WRITER & DIRECTOR
PRODUCER
Sandra Tan
PRODUCTION CO.
CO-PRODUCER
Nicola Smith
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
EDITOR
COLORIST
FORMAT
Narrative Short
LENGTH
15 Minutes
OVERVIEW
The Greenberg parents gather their four adult children over dinner to solidify the family will.
When the children’s self-absorbed agendas send the conversation careening into chaos, a desperate battle of wills ensues. As the Greenbergs argue about the future of their estate, the dinner table becomes a battleground of sibling rivalry and everyone is left questioning their place in the family.
Fire At Will unravels the tapestry of a modern Jewish family as they attempt to understand each other, without actually stopping to listen.
At its core, Fire At Will poses the universal question we all surely grapple with every time we visit our parents’ homes: Are we who we think we are? Or... are we who our families think we are?
Recipient
Scholastic Alumni Microgrant, 2024
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Growing up as a triplet, moments of peace were rare. Attempting to enter the bathroom before a high school morning required Olympian agility and endurance— if you wanted to brush your teeth in solitude, good luck and God speed. My family of six was loud, chaotic, and hectic – an idiosyncratic dynamic that left high school boyfriends running for the hills, and new friends beelining for the door. For so many years, I was embarrassed to invite newcomers over, terrified to submerge them into the chaos.
This film seeks to embrace the mayhem, inviting everyone over to our dinner table.
CAST
FINANCING
Through a combination of grants and private investors, we have $24,000 funded – 60% of the total film budget.
We are looking for an additional $16,000 to get us across the finish line.
These funds go directly toward paying our cast and crew fairly, camera and lighting rentals, as well as production and post-production costs. The funds will be distributed throughout every aspect of the film.
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE
Non tax-deductible direct investments that will be deposited directly to Morgan Gruer LLC to be used strictly for the film. 100% of contributions go toward film.
Additional Options
Zelle: morgangruer@gmail.com
Venmo: @morgangruer
We've partnered with FiLM INDEPENDENT as Fiscal Sponsors so individuals have the option to donate to an established 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization and receive a tax write-off.
Donations via Film Independent incur a 7% administrative fee deducted from contributions.
WHY?
Fire At Will isn’t just any old family drama. It’s a mirror reflecting the wild, messy, and very real dynamics of my own family, based off of a real-life event. When my own parents organized a family meeting to solidify their family will before a trip to Africa, they appointed my triplet brother and sister as executors, leaving me, the “youngest” triplet (by two and a half minutes
) out of the equation.
The Greenberg characters are vivid reflections of my own family, forged in a household steeped in banter and bickering. I’m interested in dissecting the idiosyncratic, dysfunctional yet loving nature of a large Jewish family— a narrative woven into the fabric of my own upbringing.
I’ve spent the last seven years working as a Director in the Commercial and Music Video space, crafting videos for internationally-recognized brands and musicians. I know the ins and outs of short-form production, but I’m itching to take the next step in my career — into narrative. This film is the step I need to get there.
As an investor or donor, you’ll not only help make an independent film and support an emerging female director, but you will help pave the path for my career as a Director and expand this film from an independent short into my debut feature film.
I promise you that I will work tirelessly to create a film that both you and I are proud of. Thanks for considering Fire at Will.
