The Exchange

I'm Kacey Aronson, writer and producer of the short film "The Exchange." To be completely honest, I did not have a lot of professional film experience prior to being accepted into graduate film school. I've always truly loved and been inspired by films, movies and TV and have never stopped searching for new avenues that allowed me to be a part of the film world. Finally taking the leap for film school has been one of the greatest decisions of my life and career. Quickly following my first semester, my script was chosen by the school for production this upcoming June.

The story of "The Exchange" is one that I think many of us can relate to in some way. It follows a young waitress stuck in a small town looking for more. Navigating her rude co-workers and a small drug operation operating in the back of the restaurant, she finds herself at a crossroads between standing down to her manager or finally standing up for herself. With the unlikely help of the drug distributor, she might just get the opportunity she's looking for.

Our contributors will be helping fund a film led by passionate graduate film students looking to further gain the knowledge, experience and professionalism provided in this industry. Our campaign seeks to really bring "The Exchange" to life, filling in those missing key pieces that are vital to the production quality of the film. 

Each contribution will go toward the following essentials:

• Locations
• Catering
• Props
• Costumes
• Transportation Costs

What We Need & What You Get

With much luck and thanks from our school, we have already secured payment for our actors. And thanks to our film being set in a Diner, everyday household items are easy to come by, borrow and use in a pinch.

Everything else, locations, food, transportation costs for all cast and crew, costumes and props is where things get a little tricky for us. What we're looking for is to bridge the gap between everything we are able to procure and all the other "big ticket items."

• $1000 - Locations. This is by far our biggest expense which will be used to procure our production set along with any permits needed to film for the week. A portion will also go to the manager coming in early and staying after hours with us so we are able to film on the establishments off hours.
• $800 - Props. All these items listed are needed to create the Diner atmosphere our film is set in. Mostly little things that add up; Soda cans with dummy lids, soda can replacement labels, customized pamphlet, lockbox, napkins/dispensers, utensils, and the largest expense a cash register. 
• $400 - Catering. Our crew is a mix of graduate students leading the production team and eager undergraduates volunteering their time to assist on our project. We would simply like to make sure they have food and beverages provided on each shoot day.
• $200 - Transportation Costs. We are not expecting to travel far for shooting since we will be located at the school the week of, however, we do need to travel in multiple cars to fit all crew and equipment from day to day, as well as compensate our dedicated actors traveling via train from NY.
• $50 - Costumes. While the actors are kind and flexible enough to bring their own wardrobe for shooting, there are some things that are needed to round out the look; waitress and cook aprons, and some simple shirts.
• $125 - IndieGoGo fees. This will cover the fees associated with the amount we raise on IndieGoGo.

We are using IndieGoGo's "Flexible Funding" option so if we are unable to hit our goal, we can still put everyone's donations to the project. If we are able to raise all of the funds, we will certainly be in a great spot for production in June.

And for everyone's contributions, we are happy to showcase your generosity as a credit in our film!

The Impact

As stated before, "The Exchange" is relatable on a very human level. Like me taking a leap for grad school, our waitress, Eve, finds the motivation to take her own leap. Eve is a nice girl who gets pushed too far and decides to finally make a change for herself. We've all been there in different scenarios, work, school, friends, family. We all have that moment where we want to try something new and be a little spontaneous. Of course, there is always something in the way of that, but the thought is there. So what if we could? Just pick up and leave, for ourselves, our wellbeing. Eve is that everyday person that reminds us there's always more out there to see, all we have to do is leap.

When I first wrote this, it was not exactly telling this story. However, after each rewrite the plot, personality and message became clearer. We don't need to be rich or famous to get what we want, we need opportunity and sometimes we need to be the ones to create that opportunity.

Risks & Challenges

Making a film does not come without its many challenges. Our biggest challenge is securing a location to film. Set in a diner, many establishments don't seem too eager to have a film crew there before or after hours. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. With enough persistence, assurance, insurance, and incentives, anything is possible. 

As someone with many years of customer service experience, business and marketing experience and background in data research, I feel confident there are establishments in the greater NJ area that we can acquire an agreement with. Also as the producer of the film, troubleshooting is my main job description. I have contingencies and backups for everything and a great and reliable team who are just as passionate and dedicated to this project as I am. Of course, there are still things that can go wrong, it's human nature, but I am a true believer in there's always another solution.

Other Ways You Can Help

Times can be tough, life happens, unexpected expenses occur... we've all been there. But contributions are not the only way to help! One of the best steps you can take in aiding our cause is to spread the word and share our campaign across whatever media forms you use. Gaining attraction from those who are also interested in our film, story, and message will be a huge help to us reaching our goal. And sharing consistently can help keep the buzz going!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read up on our campaign and thank you everyone who contributes to our production of "The Exchange." We appreciate all of the support and are incredibly excited to get things underway.