Indigenous Film Student Senior Capstone Project

Hello Everyone,

 

My name is Rainie Jones and I'm currently a full-time film student at Arizona State University. I am in my Senior year of college and will be graduating in the Fall of 2022. As film students, we are required to put together a 10-minute short film for our final project. We will start the production of this film on April 15th until April 18th. If this project is successful, it can open many opportunities for my crew and I. This project may help lead us into our future careers and get the exposure needed to be in the film industry.

 

About Me:

Ya’át’ééh.

Shí éí Totsohnii nishłį́ dóó Bitahni báshíshchíín. Naałání dashicheii dóó Táchii’nii dashinálí. Rainie Jones yinishyé.

Hello, my name is Rainie Jones. I'm from Shiprock, New Mexico, and an enrolled tribal member of the Navajo Nation. I'm currently majoring in Film and Media Production on the Directing track. I'm also minoring in American Indian Studies. My main career goal is to write and direct various types of Indigenous films. I hope to defy the stereotypes of Native Americans in film by telling real stories. I hope to inspire other Indigenous people to do the same. 

 

About the Film:

A young female college student named Nabaahii's relationship suddenly ends and she is forced to move back home to the Navajo Reservation. She does not quarantine when she comes back and instead she goes out and catches Covid-19. Then, she is forced to remain in isolation for 14 days. She is at an all-time low experiencing heartbreak, depression, insomnia, and other external and internal conflicts. She overcomes this through learning to love herself and heal mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

 

Why I need funding?

Believe it or not, a short 10-minute film can cost a lot of money. Since my crew is all college students, it makes funding more difficult. I will also be searching and applying for grants. I do not make much money as I'm a full-time college student and my crew is also working part and full-time jobs to make ends meet. In addition, my crew has convened and they want to go to my hometown and film in New Mexico! New Mexico is known for its scenery and various filming locations. This will also make the story much more authentic and true. It could help Indigenous exposure through local businesses, artists, creatives, actors, and much more!

 

This film requires various things such as equipment, cast, costuming, traveling expenses such as gas, food, and hotels, location rights, music rights, craft services, insurance, and more. There is a lot that goes into making a short film but it would be worth it in the end if the budget is reasonably good sized.

 

Hopes For this Project

 

I want this project to be successful because I have put so much time and dedication into this piece. It is an Indigenous story that most people have never heard before or even been exposed to. I want to spread awareness about my Navajo community, their issues, and the struggles they went through when Covid-19 hit harshly. So if you're interested in helping Isolation come to life, join me by supporting my project here!

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. We greatly appreciate it.

If you want more information please follow our [email redacted]m.isolation