We’re working to raise 10,000 euros to shoot our 1940s style short film „Music, Maestro, Please“ this coming spring! Every donation goes directly into the production of our project and helps us cover equipment, location, costume, food, and post-production costs so we can make something truly magical and historically accurate.

The story is set in the 1940s, in a city like New York, where music, dance, and revues flourish.

Just as the musicals of the 30s-40s were a response to the global economic crisis at the time, the altered world of our film is intended to offer an escape from everyday life into an improved, yet still glamorous past. This will be a humorous, cheerful feel-good movie that leaves you wanting more.

If this story resonates with you, please consider donating or sharing. Every contribution brings us closer to our goal of creating the Old Hollywood movie that has never been done before!

Logline

With the McCain Theater on the verge of bankruptcy, a breath of fresh air is urgently needed. For renowned director ROBERT HAZE (57), this means sharing his position with up-and-coming musical director LORETTA WHITE (25). Conflict between the traditional older man and the creative young woman is inevitable!

Main Characters

Loretta White is a young, black revue director

who is currently celebrating her first successes in show business.

Thanks to her self-confidence, she does not let herself be easily thrown off balance and stands up to critics.

Since her career comes first, she maintains a casual relationship with a band leader.

Robert Haze is an old-school, white director:

Punctuality, reliability, and discipline are very important to him.

He finds it difficult to accept that his greatest success is already behind him, which is why he stubbornly clings to it.

While he comes across as rather strict in the theater, his emotional side comes to the fore in front of his husband.

Director's Note

I truly adore old Hollywood movies from the 1930s and 1940s because of the overall aesthetics, the music, and the way stories are told. However, as a black woman I am repeatedly bothered by the clichéd role models and racist stereotypes that are reproduced in these films (even in the all black cast movies of the time).

That is why I want to make a film that In terms of visual design, costumes, and scenography, as well as sound and music, should appear as authentic as possible to the era but enables strong female images and dignified roles for BIPoC and, beyond that, contains more representation of any form.

As the Hays Code was censoring a lot of narratives in movies at the time, it is important to me to make diversity visible in my film, without this becoming the theme of the characters, but rather it being taken for granted.

In our vision, we fictionalize history and create an utopian, empowering “This is how it could have been”— The first Old Hollywood film without segregation.

Genre

Music, Maestro, Please will be a visually stunning film that celebrates characteristics of the Golden age of Hollywood, but also arouses the curiosity of viewers with its contemporary character design.

We question outdated role clichés, stereotypes, and the male gaze not only in the development of the material, but also in the visual presentation, such as the camera work. In doing so, we constantly explore the reciprocity between past vs. present and old vs. new, which is reflected thematically in the story of our film.

Writer - Emma Weß

When Emilia approached me with her idea for the project, I couldn't help but say “yes”: Not only do I have complete confidence in her ability to revive the style of the movies from the 1930s and 1940s, but the twist in the characters and the narrative especially piqued my interest. With our female lead LORETTA WHITE, we are creating a young female protagonist who is in no way inferior to her male counterpart. A modern female character who exists in a nostalgic film, making the viewing experience unique.

DoP & Producer - Lewis von Alberti

As a young aspiring independent filmmaker it is important to me to make a difference in this modern world of filmmaking. This project is one of the most interesting I came across so far which is why I immediately jumped at the opportunity to produce and shoot this film. My love for vintage America and film melts together here in a classic yet fresh fashion. Adding the angle of rewriting cringeworthy racial stereotypes makes it a film that needs to be made. So in short: A must produce, a must shoot and a must watch.

Music Composer - David Hermlin

Working on this project is a dream come true for a swing enthusiast like me! Ever since I watched all those Fred Astaire movies as a child, my biggest wish was to bring this atmosphere of elegance and fun music back on the big screen. Being a black big band leader myself now who composes and arranges swing music from the 1930s-40s “Music Maestro Please” is the project I have been waiting for, as it combines all the great aspects of the past with the possibilities from today. A film that’s never been done before!

We’re a small, passionate team working with love, commitment, and a lot of imagination — but we can't do it alone.

If you cannot support financially, sharing the campaign, spreading the word, and sending good energy are also highly appreciated xx

Follow our progress with fundraising and production on our Instagram @musicmaestropleasefilm

We hope to see you there!