THROUGH THE BLINDS is an Anthology Feature Film, showcasing intimate stories over 7 decades under one roof. With female protagonists ranging from a 50’s housewife to a present-day career-focused millennial, 7 women directors are on a mission to bring forth narratives of underrepresented communities.
THROUGH THE BLINDS is an Anthology Feature Film, showcasing intimate stories over 7 decades under one roof. With female protagonists ranging from a 50’s housewife to a present-day career-focused millennial, 7 women directors are on a mission to bring forth narratives of underrepresented communities.
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Story
Mission Statement
As a group of emerging women directors who are majority BIPOC and including LGBTQIA+ identified, we are uniquely qualified to tell a series of stories about underrepresented women. We aim to fill in the perspectives largely left out of American history.About The Project
WE HAVE REACHED 100%!! THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE THAT CONTRIBUTED!
You all have set us over the edge! We hit 100% of our goal which takes us from the development stage to pre-production! With filmmaking there’s a lot involved in each stage. That’s where our stretch goals come in!
With $32,000 we'll be able to cover COVID testing costs for anyone working in person during pre-production (this involves location scouting, meetings, casting sessions, rehearsals).
With $35,000 we can hire a storyboard artist to visualize the scenes across all our stories and make animatic sequences.
And with $40,000 we can hire a production designer to bring our multi-decade house to life much earlier. The house is the character in our film that is present in all the stories. We need to conceptualize what it will look like and all the changes it will go through the 7 decades.
Website: www.throughtheblindsanthology.com
THROUGH THE BLINDS started after some of the us met through a Directing Actors Workshop hosted by the Alliance of Women Directors. During a reunion potluck, we shared our struggles and career goals, particularly how difficult it is to kickstart our first feature film as women directors. Becca had this idea of making an anthology feature film about women, and we all gravitated heavily towards it. After we all created successful short films, our next shared challenge on our journey was to make our first feature film! We decided to band together to make this film the way we want to make it - each of us has an equal say - and telling the stories we want to tell.
Making a feature film is a long process. We've collaborated in the last two years to develop the film and supported each other along the way not only as collaborators, but as friends. The period coincided with the global pandemic, where we were all stuck at home and were reevaluating our relationship with home (shelter, safe space, workplace, domestic realm, privilege, identity). We feel we have crafted a story that is really special and tackles it all.
Our seven short films take place inside the same house from 1957 to 2019. We explore the meaning of home, our place in it, and the evolution of women historically and culturally - what changed and what we are still fighting for - all through very personal and specific lenses.
We start in 1957 with a white housewife struggling to cope as a family of Filipino Americans moves into the house across the street and the world rapidly changes around her. Director Kristine Gerolaga imbues this absurdist film with an unsettling eeriness and investigates the redlining and blockbusting practices of the time.
In 1965, we meet RIVER, a precocious and opinionated 6-year-old Black girl, who is against her father's worship of a "White Jesus," and to be honest, White people in general. When her Mother, Helen, returns home after a long hospital stay, seeming not quite the same, River's "perfect world" is threatened. Director Destinee Stewart crafts a story of Black Americans in the 1960s with the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement and the public policies against Black Women.
Moving to 1976 and focusing on the youth who had grown up during the Vietnam war and the turbulent politics of the 1960s, we tell the story of Frances, a 22-year-old experimenting with LCD for the first time. She has to decide if she wants to marry her 'good-on-paper' fiance or explore her career interests. Director Rebecca Louisell draws from her family's stories of the time and explores themes of independence versus conformity.
In 1988 two teenage sisters, Addy, who is neurodivergent, and Tessa, a very popular girl, are at odds with each other when Addy starts exploring her sexuality and begins resenting Tessa for growing distant. All while a serial killer is on the loose in the neighborhood. Director Jessica Liu paints a portrait of burgeoning womanhood, in the milieu of 80s aerobics, synth-pop, and looming danger.
Next, we are in 1994. Venice, a lonely 8-year-old girl, strikes a life-changing, albeit short, summer friendship with her neighbor Hannah, who comes from a very religious family. Director Sylvia Ray draws from her personal life growing up in Barstow, CA, and explores how moments in our youth can have profound impacts.
In 2002, Veronica, a single mom of Southeast Asian descent, comes home to find her house ransacked after a break-in. With the police not being able to do anything and the suspicion of her abusive ex-husband, she goes through desperate measures to protect her family at all costs, including getting a gun. In this thriller, Director T. L. Quach shows us the psychological effects of having your safe space violated.
We come to a close in 2019, where Veronica's daughter, now 30, has to come back to the family home to sell it after her mom passes away. In a world where everyone is virtually connected but isolated at the same time, she deals with her grief, past mistakes and finds her path to the future she wants. Director Luisa Novo, a millennial herself, crafts a story of looking for connection in the world of today.
We are 7 women directors based in Los Angeles, from many different backgrounds, identities and personalities. Collectively we've directed more than 50 short films and web series episodes, plus music videos, micro shorts, and branded content. We have experience in many different production roles and in post-production. Some of us are also teachers and actors. We understand the industry very well, which also means we know its problems and barriers.
According to the Celluloid Ceiling report produced annually by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, after reaching historic highs in 2020, the percentages of women directing top grossing films declined in 2021. Women comprised 17% of directors working on the 250 top grossing films in 2021, down from 18% in 2020. The percentage of women working as directors on the top 100 films retreated from 16% in 2020 to 12% in 2021. - Celluloid Ceiling Report
With THROUGH THE BLINDS, we found a way to pursue our career goals in a collaborative and uplifting setting, where everyone has an equal voice and the means matter as much as the result. We are advocates of inclusive workplaces and the telling of diverse stories that are actually representative of the world we live in.
We also have three experienced producers and awesome humans on board: Alexandra Renzo (Meow Wolf: Origin Story), Kay Tuxford (The Miseducation of Bindu) and Adam Wyatt Tate (Nomadland).
We have been developing the script for two years and as directors, we are ready to shoot it! But financing is the hardest part of making a film, and to get started with pre-production we need initial funds to help us with:
- Hiring a Casting Director and Securing Talent
- Hiring Key Crew Members
- Finalizing a Budget
- Concept Art
- Location Scouting
- Business Expenses
Make a Pledge! Choose one of our incentives or contribute any other amount. All contributions help, no matter how small.
Follow our page at the top right corner!
When following you'll stay connected with us and receive updates from the project. When we reach a certain number of followers, it unlocks perks that will help us in making the film.
Share our campaign video and this page with your friends and network on facebook, instagram, whatsapp, sms, email, or the next time you hang out with them! It will help us in reaching more people ❤️
INSTAGRAM: @throughtheblindsfilm
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@throughtheblindsfilm, an anthology feature from seven women directors, is crowdfunding for initial funds to kickstart pre-production! Check out their campaign on @seed&spark. Directors: @kristinegerolaga @destineestewart_creates @rlouisell @jessicajliu @sylbialin @tlquachfilms @luisamnovo
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THROUGH THE BLINDS is an anthology feature film with seven intimate stories spanning decades under one roof. With female protagonists ranging from a 50’s housewife to a present-day career-focused millennial. Made by seven women directors on a mission to tell stories of underrepresented communities. Want to contribute to get it off the ground? YOU CAN! Visit Seed&Spark Campaign to learn more. And follow our instagram page: @throughtheblindsfilm
Graphic you can share on Facebook. If on mobile, hold down the image and save to your camera roll, if on a computer, right click and save:
And follow the directors on Twitter! @itsgerolaga @destineecreates @blouisell @JessicaJLiu__ @TLQuachfilms @sylbialin @luisamnovo
Incentives
$10
Ida Lupino
"I'm mad, they say. I am temperamental and dizzy and disagreeable. Well, let them talk. I can take it. Only one person can hurt me. Her name is Ida Lupino." - Ida Lupino (Never Fear, The Hitch-Hiker)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Social Media Shout Out
$25
Alice Wu
“I want to show characters that you don’t always see… if I can get a 55-year-old straight conservative white guy to suddenly start to feel for a 17-year-old possibly closeted queer immigrant…anytime you can increase the human capacity for empathy, you’ve won.“ - Alice Wu (Saving Face, The Half of It)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- A photoshopped picture of YOU in a surprise decade (1950s to 2010s) and shared on social media
+ The above perks!!
$50
Anna Muylaert
“I’ve always learned in school that history has been written by the powerful, by the winners. Now, I start to understand that history has always been written by men, reflecting the male mind and ambitions. Now, I think it’s more than time for women to show their side.” - Anna Muylaert (The Second Mother, Durval Discos)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Digital copy of the poster and BTS photos
+ The above perks!!
$100
Julie Dash
"You don't need to fight wars anymore; just create a series of films that move and motivate and resonate with people and you could change a situation." - Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust, Queen Sugar)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Digital copy of the script
- Thank you credits in the film!
+ The above perks!!
$200
Mira Nair
"Making films is about having absolute and foolish confidence; the challenge for all of us is to have the heart of a pet and the skin of an elephant." - Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Advanced Preview Link to watch the finished film online
+ The above perks!!
$300
Jane Campion
"I would love to see more women directors because they represent half of the population - and gave birth to the whole word. Without them writing and being directors, the rest of us are not going to know the whole story." - Jane Campion (The Piano, Power of The Dog)
For you contribution you'll receive:
- 1h Zoom conversation with the seven filmmakers about the craft (Date TBD)
+ The above perks!!
$500
Cathy Yan
“…growing up, there weren’t many female directors, and there certainly weren’t many that looked like me. I think it did prevent me from deciding to become a filmmaker until much later in life. But it can’t just stop there, the change has to be much more institutionalized.” - Cathy Yan (Birds of Prey, Dead Pigs)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- A creative group hike led by one of our directors, Destinee Stewart. At a date TBD in the Los Angeles area (transportation and accomodation not included)
+ The above perks!!
*Please note this perk may only be purchased at this level & has a limited quantity.
Claimed: 3 of 10
$1,000
Jamie Babbit
"It's so hard to actually get the money to make your movie. When you actually have the chance to do it, you have to be absolutely ruthless in order to make the best movie you can make." - Jamie Babbit (But I'm A Cheerleader, Gilmore Girls)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- An original song personalized to you created by director Rebecca Louisell and her wife, film composer Alana Balagot
+ The above perks!!
*Please note this perk may only be purchased at this level & has a limited quantity.
*Hike not included
Claimed: 2 of 7
$2,000
Ava DuVernay
"Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal." - Ava DuVernay (Selma, When They See Us)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Invitation to visit the set (transportation and accomodation not included)
+ The above perks!!
*Hike and Personalized Song not included
$5,000
Agnès Varda
"I didn't see myself as a woman doing film but as a radical film-maker who was a woman." - Agnès Varda (Cleo from 5 to 7, Faces Places)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Invitation to the film premiere in Los Angeles (transportation and accomodation not included)
+ The above perks!!
*Hike and Personalized Song not included
$10,000
Chloé Zhao
"I love movies that don't necessarily tell me how I should feel or how I should think but give me this canvas that I can go away and have a conversation with myself and people around me." - Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Associate Producer credit
+ The above perks!!
*Hike and Personalized Song not included
Claimed: 0 of 3
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Ida Lupino
"I'm mad, they say. I am temperamental and dizzy and disagreeable. Well, let them talk. I can take it. Only one person can hurt me. Her name is Ida Lupino." - Ida Lupino (Never Fear, The Hitch-Hiker)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Social Media Shout Out
$25
Alice Wu
“I want to show characters that you don’t always see… if I can get a 55-year-old straight conservative white guy to suddenly start to feel for a 17-year-old possibly closeted queer immigrant…anytime you can increase the human capacity for empathy, you’ve won.“ - Alice Wu (Saving Face, The Half of It)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- A photoshopped picture of YOU in a surprise decade (1950s to 2010s) and shared on social media
+ The above perks!!
$50
Anna Muylaert
“I’ve always learned in school that history has been written by the powerful, by the winners. Now, I start to understand that history has always been written by men, reflecting the male mind and ambitions. Now, I think it’s more than time for women to show their side.” - Anna Muylaert (The Second Mother, Durval Discos)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Digital copy of the poster and BTS photos
+ The above perks!!
$100
Julie Dash
"You don't need to fight wars anymore; just create a series of films that move and motivate and resonate with people and you could change a situation." - Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust, Queen Sugar)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Digital copy of the script
- Thank you credits in the film!
+ The above perks!!
$200
Mira Nair
"Making films is about having absolute and foolish confidence; the challenge for all of us is to have the heart of a pet and the skin of an elephant." - Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Advanced Preview Link to watch the finished film online
+ The above perks!!
$300
Jane Campion
"I would love to see more women directors because they represent half of the population - and gave birth to the whole word. Without them writing and being directors, the rest of us are not going to know the whole story." - Jane Campion (The Piano, Power of The Dog)
For you contribution you'll receive:
- 1h Zoom conversation with the seven filmmakers about the craft (Date TBD)
+ The above perks!!
$500
Cathy Yan
“…growing up, there weren’t many female directors, and there certainly weren’t many that looked like me. I think it did prevent me from deciding to become a filmmaker until much later in life. But it can’t just stop there, the change has to be much more institutionalized.” - Cathy Yan (Birds of Prey, Dead Pigs)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- A creative group hike led by one of our directors, Destinee Stewart. At a date TBD in the Los Angeles area (transportation and accomodation not included)
+ The above perks!!
*Please note this perk may only be purchased at this level & has a limited quantity.
Claimed: 3 of 10
$1,000
Jamie Babbit
"It's so hard to actually get the money to make your movie. When you actually have the chance to do it, you have to be absolutely ruthless in order to make the best movie you can make." - Jamie Babbit (But I'm A Cheerleader, Gilmore Girls)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- An original song personalized to you created by director Rebecca Louisell and her wife, film composer Alana Balagot
+ The above perks!!
*Please note this perk may only be purchased at this level & has a limited quantity.
*Hike not included
Claimed: 2 of 7
$2,000
Ava DuVernay
"Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal." - Ava DuVernay (Selma, When They See Us)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Invitation to visit the set (transportation and accomodation not included)
+ The above perks!!
*Hike and Personalized Song not included
$5,000
Agnès Varda
"I didn't see myself as a woman doing film but as a radical film-maker who was a woman." - Agnès Varda (Cleo from 5 to 7, Faces Places)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Invitation to the film premiere in Los Angeles (transportation and accomodation not included)
+ The above perks!!
*Hike and Personalized Song not included
$10,000
Chloé Zhao
"I love movies that don't necessarily tell me how I should feel or how I should think but give me this canvas that I can go away and have a conversation with myself and people around me." - Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals)
For your contribution you'll receive:
- Associate Producer credit
+ The above perks!!
*Hike and Personalized Song not included
Claimed: 0 of 3
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