Hello!
I’m Dezi and I’m a filmmaker based in Los Angeles. I’ve worked on some bigger movies (CREED III, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY) as part of the producing team at Proximity Media. For SAME, I’m in the writer/director chair to tell a story about dating apps, meet cutes, and the dream of meeting “the one.” We’ve shot the film, and we’re in post-production now. But we need your support to bring it to the finish line.
The Idea
The movies we grew up on don’t reflect the way that many of us are dating, falling in love, getting married. Those movies show us meeting on a train, at a bus stop, at a party. But in 2024, we’re on our phones, swiping left and right on the potential loves of our lives… and longing for serendipity. We want to lock eyes with someone across the room, to strike up a conversation at a dinner party, to run into someone we knew long ago. We want that predestined, fated, ever-elusive movie love that’s hard to believe in, and even harder to let go of hoping for.
SAME is a short film about that longing. It’s about the danger of holding onto a fairytale dream – and of giving up on it entirely.
The Story
SAME begins with hopeless romantic HENRY (Justin Chien), and newly single cynic ELLE (Chelsea Zhang), who meet through a dating app and discover an unexpected connection: they’ve actually met before. They were 7 years old, in the same line at Disneyland, and at the end of the day, they were ripped apart by their parents. Never to see each other again… until right now.
A lackluster date transforms into an intensely romantic whirlwind, unspooling the complexities of modern love and attraction. Henry unveils his vulnerabilities; Elle opens up about her past. SAME is about wishing for something perfect, and dealing with the fallout as reality crashes in.
How you can help
On an independent short, the costs add up fast. $2,100 for one location. $1,500 for the FILMLA permit. $2,000 for lunches. $650 for hard drives alone. Add on equipment rentals, wardrobe, art supplies, and you’ve blown past $7,500 before you’ve touched cast and crew rates…
Today, we’re not asking to raise our whole budget. We’re asking for $7,500 to help get us through post production, and finish this emotional, relatable film.
Your support bolsters artisans at different stages of their careers– from the film students who volunteered their time as production assistants, to the department heads who worked for reduced day-rates in order to make the magic happen. Please know that your donation encourages the next generation of moviemakers, directly impacting their capacity to continue imagining, working, and honing the craft.
The Dream
A film is meaningless without an audience, and so we’ll enter SAME in the festival circuit, and after that, release it online.
But the most immediate goal is a personal one: this is a story where I’ve injected my insecurities, despair, and hope. It’s a project I made to be moving and uplifting, and I sincerely hope that it feels honest, and touches people – whether you’ve been in a relationship for 50 years, or you’ve indefinitely sworn off dating. I’m publicly raising funds because I made this short for you – and I believe in the incredible crew members who made this possible.
The Cast and Crew
I genuinely believe we put together some of the most talented people in LA to realize this vision. We partnered with the production company Crimson Edge who helped us put this team together. I’d love to take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the cast and crew:
The unbelievably talented actor Justin Chien (HENRY), who's the lead opposite Michelle Yeoh in the Netflix series THE BROTHERS SUN, was the first actor to sign onto SAME. His performance in this short is sensitive, vulnerable, and compulsively watchable. He’s going to blow you all away.
Rockstar actress Chelsea Zhang (ELLE), who’s starred in film/TV ranging from TITANS to ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL to LOVE IN TAIPEI, stunned us all with her nuanced portrayal of “Elle.” Chelsea is a true star on the rise – and we were so lucky to have her as one of our two leads.
Barento Taha (PRODUCER) juggled his roles as a current USC grad student, a director (his short film just earned him a “New Voice” award at the American Black Film Festival), and – of course – as one of the three outstanding producers of SAME. Barento was the first person to sign onto the project, and his passion got this made.
I’ve been side by side with my work brother D’Angelo “D’Lo” Louis (PRODUCER) for 6 years at Proximity Media. But nothing’s brought me quite so much joy as watching him produce the Hell out of SAME, while also serving as a creative exec at Proximity, and winning awards for his latest film as writer/director, SHOEBOX.
Jamari Perry (PRODUCER) is a professor at USC, a mom, founder and producer of a minority owned production company Hush Harbor Media, and (as pictured above) one of the three extraordinary producers of SAME. Her guidance and expertise on the project, let alone all the USC students she pulled in as PAs, were essential.
Andy Chen (CINEMATOGRAPHER) wracked up MILLIONS of views for his horror short films FIONA and THE SPIDER. An incredible director and cinematographer, Andy’s generosity with his talent, his equipment, and his “let’s get it done” attitude make him a true short MVP.
This is Yvette Amirian (EDITOR) just after she saved our feedback screening – throwing out an idea in the room that transformed the film. She’s an editing professor at USC (she was my professor when I was in film school) and she also happens to be one of the most dedicated, creative, and passionate people I’ve ever worked with.
Joe Shirley (COMPOSER) recently scored CREED III. He’s worked at the highest levels, and it shows in his score for our short. Can’t wait for you all to hear it!
Micah Johnson (1st AD) was on back to back projects during the shoot of SAME, and still managed to run a beautiful, positive set. A smile on his face, and a willingness to make tough calls, his instincts saved the day more than once.
Reid Andersen (SOUND) took on both production and post sound for SAME. Talented and grounded; when you’re working with Reid you know you’re in great hands.
The incredible Taya Badgley (COSTUME DESIGNER) drove down from Northern California for this shoot, and drew on her expertise from studying fashion at London (Central Saint Martins, one of the most influential fashion schools in the world).
Wonderfully creative Destiny Grant (PRODUCTION DESIGNER) found time to PD SAME in between working on shows like ABBOTT ELEMENTARY and INSECURE.
Jordan Nguyen (HAIR AND MAKEUP) is one of the more in demand hair and makeup artists in the independent film scene. She happened to find time in between Vogue features to lend her artistry to SAME.
The multitalented Andrew Kovac was our 2nd Assistant Director, designed SAME's title font, and was our stand in for a few of the shots (as pictured above).
And last but certainly not least, Rachel Brookner (INTIMACY COORDINATOR) ensured a safe, responsible set.
Thank You
Through your donation, you’re supporting artisans like those featured above, and helping us do what we love: make movies.
For me personally, your dollar helps realize this dream –to tell a story that’s at once heartfelt and romantic. Hopefully it will make you cringe and laugh, and maybe feel that thing we all need a jolt of every once in a while: hope.
Thank you for supporting independent, original film so that projects like this one can happen. Thank you for supporting SAME!
Writer/Director Dezi Gallegos and actor Justin Chien on the set of SAME
Producers D’Angelo “D’Lo” Louis, Jamari Perry, and Barento Taha on the set of SAME
Actors Justin Chien (HENRY) and Chelsea Zhang (ELLE)
Director of Photography Andy Chen and director/Writer Dezi Gallegos
Actors Justin Chien (HENRY) and Chelsea Zhang (ELLE)
First AD Micah Johnson, Gaffer Michael Duong, DP Andy Chen, Writer/Director Dezi Gallegos
Actors Justin Chien & Chelsea Zhang, Hair & Makeup Head Jordan Nguyen, Writer/Director Dezi Gallegos
First ever SAME feedback screening
The Q&A at the SAME feedback screening
Our Incredible Crew!
Thank You!