Crescendo

Logline: A virtuoso pianist at a prestigious music conservatory struggles to reconcile her relentless pursuit of perfection with her father's rigorous standards, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and a quest to redefine success on her own terms.

Short Synopsis: Crescendo follows SERAPHINA HAYES, a gifted pianist who strives for perfection under the watchful eye of her domineering father, REED HAYES, the conservatory's headmaster. Haunted by her inner voice and grappling with the weight of her family's legacy, Seraphina's pursuit of artistic excellence becomes a harrowing journey toward self-discovery. As pressures mount and the line between discipline and obsession blurs, Seraphina faces the music in a finale that could change her life forever. In a world where every note counts, will she find her true voice, or will the echoes of the past dictate her future?

Why we need your help

The budget we are asking for will go towards:

• Hiring our shooting locations we have scouted in Tāmaki Makaurau.
• Providing catering and travel costs for our amazing cast & crew as well as providing them with koha for their hard work.
• Purchasing our props and costumes
• Renting extra equipment

 Director’s Statement

In Crescendo, I delve into the intimate echoes of my upbringing within a strong-willed Asian family where excellence/success was not just a pursuit but an underlying expectation. As a creative and musician, this film reflects the high stakes of my personal odyssey through the lens of Seraphina, who battles with the weighty mantle of family legacy and the relentless quest for perfection. While this journey has sculpted me into the driven creative I am today, it has also taught me the haunting solitude that such a path can impose. Crescendo reflects my most profound struggles and realisations, an ode to the intricate dance between ambition and self-compassion, and a tale of breaking free from the chains of legacy to find one’s true voice.

Producer’s Statement

Coming from a competitive ballet background, I have long struggled to walk the fine line between perfection and passion. One of my main goals as a producer is to bring the creativity of POC folks into the spotlight. I’m stoked to be able to say that majority of our key HODs in this production are all from PASC. I have produced many low-budget short films before, but none have quite the star-studded cast and crew as ‘Crescendo’. I am beyond excited to be able to bring all these amazing collaborators together to portray such a beautiful story. 

Our Amazing Main lead:

Seraphina Hayes: Shervonne Grierson (Happiness is the path, Chick habit and Losing face)

The supporting leads are to be revealed via Instagram very soon.

Our Talented Crew

Sanlo productions: Team Violet in collaboration with University of Auckland

Executive Producer: Shuchi Kothari

Director/Writer: Faith Cruz

Producer: Tayla Sutton

Script supervisor: Harri Keith

1st assistant director: Alex farley

Team Tuakana: Daryl Wong

Director of Photography: Lara Gamil

1st assistant camera: Seunghoon Sung

2nd assistant camera: Anne-Marie Groves

HOD Gaff: Hamish Graham

Lighting assistants: Han Guo and Jack Williamson

HOD sound mixer: Joey Siasoco

Boom operator: Clarissa Chai

Stills photographer/BTS videographer: Ollie Madsen

Data Wrangler: Timothy Sanvictores

Composer: James Alaelua-Waterhouse

Pianist: Cedric Charles

HOD art department: Tayla Sutton

MUA: Emily Kate Smith

Unit/ art department assistant: Peixuan Liu

Storyboard artist: Michelle Nguyen

Promotional artist: India Phelan-Boyd (who has created the beautiful art the heads this campaign)