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Ashes

An island-bound girl must find a way to the mainland as her relationship with her mom deteriorates.

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Ashes

Ashes

Ashes

Ashes

Ashes

An island-bound girl must find a way to the mainland as her relationship with her mom deteriorates.

An island-bound girl must find a way to the mainland as her relationship with her mom deteriorates.

An island-bound girl must find a way to the mainland as her relationship with her mom deteriorates.

An island-bound girl must find a way to the mainland as her relationship with her mom deteriorates.

J Dawson
J Dawson
J Dawson
J Dawson
1 Campaign |
Atlanta, United States
$230 USD 5 backers
7% of $3,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

[the story]

"One of my mentors, to whom I attribute so much of who I am as a filmmaker today, once said to me that 'a film is the culmination and representation of who you are as a filmmaker at that moment in your development'.  Nothing could be more true about Ashes. This film is not only an exhibition of the things I've learned film-wise since my last project, but a reflection of who I have grown into as a person.  This same mentor challenged me to put more of myself in my work and I feel that is what lead to the creation of this short film.

Coming from a single parent home, my mother has a huge influence in my life. I love her, she frustrates me greatly, but I would be nowhere without her. I was raised and cared for by very strong women throughout my life; my mother, my grandmother, my aunt.  As I grew older and learned what they had to endure while bearing the responsibilities they did, it only astounded me how strong they were in the face of adversity. We humans break sometimes. Sometimes something comes along and cracks our shell. I was raised by a set of women who had been hurt and had to be strong for their children. It is very important that my stories and my characters reflect the strength of women, particularly in a world that marginalizes women and their stories.

I almost drowned as a child and later in my life, I was burned very badly. From those two events I have developed an odd love and absolute reverence for water, and a quiet fear and earned respect for flame. Those elements of me make a prominent appearance in this piece. The story of the phoenix is fascinating; a bird consumed in flame just to rise from the ashes. But here, we focus on after the fire and before the rise. After the flame has consumed what we have, what of the ashes?

Ashes is an intimate portrait of the culmination of the growing up experience in a house of damaged people. How do broken people deal with their damage? How do broken people interact with one another? After the flame, what of the ashes?"

- RJ Dawson


[the synopsis]

To be directed by RJ Dawson, Ashes is about an island-bound girl searching for a way to the mainland as her relationship with her mother falls apart.

Ashes is a short, character driven, dramatic film about Ash, an apprehensive teen girl who lives and works on a small island that is only accessible by the ferry she works for. Her mother, Lena, dejected and coping poorly with the absence of her husband, constantly harasses Ash about holding on to keepsakes of her father; a collection of model boats. When Ash decides not to throw them out, Lena takes it upon herself to destroy them. Seeing this as proof her mother will never respect her, Ash resolves to leave home and find a way off the island.

This is a very personal story about a child and a parent growing up together after a situation that affected them both more then they are willing to admit.  Ashes features two strong female characters who not only are dealing with their own emotional battles, but coping with how the other is dealing with that same battle.  The story is an emotional and powerful examination of a the parent-child relationship. This film ask "what about the things that are left behind?"  After everything is consumed, what of the ashes?


[the team]

  • Director/Writer | RJ Dawson
  • Producer | Anna Puerta
  • Director of Photography | Darius Dawson
  • Executive Producer | Sean Ross


[the cast]


[our goal]

We have the best cast we could have ever asked for and an amazing crew. Ashes will be an outstanding film and more. However, we need YOUR support to produce this film to its full potential. 

Our total budget for the film is $8,000. We have put thousands of our own money into this project because we believe in it, and we ask that you believe in us, too. We're asking for $3,000 to help complete our funding. Funds contributed during this campaign will help pay for:

  • Cast
  • Housing (Cast & Crew)
  • Transportation
  • Location Permits
  • Set Design
  • Cinematography Equipment
  • Hair, Makeup and Wardrobe
  • Sound Mixing
  • Lighting
  • Craft Services
  • Post Production
  • Film Festival Submissions
  • and more!

  • [the impact and our mission]

    I feel Ashes will have an impact when it is done because it is contributing to the progress of diversity in cinema.  Such a powerful film with two leading female characters, portrayed by immensely talented actors, can only help push for more equality in the industry and in society. I also feel that this film will help highlight the intentional and unintentional effects people have on one another. I often feel like relatives do not realize how what they say and do effect the ones around them.

    Ashes is set to be a very, very big production for us.  We plan on shooting in two different states over a weeks time and transporting cast, crew and equipment from coastal location to coastal location. We are set to produce the best film possible with experienced crew and very dedicated department heads who wish to take the opportunity to do their best work. Where we will encounter difficulty is making sure we have what we need to be where we need to be.  That is where you donations come in. This film will be made no matter what, but the more we have, the better we can make it. Accommodating the hardworking cast and crew through this shoot and securing the equipment we need is paramount in order to assure the best product and we'd like to ask your help in achieving that.


    Other Ways You Can Help

    We understand that not everyone who wants to support us can contribute financially. We also greatly appreciate donations of goods, services or even support via email and social media. Tell a friend about the project using the Indiegogo share tools, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram. The more eyes fall on our project, the stronger it will become, and we appreciate anything that you do to support us. Thank you so much for your time and contribution to Ashes!

    Email: ashes.a.film@gmail.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashes.the.film


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    Choose your Perk

    Sitting on the Dunes

    $5 USD
    We appreciate every donation, and for contributing at all, we want to give you ASHES Stickers! We'll also give you a personal thank you on our ASHES Facebook page for your contribution.
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Watching from the Backshore

    $10 USD
    Your contribution from the backshore is greatly appreciated. Along with the Stickers and the personal Thank You on ASHES Facebook page, you'll receive a postcard from set, signed by the entire Cast.
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Walking on the Beach

    $15 USD
    Thank you for giving what you can. And for doing so, we want to give you a set of set photos so you can see what your contribution helped us accomplish. You will also receive the Stickers and a Thank You on the ASHES Facebook page.
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Playing in the Sand

    $20 USD
    We thank you so much for contributing at this level, and for doing so, you receive an ASHES Blueprint poster, along with Stickers and the ASHES Facebook page Thank You. Your name will also appear in the End Credits of the film!
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Getting Your Feet Wet

    $25 USD
    We're so happy you decided to give here and for doing so, we want you to share in the experience you are making possible. You will receive a Set Photo Booklet, signed by the cast, along with the ASHES Stickers, a Thank You on Facebook, and your name in the End Credits of the film.
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Standing in the Water

    $30 USD
    To show our appreciation for what you have given us here, we want to give you an ASHES T-shirt, as well as the Stickers, an ASHES Blueprint Poster, a personal Thank You on Facebook, and your name in the End Credits of the film.
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    1 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Wading Nearshore

    $40 USD
    We are very grateful for what you have decided to give us. For your contribution at this level, we would like to give you the ASHES Film Poster, along with the ASHES Blueprint Poster, a postcard from set, our ASHES Stickers, a Thank You on the ASHES Facebook Page and your name in the End Credits!
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    In the Deep

    $50 USD
    For giving so much "In the Deep", we'd like to show our appreciation by offering an Online Screening of the completed film! You will also receive a ASHES film poster, signed by the cast, the ASHES Blueprint Poster, a set photo booklet, and a copy of the script for ASHES. You will also receive a Special Thank You in the film's End Credits!
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    2 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Swimming Offshore

    $75 USD
    Thank you for going so far offshore for us. Because you give so much of you, we'd like to give a piece of us as well. Here, we'd like to give you one of Ash's Model Boats from the film set! You will also receive the invite to the private Online Screening of the film, ASHES Film Poster and Blueprint Poster, a copy of the script, and a Special Thank You in the film's End Credits. Thank you so much for your contribution!
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    1 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Open Ocean

    $100 USD
    Thank you for believing so much in what we are doing. We greatly appreciate such a large contribution. To show our appreciation, we would like to give you the film credit of ASSOCIATE PRODUCER! You will also receive the invite to the private Online Screening, the ASHES Film Poster, signed by the cast, ASHES Blueprint Poster, the set photo booklet and a signed copy of the script for ASHES. In addition, you are invited to the final day of shooting for the film! [transportation not provided]
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 out of 6 of claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Offshore Co-Executive

    $250 USD
    Thank you for such a large contribution. It means the would to us. So much so we feel you deserve the film credit of CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER! You will also receive the invite to the private Online Screening, the ASHES Film Poster, signed by the cast, ASHES Blueprint Poster, the set photo booklet and a signed copy of the script for ASHES. In addition, you are invited to the final day of shooting for the film! [transportation not provided]
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 out of 4 of claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Offshore Executive

    $500 USD
    We could never express how much it means to us that you would make such a large contribution to us. To try to express what it means to us, we wish to make you an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER! You will also receive the invite to the private Online Screening, the ASHES Film Poster, signed by the cast, ASHES Blueprint Poster, the set photo booklet and a signed copy of the script for ASHES. In addition, you are invited to the final day of shooting for the film! [transportation not provided]
    Estimated Shipping
    November 2015
    0 out of 4 of claimed
    Ships worldwide.
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