Uneven
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
“Uneven” tells the story of Tom, a heartbroken man whose relationship fell apart after he and his boyfriend were unable to reconcile their differing views on polyamory. As Tom moves out of his boyfriends’ home, he’s forced to face the choices he made that led to their inevitable parting.
Uneven
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
3 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $28,750 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
140 supporters | followers
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“Uneven” tells the story of Tom, a heartbroken man whose relationship fell apart after he and his boyfriend were unable to reconcile their differing views on polyamory. As Tom moves out of his boyfriends’ home, he’s forced to face the choices he made that led to their inevitable parting.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
TOM a young queer man, arrives at his former apartment preparing to move out. The apartment was shared by Tom and MAX his ex-boyfriend.
As he enters the apartment remembers the electric chemistry and surprising tenderness of their first encounter, which is in sharp contrast to the cold and distant way that Max greets him today.
As Tom packs his belongings, he recalls his and Max's burgeoning relationship met DAN, a cute guy from Grindr. Dan was initially meant to be a casual hookup, but as the relationship between the three men developed, Max and Dan began to forge a deeper connection.
Tom is forced to reckon with the core differences between himself and Max as he's forced to navigate whether he's willing, and even able, to change his monogamous nature.
WHY THIS?
I began writing this story during a time in my life when I started to have doubts about the stability of my relationship of 7 years.
I had just relocated to LA from NYC to further pursue opportunities in the TV & Film world; and while being 3,000 miles away from your partner is challenging under normal circumstances, I wasn’t prepared to handle the uncertainty, loneliness, and fear from being so far away from someone I love.
As much as I had explored, and been comfortable in our open dynamic with each other, I couldn't shake the jealousy, anxiety, and confusion I felt knowing that he was living a life with someone else back home.
"Uneven" is my attempt to better understand these feelings, and put voice to the nuanced intricacies of being in a queer, non-monogamous relationship.
WHY NOW?
In the past year, there has been an explosion of queer films made by queer artists! We’ve also been treated to films like PASSAGES and PAST LIVES which explore messy, achy love triangles and nontraditional relationships...
But there’s never been a film quite like this.
"Uneven" explores the complicated, often fraught relationship that queer people have to polyamory.
Non-monogamy is increasingly becoming the standard in both queer and non-queer relationships, as we unlearn the normative ideals imposed upon us. But at what point does polyamory as the ‘new normal’ become its own sort of imposition? We want to explore the question of whether or not polyamory is part of our identity (just like one’s sexual orientation.) If so, what happens if we can't align with our partner?
And so, “Uneven” asks the question, “is love enough to sustain a relationship?”
VISUAL LANGUAGE
"Uneven" uses a nonlinear series of flashbacks, in which we see the romance-filled beginnings of Tom & Max's relationship, as well as the moments that led to its eventual downfall.
PRESENT LOOK
A simple, naturalistic look in the present-day scenes will evoke the raw realness of Tom’s final heartbreaking moments in the apartment. We’ll make use of foregrounded wide shots to convey Tom’s loneliness amongst the complexity of his world. In the present, we’ll rarely see Tom & Max in the same frame. When we do, they’ll be far from each other at different focal lengths, or separated by location or blocking. Present Tom will be favored with handheld, subjective close-ups as he comes to terms with the end of his relationship. In contrast, present Max will feel just out of reach, obscured by distance, silhouette, lighting, blocking & staging, etc.
PAST LOOK
To create subjectivity with Tom’s memory, we can use heightened colors, intimate close-ups, and time warping to create a surreal, almost dreamlike quality, making us feel as though we are experiencing the memories with Tom. Flashbacks between Tom, Max, and Dan create opportunities to isolate Tom, emphasizing his disconnect from Max & Dan. This can be achieved through deep-focus long shots with Max & Dan obscured in the foreground, while a pained Tom looks on in the distance as his connection to Max slips through his fingers. The underwear party and other past scenes can use use surreal lighting & heightened camera movement to show how quickly excitement morphs to anxiety as the horny, smoke-filled air suffocates Tom.
SEX/INTIMACY
In order to access Tom’s full emotional journey, we must first and foremost believe in his love for Max. The audience should ache for Max alonside Tom. Intimacy scenes (sexual and emotional) can include tight, visceral close-ups in warm lighting, with a roving handheld camera to convey the closeness of Tom’s memory, and the specificity of the details in his mind. Similar visual language can be used in moments when Tom & Max are disconnected, creating heartbreaking contrast: the cinematic similarity will create echoes of happier memories, tainted with loneliness, regret, and misconnection.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Performer Wages
Costs $3,000
We have a cast of three, and will be casting talented SAG Actors- we want to pay them what they're worth!
Crew Wages
Costs $7,500
We're hiring the best of the best to make this film look, sound, and feel incredible.
Camera Equipment
Costs $3,500
We'll be renting a top-notch cinema camera & lenses to bring this story to visual life.
Lighting Gear
Costs $4,000
We'll be using heightened & stylized lighting to accentuate the emotional differences between past and present.
Location
Costs $7,000
The entire film takes place in one apartment- we'll be making full use of the space, and we need to find the right location for the story.
Production Design
Costs $3,500
To fit the story, we'll be dressing the apartment slightly differently from scene-to-scene to show the passage of time.
Catering & Crafty
Costs $1,500
We need to feed our hardworking cast & crew!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
TOM a young queer man, arrives at his former apartment preparing to move out. The apartment was shared by Tom and MAX his ex-boyfriend.
As he enters the apartment remembers the electric chemistry and surprising tenderness of their first encounter, which is in sharp contrast to the cold and distant way that Max greets him today.
As Tom packs his belongings, he recalls his and Max's burgeoning relationship met DAN, a cute guy from Grindr. Dan was initially meant to be a casual hookup, but as the relationship between the three men developed, Max and Dan began to forge a deeper connection.
Tom is forced to reckon with the core differences between himself and Max as he's forced to navigate whether he's willing, and even able, to change his monogamous nature.
WHY THIS?
I began writing this story during a time in my life when I started to have doubts about the stability of my relationship of 7 years.
I had just relocated to LA from NYC to further pursue opportunities in the TV & Film world; and while being 3,000 miles away from your partner is challenging under normal circumstances, I wasn’t prepared to handle the uncertainty, loneliness, and fear from being so far away from someone I love.
As much as I had explored, and been comfortable in our open dynamic with each other, I couldn't shake the jealousy, anxiety, and confusion I felt knowing that he was living a life with someone else back home.
"Uneven" is my attempt to better understand these feelings, and put voice to the nuanced intricacies of being in a queer, non-monogamous relationship.
WHY NOW?
In the past year, there has been an explosion of queer films made by queer artists! We’ve also been treated to films like PASSAGES and PAST LIVES which explore messy, achy love triangles and nontraditional relationships...
But there’s never been a film quite like this.
"Uneven" explores the complicated, often fraught relationship that queer people have to polyamory.
Non-monogamy is increasingly becoming the standard in both queer and non-queer relationships, as we unlearn the normative ideals imposed upon us. But at what point does polyamory as the ‘new normal’ become its own sort of imposition? We want to explore the question of whether or not polyamory is part of our identity (just like one’s sexual orientation.) If so, what happens if we can't align with our partner?
And so, “Uneven” asks the question, “is love enough to sustain a relationship?”
VISUAL LANGUAGE
"Uneven" uses a nonlinear series of flashbacks, in which we see the romance-filled beginnings of Tom & Max's relationship, as well as the moments that led to its eventual downfall.
PRESENT LOOK
A simple, naturalistic look in the present-day scenes will evoke the raw realness of Tom’s final heartbreaking moments in the apartment. We’ll make use of foregrounded wide shots to convey Tom’s loneliness amongst the complexity of his world. In the present, we’ll rarely see Tom & Max in the same frame. When we do, they’ll be far from each other at different focal lengths, or separated by location or blocking. Present Tom will be favored with handheld, subjective close-ups as he comes to terms with the end of his relationship. In contrast, present Max will feel just out of reach, obscured by distance, silhouette, lighting, blocking & staging, etc.
PAST LOOK
To create subjectivity with Tom’s memory, we can use heightened colors, intimate close-ups, and time warping to create a surreal, almost dreamlike quality, making us feel as though we are experiencing the memories with Tom. Flashbacks between Tom, Max, and Dan create opportunities to isolate Tom, emphasizing his disconnect from Max & Dan. This can be achieved through deep-focus long shots with Max & Dan obscured in the foreground, while a pained Tom looks on in the distance as his connection to Max slips through his fingers. The underwear party and other past scenes can use use surreal lighting & heightened camera movement to show how quickly excitement morphs to anxiety as the horny, smoke-filled air suffocates Tom.
SEX/INTIMACY
In order to access Tom’s full emotional journey, we must first and foremost believe in his love for Max. The audience should ache for Max alonside Tom. Intimacy scenes (sexual and emotional) can include tight, visceral close-ups in warm lighting, with a roving handheld camera to convey the closeness of Tom’s memory, and the specificity of the details in his mind. Similar visual language can be used in moments when Tom & Max are disconnected, creating heartbreaking contrast: the cinematic similarity will create echoes of happier memories, tainted with loneliness, regret, and misconnection.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Performer Wages
Costs $3,000
We have a cast of three, and will be casting talented SAG Actors- we want to pay them what they're worth!
Crew Wages
Costs $7,500
We're hiring the best of the best to make this film look, sound, and feel incredible.
Camera Equipment
Costs $3,500
We'll be renting a top-notch cinema camera & lenses to bring this story to visual life.
Lighting Gear
Costs $4,000
We'll be using heightened & stylized lighting to accentuate the emotional differences between past and present.
Location
Costs $7,000
The entire film takes place in one apartment- we'll be making full use of the space, and we need to find the right location for the story.
Production Design
Costs $3,500
To fit the story, we'll be dressing the apartment slightly differently from scene-to-scene to show the passage of time.
Catering & Crafty
Costs $1,500
We need to feed our hardworking cast & crew!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
.