Vote for Lola (2023)

Lola Sutherland has always been number one in everything, but when her chance of getting into a top college is jeopardized, she campaigns for student council president in order to get ahead. Her best friend Val films a documentary of her progress along the way. Lola drives Val away with her reckless campaign tactics. At the final speech Lola finally realizes her feelings for Val and is faced with the decision between what she believes she should do and what she wants to do. Lola runs from the speech, forfeiting the campaign and reunites with her best friend and true love, Val.

Please tell us your motivation for making your film:

I was really interested in creating a mockumentary due to the style of comedy inherent within the genre. I love comedy where the presence of the camera is part of the joke. Additionally, I felt that a mockumentary coming of age would be allow me to explore a really strong and nuanced point of view. The protagonist had to pretend like she's confident for the camera, but struggles to hide her feelings of uncertainty.

What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:

"Vote for Lola" is about returning to yourself and reconnecting with your own wants. Furthermore, it is about embracing those passions instead of feeling ashamed of them and repressing them. It's about finding joy in the decision to be yourself despite the hardship of such a decision.

Specs:

Project Type:

Student, Short

Genres:

Romance, Comedy, Romcom, Mockumentary

Runtime:

12 minutes 22 seconds

Completion Date:

May 3, 2023

Production Budget:

2,500 USD

Country of Origin:

United States

Country of Filming:

United States

Language:

English

Shooting Format:

Digital

Film Color:

Color

First-time Filmmaker:

No

Student Project:

Yes - Loyola Marymount University

Vote for Lola (2023) Credits:

Emma Bartels

Director

Emma Bartels

Writer

Kirsten Osei Bonsu

Producer

Emma Bartels

Producer

Julia McGowan

Key Cast

"Lola Sutherland"

Shaun Holmes

Key Cast

"Val"

Janet Borrus

Key Cast

"Mrs. Nash"

Braden McSwigan

Key Cast

"Conrad Van Hoff"

Noel Rabina

Key Cast

"Mr. Andrews"

Meera Puranik

Key Cast

"Meera"

Will Bonnell

Key Cast

"Kissing Couple"

Finn Sanders

Key Cast

"Kissing Couple"

Miguel Valadez-Plascencia

Director of Photography

Chloe Rodgers

Editor

Justin Whittingham

Colorist

Chloe Millett

Production Design

Connor Ewart

Production Design

Kristin Pischel

UPM

Madison Lair

1st AD

Ryan Parnas

Script Supervisor

Syuen Chia

1st AC

Connor Ewart

2nd AC

Leika Wong

Gaffer

Tom Bolles

Key Grips

Alex Salonga

Key Grips

Magdalena Pink-Sanchez

Key Grips

Justin Tang

Key Grips

Blake Hansen

Grips

Max Carmona

Grips

Hannah Medvene

Grips

Meera Puranik

PA

Emmalyne Hvizdak

Intimacy Coordinator

Kelly Peterson

Production Sound

Justin Whittingham

Production Sound

James Litiatco

Production Sound

Kelly Peterson

Post Sound

Madison Lair

Post Sound

Madison Lair

Additional Editing and Graphics

Ryan McCue

Additional Editing and Graphics

Terry Bartels

Special Thanks

Christian Bartels

Special Thanks

Darryl Bartels

Special Thanks

Joseph Spindler

Special Thanks

SFTV

Special Thanks

Vanessa Newell

Special Thanks

Josef Lieck

Special Thanks

Deb McClune

Special Thanks

Elise Dean

Special Thanks

Will Mack

Special Thanks

Melanie An

Special Thanks

Michael Kang

Special Thanks