Waiting at a train station gave advanced film production student, Langan Jenkins more than a ride home. While waiting for her train, a paranoid woman caught Jenkins’ attention. Jenkins’ imagination took over and the woman ended up being the fuel for the most ambitious project Jenkins and two friends have ever undertaken.

The project was their short film for their advanced film class. The plot is centered around a woman haunted by her abusive relationship and her attempt to escape her past.

“The woman used to be very strong about who she was,” explained co-writer Jenkins. “Over time the relationship broke her down. She became someone she didn’t like, so she eventually grew up the courage to leave him. She’s struggling with the decision to leave the man who she thinks loves her. The hardest part for her is to leave someone, especially when she thinks that is what love is.”

Since the beginning of the semester, Matt Miltonberger, Jeffrey Keller and Jenkins have continuously worked on the project together. Each group member has dreams to work in the film production industry post-COD, making this production extremely important and personal to them. The project posed various challenges, as it is the largest production they’ve been a part of. “I’ve never made anything that touched on a subject so personal to others,” said Jenkins. “I’ve never made a project that I wrote myself, and the fact that I get to do that with people that support my writing and vision is very exciting for me.”

Taking this personal turmoil of the woman posed a different challenge for Miltonberger, the cinematographer.

“Production wise, this is the largest and highest budget film that I’ve ever worked on,” said Miltonberger. “Story wise, I’ve never worked on a film that’s addressed a social issue before, so it’s a new process for me to read through the script and think about what visually we can put in front of the camera that expresses how our character is feeling and what she’s going through.”

To make all their visions a reality, the group has turned towards crowdfunding to support the film. So far, their Kickstarter campaign has raised $1,386 out of their $2,500 goal. “Without the Kickstarter campaign we literally cannot make this film,” said Miltonberger. “The Kickstarter is our largest source of our funds that we’re producing. Without success from the Kickstarter we won’t have the money to feed our cast and crew, pay for locations and rentals, transportation, makeup and wardrobe, etc. Our Kickstarter really is one of the most important things that we need to be successful in order to create our film.”

By donating, backers are supporting the group as well as helping pay for locations, costumes, food, equipment, transportation, music and more. One way to gain more supporters is through rewards. Those who donate a certain amount can receive titles of associate producer, movie posters, DVDs of the film and more.

“I’ve also never crowdfunded before; so that’s a new experience in itself trying to figure out the best advertising and marketing strategies to bring new people to your project,” said Miltonberger. “It’s truly an exciting experience to be a part of this film.”

You can follow the progression of the film, donate and learn more through their Facebook page, facebook.com/TheWomanFilm. The Kickstarter closes April 15, and the group hopes to release the film in the fall or winter of 2016.