Projects
Current (Public) Film Projects
- The Corner Gas Station
“The Corner Gas Station” is a light-hearted mockumentary centering on the weekly “kid switch,” common with divorced parents. It follows a day in the life of gas station owners, Denise and Joel, whose gas station became the popular spot for divorced families to ‘kid switch’ every week.A North Carolina Film
– Cucalorus Filmed in NC fund recipient
– Physical production targeted for Spring 2024Directors Statement
Every time I go back home to Raleigh, NC, I see the corner gas station where my family had our very own “kid switch.” The catch is – I was the kid of the new wife, so I was an outsider looking in as my step-siblings went off to their mom every Sunday. It became an event for us, each switch, and I always wondered if that gas station owner knew their location was perfect for us, and if it were perfect for others, too?“The Corner Gas Station” is about a day in the life of gas station owners, Denise and Joel, who look forward to seeing all of these families every week. They grew to consider these people their family, too. We will meet various couples that each bring out the best in our star couple, until we meet Miles, a very chatty 7-year-old, who pulls Denise and Joel into his life. No longer are they just observers. They must get involved!
I see this piece as fun and full of banter, depth and sincerity. I love the comedy genre, and I think it’s stronger when the characters feel real. I also want to show a couple that loves each other and honors the choices they made in their life. And, I want people to see that divorce could be a good thing for all involved.
I chose the mockumentary style so it would add a lighter tone to this piece. It can be a fun experience in all its awkwardness, yet normality. I also just finished and released my first documentary feature, Pioneers in Skirts, so I’m familiar with this style, look, and production.
There is only one location and it will feel continuous. We will suspend reality a bit, too, in making it more obvious to hear and see people inside and outside this gas station.
Told entirely in the perspective of the gas station owners, at the end, the audience will see that this couple is aware and proud of their love for such an awkward day.
– Ashley Maria, writer/director, “The Corner Gas Station”
- Super Human Anxiety
This 8-min short film is in Post-Production right now!
Post-Production: Nov 2023 – June 2024 in Los Angeles, CA.“Super Human Anxiety” is about a teenage girl who thinks she’s hiding her strong emotions well. But, when her elevator breaks down, fate forces her to out her secret. Holding a soft-launch mid-May 2024, during Mental Health Awareness Month, the film highlights the importance of self-care & providing support to those silently struggling.
The film is scheduled for release mid-June 2024.
ABOUT
From the Emmy Nominated team of “Pioneers in Skirts,” comes a new impact film about anxiety. Set in an all girls boarding school in Upstate New York, “Super Human Anxiety” follows the story of a young teenager, Whitney, who has always had strong emotions, but recently they have been presenting themselves as super human strength. She works in overdrive to mask her anxiety and her powers, until today, when her elevator breaks down, Whitney must accept help from Ms. Sweetly to calm her nerves so they can both get out of the elevator safely.ACTOR STATEMENTS
“Having dealt with anxiety throughout school and my early twenties, I was immediately drawn to the script. It is a relatable and empathetic depiction of what it feels like to go through anxiety at an age where you barely understand yourself, let alone the mechanics of our thoughts and feelings. I hope that people leave the film feeling understood, heard, and not alone!“
Alexis Jacquelyn Smith (learn more about Alexis on IMDb)
“I was drawn to this project because I deal with horrible anxiety and it’s something I struggle with on a daily basis. I loved how this film empowers those with anxiety and teaches you to control your anxiety rather than let your anxiety control you. I hope anyone who deals with anxiety watches this and is as inspired by it as I am.“
Plastic Martyr (learn more about Plastic on IMDb)
A CINEMA THERAPY TOOL
Super Human Anxiety is offered to mental health organizations and advocates as well as healthcare providers at no cost. Part of an overall cinema therapy platform involving informative storytelling + educational tools, the film was made to empower mental health programs that strengthen a teen’s capacity to regulate emotions and build resilience for managing difficult situations.
PARTNER DETAILS
We team up with Impact Partners to help ensure our story will reach audiences and motivate them towards a deeper engagement with the topic of the film. Are you an organization offering mental health programs for teens? We offer exclusive rights in return for you agreeing to host screening events AND help us create deliverables OR increase our reach OR promote the movie!
Read about our Impact Partner Give an Hour: Give an Hour supports the film “Super Human Anxiety”
- Super Human AnxietyTHE FILM IS CURRENTLY TEST SCREENING ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
Super Human Anxiety – impact narrative short
Super Human Anxiety is an 8-minute short that follows the story of Whitney, a teenager with strong emotions. Recently those emotions have manifested as superhuman strength, and she is working in overdrive to mask her anxiety (and powers). When the elevator she and a teacher are in gets stuck between floors, Whitney must decide if she can trust Ms. Sweetly to help her calm her nerves so they can both get out of the elevator safely or say nothing and stay stuck.
Runtime: 8 minutes
SHORT FILM NARRATIVE - Pioneers in Skirts
AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC MOVIE SCREENING EVENTSPioneers in Skirts – impact feature documentary
Host a Screening: www.pioneersinskirts.com/host/
Pioneers in Skirts is a regional Emmy-nominated impact documentary about the obstacles that get in the way of pioneering ambition. The film addresses the stereotyping and sexism that can chip away at a woman, limit her potential, and make her feel like she must re-think her dreams. – more –
Runtime: 60 minutes
FEATURE FILM DOCUMENTARY - Harsh Wilderness
AVAILABLE AT FILM FESTIVALS ACROSS THE U.S.Harsh Wilderness – narrative short
Unfairly exiled from her home and marriage, Verna must find common ground with Beatrice, the woman she hates, to survive the Harsh Wilderness of the Old West. – more –
Runtime: 8 minutes
SHORT FILM DRAMA WESTERNWATCH:
- Tickets: Centre Film Festival (Pennsylvania) – October 30-November 5, 2023 (view program guide)
- BMC Film Fest 2023 (Los Angeles, CA) – semi-finalist
- Tickets: The Wild Bunch Film Festival (Arizona) – October 28, 2023
- Tickets: Spaghetti & Westerns Festival (Colorado) – October 14, 2023 (view program guide)
- Tickets: Nevada Women’s Film Festival – June 25, 2023
- Tickets: Marina Del Rey Film Festival (California) – June 9, 2023
The Wild Bunch Film Festival award nominations: click here to view
- Pioneers in SkirtsPioneers in Skirts – impact feature documentary
Pioneers in Skirts is an entertaining, socially conscious impact documentary that addresses the obstacles ambitious women and girls experience. In an inspiring portrait of perseverance and determination, we see how we ALL can address the stereotyping and sexism that can chip away at a woman, limit her potential, and make her feel like she must re-think her dreams. — more —
- Friday Night Fright
Friday Night Fright – comedy shortWith his parents finally gone, Andy is left alone to watch his favorite late night horror show, ‘Friday Night Fright.’
But – in tonight’s episode, Andy is not the only one doing the watching.
- Volcano Girl
Volcano Girl – comedy shortFighting super villains is easy. Losing your superhero job, moving back home and sharing a bathroom with your little sister? Now that’s hard.”
- BPW: A History A Movement
BPW: A History A Movement – documentary shortThe chronicle story of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, the oldest working women’s advocacy group in the United States.