Hello! My name is Ahsha Davis and I'm a rising Film Producer from Detroit, MI. Growing up as an only child, I spent time escaping to different worlds by using my imagination to create adventures that would allow me to explore what is beyond our reality. I often enjoyed science fiction and fantasy films, shows and books as these genre’s often capture the idea of escapism. Over the course of my career, I focused on writing stories that made me feel empowered, while also looking to create worlds for those who are not always represented. It is important to me that my films reflect who I am, and that the messages I present, can resonate with everyone.
Campaign is a story about dysfunctional friendships. The story follows five friends whose lives have recently changed due to their fields of work. Benny, who functions as the creator of the friend group, misses the old days, and tries to keep the friend group intact by playing Dungeons and Dragons. Benny has been feeling down about how the group is no longer as close as they use to be. The others are busy, and see no value in playing the game, but they participate for the sake of Benny. Every week as they play, the blend of game issues and their real world problems come out within the game. They constantly bicker throughout the sessions and end up not finishing campaigns which in turn causes more stress. After a session, the group begins to argue causing them to suddenly get stuck in an elevator. The constant bickering has awakened a greater evil in the D20 die. They soon transform into a fantasy world of a real DnD campaign where they all must embark on a quest to get back home. In order for them to escape from the campaign they must overcome their issues and work together.
Campaign is about friendship and how it truly should be valued especially during times when we feel alone in this world. Friendship is a major factor in my life as I strive to establish important relationships with people who have been supportive of me. I believe that family is great and will have its own caveats, but friendship is something that we have to continue to grow as we step into new chapters of our lives. As we get older friends come in and out of our lives. The lifelong friends are truly impactful, but every friend that joins the journey is worth fighting for. As someone who grew up as a only child, friendship was important to me. It helped me get through hard times when I was not sure who to turn to. Friendship is often looked at as something that is just a part of life, but for me friendship is another asset to my family.
The Budget will consist of 5 major areas. The Camera Department will mostly be equipment rentals, and insurance for production. The Production Design will consist of props, wardrobe, hair, and makeup. The Lunch/Craft Services will consist of feeding the cast and crew during principal photography. The Production Office will cover cost of the truck, rented vehicles, and base needs for the set. The Misc expenses are hidden fees, last minute expenses and other coverage that may be needed. The budget will mainly be used during the week of the filming. Any left over expenses will go into the Post-Production Budget for editing, and submitting to festivals.
Donations are highly encouraged, but if you are unable to donate, please spread the word to others. All help is needed and we appreciate everyone who shares!
Ahsha Davis is our Producer/Writer/Creator
Ahsha Davis received her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts with a double minor in Spanish and Communications. She began her producing career at Central Michigan University in 2015 where she worked at WMHW- FM radio station on the News Production team. She also was a Program Director the radio station.
Ahsha quickly transitioned into the Film and Television industry and is currently a producer helping with the development of stories. Ahsha received her Master of Arts in Electronic Media Studies from Central Michigan where she focused on researching the Emotional Effects of Film. Ahsha truly enjoys being a TV and Film producer and hopes to own her own production company to help young filmmakers achieve their dreams.
Eesha Patkar is our Director.
Growing up in the chaotic but beautiful city of Mumbai, Eesha realized at a very young age that she was going to disappoint family and society by rejecting conventional academic, career and life paths expected within the South Asian community. She chose to pursue master’s degrees in English Literature and Arts Journalism, becoming a writer and now a filmmaker, and has steadfastly held her ground against the pressures of “settling down and starting a family” (a battle she might slowly lose against the toughest opponent ever: her mother).
Inspired by women filmmakers such as Céline Sciamma, Greta Gerwig, Mira Nair, and Eliza Hittman, Eesha is driven to tell stories about women/female experiences, particularly those caught in impossible situations or difficult circumstances. Drawing from her Indian roots — and often as a subversive commentary on it — Eesha finds herself compelled to make films on female subjectivity, often within the context of South Asian culture and the politics of class, caste, and religious intersectionality. Her previous film Dharma (loosely translated as “duty to society”) depicted an Indian American woman’s struggle to choose her own happiness in a failing marriage over fulfilling parental/societal expectations.
Tony Byrne is our Cinematographer
Tony is an experienced cinematographer and editor based out of Chicago, IL. He has had the great fortune of contributing to dozens of commercial, documentary, and live music productions over the past five years for the likes of Scholastic, National Geographic, Electric Forest, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Currently finishing his thesis as an MFA student at Columbia College Chicago, Tony has explored the challenges of persisting in the wake of loss. He hopes to continue supporting filmmakers with important and heartfelt stories to tell in whatever capacity he is able.
Emma Mazurek is our Production Designer
Emma Mazurek is a Lebanese-American woman filmmaker and writer, who is now living and studying in Chicago. She spends most of her time collaborating with other filmmakers to tell authentic and provocative stories as a director, assistant director, cinematographer, and art director. She believes that centering marginalized individuals on screen and behind the camera is central to her artistic project. Her anthology of short films, FIGHT. FLIGHT. FREEZE. follows three different stories of sexual harassment, emphasizing the individual's response. Additionally, her short body horror film BARF follows a woman struggling to communicate her feelings to a partner while uncontrollably vomiting and explores the feelings women experience in lopsided relationships. After receiving her MFA from Columbia College Chicago, she plans to continue making films and pushing boundaries.
Hugo Palacios is our First Assistant Director
Hugo Palacios is a Graduate from Columbia College Chicago focusing on a career as an AD. Hugo moved to Chicago 4 years with a passion to introduce himself in the world of film. He has worked on indie features, shorts, student projects in roles such as 1st AD & 2nd AD. He has also worked as a PA in commercials, shorts & features. He plans on pursuing a future in film in Chicago (for now) and climbing his way up the industry ladder to become an experienced AD.
Rhett Thompson is our Editor
From simply enjoying films, to making his own with the family camcorder, to being involved with multiple levels of production, cinema has always been a big part of Rhett’s life. He hopes to continue his work with projects big and small and everything in between.