The Bridge short film
Donation protected
Hello Everyone! Thank you so much for visiting our crowd funding page for the short film: The Bridge.
About me:
I am Izabella Amar - the screen writer, director, and producer of the film. I am a Houston Native, a Latina, a children's book author, wife, mother, tia etc. etc. I have lived in Katy with my husband and son for the last 9 years, but my heart will forever belong to the East End District.
About the film:
The film was inspired by a poem I wrote titled- Unspoken Beats from the Heart. The poem tapped into the emotions I recounted from early trials and tribulations of love and heartache as a teen. Feelings I have long forgotten over the years. The beauty of new shared connections, the uncertainty, who I was and who I might become in the years ahead - these were the dominating questions and emotions of that period.
There are so many life changes and choices centered around graduation. Invigorating and exciting as that may be, it can also be very frightening. This captivated me to translate all of these emotions into a dramatic short film. Which is fitting since young love is so naturally full of dramatics!
Backstory:
When I decided to write The Bridge it was originally titled Welcome Home, focusing on a young soldier's return from bootcamp and the reunion that transpires between his neighbor/secret fling after he reveals the promises he'd written while away would not materialize off paper. I realized while this was a great premise, I knew I needed to give them a special place, where they'd met and where they'd go to rekindle.
Location Location:
I wanted to highlight the beauty of the area I grew up in while also keeping the cost of production down. In order to achieve this, it was apparent that the bulk of the scenes would need to be shot outdoors. The most difficult task would be to scout the perfect location to capture the dramatic revelation between the two friends. Luckily, that location would present itself to me in a snapchat story, which is how the Mason Park Bridge became the focal point for the film.
Photographer Cassandra Lopez capturing stills for the film poster.
After it was decided, I needed to find two houses in the area that were right across the street from each other, as had been written in the script. This would ensure that I utilized everyones time efficiently, keeping travel and budget to a minimum. I reached out to a good friend online and she connected me to someone who knew a homeowner in the area, and that homeowner connected me to her neighbor across the street. The rest, they say, is history!
Pre-production Happenings:
And then there were three...
In addition to highlighting the physical beauty of our city, I wanted to showcase the abundance of Latino talent that makes our city special. So I was excited to cast the roles for this special project.
Casting Maria, Luis and Camilla:
I reached out to three actors, two of whom had auditioned for another project in 2019, and one who missed the audition but offered his headshot anyway "just in case". I had a strong feeling that they would have great chemistry together, so I approached them with a simple premise for the film. Luckily, all three eagerly agreed to sign on before the script had even been completed. This allowed me to shape the characters to the actors beautifully during the writing process.
Aaaaaaaaaand - scene!!
Once the script was complete, I hosted several zoom rehearsals with the actors to take notes and adjust dialogue accordingly. I wanted the lines to flow as naturally as possible. The chemistry between the cast was exactly what I imagined, and with that we could move forward into the next phase.
Actors Gabriel and Lucy during a Zoom rehearsal in September.
Photoshoot:
In October, I hosted a photoshoot with the cast to create a believable relationship and backstory with photos documenting - birthdays, movie/game nights, holidays, and prom.
In character:Maria and Luis just hanging out.
Sometimes you take a different girl to prom: Luis and Camilla Prom photos.
Production:
Now that we had our actors, it was time to hire our production team. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful duo (Cinematographer/Sound Mixer) from Austin, Texas that were willing to travel and work with my proposed budget. We settled on dates, and I pleaded with Mother Nature to show us mercy (which she did, thankfully). From then on I had to meticulously plan and create shooting schedules and shot lists to ensure proper coverage of the script. A special thank you to my friends who volunteered to fill specific roles on Day 1 and 2.
Cinematographer Bejan Faramarzi and Sound mixer Chasiti Chambers on Set, Day 1.
Actors being mounted with Lavalier mic's by Chasiti Chambers.
The director Izabella Amar/2nd AC Emily Lam setting up the slate for the next take.
Cinematographer Bejan Faramarzi and PA Greg Cutaia on set Day 1.
Sergio Valdez/boom operator getting ready to capture the sound of the actors shoes as he runs into frame Day 1.
The crew during lunch break at basecamp Day 1.
Luke Nguyen serving as Boom operator on set of "Maria's parents house" Day 2.
Actress Yetlanezi Rodriguez Ready for her close-up on Day 2 of production.
The cast during a quick break between takes on Day 2.
That's a WRAP!
What was left of the cast and crew after we wrapped production late Nov.8th.
The experience on set was both extremely exhausting (9am-7pm) and extremely satisfying. I can't imagine any other career that has you standing in the sun all day, chasing around actors with cameras and sound equipment, getting eaten by mosquitos, laying in the dirt to stay out of frame, needing 12 showers because you're drenched, and still being so much fun. It was such a great honor to work alongside wonderful people coming together to bring my dream to fruition.
The crew hiding in the dirt to stay out of frame during an action shot.
A week after principal photography the actors and I reunited in a studio to record their voiceover dialogue for the poetry that was written into the film. As expected they did an excellent job, and I couldn't be prouder of the work they once again put into this segment of the film.
Actors Gabriel Alejandro and Lucy Diaz in the studio.
I cannot thank everyone enough for the contributions that have propelled my project to this point. This includes cast, crew, cinematographer, sound mixer, still photographer, sound engineer, set dressers, prop designers, peerspace hosts, caterers, property owners (thank you for unlimited access to your homes), the Mason Park community(thank you for all the love), friends, family, MY HUSBAND and previous financial sponsors. You are everything to me and this project!
Post Production:
Now that you know what brought us here, we definitely need your help to get us to the finish line. The last and final piece to this wonderful puzzle of creativity is post production editing, color grading, sound mixing, and film scoring.
This is the current breakdown from Space Fire Film's for their post production editing services:
Editing/Revisions: $700
Color Grading: $350
Post Sound Mixing/Revisions: $350
I have not finalized my decision on who will compose the score for the film, but based on the length of the project, and estimates received the average is:
$600 (up to 15 minutes of music with a commercial license)
Goal:
Now that you know the number, help us reach our goal and see this project to completion. The campaign will be active for 30 days, unless we reach our goal sooner. Please donate, share, tell your family, coworkers and friends. We know that Christmas is around the corner and we understand that COVID has created a difficult financial situation for many people.
If you are not in a position to contribute financially but would still like to contribute, spread the word to 10 or more people you know. We appreciate all types of contributions. The projected date for the films release (considering we reach our financial goal by the end of this month) is late January- early February 2021.
Contributions/Perks:
$5, $10, - Mention on Social Media (Instagram/Facebook)*unlimited quantity*
$15 - Mention on social Media, Thank you in Film Credits! *unlimited quantity*
*****************************************************************************************************
$25 - All of the above, plus invitation to virtual screening of the film! *unlimited quantity*
$100 - All of the above plus a t-shirt! *limit 10 sponsors*
$200 - IG Mention, Film Credit, Virtual invite and a 12x16 framed film poster! *limit 10 sponsors*
*********************************************************************************************************
$500 - IG Mention, Film Credit, Virtual invite and Producer credit/IMBD *limit 2 sponsors*
$1000 - Executive Producer Credit on the film/IMBD (plus all of the above) *limit 1 sponsor*
**Please note that if you are unable to financially sponsor but 4 of your friends sponsor $25, you will receive a Mention on social Media, Thank you in Film Credits and an Invite to a Virtual Screening! (Be sure to notify us via email)**
***If you have previously sponsored and are already a member of the private FB group, your previous contribution is still honored and your name will be listed as a sponsor in the closing credits and you will receive your invite for the virtual screening.***
***We will notify all sponsors when their perks become available, and will keep you updated on the progress of the project, film availability and proposed date and platform for the virtual screening.***
Thank you so much in advance for the consideration to share and sponsor this project, I am extremely humbled by your support and eternally grateful!
- Izabella Amar
About me:
I am Izabella Amar - the screen writer, director, and producer of the film. I am a Houston Native, a Latina, a children's book author, wife, mother, tia etc. etc. I have lived in Katy with my husband and son for the last 9 years, but my heart will forever belong to the East End District.
About the film:
The film was inspired by a poem I wrote titled- Unspoken Beats from the Heart. The poem tapped into the emotions I recounted from early trials and tribulations of love and heartache as a teen. Feelings I have long forgotten over the years. The beauty of new shared connections, the uncertainty, who I was and who I might become in the years ahead - these were the dominating questions and emotions of that period.
There are so many life changes and choices centered around graduation. Invigorating and exciting as that may be, it can also be very frightening. This captivated me to translate all of these emotions into a dramatic short film. Which is fitting since young love is so naturally full of dramatics!
Backstory:
When I decided to write The Bridge it was originally titled Welcome Home, focusing on a young soldier's return from bootcamp and the reunion that transpires between his neighbor/secret fling after he reveals the promises he'd written while away would not materialize off paper. I realized while this was a great premise, I knew I needed to give them a special place, where they'd met and where they'd go to rekindle.
Location Location:
I wanted to highlight the beauty of the area I grew up in while also keeping the cost of production down. In order to achieve this, it was apparent that the bulk of the scenes would need to be shot outdoors. The most difficult task would be to scout the perfect location to capture the dramatic revelation between the two friends. Luckily, that location would present itself to me in a snapchat story, which is how the Mason Park Bridge became the focal point for the film.
Photographer Cassandra Lopez capturing stills for the film poster. After it was decided, I needed to find two houses in the area that were right across the street from each other, as had been written in the script. This would ensure that I utilized everyones time efficiently, keeping travel and budget to a minimum. I reached out to a good friend online and she connected me to someone who knew a homeowner in the area, and that homeowner connected me to her neighbor across the street. The rest, they say, is history!
Pre-production Happenings:
And then there were three...
In addition to highlighting the physical beauty of our city, I wanted to showcase the abundance of Latino talent that makes our city special. So I was excited to cast the roles for this special project.
Casting Maria, Luis and Camilla:
I reached out to three actors, two of whom had auditioned for another project in 2019, and one who missed the audition but offered his headshot anyway "just in case". I had a strong feeling that they would have great chemistry together, so I approached them with a simple premise for the film. Luckily, all three eagerly agreed to sign on before the script had even been completed. This allowed me to shape the characters to the actors beautifully during the writing process.
Aaaaaaaaaand - scene!!
Once the script was complete, I hosted several zoom rehearsals with the actors to take notes and adjust dialogue accordingly. I wanted the lines to flow as naturally as possible. The chemistry between the cast was exactly what I imagined, and with that we could move forward into the next phase.
Actors Gabriel and Lucy during a Zoom rehearsal in September. Photoshoot:
In October, I hosted a photoshoot with the cast to create a believable relationship and backstory with photos documenting - birthdays, movie/game nights, holidays, and prom.
In character:Maria and Luis just hanging out. Sometimes you take a different girl to prom: Luis and Camilla Prom photos. Production:
Now that we had our actors, it was time to hire our production team. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful duo (Cinematographer/Sound Mixer) from Austin, Texas that were willing to travel and work with my proposed budget. We settled on dates, and I pleaded with Mother Nature to show us mercy (which she did, thankfully). From then on I had to meticulously plan and create shooting schedules and shot lists to ensure proper coverage of the script. A special thank you to my friends who volunteered to fill specific roles on Day 1 and 2.
Cinematographer Bejan Faramarzi and Sound mixer Chasiti Chambers on Set, Day 1. Actors being mounted with Lavalier mic's by Chasiti Chambers. The director Izabella Amar/2nd AC Emily Lam setting up the slate for the next take.Cinematographer Bejan Faramarzi and PA Greg Cutaia on set Day 1.Sergio Valdez/boom operator getting ready to capture the sound of the actors shoes as he runs into frame Day 1.The crew during lunch break at basecamp Day 1.Luke Nguyen serving as Boom operator on set of "Maria's parents house" Day 2.Actress Yetlanezi Rodriguez Ready for her close-up on Day 2 of production.The cast during a quick break between takes on Day 2.That's a WRAP!
What was left of the cast and crew after we wrapped production late Nov.8th.The experience on set was both extremely exhausting (9am-7pm) and extremely satisfying. I can't imagine any other career that has you standing in the sun all day, chasing around actors with cameras and sound equipment, getting eaten by mosquitos, laying in the dirt to stay out of frame, needing 12 showers because you're drenched, and still being so much fun. It was such a great honor to work alongside wonderful people coming together to bring my dream to fruition.
The crew hiding in the dirt to stay out of frame during an action shot.A week after principal photography the actors and I reunited in a studio to record their voiceover dialogue for the poetry that was written into the film. As expected they did an excellent job, and I couldn't be prouder of the work they once again put into this segment of the film.
Actors Gabriel Alejandro and Lucy Diaz in the studio.I cannot thank everyone enough for the contributions that have propelled my project to this point. This includes cast, crew, cinematographer, sound mixer, still photographer, sound engineer, set dressers, prop designers, peerspace hosts, caterers, property owners (thank you for unlimited access to your homes), the Mason Park community(thank you for all the love), friends, family, MY HUSBAND and previous financial sponsors. You are everything to me and this project!
Post Production:
Now that you know what brought us here, we definitely need your help to get us to the finish line. The last and final piece to this wonderful puzzle of creativity is post production editing, color grading, sound mixing, and film scoring.
This is the current breakdown from Space Fire Film's for their post production editing services:
Editing/Revisions: $700
Color Grading: $350
Post Sound Mixing/Revisions: $350
I have not finalized my decision on who will compose the score for the film, but based on the length of the project, and estimates received the average is:
$600 (up to 15 minutes of music with a commercial license)
Goal:
Now that you know the number, help us reach our goal and see this project to completion. The campaign will be active for 30 days, unless we reach our goal sooner. Please donate, share, tell your family, coworkers and friends. We know that Christmas is around the corner and we understand that COVID has created a difficult financial situation for many people.
If you are not in a position to contribute financially but would still like to contribute, spread the word to 10 or more people you know. We appreciate all types of contributions. The projected date for the films release (considering we reach our financial goal by the end of this month) is late January- early February 2021.
Contributions/Perks:
$5, $10, - Mention on Social Media (Instagram/Facebook)*unlimited quantity*
$15 - Mention on social Media, Thank you in Film Credits! *unlimited quantity*
*****************************************************************************************************
$25 - All of the above, plus invitation to virtual screening of the film! *unlimited quantity*
$100 - All of the above plus a t-shirt! *limit 10 sponsors*
$200 - IG Mention, Film Credit, Virtual invite and a 12x16 framed film poster! *limit 10 sponsors*
*********************************************************************************************************
$500 - IG Mention, Film Credit, Virtual invite and Producer credit/IMBD *limit 2 sponsors*
$1000 - Executive Producer Credit on the film/IMBD (plus all of the above) *limit 1 sponsor*
**Please note that if you are unable to financially sponsor but 4 of your friends sponsor $25, you will receive a Mention on social Media, Thank you in Film Credits and an Invite to a Virtual Screening! (Be sure to notify us via email)**
***If you have previously sponsored and are already a member of the private FB group, your previous contribution is still honored and your name will be listed as a sponsor in the closing credits and you will receive your invite for the virtual screening.***
***We will notify all sponsors when their perks become available, and will keep you updated on the progress of the project, film availability and proposed date and platform for the virtual screening.***
Thank you so much in advance for the consideration to share and sponsor this project, I am extremely humbled by your support and eternally grateful!
- Izabella Amar
Organizer
Izabella Amar
Organizer
Katy, TX