What We Leave Behind
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Family
Andrea copes with her mother's sudden death and strained relationship with her father, Leo, due to his drug addiction and long absence. Awaiting a college admissions letter, Andrea confronts a crucial decision: mend her peronal relationships or chase her dream college.
What We Leave Behind
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Family
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,705 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
34 supporters | followers
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Andrea copes with her mother's sudden death and strained relationship with her father, Leo, due to his drug addiction and long absence. Awaiting a college admissions letter, Andrea confronts a crucial decision: mend her peronal relationships or chase her dream college.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"What We Leave Behind" tells the poignant story of a father and daughter's journey through transformation, forgiveness, adaptation, and accountability, weaving a captivating narrative of personal growth and familial bonds.
"What We Leave Behind" follows Andrea in her last leg of high school, handling the unexpected passing of her mother while reconnecting with her father after not seeing each other for three years. Tensions between Andrea and her father, Leo, are fueled by his absence and drug addiction. Andrea’s inability to balance her emotions puts a tear in her relationship with her girlfriend, Yoly. This is a story that explores complex father-daughter relationships through a cultural lens, taking place in The Bronx and integrating Latin American traditions. Exploring themes such as generational differences, heritage, legacy, and inner conflict.
Below are breakdowns of visual aesthetic inspirations for the different locations and characters.
Visually, comparable films are Moonlight and August: Osage County. Sound design will follow the style of aesthetic realism, like Minari, Close, and Normal People.
Like many, I have a huge fear of losing my mother. One of the biggest questions that follow for me is: How will the complex relationship between my father and me shift? And the answer is different for everyone reading this now. I haven't seen much representation of father and daughter relationships in the film, let alone those stories told from the perspective of POC communities. With this film, I hope the audience can open themselves up to these characters and inspire thought or action while reflecting on their own lives. For our protagonist, Andrea, her whole life has been shaped from the perspective of a daughter; high school is a huge part of everyone’s life, growing through puberty and understanding the world as a newly formed adult are themes that are explored throughout this film. As I grow older, I realize how my relationships have adapted and how my interests shifted due to my past circumstances. This is a story inspired by my own experiences as well as various family members and friends. I’m hoping everyone can carry a part of this film with them as they grow up or be able to reflect on their past selves.
Our incredibly talented and dedicated crew is volunteering their time and resources to bring this story to the screen, so we want to support them in every way we can. This means ensuring that they are well-fed and their transportation is covered. We also want to make the world of the film as close to the vision in our director's head, which involves costs going to locations, equipment, and production design.
Our total budget is $10,000, and your support will help us through production, post-production, and distribution!
Follow "What We Leave Behind" on Seed&and Spark to stay up-to-date on campaign updates! Followers help us unlock filmmaker rewards like products, festival waivers, and more for this project and future ones!
Contribute and pledge. We must reach at least 80% of our goal to receive any of the funds raised on Seed&Spark, so any amount you can contribute matters! Plus, we have some fun perks to thank those who help us out with a pledge.
Share! If you can’t afford to support us monetarily right now, that’s totally okay! You can still help us out tremendously by sharing our campaign with those you know via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, or whatever you choose!
If you're not sure what to say when you share, we've got you covered. Feel free to copy and paste:
Check out 'What We Leave Behind' on Seed&Spark, a project by independent filmmakers of color, to support diversity and creativity in cinema. Join them here: www.seedandspark.com/fund/what-we-leave-behind.
Support independent filmmakers and their vision with 'What We Leave Behind' on Seed&Spark. Every dollar makes a difference. Check out their campaign here: www.seedandspark.com/fund/what-we-leave-behind.
'What We Leave Behind' is a film project worth checking out on Seed&Spark. Your support or a simple share can make a big difference! Join them here: www.seedandspark.com/fund/what-we-leave-behind.
Thanks for joining us, we can't wait to have you along with us on this journey!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Transportation
Costs $1,700
To make sure this story shines on the screen!
Production Design
Costs $1,500
To create Andrea's world!
Locations
Costs $3,200
Locations are the foundations of the world of the film!
Craft Services
Costs $2,100
To keep our lovely cast and crew well fed!
Equipment Rentals
Costs $1,000
To ensure that production runs smoothly and we produce as high quality a product as possible!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ariana’s work is often inspired by her own experiences growing up in a Latin household in The Bronx. Her goal is to amplify stories from underrepresented communities and diversify the entertainment industry. Ariana also has experience working abroad, most recently as the camera operator on a short film in Iceland last November. Previously, she has also shot in Italy and Puerto Rico. Working with major studios like Amazon Prime, Walt Disney, and Paramount under the production departments
Sofia Santoni is a freelance producer with experience in low-budget and studio production films. Currently a production assistant at Prime Films Inc, working on branded content under L'Oréal, for companies like Tom Ford, Valentino, and YSL. Sofia is also a producing mentor for high school-age students in Ghetto Film School.
Mir Lien is a senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts pursuing a degree in Film and television. As an aspiring producer, she aims to bring familial and cultural narratives to life on screen, utilizing a multifaceted skill set acquired through hands-on experience across various departments of filmmaking. Mir's commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces for diverse voices to flourish defines her journey, as she relentlessly champions the talents, passions, and dreams of those within her creative sphere. She is deeply honored to collaborate with Ariana on “What We Leave Behind” and help bring her beautiful story to life.
Euan Ramos is a senior studying Film and Television Production at NYU Tisch, specializing in assistant directing. Drawing from his background in piloting Social Emotional Learning programs for troubled youth, he aims to uplift unheard perspectives and target cultural taboos. This has bled into his love for coming-of-age narratives that emphasize the chosen family and confront tradition. Euan believes movies to be transformative vehicles that help process grief, foster empathy, and incite action. He is therefore honored to join the "What We Leave Behind" Team and ecstatic to support Ariana's story of repairing relationships.
Ethan Wen is a Taiwanese-American Cinematographer currently based in New York City and finishing his Film & Television studies at NYU. He is flexible in working with stories of all genres but has the most experience shooting narrative shorts, commercials, and music videos. He especially values films that depict complex family relationships and explore interpersonal connections. Born in LA but raised in China, Ethan’s experiences have fostered a multi-cultured visual language and style that he is confident will enrich any director’s vision.
Peyton Freeney is a filmmaker born and raised in Eastern Iowa. He’s a writer, director, and animator based in New York City. Ever since he was young he’s had a rampant imagination, getting lost in imaginary universes and leading adventurous storylines. It was only natural that he would fall in love with the magic of filmmaking and storytelling. He is excited to bring his creativity to What We Leave Behind and experiment with production design through this beautiful coming of age story.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"What We Leave Behind" tells the poignant story of a father and daughter's journey through transformation, forgiveness, adaptation, and accountability, weaving a captivating narrative of personal growth and familial bonds.
"What We Leave Behind" follows Andrea in her last leg of high school, handling the unexpected passing of her mother while reconnecting with her father after not seeing each other for three years. Tensions between Andrea and her father, Leo, are fueled by his absence and drug addiction. Andrea’s inability to balance her emotions puts a tear in her relationship with her girlfriend, Yoly. This is a story that explores complex father-daughter relationships through a cultural lens, taking place in The Bronx and integrating Latin American traditions. Exploring themes such as generational differences, heritage, legacy, and inner conflict.
Below are breakdowns of visual aesthetic inspirations for the different locations and characters.
Visually, comparable films are Moonlight and August: Osage County. Sound design will follow the style of aesthetic realism, like Minari, Close, and Normal People.
Like many, I have a huge fear of losing my mother. One of the biggest questions that follow for me is: How will the complex relationship between my father and me shift? And the answer is different for everyone reading this now. I haven't seen much representation of father and daughter relationships in the film, let alone those stories told from the perspective of POC communities. With this film, I hope the audience can open themselves up to these characters and inspire thought or action while reflecting on their own lives. For our protagonist, Andrea, her whole life has been shaped from the perspective of a daughter; high school is a huge part of everyone’s life, growing through puberty and understanding the world as a newly formed adult are themes that are explored throughout this film. As I grow older, I realize how my relationships have adapted and how my interests shifted due to my past circumstances. This is a story inspired by my own experiences as well as various family members and friends. I’m hoping everyone can carry a part of this film with them as they grow up or be able to reflect on their past selves.
Our incredibly talented and dedicated crew is volunteering their time and resources to bring this story to the screen, so we want to support them in every way we can. This means ensuring that they are well-fed and their transportation is covered. We also want to make the world of the film as close to the vision in our director's head, which involves costs going to locations, equipment, and production design.
Our total budget is $10,000, and your support will help us through production, post-production, and distribution!
Follow "What We Leave Behind" on Seed&and Spark to stay up-to-date on campaign updates! Followers help us unlock filmmaker rewards like products, festival waivers, and more for this project and future ones!
Contribute and pledge. We must reach at least 80% of our goal to receive any of the funds raised on Seed&Spark, so any amount you can contribute matters! Plus, we have some fun perks to thank those who help us out with a pledge.
Share! If you can’t afford to support us monetarily right now, that’s totally okay! You can still help us out tremendously by sharing our campaign with those you know via your social media, email, word-of-mouth, or whatever you choose!
If you're not sure what to say when you share, we've got you covered. Feel free to copy and paste:
Check out 'What We Leave Behind' on Seed&Spark, a project by independent filmmakers of color, to support diversity and creativity in cinema. Join them here: www.seedandspark.com/fund/what-we-leave-behind.
Support independent filmmakers and their vision with 'What We Leave Behind' on Seed&Spark. Every dollar makes a difference. Check out their campaign here: www.seedandspark.com/fund/what-we-leave-behind.
'What We Leave Behind' is a film project worth checking out on Seed&Spark. Your support or a simple share can make a big difference! Join them here: www.seedandspark.com/fund/what-we-leave-behind.
Thanks for joining us, we can't wait to have you along with us on this journey!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Transportation
Costs $1,700
To make sure this story shines on the screen!
Production Design
Costs $1,500
To create Andrea's world!
Locations
Costs $3,200
Locations are the foundations of the world of the film!
Craft Services
Costs $2,100
To keep our lovely cast and crew well fed!
Equipment Rentals
Costs $1,000
To ensure that production runs smoothly and we produce as high quality a product as possible!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ariana’s work is often inspired by her own experiences growing up in a Latin household in The Bronx. Her goal is to amplify stories from underrepresented communities and diversify the entertainment industry. Ariana also has experience working abroad, most recently as the camera operator on a short film in Iceland last November. Previously, she has also shot in Italy and Puerto Rico. Working with major studios like Amazon Prime, Walt Disney, and Paramount under the production departments
Sofia Santoni is a freelance producer with experience in low-budget and studio production films. Currently a production assistant at Prime Films Inc, working on branded content under L'Oréal, for companies like Tom Ford, Valentino, and YSL. Sofia is also a producing mentor for high school-age students in Ghetto Film School.
Mir Lien is a senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts pursuing a degree in Film and television. As an aspiring producer, she aims to bring familial and cultural narratives to life on screen, utilizing a multifaceted skill set acquired through hands-on experience across various departments of filmmaking. Mir's commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces for diverse voices to flourish defines her journey, as she relentlessly champions the talents, passions, and dreams of those within her creative sphere. She is deeply honored to collaborate with Ariana on “What We Leave Behind” and help bring her beautiful story to life.
Euan Ramos is a senior studying Film and Television Production at NYU Tisch, specializing in assistant directing. Drawing from his background in piloting Social Emotional Learning programs for troubled youth, he aims to uplift unheard perspectives and target cultural taboos. This has bled into his love for coming-of-age narratives that emphasize the chosen family and confront tradition. Euan believes movies to be transformative vehicles that help process grief, foster empathy, and incite action. He is therefore honored to join the "What We Leave Behind" Team and ecstatic to support Ariana's story of repairing relationships.
Ethan Wen is a Taiwanese-American Cinematographer currently based in New York City and finishing his Film & Television studies at NYU. He is flexible in working with stories of all genres but has the most experience shooting narrative shorts, commercials, and music videos. He especially values films that depict complex family relationships and explore interpersonal connections. Born in LA but raised in China, Ethan’s experiences have fostered a multi-cultured visual language and style that he is confident will enrich any director’s vision.
Peyton Freeney is a filmmaker born and raised in Eastern Iowa. He’s a writer, director, and animator based in New York City. Ever since he was young he’s had a rampant imagination, getting lost in imaginary universes and leading adventurous storylines. It was only natural that he would fall in love with the magic of filmmaking and storytelling. He is excited to bring his creativity to What We Leave Behind and experiment with production design through this beautiful coming of age story.