becalming
becalming is a short film bringing awareness to Inflammatory Breast Cancer, an atypical presentation of Breast Cancer that is very aggressive and fast growing.
-
I was sat between my husband and mother at a film festival watching a short about a woman with breast pain. The character thought she was pregnant, I, however — a carrier of the BRCA2 gene mutation that greatly increases my risk of breast cancer — was convinced it was a film showcasing Inflammatory Breast Cancer (or IBC). I waited for her diagnosis to come, but it never did. It was simply about a woman who thought she might be pregnant and was not.
The film finished and I brought up to my mother (a breast cancer survivor) and my husband that I had expected the film to be about IBC. They independently had the same exact thought. Then I brought it up to a few fellow filmmakers who’d also attended the screening. Not a single one of them had the same thought or even knew what IBC was. It turned out that my family’s personal knowledge of breast cancer had made us view the film completely differently. But I also realized there was a gap in the general public’s knowledge about Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
That is what inspired the film.
IBC is an extremely aggressive and rare form of breast cancer accounting for 1-5% of all breast cancers. Instead of the lump women are taught to look for, IBC changes the appearance on the skin of the breast. It is always Stage III or IV at the time of diagnosis. The cause is unknown and there is currently no known form of detection prior to Stage III. Our goal with this film is to give women the power of knowledge, so that they know the signs when performing regular self-exams, and also to bring light to help support further research.
All medical personnel in the film were portrayed by Breast Cancer Survivors (including my mother). We hope that this can serve as a symbol of hope to those currently going through cancer treatments and also be a nod to all of the healthcare workers who have helped survivors through their treatment journey. becalming aims to show some underrepresented moments that can make up someone’s cancer journey. A lot of the inspiration was taken from my mother’s own journey with breast cancer. In the film we used her headscarves, hats, post-mastectomy bra, knitted knockers, and wig as props. Although everyone’s breast cancer journey is different, we aim to tell an authentic story that helps survivors of cancer feel seen and helps bring awareness to Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
UPCOMING
~
SCREENINGS
~
UPCOMING ~ SCREENINGS ~
becalming is an Official Selection at
Beloit International Film Festival
Oscar Qualifying 50th Cleveland International Film Festival
The 26th Beverly Hills Film Festival
The Remission Film Festival
Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
Cast
-
Shelby is a Los Angeles based actor originally from the suburbs of Chicago. She earned a degree in Theatre from North Central College, but quickly transitioned into film after graduating college. Some of her recent acting credits include Spin the Bottle, Hole Punched Ear, and Chasing June for which she won the 24th BHFF award for Best Actress.
-
Sargon Odicho is an Actor/Filmmaker based in Los Angeles. With a minor in Film Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University, he had a lot of experience making and learning about films while dedicating most of his focus to acting. He's acted in multiple student and short films. He also enjoys writing screenplays and creating characters, finding it helpful with creativity, especially when preparing for a role. The overall process and collaboration when bringing a story to life is what draws him to a film set.
-
All of the Medical Personnel in becalming were portrayed by Breast Cancer Survivors.
Mia Hirschel “Marisa Jackson, M.D.”
Mary Slager “Davina Leatherman, M.D.”
Julee DiBuono “Nora Dwyer, N.P.”
Jenny Ahrens “Matty Rutledge, M.D.M.S”
SherryLou DiBartolo “Stephanie Pulaski, N.P.”
Terri Rees “Cherie Robson, N.P.”
Kimberly Termini “Chrissie Grevenites, N.P.”
-
Sunny Aljumali
Jessica Bichel
Dave Carpenter
Sarah “Bender” Carpenter
Roxane Hermetz
Kayla Macedo
Gary Slager
Maximillian Valdez
Creatives
-
Shelby is a Los Angeles based filmmaker originally from the Chicago suburbs. She has written, directed, and produced the proof-of-concept, Chasing June, which premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre during the 24th Beverly Hills Film Festival, and becalming, a short film bringing awareness to Inflammatory Breast Cancer that highlighted Breast Cancer survivors as the medical personnel in the film and is beginning its festival run.
Shelby has also worked as a Costume Designer, Production Designer, and Editor, finding that each new role shifts her directorial perspective. She wants to tell stories that explore new ways of portraying emotional journeys and bring authenticity to the screen.
-
Nathan is a Chicago-born filmmaker currently living in Los Angeles. He served as the Writer and Producer on the proof-of-concept Chasing June which was his first soirée into the film industry and the short film becalming which is an awareness piece utilizing voicemails as a mode of storytelling.
Prior to his writing and producing career, Nathan earned his degree in Literature and pursed a handful of different career paths before discovering his passion for film. He's constantly fascinated by the nuances that exist within relationships and by the drama of a seemingly simple life. He recently worked as a composer for the first time on the short film becalming.
-
Gavin Pringle is a Director of Photography based in Chicago, Illinois. Working primarily in horror, he has always been drawn to a more colorful, surrealist visual style. He strives to capture images that heighten reality and captivate audiences while telling engaging stories.
-
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
David Leatherman | Mary & Gary Slager | Joseph Jackson
PRODUCTION DESIGN BY
Shelby Slager
EDITING BY
Shelby Slager
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
John & Julee DiBuono | Nora Clare Dwyer | Dustin Leatherman | Sargon Odicho | Numan Parada | Matthew Rutledge
COSTUME DESIGN BY
Ariana Macedo
MUSIC BY
Nathan L. Slager
1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Madeline Hargadon
ART DEPARTMENT
Mary Slager | Art Director
Morgan Kenneavy | Art Production Assistant
Kayla Macedo | Art Production Assistant
CAMERA & ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENTS
Thea Kinner | 1st Assistant Camera
Jyn Lockne Li | 1st Assistant Camera
Michael Picciano-Schatten
Gavin Pringle | DIT
MAKEUP DEPARTMENT
Mia Zimmerman | Makeup Artist
ADDITIONAL CREW
Mary Slager | Location Manager
Donovan Fisher | Script Supervisor
Tristin Hall | Intimacy Coordinator
Audrey Hartnett | Choreographer
Gavin Pringle | Colorist
Nolan Earnest | Production Assistant
Dave Carpenter | BTS Photographer
Sarah “Bender” Carpenter | BTS Photographer
Ethan K. | BTS Photographer
Drew Steichen | BTS Photographer
-
Jenny Ahrens | Mary Kay Albamonte | Debra Allen | Joseph Ando | Phil Barras | Silas Brandon | Ryan Caltagirone | Steve Casillas | Alexandra Catalano | Kathleen Clark-Colton | Cameron Coffland | Joanne L. Coffland | Emily Colton | John & Julee DiBuono | Christopher Diedrich | Candice Domke-Hochberg | Marilyn & William Dwyer | Nora Dwyer | Anna Ferrone | Dana Gaubatz & Allison Wortman | Chrissie Grevenites | Christopher Henry | Jaime Hoffman | Eric Huizinga | Angelique Humcke | Laurene Johnson | Jenn & Patrick Kenneavy | April Kunzelman | Casey Leach | David Leatherman | Dustin Leatherman | Mark Leatherman | Ariana Macedo | Fred & Nancy Mahaffey | Elaine Maleski | Addie Markowitz | Numan Parada | Coleman Payne | Samantha Peterson | Steve Pulaski | R. Scott Purdy | Cherie & Eddie Robson | Kaitlyn Roybal | Matthew Rutledge | Sensoria | Christopher Siaens | Carin Silkaitis | Diane Slager | Mary & Gary Slager | Rasa & Ben Tiano | Sandra Tiano | Sara Tiano | Harry Woolway
Filmmaker’s Statement
Contact us.
Learn More
|
Learn More |
to learn more about IBC and donate to support further research visit
www.theibcnetwork.org
OR
www.eraseibc.com
Bringing awareness to Inflammatory Breast Cancer
becalming.shortfilm@gmail.com
becalming
Contact Us