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Filmmaker Marielle Brinda is trying to raise funds for her short film, "The Last Course." (Courtesy of Marielle Brinda)
So, you want to make a movie? The key question: How much will it take?
Marielle Brinda figures that it will cost about $8,000 to finance her short film, "The Last Course," which she describes as a "dark family dramedy-horror-hybrid."
The 29-year-old Elyria native has turned to Kickstarter to try to raise much of that money, and is also hosting a fundraiser in Elyria on Dec. 27.
"I have written over 10 feature-length screenplays and a few shorts, but when it comes to actually producing them, it gets harder because it takes a lot of money," said Brinda, who graduated from Elyria High School, where she starred on the track team.
"I am trying to take some of my shorts ideas and film them and get experience on the production side, because I really want to write and direct features. I'm hoping to get this one into film festivals and use it as my calling card."
Brinda studied filmmaking at Columbia College in Chicago and moved to the Los Angeles area in 2007. She worked for a post-production company as an assistant sound and video editor, and is now developing projects for Reconnaissance Pictures, part of RRCB Media Assets.
She has directed the Web series "Dad's Diner" and is working on selling some reality TV shows.
"The Last Course" is about a dysfunctional family that gathers for a birthday celebration and to honor their late brother, who died in a BASE jumping accident.
"Maggie, the main character, throws her dad a 60th birthday party that includes a mysterious ingredient in the cake," said Brinda, who hopes to shoot the film in March.
She is trying to raise $7,500 online in the campaign that runs through Dec. 31. The four-minute Kickstarter video features Brinda making her pitch with a chocolate birthday cake.
Growing up in Elyria, Brinda made mini-movies with friends and family, including older brothers Matt and Nick, and younger sister Rachel.
"We would film little 'Saturday Night Live'-type sketches or little horror movies. I had always wanted to work in film and always loved comedy. One of my goals was to write for and get on 'Saturday Night Live.' "
Her mom, Holly, is the mayor of Elyria, and her dad, Greg, is the longtime Cleveland sports radio host, currently on WKNR AM/850. Greg's broadcasting sobriquet is "The Dean," which is also the title of another one of Marielle's projects: "The Dean: The Voice of the Cleveland Sports Fan."
It will be a documentary, and an optimistic one.
"We're hoping to capture Cleveland's championship era with LeBron returning to the Cavs," said Brinda. "We're planning to shoot for about a year. But, if the Cavs win the championship, that would change a lot."
Here is the scoop on her upcoming event.
What: A fundraising event hosted by Marielle Brinda, for her short film, "The Last Course." Hors d'oeuvres, champagne, refreshments, dessert, games, music, prizes.
When: 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Where: Monteith Hall (Elyria Womans' Club), 218 East Ave., Elyria.
Tickets: $35 per person, or $50 per couple. Purchase at the door, or in advance online, by Dec. 24, at eventsprout.