Precious Gems

A director enters into a complex relationship with her actress while making a short film about a woman trapped in a dangerous engagement.

  • Jon Santana
    Director
    Children in Cages, I Watched You Become Death
  • Jon Santana
    Writer
    Children in Cages, I Watched You Become Death
  • Devan Ford
    Producer
    I Watched You Become Death
  • Shelby Slager
    Key Cast
    "Maggie"
  • Caroline Rose
    Key Cast
    "Faye"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 2, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    13,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jon Santana

Los Angeles-based filmmaker and UCLA Alumni. Writer/director of I Watched You Become Death (Feature Film) and Children in Cages (Short Film)

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Director Statement

Throughout the years, we have sent messages through cinema and our society is directly impacted by them. I believe it's our obligation as artists to correct outdated messages spread through film, especially concerning the nature of relationships. "Precious Gems" tells the story of a female director discovering her own identity while getting wrapped up in a relationship that soon turns into a complex power dynamic. With this film I hope to challenge the norm and make us take a look into how we're treated in relationships both professional and personal.