The Fat Lady - Filming Day #5: A Memorable Milestone at Ann's Restaurant

Last Saturday, July 6th was our fifth day of filming for "The Fat Lady - She Just Wanted to be Called by Her Name," and it took place at the lovely Ann's Restaurant. The day consisted of about 6 hours of filming, an hour for lunch, and two hours for decorating and unpacking. I had only slept for four hours the night before, trying to put everything together, knowing it would be a long day with one of the biggest scenes involving many actors and extras.

That's a wrap!

Despite the challenges, we pulled it off perfectly. There was something in the air on this day that I couldn’t quite explain—a feeling of happiness and accomplishment. I wasn’t the only one feeling it; right after we wrapped up, I received messages from everyone sharing the same sentiment. There was something special about the day, a great sense of achievement.

This incredible day wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of each cast and crew member, as well as local businesses like Ann's Restaurant, which kindly provided us with the location. Special thanks to the owner, Diana, who not only offered the space but also played one of the extras! 😉

As we continue this journey, we still need donations to complete the entire process of making this film. Please visit www.thefatladyfilm.com/donate and support us. With three more days of filming to go, we need your collaboration to bring this story to life.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project so far. Your support means the world to us!

Stay tuned for more updates,

Rita

Halfway There: The Journey of Filming "The Fat Lady - She Just Wanted to Be Called by Her Name"

Hi all! This is Rita Avellar, the writer and director of The Fat Lady - She Just Wanted to Be Called by Her Name. I can't believe that I am writing this post to tell you that we have completed 4 out of 8 days of filming already. Yay!!

Filming Day # 4

It is not easy to make an indie movie, but we are doing it! We've had 4 days of shooting, 6 different locations, and a dedicated team of actors and crew. Taking care of, organizing, directing, and making this happen is no joke—kudos to us! Here you can see how fun (and crazy) this experience has been so far!

Do you want to help us? Go to this link and make a tax-deductible donation or a PayPal donation. Also, share with a friend or local business that would love to be part of this community-minded project, just like all these collaborators have done.

Breaking News: "The Fat Lady" Gains Fiscal Sponsorship for a Brighter Future!

Hey there, dear readers! Today, we're thrilled to share some exhilarating news. Our short film, "The Fat Lady - She Just Wanted to Be Called by Her Name," has achieved a major milestone - fiscal sponsorship by the wonderful non-profit, From the Heart Productions!

This sponsorship opens new doors for us, making donations to our project not only an investment in independent filmmaking but also an opportunity for you to enjoy tax deductions. Your support has never been more valuable in bringing our heartfelt project to life.

But let's rewind a bit and dive into the story behind this extraordinary project. It all started a decade ago when "The Fat Lady" was nothing more than a creative spark. This short story was my final project during my Creative Writing class at UCSD back in 2013. To my delight, it was recognized as one of the top projects out of a pool of 20, igniting a dream within me to transform it into a short film.

Fast forward to seven years later, after careful nurturing and guidance from my writing mentor, Ingrid Zavarezzi, we transformed that dream into a reality. Teaming up with local producer Sam Pittman, we delved into the world of casting and pre-production, piecing together the elements of this project.

However, fate had a twist in store for us. In less than a year, news of breast cancer came crashing into our lives, disrupting our creative journey. While conquering this formidable battle, I crossed paths with Taisa Mundy, who stepped in as the executive producer. Through the storm of treatment, we persevered, and now, after completing this challenging chapter, I'm thrilled to rekindle our project.

The stars aligned perfectly as we received word of our fiscal agency sponsorship, and this event marked a significant turning point. To celebrate, we gathered our entire cast for our very first reading - both in person and online.

This project's journey has been filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. It's a testament to the incredible power of perseverance, dreams, and the strength of community. The excitement and gratitude that fill my heart are immeasurable, and I want you to be part of this incredible adventure.

If you're as thrilled as we are and would like to contribute, visit the link here to make a tax-deductible donation. Every little bit counts and brings us one step closer to sharing "The Fat Lady" with the world.

A heartfelt thanks to the cast Katherine Hudson, Phillip McFarland, Caitlin Skinner, and Kim Lea Mays for being part of this amazing journey! Your support means the world to us. 💛

📸 Photo credit: @noblesville.sports.photography