Breathe

“Breathe” tells 3 unrelated stories of individuals who are facing difficulties, but that all make the same decision- to commit suicide. The first story was roughly influenced by the Greek play “Medea”. Our ‘Medea’ kills herself and her own children as a means of protection from her abusive husband. Influenced by a news story of a college student who was humiliated on Twitter, the second story follows a young, loner boy that is bullied in school, and helplessly jumps off a building. The third story is actually meant to relate to anyone who has ever felt self-hatred and depression. Our message is that there is always a glimmer of hope, and to “Breathe” before making that ultimate decision. Our lives matter, your life matters.

  • Tara Macken
    Director
  • Maria Liatis
    Writer
  • Aoni Ma
    Producer
  • Ash Gandhi
    Director of Photography
  • Christine Chadwick
    1st Assistant Director
  • Michelle Lee
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Charles Chen
    Camera Crane Operator
  • Leo Kei Angeles
    B Camera
  • Alli Beckman
    Editor
  • Ernesto Matamoros
    Editor
  • Matt Berberi
    Stunt Coordinator
  • Alex Huynh
    Fight Coordinator
  • Jared Eddo
    Stunt Rigger
  • Jeffrey Constine
    Key Grip
  • Lina Alvarez
    Set Decorator
  • Collin Oh
    Grip/Electric
  • Margaux Lancaster
    Makeup
  • Tara Louise Moore
    Hair
  • Matthew Trautwein
    Musical Arrangement
  • Bryant Johnson
    Musical Arrangement
  • Sadie Chapel - vocals
    Karma Lingo Band Members
  • Matthew Trautwein - vocals & guitar
    Karma Lingo Band Members
  • Krystal Turner - bass
    Karma Lingo Band Members
  • Jeff Blanks - keyboard
    Karma Lingo Band Members
  • Will Daniel - drums
    Karma Lingo Band Members
  • Maria Liatis as Sadie Chapel
    Key Cast
  • Katie Pelensky as Mother
    Key Cast
  • James Logan as Mother
    Key Cast
  • Bela Elkins as Daughter
    Key Cast
  • Amy Johnston as Call Girl
    Key Cast
  • Jeff Constine as Spitter
    Key Cast
  • Danny Cabrera as Bullied Kid
    Key Cast
  • Christopher Troy as Bully 1
    Key Cast
  • C.J Stuart as Bully 2
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Music Video
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 23, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Tara Macken

"Breathe" is Tara Macken's directorial debut, however, she is no stranger to the film industry. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio artists, Macken has been a powerhouse actress and stunt performer since she's started seven years ago. Her credits include Iron Man 3, The Hunger Games, Guardians of The Galaxy, Fast and the Furious 7, Agents of Shield and Sons Of Anarchy, to name a few. Macken has always been an expressive storyteller, from performing fights, to acting scenes to her passion of photography. Directing is her next venture in the industry as she seeks to create more content from a female perspective.

For more info please visit Macken's website/ IMDB and Facebook fan page.

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Director Statement

As the saying goes, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” “Breathe” was very much that since its inception. From the deeply rooted narrative lyrics, to the storyboards, to the performance and to the post-production, everything required trust, professionalism and passion in order to pull off "Breathe" in a short shoot span of three 8-hour days.

As my first directorial project, I wanted to collaborate with my best friend from the Philippines, Maria Liatis (Sadie Chapel), whom I've known for the past 19 years. We chose her song “Breathe”, because of its central theme of perseverance through adversity. It examines how life can bring people to the darkest corners of their hearts to the point of suicide, and our hopes that they will take a step back, breathe, and find their inner strength to fight through it.

Each and every one of us has felt sadness, depression, and despair at some point, and most of us have lost someone due to it. Our goal for the video is to bring awareness to the struggles that others may be fighting, and to know that being strong is not always an easy option. We hope to bring compassion for those going through these times, and for them to know that there is always help.

"Breathe" was a very ambitious project, since we were shooting three mini-stories as one music video. The shoot involved stunts, like high falls and fights, special effects makeup, multiple locations, and a cast of very talented improvisational actors.

All in all, for the final product having only a budget of $1500 dollars, our team pulled off a miracle and created a wonderful work of art.