Synopsis

A satire on the art of breaking in, poking fun at how we, the film school kinfolk, worship the land where stars take a dump (Los Angeles), while the city itself takes a dump on the stars (Walk of Fame). It’s about the never-ending struggle we’re willing to endure to make it here—and how much of the mess is too much before we get swallowed by it.

Director's Statement

The Serene Place (Where the Stars Poop) is a satire on the art of breaking into Hollywood. It’s a comedic take on the lengths immigrants and fresh grads will go to just to get their foot in the door. It’s about the hustle, the weird jobs, and the relentless desire to be seen in an industry that often feels like it’s designed to chew you up and spit you out. The story follows two characters: the dreamer and the gatekeeper. The dreamer is a fresh grad—an eager immigrant, ready to do anything to break into the studio world. The gatekeeper is a seasoned veteran who has been worn down by the system and thoroughly consumed by it, becoming one of its enforcers.

For many newcomers, studios are like holy shrines—we arrive with stars in our eyes, believing that once we’re inside, we’ve made it. But the reality is often very different. This film satirizes that disillusionment, showing the absurdity of the Hollywood hustle. Written during the writer’s strike, this film came to me at a time when I felt stuck in my career, trapped in a loop, and uncertain of what the next step would be. When I read the script, I felt an immediate connection—it felt like it had been written for me. As an Indian, female director, the opportunity to direct a comedy that reflected my own

experiences was a dream come true. We’re often stereotyped, pigeonholed into certain narratives or genres, but The Serene Place allowed me to break free. It gave me the chance to bring my own unique perspective to a story that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable.

My hope is that audiences will not only laugh but also reflect and recognize a part of themselves in these characters' journey.

Crew

Shriya Rana - Director

Shriya Rana is an award-winning writer and director based in Los Angeles. She has earned multiple accolades, including six directing awards for Ayesha (2021), which also garnered over 40 selections at top festivals. Ayesha was featured in the Best of India Shorts 2022 and the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival 2022, and won the "Audience Choice Award" at UCLAxFF 2021. Her films, such as TSPWTSP (2023), challenge stereotypes and celebrate individuality.

Hailing from a small town in Himachal Pradesh, India, Shriya began her career as an engineer before discovering her passion for filmmaking. She moved to Los Angeles in 2017, where she studied at the New York Film Academy and UCLA. Her work has earned international recognition, including broadcasts in the UK and Ireland for International Women’s Day 2021. Shriya holds the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts and is a proud member of the Alliance of Women Directors (AWD). She is committed to creating films that inspire, challenge norms, and amplify diverse voices in cinema.

Shreyas Ayaluri - Screenwriter

Shreyas Ayaluri is an award-winning screenwriter and creative producer based in Los Angeles, with over 30 screenplay awards. His work has earned recognition in top competitions like Final Draft’s Big Break, The Austin Film Festival, Screencraft, Outstanding Screenplays, and WeScreenplay, consistently ranking in the top 3% of unproduced scripts on Coverfly. Originally from advertising, Shreyas moved to the U.S. in 2018 to pursue his passion for storytelling. He studied screenwriting at UCLA and the New York Film Academy. As a screenwriter for Pocket FM, he wrote 16 shows—five of which were produced and became blockbusters, amassing millions of views on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Shreyas also serves as a judge and festival programmer at a prominent NYC-based film festival, holds the coveted O1 Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability, and has previously written songs for a Broadway musical

Arsenio J. Alvarez III - Editor

Arsenio J. Alvarez III is an award-winning writer, editor, and director. His inspirations come from directors spanning the '80s to the present day, including Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Ron Howard, Guillermo Del Toro, and David F. Sandberg, to name a few. Working on this film was a great change of genre. He had a lot of fun collaborating with Shriya, crafting the laughs and pacing that best complemented not only the film but her overall vision. This is the first of many projects he will work on with Shriya. The job isn’t done yet. We’re keeping our eyes on the future and continuing to move forward!