BALLETOMANE - Crowdfunding Campaign

Introducing : BALLETOMANE

A Debut Short-Film by Eva Matzinger

Dear Readers,

My name is Eva Matzinger, an aspiring producer and director, currently in my final year of film school here in London. I’m thrilled to share that for my graduation project, I have the incredible opportunity to direct my own short-film for the very first time.

My Project titled “Balletomane” is a very personal story, merging my two lifelong passions: Filmmaking and Dance.

Before I ever stepped onto a film set, I was a ballet dancer. Dance has always been a lifelong passion of mine, even if it’s remained more of a personal pursuit than a professional one.

Ballet has taught me patience, resilience, and how to tell stories using my body. Although it has shaped me into who I am today, it came with unexpected hardships that also delve into the more complex nature of Ballet itself.

Balletomane is more than just a dance film. It is a psychological drama that explores the competitive drive within us humans and the emotional cost of constantly chasing perfection. Based on my own experiences, personal reflections, and stories I've witnessed or been told, this film seeks to shed light on the darker side of Ballet and the toxic environment it can create.

Additionally, the film explores the concept of limerence. An overwhelming emotion that takes hold when you're obsessively infatuated with someone, whether it is sparked by their talent, their presence, or simply how they make you feel.

SYNOPSIS

ACT 1

The first act reflects Ada's desire for change. She is stuck in a passionless cycle of sacrificing herself for a sport she once loved deeply. Ballet classes have become monotonous and repetitive. Everyone except her parents are noticing the drift, but she keeps going to please the people she loves the most.

ACT 2

The second act introduces Ada to a new dancer, someone that truly captivates her from the moment she stepped into the studio. Esme begins to toy with Ada, subtly provoking her and pushing her to respond to the challenges she presents.

Ada suddenly has the urge to compete with her new profound enemy, once she realises that Esme could replace her graduation solo spot.

Ada seeks Esme's approval obsessively, the dynamic between them slowly blurs: Admiration becomes fixation. The constant competition becomes infatuating. Ada can no longer tell if she wants to be Esme, be with her, or destroy her entirely.

ACT 3

Ada’s own identity gets lost in the pursuit. She stops measuring her own growth and begins to live for Esme's praise alone.

This ultimately leads to her downfall in the third act, by being too naive to notice that Esme was always a step ahead.

Introducing the Characters

Exploring the Themes

Identity

What happens if your identity is only based on the way you want people to perceive you? Can you ever reclaim your authenticity back, or will it always be a performance? This is mirroring Ballet, where you momentarily become someone else.

Internalised Misogyny & Female Rivalry

Beyond the world of ballet, this story also serves as a broader commentary on how women in today’s society are constantly pitted against one another. Whether through ever-evolving beauty standards, sexism, or the pressure to undergo cosmetic procedures, it all stems from a deep-rooted patriarchal issue.

Queer Undertones and the Concept of Limerence

This story also explores the idea of homoerotic friendships.

This subject explains the complexities of human connection and how an intense emotional dependency can rapidly intertwine with your emotional/mental wellbeing.

Commitment

This story explores commitment in many different terms, love being one of them.

How far can someone's commitment go, even when they are aware that it comes at the cost of others? & Is it justified in the name of passion?

Perfection

Ballet embodies the relentless pursuit to achieve perfection and the sacrifices it demands.

This story examines it from the lens of someone striving to attain perfection, after recognising their own wasted potential.

Moodboards

FUNDING

Where will your contributions go?

To bring Balletomane to life with the artistic depth and production quality it deserves, we are dedicating 100% of the funds raised to both pre-production and production costs. In order to do justice to this story, we are relying on the generosity of our supporters to help us cover the remaining costs, in order to create independent filmmaking.

A significant portion of our raised budget,1500£, will go towards covering various logistical aspects of this production.

This includes:

Location Fees

A significant portion of the story takes place in a beautiful mirrored ballet studio, which is essential to portray the film’s environment.

Transportation

Transportation is a key part of any film production. Your contributions will help cover the costs of safely delivering rented equipment to set, as well as ensuring our cast and crew can travel to and from the location reliably and on time.

Equipment Rentals

To achieve certain shots and sound scapes, our crew is in need of professional equipment, which can only be accessed through renting. Examples of this includes camera lenses, a dolly for smooth motion shots or special types of lighting setups.

Production Design

The rest of the raised funds will be poured into our creative departments, such as the costume department, which plays a vital role in bringing the characters to life.

The Impact

By supporting “Balletomane”, you help bring an independent film to life. A film that highlights universal struggles and introduces you to new voices.

Your backing makes a real difference by helping us:

Amplify an emerging Filmmaker – You are giving a platform to an emerging storyteller/filmmaker, that is just at the start of their career.

Unlike mainstream studio films, indie projects focus on character-driven stories that are unique to the filmmaker itself. Your contribution helps us share a new narrative within the film world.

Promote Mental Well-Being – The film explores the importance of putting yourself first, protecting your mental health and staying true to your own boundaries/goals.

Create Opportunities for New Talent – From Cast to Crew, your support opens doors for passionate creatives trying to break into the industry, providing them with real set experience and the chance to expand their portfolios further.

What happens if we exceed our fundraising goal?

If we are fortunate enough to receive more funding than anticipated, every additional pound will be invested into our festival campaign. These funds will help cover submission fees and associated costs for entering Balletomane into national film festivals. This is an essential step in sharing this story to a wider audience and gaining recognition for the incredible team behind this film.

Every contribution, no matter how big or small, directly supports the creative people and resources behind bringing “Balletomane” to the screen. This project means the world to me and with your generosity, it brings us one step closer to achieving this dream!

Thank you for taking your time to read about my Graduation Project and for any donation given by you!

With Love,

Eva Matzinger