DiNG Approaches Production
After our initial shoot was shut down by Hurricane Helene, we are deep in prep for our November production of DiNG in Memphis. DiNG is written and directed by Matt Maddox, our inspiration for the CMP Mentorship Program and now an essential collaborator and close friend of the company. This will be Matt’s first short film with Cheshire Moon Productions.
Impressed by both his work and his presence, Matt was the choice filmmaker to initiate the CMP Mentorship Program. The program is designed to support artists to refine their creative process, nurture their ideas, and garner recognition in order to sustain a career in alignment with their calling and unique gifts.
DiNG follows two girls ding dong ditching houses in a suburban cul-de-sac who stumble upon a neighborhood secret that alters their world forever.
This is a proof of concept short film intended for feature development, as well as a showcase of Matt’s undeniable genius and place in the field. Follow along for updates on the project and how you can be involved as we move into production and beyond throughout the festival circuit.
Matt has gone the distance scouting locations across the country and exploring story ideas. This local Memphis production was carefully and intentionally chosen to bring you the fullness of his magic pulled directly from his roots.
You can check out Matt on IG to see his incredible photography and inquire on collaborations.
Maddox is pictured here with Andrew Cunningham, one of his collaborators on DiNG.
Greatness is a mindset and accessing genius is a process.
It’s stories like Matt’s that will continue to change the game in this industry. By bringing visibility into unknown territory and radically expanding the scope of what is exposed to the collective, art will always find new points of impact, perspectives will shift, and new voices will rise and inspire.
“A dream we dream alone is just a dream. A dream we dream together is reality.” — Yoko Ono
Once we see ourselves as the visionaries we are and have come here to be, we can reorient our lives with more clarity of purpose, grace in the perfection of our circumstances to serve, and faith in our capacity to contribute our ideas now matter how big or small.
Mentorships
Works produced by CMP are products of collaboration processes that become much like shamanic journeys. We set out to explore the artist’s subconscious and unravel personal mythologies in order to refine “the roadmap” (the vision, idea, story, and work of art intended for production). In conjunction with shared commitment, practical skill development, and regular exposure to industry opportunity, what sets Sarah Carter apart as a mentor is her experience with alchemy and personal transformation in conjunction with her devotion to prioritizing the style, flow, gifts and unique wisdom of the artists she is working with.
By transcending limiting beliefs, alchemizing fears into creative fuel, and exploring the deeper meaning, intention, and potential inherent in the stories brought to her, the visions and ideas begin to emerge like a Jungian dreamscape manifesting. Infused with archetypes, guides, animal wisdom, delightful absurdity, and the poetry of human behavior, the creative work comes to life in a powerful and unique way that has lasting influence.
Throughout the creative process we track how life responds, sometimes miraculously so, and as we do, whatever faith in magic we may have lost from childhood is restored through undeniable experience. Layers of newfound truth are revealed. Personal power is reclaimed. Fear is shed as success confirms the value of the challenges along the way.
This program is not for the faint of heart and neither is the path of an artist. Great work is born in uncharted territory, and very few people who set out along their personal path into the unknown succeed. This program is intended to prepare those capable of staying the course with endurance, strength, navigation tools, and the sense of humor required to create works and become known for your purpose and passion. It is career defining, life-changing, and ironically enlightening. We aren’t meant to travel through life alone, so why should we expect ourselves to have to create art alone?
“Nothing about filmmaking is independent. It’s an interdependent process from conception to completion. Ideas need to be shared in order to manifest.” — Sarah Carter
With an opened heart to the perfection of our current life circumstances and recognition of the resources available and required along the way, we learn to risk being honest and reaching out in spite of possible rejection, disappointment and being misunderstood. By trusting in our personal creative process rather than our ideas of what the road to success is supposed to look like or feel like, life becomes far less confusing and far more joyful no matter the obstacles.
If you have a story to tell and a desire to grow into a more authentic and empowered version of yourself along the way, submit your idea, screenplay, or manuscript along with a personal statement for the opportunity to enter into the CMP Mentorship Program.
Film & Music Salons at Petit Ermitage
This Fall, CMP has been co-hosting Monday Night Music & Film Salons at Petit Ermitage with Darby Gaelle Hannon, and BLKBRD Films.
Our salon series kicked off on Monday, August 26th. Live music by Dane Sandborg and Randal Fisher opened the evening. Then at sunset began a showcase of work by emerging filmmakers, including an exclusive rough cut of Scene House, our proof of concept short directed by Annabella Fazio, produced by Lia Lee of Lime House Pictures, and Executive Produced by Sarah Carter of CMP.
Our next event was held on Monday, September 23rd. The evening showcased the US release of Roving Woman, a feature film collaboration including our friends James Oliver and Giant Pictures. A musical performance by Darby Hannon and Luca Pino opened the event. You can learn more about Roving Woman, and all the films distributed by Tribeca Films, here.
Our latest Film & Music Salon was held on Monday, October 7th. Doors opened at 7:00pm so audience members could settle into the evening atmosphere. Food and drinks were available to listen to live music from Tashaki Miyaki in the Wiggle Room. At sunset we moved to the fire deck for a screening of the very successful short, Lucy, directed by Mojean Aria and starring James Aaron Oliver, followed by another daring feature, Inland, written and directed by Fridtjof Ryder and starring Mark Rylance and Rory Alexander.
If you have a short film or feature you would like to submit for consideration please contact Sarah, Darby or James directly, or contact us below with a link to your film, a short bio, and a description of the project. We are currently curating a night in November in celebration of women in film specifically, so be sure to submit and look out for more information on that event.
Camino Table Read
CMP is currently in post-production on the short film Scene House, written and directed by Annabella Fazio. Annabella’s next project, CAMINO, is at the beginning of its development journey, and we ask for your support to help her bring it to life.
The team behind CAMINO is hosting an industry table read this Wednesday October 9, 2024 in New York. This table read offers an exclusive, industry-only preview of the film as the filmmakers begin seeking development funding and production partners. The film stars Annabella Fazio and Lio Mehiel, winner of Sundance's 2023 Best Acting award for Mutt, and Sundance 2024 winner for In the Summers, as well as other notable indie talent.
CAMINO follows an unexpected romance on a Spanish rewilding horse ranch between Ellie (Annabella Fazio), a mosaic artist and ranch worker, and Ifa (Lio Mehiel), a Brazilian cowboy. When forced to leave the confines of the ranch for a new frontier, the budding relationship is challenged - questioning if the very qualities that drew them together could ultimately tear them apart.
TIFF Recap
CMP had a beautiful time attending TIFF this year! The festival was a homecoming for Sarah being that she is a Toronto native, and it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends who have also followed their hearts into the world of independent filmmaking.
We celebrated Guy Maddin’s new film Rumours, staring Cate Blanchett, about the leaders of seven wealthy democracies who get lost in the woods while drafting a statement on a global crisis, facing danger as they attempt to find their way out. The film was produced by Winnipeg’s own Buffalo Gal Pictures including associate producer Jessica Havey who was Sarah’s camper at B’Nai Brith Camp and musical theater student at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet. There is something magical in that Winnipeg water that keeps us all connected and true to our roots no matter what.
Another proud friend moment was connecting with Ashley Shields Muir and Connor Jessup, who Sarah worked with on Falling Skies for five years. Ashley and Connor have worked together on several films that have been featured at TIFF now. This year, Ashley produced and Connor wrote and directed Julian and the Wind, a short film about two boarding school roommates who share a strange experience with sleepwalking. It was so special to get to see them thriving.
Outside of the work of our friends, The Assessment was our favorite film of the festival. The films stars Elizabeth Olsen and Alicia Vikander in the near future where parenthood is strictly controlled, and a couple's seven-day assessment for the right to have a child unravels into a psychological nightmare. We recommend checking it out when it’s released next year!
Thank you for being a part of the Cheshire Moon Productions family. All my love.
~ S ~
Sarah Carter CEO