Milo and Rose embark on a road trip with the intent to rekindle their once loving, but now strained relationship. Their journey begins to take a turn when they enter a strange motel, bringing out dark truths about their past. Milo, haunted by his demonized addiction, is forced to watch his relationship unfold in front of him, as Rose slowly loses the partner she loves. All of this during their one night stay in the motel.

"I have grown up witnessing and experiencing the pain of loving someone(s) who struggle with addiction. The many stages of grief were followed by acceptance, where I realized addiction does not define a person, but rather, substance abuse has taken control of them. I use this perspective to show the possession drugs hold over the addict. If you or someone you know may be struggling with addiction, you are not alone. There are resources available such as; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

Along with this advocacy towards substance abuse, this film additionally promotes domestic abuse awareness. If you or someone you know may be in potential harm please reach out to resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800)-799-7233." - Sophia, Film's Writer

Addiction and Love. Self-Preservation vs. Loyalty. Supernatural forces as a symbol for struggle.

Rose – A resilient but emotionally damaged young woman, haunted by her past, and experiencing inner turmoil between her love for Milo and choosing to break the cycle she's in. 
Milo – A troubled young man battling a dilemma between his crippling addiction and love for Rose.
Hotel Clerk – An unsettling man with an inhuman presence, who embodies both Milo and Rose’s dark truths with an otherworldly perspective. 
 

To ensure this gripping, twisted story hits the screen, we estimate an $8,500 budget.

Tethered is an independent student film, relying on the incredible generosity of people like you who want to see it brought to life. And we plan on cutting no corners to make this film an emotional journey for any viewer!

The below budget will allow us to…
- Rent camera and lighting equipment to capture the chilling dread of our two leads, and the altered mental states they find themselves in
- Set design to embrace the eerie, enigmatic nature of the hotel we’re shooting at
- Treat our cast and crew to some well balanced, nutritious craft services
- Pay for permits and insurance, incredibly important and often overlooked logistical costs

$25: Social Media Shoutout 
$50: Thank You Video from the Cast and Crew 
$100: Pre-Release Screening 
$250: Associate Producer Credit
$500: Executive Producer Credit

SUBJECT MATTER

Through this film, we want to break barriers, by addressing taboo topics such as addiction and the truth behind loving someone despite their flaws. In most cases, women will not leave in the first instance of a violent situation with a partner. The film holds an ending that is up to interpretation, highlighting the real, cruel nature of domestic abuse, as well as its tragic longevity.

LOCATION

Shooting entirely at a motel presents a slew of challenges, including last minute cancellations, guest disturbances, and a myriad of other unforeseen factors. However, we are already in the process of establishing a close relationship with our motel's manager and staff, getting a clear list of their guidelines and instructions far ahead of time, to adjust for any concerns beforehand.

PORTRAYAL OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

Once again, we're dealing with incredibly sensitive subject matter, and don't want to cut any corners on portraying this element of the story. Therefore, we are finalizing options for an intimacy coordinator to help us work through any physical scenes between Milo and Rose.

You can help by donating to our project, no matter the amount! All donations will go to the items listed above, which would be a tremendous help to our cast and crew. We have a big vision that we’re looking forward to bringing to life. This can’t be done without your support!

Please take the time to spread this link around and share this story. We are hoping to connect with the audience on a personal level, and the more people this is able to reach the bigger impact we will be able to have. By taking the time to send this to your friends and family, you’re helping this project reach its full potential and our ability to create future films.