After the death of their abusive father, a grieving brother and indifferent sister are forced to confront past secrets and harsh truths while clearing out his canal boat.
We're excited to announce we are now fundraising our latest project Still Water, a short film about familial trauma, reconnection and loss.
At its core, Still Water sets out to touch on the ideas of guilt, anger and grief when someone passes away that was not good to you in life. Many people feel complicated feelings to those who hurt them and may feel regret or even relief when they're gone. Still Water explores sibling relations and how they can be strained and brought together through good or bad.
To tell this heart-aching yet hopeful story, we need your help to fund this film!
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SYNOPSIS:
When their abusive father passes away, siblings Freya, a 27-year-old woman who is apathetic to her father’s death, and Liam, a young roadman overwhelmed by this grief, are reluctantly brought together to clear their dad’s canal boat after years of estrangement. The two sift through old memories, reopen old wounds, and must face hard truths not just about their father, but themselves, too.
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENTS:
For this project, there will be co-directors Ruby Wilkinson (Writer, Co-producer) and Jack Froggatt-Cooper (Co-producer) to tell this story due to them having experience working on each-other's films before.
"This film is inspired by my own complicated feelings I had with my own father when I was young, and how it effected myself and my sister." Ruby says, "My dad is a good man now, someone who cares and loves me deeply, and so to reflect this I wanted to tell a story about my own feelings about him through two different lenses: one sibling who cares and loves, and the other who is apathetic and distant. I'm happy to say that we're now close and I see him when I can, and he is even helping me with this movie.
But personally, when films touch on how siblinghood can be changed, damaged and influenced by those around them, by the parents that bring them up, it touches me deeply since it depicts something harrowing and somewhat common despite how non-talked about it is. I hope this story can resonate with people like myself, or even not like me, but can see themselves within the characters, within the grief."
Jack then states, "Still Water explores the different ways people can react to the same situation, and how this gulf between them could either keep them apart or bring them back together, stronger than before.
Ruby’s script is gripping despite the tone being quiet and understated. Through the lens of familial drama, it tackles complex emotions in tender ways. We really want to bring out the characters in this film, and let the actors command the screen and story, making the world feel lived in an authentic. The visual elements will have callings of nostalgia, harkening back to the secrets these characters hide from each other, as well as the elephant in the room they dance around.
We hope it moves you, in any way possible."
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BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Due to this being made by university students, we are fortunate enough to not have to pay for gear. However, this budget will go towards:
- Hiring the best talents - This film is a heavy one, and so being able to pay actors for this role will make sure we get the best auditions and acting possible
- Authentic production design
- Food and travel costs
- Film Festivals - The goal of this movie is to be sent off to multiple film festivals and then set to have a public release. Any money not toward the film festivals will be spent on production design, food, kit and more.
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THE TEAM:
Ruby Wilkinson: Co-Director, Co-Producer, Writer, Editor
Jack Froggatt-Cooper: Co-Director, Co-Director
A.W. von Wesley: Co-writer/Story editor
Juliet Bywater: Director of Photography
Tommy Penney: 1st Assistant Camera, Gaffer
Jude Testa: Sound designer and recordist
Hob Fox: Production Designer
Reynold Paulson: Costume Designer
"Orioness": Music Composition
This team have all worked with each-other before and have known each other for years. We have a lot of trust and faith in one and other and believe our previous experiences together as a crew will create a beautiful and touching movie.
Previous works by us can be found here:
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PROOF OF CONCEPTS:
Moodboard:
Costume moodboards:
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HOW CAN YOU HELP & WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
We understand not everyone can donate, and if you're unable to, sharing the link to this fundraiser will bring us one step closer to being on screen!
As a complementary "Thank You" to whoever donates, we will be crediting everyone who donates (unless requested or anonymous) under "Donors"/"Special thanks"!
Thank you!
Graphic design by @woodlousedude