Upstate, New York
Costume & Production Designer Indie Film
Belly To The Ground
In the quiet forests of Upstate New York, a group of women gather for a soul-searching workshop that blends mysticism, nature, and community. Each weekend, they meet to share stories, reflect on their inner lives, and explore themes of environmental responsibility, feminine unity, and the healing of generational pain. The atmosphere is infused with devotion for Mother Earth, with rituals and exercises designed to build trust, peel back layers of self-doubt, and reveal deeper truths. As the women are paired for various practices, they learn to see themselves through each other’s eyes—sometimes with ease, sometimes with friction.
One transformative exercise takes the two female lead characters into the woods, where they experience a powerful vision of a snake goddess, a symbol of rebirth and wisdom, who guides them toward reconciliation and deeper connection. Through vulnerability, laughter, and shared revelations, the workshop becomes more than just a retreat: it is a celebration of womanhood, resilience, and the sacred cycles of life. Together, the women discover that healing the self ripples outward, strengthening the bonds with others and with Mother Earth herself.
The film’s lush atmosphere was created from the unified vision of the Production Designer, who also took on the role of Costume Designer. Serving as both, she was able to design a cohesive visual language that creates a sense of community and a unique world for the film. The design combines natural textures with thoughtfully composed settings that evoke an atmosphere of ritual and spirituality. Costumes provide a unifying palette that binds the women’s journeys together while also highlighting each woman’s individuality, using colors that contrast vibrantly with the earth tones of the landscape. Together, the Production and Costume Design become a visual representation for connection, renewal, and the joy of celebrating life in harmony with nature.
