SHIFT - Pioneers Pitch

PIONEERS
WRITTEN BY DIANA IRVINE & BIANCA RUSU // A DECK BY SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT
overview & tone
two pioneer women.
together, exposed in the open

desert — baked beneath a
merciless sun,
a deadly and unforgiving

circumstance, one that they
chose. the lesser of two evils.
they made a choice of survival

in spite of walking thru hell;
the bravery to flee.
only the ugliest threat could

force one into that sort of
hell. we can only imagine.
together, they push forward.

surviving not just for
themselves but for the unborn
baby one of them carries. a
guttural commitment to life —
the fight of existing and being.
A NOTE FROM WRITERS BIANCA RUSU and DIANA IRVINE
Survival stories are integral to our perception of America and the foundation of its Mecca: the West. We have seen them
countless times: a battle against the elements, extreme mental and physical stress in the wilds of nature, and our most
primal instinct to get ‘home’. But tales of female heroism often fade into the background of history books and
Hollywood films in service of male-centeredness. We have chosen to focus our story on two women breaking ground in the
earliest stages of the American West: Lois and Claire, not Lewis and Clark. Evolutionary theory suggests that the
child-bearing ability, maternal instinct and unique camaraderie embedded in females makes them the ultimate survivors.
Countless Pioneer mothers literally gave birth in a moving wagon. We aim to explore female archetypal power through the
discovery of robust self-sufficiency. The end result or measurement of success is irrelevant. The true test is staying
in the fight.
The greatest female survival story is quite simply: the History of Women.
EXT. CALIFORNIA DESERT (1849) - DAY
A raging sun bakes the caked dust of wide, open land. No sign of
civilization; a mountain range looms in the far distance. The
CRUNCH of footsteps. CORA & MATTIE, women in their early 20s, walk
slowly over the expanse. Their lips are blistered, and their
dresses soiled. Cora carries a small water CANTEEN. Mattie carries
a baby in her PREGNANT belly. Words catch in their dry mouths...
production design & visual tone
wasted and barren. cracked and cooked — a warped landscape, shimmering with
radiating heat; a nearly baked mirage.
our camera will inch through this desert: another character creeping through
the heat, fighting to move an inch. we plan to partner wide, static scope with
stumbling intimate close ups. á la MEEKS CUTOFF we’ll witness the patience and
impossibility of the world — with wide landscape shots — partnered with the
very human textures of skin, hot breath, and squint beneath a bonnet; we want
to feel every sunburn and blister. its a wonder they can even speak. let alone
push forward. burrowing under your skin with subtly, we’ll feel that struggle
of movement — that sway of desperation.
MATTIE
Cora we might go back.
CORA
For what?
MATTIE (CONT'D)
(re: her belly)
It’s been a full day since I have
felt him move.
Cora looks to her.
MATTIE (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

(an attempt at levity)
Perhaps he is saving his strength.
sound
a crucial character in the world

we’re building — the soundscape:
the hum, the buzz, the crunch, the

sharp breath.
we hope to play with building

drones and sweeping wind — a
metallic and textured chorus of
ache.
CORA
It would take three days to go
back.
Mattie looks into the distance for an explanation, or, by

some miracle, another human.
CORA (CONT'D)
Let us not talk on it anymore.
The sound of heat waves VIBRATING, escalating: eery,

metallic and high-pitched.
They continue walking.
CORA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

We are getting close.
Walking...
CORA
Just past the hill...straight
ahead. The blue! The blue water!
MATTIE
(distraught)
I don't see it--
CORA
Try. Try harder to see.
Just ahead!
Mattie's eyes go wide, reflecting the moonlight.
MATTIE (CONT'D)
The blue…
CORA
The blue! Praise be to God!
CUT TO BLACK.
ABOUT DIRECTORS: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT
After a year of living off the grid in Marfa, TX, artist Charlotte Fassler — former visual
editor and producer at Man Repeller — officially partnered with long time creative
collaborator Dani Girdwood — protege of director Reed Morano. Girdwood was coming fresh
off of THE HANDMAID’S TALE and associate producing Morano's most recent film I THINK WE’RE
ALONE NOW, starring Elle Fanning and Peter Dinklage.
Uniting under the moniker, SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT, the NY based directing duo is known for
their work with raw human stories and authentic performance —
Together they’ve shot in London, Paris, Miami, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Min, Jakarta, and
Singapore.
ABOUT THE WRITERS & ACTRESSES: DIANA IRVINE & BIANCA RUSU
LA-raised and NY-trained, Diana Irvine is a proud alumna of New York Bianca Rusu is a Romanian-born, Toronto raised, New York educated, Los
University’s Tisch School of the Arts and the Atlantic Theater Co. Some Angeles local actor. She is a graduate of New York University's Tisch
notable roles from this time include Helen of Troy (Trojan Women) and School for the Arts, Atlantic Acting Studio, winning an award upon
Dawn (Heartsick Pioneer). She will make her theatrical film debut this graduating for Outstanding Achievement in Studio. Late last year, she
February with The Boy Downstairs, opposite Zosia Mamet, which premiered worked on Brie Larson’s directorial debut “Unicorn Store”, and James
at TriBeCa Film Festival and was awarded ‘Best Ensemble Cast’ at Napa Franco directed "The Institute". Her work in Canada includes most
Valley Film Festival. Diana’s short film, Cuddle Buddy, which she co- notably cult horror short "Demonology of Desire" which ran the festival
wrote and co-starred in, premiered on 'Short of the Week' and will play circuit worldwide garnering her a Best Actress award at the City of
at Vail Film Festival in early April. She is currently performing in Death International Film Festival and at Fantastic Fest.
North Coast Repertory’s West Coast Premiere of Steven Dietz’s This
Random World.
ABOUT THE PRODUCERS: SLMBR PRTY
SLMBR PRTY is a curated networking collective

based in NYC, founded by a group of women with
diverse backgrounds ranging in commercial
production, indie film production, cinematography,
photography and acting. Inspired by the Women's
March on Washington the group of friends (Sarah
Donnenberg, Leah Donnenberg, Elle Ginter, Kirstin
VanSkiver, Samantha Scaffidi, and Allison
Anderson) began this initiative with the goal to
connect women in narrative filmmaking and
commercial production. Members consist of
producers, directors, sound mixers, writers,
editors, cinematographers, colorists, VFX
artists, and everything in between.
SLMBR PRTY has been featured in Le Book, Diverge,

and Little Black Book.
SLMBR PRTY Films was created to produce original

content in both the narrative and commercial
worlds while fostering collaboration within the
SLMBR PRTY community. With a focus on developing
and producing women-led stories, SLMBR PRTY Films
works with filmmakers in the early stages of their
projects to workshop scripts, provide feedback,
and connect women filmmakers with the tools and
resources needed to get their productions off the
ground. The first project produced by SLMBR PRTY
Films was the short film, “Mama Jane” starring
Constance Shulman (Orange Is The New Black) which
is currently in the 2018 film festival circuit.

Kirstin VanSkiver is a producer based in New York City. She has
produced work for top brands and advertising agencies such as
Google, Netflix, Dior, Buffalo Wild Wings, The ALS Association,
MMB, Deeplocal, and TBWA Chiat/Day. Her narrative and documentary
producing includes the short film “Mama Jane,” starring Constance
Shulman (Orange Is The New Black), the Frontline series “Betting
On Trump: Jobs,” and a feature length documentary on grass-roots
dirt track racing in upstate NY, to begin principal photography in
Spring 2018. Kirstin is excited to continue producing female led
stories with SLMBR PRTY Films.
Leah + Sarah Donnenberg are twin sisters who are 2 minutes apart. The
sisters grew up immersed in theatre, art, and dance, performing
professionally since the age of 5. In college, they focused their
studies on Advertising and Film which led them to a career in
commercial production. They are both senior producers at major
advertising agencies in NYC with eight years of experience working on
brands such as NBA, Google, Walmart and Tide to name a few. In
addition to their commercial work, they have produced music videos,
comedy skits, and most recently a short film titled “Mama Jane”. As
the need for branded content and branded entertainment continues to
evolve , Leah and Sarah are excited to be at the forefront of the
collision of indie filmmakers and advertising.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

SHIFT - Pioneers Pitch

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PIONEERS

two pioneer women.

together, exposed in the open

a deadly and unforgiving

they made a choice of survival

only the ugliest threat could

together, they push forward.

Cora looks to her.

MATTIE (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

a crucial character in the world

the hum, the buzz, the crunch, the

we hope to play with building

Mattie looks into the distance for an explanation, or, by

The sound of heat waves VIBRATING, escalating: eery,

They continue walking.

CORA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

Mattie's eyes go wide, reflecting the moonlight.

SLMBR PRTY is a curated networking collective

SLMBR PRTY has been featured in Le Book, Diverge,

SLMBR PRTY Films was created to produce original

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