THE DARK DAYS OF CASSIDY KRYSTIAN
Emily Troedson
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LOGLINE
Fantasy Action Proof of Concept Short Film
After a mysterious encounter with an Ojibwe Healer transports her to a shadow world, a Métis woman begins her journey to reclaim herself and her stolen land.
SYNOPSIS
Forced to flee after the murder of her mother and disappearance of her father, Cassidy Krystian grows up in foster care under a mistaken identity. During her childhood, her family’s prized river land is violently stolen by the notorious landowner, Robert ‘The Dragon’ Drake, who now, years later, is developing that land for pharmaceutical production. Unaware that she is heir to the land and the lost leader of its former inhabitants—a remnant, matriarchal tribe of mixed heritage families—Cassidy is visited by one of her mother’s loyal followers who reveals to Cassidy the truth about her past and the Dragon’s current use of her land. Cassidy decides she must venture into the rugged wilderness where her family once lived, fighting against forces seen and unseen in her struggle to stop the Dragon and take back her home.
Director’s Statement
The Dark Days of Cassidy Krystian is a gritty Heroine’s journey set in a modern context. Having grown up with an adopted mother, Cassidy doesn’t remember her birth mother, who is Ojibwe-French, or her birth father, who is Scottish. Cassidy’s identity, land, and parents have been taken from her, and she embarks on a quest to find and avenge what has been lost: both the land of her home and the deeper land within herself. Her story is a physical adventure that becomes a journey of the spirit. Her fight against the Dragon becomes a fight against those forces that strip life of its true meaning.
My desire to tell this story is personal for many reasons, namely, my upbringing near the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe reservation in East Central Minnesota, as well as the loss of my own mother and my healing journey that followed. I grew up in a small, rural town that was part of the Aazhoomog (Lake Lena) community of the Mille Lacs reservation. As a non-Native person growing up near a reservation, I was shown and taught from an early age the importance of connection to the land and honoring the wisdom, culture, and contribution the Mille Lacs Band had on the surrounding region. This had a positive, lasting impact on me, and led to my lifelong passion and study of Indigenous religions, cultures, and communities.
Given the current crisis facing our National Parks, Cassidy’s story could not be more timely or urgent. Indigenous people have been fighting to protect sacred lands for centuries. But Indigenous people aren’t the only ones affected by this. We are all affected.
Our film shines a light on this pressing issue, while bringing much-needed representation for Native American communities and for women creatives working in the genre of action. With the recent success of films like Catch the Fair One and Killers of the Flower Moon, audiences are hungry for Indigenous-driven, issues-led stories that resonate deeply. The Dark Days of Cassidy Krystian is a story that guides us to a deeper connection to ourselves and to the land – the spiritual land within and the physical land around us.
PITCH DECK
TEAM
Emily Troedson. Writer, Director & Producer
Emily Troedson is a writer, director, and producer based in Los Angeles. Her debut feature, BLUE BALLOONS, premiered at the Twin Cities Film Fest and won the Women in Film Award from the CARE Film Festival, which recognizes films about caregivers and terminal illness. Most recently, she wrote, directed, and produced the dark, comedy short film, RAGE RHONDA, currently in its festival run. She was a selected participant in the 2024 Stowe Story Labs Santa Fe Writers' Retreat and the 2023 Stowe Story Labs Producers' Lab for her feature script, THE DARK DAYS OF CASSIDY KRYSTIAN. The script was also a Quarterfinalist for the Writers Lab and the ScreenCraft Film Fund, a Finalist for the Mystic Film Festival, and won Best Unproduced Script at the Toronto International Women's Film Festival. She produced the digital series, TREVOR AND THE VIRGIN, PART 2, for Hooked and Snapchat, the short film, CULT, directed by Wei-Ling Chang, and she was Production Supervisor for two Peanuts specials, directed by Clay Kaytis. She founded the company Goat Song Films and is a member of the Producers Guild of America and Film Fatales. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and their dog.
Boise Esquerra. Script Consultant
Boise Esquerra is a writer and director dedicated to crafting compelling stories that showcase diverse perspectives. As a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes in Parker, AZ, Boise brings a unique voice to the film industry. Boise has developed a passion for storytelling that challenges stereotypes and pushes the boundaries of representation. His award-winning projects, including the web series "Blackwater" and the feature "Skinwalker", demonstrate his commitment to authentic and innovative storytelling. He achieved success in the horror and thriller genres, with scripts like "The Black Demon" reaching #1 on Amazon Prime. He has also collaborated with Mucho Mas Media and Silk Mass Productions to develop and write feature films like "Cauldron" and "Skinwalker.” Boise aims to share stories that have been overlooked or underrepresented, blending traditional influences with modern themes. By doing so, he hopes to inspire a new generation of storytellers and bring fresh perspectives to the film industry.
Justin Ogden. Director of Photography
Justin Ogden is a Director of Photography and Camera Operator known for his versatile, cinematic skills that blend artistry and practicality to deliver stunning visuals that add depth to the story. He was the DP for the award-winning short film, “Rage Rhonda,” directed by Emily Troedson, and the Cinematographer for the popular children’s series “Blippi,” which took him to locations around the world, often shooting in extreme weather conditions. His experience as a Camera Operator for multiple stunt shoots reflects his ability to adapt and be highly improvisational while always keeping the emotional arc of the characters and story at the forefront.
Merridith Allen. Stunt Coordinator
Merridith Allen proudly is a theater-trained writer with an extensive background in martial arts. She is passionate about telling stories about women in the martial arts, drama and action spaces. Merridith has been the recipient of scholarships and fellowships from such prestigious organizations as the Sewanee Writers Conference, the San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference, Stowe Story Labs, and VCCA. Her first short film, BLACK ROSE, based on the award-winning feature screenplay, is set to come out in 2025. She has been published in The Sun, and various literary magazines for her non-fiction work. Merridith's day jobs have included screenwriting/creative writing instructor, martial arts instructor, audio description writer, true-crime podcast writer, and yoga instructor. When Merridith is not diving into a story or throwing people across the room on the mats, she can be found searching for the perfect cup of coffee in her adopted city, Los Angeles.
Stowe Story Labs alumni can initiate an application for fiscal agency here.
