setting the scene
Amsterdam, 2005. The golden age of Dutch colonialism is long in our rear view, and in place of the VOC, new organizations stand tall. Organizations that will endure and make us prouder by solving the problems we created, with solutions we devised.
They are NGOs. Non-profits. Humanitarian organizations. Homegrown but shipped out internationally.
But not for long. A legacy NGO based in Amsterdam is in the process of changing that very concept. They will no longer be going to these communities in need. Instead, the communities in need will come to them. In just a few weeks, they will expand their do-good nature by inviting international community leaders here and innovating their funding-reliant international food programs.
And although their methods are changing, at the very core of what they have always done and always will do is good.
…or is it?
Leona Steele, a junior reporter for the European News Network, is on the scene to ask that very question. Ready to make the leap from fluff piece reporter to investigative journalist, Leona's ‘gotcha’ moment is just around the corner, as well as a few surprises she hasn’t quite prepared for.
Just curious? 👉 Watch the pitch below
enter the world
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Viewing her non-linear path to screenwriting and directing as an asset, Caitie often pulls from her past lives and characters she’s met along the way to help shape her outrageous fictional worlds. Big Break is no exception. Born from real-world experience of working with NGOs in Amsterdam, versions of Big Break have been waiting to escape for the last decade.
Caitie’s ambition is to tell stories that blend the real with the surreal and sometimes outright creepy while centering women and queer characters. Her two favorite fictional characters? Hannibal Lecter and Morticia Addams.
Ambition
Good vs Evil
White Saviorism
Neo-colonial “do-goodism”
Campy Horror
CINEMATOGRAPHY NOTE: Big Break will be shot on tape to set the stage for an early 00s backdrop and lean into the found-footage genre.
AND Who you'll FEAR
THE CHARACTERS OF BIG BREAK
Leona
Junior Reporter at the European News Network, and stuck on segments she deems unworthy of her time. Young and hungry for her break and recognition as a serious journalist, she is blinded by her own ambition and willing to do anything necessary to achieve her goals.
think clarice starling if her morals leaned grey
vivienne
Head of Food Matters and a legend in the humanitarian space, she is God-like, and she makes sure you know it. Literally fed by the act of doing good and sustained by the imagery of her savior-like reputation, she spots a younger version of herself in leona and can’t help but be intrigued.
hannibal lector meets miranda prisley
sophie
Naive camerawoman for the European News Network and often paired with leona, with whom she lets take the lead. By the time she realizes the horror unfolding before her, she screams, only to finally understand that her voice will never be heard.
she is us we are her
danielle
Leading up the education department at Food Matters, she touts her intellectual superiority and loyalty as two of her best traits. Vying for a spot as Vivienne’s right-hand woman, willing to sacrifice it all if it means recognition.
voted most likely to be in a cult as long as she got to hand out the kool-aid
bernard
Recruited at a booth run by Food matters during a Keti Koti celebration, he made the only choice he felt he had and utilized the system to his own advantage. Ousted from Vivienne’s inner circle and now questioned by leona, he must face the consequences — but he won't go down without a fight.
think bernard lowe if he had free will
THE WORLD OF BIG BREAK
ngo headquarters that is undergoing renovations to make it worthy of the new educational program and show off to its donors.
un-finished office
Under-construction office - currently undergoing renovations to prep for the new program. Set within a traditional office space or perhaps an old school.
There is a large open space with a few occupied desks, a colonial essence fills the space through the construction, should feel larger than necessary, much is hidden behind tarps.
HIGH CEILINGS
NATURAL LIGHT
OPEN SPACE
Almost-ready classroom
A large meeting room that has a soon-to-be classroom vibe, but something eerie lies here. The lighting is less natural; if there is any natural light at all, it is minimal, and artificial light is brought in.
It's more set up than the main office area; props are lying around that fit the NGO's main subject (food), but not many that allude to teaching.
There are desks and chairs, they don't have to be fully set up, but generally organized.
CLOSED OFF
LESS LIGHT
EERIE
Hallway & storage space
A long hallway or stairs that lead to a storage room that holds the body parts. The construction oozes out, and the lighting and mood get much darker.
The hidden storage space holds all the body parts Vivienne is storing, pickling, and preparing. A dripping severed leg is hanging, like a ham that is curing.
Bonus: an industrial kitchen instead of storage space
DARK
ARTIFICAL LIGHT
HORROR
Behind the scenes
our mission
Big Break aims to satirize both the neo-colonial nature of international NGOs and the exploitative mechanisms expected of journalists, set within the multi-cultural backdrop of Amsterdam, circa 2005.
Shot on tape, this found footage-esque short brings you along for the duration of the interview through the lens of the interview camera, and by proxy, the woman who operates it.
While the themes and real-world stories it draws on are serious, this story should bring you out of reality and entertain you on a visceral level. Doing so, by leaning into the extreme nature of campy horror as this outrageous story unfolds, allowing you to find your own connections with the characters...for better or for worse.
and values
Louânne's debut as lead producer follows her history in production: leading with empathy, with a strong emphasis on trusting her own instincts. Bringing clarity and confidence to the creative vision of Caitie's Big Break, their connection on this topic was immediate, and so was their creative click.
Pulled in by the story behind Big Break, Louânne's connection to this film runs deeper than a fun, short horror film. As a social satire that asks 'what does helping actually mean?', her vision as a producer on this short film is to face the uncomfortable truths head-on. Both on the screen and off, from the hard truths about humanitarianism to the challenges of shooting on tape and choreographing multiple one-takers.
Louânne firmly believes in this story, in the team we're building, and in our ability to create a film that stays with the audience long after the final shot.
Meet the crew
The crew is a mix of Dutch and international Amsterdam-based artists, intentionally focusing on women and queer artists.
HELP MAKE BIG BREAK HAPPEN
This is an independent, from-the-ground-up short film.
No studio safety net.
Just an unhinged premise,
a crew of artists who should probably be resting, and the determination to get this story on screen
by any means necessary
we need you
So far, we have a small grant from the Amsterdam Fonds voor de Kunst to help us get off the ground, but to fully realize this film, we need all the help we can get.
Whether you’re here with a wallet, a following, a camera, a van, or just vibes, there’s a version of Big Break that fits you. You can support with money, reach, skills/gear/space, or any mix of the three.
CROWDFUNDING
FUND
THE CARNAGE
For people who want to fund the chaos.
From big contributions that secure locations, crew, and gear to small boosts that buy fake blood and snacks.
Whether you give a lot, a little, or something in between, it all pushes the film forward.
HYPE CREW
SPREAD
THE CULT
For people whose superpower is attention, not money.
Maybe you shout about the film to your whole network, maybe you repost now, and then, maybe you just follow along and share once when it really hits.
Every level of attention helps this story find its people.
TIME & RESOURCES
BUILD
THE WORLD
For people with skills, gear, or practical support.
You can dive in as support crew, offer locations, gear, or transport, or be on-call for the occasional favor or bit of advice.
Any amount of skill or support helps us build this twisted little universe.
Just here to look around? That’s fine too. Stick around, explore the project, and maybe you’ll feel like jumping in later.
You can always reach out and exchange ideas, thoughts and have a chat with us
EMAIL: bigbreak@studio-wednesday.com