Welcome to our fundraising page for the Chapman University senior thesis film, Keeping Time.

Keeping Time is a lyrical dance drama exploring grief, memory, and the power of movement to heal when words fall short.

MEET THE KEY CREW!

Director – Skyler Poiley

Producer – Naomi Puente

Writer – Skyler Poiley

Cinematographer – Leger Taylor

Production Designer – Shaan Sylvain

Editor – Evan Nowack

Sound Designer – Tavin McAllister

Unit Production Manager – Sydney Polstelwait

A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR

"During my first week at Chapman University, my world was turned upside down when I lost my dad — my mentor, my best friend, and the person who first taught me the magic of storytelling through film and dance.

This project is deeply personal. It’s my way of carrying on his legacy and honoring the lessons he left behind: that movement and art can heal, connect, and express what words cannot.

As a student filmmaker, I don’t have the resources of a big studio, but I have heart, determination, and a story that matters. With your support, I can bring this vision to life — not just for me, but for anyone who has ever loved, lost, or found healing through art.

Every donation, big or small, helps me keep his legacy alive. Thank you for being part of this journey. " - Skyler Poiley

OUR STORY

Emersyn has always spoken through rhythm. Guided by the bond she shares with her father, a lifelong mentor and source of inspiration, she turns to tap dance as both language and lifeline. Told through shifting timelines of memory and movement, the film explores how the five stages of grief can live inside the body—expressed not in words, but in steps.

As Emersyn retraces the moments that shaped her, each dance becomes an act of connection—an attempt to hold on, let go, and find meaning in the spaces between. Keeping Time blends narrative and performance, showing that even in the silence of loss, rhythm can speak volumes.

OUR "WHY"?

Everyone experiences loss—some in quiet ways, others in devastating waves. But when grief goes unspoken, it doesn’t disappear. It settles into the body. It lingers in the muscles, the breath, the stillness. The body keeps the score, and often, it keeps winning, even when the mind wants to move on.

But movement heals. To move is to feel, to release what words cannot carry. Rhythm becomes a language, one that translates grief, memory, and love without speaking.

Keeping Time is a film for those left behind. It’s a story about three women navigating the aftermath of loss—fighting, avoiding, aching—and slowly learning to reconnect through movement, rhythm, and each other. This film is a reminder that movement is life, that even in absence, connection and joy can still exist.

WHERE THE DONATIONS GO

Your support will help us bring Keeping Time to life by covering:

DONATION PERKS

We’re so grateful for any amount you can give, and we want to thank you in a special way!

$25 – Social Media Shout-Out

A personal thank-you on our Instagram tagging you (or your business) + your name listed on our website supporters wall.

$50 – Digital Behind-the-Scenes Pack

Exclusive access to a curated set of on-set photos and candid moments from production + all above.

$100 – Digital Film Poster

A high-resolution, beautifully designed poster of Keeping Time delivered to your inbox for desktop or phone backgrounds + all above.

$250 – Signed Digital Script with Notes

A PDF of the Keeping Time script signed by the director and key crew, complete with behind-the-scenes notes and creative insights + all above.

$500 – Special Thanks Film Credit

Your name featured in the “Special Thanks” section of the film’s credits + all above.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP!

We understand not everyone can give financially, but spreading the word is just as valuable! Share our page with friends, family, and on social media to help us reach more supporters.

If you’d like to get more involved, please reach out to our producer, Naomi Puente, for ways to collaborate or contribute in-kind resources.

THANK YOU

This project represents the culmination of our time at Chapman University’s Dodge College—years of learning, creating, and honing our voices as storytellers. Your generosity will not only help us complete our senior thesis film but also launch us into our careers as filmmakers.

We are deeply grateful for your time, your belief in our vision, and your support in bringing Keeping Time to life.