synopsis
Still dealing with a break up, Cynthia goes on a hike in the Columbia River Gorge for her first date with Alex. When a misunderstanding leads to tense emotions, Cynthia struggles to connect as she walks amidst the beauty and volatility of nature.
Director's Statement
The story incorporates a few autobiographical elements, but it's mostly fiction about how we try to connect and so often fail. It's about our relationship with nature and healing, and how ultimately, only when we are truly open to the world, can we experience all it has to offer.
I'm also on a mission to make more queer films that go beyond coming out or showing queer folks suffering for our sexual identities! This is a story about a woman, who happens to be queer, struggling to open back up again.
Director's Statement
The story incorporates a few autobiographical elements, but it's mostly fiction about how we try to connect and so often fail. It's about our relationship with nature and healing, and how ultimately, only when we are truly open to the world, can we experience all it has to offer.
I'm also on a mission to make more queer films that go beyond coming out or showing queer folks suffering for our sexual identities! This is a story about a woman, who happens to be queer, struggling to open back up again.
News
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cast
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ASHLEY MELLINGER as Cynthia
Ashley Mellinger is a biracial actor/producer and co-founder of Desert Island Studios. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she worked as a professional actress for over a decade before relocating to Portland, Oregon. She prioritizes work for and about BIPOC and other marginalized voices, and is especially interested in telling stories that investigate trauma, mental illness, and prejudicial biases. She has written and produced for commercials, music videos, and short films, and is currently working on producing her second feature. |
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ARIANA CELESTINE as Alex
Ariana is an actor, improviser, musician, and rugby player for ORSU. She studied realism at Volcanic Theatre while residing in Bend, OR, as well as improv, and has starred in various PSA, theater, and background roles over the past several years. This Arab lady is very excited to be working with a group of humans so dedicated to women and people of color. |
production
CREW
Writer/Director/Producer DAWN JONES REDSTONE
Producer KARI COLEMAN
Producer PATRICK SCHMALTZ
Director of Photography JASMINE KARCEY
Production Design MCKAYLA SHELDRAKE
Assistant Director MAGDALENE SERPA
Key Grip LIZ HAAN
2nd Assistant Camera SIKA STANTON
Sound BETTY ALCARAZ
POST
Editor JAMES JONES
Original song composed by KATIE SAWICKI of THE CABIN PROJECT
Sound and re-recording mix by AARON MULLAN
Color by GEORGE COSTAKIS
Graphic Design BRIAR LEVIT
Writer/Director/Producer DAWN JONES REDSTONE
Producer KARI COLEMAN
Producer PATRICK SCHMALTZ
Director of Photography JASMINE KARCEY
Production Design MCKAYLA SHELDRAKE
Assistant Director MAGDALENE SERPA
Key Grip LIZ HAAN
2nd Assistant Camera SIKA STANTON
Sound BETTY ALCARAZ
POST
Editor JAMES JONES
Original song composed by KATIE SAWICKI of THE CABIN PROJECT
Sound and re-recording mix by AARON MULLAN
Color by GEORGE COSTAKIS
Graphic Design BRIAR LEVIT
thank you
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This film is made possible by a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
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The film is made possible by a generous camera package donation provided by Koerner Camera.
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PIÑATA POST donated time with their colorist
POLER donated some wardrobe items
JAY FARRO donated use of his Jeep
BRIAR LEVIT donated graphic design services
Go Fund Me Backers
Tara Anderson, Aida Aranda, Judith Arcana, Connie Ashbrook, Sarah Bailey, Stephanie Barr, Leah Benson, Brian Benson, Paula Bernstein, Rachel Bracker, Carlos Burgos, Carolyn Butts, Judaline Cassidy, Ann Cookman, Sukita Crimmel, Misty Downey, Madelyn Elder, Jonathan Fordyce, JakeFordyce, Joe/Kathleen Fordyce, Gloria/Monnie Fuentes, Lara Gallagher, Scott Gates, Kia Geraths, Jill Ginsberg, Siobhan Gray, Janice Haaken, Liz Haan, Dean Hawn, Jay Hemingway-Foday, Elisa Holland, Katie Hughes, Roberta Hunte, Holly Huntley, Amy James Neel, Beverly James Neel, Suzy Jeffreys, Fred/Liz Jones, Eve/Jimmie Jones, Kate Kaminski, Jeri Karcey, Jon Karcey, Kathy Kniep, Kate Lesniak, Christian Lopez, Sarah Luxton, Cambria Matlow, Ashley McAllister, Abra McNair, Emily Mkrtichian, Enjoli Moon, Renée Muzquiz, Noemi Nandin, JoAnna Neal, Cedar Nickels, Lea Peace, Bette/Fred Perez, Carmen Perez, Bridget Quinn, Lou Sills, Rollyn Stafford, Kennedy Stonehawk, Amy Tate, Jarratt Taylor, Kerri Lynne Thorp, Jenna Umansky, Cindy Weiner, and Tim Williams.
POLER donated some wardrobe items
JAY FARRO donated use of his Jeep
BRIAR LEVIT donated graphic design services
Go Fund Me Backers
Tara Anderson, Aida Aranda, Judith Arcana, Connie Ashbrook, Sarah Bailey, Stephanie Barr, Leah Benson, Brian Benson, Paula Bernstein, Rachel Bracker, Carlos Burgos, Carolyn Butts, Judaline Cassidy, Ann Cookman, Sukita Crimmel, Misty Downey, Madelyn Elder, Jonathan Fordyce, JakeFordyce, Joe/Kathleen Fordyce, Gloria/Monnie Fuentes, Lara Gallagher, Scott Gates, Kia Geraths, Jill Ginsberg, Siobhan Gray, Janice Haaken, Liz Haan, Dean Hawn, Jay Hemingway-Foday, Elisa Holland, Katie Hughes, Roberta Hunte, Holly Huntley, Amy James Neel, Beverly James Neel, Suzy Jeffreys, Fred/Liz Jones, Eve/Jimmie Jones, Kate Kaminski, Jeri Karcey, Jon Karcey, Kathy Kniep, Kate Lesniak, Christian Lopez, Sarah Luxton, Cambria Matlow, Ashley McAllister, Abra McNair, Emily Mkrtichian, Enjoli Moon, Renée Muzquiz, Noemi Nandin, JoAnna Neal, Cedar Nickels, Lea Peace, Bette/Fred Perez, Carmen Perez, Bridget Quinn, Lou Sills, Rollyn Stafford, Kennedy Stonehawk, Amy Tate, Jarratt Taylor, Kerri Lynne Thorp, Jenna Umansky, Cindy Weiner, and Tim Williams.
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A scene from production at Oxbow Park outside of Portland, OR. From left to right: Key Grip Liz Haan, Director of Photography Jasmine Karcey, Director Dawn Jones Redstone and First AC Sika Stanton. Photo by Betty Alcaraz
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