Bring Me an Avocado
by Maria Mealla
Maria Mealla
Follow
Bring Me an Avocado
by Maria Mealla
Maria Mealla
Follow
When a violent encounter leaves Robin in a coma, her husband, sister & best friend venture to maintain normalcy for her kids while managing their own grief. Bring me an Avocado aims to unpack the complexities of grief and further the conversation on how to better support people navigating it.
When a violent encounter leaves Robin in a coma, her husband, sister & best friend venture to maintain normalcy for her kids while managing their own grief. Bring me an Avocado aims to unpack the complexities of grief and further the conversation on how to better support people navigating it.
Participating In
Hometown Heroes
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Story
Inclusion Statement
We champion the diversity of the SF Bay Area on both sides of the camera. We’re helmed by a team of Latinx, Arab and queer women, and we aim to recruit an equally inclusive crew. Our film focuses on a mixed Latinx-Caucasian family and examines Latinx identity in a subtle and realistic way.About The Project
Robin and George are parents to two vivacious little girls. They are a loving and playful couple, full of faults yet supportive of each other and willing to learn as they go. In a fateful event, Robin crosses paths with a panicky teenager who attempts to rob her at gunpoint. The violent encounter leaves Robin in a coma and her family in shock.
Her sister Greece and best friend Jada step in to help George maintain a sense of normalcy for his daughters; Jada with the intention of bringing distraction and Greece committed to providing structure. As they adapt to their new roles they find themselves in a vacation state- packed with fun, family activities that coat the shock of Robin's absence. As time passes and Robin's coma continues they are forced to face their grief and trauma in an overbearing routine that reveals the worst in all of them.
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Incentives
$5
Un High Five
Welcome to #TeamGuac! We are sending a virtual high five your way! (And a fist bump, a hip bump and maybe even a chest bump.)
$10
Los Cubiertos
A hearty THANK YOU on our social media channels and website.
$25
El Aguacate
A digital avocado illustration photoshopped on to an image of you (or a friend!), cheering you on.
Includes: A hearty thank you on our social media and website.
$30
Bianca Cumple 30!
A one of a kind postcard of Producer Queen Bianca in one of her favorite Bay Area spots accompanied by an avocado friend, with a personal note for you from B herself.
Claimed: 11 of 30
$50
La Cebolla
A screener link to enjoy viewing the film once it is completed and has finished its festival round.
PLUS:
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$50
Bolivian Night!
Señora directora can make one heck of a cocltail and she has a bottle of "Supay" a liquor straight out of the Andes that is one heck of a belly warmer. Come have a cocktail and some Bolivian appetizers at the director's house to celebrate all the Bolivian-ness all over this project!
Claimed: 2 of 10
$75
El Tomate
An opportunity to watch a rough cut screening and offer feedback via Q&A, in person in the Bay Area (travel not included) and via screener link (for those out of the Bay).
PLUS:
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$75
Floatation Therapy Session
The owners of Mission Yoga - who are also the parents of our very own little star, Poppy Sanchez - have generously offered their healing sensory deprevation floatation water therapy! It's the most powerful tool for human growth and well-being since yoga. Come experience near weightless relaxation and mind-body healing in the heart of San Francisco's beloved Misson district (travel not included). Check out the full list of health benefits here: http://missionyoga.com/mission-float.
PLUS:
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
Claimed: 4 of 6
$100
El Cilantro
* TAX Deductible*
The Production Bible: pitch deck, lookbook, script, script breakdown, director notes, shot list, and storyboards so you can see how the whole film is pieced together. (digital copy)
PLUS:
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$100
Chakra Alignment Session
Experience a one-hour Chakra alignment session with our EP Natalie Conneely. Natalie is a Certified chakra yoga teacher and has a private healing practice where she offers a customized chakra affirmation and sound and crystal healing. You will walk away with a deeper sense of your energetic blockages and the mantras and asanas to unblock your chakras towards aligning yourself. Natalie has worked with many Bay Area StartUp Founders helping them gain restful nights during desperate periods of insomnia anxiety and stress.
*Usual one house session is $150 but will be 100 to those contributing to the campaign
** Restricted to the LA Area and Bay Area.
Sold Out!
$200
El Limón
*TAX Deductible*
A walk-on role in the film: cop, surprise party guest, or soccer fan. Makes a great gift! (Travel not included. Restricted to specific shoot dates.)
PLUS:
- The Production Bible
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
Claimed: 5 of 50
$500
El Ajo
*TAX Deductible*
A seat at the table: Invite to the cold read (dinner), wrap party, & 1st screening. (Travel not included.)
PLUS:
- Walk-on role in the film
- The Production Bible
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$1,000
El Chip!
*TAX Deductible*
Associate Producer Credit. PLUS:
- Invite to cold read, wrap party, & 1st screening
- Walk-on role in the film
- The Production Bible
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$5,000
The Whole Guacamole!
*TAX Deductible*
Executive Producer credit. PLUS:
- Invite to cold read, wrap party, & 1st screening
- Walk-on role in the film
- The Production Bible
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Un High Five
Welcome to #TeamGuac! We are sending a virtual high five your way! (And a fist bump, a hip bump and maybe even a chest bump.)
$10
Los Cubiertos
A hearty THANK YOU on our social media channels and website.
$25
El Aguacate
A digital avocado illustration photoshopped on to an image of you (or a friend!), cheering you on.
Includes: A hearty thank you on our social media and website.
$30
Bianca Cumple 30!
A one of a kind postcard of Producer Queen Bianca in one of her favorite Bay Area spots accompanied by an avocado friend, with a personal note for you from B herself.
Claimed: 11 of 30
$50
La Cebolla
A screener link to enjoy viewing the film once it is completed and has finished its festival round.
PLUS:
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$50
Bolivian Night!
Señora directora can make one heck of a cocltail and she has a bottle of "Supay" a liquor straight out of the Andes that is one heck of a belly warmer. Come have a cocktail and some Bolivian appetizers at the director's house to celebrate all the Bolivian-ness all over this project!
Claimed: 2 of 10
$75
El Tomate
An opportunity to watch a rough cut screening and offer feedback via Q&A, in person in the Bay Area (travel not included) and via screener link (for those out of the Bay).
PLUS:
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$75
Floatation Therapy Session
The owners of Mission Yoga - who are also the parents of our very own little star, Poppy Sanchez - have generously offered their healing sensory deprevation floatation water therapy! It's the most powerful tool for human growth and well-being since yoga. Come experience near weightless relaxation and mind-body healing in the heart of San Francisco's beloved Misson district (travel not included). Check out the full list of health benefits here: http://missionyoga.com/mission-float.
PLUS:
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
Claimed: 4 of 6
$100
El Cilantro
* TAX Deductible*
The Production Bible: pitch deck, lookbook, script, script breakdown, director notes, shot list, and storyboards so you can see how the whole film is pieced together. (digital copy)
PLUS:
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$100
Chakra Alignment Session
Experience a one-hour Chakra alignment session with our EP Natalie Conneely. Natalie is a Certified chakra yoga teacher and has a private healing practice where she offers a customized chakra affirmation and sound and crystal healing. You will walk away with a deeper sense of your energetic blockages and the mantras and asanas to unblock your chakras towards aligning yourself. Natalie has worked with many Bay Area StartUp Founders helping them gain restful nights during desperate periods of insomnia anxiety and stress.
*Usual one house session is $150 but will be 100 to those contributing to the campaign
** Restricted to the LA Area and Bay Area.
Sold Out!
$200
El Limón
*TAX Deductible*
A walk-on role in the film: cop, surprise party guest, or soccer fan. Makes a great gift! (Travel not included. Restricted to specific shoot dates.)
PLUS:
- The Production Bible
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
Claimed: 5 of 50
$500
El Ajo
*TAX Deductible*
A seat at the table: Invite to the cold read (dinner), wrap party, & 1st screening. (Travel not included.)
PLUS:
- Walk-on role in the film
- The Production Bible
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$1,000
El Chip!
*TAX Deductible*
Associate Producer Credit. PLUS:
- Invite to cold read, wrap party, & 1st screening
- Walk-on role in the film
- The Production Bible
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
$5,000
The Whole Guacamole!
*TAX Deductible*
Executive Producer credit. PLUS:
- Invite to cold read, wrap party, & 1st screening
- Walk-on role in the film
- The Production Bible
- Rough cut feedback screening
- Screener link of the finished film
- Digital avocado illustration
- Hearty thank you on our social media and website
- Updates
-
Current Team
About This Team
Maria Mealla is a Bolivian filmmaker based out of San Francisco, California. She ventured into movie-making in 2010, telling stories with talented filmmakers under the production name "Sad Clown Films". She has since written, produced and directed feature film Women and Cigarettes, a collection of romantic short films titled Business Affairs, and a handful of short films portraying lower-middle class millennials. Maria is currently working on her next feature film, Bring me an Avocado, a drama that follows a family in the aftermath of gun violence. She is an active member of Scary Cow, a Bay Area film co-op that allows filmmakers to share their skills to complete passion projects through work-trade, and the chapter head of the SF Cinefemme Director's Collective. Although her bread and butter come from producing and editing commercial work, her favorite foods are actually hot dogs and mashed potatoes. She is of average height.
Bianca Beyrouti is a seasoned Bay Area-based freelance filmmaker with an extensive track record of supporting the local independent film community. For the past seven years, she has worked extensively as a producer, assistant director, and script supervisor on a variety of narrative short films and promotional videos. She has been an active member of the Bay Area filmmaking cooperative Scary Cow for the last three years, where she has had the great fortune of connecting and collaborating with local filmmaking talent - including Maria Mealla. The narrative shorts in her filmography run the gamut from quirky dramedy (Scallywags) and modern myth (The Singing Bones) to silent action (Mime Games) and science fiction (Real Artists). In addition to her filmmaking ventures, she has also staffed the Sundance Film Festival and the San Francisco International Film Festival. She recently joined the ITVS team as a production coordinator for the award-winning documentary series Independent Lens. Bring Me an Avocado is the first of what she hopes will be many narrative feature projects she produces.
Natalie Conneely is a Bay Area actress and Producer. Her experience in development combined with her theatrical background allowed her to jump into the producer role on several Bay Area short films, where she began to mold her skill set to fit the craft. She helped launch CNN International’s first middle eastern hub in Abu Dhabi raising and managing a $54 million dollar budget. Natalie then moved into international development and human rights work as Director of Resource Development with Dalai Lama Fellows, a San Francisco organization that the Dalai Lama authorized to reimagine global leadership based on our common humanity and interdependence.
Gavin Murray is a Bay Area native and graduate of San Francisco State University’s Cinema program. He puts his experience, ingenuity, and talent into each film he works on. Holding story and character above all, and using his background in light and lensing, he works to bring about emotive and intriguing stories to life. Shooting projects that range from music videos to narrative work, to commercials for domestic and international clients, he’s garnered a reputation as a collaborator and skilled technician and an exceptional artist.
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