What is Mi Casa Su Casa about?

Mi Casa Su Casa follows the grieving process of a couple who have become stuck in a repetitive cycle of depression following the death of a loved one. They are forced to confront their own demons when the visit of their outlandish neighbours threatens to destabilize their home environment.

The loss of loved ones affects all of us at some stage. It is how we deal with a loss that distinguishes us and this is the message of the story.

The development of the script and characters have been devised through an experimental, improvisational process led by the actors, we have even made a sequel called 'The Morning After The Night Before' with three of the characters, which you can watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsCbS7mL0T8

The above piece was devised entirely through improvisation, and explores the funny oddball neighbour characters aforementioned, who will break the unsettled peace in our grieving couples' lives.

Backers perks!

Collaboration is at the heart of creativity, and we want you to be part of the journey of this unusual project! Every like and share will make a huge difference.

For those contributing to the campaign, we have some unusual merchandise and workshops available! 

We not only have t-shirts (which are very snazzy I must add) but also:

• A chance to see your face in the film!
• A limited-edition Zine Comic
• An exclusive handpainted ceramic egg (check out 'The Morning After The Night Before' to understand the reference)!
• An in-person workshop run by Sebastian Senior (Masters at Rose Bruford in Collaborative Theatre Making) and Jeffrey Louis Salkilld (Masters at UWL in Screenwriting and BA in Creative Writing), where you will devise a character and film a short scene for your showreel!
• A script editing workshop run by Jeffrey Louis Salkilld (Masters at UWL in Screenwriting and BA in Creative Writing), where you will have notes and feedback on a 10-15 page (approx) script you have written, with notes on your next two revisions.

We want to give something back to you, if you back 'Mi Casa Su Casa' we want your reward to help you on your own journey in the creative arts.

What are our influences?

The film title is a nod to a line in Quentin Tarantino’s, Pulp fiction. I remember reading that Tarantino enjoyed borrowing scenes from movies he admired and reframing them in a different context within his movies to give them a new meaning. This idea formed the origins of Mi Casa. One of my favourite movies, Funny Games has a classic scene in which a seemingly innocuous visit from a neighbour who wants to borrow some eggs, takes a rather sinister turn. Mi Casa Su Casa begins with a similar premise.

At the time of writing the script I was, like many people, obsessed with the movie Parasite and the theme of home invasion is fundamental to the story.  I wanted the story to tap into this feeling that some people have, that their personal space is being restricted or invaded by outsiders. I also wanted to draw a parallel between a physical home invasion and a psychological one. What happens when a personal tragedy invades our lives, our homes, our minds. How do we cope? How do we make ourselves better? How do we support each other?
 

The Impact

There is no greater pain imaginable than the death of a child.

Mi Casa Su Casa follows a couple, Eric and Sophie as they deal with the aftermath, following the loss of their daughter.

They are thrown into conflict when their methods of coping differ and when the visit of their outlandish neighbours threatens to destabilize their home environment further. Society places a great emphasis on the father or husband to be strong and supportive in these situations, but at times this can be damaging for their own mental health. Mi Casa Su Casa explores gender roles, mental health and loss, explicitly. The 5 acts of the film correspond to the 5 stages of grief. Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. The aim of this film is to provide a cathartic experience for those who are dealing with loss, especially in these times in which many have lost loved ones and friends through Covid-19 and other ailments. The story transcends tragedy, comedy and drama. 

Meet the cast and crew!

Sebastian Senior - Playing 'Eric' / Writer / Creative Director

Sebastian is a Writer, Director, Actor and Producer who began his professional career in 2015 as an Actor in commercials for Barclays and Jeep; he has also featured in advertisements for Samsung, Mi6, Konami and Domestic Panda. Seb’s TV credits include playing Martin Luther King in Inside St Paul’s Cathedral.

Sebastian has a number of acting credits in independent short and feature films and was an associate producer for On/Off Licence. His theatre work has included, Bloody Beautiful, The Beaux Stratagem and As You Like it. He has recently finished studying his Masters at Rose Bruford in Collaborative Theatre Making.

Seb has recently directed three films; ‘The Power of Art’ a documentary investigating the historical influence of art on society. ‘All is One an Artists Journey’ a documentary charting the creative process of artist, Ola Intu as she prepares for her first solo exhibition and ‘The Morning After the Night Before’ a totally improvised short film about a drug dealer attempting to find his drug stash, whilst being tormented by a  Psychotic Giant Bunny Rabbit.

Rachel Levy - Playing 'Sophie'

Rachel began acting in 2015, having trained at RADA, and has had leading roles in many film, TV and theatre projects. Recently, she played the aggressive PA to a TV studio boss in a new crime drama series. She was also cast as a downtrodden wife and mother in a short film which had a showing at the BFI. Last spring, she returned to the stage, starring in the UK premiere of the comedy play, Romantic Fools.

Rachel also writes both prose fiction and scripts. She performed a self-written monologue at the final of Triforce Creative Network's 'MonologueSlam' Competition at the Theatre Royal Stratford East last year. When not acting or writing, Rachel loves being outdoors, and can usually be found horse riding, running, cycling or swimming (yes outdoors, in the UK!).

Atrix - Playing 'Nicole'

An NYC native, Atrix has been choreographing since a young age as well as performing in various companies. Dancing, acting, directing/co-directing are their passions. Atrix directed a devised production of Macbeth recently which gave them keen insights into how to develop their Theatre Practice.

Atrix is currently studying an MFA in Collaborative Theatre Making at Rose Bruford; where they have begun their research on _bodies that are pending agency in society_ incorporating exploratory workshops that they hope to take from the classroom to groups that are othered next year.

Atrix shares a name with a vacuum cleaner and likes to eat raw potatoes.

David Hoskin - Playing 'Alex'

David has been working as a professional performer for four years and his background is in art which he studied to a MA level in moving image at the Royal College of Art. 

David draws heavily from clowning and commedia del arte as means of exploring audience relationships and character embodiment, along with four years on the London and international improvisation scenes. He works primarily in stage and immersive productions.

Mara Natuzzi - Playing 'Clara'

Mara is an Italian London based actor recently graduated at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a MA in Advanced Theatre Practice. She also trained at London Actors Workshop, the Actor’s Centre and LAMDA in London. She has stage and TV experience with many credits in Italy, the UK and Germany.

Her theatre work includes Romeo and Juliet directed by Lindsay Kemp in Verona and A midsummer Night’s Dream by Tina Marian in London. She recently debuted as a director with her first devised work Pan at the Drayton Arms Theatre in 2019.

She is currently part of the Noma Physical Theatre and Eden Forum Theatre collaborating and devising experimental theatre work.

Jeffrey Louis Salkilld - Playing 'Roger' / Associate Producer

Jeffrey Louis Salkilld is a Producer, Writer and Actor who completed a Masters in Screenwriting at UWL in 2018 and previously a BA in English and Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University.

He has since progressed from Production Assistant and Scripty (on over 10 short films and two indie features) to Production-Coordinator on the award-winning debut feature film from the prolific YouTuber Blake Ridder: https://ridderfilms.com in September 2020.

Jeffrey has just produced his first feature 'Alba Rosa'.

You can find him on IMDB at https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9331771

Reece Skinner - Playing 'Colin'

Reece is a graduate of St Marys University with a BA Hons in Theatre and London Voice and Motion Drama School. He has a vast range of skills and techniques within Theatre. Reece has many stage credits including acting at the London Soho Theatre and a full month run at the Edinburgh Fringe. As well as Directing a Play at London Tristan Bates Theatre, his most recent work was a music video.

Reece cannot wait to start working on the film.

Keith Simpson - Playing 'Uncle Brian'

Keith is the lead in the music video: Home Truths by Lester Clayton, he has been extra in the feature movie: Cain Hill and in the short films: Soundboy, Derby Uni shorts: Smile inc and Maximum Bid.

John-Carle Greenwood - Playing 'Jack'

John-Carl Greenwood will be making his acting debut starring as Jack. Jack is a lovable rouge which reflects a lot of John-Carl’s personality. John-Carl was born and raised in Essex, he is always the joker of the pack and carries his heart on his sleeve but don’t be fooled by the quirky, geeky exterior, he’s like an onion with several layers below…watch this space.

Lukasz Kornacki - Playing 'Martin'

Lukasz trained at the National Academy of Theatre Arts in Kraków.

He recently made his British Feature Film debut in ‘Roger Waters - Us + Them’, which had its premiere at Venice Film Festival and is co-directed by Grammy Award nominee Sean Evans and Pink Floyd's Rogers Waters.

Lukasz' extensive TV credits in Poland include series regular Marek in 45 episodes across two seasons of ‘The Crown of Kings’ (‘Korona Królów’), ‘War Girls’ (‘Wojenne Dziewczyny’), the recurring role of Konrad in ‘Colours of Happiness’ (‘Barwy Sczcęścia’), ‘M Jak Miłość’, ‘Ojciec Mateusz’, ‘Pierwsza Miłość' and ‘Echo Serca’ - all for TVP Poland - plus recurring role Witek in ‘Na Wspólnej’ (Fremantle Media & TVN).

His other screen credits include Feature Film ‘Interior’ (Official Selection at the Polish Film Festival Gydnia) and the leading role in Agnieszka Chylinska’s ‘Królowa Lez’. On stage, he starred as Tybalt in ‘Romeo & Juliet’, and as Artur in Scena Polska’s 2019 London production of Stanisław Mrozek’s ‘Tango’.

David Broome - Playing 'DJ BLACKLIST'

David Broome aka DJ BLACKLIST is a multi award nominated International DJ/ Producer from South London. He has been DJing around the world for the last 25 years.

He has been a resident of the Full Moon Party in Thailand for the last 3 years also playing NYE 2020 before the pandemic hit.

He has played in places such as Hong Kong, Morocco, Egypt and many other countries around Europe. He has also frequently played at some of the biggest clubs and festivals around the UK, such as Ministry of Sound, Fabric, Fire and Light box and Turnmills. David has also been a resident for the well known brand Epidemik playing Moondance NYE and also 30 years of Ratpack.

Also a keen producer for many years his latest release 'Leave it all Behind' hit all major platforms last December.

Jason Lynch - Director / DOP

Jason is a multi-award-winning director, DOP, and editor who co-runs a video production company that works with brands such as Cineworld Cinemas, BBC, Festival Leisure parks, and councils. He started his career back in 2014 and has continued to pursue his passion for filmmaking ever since.

Jack - 1st AC / Operations

Jack is a writer, director and cinematographer, he co-runs a video production company and has won an award for Cineworld Cinemas. He also works with brands such as BBC, Channel 4 music and started his career back in 2014 and has recently got a first-class honours degree in digital film production.

Pauline Heggen - Assistant Director / Associate Producer

Pauline has taken several short acting courses. She received her Access to HE (Drama) diploma from City Lit in July 2019. She has acted in two short films: Verity and Between the Minds. She has worked as a runner and production assistant on short films and student films, and as an assistant stage manager. Pauline’s first stage performance was Elsie in Warp and Woof in June 2019. She also played Grace in Earthquakes in London (Now Theatre!) in September 2019 and Margaret in Table (City Lit Theatre Company) in December 2019. She is an accomplished pianist and drummer.

Ola Intu - Production Designer / Art Director

Ola is a Polish multidisciplinary artist and designer based in London. She graduated in Industrial design at Westpomeranian University of Technology. She worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, mural artist, photographer, and art director on various international projects. In 2014 she founded a creative design studio creating a quirky clothing line and series of unique prints. Her artworks were published in Arthole magazine, Dawanda lovebook and exhibited at Artsy.net.

Ola is also an eco conscious fine artist, creating paintings and installations. In her pieces she explores her own dream worlds combined with archetypes, mythology, social issues and power of nature, creating colorful sceneries packed with lines and shapes. She recently launched her first solo exhibition "All is One. Visions of humans and nature". Since November 2020 she is represented by Laura I art gallery.

www.olaintu.com

How the funds will be spent: 

Below is a provisional breakdown of how the campaign funds will be spent: