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Former city councillor fundraising for independent film

Former city and regional councillor Amy McQuaid-England is fundraising for her current independent film project. (Supplied photo)

By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express

Former city councillor and aspiring filmmaker Amy McQuaid-England is taking a different approach towards her current film project.

McQuaid-England, who served as a regional and city councillor from 2010 to 2018, is attending Durham College’s Advanced Filmmaking program.

Her current project is a fictional short film titled “Aggravated Sound.”

The film is a dark comedy which features a woman who has an “extreme aversion to everyday sounds” and is navigating her way through her first date.

McQuaid-England wants the movie to deal with the topic of triggers in “a way that isn’t too heavy for the viewer.”

She explains as a person with PTSD, her goal of creating the film is simple.

“By the end of the film, I want the audience to be able to feel uncomfortable, laugh and they are still able to connect to the story and the characters,” McQuaid-England says. “I want people to understand that triggers affect many people in different ways and even with those triggers we all have the ability to connect with others.”

McQuaid-England and her team are currently filming at Berry Hill, a restaurant located in downtown Oshawa.

She has started a fundraising campaign to raise $5,000 for the film.

The motivating factor behind this is so she can pay the “talented individuals who are contributing to her film.”

McQuaid-England said exposure is great, these individuals deserve to be paid for their work.

Money raised will be budgeted for props, location rentals, wardrobe, hair and makeup, marketing and film festival entry fees, including the Durham Region Film Festival (DRIFF).

As of March 13, the campaign has raised $2,300 of its $5,000 goal.

To donate, visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aggravated-sound-a-short-film#/

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