I am fundraising $2,000 for shooting a dance sequence in my passion project film, Tuning In. Please read more for details and thanks for donating!

Logline: Shani, a young woman who wants to escape her anxieties through old classic musicals, finds a new escape through a jazz radio DJ.

While in isolation, Shani turns to the radio to escape her social anxieties. Shani finds solace as an avid listener of Simone’s set, Tuning In, featured on a local jazz radio station. Her connection with Simone offers an escape from loneliness in this whimsical portrayal of an innocent parasocial relationship.

Parasocial Relationship: Involving or relating to a connection between a person and someone they do not know personally.

Shani finds belonging in her unrequited admiration with Simone as we invite our viewer into Shani’s imagination through the lens of a Fred Astaire-style Hollywood dream sequence. They share a dance number taking inspiration from Hollywood's Golden Age of film.

We all share experiences of loneliness throughout our life. This feeling can be beaten if we can understand how many connections we share with one another. It is possible to be alone without the feeling of heartache. This is a feeling that anyone who has ever followed a radio station can understand.

Hello, my name is Hayden Garratt, writer and director of Tuning In. As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be behind a camera. As the middle child, I was sandwiched between a thespian/traveling nomad older sister and a passionately loud musical younger brother. My solace and escape was and still is my imagination, books and movies. I have made this desire a reality by working in film/tv all around the world.

I have worked as a Director of Photography and Editor in documentaries and commercials as well as in the art department as a set decorator in the Amazing Race and various other reality television shows. Indieknot Films, the production company I co-founded, has gained recent notoriety by international film festivals (among them Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival, Berlin Sci-Fi Film Festival, Best Independent International Film Festival, and American Documentary and Animation Film Festival). I also co-host a podcast named “Haven’t Made It Yet”. Our guests share specifics about their jobs and career pathways in the film industry. Find us on Instagram @indieknot_films

Tuning In is a passion project that hits close to home. As someone who relates with Shani’s social anxieties, I felt the need to explore my own struggles with loneliness and the outlets I’ve used to shift my perspective and energy to a more positive mindset.

Thank you for supporting this project! We can't wait to show off our wonderfully talented cast and crew. For frequent updates on this project, follow Indieknot Films on Instagram: @indieknot_films

You'll also get to see other projects we've worked on such as Tendon, a sci-fi cosmic horror, and Paisano Overhang, a climbing documentary. We'll be sharing updates on Tuning In throughout our podcast, Haven't Made it Yet. Listen to Haven't Made it Yet on Youtube or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Keep Tuning In for more!

Here's How you Can Help!

We understand that not all of us are able to contribute financially, but there are still ways you can offer your support. Share this link with your friends and family. We'll offer a couple template messages you can use on Instagram!

We appreciate your support!