WHAT LIES WEST is a feature about female friendship, the need for adventure, and the chances we wish we could take. With a cast and crew more than 80% female, this film focuses heavily on advancing women-led stories and women in all areas of film. When was the last time you took a real adventure?
WHAT LIES WEST is a feature about female friendship, the need for adventure, and the chances we wish we could take. With a cast and crew more than 80% female, this film focuses heavily on advancing women-led stories and women in all areas of film. When was the last time you took a real adventure?
Participating In
Hometown Heroes 2017
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Story
Mission Statement
In the first half of our shoot, WHAT LIES WEST had a cast and crew more than 80% female. Our team included female producers, production managers, writer/director, camera crew, makeup/hair/costuming, and G&E. In the second half, our cast will include diverse roles and two more big female parts!About The Project
2017 is a bleak year for just about anyone. As we've struggled to find a way to help, any way to help, we've found ourselves getting more and more exhausted. As we march to rallies and donate to the ACLU, it begins to feel like we're spending all our time chasing fires -- trying to put bad things out, rather than adding anything positive.
When What Lies West burst into our minds, it was in response to this thought: the world is awful, and girls are still growing up. All of the things we experienced as adolescents -- love, isolation, embarrassment, euphoria-- all of those are still happening to teens around the world. We might not have survived the teenage years without films and shows that spoke to us, that made us feel like we mattered; movies like Stand By Me and Now and Then, shows like My So-Called Life. They spoke to us when nothing in our real lives got through. Even in a time where it feels like the country is falling apart, we still need to send out the messages, and lucky for us, this is what we trained for.
The other driving force behind What Lies West is the natural beauty of Sonoma County. Often overlooked for its fancier cousin, Napa, Sonoma County remains a place of deep dark oak forest, shimmering rivers, and adventure behind every corner. Born and raised in Santa Rosa, writer/director Jessica Ellis grew up exploring the hidden depths of the county. something that was common to all SoCo kids of her age. It was never hard to believe that magic, myth, and mystery lurked just behind the next oak tree, and the permissiveness of child-rearing in the '80s and '90s allowed her to explore it to her heart's content.
While Sonoma County has long been a favorite of great filmmakers from Hitchcock to Coppola, it has often been as a backdrop to the story. What Lies West takes the role of Sonoma County further than ever before. The forests, parks, and trails of the county are an essential character in the story; drawn in by the irresistable beauty of the region, our heroines set out to find adventure in the west, a passion generations of Sonoma County residents can surely recognize.
Adventures are key to our growth and at the core of our evolution. In the darkest times, people have always set forth on journeys to bring a cure, a boon, or a light back to the world. While there are many crises to focus on, and many causes that need help, we can't ever forget how necessary those journeys are.
Join us in finding out What Lies West.
Incentives
$5
A SCREAM OF THANKS
Jessica is known round the world for her rather strident take on pop culture and current events in the Twittersphere. What if you could harness her virtual lungs to scream about a cause or a complaint for you to her audience of 5600 lunatic people. Got a fundraiser coming up that needs attention? A kitten that needs saving? An extremely unsatisfactory cookie? Jessica will gladly scream about it all for you!!
Claimed: 4 of 100
$5
Tall Tale Twitter (or Facebook)
Jessica will spice up your Twitter or Facebook account forever with a personalized, completely untrue but FANTASTICALLY flattering adventure fact about you!
Claimed: 8 of 100
$5
Thank you!!
Whiskey the Dog is so grateful you're helping to make WHAT LIES WEST, he wants to send you a very personal thank you postcard.
Claimed: 2 of 100
$10
Thank you even more!
A thank you in our credits - SEE YOUR NAME ON THE BIG SCREEN!
Claimed: 14 of 100
$20
THANK YOU ULTRA!
A thank you postcard from Whiskey, a thank you in the credits, AND a thank you video from our cast!
Claimed: 4 of 100
$25
What Lies WET
A WHAT LIES WEST logo waterbottle to keep you cool on the trail, plus a Whiskey Postcard!!
Claimed: 6 of 18
$30
Campfire Comedy
Who doesn't love laughing around the campfire? Be prepared to bang your tin-cup against a rock with this compilation of our best outtakes PLUS THE INFAMOUS CANOE FOOTAGE of writer/director Jessica trapped in a lake on a cantankerous canoe.
Claimed: 3 of 100
$30
THE MAGICAL MUG OF MUG MADNESS 2!!
That's right, the SECOND MAGICAL MUG OF MUG MADNESS FAME is yours, all yours, PLUS A BONUS POSTCARD FROM WHISKEY(the dog!)complete the set! Complete your holiday shopping! COMPLETE YOUR LIFE!
Claimed: 3 of 100
$40
The Multi-Media Magician
$40 greenbacks gets you the best the virtual world has to offer: a digital download of the finished film, PLUS a big ol thank you in the credits!
$40
Truly Disturbing Artwork
Jessica is known for her absolutely horrifically bad storyboarding. Let her send you a copy of one of her very worst shotlist pages - are those people or squashes arguing??? - along with an explanation of exactly what the hell she was trying to do.
Claimed: 2 of 50
$50
The Scene-O-Randomizer 6000
Wanna see what we're cooking up around our editing campfire? Select this awesome insider option to get a random Work-in-Progress scene delivered to your inbox straight from our newfangled editing machinery. Will you get a big fight? A quiet campfire moment? You'll find out with the Scene-O-Randomizer 6000 perk!
Claimed: 0 of 100
$50
Music To Our Ears
A digital download of our finished film AND downloads of our title song, written by the sensational Pittsburgh favorites Molly Alphabet and Chet Vincent!
Claimed: 3 of 100
$50
Pie. No questions asked.
'Tis almost the season, and even if it 'twerent the season, there is no such thing as non-pie season. Get a pie made by Jessica delivered to your door, and what you need it for is entirely your own private business.
We do not judge.
(LA AREA ONLY)
Claimed: 3 of 8
$50
ADVENTURE PARTY!!
Come join us at the cast and crew screenings in Los Angeles or in Sonoma County! Enjoy movie snacks, meet the filmmakers, and be one of the first to see the finished version of WHAT LIES WEST. Choose whichever screening bests suits your location, and come join the adventure party! This perk entitles you to two (2) tickets to our screening. Bring a friend! Bring a date! Bring a dog! (Okay they probably won't let us do that) Transportation is not included.
Claimed: 2 of 100
$60
Campfire Foodie
One of the secrets of our happy set: Jessica the director turns her hand to baking for the crew whenever she can snag a minute! Get a digital collection of at least 3 of her tried and true recipes that are perfect for set, for snacks, or just for eating at home. Recipes might include:
The World's Fudgiest Brownie
Apple Cheddar Sconetastics
Margarita Cupcakes That Aren't Messing Around
Zucchini Bread You Can Convince Yourself is Healthy
$60
The Art of Making Movies
A beautiful color photo book of stills and set photographs, with fun facts about WHAT LIES WEST, signed by cast and crew members! ALSO INCLUDES a download of the film!
Claimed: 2 of 100
$75
Chill and Grill
Let DP Sean Carroll or writer/director Jessica Ellis take you out for coffee, treats, and answers to your biggest filmmaking questions! If you're looking to make your own feature, they're here to answer the nitty gritty on any queries you may have from equipment rentals to refining the script around a budget. Also available by Skype if you aren't LA locals.
Claimed: 6 of 20
$90
The Constructive Critique
Writer/Director and AFI grad Jessica Ellis has been an industry reader for nearly four years. Her work as the sole reader for GTB has sent her to every major studio, providing coverage for films from Marvel, Paramount, Universal, Fox - you name it, she's read it!
Now, for less than her studio rate, YOU can get a coverage package from Jessica - and it's customizable! Like notes? She'll send you a detailed response and analysis of strengths/weaknesses in your script. Wanna talk it out? She'll happily do a 30 minute skype session instead! Prepping for a self-made movie? Jessica can turn her eye toward what in your script is going to be tricky to film on a shoestring and help you brainstorm ideas for making your script as filmableas possible. $90 gets you one feature script read and a consultation that's geared toward what YOU want to improve on your script.
Claimed: 0 of 20
$100
The WHAT LIES WEST Backpack
Our popular perk is back: this gorgeous, sturdy, vintage-look backpack is ready for all your camping, hiking, canoing, and airplane adventures. Perfectly sized for an underseat compartment, let this backpack with it's tastefully understated WHAT LIES WEST logo be the mascot you've always needed toget you out the door and onto adventure!
Claimed: 2 of 50
$150
EXTRA! EXTRA!!
Come be an extra during the LA shoot of WHAT LIES WEST. Be a student or parent at graduation, a reveler at a party, or just a rando strolling down the street. We'd love to have you as our guest on set to take part in making WHAT LIES WEST - and maybe launching your career! (You are responsible for your own transportation to set, but we're happy to feed you!!)
Claimed: 1 of 5
$250
The Adventure in a Bag!
Not only do you get our awesome vintage WHAT LIES WEST backpack, but it's crammed full of cool stuff, and even set mementos! AND YOU WON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GET TIL YOU GET IT! Compasses, water bottles, set photos, script pages, props - it's going to be an adventure just opening this up! And no matter what's in there, you'll also get a download of the finished film!
Claimed: 1 of 25
$500
The Producer
Come feel like the VIP you are, by joining us during our week of shooting in Los Angeles! Grab lunch with the crew and cast, sit in your very own director's chair, AND walk away with an exclusive swag bag!
(We'll get you to set from the LA area, but airfare/rooms for non-locals are not included.)
Claimed: 2 of 7
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
A SCREAM OF THANKS
Jessica is known round the world for her rather strident take on pop culture and current events in the Twittersphere. What if you could harness her virtual lungs to scream about a cause or a complaint for you to her audience of 5600 lunatic people. Got a fundraiser coming up that needs attention? A kitten that needs saving? An extremely unsatisfactory cookie? Jessica will gladly scream about it all for you!!
Claimed: 4 of 100
$5
Tall Tale Twitter (or Facebook)
Jessica will spice up your Twitter or Facebook account forever with a personalized, completely untrue but FANTASTICALLY flattering adventure fact about you!
Claimed: 8 of 100
$5
Thank you!!
Whiskey the Dog is so grateful you're helping to make WHAT LIES WEST, he wants to send you a very personal thank you postcard.
Claimed: 2 of 100
$10
Thank you even more!
A thank you in our credits - SEE YOUR NAME ON THE BIG SCREEN!
Claimed: 14 of 100
$20
THANK YOU ULTRA!
A thank you postcard from Whiskey, a thank you in the credits, AND a thank you video from our cast!
Claimed: 4 of 100
$25
What Lies WET
A WHAT LIES WEST logo waterbottle to keep you cool on the trail, plus a Whiskey Postcard!!
Claimed: 6 of 18
$30
Campfire Comedy
Who doesn't love laughing around the campfire? Be prepared to bang your tin-cup against a rock with this compilation of our best outtakes PLUS THE INFAMOUS CANOE FOOTAGE of writer/director Jessica trapped in a lake on a cantankerous canoe.
Claimed: 3 of 100
$30
THE MAGICAL MUG OF MUG MADNESS 2!!
That's right, the SECOND MAGICAL MUG OF MUG MADNESS FAME is yours, all yours, PLUS A BONUS POSTCARD FROM WHISKEY(the dog!)complete the set! Complete your holiday shopping! COMPLETE YOUR LIFE!
Claimed: 3 of 100
$40
The Multi-Media Magician
$40 greenbacks gets you the best the virtual world has to offer: a digital download of the finished film, PLUS a big ol thank you in the credits!
$40
Truly Disturbing Artwork
Jessica is known for her absolutely horrifically bad storyboarding. Let her send you a copy of one of her very worst shotlist pages - are those people or squashes arguing??? - along with an explanation of exactly what the hell she was trying to do.
Claimed: 2 of 50
$50
The Scene-O-Randomizer 6000
Wanna see what we're cooking up around our editing campfire? Select this awesome insider option to get a random Work-in-Progress scene delivered to your inbox straight from our newfangled editing machinery. Will you get a big fight? A quiet campfire moment? You'll find out with the Scene-O-Randomizer 6000 perk!
Claimed: 0 of 100
$50
Music To Our Ears
A digital download of our finished film AND downloads of our title song, written by the sensational Pittsburgh favorites Molly Alphabet and Chet Vincent!
Claimed: 3 of 100
$50
Pie. No questions asked.
'Tis almost the season, and even if it 'twerent the season, there is no such thing as non-pie season. Get a pie made by Jessica delivered to your door, and what you need it for is entirely your own private business.
We do not judge.
(LA AREA ONLY)
Claimed: 3 of 8
$50
ADVENTURE PARTY!!
Come join us at the cast and crew screenings in Los Angeles or in Sonoma County! Enjoy movie snacks, meet the filmmakers, and be one of the first to see the finished version of WHAT LIES WEST. Choose whichever screening bests suits your location, and come join the adventure party! This perk entitles you to two (2) tickets to our screening. Bring a friend! Bring a date! Bring a dog! (Okay they probably won't let us do that) Transportation is not included.
Claimed: 2 of 100
$60
Campfire Foodie
One of the secrets of our happy set: Jessica the director turns her hand to baking for the crew whenever she can snag a minute! Get a digital collection of at least 3 of her tried and true recipes that are perfect for set, for snacks, or just for eating at home. Recipes might include:
The World's Fudgiest Brownie
Apple Cheddar Sconetastics
Margarita Cupcakes That Aren't Messing Around
Zucchini Bread You Can Convince Yourself is Healthy
$60
The Art of Making Movies
A beautiful color photo book of stills and set photographs, with fun facts about WHAT LIES WEST, signed by cast and crew members! ALSO INCLUDES a download of the film!
Claimed: 2 of 100
$75
Chill and Grill
Let DP Sean Carroll or writer/director Jessica Ellis take you out for coffee, treats, and answers to your biggest filmmaking questions! If you're looking to make your own feature, they're here to answer the nitty gritty on any queries you may have from equipment rentals to refining the script around a budget. Also available by Skype if you aren't LA locals.
Claimed: 6 of 20
$90
The Constructive Critique
Writer/Director and AFI grad Jessica Ellis has been an industry reader for nearly four years. Her work as the sole reader for GTB has sent her to every major studio, providing coverage for films from Marvel, Paramount, Universal, Fox - you name it, she's read it!
Now, for less than her studio rate, YOU can get a coverage package from Jessica - and it's customizable! Like notes? She'll send you a detailed response and analysis of strengths/weaknesses in your script. Wanna talk it out? She'll happily do a 30 minute skype session instead! Prepping for a self-made movie? Jessica can turn her eye toward what in your script is going to be tricky to film on a shoestring and help you brainstorm ideas for making your script as filmableas possible. $90 gets you one feature script read and a consultation that's geared toward what YOU want to improve on your script.
Claimed: 0 of 20
$100
The WHAT LIES WEST Backpack
Our popular perk is back: this gorgeous, sturdy, vintage-look backpack is ready for all your camping, hiking, canoing, and airplane adventures. Perfectly sized for an underseat compartment, let this backpack with it's tastefully understated WHAT LIES WEST logo be the mascot you've always needed toget you out the door and onto adventure!
Claimed: 2 of 50
$150
EXTRA! EXTRA!!
Come be an extra during the LA shoot of WHAT LIES WEST. Be a student or parent at graduation, a reveler at a party, or just a rando strolling down the street. We'd love to have you as our guest on set to take part in making WHAT LIES WEST - and maybe launching your career! (You are responsible for your own transportation to set, but we're happy to feed you!!)
Claimed: 1 of 5
$250
The Adventure in a Bag!
Not only do you get our awesome vintage WHAT LIES WEST backpack, but it's crammed full of cool stuff, and even set mementos! AND YOU WON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GET TIL YOU GET IT! Compasses, water bottles, set photos, script pages, props - it's going to be an adventure just opening this up! And no matter what's in there, you'll also get a download of the finished film!
Claimed: 1 of 25
$500
The Producer
Come feel like the VIP you are, by joining us during our week of shooting in Los Angeles! Grab lunch with the crew and cast, sit in your very own director's chair, AND walk away with an exclusive swag bag!
(We'll get you to set from the LA area, but airfare/rooms for non-locals are not included.)
Claimed: 2 of 7
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Jessica Ellis, Writer/Director:
A graduate of UCLA and AFI with degrees in playwriting and screenwriting. Past accolades include the Alfred P Sloan Science in Film grant and the Women in Film grant. Her scripts have won at the California Film awards and the Creative World Awards. She was a 2016 semi-finalist for the Nickelodeon TV writing program, and has developed pilots with Lawrence Mark Productions and Robert Cort Productions. She is a story editor on the forthcoming digital series, Local Air. A Sonoma County native, Jessica's career-long dream has been to make movies in her home region.
Sean Carroll, Cinematographer:
A graduate of Point Park University and AFI, Sean is the owner of Iguana Digital Cinema, a camera rental company. Past work includes steadycam operating for Lifetime's original movie High School Holiday Reunion, independent feature Waitingin the Wings, and commercials for Nike. Camera team work highlights includes Sons of Anarchy, YouTube series Side Effects, and several comedy shorts for Funny or Die.
Nixolette Ellis, Actor:
Nicolette graduated from California State University, Chico with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theatre. Throughout her career she has been featured in productions of Into the Woods, Almost, Maine, Evita, Phantom of the Opera, and more and most recently closed How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. She is excited to work with the cast and crew of What Lies West.
Chloe Moore, Actress:
Chloe lives in Santa Rosa, California, and is sixteen years old. She first became involved in theater in a sixth grade play of Charlie in the Chocolate Factory as Willy Wonka, and has since been in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast and the character Whitney in Legally Blonde during middle school. She will soon be a junior at Maria Carrillo High School, and spends her free time baking, playing with her two cats, Cougar and Foggy, reading, and writing poetry.
President of SADI Productions/ Producer-
Jennifer S. Milliman
Jennifer worked as an assistant director for 7 years in the Austin area, before moving to Los Angeles to attend the American Film Institute, where she obtained her Masters Degree. Since graduation she has worked on everything from familiar summer blockbuster feature films (Thor, John Carter of Mars,
Horrible Bosses, Savages, etc.), to independent passion projects (Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing, ConMan, etc .) , prime time television shows (Parks & Recreations, CSI Miami, Major Crimes, Stalker, Sons of Anarchy, etc.), reality shows (Deadliest Warrior), as well as countless new media streaming content, commercials and music videos. All of this experience has given her invaluable knowledge, and allowed her to develop many great working relationships with other talented professionals. In addition to her constant crew work, she has spent her own time working to
develop projects for her own production company, SADI Productions. What Lies West promises to be another in a line of incredible projects developed in close collaboration with two talented classmates from AFI.
Whiskey, Dog:
Whiskey is pretty sure there will be cheese in this venture, so he has "volunteered" to be in charge of morale. He looks forward to writing postcards to everyone from set.
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