After The Storm

Under Pressures

The team gathered in their usual meeting spot, the production room filled with scripts, storyboards, and half-empty coffee cups. The group sat around a table, their faces etched with a mix of determination and exhaustion.

"We've made a lot of revisions to ensure everything is appropriate. We've been really considerate and diligent." Kath began in a serious tone

Cody agreed, nodding. "But we're just three weeks into filming, and we're running into some serious budget constraints. It's slowing us down."

"It's kind of ironic, isn't it?" Ahia said with a sigh. "Alexa could potentially fund the entire project, but here we are, scraping by."

Alexa looked thoughtful, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. "I know everyone could help out financially, but I think it's important we do this the right way. Taking shortcuts would compromise the promotion of the film. if you know what I mean."

Ammielle nodded. "She's right. If we rush things or cut corners, we won't be able to promote these on various platforms. We need to at least run Ads for the number of audiences."

Kath leaned back in her chair, considering their options. "So, what can we do to stretch our budget further? Are there any areas where we can save without sacrificing quality?"

"Maybe we can look into cheaper locations for the remaining scenes," Cody suggested. "Or see if we can borrow equipment instead of renting."

"Or maybe we could do a crowdfunding campaign," Ahia added. "We need to have an official poster for this."

Alexa perked up at the idea. "That's a great suggestion, Ahia. We can offer incentives like subtle promotion of their products, exclusive updates, or even small roles for the highest contributors."

"I think that's a solid plan. We can also reach out to local businesses for sponsorships or partnerships. Maybe some of them would be interested." Jago smile.

Kath looked around the table, "Alright, let's get started on the crowdfunding campaign and start reaching out for potential sponsors."

As the meeting progressed, the atmosphere grew tense. Cody and Kath were deep in discussion about how to prioritize their limited resources.

"I think we need to allocate more funds to the special effects," Cody insisted. "It's what will make our film stand out."

Kath shook her head, her frustration is evident. "But we can't overlook the importance of sound design. If our audio quality is poor, it'll ruin the entire experience. We need to balance both."

Before the argument could escalate further, Alexa stepped in. "Guys, we need to find a middle ground. Maybe we can rework the budget to give a bit more to both areas."

Ammielle, who had been quietly observing, suddenly spoke up, her voice cutting through the tension. "Why should we compromise on either? This is supposed to be a collaborative project, not a tug-of-war. Alexa, you're suggesting a solution without considering the impact on our overall quality."

Alexa's expression hardened. "I'm just trying to make sure we get this done without falling apart."

"That's easy for you to say when you have the means to support us financially," Ammielle shot back, her tone sharp. "But you're holding back. We could use your help more than your opinions right now."

The room fell silent, the intensity of the argument hanging in the air. Alexa's face flushed with anger. "You think this is easy for me? I want this project to succeed just as much as you do."

"Then show it!" Ammielle retorted. "Stop holding back and start contributing where it matters."

Before the argument could spiral further, Professor Alycia, who had been standing at the door, stepped forward. "Enough, both of you," she said firmly, her authoritative tone silencing the room.

Ammielle's eyes flashed with defiance. "With all due respect, Professor, you don't understand the pressure we're under. You weren't there during the previous shoot when everything fell apart."

Professor Alycia looked taken aback, her expression softening. "I understand more than you think, Ammielle. But attacking each other won't solve anything."

Alexa and Ahia quickly moved to Ammielle's side, trying to calm her down. "Ammielle, let's not do this," Alexa said gently.

Ahia placed a hand on Ammielle's shoulder. "You need a breather?"

Ammielle stayed silent.

Professor Alycia nodded. "Try to take a step back and re-evaluate your budget and resources. I had posted a schedule on the make-shift studio. You may ask other teams for help."

The meeting continued without further conflict.

Later, as the group continued brainstorming, Alexa and Cody decided to discuss potential partners and sponsors with their classmates. The team gathered in their usual meeting spot, the production room filled with scripts, storyboards, and half-empty coffee cups.

"Alright, everyone," Alexa began, addressing the group. "We've been discussing ways to stretch our budget further and ensure we don't compromise on the quality of our project. We have come up with a list of potential partners and sponsors who might be interested in supporting us."

Cody clicked the remote, and a list of local businesses, organizations, and possible crowdfunding platforms appeared on the screen. "We've identified several local businesses that have a history of supporting community projects," he said. "These include coffee shops, restaurants, and tech stores. They might be willing to provide sponsorships or donations in exchange for advertising in our film."

"We've also looked into organizations that support student projects and independent filmmakers," Alexa added. "These groups often offer grants or funding opportunities specifically for initiatives like ours."

One of their classmates, Jago, raised his hand. "How do we approach them? Do we just walk in and ask for money?"

Alexa smiled. "Not exactly. We'll need to prepare a professional pitch. We'll explain our project, its goals, and how their support will benefit both us and them. We've drafted a proposal that we can customize for each potential partner."

Cody pulled up a sample proposal on the screen. "This is an example of what we'll send. It includes an overview of our project, the budget, and what we can offer in return for their support, such as credits in the film, promotional material, or exclusive previews."

Another classmate, Vanessa, leaned forward. "What about crowdfunding? How do we get people excited about that?"

"We'll create a campaign," Cody explained. "We'll offer incentives for different levels of contributions. For example, smaller donations might get a thank-you note and a digital copy of the film, while larger donations could get a behind-the-scenes tour or a cameo in the film."

"Plus, we'll use social media to spread the word," Alexa added. "We have a strong online presence, and we can use that to reach a wider audience. We'll post updates, share exclusive content, and engage with our supporters to keep them excited about our progress."

Ammielle raised her hand. "Can we all help with this? Maybe we can split into teams to handle different aspects, like contacting businesses, managing the crowdfunding campaign, and promoting on social media."

"Finally, we got something we both agreed on." Alexa winked.

The group dispersed right away to save time as they were behind schedule.