"VIVIAN" SHORTFILM

WE ARE MAKING A SHORT FILM!

"VIVIAN"

THE STORY

Vivian is a young Taiwanese American medical student at Bowman Gray Hospital, North Carolina. One weekend, she takes a bus to a women's health conference in Charlotte. She is sitting alone on the completely empty bus when a strange man asks if the seat beside her is available.

Why are we making this short film?

Hi! I'm An-Li.

I'm an actor, writer and first-time filmmaker. If you’re reading this you’re probably a friend or loved one. So first of all, thank you for being here. Whether you are able to contribute to this project or not, your support has already brought me to where I am today and I could not be more grateful. And since you know me, you probably also know that, in a decade of pursuing a creative career, you can usually find me in front of the camera… or behind the bar. That said, it has always been a dream of mine to direct my own projects.

There are a lot of ups and downs in the artistic field. If you’re a creative (or you love the creatives in your life) you probably also know what a privilege it is to get to tell a story that is your own. That feels particularly true, to me. Growing up, belonging was always a struggle, and while I found great solace in art and artists from many backgrounds, it was difficult to find stories that felt like they were from my own life and history.

This is what has motivated me to write and direct. While there is a lot of creative agency to be found as an actor, you are often a part of someone else’s story. In order to work, you are typically at the mercy of others' timelines, budget and creative vision. It’s a wonderful lesson in surrender and my education in filmmaking has come from simply observing what is going on around me. "VIVIAN" is my optimistic next step in storytelling. And it seemed only naturally to begin this journey with a personal story that comes directly from my family.

I always loved the story of how my parents met; as strangers on a bus, with nothing in common but their destination. For me, it seemed incredibly romantic and embodied all the characteristics of a classic meet-cute. To this day, my parents still remain deeply loyal to one another, while at the same time… being extremely different people.

As I’ve grown older (and the slightest bit wiser in regards to adult relationships) I’ve begun to suspect there may have been one other essential ingredient to my parents' first meeting that I never considered.

...It was probably pretty awkward.

It was North Carolina in the 90’s. My mom was twenty five at the time, exhausted by her third year in medical school and in many ways isolated by her race and gender. My dad was a forty year old lawyer, who sat next to her...in order to avoid sitting next to someone else. The odds of their connecting really could have gone either way. This is what makes their story even more special to me; that an entire future (my future!) was unknowingly negotiated inside those awkward pauses and shy smiles.

We are so quick to feel alone, so quick to feel rejected. It is no wonder that more than often, we put our headphones in, close ourselves off to strangers, and deny the opportunities of the unknown. Especially if humiliation is at stake.

My parents' story represents something very simple and essential about human relationships that I believe we could all benefit from remembering. Beneath our confident, independent exteriors, we are all delicate beings in need of grace. And that grace can be delivered in the smallest gesture of acceptance from a stranger. Sometimes our most transformational and life defining moments begin clumsily and without expectation. Connection is always possible, even between the most opposite of people, if curiosity and tenderness are involved.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION MATTERS

"VIVIAN" is a simple story; a two person scene in a single location. The idea was to create an effective story within our limited resources, focusing on performances and emotional arch over visual effects and scale.

You will be helping a young group of filmmakers achieve our creative goals, add to our portfolios (an essential part of booking other paid work in the industry) and share an honest and empathetic portrayal of human connection, in a time when it is sorely needed.

In independent filmmaking, everyone, from producers to production assistants to actors, has chosen to be here. Our team is made up of friends and connections built over years of working in the industry. Many are professionals who are accepting a lower than average rate, in order to work on this project, motivated by a belief that small time cinema, done thoughtfully and sincerely can make a big impact.

You are an essential part of this dream. Thank you for supporting the pursuit of our careers in arts and entertainment.

WHAT WE NEED

-high quality equipment ($2,500)

-art production and costumes ($1000)

-one-day rental of a bus ($3,000)

-fair pay for cast and crew ($6,000)

-providing meals on set ($1,000)

EVERY CENT COUNTS

No amount is too small. Every dollar is deeply appreciated.

Especially on a low-budget project like this.

Your average festival-standard short film can cost anywhere from $15,000... all the way up to $80,000 (or higher) We are trying to make ours for much less, using creative solutions and favors in every department to cut costs. It is with the help of friends family and supporters of the arts that we hope to raise our goal by our shoot day August 9th.

If you find you are unable to contribute at this time, no worries! You may also be an artist trying to make your own project :) It means the world to us that you’re here, taking the time to learn about the project. If you feel so inclined, share it with someone else you know who may be interested or inspired to contribute! Getting the word out is equally helpful in making the dream come true.

TEAM

CAST

VANESSA TAI: LEAD ACTOR

Vanessa Tai is an architect, designer and first time actor.

Misha Brooks: LEAD ACTOR

Misha Brooks is an actor from Berkeley, California currently based in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a BFA in in Theater from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

He can most recently be seen in Players (Paramount+), Loot (Apple TV+), and Italian Studies (Apple TV+). He can next be seen in the upcoming film The Best You Can with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.

An-Li Bogan: DIRECTOR

Sarah Greenbaum: CINEMATOGRAPHER

Classical training in painting lay the groundwork for Greenbaum’s sensitive and incisive approach to cinematography. She studied film at the Kanbar School of Film and Television at NYU, where, among other accolades she was awarded the Volker Bahnemann ARRI Award for Outstanding Cinematography, and the Christopher B. Smithers Grant for outstanding documentary.

Greenbaum has collaborated on numerous commercial and narrative film projects in the United States and abroad. Her work has been screened at festivals including SXSW, Palm Springs Shortfest, Hollyshorts, Seattle International Film Festival, Film at Lincoln Center, Seattle International Film Festival, Film at Lincoln Center and others. She currently teaches at NYU and is based in New York City.

She currently teaches at NYU and is based in New York City.

FLOOR 1 : PRODUCERS

Ian M Adelson

Is an award-winning American director, and former associate producer of the Apple TV+ series, DICKINSON. Adelson’s films have screened worldwide in Oscar-qualifying film festivals and streaming, while his music videos have garnered over 10 million views online. Between directing and producing, recent selections include the San Francisco International Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival, Hollyshorts Festival in Los Angeles and winning Best Documentary Short at the Bushwick Film Festival in New York City.

RJ Brown

Is an actor and filmmaker living in Brooklyn, NY. As an actor he can be found on HBO, CBS, NBC, CW and most recently as Caleb in Netflix's 13 REASONS WHY. He shares his passion as a filmmaker at Floor 1 Productions and is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.