"I once heard that artists spend their lives waiting to see if they are prophetic or delusional... it's a question I ask myself daily."

- Elitia Daniels (Creator of The Pearl)

LOGLINE

One night at The Pearl is a snapshot into the lives of Atlanta musicians who are stuck between a dream and the facts of life...

SYNOPSIS

Set in a local Atlanta venue, this short film follows three musicians, friends, ex-lovers, and former bandmates as their lives crash back into each other at The Pearl. Unresolved tension, shared memories, and their music have kept Jeremey, Sally, and Max connected over the years.

Jeremey is back in his hometown of Atlanta, after years of pursuing his music career in LA...looking for a new start.

Max must choose between responsibility and desire.

Sally finds herself at a crossroads, one foot out the door.

THE PLAYERS

JEREMY
The ultimate front man. You know the type...Talented. Charismatic. A real crowd pleaser. Took a record deal out of Atlanta. It didn’t work out. His identity has been wrapped up in his success. Now that his Los Angeles dream has crashed and burned...he’s left wondering who he really is and what he wants. Bitter, broke, and back in his hometown. He must find a way to get Sally (who he never stopped loving) and Max (who he never stopped competing with) to forgive him for a past mistake and maybe help him start a new chapter.

MAX
A gigging guitarist. Music genius. Allergic to the Tik-Tok-ification of the music industry. The heartbeat of the Pearl. Max has all the talent in the world with no desire to play the game and no business acumen. His identity is wrapped up in the local music scene and holds a huge grudge against the current state of the music industry. He’s also Jeremey’s oldest friend and ex-bandmate…and they haven’t spoken in years.

SALLY
Yearns for stability. Is attracted to chaos. Needs a change. Sally is a songwriter who is growing tired of the local music scene. She feels stuck in a cycle of late nights, same crowds, and barely affording rent. A prolific artist who never learned to grow thick skin... Now in her 30s, she feels the romance of music slipping away and is wondering if it’s time to build a “normal” life. Oh, and she used to be in love with Jeremey…and maybe still is.

OUR MAIN CHARACTER

The Pearl is a fictional venue. But it is very much inspired by East Atlanta Village -- A neighborhood with it's own personality and fiercely protected by it's community.

THIGH TATTOOS.

CIGARETTE SMOKE.

CREDIT CARD DEBT.

MULTIGENERATIONAL MAIN STREAM DISSENTERS.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

"I'm ready to see stories that reflect what my friends and I are going through. Not only my artist friends, but so many people who are feeling stuck in life - feeling like they’re unable to make enough progress in their careers to achieve the life they dreamed of in their 20s.

Over the last 15 years, my friends and I have been juggling day jobs, heartbreaks, big bookings, slow years, a global pandemic, the rise of streamers, the collapse of the entertainment industries, and now the impending effect of AI…all while pursuing our artistic dreams.

Entering our 30s, the passion for our careers is starting to feel at odds with the building pressure of figuring out life's realities.

While others earned graduate degrees, got promoted, bought houses, and started families…we’ve been jumping from job to job between gigs, living with roommates, drinking cheap beer, and hoping our checks clear before the bills hit.

The Pearl is a love story to us. A film about musicians who have dedicated their lives to their creative careers…and who are now at a crossroads."

THE WORLD OF OUR STORY

When I first discovered East Atlanta Village and Little Five Points, I was so excited that there were still parts of town where you could see a show any night of the week. Where different generations come together to listen to instruments being played live.

Right now, Atlanta still feels hopeful…kind of affordable… and has a music scene that is fiercely protective of its community. But current city growth and development continues to change Atlanta... I want to capture and preserve it. Show what makes it so special. And show the not-so-romantic side of an indie scene that needs capital to survive...but also could be wrecked by it. it’s a fine line.

The Pearl goes beyond just shooting in Atlanta...it’s inspired by a pocket of the Atlanta music scene. There are so many talented artists playing and developing in Atlanta, but the pipeline from local band to touring, to successful career feels murky and non-existent.

WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN

We met in theatre school and bonded over our deep love of subversive stories and the magic of the rehearsal process.

Since then we’ve made so. much. stuff.
Indie black box theatre!
Short films!
Web series projects!
Music videos!

We've been cast in contemporary classics on stage and supporting roles on iconic network television shows, but nothing will ever replace our desire to make deeply personal and original work that really risks something.

We’ve been sitting in a corner booth yapping about the idea for The Pearl for two and a half years now! It’s time to bring this story to life.

CULTURAL IMPACT

Atlanta is full of homegrown talent. With this film we’re shining a spotlight on a unique part of our ATL music culture while investing in our local film community.

I hope to make this special nook of Atlanta musicians and artists feel seen, to support our indie filmmakers and creators, and to show the audience how much bravery it takes to pursue your art form. It's messy. It's vulnerable. Most days you're pouring your love into an industry that doesn't love you back. Artists and our communities are worth protecting and supporting -- especially during times of economical and political unease.

Because in the end, the relationship between the creator and audience is what keeps us all going. That's the magic.

BUDGET

We successfully raised roughly 5K through our initial Seed and Spark Fundraiser as part of the Georgia Film Rally. We were finalists for the Film Impact Georgia Grant and earned a few cool prizes! One of which is an invitation to screen our completed film at The Tara Theatre, an iconic indie film venue here in Atlanta, Georgia!

We need $15K more to round out our budget, pay our people, and cover the remainder of our production costs including: location fees, insurance, camera & equipment rentals, all of our post production costs, and festival submission fees to get this film to be SEEN and HEARD!

WE COMMIT TO KEEPING IT LOCAL

We’ll be collaborating with Atlanta musicians and local venues to bring you into the world of working-class musicians.

The soundtrack for The Pearl will be recorded in Atlanta and will exclusively feature music by local artists!

Throughout the production process we’ll be giving our followers insights into the music component - bringing you behind the scenes and into the process.

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The Pearl

By waffles and eggs productions & wonderwell creative

The Pearl

a short film by Elitia Daniels