During the Q&A at the 2022 California Women's Film Festival, actress and writer, Enisha Brewster alongside producer Taryn Kelly, discuss the inspiration and making of CLING the short film directed by Mel Mah.

Shot by Korbin Bielski, we braved the searing temperatures of the Salton Sea Beach and served up hotter than hot looks of the New (AW)/(Leg Cuff’s) Stunt Harness collection for www.AxtionWear.com. Wow!

Releasing late 2022

Hawaii was a dream!

Seven days, 4 people, 2 waterfalls, miles of splendid beaches and even a scuba dive in a lagoon! We went full tourist and made the most out of everyday in paradise. 

I hadn't been on Oahu since childhood, but it was the first time on the island for my travel companions Giuseppe, Niem, and Kimmy. We booked a simple AirBnB right in Waikiki and rented a SUV to escape whenever we wanted. Renting a car: key!

Hawaii is super COVID strict, so we had to travel with vaccination cards and IDs everywhere we went in case of an impromptu dine-in opportunity. My brother and his girlfriend had theirs laminated... Helpful, since between the ocean, and the intermittent rain 3-5 times per day, the threat of them getting ruined was always on my mind. I'm thinking of getting one of those plastic sleeves when we go to Italy in a few months... 

Oahu is far more beautiful than I remembered! It really is that lush. The blue of the sky is mesmerizing. The rainbows are plentiful, and the water is crystalline. Our first hike was to see Manoa Falls. The short drive there, and even the hike offer spectacular views of mountains hidden somewhere underneath mature tree tops, tall perfect palm trees, wild flowers with massive leaves and colorful blooms. 

Wish I could share everything. But now 8 months have passed. And it's all a dream I'd like to escape to some time again real soon.

Here it is! Our poster for CLING is out and published.
And to sweeten the update, I am pleased to share that CLING is just weeks away from being fully completed! Next steps? We are compiling a list of festivals to submit our short to and see about earning some awards. Have any suggestions?

I have to say--this being my maiden voyage across the filmmaking seas--I was not expecting to feel so accomplished and feel so proud of having arrived here. Here, with a nearly completed film, that I am incredibly proud of. I am proud of the script, proud of the acting, proud of the quality. Proud of my team! The journey itself has taught me so much about what it feels like to keep marching in the direction of your goals. No matter what. There were plenty of times when the voice of doubt, the voice that repeatedly told me that no one would care and no one would help, was mightier than my will. So how then did I get here? 

The team. More than anything, I learned the value of having visionary do-ers around who genuinely believe in me. When imposter syndrome threatened to kill this project before it was even fully formed, I had people checking in, asking for another draft, reminding me that deadlines were approaching, and basically just bigging me up. Priceless. More on this to come...

For today, I simply want to celebrate the release of our poster and welcome anyone who wants to get in on supporting this project through its last few stages before completion. It's not too late to donate to our crowdfunding campaign by clicking the link below. Jump on board!

​Please note: Contributions of any size are still welcomed, however, Executive Producer, and Special Thanks credits are no longer available as Thank You's, as we have pictured locked our film. All other Thank You Gifts will apply according to donation size. 

​I just can’t keep these BTS shots to myself! 

Check out these snaps of our outstanding crew and moments between scenes of CLING taken by our producer extraordinaire, Taryn. 

There’s Mel, our director, pulling together all of the pieces. Yahna, our cinematographer, behind the camera creating beautiful pictures with the assistance of Bonnie. And the lovely Liz, playing Jade’s mom. There were a total of 12 total filmmakers and crew members (7 of which were women - woohoo!) helping to bring this passion project to life. Dream. Come. True.

And if that wasn’t enough good news…

I’m thrilled to share that post-production is moving along well! Next week, I’ll see a cut of CLING for the first time and prepare for the next phase of post-production. Exciting, right?!

Here’s where you can add value to CLING! As of today, we have raised a total of $4100 in the crowdfunding campaign! Would you be willing to support CLING by chipping in $25 or more? As a token of our appreciation, donors at the $25 mark will receive a personalized Thank You and a handwritten postcard of the film poster design in early fall! Thank you in advance! 

https://gofund.me/ab5e9c9f

We are looking forward to a full completion by early fall. I’ll be sure to keep you posted! Full speed ahead!

I'm coming in hot!

Who just got new headshots, did an acting master class intensive weekend and is in pre-production for her first short film? This girl.

That's it that's the post.

But for the sake of more details, shout out to David Muller Photography and Margie Haber Acting Studio.

AND do check out our crowdfunding progress for CLING. We are just 3 short weeks away from principal photography and on our way toward our second funding benchmark of 5K! Pew Pew Pew!!!
​https://gofund.me/e5182333

Exciting things happening. And such a lesson on creating your own momentum. 

As promised… We are LIVE!! Please visit the GoFundMe Campaign page to get involved and help bring CLING, a short movie by Enisha Brewster, to fruition. 

What is CLING about?
Heartbroken and fed up, Jade, an idealistic LA-transplant, abruptly walks out on her boyfriend. On her journey through the streets of LA, the city’s transforming facade reflects her inner struggle, and eventually leads her to a final crossroads. But is she prepared to face the consequences of the path she decides to follow? 

Incentives, did you say? Why yes!
A donation in ANY amount is received with the utmost appreciation!

$5 - $24 - THANK YOU! You will receive a personalized email from Enisha and fun updates on the making of CLING.
$25 - $49 - THANK YOU! You will receive the above + a handwritten postcard with the CLING poster art in early fall.
$50 - $99 - THANK YOU! You will receive all of the above + a Special Thanks in the films final credits.
$100 - $199 - THANK YOU! You will receive all of the above + a signed 8 x14 Original Concept Art Print by Giuseppe Russo in early fall. Details will be emailed along with updates.
$200+ THANK YOU! You will receive the above + a Producer Credit on the film!

I can't say it enough! It is because of people like you who share their support which helps make dreams come true, and keeps artist like me uplifted! THANK YOU!!

Donate here:
https://gofund.me/0dd1bdb

That’s right, I’m making a movie! And tomorrow, I will be launching a crowdfunding campaign toward that end! But before I get into the ask, let me tell you about this film.

The Story:
CLING is a short film about a young woman named Jade who finds herself heartbroken, directionless, and on a spontaneous journey on foot, passing the varying facades of LA after listening to a disturbing message on her boyfriend’s phone. Anger turns to frustration as beautiful neighborhoods trigger painful memories of their past. Frustration gives way to confusion and dismay as the grittiness of LA’s streets intensifies Jade’s growing realization of her role in this dysfunctional relationship. At the crucial moment, which direction will Jade decide to take: the route that takes her farther away, or one that sends her back?
​
The Why:
​CLING is a visual appeal to anyone who has ever felt trapped in a relationship to always take one step and then another toward their peace, to never forget who they are, and to take responsibility for their happiness no matter what. It is meant to be a metaphor of the intense inner struggle that one wages as they contend with one new reality after another. And, it is an ode to the power of a mother’s love, which knows no depths and defies all distances.

Me & Cling:
​I will be starring as the lead character, Jade. Though fictional, CLING is inspired by real-life events and merges my personal experience of detangling from toxic relationships and the sometimes harsh reality of life far from home. I also drew inspiration from “lady in green”, a character from Ntozoke Shange’s Choreopoem, For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf. CLING practically wrote itself, and has served as a catharsis and an acknowledgement of a reclaimed self. Seeing this film come to fruition will be a dream fulfilled!!

The Team:
Writer, Producer, Actor - Enisha Brewster: www.EnishaBrewster.com
Director, Producer - Mel Mah: https://www.melmah.com/about
​Concept Artist, Producer - Giuseppe Russo: www.artofgiuseppe.myportfolio.com

The Ask:
Our goal is to raise $5,000 to produce this short. The funds will be used to pay the director, cinematographer and other crew, rent equipment, pay for the storyboard artist, post-production editing and score, as well as festival submissions after completion. Additional funds raised will assist in paying the supporting cast, for location and props, and other post-production costs such as colorist and poster designer fees.

Production will begin at the end of June 2021. In order to begin, we will need a minimum of $2,500. Full funding of 5,000 or greater will ensure that the short is completed beautifully and in a timely fashion. The maximum total needed is $8,000.

The Campaign will go live on May 14, 2021!!

Thank You’s
A donation in ANY amount is received with the utmost appreciation!

• $5 - $24 - THANK YOU! You will receive a personalized email from Enisha and fun updates on the making of CLING.
• $25 - $49 - THANK YOU! You will receive the above + a handwritten postcard with the CLING poster art in early fall.
• $50 - $99 - THANK YOU! You will receive all of the above + a Special Thanks in the films final credits.
• $100 - $199 - THANK YOU! You will receive all of the above + a signed 8 x14 Original Concept Art Print by Giuseppe Russo in early fall. Details will be emailed along with updates.
• $200+ THANK YOU! You will receive the above + a Producer Credit on the film!

So, what do you think? Do you want to get involved and help bring CLING to fruition? Stay tuned. Tomorrow, I’ll be posting a video here and a link to the campaign!

If you got all the way to the end of this message, I can’t thank you enough! It is because of people like you who share their support that help make dreams come true, and keep artist like me uplifted! THANK YOU!!

Warmly,
​Enisha Brewster