The Runner
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Adventure, Drama
Upon agreeing to reunite with his family for his brother's gender reveal, Everett moves back into his old van to drive down the coast. While revisiting some old spots where he should be in awe of the world's beauty, he is forced to relive the life he had with his late wife and try to move on.
The Runner
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Adventure, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $10,645 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
12 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Upon agreeing to reunite with his family for his brother's gender reveal, Everett moves back into his old van to drive down the coast. While revisiting some old spots where he should be in awe of the world's beauty, he is forced to relive the life he had with his late wife and try to move on.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Meet Everett, a man always moving forward, but unable to move on. He and his late wife were true vagabonds, exploring the world in their van until they decided they wanted to start a family. When tragedy strikes, Everett is stuck living a life isolated in a van. Follow him on a roadtrip down the california coast, where he is forced to relive his past and move on, or give up trying.
Throughout the road trip, we will get small glimpses into his relationship with Abigail through real Super8 footage and quick cinematic memories constantly swirling around Everett's head.
This story explores the small pieces of a person that remain, whether that be a memory, a song, a place. How do you hold it? How do you share it?
This is a story for the lovers, the dreamers, the nomads, and the broken-hearted who still have hope.
OUR CAST
Ian Ousley of Avatar the Last Airbender will be leading this film as Everett. This role is a whole lot different than his previous characters in the smash Netflix hits Avatar and Thirteen Reasons Why, and we are so excited to see him bring this character and film to life with an emotionally vulnerable and subtle performance.
Ian Ousley and Preslea Elliot captured for screen tests
Chasen Parker will be starring alongside Ian as Everett's older and much more stable brother, Cam. Chasen can be seen in the upcoming second season of Hulu’s EVERYONE IS DOING GREAT, and will be starring in the upcoming independent feature films COMFORT FOOD, and COCALOOSA.
Preslea Elliott will be playing Everett's late wife who we will get to fall in love with through glimpses. Preslea is an up and coming actor, singer, producer, and writer, and I truly cannot be more excited to see what comes next for her.
Preslea as Abigail in test shots for the film
OUR APPROACH
Half of this film takes place on the road, surrounded by the beauty of the world. A natural approach will be key here to make create a sense of awe and wonder in the natural world. There is a sense of longing and nostalgia throughout, which is why we will be working with anamorphic lenses to create a soft look with gorgeous lens flares from the desert sun.
We are also shooting with real super8 film to piece in a tangible piece of life our main character is left with to hold onto.
OUR DREAMS
Our fundraising goal allows us to make this film using a small but mighty crew who have worked on national campaigns, NFL championships, multiple short films, and some of the biggest companies in the world. It allows for a gorgeous natural feel that will showcase the world this character lives in in the most cinematic way possible and properly pay for our talented cast.
STRETCHING that goal a bit will allow us to use gorgeous FPV Drone pilots and help pay our cast and crew for all of their hard work! This team is exceptional, and I am excited to see what we are able to conjure up!
OUR TIMELINE
Our on-location Principal Photography is scheduled for June 2nd - June 6th of 2024 in Southern California. We will be shooting for two days in home, and two days on the road around Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, and Malibu.
MORE WAYS TO HELP
- TELL YOUR FRIENDS OUR ROAD TRIP
- Tell your friends, colleagues, and neighbors what we're trying to do.
- Share our social media posts, our campaign page, and our backer updates!
- FOLLOW OUR CAMPAIGN!
- We'll be posting updates on our campaign progress and a few glimpses behind the scenes!
- Follow us on Instagram @therunner.short
- Send us a private email if you have a special way you can help!
- [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $6,500
This is to help pay for our incredible crew including cinematographer, audio experts, assistant directors, gaffers etc
Post Production
Costs $3,000
We all know half of the magic comes after the shoot. This is to help get us working with colorists, audio engineers and editors!
Locations and food
Costs $1,000
Although the film is being shot in a van, we can't all stay in one!
Props
Costs $750
Big set pieces for an awesome gender reveal party, and some baby toys that our main character may or may not destroy.
Cast
Costs $1,500
We want to be able to pay for our fantastic cast taking the time to make these roles come alive
Submissions
Costs $400
Lets get this film into some festivals!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET TONY / Director & Writer
The Runner is inspired by his time during van life. He lived all around the US for three years and found it to be equally freeing and isolating. What started as something that excited him and fueled his creativity led to long seasons of depression, anxiety, and discomfort. Tony is a runner, but this film has been cathartic in releasing that tension and accepting the life that lies in front of him.
This will be his third and longest short, but Tony has been directing music videos and commercials for three years. He dreams of creating features similar to the likes of Black Swan and Oppenheimer, where horror and drama meet for some chaotic storytelling capabilities.
Preslea Elliott / Producer, Lead, Songwriter
Preslea Elliott Is everything you could want on your team. She is organized, hard-working, talented, and determined. Not only is she a phenomenal actor and singer, but she has worked on large productions including Scorsese's Killer's of the Flower Moon. This will be Preslea and Tony's third short film together.
Jensen Thomas / Director of Photography
Jensen Thomas is an engineer turned filmmaker who is passionate about finding the best way to convey a message through the right image. Even when he first started, there was something innate in his ability to create cinematic compositions using only the world around him.
Rachel Frank is a Los Angeles based award winning filmmaker who specializes in first ADing. She has first AD’d a wide variety of projects, ranging from music videos to narrative features. The most notable film being the narrative feature, Egghead & Twinkie.
We are so grateful and excited for the team we have lined up already, including our fantastic cast and crew. We believe that this team is beyond capable of making this film visceral, emotional, and real. We cannot wait to show it to you guys!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Meet Everett, a man always moving forward, but unable to move on. He and his late wife were true vagabonds, exploring the world in their van until they decided they wanted to start a family. When tragedy strikes, Everett is stuck living a life isolated in a van. Follow him on a roadtrip down the california coast, where he is forced to relive his past and move on, or give up trying.
Throughout the road trip, we will get small glimpses into his relationship with Abigail through real Super8 footage and quick cinematic memories constantly swirling around Everett's head.
This story explores the small pieces of a person that remain, whether that be a memory, a song, a place. How do you hold it? How do you share it?
This is a story for the lovers, the dreamers, the nomads, and the broken-hearted who still have hope.
OUR CAST
Ian Ousley of Avatar the Last Airbender will be leading this film as Everett. This role is a whole lot different than his previous characters in the smash Netflix hits Avatar and Thirteen Reasons Why, and we are so excited to see him bring this character and film to life with an emotionally vulnerable and subtle performance.
Ian Ousley and Preslea Elliot captured for screen tests
Chasen Parker will be starring alongside Ian as Everett's older and much more stable brother, Cam. Chasen can be seen in the upcoming second season of Hulu’s EVERYONE IS DOING GREAT, and will be starring in the upcoming independent feature films COMFORT FOOD, and COCALOOSA.
Preslea Elliott will be playing Everett's late wife who we will get to fall in love with through glimpses. Preslea is an up and coming actor, singer, producer, and writer, and I truly cannot be more excited to see what comes next for her.
Preslea as Abigail in test shots for the film
OUR APPROACH
Half of this film takes place on the road, surrounded by the beauty of the world. A natural approach will be key here to make create a sense of awe and wonder in the natural world. There is a sense of longing and nostalgia throughout, which is why we will be working with anamorphic lenses to create a soft look with gorgeous lens flares from the desert sun.
We are also shooting with real super8 film to piece in a tangible piece of life our main character is left with to hold onto.
OUR DREAMS
Our fundraising goal allows us to make this film using a small but mighty crew who have worked on national campaigns, NFL championships, multiple short films, and some of the biggest companies in the world. It allows for a gorgeous natural feel that will showcase the world this character lives in in the most cinematic way possible and properly pay for our talented cast.
STRETCHING that goal a bit will allow us to use gorgeous FPV Drone pilots and help pay our cast and crew for all of their hard work! This team is exceptional, and I am excited to see what we are able to conjure up!
OUR TIMELINE
Our on-location Principal Photography is scheduled for June 2nd - June 6th of 2024 in Southern California. We will be shooting for two days in home, and two days on the road around Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, and Malibu.
MORE WAYS TO HELP
- TELL YOUR FRIENDS OUR ROAD TRIP
- Tell your friends, colleagues, and neighbors what we're trying to do.
- Share our social media posts, our campaign page, and our backer updates!
- FOLLOW OUR CAMPAIGN!
- We'll be posting updates on our campaign progress and a few glimpses behind the scenes!
- Follow us on Instagram @therunner.short
- Send us a private email if you have a special way you can help!
- [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $6,500
This is to help pay for our incredible crew including cinematographer, audio experts, assistant directors, gaffers etc
Post Production
Costs $3,000
We all know half of the magic comes after the shoot. This is to help get us working with colorists, audio engineers and editors!
Locations and food
Costs $1,000
Although the film is being shot in a van, we can't all stay in one!
Props
Costs $750
Big set pieces for an awesome gender reveal party, and some baby toys that our main character may or may not destroy.
Cast
Costs $1,500
We want to be able to pay for our fantastic cast taking the time to make these roles come alive
Submissions
Costs $400
Lets get this film into some festivals!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET TONY / Director & Writer
The Runner is inspired by his time during van life. He lived all around the US for three years and found it to be equally freeing and isolating. What started as something that excited him and fueled his creativity led to long seasons of depression, anxiety, and discomfort. Tony is a runner, but this film has been cathartic in releasing that tension and accepting the life that lies in front of him.
This will be his third and longest short, but Tony has been directing music videos and commercials for three years. He dreams of creating features similar to the likes of Black Swan and Oppenheimer, where horror and drama meet for some chaotic storytelling capabilities.
Preslea Elliott / Producer, Lead, Songwriter
Preslea Elliott Is everything you could want on your team. She is organized, hard-working, talented, and determined. Not only is she a phenomenal actor and singer, but she has worked on large productions including Scorsese's Killer's of the Flower Moon. This will be Preslea and Tony's third short film together.
Jensen Thomas / Director of Photography
Jensen Thomas is an engineer turned filmmaker who is passionate about finding the best way to convey a message through the right image. Even when he first started, there was something innate in his ability to create cinematic compositions using only the world around him.
Rachel Frank is a Los Angeles based award winning filmmaker who specializes in first ADing. She has first AD’d a wide variety of projects, ranging from music videos to narrative features. The most notable film being the narrative feature, Egghead & Twinkie.
We are so grateful and excited for the team we have lined up already, including our fantastic cast and crew. We believe that this team is beyond capable of making this film visceral, emotional, and real. We cannot wait to show it to you guys!