Fragile Baby
Narrative Feature
Project Type: Narrative Feature
Project Status: Development
Writer/Producer/Actor: Paul Alcaraz
Director/Producer: Anthony Cook
Project Email: fragile.baby2025@gmail.com
A poignant film about love, addiction, and resilience, Fragile Baby follows the journey of Santi and Violet, as they navigate the challenges of communication, trauma, and the harsh realities of life in Los Angeles.
LOGLINE
An ASL Teacher Assistant believes to have found her first love with a student struggling with alcoholism and depression.
SYNOPSIS
Santi, an alcoholic and rookie realtor, wins over his crush, Violet, a young woman who works as an ASL Teacher Assistant who is dealing with rapid hearing deterioration.
A romance develops between them but the challenge of communication arises revealing their trauma. Santi is challenged to manage the cut throat real estate industry of Los Angeles and his mom’s illness, on top of this new relationship with his precarious mental health.
“Fragile Baby” is a film that honors and brings awareness on the struggles of alcoholism, depression, ASL, homelessness and love. Our goal is to be a voice for these unrepresented communities and bring this beautiful story to life, because Independent Artists have stories worthy of watching too.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT ABOUT THE PROJECT
As a director, I am always interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships and personal struggles. I have a profound fascination with psychology, particularly Jungian theories, which profoundly influence my perspective and storytelling approach. I am deeply passionate about telling stories that make a significant statement about the human condition.
Working on projects like the web series 'Dead House' for Lionsgate and Kevin Hart, and collaborating with talents like Andrew Bachelor (King Bach), has given me invaluable experience working with non-traditional actors. Directing 'Wal-bob's,' my first feature film now on Tubi, provided an excellent chance to collaborate with traditionally trained actors and explore the feature medium. Teaching cinematography, writing, directing, and producing at the New York Film Academy in Burbank has deepened my understanding of the craft, helping me create visually compelling and emotionally profound narratives. Producing the film 'This Land' has also honed my appreciation for balancing narrative and visual storytelling.
Fragile Baby addresses themes of love, mental health, and redemption. It highlights the struggle between personal demons and professional aspirations. Through this film, I aim to shed light on the power of human connection and resilience, bringing a story of hope and redemption to life on the screen.
Paul Alcaraz
Actor/Writer/Producer
Paul is an actor, writer and producer, born in Orlando, Florida and with Mexican heritage.
He studied theater in Mexico City before moving to LA to pursue acting.
With over five years of training Meisner technique focused on improvisation, comedy and script analysis, he has participated in multiple short films and a lead role in the stoner comedy "The Grail" (Prime Videos) in which he won the Award of Merit for Supporting Actor in the 2020 IndieFEST Film Awards.
Anthony Cook
Director/Producer
Anthony Cook is a filmmaker from Cincinnati, Ohio. He earned his MFA degree in Filmmaking at New York Film Academy in Burbank, CA.
For his thesis project he wrote/directed/produced his first feature film "Wal-bob's". Anthony went to the American Film Market and sold "Wal-bob's" that is currently available to watch on Tubi.
Anthony produced a web-series for Lionsgate and Kevin Hart titled "Dead House" working with Andrew Bachelor, who’s online personal is @kingbach, on that and other projects since 2013.
Anthony teaches cinematography, writing, directing, and producing with over 10 years of experience for the Cinematography Department at NYFA in Burbank, CA. Recently he produced the film “This Land”.
Jaz Saini
Actor
Jaz is a Canadian born, theatrically trained actor, writer, director, comedian and improviser, currently based in Los Angeles.
She is most known for doin all of the above in her long-running sketch comedy show on YouTube, YouTwoTV, which has over 1 billion views.
She is recipient of the 2017 iHeartRadio Much Fan Fave Creator Award, Anokhi Comedy Creator of The Year and was a speaker at the Just For Laughs comedy panel in Montreal.
Aside from producing her own show, she is seen doing stand up comedy and improv all over Los Angeles.
Alana Duqum
Actor
Alana is a dynamic artist making waves in American and Middle Eastern cinema and music. With a captivating presence both on screen and stage, she effortlessly transitions between roles as an actress, singer-songwriter, producer, and director.
Alana's upcoming performances in "The Hand of God" and "The Trainer" showcase her versatility and depth as both an actress and singer. Her portrayal of Princess Jasmine adds to her multifaceted talent.
Beyond her acting, Alana's music, characterized by pop sensibilities and heartfelt lyrics, forges a strong connection with listeners earning millions of views and listens worldwide. She is currently producing a groundbreaking Middle Eastern film exploring identity and cultural fusion, highlights her passion for crafting narratives that resonate deeply.
Magdalena Edwards
Actor
Magdalena Edwards is a Chilean filmmaker who was born in Santiago and raised in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington DC. She is based in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and three kids, and where she is a student at the John Ruskin School of Acting in Santa Monica.
Her first short film as writer-director is currently in post-production. Magdalena recently worked as the Art Department Coordinator for the short film BYE BYE BARBARITO, written by Susannah Rodriguez Drissi and directed by Michelle Salcedo, with support from NALIP and NETFLIX.
Magdalena holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from UCLA and a BA in Social Studies from Harvard. She is a translator, writer, producer, and strategic communicator, as well as an actor for film, tv, theater, voiceover, and more.
Your Help
FRAGILE BABY is a fiscally sponsored project of Cinematography for Actors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation will be tax-deductible!