The Beetle in the Box
The Beetle in the Box
by Berit Bontems
Berit Bontems
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How far would you go to provide for your family, and protect your country? Bruce thinks he's been saving lives for 10 years by winding a coil on a very special box. After Ryan, an unexpected guest, comes to retrieve the box, Bruce must deal with the psychological effects of denial and loss.
How far would you go to provide for your family, and protect your country? Bruce thinks he's been saving lives for 10 years by winding a coil on a very special box. After Ryan, an unexpected guest, comes to retrieve the box, Bruce must deal with the psychological effects of denial and loss.
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Story
Inclusion Statement
We're proud to say we have a diverse cast and crew in terms of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual preference, economic status, and other variables. This is about more than boasting diversity; it's about telling the fullest story possible, through the lenses of all of our cast and crew.About The Project
"The rules are simple: you're given a box that's hand-powered by winding a dial. When the box dings, it needs to be wound again. As long as you keep it powered, we'll pay you. Oh, and its purpose is classified."
These are the constraints placed upon Bruce Kendricks, a loving husband and father who sees this whole exercise as too good to be true. Wanting to provide for his family and have a higher sense of purpose, Bruce sees this as the opportunity of a lifetime.
Of course, it doesn't work out as smoothly as he'd had hoped. Fast forward ten years, and he's broke, alone, and unstable. How did such a simple task undo him? And, more importantly, how will he react when it's time to give up the very assignment that ruined his life?
We pick up on Bruce when an unexpected visitor, Ryan, comes on behalf of powers higher than himself to retrieve the box. Ryan hopes it's a seamless exchange, but he knows Bruce's mental state may complicate things. Bruce battles to come to terms with reality, after losing touch with it for more than a decade.
Drawing from Ludwig Wittgenstein's famous theory, The Beetle in the Box delves into Bruce's experience protecting the box. When his life spirals and he loses all that he once loved, he'll learn that the box is not valued by its contents, but by the sacrifices he's made to keep it.
Incentives
$5
Shoutout on our Social Media
Every little bit counts! As a thank you for supporting our film, we will give you a special shout-out on our Facebook page.
$10
Thank You Note
Our crew will hand write thank you notes for your donation! Also includes social media shout-out.
$25
Digital Copy of the Film
We will send you a digital copy of the film after its screening! Also includes a thank-you note and social media shout-out.
$35
See How it's Done! + Copy of the Script
For helping support the production of this film, we will send you a special clip from the set during the shoot! Get ready to meet the cast and crew and see how we work. You'll also recieve a digital copy of our final shooting script. Includes all prior incentives.
$50
Your headshots, taken by our Cinematographer!
Our Cinematographer, Dylan Hageman is offering a special opportunity for a photography session for only $50. Check out some of his past work on his website, here!
Claimed: 0 of 5
$75
Signed Script
We will send you a special, marked-up script that we used during production, signed and dedicated just for you! Includes all prior incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 3
$100
See Your Name in Lights!
As a super thank you, we will include your name in the credits of our film! Includes most prior incentives.
$250
See How it's Done, LIVE!
You'll get to visit our set during shooting and personally see how we get the job done. Includes most prior incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 3
$500
Lunch with the Creative Team!
You'll get the chance to have the creative team treat you to lunch in Orange County, CA! Includes most prior incentives.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Shoutout on our Social Media
Every little bit counts! As a thank you for supporting our film, we will give you a special shout-out on our Facebook page.
$10
Thank You Note
Our crew will hand write thank you notes for your donation! Also includes social media shout-out.
$25
Digital Copy of the Film
We will send you a digital copy of the film after its screening! Also includes a thank-you note and social media shout-out.
$35
See How it's Done! + Copy of the Script
For helping support the production of this film, we will send you a special clip from the set during the shoot! Get ready to meet the cast and crew and see how we work. You'll also recieve a digital copy of our final shooting script. Includes all prior incentives.
$50
Your headshots, taken by our Cinematographer!
Our Cinematographer, Dylan Hageman is offering a special opportunity for a photography session for only $50. Check out some of his past work on his website, here!
Claimed: 0 of 5
$75
Signed Script
We will send you a special, marked-up script that we used during production, signed and dedicated just for you! Includes all prior incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 3
$100
See Your Name in Lights!
As a super thank you, we will include your name in the credits of our film! Includes most prior incentives.
$250
See How it's Done, LIVE!
You'll get to visit our set during shooting and personally see how we get the job done. Includes most prior incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 3
$500
Lunch with the Creative Team!
You'll get the chance to have the creative team treat you to lunch in Orange County, CA! Includes most prior incentives.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Director
Ankush is a junior at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts studying film production with an emphasis in directing. As a filmmaker he developed a strong passion and connection to films that explore the unknown, offer new perspectives on grounded concepts and perceptions of our reality, and allow for the audience to play a big role in uncovering the story as it unfolds, often leading to further discussion and thought. So, it seemed like a no brainer that his junior Chapman film should be a mystery thriller that at its core asks the simple question: What would you do if you found out that the last 10 years of your life were a lie? Also, he figured that it was time for another Indian director to make a film with some twists of his own.
Producer
Berit is a second-year Creative Producing major at Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. A life-long artist and creative, she has grown to also love event planning and managing workflow. Her studies to become a producer have given her understandings of great storytelling, project management, and the entertainment industry as a whole. While also taking classes emphasizing in Leadership and Communication, Berit hopes that she will be able to utilize her education to produce not only thoughtful stories and beautiful films, but effective and fulfilling teams as well.
Writer
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Nick is a screenwriter from Excelsior, MN, and the writer of this film. He's an avid basketball fan and dog lover. He typically writes comedy, but has always had an interest in psychological thrillers like The Game (1997) and Black Mirror (2011-). Channeling those, he adapted "The Beetle in the Box" from a short story he wrote to apply to Dodge College back in 2013. He's aware films don't typically get their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but he's hoping they'll make an exception.
Cinematographer
Dylan is a Junior at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts studying Film Production with an emphasis in Cinematography. As a Cinematographer he finds inspiration in light and shadow which to him creates elements of depth and subconscious, interwoven meaning. Being that this film is a dark psychological thriller, he plans to teeter on the cusp of darkness to bring the story to life.
Production Manager
Christian is a junior Television Writing and Production major at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. He aspires to create stories that have a social impact and influence future storytellers. As someone who has a heavy interest in the creative side of film/television, having the opportunity to be a Production Manager and learn the nuts and bolts of budgeting and scheduling a film will pay dividends to his future and overall knowledge in his post-Chapman career. In his free time, Christian plays the saxophone and enjoys watching NBA games and Netflix.
Production Designer
Alison is a junior Studio Art major and Production Design minor born and raised in Long Beach, CA. She has always had a passion for visual art and recently began branching out into production design and set construction for student films.
1st Assistant Director
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Matthew Postle is a Junior Television Writing and Production major at Chapman University. Matt loves collaborating and contributing to something creative and inspiring. He has worked on various student projects and is currently writing a script for the Dodge College pilot program. Matt loves the creative side of television but also enjoys the logistics of scheduling and running a set. Once he graduates, Matt wants to work his way up to becoming a 1st assistant director and ultimately a showrunner. Some of his favorite TV shows include The Office, Shameless, Game of Thrones, and Rick and Morty. Aside from TV Matt is a bit of a fitness nut and loves to play guitar and piano. Matt strives to find the perfect balance between school, work, and fun.
2nd Assistant Director
Will Hecht is currently studying Cinematography and Fine Arts at Chapman University. He works as a freelance camera assistant on music videos and commercials in Los Angeles. While his focus is in the camera department he looks for opportunities to diversify his experience in filmmaking by working in other departments. This allows him to gain a more holistic knowledge and understanding of the filmmaking process.
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