Route Cause

'Route Cause' is a 10-minute psychological drama exploring redemption, resilience, and a strained father-son dynamic. Shane, a young boxer battles inner turmoil, the film delves into the subconscious, where traumatic events linger. We are currently raising funds for the production of this project.

Tahiyah
Brewster
£5,218.00
raised of £5,000.00 goal
Funded
21 Backers
Genre
Film
Scope
Short
Seeking funding for
Production
Campaign type
All or Nothing
Support project
    Project

    Route Cause

    Tahiyah
    Brewster
    Genre
    Film
    Seeking funding for
    Production
    Scope
    Short
    Campaign type
    All or Nothing

     

    Logline:

    A boxer is trained to be composed in the presence of their opponent. But how will Shane fare when this opponent is his father, and the battle he must win exists in his own mind?

     

     

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    Shane is seconds away from entering the ring for a chance to be awarded the title of Amateur Boxing Champion. 

    A milestone he must overcome in his journey to becoming a professional boxer. His opponent is formidable and has his eyes set on the same title as our protagonist. The boxers and their respective coaches make their way to centre stage - the ring that decides who makes it to the pros. 

    During the heat of the fight, Shane’s mind travels back to his childhood. Now unmoored, he recounts a traumatic experience he faced as a young boy, at the hands of his father. The real battle begins as Shane must overcome the affiliations in his mind. 

     

     

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    The film aims to be a subset of the social realism genre with a hint of stylistic elements. Stylistic choices will be prominent in the boxing sequences, using immersive camerawork and dynamic angles to reflect Shane’s mental state. The overall aesthetic will feel gritty and documentary-esque, mirroring the working-class London environment in which the story unfolds.

    Films like Fish Tank (2009), Nobody Knows (2004), and Pusher (1996) inspire the look and feel. These films share muted, naturalistic color palettes dominated by earthy tones, soft lighting, and raw textures that heighten realism while subtly highlighting emotion. They emphasize authenticity, focusing on the imperfections of their environments and characters. Similarly, this film will use its visuals to evoke an intimate, lived-in atmosphere.

     

     

    Location

     

     

    We are very excited to share that Route Cause will be filmed at the one and only Repton Boxing Club! 

    With its authentic retro charm, untouched for over 50 years, the club offers an atmospheric, film-noir aesthetic that has made it a sought-after location for films, TV, and music videos, including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Like many directors and artists we were immediately drawn to this authenticity and electric energy as it captures the essence of Route Cause perfectly.

    Tucked away in Bethnal Green, the club is a cornerstone of East London’s history and culture. Founded in 1884, it has grown into a legendary institution, producing over 500 champions, from local heroes to Olympic gold medalists like Audley Harrison and world champions like John H. Stracey and Maurice Hope.

     

     

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    Comparables

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    • Psychological Exploration of Trauma
    • Character-Driven Narrative
    • Cinematic Visual Style
    • Competitive Sport 
    • Internal vs. External Conflict

     

     

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    Around 1 in 4 people who have experienced repeated abuse during childhood will go on to develop PTSD in adulthood. (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2022)

    Childhood trauma shapes lives in ways often invisible, these struggles, met with silence and stigma, demand recognition.

    As the producer of Route Cause, I’m a firm believer that film can be a catalyst for empathy and understanding. This project delves into the nuanced aftermath of trauma, how it shapes identity, relationships, and even survival. By exploring minor PTSD in an intimate and honest way, the film confronts the unspoken battles many endure and challenges the silence surrounding mental health, particularly within underrepresented communities.

    For those who’ve felt overlooked in their suffering, this film offers recognition. For those unaware of these struggles, it sparks a necessary conversation. Route Cause is a call to see, to feel, and to understand. We aim to foster connection, disrupt harmful patterns, and advocate for a future where healing is possible. 

     

     

    The Team

     

     

    Previous Work As a Team

     

     

     

     

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    We’re committed to creating a high-quality, impactful short film that stays true to its vision while working within a carefully considered budget of £10,505. Here’s how we’ve allocated our funds to bring this project to life:

    • Post-Production (27%): A significant portion of our budget is dedicated to the sound design, scoring and the grading of the film to ensure the final product is polished and immersive.
    • Locations (23%): Authenticity is key to our story, and we’ve chosen one of a kind locations that reflect the heart of working-class London, including the iconic Repton Boxing Club and a lovely family flat in Stepney Green Court Estate.
    • Cast & Crew (20%): We value the incredible talent in front of and behind the camera, ensuring fair compensation for the people who bring this story to life.
    • Production & Costume Design (7%): Creating a visual world that feels real and lived-in is crucial for a film rooted in social realism. We also have a talented costume designer on board making Shane's boxing robe from scratch!
    • Equipment (8%): From cameras to lighting, we’re investing in tools that will elevate the film’s aesthetic and technical quality.
    • Transport & Catering (7%): A happy and well-fed team is a productive team!
    • Contingency (9%): We’ve set aside a safety net for unexpected costs to keep the production running smoothly.

    Every penny of this budget has been allocated with care to ensure we deliver a film that resonates emotionally and visually whilst honouring the hard work of everyone involved. With your support, we can make it happen.

     

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    Once the final edit is complete, we’re excited to move into the next phase of bringing this film to life. Our supporters can expect to see the finished film through private screenings in June 2025. For those who purchased perks with early viewing access, you’ll be able to enjoy the final product as early as May 7th, 2025.

    We’re making this film with the intent to take it to festivals, so over the summer of 2025, we’ll be working closely with a festival strategist to develop an effective festival submission plan. Our aim is to showcase the film at BIFA-qualifying festivals, as well as genre-specific festivals.

     

     

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    First off, THANK YOU for even reading this far! It’s 3:30am and I’m probably going to be dreaming in black and white for the next couple days so genuinely, from the bottom of all our hearts we appreciate the time and attention it took you to take in everything we had to share about this project thus far.

    If you’re a film lover intrigued by moral ambiguity, complex characters and long, aesthetically-pleasing, carefully planned shots (everyone on our team has OCD) then rest assured we’re making this just for you.

    And if you’ve ever binged Andrea Arnold or Scorsese and enjoyed the brutal, raw honesty that left you emotionally scarred well then, welcome home.

    Every contribution, whether it’s a donation, sharing the campaign with your friends and family, or even just engaging with our Instagram posts, all makes a huge difference.

    If you’ve already so kindly backed our project we promise to keep you entertained along the way with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates and sneak peeks. However, if you’re still making your mind up be sure to check out our perks we have some incentives we think you’ll enjoy. 

    So again, thank you for helping us bring this story to life. We can’t wait to film, edit and share this project with youuuu!!!!!

    £5,218.00
    raised of £5,000.00 goal
    Funded
    21 Backers
    Signed Poster

    A signed A2 copy of the film’s official poster (in colour)
    + Thank you on our instagram

    £50.00
    Access to BTS

    Once production ends you will receive a link with a 3 -5 minute BTS video of our days on set and also our BTS pics.
    + Thank you on our instagram
    + A copy of signed poster

    £75.00
    Name in Credits and IMDB

    See your name in the end credits of the film and get a credit on the films IMBD page
    + Thank you on our instagram
    + A copy of signed poster
    + Access to BTS

    £100.00
    Personal Thank You Video From Crew

    A minute long video from us sharing our gratitude for your support
    + Thank you on our instagram
    + Signed Poster
    + Access to BTS
    + Name in Credits and IMDB

    £150.00
    See the film first!

    As early as May 7th you will receive the link for the final cut of the film to enjoy at your leisure
    + Thank you on our instagram
    + Signed Poster
    + Access to BTS
    + Name in Credits and IMDB
    + Personal Thank You Video From Crew

    £200.00
    Screening Premiere

    In June of 2025 we will be holding private screenings of the film and we would love for you to join us!
    + Thank you on our instagram
    + Signed Poster
    + Access to BTS
    + Name in Credits and IMDB
    + Personal Thank You Video From Crew

    £250.00
    Executive Producer

    See you name as the film's Executive Producer in the credits of the film and on the film's IMBD page
    + Thank you on our instagram
    + Signed Poster
    + Access to BTS
    + Name in Credits and IMDB
    + Personal Thank You Video From Crew
    + One Day on Set!
    + See the film first
    + 2 tickets to the Screening Premiere!

    £500.00
    Company Logo

    Have your company's logo featured for 5 seconds at the end of the film
    + Thank you on our instagram
    + Signed Poster
    + Access to BTS
    + Name in Credits and IMDB
    + Personal Thank You Video From Crew
    + See the film first
    + 2 tickets to the Screening Premiere!
    + Executive Producer Credit

    £1,000.00
    Official Sponsor

    Become our official sponsor and get your logo on the screen before the film starts and at the end of the rolling credits
    + Thank you on our instagram
    + Signed Poster
    + Access to BTS
    + Personal Thank You Video From Crew
    + One day on set!
    + See the film first
    + 3 tickets to the Screening Premiere!
    + Executive Producer Credit on IMBD

    (1 remaining out of 1)
    £5,000.00