Exciting News: Tinker Coffee Joins as a Partner!

We have some thrilling news to share! We are beyond excited to announce that Tinker Coffee has joined us as a partner on our journey to bring "The Fat Lady - She Just Wanted to be Called by Her Name" to life. They generously donated a 5 oz bag of their amazing coffee, and let me tell you, it has made a world of difference on set.

As any filmmaker will tell you, long days on set can be challenging. But with the support of Tinker Coffee, our crew and cast are happy and energized, ready to tackle each scene with enthusiasm and dedication. Coffee is an essential part of our filming routine, giving us the perfect boost to keep spirits high and creativity flowing.

Tinker Coffee's donation is a testament to the power of community support in making indie films possible. We are incredibly grateful for their contribution and thrilled to have such a fantastic local business backing our project.

To our amazing cast and crew, thank you for your hard work and dedication. And to Tinker Coffee, thank you for fueling our passion and helping us bring this story to life. Your support means everything to us.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue filming, and don't forget to check out Tinker Coffee if you need a delicious pick-me-up. You can visit their website at Tinker Coffee and see what all the buzz is about!

Thank you all for your ongoing support. We couldn't do this without you!

With gratitude,

Rita Avellar

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