UPDATE:

**** RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FUNDING ****

We've received an additional 3K in private funding outside the campaign.  We're currently at $5,350.  This is nearly 36% of our goal.   Thank you everyone for your donations and support so far!

Also due to scheduling, we have a new and incredible cinematographer - Shae Paterson.  (see below)  Welcome Shae!

Short Summary

Hi, my name is David and I'm the writer/director of 'Triage'.  I'm deeply passionate about this project and excited to share with you.

'Triage' is a short dramatic film inspired by the covid-19 pandemic and its stresses upon relationships.  I wanted to find a way to talk about the pandemic without directly talking about it.  'Triage' uses this idea of being confined and trapped mixed with the anxieties surrounding death and illness.  The film takes place entirely in the confines of a car, in rural Ontario, and focuses on a young couple's long wait outside a vet during covid to save the life of their cat who may be poisoned.

The young couple in the film are Gemma and James.  The storyline follows Gemma, afflicted with a panic disorder, in a battle of wills against James to afford their suffering cat potentially life-saving treatment.  This tug-of-war becomes a kind of alchemical process by which this relationship is tested to its limits, undone and ultimately transformed.  It is a hopeful film in the wake of a dark time.

A 1992 Safari GMC 4x4 (the van we will be filming in)

Vision

My vision for TRIAGE is to make a realist film through a poetic lens in the vein of 'L'Enfant' by the Dardenne Brothers or Darius Marder's 'The Sound of Metal'.  This involves handheld camerawork and a cinéma vérité documentary feel to convey a sense of unmediated life unfolding.  That said, the film will also convey a claustrophobic tone, the actors and our camera will be confined in a van for most of the story.  This will allow the focus of the film to be on the internal journeys of our characters, their relationship and choices, and themes of poverty, love, loss, grief, betrayal and absolution.  This is a very performance centred film. 

Team

I will be working with an incredibly talented cast and crew who have come together to make this film a reality.  (see below!).  The roads, architecture and landscapes of Prince Edward County will also play a pivotal role. 

Timeline

I wrote and developed this film during Omicron (January - March).  We've already cast the film with union actors and secured locations in Prince Edward County.  Pre-production will continue throughout the summer and we'll be shooting for 3 days late summer - September 10th, 11th and 12th with a rehearsal on September 9th.  Post-production will take place in the fall, with a late 2022 / early 2023 release. 

This Campaign

The film's initial development and pre-production was possible through many donations of time researching, writing, revising, story editing, casting, location scouting... We have three more months of unpaid pre-production to navigate.  This is a labour of love, and the proceeds of this campaign will go towards the three days of shooting and the many weeks of post-production: paying crew and cast modest wages, covering our equipment, insurance, permits, production design, food, gas (!) and accommodations.  (see below)  My own fees are going back into the production.  The less I have to stress about self-financing, the more I can prep and focus on visual and creative tasks. 

This is where you come in.  I have created this IndieGoGo campaign to ask for your generous support.  Every dollar counts and if you feel inclined to support us through making a financial contribution to the film—I would be eternally grateful.  If this is not something you're able to do at this time—all good!   Your interest in the project is also a great source of support and you will still be kept in the loop on this film.  If you donate 500 or more you will be will have the option to be credited as an executive producer.  There are also many other perks. 

This film is a way to bring a group of artists together and generate an inspiring experience and film that speaks to our times.  If we do not raise the full funds, the film will still find a way forward.  We are looking to get this film into major film festivals and VOD platforms.  

I want to give a special shout out and thanks to Rossmore Animal Hospital for donating your location, my producer Simon Reynolds for donating time on revisions, cinematographer Andrew Hunter and production designer Stacey Sproule for your technical discussions, and also all current friends and supporters.  Thank you so much for your time checking out our campaign and your generous support!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. 

Follow our adventure here:

Instagram @heliograph_media       #triageshort2022

Cast

Hannah Forrest Briand as GEMMA

Colin Platt as JAMES

Key Visual Crew

WRITER / DIRECTOR  David Rendall

David Rendall is a Toronto-born writer, director and editor living in Picton, Prince Edward County.  He made his debut short film in high school with 'Sven', staring rapper Drake.  His short films have screened at many film festivals including Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), The National Film Board (NFB) and Rendez-Vous With Madness (RVWM)  He is a graduate of the Norman Jewison Film Program at the Canadian Film Centre.  David is currently cutting a short animated documentary about the holocaust in Romania called 'Today Is A Gift' (funded by the Ontario Arts Council).  He is also currently in preproduction for a short dramatic film called 'Triage'. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER  Shae Paterson

Shae Paterson is a Toronto based Director of Photography with over 6 years professional experience in the industry.  He has experience shooting with the latest cameras from SONY, ARRI, RED, CANON in HD-8K. With experience on a veracity of productions, including Narrative, Documentary and Commercial projects, Shae has a very multi-talented presence on set.  He has worked with a variety of companies including Google, Interact, CBC, Rogers Media, Paramount, Microsoft, The United Nations and many more.  See Shae's reel here: https://www.shaepaterson.ca/show-reel-calgary-vancouver-dop

PRODUCER  Simon Reynolds

With over 100 film and TV roles in a career spanning 3 decades, Simon Reynolds has realized a broad range of acting accomplishments including memorable roles opposite Julianne Moore in Prizewinner, Michael Douglas in The Sentinel and Dennis Quaid and Sharon Stone in Cold Creek Manor.   Reynolds is also a writer, director and producer.  His feature film debut ONLY (co-written, directed and produced with Ingrid Veninger) premiered at TIFF and went on to feature in festivals all over the world, including Cinema di Roma, Slamdance and Method Fest.  He recently produced the short ORPHANS.  His newest project is the sci-fi drama ROSELAND (writer, director), optioned by pUNK Films with Ingrid Veninger producing.  Simon is passionate about working with other filmmakers to bring to life character driven stories that entertain.

PRODUCTION DESIGNER  Stacey Sproule

Stacey Sproule is an interdisciplinary artist holding a BFA in painting from OCAD University.  She has worked for many years in the floral industry designing and installing large scale installations for weddings and events.  She also runs an online tarot school called The School Of Inner Wisdom.  She worked with David previously as Production Designer on the music video Fadeout Killer for Slim Twig.