We are now at the post-production stage. Please help us complete our film - Lavender Braid.

My name is Magdalena Hill. I am a Polish-American artist/filmmaker based in Seattle. I've been actively making art for the last 8 years (http://magdalenahill.com) working with different mediums to express myself: video, installation, sculpture, performance, collage and painting. My current project Lavender Braid is a film that I first thought about making14 years ago after having read a short story by the Canadian writer Robert Kroetsch. Since then, I've been dreaming about giving life to this story and the images it conjures of a girl being ravaged by a swarm of bees. After acquiring new managing and production skills working as the video producer for an online global social networking service and finding some extraordinary collaborators, the film is finally taking shape.

In the beginning of 2013 the screenplay was begun and quickly materialized a few months later. In June I found the two main actors, the beekeeper and the lavender gardener. Soon after that as the lavender fields blossomed, we filmed the majority of the scenes barely finishing before the onset of autumn. By the end of November the trailer was created. At this point I have emptied my savings to realize my dream. We are now at the post-production stage, which involves 3D animation, green screen compositing, editing and creation of an original sound track. This is where it all comes together and we need people like you to help us complete our beautiful story that breathes with magical realism-- Lavender Braid.

Budget and Funding

So far funds have been spent on actors, cameraman, sound operator, editor, props, costumes, art sculptures, sound and camera equipment, hotels, food, gas, ferry, all of which adds up to about $15,000. Personally I spent countless hours finding props, making storyboards, managing the production and what I love the most –directing—seeing the magical moments unfold new cinematic life. I was lucky to find a crew that believed in my project enough to work for minimum wages. I can’t thank them enough for their creative effort and sacrifice (for example, being on a set with over 300 bees wearing just a light dress!).

To finish the film we need support for:

   •   Editing (footage, music, sound) $11000
   •   3D animation $10000
   •   Green screen compositing $3000
   •   Color correction $2000
   •   Composing original sound track $6000
   •   Creating sound effects $2000
   •   Festival fees - $1000

To thank you for your generous donations we are going to offer many unique perks. Please have a look on the right side - so exciting!

The creative crew

Brandon Aleson (top right) has been a key collaborator since the early stages of the project. He took part in developing the screenplay along with planning the scenes and shots being the leading camera operator. His devotion and organization kept me calm and together.

Rosie Gatliff (top middle) serendipitously appeared among many other glass blowers at the Pilchuck Glass School as we were looking for locations. With an uncanny identification to the main character, her spontaneity and lively presence made for a perfect lavender gardener lending the film more magic then I ever could have imagined.

Seth Smith (top left) is the owner of The Valley's Buzz - a small neighborhood company striving to serve Honeybees and Honeybee products. While discussing scenes involving swarms of bees, Seth showed interest in playing the beekeeper part of the film. As he already knew everything about bees and beekeeping, he ended up “playing” two parts: the bee expert and a protagonist in the film.

Mariana Bueno (bottom left) was a key sounding board in tightening up the screenplay. Together, we researched locations and did a lot of prop hunting during those last minute moments that are so important during the production.

Jesse Montini-Vose (bottom middle) created elements of the set design with his inventive mechanical sculptures becoming more and more involved with the project. He is now the editor and effects supervisor. I truly admire his sensitivity and open-minded creativity.

Magdalena Hill (bottom right) I’m the one who hatched this strange egg and now doing everything I can to bring it to fruition so that we may partake in the splendor of cinematic nectar.

Spread the word

Please spread the word about our campaign - the more people contribute the more possible it is that we'll reach our goal to complete the movie!

Thank you!

Magdalena Hill