Hello and thank you for taking the time to learn more about Under the Surface!

Set during the heavy, humid dog days of summer, the story unfolds in the quiet pastoral countryside, inside a sun-bleached roadside motel. At its core, this short explores identity, isolation, and the fragile transition from childhood into adolescence, capturing those fleeting moments when everything changes.

But to make this vision a reality, we need your help. Independent filmmaking is a labor of love, and your contribution will directly fuel every piece of this production—covering essentials like:

-Equipment rentals for a cinematic, professional look and crisp, full sound.

-Location releases

-Meals for cast and crew.

-Fees for festivals, reimbursements, and other production costs

Every single donation—big or small—helps us bring this story to life, and every supporter will be credited in the final film as part of our team.

If you believe in original storytelling, in supporting independent art, and in helping fresh voices break through, we’d be honored to have you join us on this journey. In today’s creative landscape, original voices are harder to find. With AI generated content flooding creative spaces, authentic human storytelling is at risk of being drowned out. Independent art, crafted by real people with real passion, needs supporters like you to survive and thrive.

The team is made up of our friends, Cleveland State film graduates who spent over four years learning, collaborating, and creating stories together. Now, we’re reuniting with the same passion and excitement to bring this project to life—and to do what we love, together, once again.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our film, thank you for sharing, and thank you for helping us bring Under the Surface from script to screen.

John Bando

Producer