Watch BEING HERE
Channel info
Film & Animation
omeleto, being here, drama short film
Watch BEING HERE
Being Here
Read more
Logline: Unsure if she’s ready to re-enter the real world, Charlie battles her internal demons and finds family in a place she’d least expect: rehab. Synopsis: Inspired by true events, “Being Here” follows the life of Charlie, a young woman in her late 20s, as her three months in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility are coming to a close. In fear of leaving her newfound safety bubble, Charlie resists moving on from rehab — defaulting to all of her unhealthy coping mechanisms that brought her there in the first place. Awards/Recognition: *Winner - Best Chicago Drama at Windy City International Film Festival (USA, 2019) *Semi-Finalist at Bermuda International Film Festival (Bermuda, 2019, Academy Award qualifying) *Best Narrative Short Nominee at BendFilm Festival (USA, 2019, One of MovieMaker Magazine's 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World) *Winner - Best Student Film at The Magnolia Independent Film Festival (USA, 2019) *Winner - Best Director at the New Jersey Recovery Film Festival (USA, 2019) *Winner - Best Supporting Actress Performance at Berkshire Short Film Festival (USA, 2019) *Winner - Best University Short Film at Reel East Texas Film Festival (USA, 2019) *Official Selection - NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (USA, 2020) Review from Omeleto: Charlie has been living in a drug rehabilitation facility for some time, where she has climbed out of the struggle of addiction and created a web of support, empathy and understanding. But her three-month stint is coming to an end. The idea of forgoing the bubble of safety leaves her feeling uncertain and fearful, and Charlie defaults to her unhealthy coping mechanisms in the face of her growing anxiety. But when one of her friends in recovery has a crisis of her own, Charlie begins to realize just what it takes to make it on the outside. Writer-director Sydney O’Haire’s finely wrought, empathetic drama burrows deep into the drug addiction rehab experience, portraying its unique struggles, obstacles and even joys with an eye for the unique emotional pressures that addicts face when they re-enter the larger world and its attendant baggage, judgment and lack of understanding. Portrayed with muted but rich visuals and with a relative sense of calm that emphasizes the gentle, safe space of rehab, it takes on a subject matter that isn’t often given representation with such grace and compassion. Through measured, sensitive writing and warm and vulnerable performances, the storytelling takes its time, privileging an eye and ear for character and relationships to build up Charlie’s emotional world carefully. Within the bubble of the recovery facility, Charlie has support: she is surrounded by people who understand her and don’t judge her for her checkered past; she has support and accountability; and most importantly, she has community and authentic and honest connections to people, particularly to her friend Joy. Actors Melisa Breiner-Sanders and Carin Silkaitis, who play Charlie and Joy respectively, are both sensitive, precise performers on their own, but their rapport of friendship, openness and mutual vulnerability is the core of the film. They are co-conspirators, buddies and surrogate families to one another, with a palpable connection and shared sense of fun. They’re also both deeply flawed people who are trying to overcome their problems, which also forces them to confront the underlying issues that fueled those problems. But when both face crises, they also demonstrate what it means to be there for someone — and to really witness, understand and empathize with another’s struggle. Many of us think people can never change, but at its heart, “Being Here” is about people trying their hardest to achieve their own transformation, transmuting the struggle, suffering and pain — both their own and that inflicted upon others — into genuine growth. With steady craftsmanship and a deep sense of compassion, it offers a realistic portrait of change, as well as a sensitive understanding of addiction with unique mental and social health challenges in its recovery process. Recovery is truly incremental and beset with a sense of difficulty of its own, and it involves confronting the past traumas and sadnesses that likely fueled the unhealthy coping methods in the first place. As a process, it’s one day and one step at a time. But in “Being Here,” it is much easier and less lonely with the help of loved ones — for in the midst of any human struggle, sometimes all we truly have is one another, as allies in the fight to live openly, vulnerably and authentically as possible. http://omeleto.com/252621/ Contact info: sydneyohaire@gmail.com | 772-321-3789 -- Credits -- Written & Directed by Sydney O'Haire Produced by Tanner McCullough, Anthony Zucco & Sydney O'Haire Starring Melisa Breiner-Sanders, Carin Silkaitis & Shariba Rivers Cinematography by Eric Liberacki Edited by Magdalena Hernandez Production Design by Julie IversA woman goes to rehab to battle her inner demons, then unexpectedly finds a family. | Being Here
Read more
» Subscribe for award-winning short films: http://omele.to/sub2drama » Get some merch: http://shop.omele.to Being Here is used with permission from Sydney O'Haire. Learn more at http://omele.to/39szyqJ. THE BEST OF OMELETO » Celebrities on Omeleto: http://omele.to/celebrities » Top-Rated Films: http://omele.to/toprated » Official Selection: http://omele.to/officialselection OMELETO DRAMA ON SOCIAL Instagram: http://instagram.com/omeletodrama Twitter: http://twitter.com/omeletodrama Facebook: http://facebook.com/omeletodrama Reddit: http://reddit.com/r/omeleto Charlie has been living in a drug rehabilitation facility for some time, where she has climbed out of the struggle of addiction and created a web of support, empathy and understanding. But her three-month stint is coming to an end. The idea of forgoing the bubble of safety leaves her feeling uncertain and fearful, and Charlie defaults to her unhealthy coping mechanisms in the face of her growing anxiety. But when one of her friends in recovery has a crisis of her own, Charlie begins to realize just what it takes to make it on the outside. Writer-director Sydney O'Haire's finely wrought, empathetic drama burrows deep into the drug addiction rehab experience, portraying its unique struggles, obstacles and even joys with an eye for the unique emotional pressures that addicts face when they re-enter the larger world and its attendant baggage, judgment and lack of understanding. Portrayed with muted but rich visuals and with a relative sense of calm that emphasizes the gentle, safe space of rehab, it takes on a subject matter that isn't often given representation with such grace and compassion. Through measured, sensitive writing and warm and vulnerable performances, the storytelling takes its time, privileging an eye and ear for character and relationships to build up Charlie's emotional world carefully. Within the bubble of the recovery facility, Charlie has support: she is surrounded by people who understand her and don't judge her for her checkered past; she has support and accountability; and most importantly, she has community and authentic and honest connections to people, particularly to her friend Joy. Actors Melisa Breiner-Sanders and Carin Silkaitis, who play Charlie and Joy respectively, are both sensitive, precise performers on their own, but their rapport of friendship, openness and mutual vulnerability is the core of the film. They are co-conspirators, buddies and surrogate families to one another, with a palpable connection and shared sense of fun. They're also both deeply flawed people who are trying to overcome their problems, which also forces them to confront the underlying issues that fueled those problems. But when both face crises, they also demonstrate what it means to be there for someone -- and to really witness, understand and empathize with another's struggle. Many of us think people can never change, but at its heart, "Being Here" is about people trying their hardest to achieve their own transformation, transmuting the struggle, suffering and pain -- both their own and that inflicted upon others -- into genuine growth. With steady craftsmanship and a deep sense of compassion, it offers a realistic portrait of change, as well as a sensitive understanding of addiction with unique mental and social health challenges in its recovery process. Recovery is truly incremental and beset with a sense of difficulty of its own, and it involves confronting the past traumas and sadnesses that likely fueled the unhealthy coping methods in the first place. As a process, it's one day and one step at a time. But in "Being Here," it is much easier and less lonely with the help of loved ones -- for in the midst of any human struggle, sometimes all we truly have is one another, as allies in the fight to live openly, vulnerably and authentically as possible. ABOUT OMELETO Omeleto is the home of award-winning short films. We showcase Sundance winners, Oscar noms and critically-acclaimed filmmakers from every genre. Subscribe for more: http://sub2.omele.to A woman goes to rehab to battle her inner demons, then unexpectedly finds a family. | Being Here http://youtu.be/HpmmCXoGtck http://omeleto.com/252621/ Omeleto Drama http://www.youtube.com/c/OmeletoDrama http://omeleto.com/category/drama/ 🎬 Got a film? Submit it to us for consideration at http://submit2.omele.toFilm & Animation
being here, drama short film, omeleto
SYNOPSIS
"Back Me Up" follows Charlie — a young woman in her 20s — who refuses to leave rehab in fear of losing the only sense of security she’s ever felt. Based on a true story, "Back Me Up" will start production in October 2021 in the writer/director's hometown of Vero Beach, Florida.
ALL ABOARD!
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST:
"BEING HERE"
PROOF-OF-CONCEPT
Winner Best Chicago Drama - Windy City International Film Festival
Semi-Finalist - Bermuda International Film Festival (Academy Award Qualifying)
Nominee for Best Narrative Short - BendFilm Festival (One of MovieMaker's 25 Coolest Festivals in the World)
Nominee for Best Screenplay - NewFilmmakers Los Angeles
Winner Best Student Film - Magnolia Independent Film Festival
Winner Best Director - New Jersey Recovery Film Festival
Finalist for Best in Festival - Berkshire Short Film Festival
Winner Best Supporting Performer - Berkshire Short Film Festival
Winner Best University Student Film - Reel East Texas Film Festival
Official Selection:
SOHO International Film Festival
Mental Health Film & Arts Festival (Portugal)
Vero Beach Wine + Film Festival
Au Contraire Film Festival (Canada)
Newark Film Festival
Rails to Reels Film Festival
Dumbo Film Festival
CAST & CREW
SYDNEY O'HAIRE
Writer & Director
Born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida, Sydney O’Haire graduated with an MFA in Cinema Directing from the School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University in 2018. Sydney has already directed 10 films including shorts, music videos, documentaries, and live events. These films have been selected, screened, and awarded at multiple film festivals around the world, including BendFilm Festival, SOHO International Film Festival, and Bermuda International Film Festival. Sydney was selected into the second round of the Sundance Institute Writer’s Lab, and she has continued to write several award-winning short and feature length films. In addition to being in pre-production for Back Me Up, Sydney is currently teaching the first ever filmmaking class at Saint Edward’s Upper School in Vero Beach with a curriculum she developed herself.
@sydpie (insta)
MÉLISA BREINER-SANDERS
Lead Actor & Producer
A filmmaker and actor based in Queens, NY, Mélisa received her MFA in Acting from DePaul University and her BA from Georgetown University. A producer for almost a decade, Mélisa has worked on award-winning features, shorts, webseries, and music videos that have screened at festivals such as Lighthouse, BendFilm, Adirondak, Rhode Island International, SOHO International, Bermuda International and many more. Her first feature Seven Lovers is currently available on most digital streaming platforms and stars Fran Kranz, Erin Darke, Max von Essen, and Peter Mark Kendall. As an actor, Mélisa has starred in over two dozen films that include feature films, short films, webseries, and sketches. Having grown up in the theatre, she has starred in several off-broadway and regional stage productions to rave reviews. Mélisa is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity.
@MelisaBS (insta)
MAGDALENA HERNÁNDEZ
Editor
A film editor from Bogotá, Colombia, Magdalena graduated from Universidad Nacional de Colombia with her BA in Filmmaking in 2015 and then moved to the U.S to continue her studies. In 2017, Magdalena graduated from DePaul University with a MS in Cinema Post-Production and continued her work in independent fiction films and documentaries. Magdalena’s work has been screened at multiple film festivals around the globe, such as Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, Bogota Experimental, SOHO International, Black Harvest, DocFest, Bermuda International, MSP International and many more. Magdalena currently works at Cutters Studios in their Chicago headquarters, where she has had the opportunity to work on awarded TV commercials and music videos.