Saint - A CSUN Senior Thesis Short Film

"Young aspiring boxer Santiago gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at becoming the apprentice of legendary fighter Sánchez. But as he struggles to understand the tough love of his stoic father, Jefe, he must decide—will he work his way to a better life, or take the easy way out?"

Welcome to the fundraising campaign of Saint, a CSUN Film Production CTVA Senior Thesis Film. Thank you for visiting our page! Please read on to learn more about our film and how you can help. We appreciate your time and support. 

Background  

The relationship between Santiago and his father, shows the complexities that not only Mexican families go through, but the many struggles that fathers and sons go through due to past trauma and environmental situations. Jefe’s stern guidance captures every father’s hope to see their son succeed but also shows how unhealthy or misguided they may be while trying to advise.

The challenges Santiago faces and the choices he makes in this story allow the audience to witness his the conflict between his influences and personal values. 

Your Donation

Every contribution helps bring this film to life, but we can’t make it happen without your support. Be a part of the journey!

Your generous donations will go to the following:

• Art department: To fully capture Santiago’s gritty world—where dreams of a better life clash with harsh reality—we rely heavily on the art department. This includes costumes, makeup, props, set dressing, and everything needed to bring the raw, lived-in environments to life.
• Camera and lighting: The visual storytelling of Saint is crucial. Achieving the film’s cinematic intensity requires professional cameras, lenses, grip equipment, and media storage to make every shot feel immersive and visceral.
• Cast: Powerful performances are the heart of this story. To bring Santiago’s journey to life, we are hiring top-tier talent, working with a professional casting director, and ensuring the right background actors to build an authentic world.
• Catering: Long days on set demand energy and focus. Keeping our cast and crew well-fed with quality craft services ensures morale stays high and everyone performs at their best.
• Locations: The right settings elevate the story. From a worn-down boxing gym to the streets Santiago is desperate to escape, securing the perfect locations is essential. This also includes permits, insurance, and transportation to set.
• Sound: The atmosphere of Saint isn’t just visual—it’s auditory. Renting professional sound equipment and working with a composer for an original score will enhance the emotional depth of the film.
• Post Production: From color grading to precise editing, every frame of Saint will be fine-tuned to perfection. We’ll also be submitting to film festivals to share this story with as many people as possible.
• Safety: Above all, ensuring the well-being of our cast and crew is non-negotiable. Every precaution will be taken to maintain a safe and professional working environment on set.

Your donation will help ensure that all the things stated above become reality.

**ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO SAINT ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE. The California State University Northridge Foundation is a CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION 501 (C)(3) PUBLIC BENEFIT CALIFORNIA CORPORATION.**

The Crew

We’re incredibly grateful to have such a talented and dedicated crew. Our team is made up of passionate filmmakers who are ready to tackle any challenge that comes our way. Above all, we’re committed to creating a safe, professional, and collaborative set where everyone can do their best work.

The "Saint" Crew 

Andy Lopez - Writer, Director

David DeRosier - Producer 

Hayden Brown - Producer

Starla Kolenc - Producer

Alexander Alas - 1st Assistant Director | Diana Cambronero - Script Supervisor

Kara Bresman - 2nd Assistant Director

Nic DiConti - Director of Photography

Claudia Sofía Sepúlveda Solís - Camera Opperator

Hannah Hobson - 1st Assistant Camera 

Kevin Sustaita - 2nd Assistant Camera

Serafin Puerta - Production Designer

Yangsiyu Gao & Jack Bowman - Gaffer | Manuel Jr Martinez Gonzalez - Key Grip

Luke Spaleta & Sebastian Banas - Sound Mixers

Brian Boyanov - Editor | Ben Caloza - Editor

Casting By

Kerry Baker Casting

Other Ways To Support 

We understand that donating to our project might not be something everyone has the privilege to do so get that being financially involved may not be an option. However, there are many other ways to help! Spread the word! Share our donation website with friends and family who may be able to help us out. Other alternative funding/sharing options are provided below.

Social Media

Follow us on Instagram @saintthemovie to stay up to date on all aspects of our film.

Thank You

This film wouldn’t be possible without your generosity, and we are deeply grateful for your support. On behalf of our hardworking students, cast, and crew, thank you for believing in Saint. We can’t wait to share this journey with you and will keep you updated as we bring this story to life on the big screen.