Help us Bring THE SOUND BETWEEN film to life!

My name is Isabella Dominguez. I am a Colombian-American filmmaker, actress, and dancer based in New York City. Currently, I’m raising funds to bring my NYU Thesis film The Sound Between to life — and I’m hopeful I can gather the support needed to make it happen.

The Sound Between is the most important project of my career so far —

a culmination of everything I’ve explored creatively and personally. It brings together the elements closest to my heart: dance, music, performance, and family, while shining a light on Alzheimer’s — not just as a disease, but as a shared experience of love, loss, and memory. Through this film, I hope to raise awareness, foster empathy, and offer support to those affected by it.

With this campaign, we’re looking to build not only an audience but a community of like-minded, supportive individuals who believe that making films — while challenging — is one of the most meaningful artistic endeavors we have as humans. If this project speaks to you, we’d be so grateful if you could donate even a small amount and share it with your network. The more people who know about The Sound Between, the more likely we are to connect with contributors and make the best film possible.

And if you know anyone who would be excited to support a filmmaker bringing their first professional short film to life — one focused on telling complicated, honest, human stories — this campaign is for them!

Penelope, a former dancer now grappling with Alzheimer’s, relives fragments of her youth as her daughter Olivia helps her pack up their family home.

A forgotten record player awakens vivid flashbacks of Penelope’s complicated relationship with her mentor, Marko, during her years as a dancer in the 70s, and the sacrifices she made for her art and forbidden love.

As the lines between past and present blur, Olivia uncovers a secret that reshapes her understanding of her mother. In piecing together the reasons for their fractured relationship, Olivia must confront her own fears of repeating Penelope’s mistakes. Through music and memory, The Sound Between unfolds a story of ambition, heartbreak, and the fragile hope of mending generational wounds.

Locations

Multiple locations will need to be rented including the dance studio for key performances and rehearsals, an audition room for pivotal scenes, a fake hospital room for emotional depth, and additional locations to enhance authenticity. Funds will cover rental fees, permits, and set dressing to bring these spaces to life.

Cast

We are hiring SAG-AFTRA actors, ensuring fair pay for their talent and commitment. Donations will cover day rates, transportation, and meals to support a professional and dedicated cast.

Equipment

We will rent cameras, lenses, lighting, and grip equipment from a local production house. These tools will help with our film’s 70s aesthetic and offer a cinematic look as well as stabilize movement for the choreographed moments.

Production Design & Props

The film's 1970s inspiration requires a plethora of furniture, décor, and props like record players, rotary phones, and magazines. We will curate these items from different marketplaces and rent from prop houses to to help with aiding the project’s authenticity.

Costumes

Wardrobe includes era-appropriate dance attire, from leotards to bell-bottoms. Donations will cover rentals, purchases, and fittings to bring the period to life.

Choreography

Dance is central to the film. We are hiring a dance ensemble and choreographer, meaning that compensating them for rehearsals and shooting is needed and will ensure performances are polished and period-accurate.

Campaign Items

Funds will go toward promotional materials, including posters, BTS content, and marketing efforts to generate excitement and expand our audience reach.

Food

Feeding a 30-person crew daily is a major expense. A hot meal keeps everyone energized and focused, so funds will cover catering, snacks, and drinks to maintain a productive set.

Transportation

We will rent a cargo van for equipment and crew, plus cover train fares and gas to ensure everyone arrives on time. Reliable transportation is crucial for a smooth shoot.

Media Allocation

With large amounts of footage, we need dedicated hard drives for secure storage and backups. This ensures all footage is safely preserved for post-production.

Overnight Parking

Finding safe parking for the equipment van and crew vehicles overnight is an added cost, necessary to protect our gear and ensure accessibility for the next day’s shoot.

Editing

Editing is where a film finds another life and investing in professional editing to ensure the story is told with precision and impact is important.

Color

Color grading enhances the film’s 70s aesthetic, refining the look and feel. Funds will cover a colorist and high-quality post-production software to achieve the right tone.

Post Sound

Clear, immersive sound design is key. Donations will cover sound mixing, dialogue cleanup, and foley work to ensure professional-quality audio.

Score

Music drives this film’s emotion and storytelling. We are hiring a composer to craft a powerful, original score that seamlessly connects flashbacks and memories.

Festival Distribution

Submitting to top-tier festivals is essential but costly. With fees ranging from $50 to $150 per festival, donations help us submit widely, gain exposure, and secure distribution opportunities.

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Every contribution brings us closer to delivering a high-quality film—thank you for your support!

You can also help spread the word via social media—every share helps us reach a wider audience!