In A World….
In an alternate near-future, social classes are divided into parallel layers of reality called Strata. Lydia is a young woman with everything going for her– a nice apartment, stable finances, and a favorable government job at the US Dept. of the Prism. But as she commits to building her career, she finds herself feeling isolated and unsatisfied, and addicted to a dream of being in love. But when she finds out her dreams are actually forgotten memories from another reality, Lydia is forced to consider if she’s willing to risk her reality to make a better one.
Some Background
Hello! My name is Amara, I’m the writer/director of In Suspension, and I love science fiction. Watching it, reading it, and creating it myself, this genre has been my biggest inspiration and model as I begin my creative career. So what better way to conclude my undergraduate experience at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts than with a sci-fi thesis film?
Growing up outside Boston, I was raised on Star Wars by my equally geeky father and quickly found my way into books like C.S. Lewis’ Out of the Silent Planet and Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass. I have also always had a passion for science fact, developing a love for biology that followed me from A.P. Bio to completing a minor in Molecular and Cell Biology here at NYU. I've also had some pretty great sci-fi experiences working at the Robot Locomotion lab at MIT (making videos, my engineering skills aren't quite there yet).
While this film may not be grounded in plausible science, it’s based on observations I’ve made living in Boston, Prague, and New York City. Social divisions are ever-expanding today in the United States and around the world, and it’s easy to lose sight of people outside your circles, and often your social class. The story I have chosen to portray in this world is one of thousands of potential perspectives, and with your continued support and interaction we can explore the Prism together.
Meet the Crew!
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To get to know these guys and the rest of the crew, check out our Facebook page (@InSuspensionFilm), as we'll be posting bios over the next few weeks leading up to the shoot!
Where We Are & Where We Need to Go
The more funds we are able to put together, the more intriguing and immersive our world will appear! With a total budget of $12,000, we’re about halfway there so far, which will allow us to begin the pre-production process with deposits and other early production costs.
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We are trying to raise at least $6,000 more to complete our budget goals so we can:
•Secure awesome locations, including permits for shooting on the streets of NYC
•Create a visually enthralling world through art and production design
•Supplement our VFX with specialty lights and equipment
•Cover transportation/truck rental costs
The biggest challenges for us will be finding aesthetically unique locations to create an elegant sci-fi about different social classes, and our time crunch, since we’re set to shoot at the end of March. Every cent helps, so please consider donating to bring our world to life!
Our Goals
Though we know we probably can’t change the world with a single short film, we’re hoping that even one person who sees it can find new perspective at how they, and how we as a society, interact with our fellow humans of varying social levels. In a culture of division and artificial separation, only the strongest human drive can bring us back together, and as cheesy as it sounds– that’s love.
For me, this film is a culmination of all the things I’ve learned during my time at NYU, and the fullest representation of myself and my inspiration so far. I’ve made films with superhero and fantasy characters, female and male leads, shot one on 35mm film in Prague, and worked with great collaborators, but this is my most ambitious film and largest crew yet. I can’t wait to bring this film into production, but I can’t do it without your help.
I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting this film with at least a credit, and, if you’re local, a big hug. I also want to give back with my creative capabilities, so for those who are able to contribute towards the Upper Stratum perks, I will be creating custom artworks. If you’re interested, you can look at a sample of my portfolio here.
Other Ways You Can Help
We know that many of you might not be able to contribute financially, but you can still be a part of this project by spreading the word! Sharing this campaign with your friends/family/loved ones/loathed ones can help us reach a broader audience around the globe.
Like our project page on Facebook at @InSuspensionFilm for updates and exclusive content! And if you’re in the NYC area and are interested in becoming a part of the film (we’ll need extras on screen!) or might have an awesome resource to offer (we’d give you a special shout-out in the credits!), send us a message and see how you can get involved!
Thank you so much for your time, interest, and support. See you in suspension!
