WHO WE ARE
Scarlet Fiorella - Musical Artist
It's a new beginning for 21-year old songstress/songwriter Scarlet Fiorella who describes her music as "a bottle of red wine and speaking your mind." Her career launched in Philadelphia with powerhouse songs such as "Lately" and Tik Tok hit "What I Did," which has now racked up over 500,000 streams. These songs were released under her former name, Scarlet Cimillo, and have created a seamless transition to her upcoming catalog inspired by 2000's R&B with a singer-songwriter edge.
Taytum Blake - Director
Taytum is a student at ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles CA. She has extensive experience producing music videos, including Maude Latour's "Clean" and "Strangers Forever," as well as Amy Allen's "RIP" starring Rebecca Black. In addition, Taytum is looking forward to making her proper directorial debut with Scarlet Fiorella's "Money Tree" video, which she will also be using as her senior thesis film.
Strangers Forever video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoYhnpbr7Qo
RIP video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjRkO6y5Gks
Taytum's work: https://vimeo.com/680403186
Cassandra Briskman - Producer/First Assistant Director
Cassandra is a graduate of ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles, CA, but more importantly, Scarlet Fiorella's roommate (with whom she frequently bugs to watch trashy reality tv shows). Cassandra has been working in the film industry as a Production Assistant for the past six years and recently moved to NYC to work for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. She has also worked as a Production Coordinator and Assistant Director for Dreamworks Animation and Illumination Animation Company.
Story
After countless late nights at the office, Sharon, the "perfect" mid-century housewife, suspects her husband, Bill, is cheating on her. One night her curiosity gets the better of her. Sharon searches for answers and discovers a motel business card in one of Bill's coat pockets. She impulsively drives across town to the motel, where she sees her husband with another woman. Sharon races home to pack a suitcase, alluding to leaving him. However, she returns to the motel, checks herself into a room, and transforms herself into her alter-ego: SCARLET.
Scarlet is confident, sexy, and incredibly alluring. She makes herself comfortable by the pool, watching as Bill says goodbye to his guest and hands her a huge wad of cash. Scarlet suddenly catches Bill's eye as she floats lazily in the pool. He then discreetly invites her back to his room, not recognizing that she is his wife... Scarlet agrees. He's fallen right into her trap. Back in Bill's room, he does his best to seduce this familiar stranger. His hand slides up her thigh, revealing a knife in her garter. As he notices it, Scarlet grips onto the knife... CUT TO: Scarlet walks out of the motel into the light of a new morning, counting the bills she's stolen from her newly deceased husband.
Statement of Intent
The intention to make this video started very simply: Scarlet planned on releasing a new narrative song and thought it would be fun to have a visual to go along with it. However, as the ideas progressed over the next few months, so did the intention. Finally, after deciding to pair up with two strong-minded and talented females in the male-dominated film industry, the three of them concluded that the story they wanted to tell was also about a powerful woman. A woman in the 1960s (a time when women still didn't have very much power) finally decides to take her life into her own hands when she learns that her husband has been cheating on her, leaving behind her youthful, innocent past and transforming into a powerful, confident woman. Not only is this a fun melodramatic concept, but it also reflects on my Scarlet's career and her transition from Scarlet Cimillo into Scarlet Fiorella.
However, this is not an easy story to tell with an extremely low budget. Fully submerging the viewers in this reality takes expert production designers, costumers, and makeup artists. This is why the three of us have formed an incredible group of young up-and-coming filmmakers out of Los Angeles, California. The intention of this project has now become a platform to showcase each person's unique talents and what they bring to the table. Our goal is that by the end of production, each crew member will feel incredibly proud of the work they've accomplished and may use it to boost their own careers forward.
What We Need & What You Get
- Despite having access to free school equipment and having our wardrobe donated, shooting a period piece is no simple task. Our budget will mainly cover the cost of production design, location, and most importantly ensure that our cast and crew are properly nourished throughout the day.
- As a thank you, everyone who donates will receive a link to an exclusive sneak peek of the song Money Tree before its release! You will also be credited at the end of the video.
Other Ways You Can Help
There are a lot of people in this world who need help, and we completely understand if you are unable or unwilling to donate. We appreciate your help in any capacity!
- Share this page on social media!
