Painkiller Short Film - Directorial Debut by Zelda Barnz

What is 'Painkiller' about?

Alone in a bathroom, two people seek closure as they prepare to part ways. Painkiller is about paths crossing and uncrossing, and what happens when we find the right person at the wrong time.

OUR CREW

Zelda Barnz is a writer from Los Angeles, California. She wrote and created the HBOMax original series Generation, and she’s currently studying English at Yale University. Painkiller will be Zelda’s first directing role.

Navia Robinson is a Creative Arts Emmy Award-nominated actress. For her work in television (including Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning Free Rein and Max’s Gotham Knights), Robinson has been twice featured in Variety Magazine’s Power of Young Hollywood Report, along with nods in Elle Magazine and The Hollywood Reporter.

Olivia Upton, originally from Massachusetts, is a dynamic production manager and producer currently based in Los Angeles, California. As a graduate of the Los Angeles Film School, Olivia has helped create nearly 30 productions, including shorts, commercials, and music videos. She is the resident producer at hrvst films, a production company dedicated to shaping culture through film.

Darsh is a cinematographer from Navsari, India, who is currently working professionally in Los Angeles, California. Inspired by the sheer power of a camera – and its ability to craft and change pervasive narratives – Darsh founded hrvst films alongside Olivia Upton.

OUR CAST

Chloe was born in San Clemente, California. She began dancing at 2 1/2 and at 10 she was cast in the role of Gloria in Fredrick Knott's "Wait Until Dark" in Newport Beach. Following that she then made her television debut in the hit HBO Series True Blood (2008) playing Sheriff Andy's daughter. She can be seen as Jessica Darling in the feature film Jessica Darling's It List (2016) on Netflix, as well as Val on Disney's Liv and Maddie (2013). At 15 she played Willow Green on Antoine Fuqua's new original series Ice (2016) with Cam Gigandet, Ray Winstone, and Donald Sutherland. She was then cast as a series regular on ABC's Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (2017) as Reese, and as Naomi on HBO Max's Generation. Chloe played Monica in Steven Spielberg's Oscar nominated film, The Fabelman's. Chloe’s upcoming films include Atropia & A24's film Heretic alongside Hugh Grant.

Adrien is an American and French actor born and raised in the UK, and currently graduating from Yale University, where he held lead acting roles and toured 24 countries as baritone and MC of the Whiffenpoofs. His 200+ performances garnered national attention. By the time he was twelve, he had recorded as the young James Corden in One Chance (2013), concerts at the Barbican, campaigns with Saatchi & Saatchi, and leading musical theatre roles with the National Youth Music Theatre. His recent film experience includes Babylon (2022), where his standout featured background work earned him a SAG-AFTRA membership, Trevor Nunn's Red Joan (2018), and principal roles in short films like Posse of Ants (2022) and Masala Eggs (2024). His recent theatre work, inspired by his 1-on-1 masterclass with Adrian Lester, includes Billy Flynn in Yale's production of CHICAGO (2024), Joe in ANGELS IN AMERICA (2024), and Claudius in HAMLET (2023)

Jordi Bertrán Ramírez is a Mexican-American actor born and raised in San Diego, California. He found a love for theater at a young age and began his professional career at the age of 10. For five years, Jordi worked consistently in renowned regional theaters, including the Old Globe Theater and Lambs Player’s Theater, coming of age in the San Diego theater scene. At 17, Jordi began his studies at Yale University, pursuing a double major in the History of Science & Medicine and Theater Studies. During his time at Yale, Jordi tackled an expansive range of theatrical roles, his most notable including Billy in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, The Emcee in Cabaret, Melchior in Spring Awakening, B in Sanctuary City, and Prior in Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, which served as his thesis in acting for the Theater Studies degree. For his work, Jordi received the Louis Sudler Prize, awarded to two graduating seniors who demonstrated excellence of highest standards of proficiency in the creative and performing arts. He moves to New York in August to pursue acting full-time.

Incentives

As a thank you for your support & assistance in the creation of our film, those who donate will receive special rewards just to show how much we care. All incentives will be rewarded after our films wrap, and a producer will be in touch with you personally.

$25 - For contributing $25+, you will receive a thank you video from our cast!

$50 - For contributing $50+, you will receive early trailer access!

$100 - For contributing $100+, you will receive one ticket to our early access digital screening!

$1,000 - For contributing $1,000+ you will receive an Associate Producer credit in our end credits & on IMDb! With this, you will receive all rewards from tiers 1-3!

$2,500 - For contributing $2,500+, you will receive an Executive Producer credit in our end credits & on IMDb! You will receive open set access & attendance to any shooting days. You will also receive all rewards from tiers 1-3!

Our Timeline

Preparation & Fundraising: May - Early June 2024

Pre-Production: Early June 2024

Production: Mid-June 2024

Post Production: Late June - Early September 2024

How You Are Contributing

Your support will assist our production in the expenses necessary to bring this story to life. Expenses that include equipment rental, cast and crew catering, production design, transportation costs, costuming, etc.!

Small or large, your contribution will matter greatly. Your support – through donation and/or sharing via word of mouth or social media – is integral to our film and deeply appreciated by our cast and crew alike. Each dollar donated will be spent meticulously with an emphasis on maximizing its value and ensuring that not a cent goes by wasted or unaccounted for.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting our endeavor. We can’t do it without *you*!

**We do not own the rights of any of the photos featured in this campaign**