Short Summary

Blessing is a short film produced by UW Madison students enrolled in the Advanced Motion Picture Workshop capstone production course. Our film tells the story of a  young, closeted, gay man who returns home where his partner and father's new bond begins to threaten both relationships.

Our story was selected from a collection written as a part of the UW Madison's advanced production course focused on screenwriting.  This film is being produced over the course of the 2017 Spring Semester with support by our executive producers and instructors: JJ Murphy, Erik Gunneson, and Nora Stone.

Blessing is being both produced and directed by young, female students, which drives much of our passion for the story we have chosen to tell. As an underrepresented group behind the camera, we want to help create a story that highlights identities not often celebrated in front of the camera. We are so excited to soon bring this story to life. 

What We Need

Here is a breakdown for how our campaign funds will be used:

Location

Much of our film will be set inside of a home, which will require the rental of our location. In finding a location that fits our aesthetic vision and allows us the time to shoot throughout our production period, we will need funds to rent a sizable location.

Production Design

Since our story is set in a northern Wisconsin home, we must design the set, buy the costumes, and secure fishing equipment to create a realistic environment for this weekend of fishing and bonding to occur.

Specialized Equipment

To achieve this film, we will need to acquire equipment and rigs beyond the items provided by our department. These items will allow us to have more creative freedom and produce a higher quality film.

Transportation

We will be shooting at various outdoor locations and with the process of getting to and from our set, we will need to fund additional transportation and subsidize gas prices.

Ways You Can Help

Every dollar donated to our campaign will help bring us closer to making this beautiful story into an equally as beautiful film. Be sure to check out our perks section to see what your contribution will award you!

Besides just donations, we are currently accepting food catering donations to help keep us feed and happy on set. 

As we know, not everyone can donate to the campaign, so another way to help is by sharing our campaign with friends, family, and on social media.

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Meet the Crew

Jenna Brudos, Producer

Hometown: Monona, WI

Favorite movie quote: "You don't meet a girl like that every dynasty!" -Mulan (1998)

Rachael Norman, Director

Hometown: Nashotah, WI

Favorite movie quote: "Put that thing back where it came from or so help me, so help me! so help me! and cut!" -Monsters, INC (2001)

Christian Cuévas, Director of Photography

Hometown: Madison, WI

Favorite movie quote: "..." -Ryan Gosling in Drive (2011)

Alexandra Zhang, Assistant Camera

Hometown: Hangzhou, China

Favorite movie quote: " 就像我想让你听听下雨的声音 " - 听说 (2009)

Aaron Klinger, Gaffer

Hometown: Washington, District of Columbia

Favorite movie quote: "You're going to have to answer to the Coca Cola company" - Dr Strangelove of How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Ike Yen, Production Designer

Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan

Favorite movie quote: "There are no two words in the English language more  harmful than "Good job"" - Whiplash (2014)

Jack Morrison, Sound Designer

Hometown: Madison, WI

Favorite movie quote: "You ain't got to love me, but you gonna know that I love you." -Moonlight (2016)

Nathaniel Underwood, Editor/Boom Operator

Hometown: Unity, WI

Favorite movie quote: "I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere." -Anakin Skywalker, Star Wars Episode II- Attack of the Clones (2002)