Once Upon a Dream...
The story is about an intelligent and privileged black girl, Jessica Darya, falling in love with a brilliant and mentally-troubled Jewish man, Elijah Hunt, from New Jersey. Their relationship does not erase their problems or mental health issues, sometimes it even worsens them. It’s realistic and honest. There are serious, comedic, romantic, and honest tones to the characters and what they’re enduring. I call it the reverse, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Joel and Clem chose to rid themselves of their memories. Elijah and Jessica fought to keep them.
The Goal
With the short film, we are hoping to give the world a small taste of what a full-length feature could look like if we are given the opportunity. We intend to submit this to as many festivals as we can and fully commit to showing how powerful a story of not just love but life with mental illness can change a person.
This is For...
Representation matters, especially when it comes to talking about mental health. We want to be able to start conversations about these issues and how they affect not just romatic relationships but platonic relationships and family. There's not a lot of room for that in communities of color, it's often brushed off and labeled something it is not. There's no better time than right now to get a little real and uncomfortable and speak up.
Why Do We Need You?
Good question! We're glad you asked! By supporting our campaigns, you'll help us pay for locations, equipment, our cast and crew, and market our little short! It takes a village and we want you to be a part of ours!
Our Director
Jerry J. White III is a director based in Los Angeles who has created amazing content. In the past five years, he's had two features that circled festivals and has also done work in the commercial and corporate side of film! We're so excited to have him attached onto this project. Check out his work here!