"Cavendish school is more interested in fashioning your character than how many times the football hits the back of the net."
Gracie Bennett is a little out of her depth at Scottish boarding school CAVENDISH, where her long-suffering football coach, Maclay, has his hands full with the temperamental star footballer. This short film takes a peak at the moment Gracie is called into his study to account for nearly punching a player on the opposing team during her first game. The deputy head boy and assistant coach, Phinneaus Brock, has loyalty first to the school rules and knows he can't intervene when the coach threatens to bench Gracie for her outburst. Phin eventually pulls the new girl aside and tries to get through to her with straight talk - which is the only thing that seems to get her to listen. Or will it?
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I'm a new face in the industry and have only been acting on camera for a year. I moved to Scotland in 2018 with two suitcases and a one-way ticket, and a ridiculously singular vision of working in film and television. It's going well and doors are opening. Half of the budget required for this film is being supplied by income I've earned as an actor.
I wrote CAVENDISH on a Thursday at the end of September, by Friday I had a director and by Sunday, a cinematographer. We are now a crew of seven and a cast of three and shoot in two weeks. I'm surrounded by people who read the script and came on board because they loved the story, and not because I reeled them in with the promise of a small fee, travel expenses and good coffee - - so that tells you how passionate these incredible filmmakers are. My crew are talented and know exactly who is who and what needs doing - that's why I hired them.
- All of my eggs are in the filmmaking and acting basket. This is my plan A, B and C. How well this works out will determine whether I've earned my crew's trust and they like how my projects run so I can keep that trust and work with them again.
- Integrity and passion no matter the project or budget are my top priorities. Everyone is treated equally and like the professionals they are. And everyone is allowed to do their job without being micro-managed.
- You have the potential to launch some or all of us into the life-changing careers we all dream about with just a few pounds to help fund CAVENDISH. Everyone is looking to put this on their showreel and break into new areas of the industry with their positions on this project. Some are new to the industry and we loved their passion, so we are giving them a chance to prove themselves on set. Others are building an incredible portfolio and you’re helping us to help them.
What We Need & What You Get
Where the funds go:
- Travel and good food: we have a crew of seven and a cast of three, all whom are travelling from around Scotland into Glasgow's City Centre for the shoot. This may be low budget and a CV-builder, but we don't want them paying a penny to be part of CAVENDISH, so train travel or their petrol (and parking), a base fee for their time above NMW and getting a good meal inside them before work.
- Some equipment rental.
- Location: we looked everywhere and cannot believe we found the perfect match for Coach Maclay's study at CAVENDISH School. It's right in the heart of Glasgow city.
- Gracie's custom blazer: we designed our own CAVENDISH crest, got it digitised and now the blazer needs braiding and embroidery of our crest to complete her costume.
- Some further wardrobe that the actors don't own or specific to this film.
- Branding added to wardrobe.
- Colour grading and editing.
- Possible festival entry fees - pending finished product and finding the appropriate festival.
- Some perks include an original signed script with notes by Maddy Bryce, or a brand new printed copy signed by the cast // Postcard photo from set with your name on it // Signed photo of the actors from the professional shots of them in character, costume and on location in Maclay’s study // Private link to view finished cut before anyone else.
The Impact
Film is one of the only sectors where people who usually don't know each other beforehand will come together for what feels like a moment and make something that will last forever.
- We are all either students, working professionals, newbies or career starters - a complete mixed bag of experience with the same level of passion. Funding us says 'I believe in you,' and honestly, you're like a surrogate parent for doing that. That is priceless.
- You may give me the confidence to write that feature-length script I've been thinking about. The impact of this small beginning is bound to have a ripple effect and who knows how far it will go?
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't contribute financially, will you share the campaign? Indiegogo has great sharing tools to send us far and wide for support.