Moonwalk With Me
Moonwalk With Me
A story from the heart, about a Korean American girl named Juno who struggles to keep her drifting father grounded. It's rare to find a film about the immigrant experience, in specific, the Korean American experience. We hope to help share the stories of immigrants through an illustrative lense.
A story from the heart, about a Korean American girl named Juno who struggles to keep her drifting father grounded. It's rare to find a film about the immigrant experience, in specific, the Korean American experience. We hope to help share the stories of immigrants through an illustrative lense.
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Story
Inclusion Statement
75% of the crew and 70% of the cast are women. 90% of the crew & cast are from immigrant families. Our team is made up of creatives from different ages, race & sexuality. We strive to share the unique visions and voices of artists from underrepresented backgrounds.About The Project
STORY
Moonwalk With Me is the 5th short film written, directed and produced by Shelly Yo.
The story centers around the relationship between Juno and her father, Ben within a fantastical landscape. The film explores the inevitable divide between first and second generation Korean Americans. It also examines the point in time when we must let go of our parents as a crutch and hold onto our own independence.
WRITER'S STATEMENT
Growing up, my father would always spend long periods of time in Korea. Though my parents were separated, I would always wonder why my dad would leave our family to be in this distant place. My wild thoughts would ramble into imaginations of him as an international gangster, scheming money for the family… or that he would have another family in Korea, picture perfect, much happier and fulfilling than the one he had in America.
As I grew into my young adulthood, however, my father would spend more time in America and less time in Korea. Post college graduation, before I started my full-time job as a video editor, I would spend my days with my dad--getting to know him beyond our relationship as father and daughter and more as friends. He would tell me stories of his youth, glorified with age and nostalgia. I then began to realize how much love he holds for Korea, where so much of his aura is rooted from. The first half of his life was grounded in South Korea, where he left to begin a new experience. He made many sacrifices and started anew in hopes of a better life for his wife and children.
Through “Moonwalk With Me,” I want to explore the moment I understood my father's absences. It is not only a film of gratitude towards my dad, but a means to show the universal understanding fathers and daughters go through at a particular moment in their relationship--the moment children realize the sacrifices their parents make and the realization that at one point, children have to make that same sacrifice for the happiness of their parents.
We hope to finish the film for the 2018 Columbia University Film Festival. Following that, we hope to show the film at domestic & international film festivals.Ways to Contribute
Here are some of the many ways to get involved:
- Donate! Any amount will be greatly appreciated.
- Spread the campaign to family & friends!
- Like & Share our Facebook & Instagram page!
- Reach out to any our team and help us on set!
We appreciate your contribution.
We hope you will join us in getting this film off the ground...
... & making this film a reality!
Thank you so much.
Incentives
$10
A Hop
Digital shoutout & a photo of the moon, blessed with good luck!
$25
A Jump
Digital shoutout!
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
$50
A Leap
Digital shoutout!
A mixtape of the music that inspired the story
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
$100
Floating Above Ground
Digital shoutout!
Digital illustrations of “Moonwalk With Me” by Sabrina Hong
A mixtape of the music that inspired the story
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
$500
Flying Over Oceans
Credit as ASSOCIATE PRODUCER! Woo!
An invitation to the film premiere (flight not included)
Digital shoutout!
Digital illustrations of “Moonwalk With Me” by Sabrina Hong
A mixtape of the music that inspired the story
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
Claimed: 1 of 4
$1,000
To The Moon
Credit as EXECUTIVE PRODUCER! Wow...!
An invitation to the film premiere (flight not included)
Digital shoutout!
Digital illustrations of “Moonwalk With Me” by Sabrina Hong
A mixtape of the music that inspired the story
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
Claimed: 0 of 2
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
A Hop
Digital shoutout & a photo of the moon, blessed with good luck!
$25
A Jump
Digital shoutout!
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
$50
A Leap
Digital shoutout!
A mixtape of the music that inspired the story
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
$100
Floating Above Ground
Digital shoutout!
Digital illustrations of “Moonwalk With Me” by Sabrina Hong
A mixtape of the music that inspired the story
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
$500
Flying Over Oceans
Credit as ASSOCIATE PRODUCER! Woo!
An invitation to the film premiere (flight not included)
Digital shoutout!
Digital illustrations of “Moonwalk With Me” by Sabrina Hong
A mixtape of the music that inspired the story
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
Claimed: 1 of 4
$1,000
To The Moon
Credit as EXECUTIVE PRODUCER! Wow...!
An invitation to the film premiere (flight not included)
Digital shoutout!
Digital illustrations of “Moonwalk With Me” by Sabrina Hong
A mixtape of the music that inspired the story
Digital copy of the film
Thank you in the credits
Claimed: 0 of 2
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Writer/Director - So Young Shelly Yo
Born in Seoul, Korea and raised in Southern California, So Young Shelly Yo began filmmaking at the University of California San Diego as well as UCLA and Art Center. Before entering Columbia, Shelly worked in the freelance commercial industry and as an editor for a start-up tech company known as ZEFR for Movieclips (now a part of Fandango). Her short films played at several film festivals and received many accolades including best narrative and festival choice awards. www.soyoungyo.com
Producer - Kate Zhu
Kate Zhu was an English Literature major in her undergrad who now holds an MA in Television Radio and Film at Syracuse University. She started her producing career in New York City, where she assisted producers on many scripted reality shows at TRUTV, a Turner Broadcasting company and Universal on the TV show FALLING WATER. She produced the action films AWAKEN and ROAD NOT TAKEN in her spare time independently. Last fall, she moved to Los Angeles, having produced the feature film NEW IN TOWN, music videos and a miniseries.
Producer - Jamil Munoz
Jamil, 29, was born and raised in Syracuse, NY. He holds a BFA in Film from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, where he received the Carol M. Schmuckler Award for Achievement in Filmmaking. While at SU, he worked on a variety of projects, from running sound on Laurel Nakadate’s Gotham Award nominated THE WOLF KNIFE, to creating Dropped Frames, a visiting artist series featuring up-and-coming independent filmmakers. He was also selected to attend Sorkin Week, an L.A. industry immersion sponsored by Aaron Sorkin. He is currently a freelance editor and an MFA candidate in directing at Columbia University. http://www.eyebrowdance.com/
DP - Frances Chen
Born in Vancouver, Canada and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Frances spent her formative years testing out different ways of telling stories and capturing memories. With a background in writing and photography, she found her calling in cinematography. Frances graduated from New York University's prestigious Film and Television program and continued to mature her cinematography at American Film Institute Conservatory. Her work has being screened worldwide at renowned film festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival. Her work has earned her the Nestor Almendros Award for Outstanding Cinematography and has premiered on creative platforms such as NOWNESS and SHOOT online. Frances splits her time between New York and Los Angeles. https://www.franceschendp.com/
Line Producer - Daniel Leighton
Daniel is a producer who graduated from the American Film Institute Conservatory. He has worked in production positions including Producer, Line Producer, Unit Production Manager and Key Production Assistant on feature films, award-winning shorts, numerous feature-length filmed events, web-videos and promotional content. He has degrees from the University of California, Davis in Film Studies and English Literature with a minor in Sociology. He is currently working on numerous short films and digital content, as well as developing features. He loves animals.
AD - Kevin Contento
Kevin Contento was born and raised in South Florida. Both sides of his family hail from Colombia, a country Kevin spent several summers and Christmas breaks visiting. In 2011 he graduated from the University of Central Florida with a major in cinema studies and a minor in philosophy, religion, and popular culture. After graduation he spent the next three years working as a production assistant and freelance videographer in the Miami area, complementing his theory based study with hands on experience; on everything from reality television to fashion photography. Since his acceptance to Columbia University, Kevin has completed two short films: Of Love (2015), and Last Caress (2016).
Production Designer - Natalie Falt
Natalie Fält is a production designer, director, and creative director of WOMEN AND FILM based in Los Angeles. http://nataliefalt.com/
Storyboard Artist - Sabrina Hong
Sabrina Hong was born & raised in Southern California. She is studying Animation at Art Center College of Design as a Character Animation major with a goal in visual development for feature animation. She currently lives in La Canada, California with her family & her loving poodle.
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