We've just launched the crowdfunding campaign for our brand new short film The Cruelty of Beauty, this 20-minute film looks at the ways in which society treat models, from online interactions to personal confrontations, and how friends and family can be supportive or negative towards such a career choice.
The story follows Sarah, an up and coming model gaining some recognition, we meet her boyfriend who was once boastful but now has turned jealous and resentful, and on the flip side her flatmate Jamie, a free-spirited girl who promotes body confidence despite her own insecurities.
This film has an important message not only in how we as a society build up these models just to tear them down, but also about how we treat women in general. Why do men think it's ok to send strangers pictures of their genitalia? What inhibits us to make vicious comments on someone else's appearance?
Production has already begun but there are so many costs facing us still. We'd love to pay our cast and crew a full wage but that's just unrealistic in Scotland unfortunately, as creative funding is very weak here, therefore our team agree that the film comes first, and as long as they're not out of pocket, then they're happy. To this effect we need to ensure that they're fed and watered, and that travel expenses are paid. We've also taken out insurance in case we break a wall or an actor! Better safe than sorry. There's also equipment hire, props, costuming and so much more.
Now that's just during filming. Once the film is complete there's film festival entry fees which can be anywhere from 5 bucks to 50 depending on the festival, and those fees mount up! We also want to be in for a chance for some awards in order to get the best attention to our film, so the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards are a must, but we're talking £30 per category...
So that's why we're asking for help, though we're not just asking to be given money, we're offering up some fantastic perks in exchange! Anything from a special thank you to a personal photoshoot to a private screening link of the finished film.
Every little helps, and so even if you can't spare the change, just sharing the project with others goes a long way to helping support indie filmmaking.
Here's the Campaign and trailer