Jenny & Lalo is 1 of 8 projects selected by the 2013 AFI Directing Workshop for Women.
The national statistics published by the DGA (Directors Guild of America) lists the percentage of working female directors as only 7% in film and 11% in television. The AFIDWW program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for writer/director Janine Salinas Schoenberg to join the ranks of famed alumnae including Maya Angelou, Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, Dyan Cannon, Cicely Tyson, and Joanne Woodward.
A Note from the Team:
We are so thrilled to have the opportunity to produce a film with the support of AFI (American Film Institute)! While Janine refines the script and receives intensive training during a three-week workshop, it is our job to raise the funds for production. Although AFI does provide a great number of resources, including access to equipment, each filmmaker is responsible for funding their own project. We are required to raise the first $5,000 by May 5th, 2013 in order to move forward.
The reason we have all committed our time to work on this project is that we believe in the story. We are interested in representing points of view that aren’t often seen in the mainstream. How many films do you remember which show the perspective of a female gang member? And not just the stereotypes, but the real human story? Our goal is to create a film that captures a young woman’s hopes and dreams, as well as the universal struggles that we all share.
Join us!
Love and thanks,
Janine, Christine + Eddie
The Story:
A coming of age story about star-crossed lovers who belong to rival gangs in East Los Angeles.
Jenny is a young woman growing up in East Los Angeles. When she realizes that she is pregnant, her boyfriend Lalo devises a plan for them to leave Los Angeles and travel north. But there’s one big problem, they belong to rival gangs.
The Inspiration:
"My goal with this project is to tell this story from the personal point of view of the character of Jenny. I would like to make a portrait-like film that not only captures this young woman’s feelings and struggles, but also digs deeper into what her environment is like, how it has molded her, and how it ultimately affects every decision she makes. Often times, narrative films have a tendency to glorify the toughness and hardness of the gangster, and portray them as one-dimensional characters. Through this film, I strive to break those stereotypes, and to capture a young woman’s struggle to know and do what she ultimately feels is right."
- Janine Salinas Schoenberg writer/director
The Plan:
Jenny & Lalo will be filmed in and around East Los Angeles at the end of June 2013. During the month of May, while Janine is in workshops full-time at AFI, the production team will be bringing the cast, crew, and designers together.
Post-production will be completed in the winter of 2013. The film will be showcased in May 2014 at AFI for industry leaders, alumnae, and the film community at large. We will also submit Jenny & Lalo to film festivals around the world in order to share the story with a broad audience.
The Impact:
Every contribution that gets us to the first $5,000 is vital! Please support us in making the most of this incredible opportunity. Funding will go to:
- Gear -> camera and lens rentals to complete the package provided by AFI, and lighting and sound equipment to capture the gritty and colorful flavor of East Los Angeles authentically.
- Locations -> rental fees, permits, parking etc.
- Production design -> wardrobe, make-up, set/location dressing, props.
- Food -> we’ll have a five-day shoot with a full cast & crew of hungry people.
- Post -> after shooting, the film takes shape with editing, sound design, color correction, title design, and a magnificent score.
- Festivals -> in order to offer alternative stories to those seen in the mainstream, we need exposure! That means $ for festival submission fees, marketing, posters, and photography.
We’ve built in some really special rewards (in addition to our deepest gratitude), and we have a fiscal sponsorship through Fractured Atlas, which means every penny you pledge is tax-deductible.
For those who would like to support us other ways, please spread the word! Engage with us on Twitter @jennyandlalo and on Facebook. Exposure is just as vital as funding once the film is completed. We’re excited to hear from you!
**Thank You**