Writer/Director, Caitlin Presberg, though a female director, focuses on stories from a human perspective, and makes films with the intent to include every ethnicity and gender both in front and behind the camera. Her last film "Jules" was given the Inclusion In The Industry Award for that intent.

This is a film focusing on sexual abuse within the family and the different ways that people heal from it.  It is written and directed by Caitlin Presberg, and is based on a compilation of true stories told to her.  Her focus as a filmmaker is to create films focusing on the aftermath and healing of trauma instead of the horrid act itself, because that is where the strength of the survivor is born.

 

 

What is it about?

 

“It’s Not About The Lemons” is a character driven drama that sheds light on how abuse is handled within family dynamics, and how there is not just one way for survivors to handle life.

We follow the journey of Jade, who comes home after thirteen years after the death of her abusive father to reconcile with the sister she left behind. 

 

Jade is married and pregnant, and has created a life for herself, but as the due date approaches her need to go home becomes a force she cannot say no to.

 

Megan, the younger sister that was left behind has dealt with the abuse in a very different way.  Our purpose for showing this is to allow the audiences to connect on different levels, and to allow people to see and relate to the many ways people handle trauma.

 

Where does it come from?

 

Too often we see films that show the horrid act of traumatic events and end on that note.  As a filmmaker Caitlin wants to show what has not been shown, and begin a platform of healing for people.  This is a film that begins in the middle of these survivors' lives years after the abuse.  In matters of abuse it is often pushed down deep within the survivor, but the triggers still live.  In society today people are creating a more public forum to discuss these abuses, however there is still so much that needs to be addressed, especially in the family. 

 

 

Mood Board

 

 

 

Color Scheme

 

We want to keep to an earthy color scheme to really encompass the nostalgic feel of coming home. This color scheme will allow for the roots of the trauma to be shown through visual design to mirror the internal struggle of the characters and story.

 

In order to capture this world we are going to be using a combinaton of handheld and steady-cam shots.  Our intent is to show how isolated Jade is in this world, which is why we will be using a lot of wide-shots, and even when there is a close up we will still shoot it with a wide lens to show the uncomfortable nature of the situation. 

 

The script is written in one long sequence, which is why we will be doing a lot of tracking shots, so that you as the audience feel you are in the world traveling through this house that Jade has just come back to.

 

Casting

 

Marilyn Bass as Jade

 

Jade is a guarded young woman who has been burying her abusive past deep down within her.  She left home when she was 18 in order to get out from underneath her abusive father's control.  However, when she left home she also left her younger sister.  Now in her late twenties, pregnant, and married she finally has a way to come home after the death of her father, but her timing is less than ideal for her sister and the rest of her family.

 

Darlene Nuccio as Megan

 

Megan is the new leader of the family after her father dies, and though she has her own dark history with him she has been able to deal with it in her own way, and forget.  She survives by planning everything down to every detail.  So, when Jade comes home unexpectedly trying to bring up a past that Megan has moved on from, the reunion turns painful.

 

 

 

Caitlin's last film "Jules" was shot with the same two leads that will be performing in "It's Not About The Lemons".  This was the first film the three of them shot all together, however they have individually worked on a number of different films together.  Not only are Darlene Nuccio and Marilyn Bass the faces of these two films, but they are truly invested in the message that Caitlin conveys in her films, which allows them to bring the story to life in a very true way.

Jules Trailer

 

What We Hope to Accomplish

 

We are creating this film to help people through these abusive situations and create a healing platform for survivors.  After the completion of this film we will be submitting to festivals, and are right now working on partnering with foundations that help women in these abusive situations, in order to have links and info in the credits.