The Closest We'll Get to Flying

Project Type: Short Film 

Project Status: Pre-Production

Project Genre: Narrative, LGBTQ+

Director: Madeline Heyman

Writer: Sophie Hankes

Producer: Ashlyn Bradshaw, Kara Mauer, and Courtney Dowling

Editor: Sam Leather

Leading Roles: Sophie Hankes and Winona Weber 


What’s Going On...

Hey there! We’re so glad that you found our film! We are young filmmakers, who are using our last summer before we graduate to produce a passion project about identity and finding love. 

So, What’s This Movie About?

Synopsis: The Closest We’ll Get to Flying is a story of a girl named Marley (Mars), as she reconnects with a childhood friend, Beatrice. Through their time together, Marley begins to accept her sexuality and grants herself the freedom to be happy with who she is.

Your Donation...

Will cover production costs for industry-standard equipment, production design and costumes, and to support the cast and crew.

Every donation we receive will go towards building the world of FLYING. Any extra funds will go to festival submissions and competitions. Thank you so much for supporting our team!

For your generous donation (no matter the amount!), you will receive credit at the end of our film and our indefinite gratitude!

Meet the Filmmakers

Madeline Heyman - Director: is thrilled to be making her directorial debut, and tell this story of self-acceptance. She is a rising Senior in USC’s School of Dramatic Arts pursuing a degree in Acting for the Stage, Screen, and New Media. She has spent much of her time at SC working on short films for her SCA peers including Cowboy Companion (Dir. Ethan Soo), The Leopard (Dir. Kara Maur), and Recollection (Dir. Zac Villanueva). She is passionate about filmmaking and is looking forward to making this project! 

Sophie Hankes - Writer/Co-Director/Leading Role: is a rising senior at USC earning her BFA in Acting for Stage, Screen and New Media. She wrote The Closest We’ll Get to Flying, and will be co-directing this production and starring as Mars. Coming-of-age stories centering around sexuality and identity are so central to the experience of growing up and yet often left out of the big screen, so she is thrilled to tell this story. She has dedicated much of her time to filmmaking, including (but not limited to) directing Et J'aime Comme Je N'ai Jamais Aimé, acting in The Morning after (dir. Rayce Lopez), Cherry Bomb (dir. Carolyn Knapp), and Saying Goodbye (dir. Daniel Sheahan). She can’t wait to share this piece of her heart with the world.

Winona Weber - Leading Role: is a Los Angeles native. She has loved acting and storytelling since she can remember - the stage is a familiar home! This project feels like a hopeful emblem of film’s future, seeing her fellow female friends take on leadership roles and elevating queer voices in an art form she cherishes. Winona is beyond honored to be apart of The Closest We’ll Get To Flying,  and hopes you take a chance and contribute what you can to help us cast a light on what it means to take that light-charged path to discovery.
Winona has a rescue Shepard named Lucca who she adores and talks to far too often, she loves chocolate and one of her favorite books is Educated by Tara Westover. She is so excited to do this project, and grateful for this opportunity beyond words.

Ashlyn Bradshaw - Line Producer: is a rising Senior at USC, majoring in Film & Television Production and minoring in the Music Industry. She hopes to become a Producer, Casting Director and Writer and to live in Europe on a vineyard. Currently, she is a Screenwriter at Vyre Network Production Company and enjoys working with a professional team and developing her unique writing style. In her spare time, Ashlyn studies French, practices the guitar, enjoys reading and writing, and listening to Podcasts. Ashlyn has been involved in film since she was young and is beyond excited to tell this charming story!

Courtney Dowling - Creative Producer is a rising senior at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts majoring in Cinema & Media Studies. She is a writer and producer known for an unwitting dedication to getting things done — including facilitating the acquisition of a live zebra and infiltrating the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for authentic costume design. Courtney has worked in a variety of positions on films including You Missed a Spot (dir. Liam Walsh 2020), Milk Teeth (dir. Felipe Vargas 2019), and Exposure Control (dir. Nick Woltersdorf 2021); she has also worked in talent management at UNCMMN Talent & Entertainment Strategy and production development at Hyde Park Entertainment.

Kara Mauer - Post-Production Producer: is a rising Senior at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and has a strong background in producing. Kara has worked on several SCA Junior Thesis projects in an assistant producer role, and most recently she worked as an assistant to the executive producer at Chuck Studios, where she provided script notes and continuity checks. Kara was also the executive producer for her high school's news and entertainment show, and was in charge of delegating jobs to her team, and working closely with her director to successfully produce a weekly show. 

Sam Leather - Editor: is a Senior at USC studying Film and Television Production, with a background in editing and 3D computer graphics. Currently, Sam is doing freelance work as a CG Artist. He has edited several short films, including a documentary about Land Art and an animated film about a Robot who forms an unlikely friendship with an Alien. Sam has also created a VR adventure/puzzle-solving game called The Fire Lookout. Sam’s favorite animal is a Three-Toed Sloth. In his free time, he enjoys running and biking.

Make a donation to The Closest We’ll Get to Flying

- All donations of $500+ will recieve an executive producer credit
- All donations of $300+ will have the opportunity to be cast as an extra

Contact: [email redacted]