![]()
"Dancing in the Ruins" is pas de deux showcasing two dancers falling in love for the first time under the backdrop of Coventry Cathedral Ruins. The dance film is modelled after many Golden Age movie musicals from the 1950s including An American in Paris (1951), Singin' in the Rain (1952), and The Band Wagon (1953).
This dance film serves as an isolated musical number—an extract to what could be a feature-length musical number—forming a collection of original musical numbers entitled, This City of Mine: The Collection.
![]()
Due to the increased maintenance costs for our preferred location, the ruins of the Old Cathedral, our initial rate was more than doubled.
I must stress that the events staff at the cathedral have been very accommodating so far and believe in this project but due to these high maintenance costs, they are unable to reduce their rate.
We need your help to close that gap in funding. The goal we have set will cover this cost increase and provide a little bit extra for our camera & lighting team.
![]()
We have a selection of perks available for those who donate such as behind-the-scenes updates as the project goes on, collectable branded mugs with the film's logo, and even exclusive early access to the film.
And for those who really believe in the project, enough to support us with larger amoutns, we have executive producer credits up for grabs, which includes many of the perks above!
Please check out the perks section for more details.
![]()
Pre-Production
Casting – Completed in August. Complete cast announcement coming soon.
Week 1 – Rehearsals will begin with the choreographer, director & dancers.
Week 2 – Second rehearsal session. More previsualisations will be filmed as rehearsals progress.
Week 3 – Third rehearsal session. Plans with Camera & Lighting t team will have been finalised. Schedule with 1st AD will have been finalised.
Week 4 – Final rehearsal before shoot date.
Production
Week 5 – Undisclosed date in late-September – Shooting will take place overnight on Cathedral Ruins.
Post-Production
Week 6 – Rough Cut
Week 7 – Fine Cut
Week 8 – Picture Lock & Colour Grade
Week 9 – Final Scoring of music incidental to main track.
Festival Run & Distribution
Week 10 – Delivery & packaging for dance and film festivals.
Week 11 onwards – Limited festival run.
Date TBD – Online release.
![]()
For a first musical project, the budget is relatively low for short films at this scale. We've currently raised over 2/3 of our budget. We just need to fundraise the remaidner of the location fee.
Location – 35%
Camera & Lighting – 35%
Production Design (Costume, Hair & Makeup) – 12%
Travel Expenses & Accommodation – 18%
![]()
Back in 2018, I tried making a feature-length movie musical, entitled "This City of Mine". Production was a dream scenario where I had experienced working with a professional crew on this scale. Unfortunately, our funding was stopped to the point where we had to end production. After two weeks of filming, we had yet to film a single musical number.
With Dancing in the Ruins, most of the budget is guaranteed and secured. We just need to cover the remaining cost of the Cathedral's location fee and any additional funding will be spent on the other departments.
If we are unable to raise enough funds to shoot in Coventry Cathedral, we have explored alternative locations.
![]()
We understand that you may not be able to contribute to the fund at this time but there are ways you can still support us:
- Please share this campaign with friends & family as they may be able to contribute.
- Follow the project @chrisfernandezfilm & @thiscityofminemovie on Instagram and Facebook.
- If you know anybody who'd like to sponsor this project in exchange for potential advertising, please send them our way!