl whose main problem is none other than herself. Leaning on luck and desperate to be happy, she finds every reason to blame her bad mood on something external: her ex boyfriend, her circumstances, even the weather.
Talia needs an extreme, actionable decision to exhibit the lengths she will go to be happy. Her sacrifice of time and money to go to Puerto Rico serves as a greater disappointment and sign of bad luck after she discovers it was all a set-up. But through this extreme disappointment in a "fish out of water" environment, she is pushed to take ownership of her life, discovering that the best source of happiness is not something that needs to be wished for, but something she has the power to attain right now.
Practically, Puerto Rico also serves as a great boost in production value, adding a level of visual distinction and that will hold that attention of any audience with wanderlust. Practically, it is also the cheapest, most easily accessible tropical environment for American citizens. Because it is an unincorporated U.S. territory, our New York crew will not require passports or visas or travel. The director's childhood on the Hawaiian Islands has given her a great appreciation for island cultures, and she feels this setting will be the perfect environment for Talia's character growth.
There are a number of ways you can support this film! Claim one of our tiered rewards, or make a pledge with an amount of your choosing. If you're particularly passionate about a specific aspect of the film, visit our wishlist page to make a pledge towards a specific budget item.
I've partnered with a local non-profit in the Bronx, NY, The Gardiner Foundation, to be our fiscal sponsor. The Gardiner Foundation supports the Bronx community after tragedy through monetary support, resources, workshop/mentorship opportunities, etc. Because our film is providing students with valuable professional experience and potential future career opportunities, they believe our project aligns with their mission to support and uplift communities and students. Their fiscal sponsorship means that any donation of $250 or higher becomes a “charitable contribution” and tax-deductible to the donor! So not only will you benefit from this sponsorship, but the foundation will also benefit from volunteer hours and photography services provided by our crew in return for their generosity. If you'd like your donation to be eligible for tax-exemption, please email [email protected].
We are also accepting in-kind donations, such as catering or discounts of any kind. You can also support us by sharing our campaign with friends and family, and spreading the word about the film!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food
Costs $700
Catering and cooking for our cast and crew.
Lodging
Costs $1,000
Housing for our crew while we shoot in Puerto Rico
Equipment
Costs $300
While we intend to use equipment that NYU provides, we need funding for additional rentals, batteries, and hard drives.
Locations
Costs $300
Covers location fees, permits, and on-ground transportation to shooting locations.
Pre Production
Costs $500
Covers costs associated with pre production, including cost of insurance and a location scouting trip in advance of our shoot.
Production Design
Costs $200
Covers costs associated with set design.
Travel
Costs $1,500
Covers costs associated with transporting crew, cast, and equipment to Puerto Rico for the shoot.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Asiana Weddington - Writer & Director
Asiana is a New-York based director, assistant director, and colorist, graduating with a BFA in Film & TV at NYU Tisch School of the Arts this May. Entering the film industry at 16 years old, she has over 80 productions of experience across the U.S. in a variety of roles. In 2023, she qualified as a directing finalist in Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10-10-10 competition, premiering her environmental short, Hindsight (2023). Because Asiana spent the early part of her childhood on the Hawaiian Islands, she enjoys highlighting the collectivist experience and approach to happiness present in many island cultures, such as the setting of this story in Puerto Rico.
Nina Sundermeyer - Producer
Nina Sundermeyer is a New York-based producer from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She is currently working in documentary production at Moxie Films. She has previously worked in development and production roles at CNN, A24, and Imagine Entertainment. A 2024 NYU Tisch graduate, she is passionate about helping fellow filmmakers realize their creative visions through producing and narrative filmmaking.
Isabella Dominguez - Producer
Isabella Dominguez is a director, producer, and actress currently based in New York City, where she is completing her Film and TV degree at Tisch School of the Arts, NYU. With a background in acting, Isabella has starred in both national and international television shows. Over time, she has expanded her creative reach to include writing, directing, and producing. Her award-winning short films, including Memory of You and Devil’s Breath have garnered recognition in multiple categories, such as Best Short, Best Script, Best Cinematography, and Best Performance. Isabella is excited to be a producer for The First Rain in May and is eager to collaborate with the talented team to bring this project to life.
Sofia Moreno Lima - Producer
Sofia Moreno Lima is an emerging filmmaker from the south of Spain, currently based in New York City. She began her creative journey in the visual arts as a painter, and studied Interior Design at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute before transitioning to Film & TV Production at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Sofia is passionate about producing and cinematography, with a strong focus on stories that explore the intersection of identity, creativity, and human emotion.
Liam Podos - Director of Photography
Liam Podos is a Brooklyn-based director of photography and co-founder of Trustfall Studios. He’s perhaps best known for his music video work, having shot over 20 music videos in the past year alone, which have amassed over 200,000 combined views on YouTube and been featured on platforms such as MTV and Billboard. He has worked frequently with artists such as Zoe Ko, Chokecherry, and Eva Westphal and labels Big Loud, Fearless Records, and MNRK. He’s equally passionate about his narrative work, which has screened in festivals around the country. Outside of his film work, Liam is an avid home cook and enjoys reading, frisbee, and tennis.