seismic

Two artists grapple with their place in a constantly shifting society where systems are broken down and new realities and possibilities are forged. 



seismic is a short film documenting the lived experience of two artists from New York City amidst the era of the COVID-19.

Pandemic. After being publicly humiliated on twitter, Ashton, sets out to rid himself of inbreed ignorance. At the same time, Ventiko discovers the power of self-determination within chaos. The odd pairing sets out to create an art film to help them express their inner battles within a historical period of the United States. Along with the country, Ashton and Ventiko come to terms with their pasts as they envision the path forward. 



seismic highlights marginalized, frequently Othered, Gay, Non-binary, Trans, Black, White, Brown, Muslim, Jewish, and other lived experiences that enrich and nourish understanding and acceptance of our collective humanity.
seismic showcases the authentic truth of the day to day, to counter fabricated realities on social platforms and in the news.

Dialogue has been developed collaboratively emphasizing self-autonomy. During a time of constant bombardment of falsehoods and propaganda challenging the mainstream narrative is more important than ever.

Our stories are interwoven and interlaced as we collectively navigate what we accept as reality. 


WE NEED HELP

We’re turning to the community to become a collaborator in our project. We’re raising $7,400 in support to rent camera equipment, compensate talent currently out of work, and implement CDC safety standards:


$4,500 Camera Equipment and Crew, including PPE for all crew and talent
(Main Goal) 

$2,400 Talent (Stretch Goal)

$500 Donation to TransGender Law Center  (transgenderlawcenter.org)


DONATION TIERS:

$10+.............................thank you!!

$20+............................thank  you + film credit

$50+............................the above + exclusive instagram updates  (close friends, but you know we mean besties)

$100+..........................the above + producer credit

ALL donations above $50 will receive a private link to the finished film. 

*GoFundMe does not allow for any reward higher than $100. If you do donate at a higher level, first THANK YOU and second we will be in touch with credits such as executive producer for donations over $500 and a special social distanced surprise for donations over $1000. 


THANK YOU for being the village, thank you for supporting our voices.


THE CREATORS: 
Ventiko  is Brooklyn based conceptual artist working as an image maker, performance artist and social practitioner. Her first art film 꿈을 깨어 (Waking Dream), debuted at PULSE PLAY at Pulse Art Fair, Miami 2017 and won Best Experimental FIlm during the Cinemakers Berlin Biennial, 2018.  Her works have been experienced internationally in galleries, museums and on the street in London, Barcelona, Italy, Dominican Republic, Serbia, Korea and the States. 

Andrew Niklas Curtis  creates realities. 
He has worked with organizations, museums and the DOT to introduce and provide access to immersive events in public spaces (pre-COVID). He currently is exploring the development of fabricated realities on social media platforms. For seismic he has created the digital performance of Ashton Eames which allows for further investigation into alternative realities. 

THE CREATIVES:
Leo Caldwell
Leo is a trans person from middle America who embodies roaring femininity and tender masculinity. Through the art of digital and in-person storytelling, he helps organizations and individuals empathetically create an inclusive environment
for LGBTQ+ people. 

Catherine Corcoran 
Professional Shakespearean actress whose abilities often go unappreciated as she is consistently offered roles that exemplify, sexist female film tropes.

Kevin Darmanie 
Born in Trinidad & Tobago, Darmanie is a figurative painter whose work explores intersections in media and paint implicated by his relationships both personal and societal. As an extension of his practice, he is exploring performative interventions. 

Gypsy 
Gypsy is on an aspirational and apocryphal journey to a better place for us all. Using aerial art, the outdoors, gender and presentation, and wide angle vision to build a portal to share and connect heart and mind with this world, the cis world, and the world of spirits.

Firas Harith 
As if existing as a Queer, Muslim immigrant isn’t hard enough, Firas is a musician and dreamer in recovery who joins the trip to Los Angeles as
an attempt to decolonize his brain while simultaneously resolving his writer’s block.

Echo He
Dreamer, doer and believer in possibilities, Echo is the founder of Fou Gallery and a community creator.

Auntie Freckle 
A character creation of method actor Jason Green, Auntie Freckle has become an internet sensation full of wisdom and insight with a keen ability to deliver a deadpan retort.

J’royce Jata 
Inspired by the energy of human connection J’royce channels the universe into full body and soul expression. 

Sara Z Meghdari 
An Iranian-American interdisciplinary artist who creates narratives that transcend and complicate difference and are a reflection of culture as well as self, Meghdari’s work is driven by her bicultural background and stems specifically from her experience of living in a constant state of displacement.


Mx Rocket 
Caught in a moment of reflection and exploration of alternative paths and choices, Mx. Rocket exemplifies the inner journey we all face during the discovery of who we are. 

Dáreece J Walker 
Dáreece Walker creates figurative narrative paintings, drawings, and sculpture that combine race, identity and religion into socio-political responses. His use of material as metaphor references both the layered historical and personal Black experience in the United States and the history of cardboard in protest art.

Brenton Wolf 
“The Great Creation is at hand.” 

Featuring Music by:
Jané Miranda 
Puerto Rican singer, activist and muse who serves as a spiritual channel to ancestors and the greater human consciousness.  She will be contributing her vocal talents to the film as she has in the teaser.

Joey Valentine 
Producer and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Seattle.



THE CREW:
Katherine Castro 
Cinematographer
Recently selected for the American Film Institute Cinematography Intensive for Women in Los Angeles, Katherine is a New York City-based cinematographer whose unique style and viewpoint span narrative, music video & documentary styles. Her work has recently been screened in Indy Film Fest, Woods Hole Film Festival & Asian American International Film Festival in NYC.

Cedric Boadi
Sound Department
Experienced behind the camera, as an editor, and working on True Story Bro. podcast, Boadi brings vast experience, knowledge  and ingenuity to capturing the sound of a picture.

Jiwon Choi 
First AD
Jiwon Choi is a multidisciplinary artist and commercial film director who lives and works in New York City. Choi investigates the spectacles that are relevant to popular culture and the imprint of modern Korean history.

CONSULTANTS:
Laura Pellegrini 
Laura Pellegrini is a filmmaker and proud owner of Rosso Films International. Her commercial clients include NBC Universal, and she has been featured on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports to discuss her MeToo documentary "The Girl Who Cannot Speak."

Nina Keneally 
A Tony-award winning producer and founder of the world-renown service NeedAMom, Nina has a keen interest in, and support of, all arts and artists, she is excited to be a small part of this singular and invaluable project.

**The above mood board was shot by Ventiko and features Elaine Thap, Leo Caldwell, Kevin Darmanie, Firas Harith, Sara Z. Meghdari, Mx. Rocket, and Dáreece J. Walker. The track is by Joey Valentine and Jané Miranda written collaboratively during early quarantine.


It really does take a village. THANK YOU!