Jane takes a job at a diner in an off-season beach town, as an attempt to escape her past. Until one day — everything she’s been running from, walks through the front door.
Synopsis
Jane only got to this emptied, off-season beach town a few months ago. She lives in a nearby motel and waitresses at the local diner to make ends meet. Her coworker Jazz has been stuck in this town all her life. Jane struggles with where she’s come from, and Jazz with where she’s going. Through this new but undeniable friendship, each unlocks in the other an opportunity for growth. It’s the beginning of what could be a new life for Jane, until one evening, when her past unexpectedly walks into the diner…
Written & Directed by
Leigh DeLollis
Leigh is a New York based actress and writer most recently seen in Ava Duvernay’s When They See Us (Netflix) and Lincoln Rhyme: The Hunt for the Bone Collector (NBC). Leigh was Script Supervisor on the short film Imran, alongside DP Trevor Tweeten. She received her B.F.A in Journalism with a minor in Theatre from Rutgers University.
Meghan Mullane
Meghan Mullane is an up-and-coming screenwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. She’s been assisting writer/producer/ showrunner Bash Doran for three years, during the production of Traitors (Netflix), JJ Abram’s Demimonde (HBO) and the upcoming Life After Life (BBC). Meghan is currently studying Creative Writing at The New School.
The Cast
Leigh DeLollis, Jane
When They See Us (Netflix), Lincoln Rhyme: The Hunt for the Bone Collector (NBC), Foursome (Dir. Christopher Goutman), Viral Beauty (Amazon), “Oh Green Eyes” short film (Oh Rats Films)
Fareeha Khan, Jazz
MTV Decoded, Chris Gethard Presents, Joe Pera Talks with You (Adult Swim), Jimmy Kimmel Live, Get Money (Comedy Central), 1/30 Short film (AT&T, Lena Waithe)
Peter Vack, John
Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon Video),
I Just Want My Pants Back (MTV),
PVT Chat, Love Life (HBO Max)
Character inspiration for Jane & Eileen
Artist’s Statement
Through “Doe” we explore the unique fragility as well as the potential that live in newness. We witness in Jane the loneliness and the relief that come with leaving behind the person who you’ve believed yourself to be, and attempting to rewrite your own story. DOE exists in the liminal space that is the present — Jane haunted by the past, and trying to realize the future. She wrestles with her history, while Jazz wrestles with her future, but through one another they are able to feel fulfilled by the present.
The liminality of our characters’ lives is perfectly echoed by the off-season beach town they’re in—empty and grey, awaiting its summer crowds. We have titled this story and our characters intentionally, because we believe this story could belong to anyone.
The Team
Zoë Simone Yi, Director of Photography
Zoë is a NYC based Director of Photography originally from Oakland, CA. She has lensed numerous short films, commercials, music videos, documentaries, and everything in between. Some of her clients include Nike, Pepsi, Peloton, Infiniti, Spotify, Facebook, Snapchat, AWAY, and more. Her work has been featured on The Atlantic, NPR, Forbes, i-D, and many other publications. Most recently her feature length documentary, Underplayed, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020.
Ani Schroeter, Producer
Ani Schroeter is a New York based filmmaker. She has produced countless short films, music videos and campaigns as well as 1st Assistant Directed the film GIANTS BEING LONELY which was nominated for the Orizzonti Competition (Horizons) at the 2019 Venice Biennale. Ani co-produced the short film Wiggle Room, directed by Sam Guest and Julia Baylis which premiered at Sundance 2021. She recently wrapped her first short film, YIELD, starring Christine Spang and Lili Taylor.
Hannah Carpenter, Producer
Hannah is a New York based filmmaker who most recently worked on DR. DEATH (UCP), assisting writers/producers Ashley Michel Hoban and Ahmadu Garba, and on an UNTITLED STAR WARS PROJECT for Disney Plus (Lucas Film) as the Writers’ Assistant. They assisted producer Patrick MacManus and director Brian Taylor on Season 2 of HAPPY! (SyFy) and producer Scott Ferguson from pre-production through post-production of THE LOOMING TOWER (Hulu). They assisted in the productions of IN THE HEIGHTS (2020), THE GOLDFINCH (2019), FAHRENHEIT 451 (2018), and Season 2 of THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL.
Annie Spellings, Production Design
Annie Spellings is a production designer based in Brooklyn, NY. She has worked with publications such as W Mag, Teen Vogue, Wired and pitchfork creating sets for motion content. In addition to her commercial work, she creates immersive installation art that has been on view at Miami Art Basel and SXSW. Most recently, she did Art Directed Surf Mesa’s music video “Somewhere”. Her work focuses on color theory and sensory experiences.
Louise de Nexon,
Assistant Director
Francesca Consarino, Editor
Francesca is a director and editor based in Brooklyn, New York. She’s been working as a director and editor in the commercial and beauty world as well as an editor on documentary and branded content. Some of the brands she’s worked with include Laura Mercier, Louis Vuitton, Victoria Beckham, Red Bull and H&M.
Based in Wildwood, NJ.
A coastal tourist destination, off-season.
