Hello!

My name is Christopher Abreu and I love to write. I love creating stories in any form, be it through comic books, fiction, tv or film. All my life I have known that this was want I wanted to do. I used to think that making your own short film is an incredible, if almost impossible task that I didn't feel I had the funds to ever achieve making one. That is until I learned about John Cassavetes. After I watch "Shadows" I had the motivation and shed the fear behind making my own film. I just knew I had to do it.

This is where you, my hopeful benefactors come in:

What I would like to do is receive only 900 dollars to make my short film titled "Perspectives in Dating". It will be about a young man in his 20s named William who goes on a date with a young lady named Marin.

The date is recreated based upon their descriptions of it to their friends. William shares what HE believed happen to his friend Joe. Marin, on the other hand explains her side of this disastrous date with her friend Alex.

Because the viewer only sees what happens on the date between these two when either William or Marin tell the story, not only does the dialogue change, but also the settings, outfit, etc.

This film is meant to explore how we perceive the gender roles of one another through one of the most intimate and scariest times in human relationships: The First Date. What I am striving for is a short film that turns these stereotypical gender roles we see in romantic comedies and date moves on its head. This film is meant to change the way we view Romantic comedies as these paint-by-numbers Girl needs boy to feel fulfilled, Boy saves girl, story. Katherine Heigl look elsewhere. It is time for an evolution in how we view this film genre as it has the ability to really go in-depth as to how we as human value and view relationships and gender stereotypes.

How I plan to do it is simple. I attend the University of Pennsylvania where I am connected to many students who would like to be actors. I know I can find 4 or more people to be in this short film. I will film this in one of there dorms on campus, which again saves me money for the budget I have given myself. My goal is to have a smart budget, but not skimp on the quality. I am also sure that because of the close relationship between the university and the restaurants by it, I will be able to film for a minimal cost or even free (for the restaurant scenes).

With regards to shooting and editing, I will be taking care of that. I already have editing software and editing know-how. One of the things that this money is going for is towards a camera, the rest would be for auxiliary things, to help me pay the cast in food and things such as that.

I am also lucky to be in a community where there are people organizations on campus willing to help promote my film through film festivals. Such as the Philadelphia Film Festival, among others. I will be able to show this film beyond youtube. I feel that this is a big chance at my dream. And I hope you will help!

I am happy to answer any questions too. Feel free to ask. I will also update the goings-on for this project all the time, because it is a part of you as it is a part of me. It is important for me to catalog this important journey!

Project location: Philadelphia, PA