Edible - short film

Who?
Hi, I’m Kandis . I am a writer/director/part-time psychic/ and aspiring DJ. I identify as a black queer witch. I studied creative writing at GA State University; Film, Teaching, and Entrepreneurship at Temple University.  For the past for years I’ve been working as a production coordinator at Dreamworks Animation. Projects include: Trolls, Captain Underpants, Trolls World Tour, and currently working on Boss Baby 2. I also assist part-time at a small documentary company, Night Fire Films. 

I moved to LA with 2 weeks of clothing and $8.75, virtually nothing, and no one for a local support system. I’ve been living in LA going on 6 years now, with my cats Diddy and Jaguar. I’ve been able to build community through work, yoga, tarot, the arts, DJing, and queer dance parties. I spend as much time as I can at the beach and out in nature. 

What?
Edible  is a short psychological drama about Celeste and her girlfriend Sara, who move to LA together to pursue their dreams. Celeste is a filmmaker and Sara is a med student from the Middle East. After a tough week, the couple tries an edible marijuana cookie. As the evening progresses, fear and paranoia take over, fueled by family secrets and a stark language barrier, leading the girls on a downward spiral.

It is based on the true story of my transition to LA in 2014 (before marijuana was decriminalized), and the tumultuous relationship I had entered with a girl from Saudi Arabia. The film explores themes like: isolation, trust, identity, sexuality, loss of control. But this is more than a short film. This is a social impact campaign directly supporting artists and filmmakers during a crisis.  

When?
I am aiming to shoot in May, as soon as the campaign ends and everything is in place. 

Where?
The film will be shot on location in LA. In real life the incident took place at the Orsini downtown. My goal is to rent the location from someone in my community who lives there and whose job has been affected by coronavirus. 

Why (now)?
That night and the relationship as a whole was very traumatic for me. Reflecting more deeply, there is a lot of fear, guilt, and shame I am working through around all of my romantic relationships at this time. (Saturn enter my first house Aquarius, Jupiter and Pluto in my 12th house, Capricorn) it’s a lot to unpack and telling this story, especially under these unique circumstances is a way to offer healing to myself and my community.   

I am a proponent of turning a perceived disadvantage or challenge into a strength, like the magician in tarot.The quarantine contributes to the feelings of isolation and cultural divides explored in the film. We can take advantage of the slow down and the quiet landscape in LA and I want to act fast, to employ those in my community being affected during this unprecedented time. 

How?
Filmmaking is already a strategic practice, and will have to be even more so with the quarantine in place. The film will shoot over 3 days with 10 people or less on set each day.  We’ll have to get really creative as the full cast is 5 people, although the majority of the film focuses on the two girls.

I anticipate hiring a DP, a camera assistant, a sound person, someone to set up lights, hair and make up, a production designer, a production assistant, and a rockstar that can double as an AD/Producer of all trades.  

My initial goal was to raise 33K, since I’m 33 years old, but that seems unfeasible as our economy has all but grinded to a halt. Still, trying to focus on the possibilities instead of perceived limitations I decided to raise half now $16500 in order to get through the shoot, then do a WIP screening/fundraiser at a later date to get through post production. 

I am setting up a go fund me since time is of the essence. At this point I don’t have many perks to offer, but those will be developing as the weeks progress.

This is truly a defining moment where every single one of us is being affected and faced with a choice. One thing that the COVID-19 has illuminated is that we are all connected. We cannot get through life without supporting each other. Our old ways are unsustainable, and so many of us were excluded from basic human rights. Our future does not have to be this way.

Without a doubt I would not be here without the support of my family, friends, and loved ones.  Once again I am asking for your support. Please donate what you can, and share this message widely. Help me make a difference in my life and the lives of those I love. Borrowing from BRIC, together we can break, reinvent, and impact change! 

Thank you so much

Stay Golden!

Love,
Kandis