You're Not Dying

'You’re Not Dying' reveals the interplay between autonomy and vulnerability in toxic relationships. When Ingrid finds out that she is pregnant from her older lover Seth, she faces contradictory drives: the need for warmth and support, and the sense that she is undeserving of it. This tension forces Ingrid to recognise a dynamic she was wilfully blind to, and challenge it.

£1,103.00
raised of £800.00 goal
Funded
36 Backers
Genre
Drama
Scope
Short
Seeking funding for
Production
Campaign type
Flexible Funding
Support project
    Project

    You're Not Dying

    Genre
    Drama
    Seeking funding for
    Production
    Scope
    Short
    Campaign type
    Flexible Funding

    You probably know an Ingrid, or are an Ingrid yourself.

    Told by a female director, writer, and female collaborators, You're Not Dying recounts a common story of wilful blindness that is often kept silent. This project wants to shine a light on human vulnerability, toxicity in romantic relationships, and the lived reality of abortion.

    This will be a 10-15 minute drama short film.

    We are raising £800 for the production, completion, and distribution of this film. Join us on our journey and help bring this story to life!

     

     

    Image

    Ingrid is a straight-talking, independent, and party-loving university student. When she finds out that she is pregnant from her older lover Seth on a night out, she immediately decides to terminate the pregnancy...

    Throughout the abortion process, Seth's behaviour unravels his true toxic character. Blinded by love, Ingrid endeavours to earn his affection by downplaying her pain to avoid being a nuisance, while Seth undermines her needs and suffering.

    At her most vulnerable time, Ingrid is forced to recognise the disturbing dynamic of their relationship she was wilfully blind to, and challenge it.

     

     

    Image

    This film will tell the serious subject with a light-hearted tone, approaching the story with sensitivity and humour. We want tell the story with a realistic mix of complex emotions that reflects the reality of abortion.

    Here is a visual mood board and colour scheme for you to have an idea:

    Image
    Image

     

     

     

    Image

    Portray experiences of abortion without reducing to 'yes/no' decisions

    We find that fictional representation of abortion often revolves around the 'yes or no' question. For Ingrid and many of us, the answer is straightforward - keeping the child is simply not a possibility, and the decision does not cause us an emotional turmoil. We feel that it is important to move beyond this focus on decision-making to tell the lived reality of abortion, its aftermath, and its power to reveal characters and change relationships. 

     

    Unify and empower young people with similar experience

    While developing this film, we were surprised to learn how many of us shared similar experiences but kept silent. It is immensely motivating and rewarding to see people connect and uplift each other by sharing similar stories of pain. We want to, with this project, connect with a wider crowd and continue to empower and encourage them to tell their stories.

     

    Ignite wider conversations 

    Behind the particulars of abortion lies an exploration of the power of crises to reveal complex, painful truths about our intimate bonds and the people we choose to trust. We want to push active conversations about the wilful blindness to toxicity, and encourage people to reevaluate their perspectives on relationship dynamics.

     

     

    Image
    Image

    INGRID

    Ingrid is a 20-year-old bisexual, headstrong, and party-loving soul with a fashionable exterior but soft interior. She’s straight-talking and incredibly self-reliant, she is confused and uncertain about her future but has an ambition to greatness.

    She met her lover Seth at a bar, and they have now been living together for 2 months. She tries to please him in any way to earn his affection, making a habit of putting his demands before her own. In love with Seth but keeping silent, she fails to recognise the apparent power dynamic of their relationship.

     

    Image

    SETH

    Seth is a 33-year-old high-end photographer with a wealthy background. He’s an extreme sports enthusiast, an ethical vegetarian. His neurtotically pedantic and self-focused character prevents him from deep empathetic connections with others.

    He appreciates that Ingrid takes care of him and sometimes brings out his sentimental side. Despite that, he still prioritises his immediate needs and often fails to consider Ingrid’s feelings before his own.

     

    Image

    EVE

    Eve is a close friend of Ingrid’s. They’ve been through a lot of highs and lows together and they always got each other’s back. Eve often helps Ingrid to snap out of her detrimental illusions and keeps her on her ground. 

    As such, Ingrid confides Eve of everything about Seth. Eve is suspicious of Seth’s character and keeps an eye on their relationship.

     

     

    Image
    Image

    SONYA BLEIPH // DIRECTOR, WRITER

    Website / Instagram

    Sonya Bleiph is a freelance filmmaker, production designer and creative director with a history of working in the media industry. Having moved from Russia to the UK, she obtained a BSc Human Sciences degree at UCL and soon about to complete her MA in Film Making at CFS. The intention behind her art and films is to showcase the alternative and bizarre, focus on the unspoken thoughts and indescribable experiences and approach the viewer with almost uncomfortable sincerity.

     

    Image

    BENJAMIN LEGGETT // DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

    Website / Instagram

    Benjamin is a highly social and affable independent DoP living and working in London. Working with directors, designers and technicians to develop innovative ways to tell stories is their passion. Equally at home in the studio or on location, they are particularly interested in lighting up issues of gender, sexuality and mental health. Benjamin is also dedicated to supporting queer, female and ethnic minority talent behind the camera.

    Showreel:

     

     

    Image

    CHERUTO WANG // PRODUCER

    Instagram

    Cheruto is a Hong Kong-born producer based in London. She is passionate about telling stories from perspectives and cultures that are often alienated, neglected, or misrepresented by the mainstream media. By bringing these stories and experiences into the forefront of representation on screen, she strives to celebrate underrepresented identities, bend boundaries, and reconstruct contexts of our experience in her works.

     

    Image

    JOANNA VENTURA // "Ingrid"

    Instagram

    Joanna Ventura is a 23yr old actress and director from Reading. She studied Acting for Stage and Media at UWL. During this time she performed in shows such as The Odyssey and Unlikely the Musical. She has also starred in a variety of short films, like Not Alone and Call this Number for the Devil. She’s extremely passionate about her craft and really looks forward to delving into Ingrid and the obstacles she faces.

     

     

    Image
    Image
    £1,103.00
    raised of £800.00 goal
    Funded
    36 Backers
    Heartfelt thank you and social media shoutout

    Thank you endlessly for your generous support! We will give you a shoutout on social media on the film release!

    £10.00
    Credited Special thanks

    You will be credited in the Special Thanks in the film’s credits and IMDB page!

    REWARD ALSO INCLUDES:
    - Social media shoutout

    £15.00
    See the film first

    You will receive a private link to an online premiere before it is released on wider platforms.

    REWARD ALSO INCLUDES:
    - Social media shoutout
    - Credited Special Thanks

    £25.00
    Copy of the film and poster

    You will receive a digital copy of the film and the film’s official poster.

    REWARD ALSO INCLUDES:
    - Social media shoutout
    - Credited Special Thanks
    - See the film first

    £30.00
    Executive Producer

    You will be credited as an Executive Producer on anywhere the film credits will appear, such as IMDB. You’ll also be invited to an exclusive pre-screening with the cast & crew.

    REWARD ALSO INCLUDES:
    - Social media shoutout
    - Credited Special Thanks
    - See the film first
    - Copy of film and poster

    £300.00