Why We Left

To everyone who supported Why We Left through Seed & Spark, through sharing the campaign, through simply believing this story deserved to exist — thank you. Genuinely. You got us here. And now, a massive shout out to @rulecamera for the incredible camera package and @mikesundp for his camera, @thegaffergrip and @burns_likethefire for the G&E support for our first shoot. The emotional core of this film — the scenes that are its backbone — exists because of their generosity and belief in independent filmmakers. 🎬 Here’s the thing: we’re not done. This summer we head to @StudioLabNH for our Volume stage shoot days, where the surrealist world of Why We Left comes fully to life. That next chapter requires a next round of support — and we’d love for you to be part of it. Stay tuned at @whyweleft25 . More soon.

I’ve been sitting with this for a couple of weeks now, trying to find the words. Every single person on this crew brought their absolute A game to the first part of our shoot. Not because they had to, but because they believed in this story and independent short film. I’m still overwhelmed. We still have our Volume stage shoot days at Studio Lab coming this summer — where the surrealist world of the film truly comes to life — and I cannot wait to keep building this with you all.  Producer/ 1st AD- @tishna12 Producer- @carleybyers_ Associate Producer/ 2nd AD- @oooandresooo Director/Producer/Writer- @joancassin Script Supervisor- @rubybluedmc Key Set PA- Camila Perez Herrera Director of Photography- @filouza Camera Op- @jucliu Camera Op- @steadidean 1st AC- @audjob_s 2nd AC- @john.john.little 2nd AC- @jimmymartin1 VFX Supervisor- @jacobhearl @brickyardvfx   BTS Photographer- @andrewallenpictures Production Designer- @sujamas Set Decorator- @tlpav Prop Master- @jakelutter Set Dresser- @nadiaeisa Prop Fabricator- @nalie_don.t Art PA- @sophie.olsson Gaffer- @burns_likethefire Gaffer- @brandnamekel , @thegaffergrip Ket Grip- Oscar Buscara Grip- @nu.hawkztal0n Grip- Lizzie Ecklecamp Wardrobe Stylist/Location Hero- @nicolecoakleystylist Hair & Make Up- @courtneyscosmeticcreations Production Sound Mixer/Handyman- @soundslikeeremy Boom Operator- Caroline May Boom Operator- @stairmaster5000 #whyweleft #crewlove #indiefilm #womeninfilm #bestcrewoutthere

There are scenes from our first shoot that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. @juanteisaire and @estefania.giraldo gave everything to Maria and Manny. These characters live in quiet devastation, in the space between what’s felt and what can’t be said and watching these two incredible actors find that place, together, on set (and in the car to/from set), was one of the most profound experiences I’ve had as a director. They were an absolute joy to work with They are the beating heart of Why We Left. And we’re not even done yet. 🌺 #whyweleft #actorsofinstagram #indiefilm #surrealism #magicalsurrealism 📸: @andrewallenpictures

Thank you so much for bearing with me during this fundraiser! Now onto prep and getting this puppy made ❤️ Forever grateful

ONLY 30 MIN LEFT TO SUPPORT ‼️ Can we make it to $12K!? Only a few hundred away! Thank you SO much for an incredible push yesterday. We raised nearly $1K on our last day!! Freaking AMAZING! Now we only have a few hours left— it’s truly the last chance to support. Let’s finish strong! 🔥

ONLY 2 HOURS LEFT TO SUPPORT ‼️ Can we make it to $12K!? Only $800 away! Thank you SO much for an incredible push yesterday. We raised nearly $1K on our last day!! Freaking AMAZING! Now we only have a few hours left— it’s truly the last chance to support. Let’s finish strong! 🔥

TODAY is the last full day of our @seedandspark campaign 🎬 Thank you for being on this journey with us. To see the outpouring of support over the past 30 days has been nothing short of incredible. We’re going into this last push full of gratitude. 💞 We’re currently at $10,320 with a stretch goal of $15K. Every cent will go directly back into our film: paying our amazing cast and crew, making hand-crafted props and telling this story to the very best of our ability. If you’ve been meaning support, today is the day. Today is the day to share, repost, tell a friend, donate. Thank you for supporting independent film. Let’s see how far we can grow on our last day together. 🌱✨ #indiefilm #lastdaycrowdfunding #shortfilm #crowdfunder #stretchgoals

We did it!! 🎉 Because of your support, we officially reached our $10K Seed & Spark goal!! We’re outrageously grateful for the support. Truly, thank you. This incredible momentum has inspired us to reach for the stars: $15K by the end of our campaign. ✨ We have until Wednesday morning to make it happen. If you’ve been meaning to support, now is the time! Hitting this stretch goal would allow us to allocate much needed funds to our art department. We’re also highlighting the @seedandspark “Wishlist” feature which allows you to contribute directly to a portion of our budget. Would you like to donate a meal to our crew? A prop? You can! We’re so close to the finish line. Let’s do this! Every share and contribution helps more than you know. ❤️ 🔗 Donate at the link in our bio now #indiefilm #shortfilm #stretchgoals #womeninfilm #crowdfunding

Today we spotlight a very special partner, @brickyardvfx ✨ Brickyard is a female, artist-owned studio specializing in high-end visual effects, animation, design and more. We’re honored they believe in our story and Joan’s vision. Brickyard has generously partnered with us providing in-kind VFX services for Why We Left. This is HUGE ensuring we can stay committed to beautiful, surreal imagery on an indie budget. ⏰ PLEASE KNOW— we ONLY have 24 HOURS left of our campaign. If you’ve been meaning to support, NOW is the time! We’re honored to have incredible collaborators like Brickyard allowing us to stretch our funds and make something truly spectacular. Come on this journey with us and support while you still can!! 🌱🎬 #indiefilm #womenownedsmallbusiness #shortfilm #bostonvfx #womeninfilm

🎥 HUGE OPPORTUNITY 🎥 @rulecamera has made an incredibly generous pledge: IF we can get fully funded, they will come on board as our partner and donate our camera package. That’s right!! Every member of our creative team has had a lengthy relationship with Rule allowing this partnership to be possible. We are humbled, grateful and ECSTATIC about this prospect. A huge thank you to John Rule and the whole team for believing in us and being our trusted rental house for many years. Rule Camera supplies professional film equipment for short and long term rentals. Their staff is knowledgeable, passionate and always ready to help. We urge our community to check them out for upcoming projects! And guess what… we’re ONLY $500 away from making this a reality!! Yesterday we hit a major milestone, reaching 80% means we’re able to keep our donations. This is HUGE and INCREDIBLE. Truly, thank you. Now let’s bring this home and fully realize Why We Left! ✨

Hi there! 👋 I’m Carley, one of the producers of Why We Left and currently running this social media account!! It’s my birthday (woop woop 🎈) and I want to celebrate with you! If you know me, you know I love hedgehogs. I put photos of them at the end of my call sheet emails and send them to friends! If you support Why We Left today, I’ll answer ANY question you have with a hedgehog. That’s right, power of the hog! We’re nearly green lit, maybe some birthday magic and 🦔 will get us there!?! ps if you’ve donated in the past and want a hog, I’ll still send you one ❤️ #indiefilm #hedgehog #hedgehoglover #womeninfilm #hedgehoginfilm

Why We Left uses surreal visuals to externalize what cannot be said out loud. 🌺 Emotional states manifest physically. For Maria, she retreats to a time before grief, her life in Miami, and the abundant vegetation. In the film, we see a hibiscus flower bloom from the cabinet of her cold home. Memories bleed into the present. As we end the week, we grow closer to the end of our Seed & Spark campaign- ONLY 6 days left to support! Every share, contribution and follow means the world to us. Thank you for being here!! #crowdfunder #surrealism #visualeffects #indiefilm #communitysupport