THE STORY
Ivy and Sam are best friends, despite their array of differences. On what feels like a typical sweltering July day in their small suburban town, something unusual occurs. Ivy stumbles upon a bag of money while the two are smoking in their local park. They are then thrust into a chaotic day of luxury, drugs, and momentary opulence. Ivy has her eye on a somewhat deluded dream of using the money to escape to her dream life in New York City, while Sam prefers to live in the moment and use the money at her disposal. Their difference in dispositions ultimately strikes conflict between the two, and exposes them to a situation that showcases their individual greed, selfishness, and calls their friendship into question. Caught up in their own day, the girls are completely unaware that someone dangerous is on the lookout for them. The bag of cash originally belonged to a clumsy drug dealer named Ray, who lost track of the cash and discovered the girl’s involvement, thanks to an older park dweller noting their presence. With $20,000 on the line, and Ray’s generally unhinged attitude, the scruffy dealer decides to follow the girls to see if he can somehow get the money back. The final showdown takes place at a local house party, where the fate of the girls and their dreams are finally decided.
THE CHARACTERS
At their core, these two characters are very similar. They are both deeply insecure, yearning for something more out of life. They are caught in a crossroads of false confidence and self-hatred, which drives them even further towards their delusional goals. Ivy admires Sam’s elusive nature and conviction, even though we know that it is all an act. Sam naively envisions nothing for herself, as if protecting herself from the potential she knows she has deep down. She guards her feelings through alcohol and reckless decisions, falling down the same path as her family. Ivy fervidly wants to break away from the plan her parents set for her, a structured life followed by college and a rigid career. All she wants to acknowledge about her future is her desire to escape to New York.
What We Need & What You Get
Every cent raised will go directly towards production, camera gear, props, costumes and actors.
I am a student, with little funding to create the projects I want to create. I am now deep into the pre-production process and am working on a very tight budget of $3000. I have casted actors, rented equipment, props, costumes and plan on starting to shoot in June. While I have already invested a good deal of money into this project, I am hoping for some additional crowdsourcing to finalize this process and bring my project to life. There are a few loose ends that I need to tie off.
I am asking for any donations possible to really make this film visible to larger audiences, and watch my hard work finally pay off. Donors will be credited in the film and invited to the screening when the film is complete. I will greatly appreciate any amount of donation.
Your Contribution
Your contribution will greatly aid ease the creation of this project. Additional funding will allow me to go into filming feeling over-prepared, supported and mostly -- of sound mind with costs of gear and other equipment.
At first, I was hesitant to post a campaign. Stubbornly, I wanted to do this all on my own. I realized it is not that easy. I am hoping you can see my vision and contribute whatever possible. I am extremely excited about this project and have immense faith that I can't bring it to life, and could really use your help.
Risks & Challenges
I am aware there will be hiccups when comes to shooting, whether that be gear, weather, scheduling, etc.
Because of my passion towards this project, because it is my brainchild, I will not let any of those challenges stop production. I am committed to completing the project in any means necessary, and will have even more assurance with your help.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't help with funding, there are many ways you can still help; I would greatly appreciate if you spread the word! I am excited to share this project with the world, and can't do that without your help. Send this campaign to your friends, family, co-workers, anyone who might take interest in a project like this one.
About Me
My name is Alejandro Ferrandiz. From a very young age, I have always held a passion for documenting the world around me through my camera lens.
I am a passionate, hardworking and creative filmmaker who has a love for editing and cinematography. I enjoy creating documentary films, specifically exploring and uncovering real-world stories, social issues, and learning important lessons in the process. I appreciate the authenticity and reality of documentary work, and I look forward to finding more stories to capture throughout my career.
While my forte is documentary film, I’m excited to continue exploring the world of film and would like to work on screenwriting and narrative projects.
Currently, I am a freshman and film major at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. As a queer man, I surround myself with other queer creatives and am always looking for opportunities to build new projects in which I am passionate about.
During my wintersession at school (in between the first and second semester) I was able to sit down and write the story I have always wanted to see come to life. The screenplay just flew out of me, and I've been extremely enthusiastic ever since. A story of friendship, adolescence, and adventure all within the setting of my hometown of South Orange and Maplewood, NJ.
