THE STORY
TURBINE is a high-tension satire about cancel culture, fame and the blurred line between authenticity and performance in today's social media driven music industry. The film follows a rising rock band, propelled into even larger fame after the lead guitarist's leaked DM's spark controversy, forcing them to confront the issue on a popular music podcast.
But this film is more than just celebrity drama. It's about a woman breaking through in a male-dominated world, under more pressure, more scrutiny, more sexualisation. Will cancel culture let her survive her mistakes...or will she shoulder all the blame for the band's downfall?
We are set to shoot over three days in April this year at The Qube West in Acton.
CREATIVE APPROACH
The film will be shot in two different filming styles - a Standard Podcast Camera and a Dynamic Documentary Style Camera.
1. Standard Podcast Camera (30%)
Fixed lenses capture scenes still and steady. As if the lens itself leans in, ready, to gather the glances, the sighs, the cues of characters framed in sharp, medium views.
Primarily mid to close-up shots, with some over-the-shoulder and eye-level perspective shots. Tight framing, with minimal background. Microphones, headphones and watermarks. Bright, artificial studio lighting.
2. Dynamic Documentary Camera (70%)
This style captures the raw, truthful energy of its subjects with a hand-held camera, quick zooms, and natural lighting give a sense of intimacy. Using a mix of scripted and improvised dialogue, to capture characters in their most honest moments. The jokes, the insults, the facial expressions that come out of high tension moments.
The filming style is fast-paced with haphazard framing, as if captured by an overworked intern who is rushing to keep up with the unfolding action. The camera movements are often shaky, reflecting a handheld approach. This style, combined with intermittent rack focuses that don’t always quite hit their mark, amplifies the impression of chaos and urgency, heightening the viewer's immersion in the fast-paced environment.
WHAT WE NEED FUNDING FOR
The total budget for TURBINE is £9,000. With the help of so many of you we have already raised £2,000 via our first Crowdfunding (this one is just an updated version with much more information so you can see what it is you're really investing in). We aim to raise the rest in order to cover the costs of: renting equipment; original props and dressing locations; paying as much of our talented, dedicated crew and cast as possible (including travel reimbursements) and of course keeping everyone fed and fuelled throughout the three day shoot.
In the post production phase, funding will also be necessary for editing, colour grading and sound mixing. We will also be submitting the short to film festivals in the UK and internationally.
*for anybody who gave funding in the first crowdfunder, the same rewards system will apply to the relevant amounts also, please get in touch with us via [email protected].
OUR HOPES FOR THE SHORT
We have incredibly high hopes for this short film. Our goal is to enter it into prestigious festivals both across the UK and internationally, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity behind this project. This short also serves as a concept piece, with aspirations of developing it into a feature-length film in the future.
Your support will be instrumental in helping us bring this vision to life and make a lasting impact on the independent film scene.
THE TEAM
WRITER & DIRECTOR
Stella Jopling is a London based Writer/Director particularly interested in the line between reality and falsehood, especially in today's social media driven society. She has worked on films by directors such as Steven Soderbergh, Luca Guadagnino and Alejandro Iñárritu.
PRODUCER
Ollie Woolf is a London based Actor / Writer / Producer, he recently had a starring role in the award winning ‘Two Big Feet’ and has a leading role in the feature film ‘Littermates’ releasing later this year.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Hayley Grant is an Australian/American cinematographer based in London. She comes from a background in the electrical department where she worked as a lightning technician on high end TV and film productions such as The Crown and Mikey 17. She was one of 12 participants accepted into the American Film Institute's "Cinematography Intensive for Women" workshop in 2023 in LA. Hayley is currently working to achieve a Masters degree in Cinematography at the National Film and Television School.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
YeLynn Sim (She/Her) is a Korean production designer based in the UK, currently pursuing an MA in Production Design at the National Film and Television School. With a background in textile and furniture design, she brings a keen understanding of materials, texture, and spatial composition to her work. passionate about world-building and narrative-driven design, YeLynn blends artistry with technical precision to craft memorable cinematic spaces. Her previous short films have been selected for BFI Flare Film Festival 2025.
PRODUCERS
Flo Mitchell is a Yorkshire based Producer with a background in TV/Film hair and makeup. Her experience working on TV/Film sets in the hair and makeup department inspired her to be more involved in the production side of things and help others bring their creative visions to life. Her experience includes Black bag, Deep Cover, Midas man, G'WED. She was also part of the Bafta winning hair/makeup team for series The Long Shadow.
Hannah Bernstein is an American actor. She has recently turned to producing and is currently producing short films. Previously, she was a reader for Blumhouse.
Thank you for taking the time to read this Crowdfunder.
I would be most grateful for any contribution possible, even the smallest of donations would make a difference.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Stella Jopling and the rest of the Turbine crew.