A story of Reforming

As of today, we see how parolees are constantly put down, from a lack of mental health care, to their lack of employability due to being asked of unspent convictions, and even how the public perceives them from their background, which leads to 50% of parolees to reoffend, and 25% left homeless in some parts of England.

Our film, Getting Through Thursday details and explores these aspects of what it means to reform, and how respect goes a long way to keep parolees out of jail, following Michael's experiences and how he tries to find belonging after recently being freed.

Who are we?

We are MA Film students working on our first project together! We have a diverse crew from all around the world, with a variety of different background positions of news broadcasting, directing, editing, producing and creating professional student films! 

The credits are as follows:

Caleb Bartlett-Kotval:

Co-Director, Script Editor

Finn Hurst:

Co-Director, Gaffer, Writer, Colourist

Yevgeniya Li:

Producer

Lewis Hall:

Production Manager

Harry Thomas:

Lead Writer, Gaffer

Monty Rice:

DOP, Script Editor

Ghalia Alzien:

Lead Script Editor, Costume & Make-up designer

Kamila Duschanova:

1st AC, Set Design

Jan Gilbert: 

2nd AC

Ali Al-Ameri:

Writer, Script Supervisor

Steve Melia:

Lead Film Editor

Emily Brock: 

Art Director

Ethan Willetts: 

Boom Operator

Michael's journey

Our short-film drama details a typical Thursday of Michael, a young offender who is now trying his best to realign himself in a society that is weary of his reintegration. From searching for a job to having people look twice at him, tribulations occur that questions and endears his redemption.

• This story is important on many different levels, defining how we as a society should give second chances to those who need it, and help reformers stay reformed.
• We are in a crisis of having government and social standards set against these ex-convicts who need need guidance and a better support system, which leads to 50% re-offending in the future. Thus, we want to integrate as much statistical information as we can to maintain the core message and themes of the story.
• This film serves as a spotlight on these important issues. As a donor, you will be actively helping us express these messages through our short-film, and make a difference!
• Inspired by J.D Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, Shawshank Redemption and I, Daniel Blake.

Financials

• With our minimum budget, we should be able to get the bare essentials. Only just covering our props and locations, alongside any fuel costs for transporting equipment and commuting between locations.
• With a full budget, we can be able to better dress sets, improve costumes, the option to submit our films to festivals and overall improve the quality of production to make our project the best it can be!
• Here is a predicted budget breakdown:
• £200 for locations
• £120 for travel
• £80 for food
• £100 for festivals
• £50 for props
• £50 for costumes
• If we raise any extra funds above our target, this money will be used by the University of Reading Film, Theatre and Television department to help promote our film and other films made by our fellow students.

What Can I do to help?

• Please spread this page across all social media sites!

• Even if you can't give money, sharing our project to others will help our project massively!
• If you do have money to donate, however, please do so! It helps with production and raises awareness to important issues!