Lena
by Danielle DiMauro
Danielle DiMauro
Follow
Lena
by Danielle DiMauro
Danielle DiMauro
Follow
This is a coming-of-age short that follows the lives of two young women who live in a convent in the 1950s, Lena and Greta. Lena is disinterested in becoming a nun, but for Greta, becoming a nun is her calling. This film explores finding yourself and following your dreams in the face of adversity.
This is a coming-of-age short that follows the lives of two young women who live in a convent in the 1950s, Lena and Greta. Lena is disinterested in becoming a nun, but for Greta, becoming a nun is her calling. This film explores finding yourself and following your dreams in the face of adversity.
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Story
Mission Statement
Women will be strongly represented in front of and behind the camera in this film. Over half of our crew, including the director, director of photography, assistant director, and producer, are women.About The Project
Over the last four years, all seven members of our crew have worked tirelessly to bring our visions to life. Now, we are ready to showcase our skills in creating a short film on our own using professional camera and sound equipment, actors, and color grading. We are passionate about bringing the story and characters of Lena to life.
Lena follows Lena and Greta, two postulates who live in a convent in the 1950s. Lena does not want to become a nun, but for Greta, becoming a nun is her calling. Lena's ultimate dream is to become a stewardess and travel the world. As the audience, we watch the two women navigate their way in the world as well as the relationship between them.
Lena explores people discovering themselves and following their true dreams, even in the face of hardship.
This film is our senior capstone project at our university where we study film. Not only does this film represent the culmination of what we have learned throughout our four years, but we have gained substantial experience throughout our four years at school and are ready to display our abilities on the big screen.
Our production will be proceeding under the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We will follow the safety guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and our university to keep our cast and crew safe while we film.
Major influences for the film include Pride and Prejudice (2005), Carol (2015), Misery (1990), and The Novitiate (2017).
Carol (2015)
Carol (2015)
The director, director of photography, and production designer are working tirelessly together to create visuals that reflect the charming nature of the story. We have come up with many ideas to make the film visually engaging although it largely takes place in one location. The color tone of scenes, such as cool or warm, will reflect the character's emotions.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
This film is the most important thing up until this point in our lives. We are delighted to bring you along on our journey to create this film and share Lena's beautiful and engaging story with you!
Incentives
$5
Social Media Shoutout!
We will include your name in a social media shoutout!
$15
Digital Copy of the Film
You will receive a copy of the film we have worked so hard to create and share with you via a digital download link!
You will also receive a social media shoutout!
$25
Photoshop Destination
Lena loves to imagine traveling across the world. Have you ever imagined a grand vacation to a faraway place? Well, now you can digitally visit any place you want. Just provide us with a photo of you and the name of your destination and you will be in Santorini in no time! Your friends and family will wish they are as awesome as you!
You will also receive a social media shoutout and a digital copy of the film!
$30
Curious Cat
To create this film, we had to do a lot of research on convents and religious life in the 1950s and on the time period in general. If you have an inquisitive mind and want to learn more about the period, we will provide you with a resource guide that includes a list of informative documentaries and articles that we used to help guide our film!
You will also receive a social media shoutout and a digital copy of the film!
$50
Film with Special Features
You will receive a compilation of bloopers and outtakes and a copy of the film with exclusive commentary from the director herself!
You will also get a social media shoutout and a digital copy of the film!
$100
Beanie
You will receive a beanie with a design related to our finished film!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film, and special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel!
$200
Zoom with the Crew
Want to hang out with the crew? You can do it in a Zoom meeting! We can discuss our filmmaking process and journey, and even do a table read!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film with special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel, and a beanie!
Claimed: 0 of 5
$300
Corporate Sponsorship
Do you have a company or business? We will include your logo in a social media shoutout and in the credits of our film!
$500
Pick a prop, any prop!
Choose from a list of props that will be used in the film to take home as your very own souvenir!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film, and special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel!
$750
Associate Producer
You will receive Associate Producer credit in the credits of our film!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film, and special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel!
$1,000
Executive Producer
You will receive Executive Producer credit in the credits of our film!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film, and special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Social Media Shoutout!
We will include your name in a social media shoutout!
$15
Digital Copy of the Film
You will receive a copy of the film we have worked so hard to create and share with you via a digital download link!
You will also receive a social media shoutout!
$25
Photoshop Destination
Lena loves to imagine traveling across the world. Have you ever imagined a grand vacation to a faraway place? Well, now you can digitally visit any place you want. Just provide us with a photo of you and the name of your destination and you will be in Santorini in no time! Your friends and family will wish they are as awesome as you!
You will also receive a social media shoutout and a digital copy of the film!
$30
Curious Cat
To create this film, we had to do a lot of research on convents and religious life in the 1950s and on the time period in general. If you have an inquisitive mind and want to learn more about the period, we will provide you with a resource guide that includes a list of informative documentaries and articles that we used to help guide our film!
You will also receive a social media shoutout and a digital copy of the film!
$50
Film with Special Features
You will receive a compilation of bloopers and outtakes and a copy of the film with exclusive commentary from the director herself!
You will also get a social media shoutout and a digital copy of the film!
$100
Beanie
You will receive a beanie with a design related to our finished film!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film, and special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel!
$200
Zoom with the Crew
Want to hang out with the crew? You can do it in a Zoom meeting! We can discuss our filmmaking process and journey, and even do a table read!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film with special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel, and a beanie!
Claimed: 0 of 5
$300
Corporate Sponsorship
Do you have a company or business? We will include your logo in a social media shoutout and in the credits of our film!
$500
Pick a prop, any prop!
Choose from a list of props that will be used in the film to take home as your very own souvenir!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film, and special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel!
$750
Associate Producer
You will receive Associate Producer credit in the credits of our film!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film, and special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel!
$1,000
Executive Producer
You will receive Executive Producer credit in the credits of our film!
You will also receive a social media shoutout, a digital copy of the film, and special features, which includes the film with the director's commentary and a blooper reel!
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Sarah Sewell - Director
Sarah is from Northport, New York. Even from a young age, Sarah has always shown a passion for storytelling. She first became interested in film when she and her friends would make videos on her mother's phone. She continued to pursue her interest in film in high school where she took film classes for all four years.
She is currently an intern at Fortitude International, which has given her experience in script coverage, giving her valuable insight into the aspects that make a compelling story. Her experience in and outside the classroom has helped prepare her to direct Lena.
Favorite films: A League of Their Own, Get Out, Little Women (2019)
Danielle DiMauro - Producer
Danielle is from Ansonia, CT. Ever since she was 6 years old, she has had a camera in her hand, developing her love of photography. As a sophomore in high school, she started her own YouTube channel which introduced her to a passion for filmmaking.
During the summer of 2020, she interned with Beach Front Property Management as a remote marketing intern where she gained experience in social media and email marketing as well as video production. She brings her knowledge of film and marketing together to the production of Lena.
Favorite films: The Matrix, Crazy Rich Asians
Emily Blanchette - Director of Photography
Emily is from Warwick, Rhode Island. From a young age, she loved watching films and discovering all the behind the scenes facts about them. She further pursued her interests during her senior year of high school by taking film classes at the local community college where she made short videos.
In the summer of 2019 she interned at PMC Media Group where she assisted in the production of promotional content for local businesses. She currently works at her university's production office where she is constantly learning new skills.
Favorite films: Scream, Corpse Bride, Ladybird
Nina Kelly - Assistant Director
Nina is from Clinton, CT. From childhood, she has always been making videos and skits on her phone to show her friends and family. She realized she wanted to get involved in film production and screenwriting in middle school when she realized the lack of diversity and representation behind the scenes and in front of the camera and wanted to make a change.
Last spring, she interned with Sumerian Records, which provided her experience that has helped prepare her to bring the world of Lena to life.
Favorite films: Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Midsommar, Mamma Mia 1 and 2
Ethan McCabe - Production Designer
Ethan is from South Burlington, Vermont. He has been a movie lover from a young age. His passion for film skyrocketed after watching Big Hero 6 during his freshman year of high school.
Over the summer, he interned with Engage the Vision where he helped create social media content for the 501 (c) nonprofit organization. He has also been to the Sundance Film Festival two years in a row, where he listened to influential independent filmmakers talk about their craft. These experiences have prepared Ethan to undertake his role as production designer to create the world of Lena. He is excited to share this film and see the impact it will have on others.
Favorite films: The Shape of Water, Memoirs of a Geisha
Jack Flanagan - Production Sound Mixer
Jack is from Saratoga Springs, New York. His fascination with film started at a young age when he started watching Clint Eastwood westerns with his dad. Jack has the experience necessary to deliver high-quality sound to use in our film.
Favorite films: Interstellar, Guardians of the Galaxy
Will Avery - Editor
Will is from Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He followed his early passion for film to college, where he has honed his creativity through film and editing. Over the summer, he started a music video production company for local musicians.
Favorite films: Swiss Army Man, Insidious, Memento
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