This film, spearheaded by women of diversity and talent, highlights an important issue faced by young people in today's society. We want to tell this story in a visually unique way, with a magical kind of realism - a grown-up fairy tale.
This film, spearheaded by women of diversity and talent, highlights an important issue faced by young people in today's society. We want to tell this story in a visually unique way, with a magical kind of realism - a grown-up fairy tale.
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Story
Mission Statement
The creators of this film, all women, come from three very different places in the world, but share the same vision and goal. We are committed to supporting our fellow female filmmakers, and to telling stories of all kinds from a female perspective.About The Project
The Story
The Gift offers the audience an escape into a dark and strangely beautiful setting, where our protaganist Iris develops a friendship with a crow, who takes on a semi-human form everytime she visits. Iris' daily visits to the Crow offer her a sense of comfort and respite from her lonely and isolated world. She happily feeds her new friend everyday and, in exchange, it warmly presents her with gifts, until an upsetting encounter with bullies pushes Iris to her limit.
The Filmmakers
Since meeting in film school, the three of us have admired and supported each other's work. Upon graduation, we were eager to combine our strengths as filmmakers to collaborate on a story which is both emotionally complex and visually stunning. Our film is unique not only for being spearheaded by three women, but for the different perspectives that each of us bring, having grown up in different parts of the world (England, America and Singapore).
The Goal
Beyond the issues of mental health and bullying highlighted in this film, we, as writers, want to challenge our audience's assumptions. We aim to take the viewer on a captivating visual journey through the eyes of a child. Our story blends drama and realism with fantasy, a combination that might not be expected from female filmmakers. We want to prove to audiences that women are more than capable in dealing with genres of all kinds.
Photo by Laura Makabresku
The Cast and Characters
Cassandra Lyback as Iris
Cassandra Lyback, a trained actress and dancer, will embody the character of Iris, the 13 year old girl with uncommonly large ears, who is tormented by bullies at her school. The only time she feels truly happy is when she is roaming the forests that surround her home, and when she spends time with her friend the Crow.
Sierra Murphy as the Hybrid
Sierra Murphy is another talented young actress whose years of dance training will help her embody the character of the Crow in its semi-human form. Iris' visits to the Hybrid are the highlight of its day, which it shows through the thoughtful - though often unusual - trinkets it presents to her.
Drake as the Crow
For the parts of the film when Iris' friend takes its bird form, we have beautiful animal talent Drake! Our initial call for a crow changed when we met Drake, a raven. He has the happiest skip every time you call out his name and he LOVES blueberries.
Incentives
$5
Hummingbird
A Social Media Thank you
$15
Finch
A Thank You in film credits
$30
Robin
A visual personalized Thank You, plus Thank You in film credits
$50
Sparrow
Digital download of film and Thank You in film credits
$70
Canary
Concept Art postcard, Film download, BTS photos (digital download), Thank you in film credits
$120
Dove
Concept Art postcard, Film download, Video updates from filmmakers, BTS photos (digital download), A choice of one thematic photo (from a link of options), Thank you in film credits
$200
Kingfisher
2 invites to local premier in SF Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), Hard copy of Script, Concept Art Postcard, Video updates from filmmakers, A choice of one thematic photo (from link of options), BTS photos (digital download), Film download, Thank you in film credits
$300
Owl
2 invites to premier in Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), Lunch with filmmakers (date set, lunch provided, in Bay Area), Hard copy of Script, Concept postcard, Video Updates from Filmmakers, Two choices of thematic photo( from link of options), BTS photos (digital download), Film download, thank you in credits
$500
Hawk
Associate Producer credit in film, One day set visit (set etiquette and conditions apply), 4 invites to premier in Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), 2 invites to lunch with filmmakers (date set, lunch provided, in Bay Area), Hard Copy of script, Concept Art postcard, Video Updates from filmmakers, Two choices of thematic photos (from link of options), BTS photos (digital download), Film download
$1,000
Falcon
Producer credit in film, One day set visit (set etiquette and conditions apply), 4 invites to premier in Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), 4 invites to lunch with filmmakers (date set, lunch provided, in Bay Area), Filmmakers shoot and edit a 30 sec social media clip for you or company, Hard Copy of script, Concept Art postcard, Video Updates from filmmakers, A google hangout session with filmmakers and actors, Two choices of 8x11 thematic photos (from link of options, choice of normal or metallic prints), BTS photos and video, Film download
$2,000
Crow
Executive Producer credit in film, One day set visit (set etiquette and conditions apply), unlimited invites to premier in Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), 4 invites to lunch with filmmakers (date set, lunch provided, in Bay Area), Filmmakers shoot and edit a 30 sec social media clip for you or company, Hard Copy of script, Concept Art postcard, Video Updates from filmmakers, A google hangout session with filmmakers and actors, Three choices of 8x11 thematic photos (from link of options, choice of normal or metallic prints), BTS photos and video, Film download, soundtrack download
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Hummingbird
A Social Media Thank you
$15
Finch
A Thank You in film credits
$30
Robin
A visual personalized Thank You, plus Thank You in film credits
$50
Sparrow
Digital download of film and Thank You in film credits
$70
Canary
Concept Art postcard, Film download, BTS photos (digital download), Thank you in film credits
$120
Dove
Concept Art postcard, Film download, Video updates from filmmakers, BTS photos (digital download), A choice of one thematic photo (from a link of options), Thank you in film credits
$200
Kingfisher
2 invites to local premier in SF Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), Hard copy of Script, Concept Art Postcard, Video updates from filmmakers, A choice of one thematic photo (from link of options), BTS photos (digital download), Film download, Thank you in film credits
$300
Owl
2 invites to premier in Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), Lunch with filmmakers (date set, lunch provided, in Bay Area), Hard copy of Script, Concept postcard, Video Updates from Filmmakers, Two choices of thematic photo( from link of options), BTS photos (digital download), Film download, thank you in credits
$500
Hawk
Associate Producer credit in film, One day set visit (set etiquette and conditions apply), 4 invites to premier in Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), 2 invites to lunch with filmmakers (date set, lunch provided, in Bay Area), Hard Copy of script, Concept Art postcard, Video Updates from filmmakers, Two choices of thematic photos (from link of options), BTS photos (digital download), Film download
$1,000
Falcon
Producer credit in film, One day set visit (set etiquette and conditions apply), 4 invites to premier in Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), 4 invites to lunch with filmmakers (date set, lunch provided, in Bay Area), Filmmakers shoot and edit a 30 sec social media clip for you or company, Hard Copy of script, Concept Art postcard, Video Updates from filmmakers, A google hangout session with filmmakers and actors, Two choices of 8x11 thematic photos (from link of options, choice of normal or metallic prints), BTS photos and video, Film download
$2,000
Crow
Executive Producer credit in film, One day set visit (set etiquette and conditions apply), unlimited invites to premier in Bay Area (transport and lodging not included), 4 invites to lunch with filmmakers (date set, lunch provided, in Bay Area), Filmmakers shoot and edit a 30 sec social media clip for you or company, Hard Copy of script, Concept Art postcard, Video Updates from filmmakers, A google hangout session with filmmakers and actors, Three choices of 8x11 thematic photos (from link of options, choice of normal or metallic prints), BTS photos and video, Film download, soundtrack download
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
WRITER - DIRECTOR
Jacintha Charles is a San Francisco-based director, writer and actor, originally from Singapore. She has made several short films, including The Dance (2013) and Dream Box (2008), both of which were awarded grants by the Singapore Film Commission in Singapore. Her films have played at the Singapore International Film Festival (Shorts Section), Women and Minorities in Media Film Festival in Maryland and have been awarded an Award of Merit for women filmmakers from the Best Shorts Competition.
With a wealth of film and television experience already under her belt, she went to the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking in 2015, in order to improve on her understanding of the technical aspects of filmmaking. Since moving to San Francisco, she has been encouraged, challenged, humbled, questioned, embarrassed, praised, criticized and accepted by her peers and the local film community. She believes that all these factors only help her grow as a filmmaker.
WRITER - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Kendra Goff is a Northern Californian Filmmaker, currently living in Santa Cruz county. Her first short film, The Cardboard Escape was officially selected in the Petaluma International Film Festival in 2014. Since then Kendra has continued to produce, shoot and direct both narrative works and documentaries, as well as commercials/PSAs, music videos and wedding videography.
Kendra graduated from the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking in 2016, and continues to work on passion projects and freelance work, whilst digging her roots in Northern Calilfornia.
WRITER - PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Emma Scully is a British filmmaker, currently based in San Francisco. She has worked as production designer on several short films, as well as writing and directing her own.
She has a degree in Film Studies and French from the Univeristy of Nottingham, and recently graduated from the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking.
PRODUCER
Lisa Yadao is a writer, producer and director based in San Francisco. She manages business affairs for the video team at Square and previously handled media fund contracts for the Center for Asian American Media. Her credits include short films, web series and commercials for Scary Cow Productions, Hypno Bedhead, Lipshtick Pictures, FWD Stance and Square.
In 2017, Lisa co-founded Paper Tongue Productions with her twin sister, Irene, and BAVC classmate Michelle Sampior. Based in California and Maine, Paper Tongue is currently developing a short narrative about depression and anxiety.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Miikka is a Photopgrapher who contibutes to Getty Images as well as a Producer. His photographs have been featured in publications such as Rolling Stone, USA Today, Chicago Times, Cineplex while he has produced films such as "Betrayed", "The Night Shift" and the award winning "The Dance".
He will also serve as our official photographer for the Thematic Shots offered in some of the incentives.
CASTING DIRECTOR
Tina D’Elia Bay Area Casting Director, Acting Teacher, Actor, and Performance Coach. Tina has cast both feature and short films, videos, and industrials in the Bay Area since 2009. She also works as a Casting Associate for Nina Henninger Casting, CSA, casting numerous Films/TV Shows/and commercial projects. Tina has received awards for diverse casting and executive producing by the Equality International Film Festival, that recently nominated Tina for her acting. Tina teaches acting on-camera in the Bay Area and recently presented on panels for The Actor’s Conference in May 2017.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Harly Crandall is a dedicated and highly skilled multi-tasker in the world of production. His work has been featured in countless of commercials, feature films, corporate videos and short films including the award-winning The Dance.
He is a graduate of the San Francisco School of Digital filmmaking and has since been invited back to serve as a technical instructor for the school on occassions.
He joins us as our Assistant Director for this film.
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