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Summary of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: One year after the death of her father, a young woman named Charlie visits Amelia Flight School—the same school where her father took flight lessons 15 years prior. Struggling to overcome her fear of flight, she finds courage from a kind flight instructor, and a passionate aviation community.
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie is a fictional short drama set in the world of aviation, inspired by real
events, and real people. This story is about the legacy of a father, and the connection between
teacher and student. It's a personal passion project and a love letter to a father's love for
flying, and the inspiring stories of flight instructors.
Backstory
In the early 2000s, my father trained at a small, county airport, where he eventually received his private, instrumental, and commercial pilot licenses. As a young girl, I accompanied him on many of his flight lessons, and even met his flight instructors. I was a witness to his aviation milestones, watching his progression as a pilot, and traveling with him across counties throughout California skies.
The story of this film is inspired by one, real-life moment: during a lesson, his flight instructor in the co-pilot seat took a candid photo of me sitting in the back. This photo has been a treasured memory, and became the source of inspiration for Alpha, Bravo, Charlie.
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A photo of the writer, actress, and producer of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie. Taken in 2002.
The story of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie is heavily inspired by this real photo, by real people, and will be shot at the same airport location, 20 years later with the gracious support of the airport staff.
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This is a fantastic opportunity for our filmmaking team to showcase their artistic talents, and to connect with our beloved local San Jose community through one of its key current functional and key historic landmark components. We want this film to reach it's fullest potential, and that means asking for your help.
Filming at an active airport location with many logistics, we are ensuring that we are respectful, responsible, and safe on set—which means that each member of our crew must be well-fed, well-rested, and well-appreciated. Your generous support will cover several important aspects of production and post-production, as well as the well-being and safety of our crew members and the community at the airport.
While this is very important for any production, we want to ensure that the Alpha, Bravo, Charlie cast and crew remains particularly focused on performance while observing airport rules, regulations and safety protocol.
The funds raised will go towards:
Production
- Paying the crew and cast for 4-5 days of production
- Covering full meals and transportation costs for each member
- The hourly cost of renting a Cessna 172 plane from the local flight school
- Lodging accommodations for our hardworking crew and cast, who are commuting from all over the Bay Area
- Purchasing aviation-related props and wardrobe for talent
- Location and equipment insurance
- Additional support for unexpected costs along the way (including aircraft, piloting, location, flight instruction and flight-related professional consultation fees)
Post-Production and Marketing
- Editing, coloring, sound design, and music
- Marketing and outreach materials, such as posters and postcards
- Submission costs for film festivals
Every dollar will go a long way towards this telling this story of the aviation community.
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The story is inspired by, and will be shot at Reid-Hillview Airport, a county airport located in San Jose, California, in the heart of the Silicon Valley. It's home to several flight schools, is a historic landmark of San Jose, and is an essential place for aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
While this short film is a small, personal work of art, this film is also dedicated to and in direct support of the larger aviation community in the Bay Area.
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We're a small, passionate and mighty group of independent filmmakers and creatives located throughout the Bay Area, coming together to make Alpha, Bravo, Charlie come true. Get to know us below:
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Here are more ways you can help support the production of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie:
