THE FILM

The Things We Carry is a 20 minute thriller based on true events. Our story begins with Jack, a Florida man struggling with his identity after the recent loss of his wife. Addicted to his cellphone for up to date notifications on what feels like an increasingly dangerous world, Jack finds himself plagued with anxiety about the safety of his family. Jack’s staunch belief in being “a good guy with a gun” is put to the test when he stumbles upon the suspect of a robbery.

Why This Story Matters

Guns are the leading cause of death in young people in America. But the truth is, they are so built in to American culture that we have come to feel powerless to their presence in our lives. The politicizing of this deeply urgent issue has resulted in two opposing sides, unable to speak, unable to see each other, unable to arrive at meaningful change. Us vs. them. Meanwhile, we become desensitized to loss of life, whether on a mass or individual scale. I believe film holds enormous power. Through film we are invited into the intimacy of people’s lives who we would otherwise never even consider. Through stories we are immersed in the felt experience of another person’s point of view, and this reminds us of our shared humanity. I am not naïve enough to dream that our movie will solve America’s gun problem. But I do believe it can bring new questions to the conversation. What would it look like to seek to understand those we disagree with? Could this open a door to exchange creative solutions? Can we work together to solve a problem that affects us all, even while agreeing to disagree? Do we have the courage to re-sensitize ourselves to what it means to take a life? The Things We Carry will pose these questions, and many more, with the intention of sparking apolitical, heartfelt discourse around this painful, and costly, dilemma.                    

-Thibaud Goarin, Director.

 

WRITER/DIRECTOR

Thibaud Goarin was born and raised in Paris, France. He attended the Eicar International Film School in Paris where his short film Earl, was officially selected at La Cinémathèque Française. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2018, he has worked directly with NBC/Universal, Warner Bros., A24 and Amazon, among others, on their biggest titles. His latest short film, Upeksha was awarded Best International Short Film at The Scotland International Festival of Cinema, among many other honors. Thibaud aims to create films that blend his French new wave heritage with American cinema.

WRITER/ACTOR

Elizabeth Grullón is a Dominican-American actress, writer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, CA. She has starred in series such as Grey’s Anatomy, Lucifer, Scandal, The Rookie, Party of Five, Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, and The Owl House as well as the upcoming Primos. She is known for the gravitas, depth and nuance she brings to her work. In recent years, Elizabeth has begun to bring her talents to both sides of the camera, writing and starring in the award winning short film Upeksha and directing an upcoming short entitled Ash.

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Guido Raimondo ​was born and raised in Italy. He worked in France for a few years before moving to the US where he completed a Master’s Degree in Cinematography at the American Film Institute. Since moving to Los Angeles, Guido’s star has quickly risen with several films gaining critical acclaim at SXSW as well as major commercials such as Under Armour starring Morgan Freeman and Tom Brady. Guido’s goal is to tell stories about defining moments in people’s lives regardless of genre or style.  

PRODUCER

Melissa McNerney is the founder of WinniePeg Productions. Her producing tenure spans from feature and short films to editorial and branded content filmed in locations across the US. Recent works include Spider & Jessie (with Mckenna Grace and Jesse Williams), Screaming into the Wind (lensed by Daniel Stilling), and Dark My Light (with Keesha Sharp and Tom Lipinski). Her projects have been given spotlight amongst international brands, on the global film festival circuit, in notable publications, and on major television networks and streaming platforms.

PRODUCER

Tim Cronin is an accomplished producer with clients including NBC/Universal, Amazon, Warner Bros. and Sony. For the last five years, his company, Big Shooter,  has produced large-scale, high- profile marketing campaigns for some of Hollywood’s biggest films, including: The Batman, Halloween, and The Super Mario Bros Movie, among others.

 

LOOK & FEEL

The feeling is unflinchingly honest and gritty. The goal is to strike a sense of felt tension that doesn’t let up, along with the beauty and pain of complex relationships. We will feel a sense of the sharp edges in the intimate world of Jack’s thoughts against the backdrop of a dynamite city that feels like all it needs is a spark. Our audience will know Jack’s secrets and struggles, so that by the end of the film they are viscerally invested in his choices.

The action will be captured with a balance of handheld and smoother cinematic shots, catching the ironic balance of life – both clumsy and transcendent.

We hope that by the end credits, the audience will have gone on a dive into a complex, human life, culminating in a heart pounding, thrill ride, ultimately leaving them with a more developed ability to connect with those they disagree with.

Our film won’t be heavy handed in either direction, for or against guns, but rather remind audiences of the interconnectivity we all share.

CHARACTERS

JACK

60’s, retired, lonely. Fights a private battle with his own fear and anger. Values his family and his Christianity. Jack has a strong desire to protect others as a way of finding a sense of purpose.

JESSICA 

30’s, mixed race. Jack’s only daughter. Jessica is a single mother, raising
Olivia while working as a nurse. She is overworked and exhausted, loving and fierce.
Her relationship with her father is tense, as they disagree on most things…especially since the loss of her mother.

OLIVIA

6 years old, mixed race, adorable. Olivia is Jack’s granddaughter.
Brilliant, confident, and vibrant. She loves ice cream, cartoons and of course, her precious stickers.

JEREMY

20’s. Jeremy is a boy trapped in a man’s world. His tough exterior betrays his true nature – fragile & sensitive. Desperate for cash, Jeremy gets himself into a situation he can’t get out of.

PERFORMANCES

We are looking for actors who can bring all of the layers of depth and complexity that we’ve written in each character…and new layers we hadn’t even thought of. Our characters, like us, are full of contradictions.

Jack is strong and weak, angry and loving.
Olivia is fearless and fragile.
Jessica is hurt and hopeful, exhausted and fierce.
Jeremy is at rock bottom and he has his whole life ahead of him.

What’s important is that our actors are naturalistic, nuanced and courageous in their performances.

We will rehearse with improvisations so that long standing relationships feel lived in and real.

We love performances that don’t feel like performances.  We will steep the actors into their circumstances and relationships as much as we can, then give them the freedom to surprise themselves and each other.

STAY TUNED FOR CAST ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING SOON!

THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT

Why Crowdfunding?

We are raising $50,000 here on Indiegogo as well as partnering with a few key organizations to reach our ultimate goal of $100,000 to bring this story to life in the way it deserves. These funds will provide the following:  

• Safe and secure stunts/armorer 
• Top Level Cast
• Properly compensated crew 
• Production Insurance & Workers Compensation 
• Craft Services 
• Location fees
• Camera rental/equipment fees
• Post production (i.e. editing, sound mix, sound design, VFX)
• Film Festival/Marketing costs 

–but what’s in it for you?

We’ve created a list of perks as a token of our gratitude for your support. 

$250 – “SPECIAL THANKS” Your name in the credits of a piece of cinema and our heartfelt thanks!

$500 – “FIRST LOOK” You will be the first to watch the film! A private link to the film will be emailed to you before the film is screened at festivals. Includes all previous incentives. 

$1000 – “ONE ON ONE” A 60 minute, one on one Zoom call with your choice of actress, Elizabeth Grullón OR director, Thibaud Goarin OR producer, Melissa McNerney. This is an amazing opportunity for students, aspiring filmmakers, actors and fans to pick our brains about everything from on set experience to voice over, motion capture to directing, writing, and producing. Includes all previous incentives. 

$2500 “ON SET” Come experience the making of movie magic! At this contribution level you will be welcomed on set for one day to watch the action unfold. For aspiring filmmakers this is an opportunity to shadow the director or producer, or if you’ve simply always wanted to experience a film set. Includes all previous incentives.  

$5000 – “EXECUTIVE PRODUCER” At this contribution level, not only will you receive an official Executive Producer credit, but you will also be invited to all official events for the film including the premiere, festival screenings, Q&A’s. Includes all previous incentives.

Your contribution will support us in sharing our unique perspective on this urgent American issue. Contribute to our campaign today! 

Once we meet our goal, 10% of all of additional contributions will be donated to STAND WITH PARKLAND. 

Other Ways You Can Help

Even a contribution of $1 helps! If you are not able to donate, please consider supporting us by sharing our campaign with your community.