Hi everyone!
My name is Lianna Wainwright, and I am currently a senior at Cal State Monterey Bay. I am in the process of completing my senior thesis film. I would greatly appreciate any support that is given to support me, my collaborator, and my crew. The money that I earn on this platform will be used to fund my short film, specifically for the costs of props, set design, food, gas, and housing for the cast & crew. I will also be utilizing the money for post-production so that I can pay for a sound mixer and submit the film to festivals.
If you would like to know more about my film, you can read the filmmaker's statement down below :))
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I think of my film, I think of the words moody, contrast, sad, pain, dark, and broken. My film Moonflower is about a young woman who faces an internal struggle and seeks peace after spending countless years sacrificing herself for others. The idea that I’m exploring is how bottling one's emotions can inevitably lead to a moment of immense emotions that rise to the surface and explode outward in an overwhelming manner. The internal struggle of constantly burying emotions to focus on other’s happiness in attempts to forget their own creates a tiring dynamic. I want to explore this inner conflict by immersing the viewer in visuals that represent the moments leading up to the moment where too much becomes unbearable. This film relies heavily on its visuals and metaphors, representing the characters' struggles. I plan to create ambiguity within the story by eliminating dialogue. I will be utilizing visual storytelling and poetic imagery to convey specific emotions.
Moonflower is a visually motivated experimental film unique in its storytelling, visuals, and editing. Films/videos that I have pulled inspiration from include Paris, Texas (dir. Wim Wenders), A Study of Choreography (dir. Maya Deren), I, Tonya (dir. Craig Gillespie), and the music video for Overgrown by James Blake.
The concept of this film has its aspects that are personal to my life. It is something that I have dealt with for a very long time. Having the opportunity to tell a story that others can relate to or understand feels comforting to know that you are not alone. The idea of creating this short and seeing it come to life is something I’ve been envisioning since I joined the Cinematic Arts program at Cal State Monterey Bay. I always wanted to make something different, something that stood out from other student films but still felt personal to who I am as a person. It finally felt tangible after all the brainstorming, writing, and development of this film, which showcases a part of my story. This film is important to me because this will be the first time I believe in what I’m creating, and I want to see it come to fruition regardless of its outcome. I have never had the confidence to believe in myself or seize an opportunity to demonstrate my strengths. I’ve always had an amazing support system but would never believe in their best efforts at pushing me to gain confidence. I want to make this film to thank my family for never giving up and always believing in my abilities.
Any donations made will be listed under special thanks in the film's credits!
