Don protégé
STORY
Hi! My name is Peter Filimaua. We’ve all been there… Dates… Relationships… Eww… Gross! There are a few lucky survivors out there who’ve found “true love,” but for the rest of us pathetic losers it may take a lifetime!
Just like our protagonist, this short film follows Will, a recently dumped college student who comes back from studying abroad. Back in his hometown of LA, he and his best friend Josh visit their favorite restaurant, where Will meets Leila, a girl who might be the perfect match…
To sum it all up, this film is about a young man who goes on an unexpected date after giving up on true love. Oh no…. A TRAGEDY… I know!
But…. Wait…. There might be some hope for young Will.
This romantic comedy has something for everyone. It’s filled with heartbreak, action, and of course… LOVE!
TACOS = LOVE
To find out if our young friend Will ever finds true love we need your help!!
We are asking for donations as USC does not fund student films. This means all projects in or outside of the university must be funded out of pocket! Ridiculous… I Know!
Like all films, even short ones… there are many associated costs involved. This is why we need your support! ALL donations will go towards props, wardrobe, equipment rentals, food catering, rental location, film festival funding, and more.
WHY TACOS?
I believe movies have the power to move people! It happened to me when I was incredibly young, and I’ve pursued it ever since. My passion for telling stories has never wavered and my favorite ones are those with underdogs as the main characters.
As a Mexican and Samoan filmmaker, I’ve always enjoyed stories on screen with underrepresented talent and attached to this project (including the crew) are a group of people who are diverse, passionate and incredibly talented!
MEET THE CAST & CREW!
CAST
Gabriel Bautista - Will
My name is Gabe, I'm a 22 year old Bay Area Native & I love creating content that impacts people in a positive way. To me it's always about setting the vibe right & being real to people. Just like the GOAT Nipsey Hussle said "That’s the best currency you can offer: inspiration. So, when a person can rely on you for that, that empowers them in every realm of their life.". I'm here on this earth to inspire. https://gabewayoflife.net/
Johanna Martinez - Leila
For those who know me my soul is warm and bubbly. Perhaps as warm as South Florida where I came from, partially. I was born and raised in Burbank, California. I would say that's where my love for acting and music came from. I also lived a couple years in Medellin, Colombia, which I'm convinced is where my obsession for food and flavors began. I later moved to NYC, the capital of the world for 5 years. In which I trained at HB Studios for acting and various other workshops. I now live in Los Angeles, I am a professional actress and model. I enjoy dramatic and comedic styles of acting. Just the thought of bringing a character or idea to life is fascinating. With that, makeup came naturally. It is immensely rewarding no matter how minimal or big the transformation is. I have done theater, film, TV, radio and hosting. My interests and passions are endless, just like my appetite. Instagram: @Johannamartinezzz
Jataun Gilbert - Josh
Jataun is 24 year old Actor/Musician, moved out to LA in 2018 from theater production in San Diego to chase his dream. Since then he's been on shows such as Netflix's 100 humans, Magic For Humans, Abc's Holey Moley and numerous other tv shows and films. He is an independent singer/rapper that goes under his artist name Y.S.A which stands for Your secret admirer and has done songs with Audio Push, J. Star and more artists, totaling a following of 28k on Spotify and Apple Music in 2020.
Instagram: @juicemanjaja
Jennifer Gouchoe - Melanie
Jennifer Gouchoe is an actress, singer, and the best-worst dancer you’ll ever meet. In May of 2020, she graduated from one of the most granola-crunchy schools in the nation, Sarah Lawrence College, with a Bachelor of Arts (in other words, a useless piece of paper that will never help her get a job in corporate America). During her time at Sarah Lawrence, she studied acting, literature, and writing. She attended Prague Film School from September 2018 to May 2019, where she landed the coveted role of “Basic American Girl Who Goes Abroad”. When Jennifer wasn’t out drinking cheap beer and telling people she’s “basically European now,” she was acting in over 20 short independent films and doing commercial voice overs. After Prague, Jennifer continued on with her acting studies and took an Improv 101 class at Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence, she moved from New York to Los Angeles in the middle of the pandemic to pursue her passion for fresh pressed green juice, and, well, acting. Jennifer is not only an actress, but an avid baker, a die-hard Lady Gaga fan, and a lover of books (but will never, ever, buy a Kindle). Instagram: @jen.gouchoe
CREW
Writer/Director
Peter Filimaua
Peter is a 23-year-old filmmaker from Diamond Bar, California. He is of Mexican descent on his mother’s side and Samoan descent on his father’s side. Passionate, and hard-working, he is dedicated to telling underrepresented stories and creating entertainment that aims to inspire the next generation of filmmakers. He completed his degree in Media Production and Film Studies from Pepperdine University in 2019. From a young age, he was an avid film fan and inspired by films like Lord of the Rings and King Kong. Peter is now a current graduate student at the University of Southern California and pursuing an MFA in Film and Television Production.
https://filifilms.com/
Instagram: @peterfilimaua
Assistant Director
Ifeanyi Ezieme
Ifeanyi is a 23-year-old award-winning filmmaker from Pasadena, California raised by two immigrant parents from Nigeria. He first picked up a camera at the age of 9 and it was love at first sight. During his time as an undergraduate student, he began submitting his films to various festivals as early as his freshman year. He’s directed a total of 8 films during his time at Pepperdine before graduating with a BA in Media Production in April of 2019. Ifeanyi currently attends USC pursuing his MFA in Film & Television Production at the School of Cinematic Arts.
Instagram: eefaunee
https://www.ifeanyifilms.com/
2nd Assistant Director
Jalen Christopher
Jalen is a 22 year old born in Los Angeles, raised back and forth in Texas and California, creating a hybrid country city boy. He realized his love for film only three years ago when watching one of his favorite films Get Out. He then graduated from Grand Canyon University in December of 2019 with a Bachelors of Arts in digital film and production. He has made numerous music videos, interviews, and skits. He recently made his independent directorial debut with his film In Living Color.
Instagram: @jaydirects
Cinematographer
Bunthoeun “Bun” Real
Bunthoeun Real is a filmmaker of Cambodian descent from Tacoma, Washington. A graduate of the University of Washington and an avid learner, he is currently a candidate at the prestigious MFA Film and Television program at the University of Southern California, honing his craft while creating deep personal stories. His goal is to expand the number of Asian Americans in film and find creative and meaningful ways to show them on screen. www.vimeo.com/breal.
Instagram: @breal2dollaz
1st AC
Jared Brown
Jared is a 21-year-old award-winning filmmaker originating from Seattle, WA. He first started working in commercial productions at the age of 14 for his father’s production company and has continued working in the field ever since. He is currently enrolled in his final semester at Azusa Pacific University where he is studying to earn his BFA in Cinematic Arts.
Instagram: @seattlejared
Production Design
Koren Marquez
Koren is a 22 year old born in Chino, CA. She currently works for a medical group located near Huntington Beach area, where she was recently promoted. She is currently attending Mt. San Antonio Community College. She has actively enjoyed photography since a young age, taking photos for weddings and events when she was just 16. Along with her love of art, she has successfully created courses in pottery and painting throughout her time in college. She has two dogs, Lola (a chiweenie) and Chief (a German Shepard), both of whom she adopted from owners prior. Although relatively new to the world of filmmaking, she has worked on several short films in the wardrobe department, acting in a minor role, and as a production designer. She is also a TikTok connoisseur! @korenmarquez
Script Supervisor
Brad Thomas Potter
Brad Thomas Potter is a Sicilian-American screenwriter, audio mixer, and photographer based in Los Angeles CA. Brad first found his love of working on sets after graduating from college with a degree in Audio Mixing and Music Technology, where he found himself mixing audio for short films coming out of prestigious institutions such as American Film Institute , New York Film Academy, and USC.
Sound
Peter DiGrazia
Peter is a different Peter than the one directing cameras. You can call him PJ or Pete. Besides his role as the 25-year-old lovable buffoon on set, he booms and mixes. He has been working on projects since grade school and quickly picked up sound when he entered college, working in the Pepperdine TV station producing comedy shorts and series. In quarantine, his inspiration has continued sonically as he helps youths practice linguistics and speech over zoom.
VFX Supervisor
Cecily Lo
Cecily Lo is a Taiwanese-American experimental filmmaker and performance/video artist originally from Washington, DC. Her surrealist moving image-based work is heavily informed by two decades of dance training and choreographic experience.
Cecily graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Computer Science from Tufts University’s School of Engineering in 2017, but ultimately found her calling through video editing, visual effects, and film production. Since then, she has created commercial video content for HBO, Showtime, and several Broadway musicals. In 2018, Cecily celebrated her first international screening of her short film, kafkaesque, at ART IN FLUX (London, UK), a multimedia showcase on the intersection of art and technology. More recently, she co-choreographed and performed in singer-songwriter Ashni’s music video, Weave, a finalist for Best Music Video at the 2019 South Asian Film Festival of America. She is currently pursuing a MFA in Film & Television Production at USC's School of Cinematic Arts as a recipient of the Samuel and Lorenza Gary Memorial Award.
DONATION TIERS
Like ALL your photos on insta
Donate $10+ // Private link to the film!
I guess we can go on a Date?
Donate $50+ // Private link, and a Thank You in the credits!
Are we… married now?
Donate $100+ // Private link, Thank You credit, and a warm hug from our director ;) (once covid has died down!)
Tuck in our kids at night, but the boy must be an Athlete!
Donate $250+ // All of the above, producer credit, a signed poster of the film, a kiss (on the lips!) And seriously though…. homemade cookies delivered to you! *LA residents only
*When donating please make sure you provide which email you would like the screening link sent to!
Other Ways You Can Help
If you are unable to assist us by donating money to this film but still want to lend a hand, you can do this by sharing our crowdfunding link on social media. If you’re in Los Angeles and would love to lend a hand on set, shoot us an email and we would love to chat!
I'm extremely appreciative and grateful for all those who donate!!
muchos besos & abrazos
Peter Filimaua
Hi! My name is Peter Filimaua. We’ve all been there… Dates… Relationships… Eww… Gross! There are a few lucky survivors out there who’ve found “true love,” but for the rest of us pathetic losers it may take a lifetime!
Just like our protagonist, this short film follows Will, a recently dumped college student who comes back from studying abroad. Back in his hometown of LA, he and his best friend Josh visit their favorite restaurant, where Will meets Leila, a girl who might be the perfect match…
To sum it all up, this film is about a young man who goes on an unexpected date after giving up on true love. Oh no…. A TRAGEDY… I know!
But…. Wait…. There might be some hope for young Will.
This romantic comedy has something for everyone. It’s filled with heartbreak, action, and of course… LOVE!
TACOS = LOVE
To find out if our young friend Will ever finds true love we need your help!!
We are asking for donations as USC does not fund student films. This means all projects in or outside of the university must be funded out of pocket! Ridiculous… I Know!
Like all films, even short ones… there are many associated costs involved. This is why we need your support! ALL donations will go towards props, wardrobe, equipment rentals, food catering, rental location, film festival funding, and more.
WHY TACOS?
I believe movies have the power to move people! It happened to me when I was incredibly young, and I’ve pursued it ever since. My passion for telling stories has never wavered and my favorite ones are those with underdogs as the main characters.
As a Mexican and Samoan filmmaker, I’ve always enjoyed stories on screen with underrepresented talent and attached to this project (including the crew) are a group of people who are diverse, passionate and incredibly talented!
MEET THE CAST & CREW!
CAST
Gabriel Bautista - Will
My name is Gabe, I'm a 22 year old Bay Area Native & I love creating content that impacts people in a positive way. To me it's always about setting the vibe right & being real to people. Just like the GOAT Nipsey Hussle said "That’s the best currency you can offer: inspiration. So, when a person can rely on you for that, that empowers them in every realm of their life.". I'm here on this earth to inspire. https://gabewayoflife.net/
Johanna Martinez - Leila
For those who know me my soul is warm and bubbly. Perhaps as warm as South Florida where I came from, partially. I was born and raised in Burbank, California. I would say that's where my love for acting and music came from. I also lived a couple years in Medellin, Colombia, which I'm convinced is where my obsession for food and flavors began. I later moved to NYC, the capital of the world for 5 years. In which I trained at HB Studios for acting and various other workshops. I now live in Los Angeles, I am a professional actress and model. I enjoy dramatic and comedic styles of acting. Just the thought of bringing a character or idea to life is fascinating. With that, makeup came naturally. It is immensely rewarding no matter how minimal or big the transformation is. I have done theater, film, TV, radio and hosting. My interests and passions are endless, just like my appetite. Instagram: @Johannamartinezzz
Jataun Gilbert - Josh
Jataun is 24 year old Actor/Musician, moved out to LA in 2018 from theater production in San Diego to chase his dream. Since then he's been on shows such as Netflix's 100 humans, Magic For Humans, Abc's Holey Moley and numerous other tv shows and films. He is an independent singer/rapper that goes under his artist name Y.S.A which stands for Your secret admirer and has done songs with Audio Push, J. Star and more artists, totaling a following of 28k on Spotify and Apple Music in 2020.
Instagram: @juicemanjaja
Jennifer Gouchoe - Melanie
Jennifer Gouchoe is an actress, singer, and the best-worst dancer you’ll ever meet. In May of 2020, she graduated from one of the most granola-crunchy schools in the nation, Sarah Lawrence College, with a Bachelor of Arts (in other words, a useless piece of paper that will never help her get a job in corporate America). During her time at Sarah Lawrence, she studied acting, literature, and writing. She attended Prague Film School from September 2018 to May 2019, where she landed the coveted role of “Basic American Girl Who Goes Abroad”. When Jennifer wasn’t out drinking cheap beer and telling people she’s “basically European now,” she was acting in over 20 short independent films and doing commercial voice overs. After Prague, Jennifer continued on with her acting studies and took an Improv 101 class at Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence, she moved from New York to Los Angeles in the middle of the pandemic to pursue her passion for fresh pressed green juice, and, well, acting. Jennifer is not only an actress, but an avid baker, a die-hard Lady Gaga fan, and a lover of books (but will never, ever, buy a Kindle). Instagram: @jen.gouchoe
CREW
Writer/Director
Peter Filimaua
Peter is a 23-year-old filmmaker from Diamond Bar, California. He is of Mexican descent on his mother’s side and Samoan descent on his father’s side. Passionate, and hard-working, he is dedicated to telling underrepresented stories and creating entertainment that aims to inspire the next generation of filmmakers. He completed his degree in Media Production and Film Studies from Pepperdine University in 2019. From a young age, he was an avid film fan and inspired by films like Lord of the Rings and King Kong. Peter is now a current graduate student at the University of Southern California and pursuing an MFA in Film and Television Production.
https://filifilms.com/
Instagram: @peterfilimaua
Assistant Director
Ifeanyi Ezieme
Ifeanyi is a 23-year-old award-winning filmmaker from Pasadena, California raised by two immigrant parents from Nigeria. He first picked up a camera at the age of 9 and it was love at first sight. During his time as an undergraduate student, he began submitting his films to various festivals as early as his freshman year. He’s directed a total of 8 films during his time at Pepperdine before graduating with a BA in Media Production in April of 2019. Ifeanyi currently attends USC pursuing his MFA in Film & Television Production at the School of Cinematic Arts.
Instagram: eefaunee
https://www.ifeanyifilms.com/
2nd Assistant Director
Jalen Christopher
Jalen is a 22 year old born in Los Angeles, raised back and forth in Texas and California, creating a hybrid country city boy. He realized his love for film only three years ago when watching one of his favorite films Get Out. He then graduated from Grand Canyon University in December of 2019 with a Bachelors of Arts in digital film and production. He has made numerous music videos, interviews, and skits. He recently made his independent directorial debut with his film In Living Color.
Instagram: @jaydirects
Cinematographer
Bunthoeun “Bun” Real
Bunthoeun Real is a filmmaker of Cambodian descent from Tacoma, Washington. A graduate of the University of Washington and an avid learner, he is currently a candidate at the prestigious MFA Film and Television program at the University of Southern California, honing his craft while creating deep personal stories. His goal is to expand the number of Asian Americans in film and find creative and meaningful ways to show them on screen. www.vimeo.com/breal.
Instagram: @breal2dollaz
1st AC
Jared Brown
Jared is a 21-year-old award-winning filmmaker originating from Seattle, WA. He first started working in commercial productions at the age of 14 for his father’s production company and has continued working in the field ever since. He is currently enrolled in his final semester at Azusa Pacific University where he is studying to earn his BFA in Cinematic Arts.
Instagram: @seattlejared
Production Design
Koren Marquez
Koren is a 22 year old born in Chino, CA. She currently works for a medical group located near Huntington Beach area, where she was recently promoted. She is currently attending Mt. San Antonio Community College. She has actively enjoyed photography since a young age, taking photos for weddings and events when she was just 16. Along with her love of art, she has successfully created courses in pottery and painting throughout her time in college. She has two dogs, Lola (a chiweenie) and Chief (a German Shepard), both of whom she adopted from owners prior. Although relatively new to the world of filmmaking, she has worked on several short films in the wardrobe department, acting in a minor role, and as a production designer. She is also a TikTok connoisseur! @korenmarquez
Script Supervisor
Brad Thomas Potter
Brad Thomas Potter is a Sicilian-American screenwriter, audio mixer, and photographer based in Los Angeles CA. Brad first found his love of working on sets after graduating from college with a degree in Audio Mixing and Music Technology, where he found himself mixing audio for short films coming out of prestigious institutions such as American Film Institute , New York Film Academy, and USC.
Sound
Peter DiGrazia
Peter is a different Peter than the one directing cameras. You can call him PJ or Pete. Besides his role as the 25-year-old lovable buffoon on set, he booms and mixes. He has been working on projects since grade school and quickly picked up sound when he entered college, working in the Pepperdine TV station producing comedy shorts and series. In quarantine, his inspiration has continued sonically as he helps youths practice linguistics and speech over zoom.
VFX Supervisor
Cecily Lo
Cecily Lo is a Taiwanese-American experimental filmmaker and performance/video artist originally from Washington, DC. Her surrealist moving image-based work is heavily informed by two decades of dance training and choreographic experience.
Cecily graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Computer Science from Tufts University’s School of Engineering in 2017, but ultimately found her calling through video editing, visual effects, and film production. Since then, she has created commercial video content for HBO, Showtime, and several Broadway musicals. In 2018, Cecily celebrated her first international screening of her short film, kafkaesque, at ART IN FLUX (London, UK), a multimedia showcase on the intersection of art and technology. More recently, she co-choreographed and performed in singer-songwriter Ashni’s music video, Weave, a finalist for Best Music Video at the 2019 South Asian Film Festival of America. She is currently pursuing a MFA in Film & Television Production at USC's School of Cinematic Arts as a recipient of the Samuel and Lorenza Gary Memorial Award.
DONATION TIERS
Like ALL your photos on insta
Donate $10+ // Private link to the film!
I guess we can go on a Date?
Donate $50+ // Private link, and a Thank You in the credits!
Are we… married now?
Donate $100+ // Private link, Thank You credit, and a warm hug from our director ;) (once covid has died down!)
Tuck in our kids at night, but the boy must be an Athlete!
Donate $250+ // All of the above, producer credit, a signed poster of the film, a kiss (on the lips!) And seriously though…. homemade cookies delivered to you! *LA residents only
*When donating please make sure you provide which email you would like the screening link sent to!
Other Ways You Can Help
If you are unable to assist us by donating money to this film but still want to lend a hand, you can do this by sharing our crowdfunding link on social media. If you’re in Los Angeles and would love to lend a hand on set, shoot us an email and we would love to chat!
I'm extremely appreciative and grateful for all those who donate!!
muchos besos & abrazos
Peter Filimaua
Organisateur
Peter Filimaua
Organisateur
Diamond Bar, CA