Nia On Vacation

Drama

Feature

Patras

Nia is a native New Yorker about to graduate from college. Her brother Peter is a native Greek she's never met. The plane ticket he sends will be a much needed escape from her reality - and a window into his.

Wishlist

Use the WishList to contribute cash and loan items - or - Make a contribution by selecting an incentive directly.

Compact HD - HD DSLR

We want to use the same camera we've been renting in NYC to continue shooting in Greece.

$3,500 to go

costs $5,000

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Accessories - Storage / Media

No use having a camera if we can't record!

FULFILLED

costs $150

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Accessories - Batteries

Extra batteries mean we can shoot outdoors and on the go and not worry about losing power.

FULFILLED

costs $500

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Accessories - Matteboxes

Greece is sunny! Help us keep that pesky glare out of our images.

FULFILLED

costs $380

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Accessories - Filters

Neutral Density filters will ensure we don't lose image quality under the bright Greek sun.

FULFILLED

costs $225

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Accessories - Follow Focus

For beautifully composed shots with motion from actors and lenses alike, we'll need help focusing.

FULFILLED

costs $390

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Monitors - On-board monitors

For scenes involving motor travel, we'll need a smaller monitor handy.

FULFILLED

costs $600

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Lenses - Arri / Zeiss Ultra Prime Set

To make the most of our beautiful locations.

$2,220 to go

costs $2,720

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Car Mount Kit

For our scenes involving automotive transportation.

FULFILLED

costs $300

×
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$

Accessories - tripod and head

The style of our film requires smooth and steady shots.

FULFILLED

costs $500

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Underwater housing

What's better than a movie set on Greek land? One set in Mediterranean waters!

FULFILLED

costs $500

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Catering

A well fed cast and crew is a good cast and crew.

$945 to go

costs $3,500

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Flights

To bring our small crew to Greece and so that we have a place to stay while there.

$3,600 to go

costs $5,600

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Production Assistants

Because everyone in our small team wears so many hats. We'll be working constantly.

$4,400 to go

costs $5,000

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Lighting Package

To upkeep the standards we have set during our NYC shoots we'll need more than natural light.

$175 to go

costs $675

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Expendables KIT (Small): Gaffer Tape

From tape to string and beyond; those extra little things that make films possible.

FULFILLED

costs $380

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

SUV

To get us to our gorgeous locations with our gear handy.

$1,275 to go

costs $1,500

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Equipment Insurance

To ensure the safety and function of all of our rented and owed items.

$4,475 to go

costs $5,000

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

GRIP KIT (Small): Flags

To help us harness the power of natural light.

FULFILLED

costs $80

×
How much would you like to contribute?
$

Select This Incentive

$10 USD

Our sincere gratitude. You helped make this possible, and we won't forget it. Any amount you donate, be it listed on this page is so very appreciated.

Claimed: 26 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$25 USD

A personalized digital THANK YOU postcard on your Facebook wall and/or Twitter feed.

Claimed: 34 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$50 USD

A very SPECIAL THANKS in the credits of our finished film.

Claimed: 33 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$100 USD

A private link to a personalized THANK YOU video from one of our cast or crew members - shot on location in Greece!

Claimed: 48 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$250 USD

An invitation to our special TOAST OFF TO GREECE BRUNCH this coming August! Greek food at a secret location and a private screening of the NYC opening of the film!

Claimed: 14 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$500 USD

A special invitation to a screening of a rough cut of NIA ON VACATION. Be a part of the editing process and the conversation, hang out with cast and crew. There will be snacks and drinks.

Claimed: 9 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$1,000 USD

An Associate Producer credit on the finished film. Shown during the opening scenes, on it's own page. Welcome to the crew!

Claimed: 2 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$1,500 USD

A Co-Producer credit on the finished film. Shown during the opening scenes, on it's own page. Welcome to the crew! Includes an all access pass to all screening events.

Claimed: 0 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$3,500 USD

You are an Excecutive Producer! You always did secretly want to make a film, didn't you? This is an all access pass to all of our screening events, as well as a day in the editing room with the director. Welcome aboard!

Claimed: 0 of 'Unlimited'
The Story

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About The Project

I grew up travelling to Greece every summer to visit my dad. My love for Greece and all things Greek grew through the years, as steadily as the realization of my family's status. Each September I was greeted by the beginning of school and the envy of my friends; for my two months in Greece, and the telltale tan. Coming back was easy, in fact, I was always eager. What wasn't easy was expressing that I had been to the most beautiful place in the world, and had spent my time there deeply unhappy. What wasn't easy was expressing the sadness that came with traveling halfway around the world only to be confronted with what I was trying to escape at home.

Since sharing the script with friends and colleagues I've become aware of how shootable I wrote it to be: set on locations I already had access to, with minimal effects needed and just two principle characters. Since begining shooting I've become aware of how relatable the story is, and how intruiged people are - both in New York and in Greece - by the dual setting, and the juxtaposition of beauty and strife.

When I set out to Greece in September of 2013 to scout my locations and finish casting and crewing, I was moved by how motivated the entire community was to help. Everyone we reached out to, and many more who reached out to us, expressed the desire to help in any way possible to tell this true to life story. They are as much the reason I am making this film as that feeling I had in my gut when writing the script. With so many young professionals opting to leave Greece right now, it's especially gratifying to offer paid work to those joining our crew.

I have always set out to involve myself in stories about average people, the less-than-privileged, with stories that are simple yet emotionally complex. I am excited to shoot this film, and I'm up for the challenge of shooting on a shoestring budget; I know it can be done, and I believe in my cast and crew. I'm excited to produce a film about a young woman, with the help of a largely female crew, that is about more than just being a girl, but about experiences we all share.

Incentives

Select This Incentive

$10 USD

Our sincere gratitude. You helped make this possible, and we won't forget it. Any amount you donate, be it listed on this page is so very appreciated.

Claimed: 26 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$25 USD

A personalized digital THANK YOU postcard on your Facebook wall and/or Twitter feed.

Claimed: 34 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$50 USD

A very SPECIAL THANKS in the credits of our finished film.

Claimed: 33 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$100 USD

A private link to a personalized THANK YOU video from one of our cast or crew members - shot on location in Greece!

Claimed: 48 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$250 USD

An invitation to our special TOAST OFF TO GREECE BRUNCH this coming August! Greek food at a secret location and a private screening of the NYC opening of the film!

Claimed: 14 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$500 USD

A special invitation to a screening of a rough cut of NIA ON VACATION. Be a part of the editing process and the conversation, hang out with cast and crew. There will be snacks and drinks.

Claimed: 9 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$1,000 USD

An Associate Producer credit on the finished film. Shown during the opening scenes, on it's own page. Welcome to the crew!

Claimed: 2 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$1,500 USD

A Co-Producer credit on the finished film. Shown during the opening scenes, on it's own page. Welcome to the crew! Includes an all access pass to all screening events.

Claimed: 0 of 'Unlimited'

Select This Incentive

$3,500 USD

You are an Excecutive Producer! You always did secretly want to make a film, didn't you? This is an all access pass to all of our screening events, as well as a day in the editing room with the director. Welcome aboard!

Claimed: 0 of 'Unlimited'
Updates
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The Team

Current Team

About This Team

CREW -

CAT PAPADIMITRIOU - Writer/Director/Producer

Cat is a Bronx born, Brooklyn based filmmaker, with a strong visual arts background. Since attending New York's School of Visual Arts as a Screenwriting major, Cat has made a living off of fashion video, commercial and documentary work as well as a number of odd jobs, to which she credits much of her writing inspiration. Her last adventure in filmmaking abroad was as second camera operator for the documentary Fire In Our Hearts. First camera was operated by a brilliant young tribal girl in northern India, whom Cat taught to shoot. Cat is devoted to telling stories about people who might not otherwise have a voice. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4756357/

ELIZABETH CASINELLI - Director of Photography

Libby has lived and worked in New York City for the majority of her adult life, learning the craft of cinematography by working as a lighting technician and camera assistant for over ten years. She is very excited to be a part of Nia On Vacation. Not only will this be her first feature film as DP, but her first trip to Greece. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0143731/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

MORGAN SMITH - Assistant Camera/PA extraordinaire

Brooklyn based, Morgan likes telling stories through drawing, writing and camera-ing. From pulling focus, to slating, capturing B-Roll and running various last minute emergency errands, Morgan has been vital to the success of our shoots in New York.

TIFFANY ARMOUR-TEJADA - Digital Imaging Technician

Our faces would be green and our sights unsightly if not for the color correcting and technical genius of Denver born, Manhattan based Tiffany.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2671828/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

CAST -

NIKA EZELL PAPPAS - Nia

Nika is a California native who relocated to New York to pursue her MFA in Acting from Columbia University, which she completed in 2013. Most recent projects include a regional Sleepy's commercial, and joining the team of Roundabout for Bad Jews as the female understudy for both roles. Favorite roles include Clytemnestra, Joan, Daphna, and of course Nia. http://nikaezellpappas.com/

STACEE MANDEVILLE - Morgan

Classically trained at NYU, Stacee is an actor, director, teaching artist, print model, jazz vocalist and entrepreneur. Jack of all trades, master of some, her most recent acting project was as the main villain in the award winning 48 hour film Once A Loser, slated to be screened at this years Cannes Film Festival. As an entrepreneur, she is the founder of Red Leaf coaching, and has taught internationally at the corporate level to many Fortune 500 companies.

*HONORABLE MENTION - The script would never have left the tightly clenched hands of writer Cat Papadimitriou if not for the encouragement and shared talent of good friends:

BOBBY BERRY - Camera Operator - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6401969/?ref_=fn_al_nm_3

ILYA SCHNITZER - Camera Operator -

MIKE WILSON - Camera Operator/Boom Operator/Script Supervision - http://sulphurbath.com/
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