LOGLINE

In pursuit of proving his talent, an actor who’s been laid off, takes the time to reflect on himself and how to form his own identity apart from the roles that he’s played.

WHY THIS STORY

It all began with a simple question: Who are we when all that we have worked for has been stripped away?

Hard work and sacrifice.

It has consumed the life of John Ralphio, whose worth has only ever been defined by his success. Relentless, he pushes himself toward psychological extremes through method acting.

In this way, LINES aims to shed light on the risks of method acting and the impact it can have on the health and well-being of actors.

Hence, why I believe it is a story worth telling. Because it’s not just about those who have been affected, but to anyone who has ever risked their health in the pursuit of success.

MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR

LINES was born from a fear I know intimately. The fear that if one opportunity doesn’t work out, it means you were never meant to be there at all.

As an aspiring screenwriter and intended Film & Media major at the University of California, Berkeley, storytelling has always been the way I process ambition, self-worth, and the pressure to prove oneself in creative spaces. But in choosing this path, I have often been dealt with the constant pressure to justify my choice in pursuing this work.

I have spent years navigating a cycle of “no’s”, questioning whether failure meant I wasn’t cut out for a career in film and whether choosing my degree was the right choice.

Those doubts became the emotional foundation of LINES.

The film follows an actor who ties his worth so tightly to his craft that losing a role feels like losing himself. While rooted in the world of performance, the story reflects a broader truth about ambition: how easily passion can become self-destructive when success feels like the only proof of legitimacy.

After countless rejections, LINES became my first “yes” when I pitched it to the Business and Film Association at Berkeley.

That moment was more than approval. It was validation that this story deserved to be told.

However, despite the creative support behind the project, funding has not been guaranteed, placing the film on the verge of uncertainty. I am determined not to let that happen.

This proof of concept represents more than a film. It represents perseverance in the face of uncertainty and belief in a story that speaks to the emotional cost of chasing success. With your support, LINES can move from an idea shaped by doubt into a fully realized project grounded in purpose and hope.

Your contribution helps make this “yes” real and allows this story to exist for anyone who has ever questioned whether they were enough to keep going.

Please help save this story.

Whether through a contribution, a share, or simply taking the time to read this message, your support means more than words can express, and I am endlessly grateful to share this journey with you.

Warmly,

Deziree Padilla

Writer and Director,

Wondertainment Films

“To be perfect is to remember that even the greatest characters have flaws.” - LINES