Short Summary
Hello, my name is Mary Benedict. I'm an award-winning student filmmaker who attends American University in Washington, D.C. I am trying to make a film that will do two things:
- Act as a short piece eligible for festival circuit runs within the next year, and
- as a watchable pitch when I attempt to sell my TV series down the road.
What We Need
Let me break it down for you folks in more detail:
- The space I need to rent (the Facquier History Museum at the Old Jail in Warrenton, VA) is $600 alone.
- Even paying my cast and crew at the absolute minimum rate, I will need $800.
- One of the actresses must be flown in from Atlanta, which will be another $350. She is absolutely necessary for this piece to be successful.
- I will be hosting this actress in my studio apartment for the weekend. This will require grocery expenses I would not normally have. A $70 grocery budget would make a big difference.
- To create the mise en scène (snotty film major term for "general vibe") of a dystopian sci-fi Western, I need entirely original costumes and props. This will require a budget of about $1000.
- Warrenton is quite a distance from D.C., and we will require two vehicles to get everyone there. $150 for gas to and from will be needed.
The Impact
This is a short film directed by a student female director. The cast and crew are predominantly female-identifying, and largely POC. The story is about people from marginalized communities trying to survive an apocalyptic post-climate disaster world. Themes of faith, justice, intersectional feminism, antiracism and pro-immigration are prevalent.
Risks & Challenges
- Obviously, I'm asking for a lot of money for an eight-minute piece. The chances of me raising enough to hit every point on the checklist is low. I am not interested in making this film unless it is up to my very high standards. If I fail to meet the quota, I will simply try again.