Give Teens Role Models of Resiliency

HELLO! Thanks for your interest! For the most recent update and to donate to our 2nd (and final!) GFM campaign, please go to:

https://gofund.me/93a085ec

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Help these trailblazers share their wisdom so that the next generation can navigate their own paths…

 

I’m making a short documentary film that highlights lessons of resilience and tenacity so teens understand that they, too, can pursue areas of interest where they don’t fit the traditional demographic. I’ll be interviewing three extraordinary women who have become pioneers in their craft because they began their studies at a time when only men performed in their artistic niches.

 

Meet the artists:

 

 

Edna Vazquez, Mariachi Guitar Player & Singer

Watch her perform here.

(photo credit: Betsy Hernandez, Hollywood Forever, LA)

Anajli Hursh, DJ & Bhangra and Bollywood Dancer/Teacher

Here's an example of her dancing bhangra!

(photo/henna credit: Wendy Rover @ Roving Horse Henna)

 

 

Brenna McDonald, Flamenco Guitar Player

She is playing guitar on the right in this video.

(photo credit: Mirifoto)

 

The filming will take place in Portland, Oregon over the course of 2 days in February and I will ask them questions such as:

 

 

The resulting short film, which is temporarily being called The Trifecta Movie Project, will be distributed at no cost to public schools, counselors, social workers, youth organizations, local cable channels, and social media. I intend to outline concrete, realistic tools these role models learned from their hard-earned experiences. The ultimate goal is for viewers to begin their own journeys in pushing past obstacles. I have a particular interest in reaching teens who are considered gender or racial minorities in the fields of their pursuit.

 

I’m proud to say we have an all-female production team that also includes teen film students. The film will be captioned, audio-described, and interpreted into American Sign Language as well.

 

The Production Team

 

Lindsey Bangsberg (Director of Photography & Lighting)

 

 

Jill Murphy Long (Producer, Monitor of All Things Important and General Glue to the Project)

 

 

Linda Wong (Make Up Artist)

 

 

Celina Flores (BTS Photographer)

 

 

Ali Ray Perrin  (Director) That’s ME!!

 

 

 

Budget

The musical artists and I are donating our time as a gift of love to the community, so this GoFundMe page is about raising funds to pay the production team and production costs. We are being minimalistic in our approach and we will use your gifts prudently. As stated before, no one will be charged to watch this film.

 

Development $350

Production Team, Equipment, Venues $2,600

COVID safety during filming $225

Insurance for filming $524

Post Production Editing and Titles $2,100

GoFundMe transaction fees $160

= $5,959

 

Timeline

We’ll follow the timeline to the best of our abilities, given the unpredictable state of the world right now. Currently, the timeline looks like:

February 2022 Interviews will be filmed

March 2022 Post Production will begin

Fall/Winter 2022 Film will be distributed

 

We will also keep a “green” set by asking everyone to bring their own reusable water bottles & coffee cups.

 

 

******* NOW THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE DETAILS, WANT TO HEAR THE COOLEST PART OF THIS PROJECT? *******

 

One night I had a VERY vivid dream, the kind where you feel like you are there and you feel fully awake. In my dream I saw three women (you guessed it) on a stage that was familiar to me. I have purchased tickets to watch each perform individually , but never before in the same location at the same time, so this experience was new to me. Rays of light and an invigorating sense of power were emanating from the stage out towards the audience, where I was sitting.

My alarm went off and abruptly took me away from the dream. I woke up with a smile on my face as I recalled the details, and, as a mother, I contemplated the wisdom this trifecta likely possesses- wisdom that can be shared with today’s teenagers. Many research projects have shown significant enhancements in the lives of young people who have been influenced by positive role models. These include, among others, better physical and mental health, more fulfilling career and identity development, psychosocial stability, and political engagement.

 

So, the dream was inspiring, but it’s the next part that really took my breath away. After a typical, unremarkable work day, I went to a small venue to watch a friend’s band perform. After standing there for a few minutes, I turned my head to the left and:

EDNA WAS STANDING NEXT TO ME.

You can imagine my surprise! Up to this point, I had only seen her from the vantage point of being in an audience, but now we were looking eye to eye. I somehow found the courage to tell her she had been in my dream the night before, to which she replied, “Tell me. What was I doing?” Five minutes later, I was staring at her agent’s business card in my hand, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

 

~ That was five years ago. The journey to where the project is today has been a serendipitous series of coincidences after goosebump-inducing coincidences. This film WANTS to be made and their hard-earned lessons want to be shared and NEED to be shared.

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Please consider gifting to this project, no amount is too small.

If that isn’t an option for you, will you help us get the word out?

It would mean a lot to all of us if you would share the link with people who are also passionate about supporting inquisitive, under-served teens.

 

 

I thank you abundantly for your time and your consideration,

 

Ali Ray Perrin

Filmmaker

 

 

FYI: If mailing a check is a better option for you, direct gifts can be written to The Trifecta Movie Project and mailed to:

 

Attn: Ali Ray Perrin

℅ The Trifecta Movie Project

5010 SE Foster Rd, #86826

Portland, OR 97206

 

P.S. If you know someone who would like to share our film, at no cost, with their school or association, please send me an email and I will notify you as soon as it’s completed.

You can also watch for updates on social media at TrifectaMovieProject on Instagram and Trifecta Movie Project on Facebook

Thanks for your support!

photo credits for profile pictures:

Anjali's cover photo: Mercy Menab

Edna's photo: Sofie VonTrapp