"In its core, it is a story of a biological mother who deprived her young daughter of care. As a parent, I have always been astounded by people who raise children and then abandon them, whether physically or emotionally - in both cases a crime is committed. Why do I want to tell this story? Because when speaking about the problem, part of it has already been solved. For me, cinema and art in general is not just a means of entertainment, but a powerful platform for raising awareness about social problems and provoking solutions, for asking questions and answering them."
Stella is a social worker from the State Child Protection Agency sent on a signal to check a house in a rundown area of the city. She enters the world of the 9 year old Scarlet and her negilgent mother - a victim herself, abused by a despotic boyfriend, a small-scale thug. Beneath the girl's innocence, charm and vivid immagination, Stella starts to slowly uncover the chilling details and the dark secrets within the household and in the surrounding environment. Is she strong enough to save the girl, who finds in her a friend, maybe even the mother she's been missing ever since birth...?
The film will be loosely based on a story, shared with the Director/Screenwriter, while she was working in Bulgaria on the post-production of her previous short film BLINKS. She wrote the script in a couple of months and initially the idea was to film in Bulgaria.
After a quick auditioning, a bright and talented young Bulgarian star was selected for the female lead actress who will play Stella, the young social worker who comes to the rescue of the neglected child . We will keep her name a secret to whetten your appetite until we secure funding.
However, while carefully analysing the production details, after discussing with the producing team, it was decided that it will be more feasible to film in the USA, attracting a wide range of California-based Bulgarian talents, crew and staff.
In other words - gear up for a Bulgarian film, shot in Los Angeles with a post-production planned to be executed in Bulgaria with a stellar team of professionals, who have already worked with the Californian team on BLINKS.
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And to properly certify the union between L.A. and Sofia, we have approached one of the most contemporary sounding, yet original Bulgarian band, "Ostava"! Our favorite Bulgarian music-makers and song-designers after reading the script got inspired to become part of the project!
With all the puzzle pieces falling into place and the motivation of the team being off the charts, the preparations have started.
But to go into a Pre-Production phase, what is needed for the rubber to hit the road, or rather, to reach the moment when the Assistant Director calls the rolls and the Director shouts "Action"?
FUNDING
After carefully calculating the time, the crew and the talents needed to go into 5 days of film production, we have set our goal at $15,000.
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Production (Above-The-Line): $2,000
Top talent pay, inclduing 2 Lead Actors and 3 Supporting Actors.
Production (Below-The-Line): $11,000
Or $2,000 for a day of filming.
This includes the crew and staff - Director of Photography, 1st Assistant Camera (AC), 1st Assistant Director, Production Assistant, Key Grip, Best Boy/2nd Company Grip, Gaffer, Lighting Technician/Electrician, Sound Mixer/Boom Operator, Production Designer, Wardrobe/Costume Supervisor, Make-Up Artist, Hair Stylist.
And $1000 equipment rental - camera, lenses, lighting and electrical plus all insurance cost, including General Liability and Worker's Comp
Post-Production: $2000
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As we mentioned earlier, the Post will be done in Bulgaria. However, for the level of professionalism and the experience gained working on Hollywood productions in Nu Boyana Film Studios in the outskirts of Sofia, we would like to offer a competitive pay to our Bulgarian post-production team.
FUNDING PARTNERSHIP
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Back in the Spring of 2022, we have applied for and have been awarded a small grant for supporting Bulgarian artists from the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria for the total of $1,500! The funds will be utilized for the visa and the airfare for the Bulgarian lead actress.
We are greatful that there are progressive people and institutions supporting arts in Bulgaria and they saw in SCARLET artistic merits worth supporting!
However, the clock is ticking for utilizing the funds by the end of this year or we lose them...
We have already initiated the visa process early in the game, considering the hectic schedule of the budding Bulgarian star, who is currently filming a few TV shows, as well as performing in multiple theater stages.
What else you could do to support us?
Please spread the word, share the campaign and talk to your rich Silicon Valley and Wall Street neighbors, relatives and secret admirers.
Also, follow and suggest your friends to follow the Instagram page of SCARLET. That way you not only will keep track of the progress during production, but will also help with spreading the word about it and later on, once finished will help us with exposure.
We promise to make you proud for supporting our project, as we did the last time around with AUDITION and BLINKS!
We will be in this together again and the more we are, the better and the merrier!
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