A House in the Hills
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Thriller
At a Hollywood Hills dinner party where no one else shows up, a man’s awkward evening with an acquaintance spirals from social-anxiety nightmare to a surreal psychological showdown... featuring adorable puppets!
A House in the Hills
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Thriller
1 Campaigns | California, United States
12 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,595
Goal: $24,222 for production
At a Hollywood Hills dinner party where no one else shows up, a man’s awkward evening with an acquaintance spirals from social-anxiety nightmare to a surreal psychological showdown... featuring adorable puppets!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
DAN’s expectations were low when he arrived at CHRIS's dinner party. He’s going by himself after his girlfriend got sick, and let's be honest, Chris isn’t his favorite person in their friend group.
He pulls up to the house, greeted by a shockingly nice Hollywood Hills mansion and the devastating revelation that everyone else cancelled. It’s just Dan and Chris. Alone.
They struggle through small talk, but Dan isn’t able to relax as strange events disturb the house. A dropped wineglass hits concrete and doesn’t shatter. Birds crash into the windows, leading Dan to see a shadowy figure inside. And Dan starts to think that they are not alone in the house after all…
This is an anxiety play, where Dan’s internal catastrophizing becomes a horror film of his own making. Tonally, the goal is to subjectively explore Dan’s mistrustful mindset and contrast it with the absurdity of the scenario.
Dan's ambivalence towards Chris shifts the tone back and forth between comedy-farce and thriller. When Dan first meets Chris by the pool, we’re focusing on the humor and discomfort of being trapped in a house with an intense, but harmless kook. But as he wanders the house, he lets his assumptions about Chris turn into sinister speculation.
Think:
- A SERIOUS MAN - Joel & Ethan Coen (2009)
- ANNIE HALL - Woody Allen (1977)
- I SAW THE TV GLOW - Jane Schoenbrun (2024)
- BEING JOHN MALKOVICH - Spike Jonze (1999)
- ATLANTA - Donald Glover (2016-2022)
- BARRY - Bill Hader & Alex Berg (2018-2023)
Since we're playing with Dan's anxious experience and tricks of the eye, it's essential to use practical lighting effects and custom prop effects to retain a tactile absurdity and threat, and give the actors something to react to. Especially since the men bond over something lovingly handmade…
Dan is ready to bolt when he stumbles upon a closet FILLED WITH MUPPETS - characters from THE EARLY MID-LATE AFTERNOON SHOW, a subversive puppet show Dan loved growing up. THE ERIC ANDRE SHOW meets THE MUPPET SHOW, the MID-LATE SHOW’s sincere core and sardonic humor connects Dan and Chris.
When the shadowy figure Dan sees early on turns out to be a muppet from his favorite kids' show, his mistrust cracks. Chris puts on a puppet performance that reconnects Dan to something playful and essential – a side of himself that he keeps locked up. Chris eventually eggs Dan into joining in, and the two men become kids again together.
DAN (29 Years Old)
When he enters the house, Dan has already decided that Chris has nothing to offer him. Despite his politeness, he cringes at this guy's obliviousness to the social graces he’s missing – mostly because Dan puts a lot of effort into his own mask. His anxious desire to make the night work keeps him from leaving but fuels his mistrust and discomfort.
CHRIS (32 Years Old)
Chris is always himself for better or worse. He is bad at keeping an embarrassing story to himself and not saying the bad joke or regulating his volume. He makes people uncomfortable, but can’t figure out why. He desperately wants to fit in, but comes in a little too hot. But there’s a power to that – a confidence and drive that makes him passionate and colorful.
Dan and Chris are two sides of the same person. Though buried, they share interests, anxieties, and a sense of humor. I really see them as two sides of myself: one that wants to be big and silly and let loose, and one that craves social acceptance and cringes at my most sincere tendencies. I’ve been annoyed at both sides—and wanted to put them in a room together.
I reflected on my quiet love for The Muppets and began to ask why they meant so much to me and why I was ashamed to openly embrace them. I realized that the Muppets as a species don’t have the self-consciousness that stopped me from creating with my heart for many years. That led me here: to a film about saying yes to yourself through connection, childhood joy, and shared weirdness.
This story speaks to anyone who’s felt split between who they are and who they think they should be. It’s for the people whose internal voices never agree, who want to be taken seriously but also want to make each other laugh. It’s for cinephiles, people struggling with creative identity, or just navigating the emotional debris of their 20s and 30s.
- James (Writer, Director)
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Our goal with this project is to tell a thrilling story in a professional and visually stunning way. It is a difficult time in the industry, and as much as we prioritize telling unique stories, we want our crew to leave with something they can use to get them jobs. We are not a student film! Our project is expensive because we are dedicated to paying our crew -- getting the talent required who can execute this professional vision and emphasize that their time, effort, and skills matter.
Traditional film financing rarely fits short films—there just aren’t many distribution opportunities—so we’re turning instead to the generosity and goodwill of our community. Luckily, we're starting with $15.1k already secured from close friends and family, and are supported by THE BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER, a legendary Los Angeles puppetry institution, which is providing donation rewards starting at $150.
And thanks to our partnership with ANGAELICA, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to innovating talent discovery and artist support for independent filmmakers, ALL DONATIONS TO THE PROJECT ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
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The funds already raised cover key essentials like our puppet fabrication, location, and (most crucially) feeding our cast and crew, but there’s still plenty left to fund. By including our post-production cost (VFX, color grading, and sound design) and festival submission fees in our crowdfunding goals, your donation here guarantees that we can share the finished film with the world. Not a cent will go to waste.
We are in a very strong position going into this crowdfunding campaign! We have 40% of our total budget. We have our creative heads locked and loaded, along with the specialty positions this project requires, including a puppet fabricator and pigeon wrangler! And our beautiful Beverly Hills location is ready to go.
Our DP, Zach Morrison, is an American Society of Cinematographers Award-winner for the AFI Thesis Short, THE WITCH PRICKER AND THE HARE.
We have begun working with our amazing puppet fabricator, Corey Glenn, to design characters that will communicate the subversive nature of the show while retaining the innocent joy that breaks down Dan's walls.
Corey's Previous Puppet Fabrications:
The ridiculously talented Landon Yost is committed to shoot Behind-The-Scenes photos from our set. These stills will be sent to artist and graphic designer, Eli Coretti — who has already designed our Art Print Poster and the mugs that are rewards at the $75 and $300 donation levels.
At this point, we are just waiting for funding! We are aiming to shoot the third or fourth week of February. With this tight timeline, we need your support as early in the campaign as possible so we can focus all our attention on prepping the shoot!
MAKE A PLEDGE
Whether you’re a filmmaker, a film lover, or simply someone who grew up loving (and always will love) Kermit the Frog, we've partnered with amazing artists and Bob Baker for truly unique donation incentives just for you.
SPONSOR A DEPARTMENT
Take a peek at our Wishlist and claim bragging rights for fueling the madness—whether you’re funding the gaggle of colorful muppets or making sure our gaffer stays caffeinated through our night shoots.
LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE
- FOLLOW our campaign’s Seed&Spark page and our Instagram (@ahouseinthehills.movie) - just visiting and following our pages boosts our visibility in the algorithm!
- SHARE with anyone you think would respond to the concept, anyone with small children who’d be interested in the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, or anyone looking to reduce their taxes by donating to the arts!
- NON-CASH DONATIONS like snacks, catering, transportation, equipment rentals, discounts, and more are deeply appreciated and may be tax-deductible as well!
Every follow, re-share, tweet, email, or DM brings us closer to our goal—and to making this surreal satire a reality.
Follow us on Instagram: @ahouseinthehills.movie
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Post Production!
Costs $2,600
We need to pay our Editor! Our Colorist! Our Composer! We need money to enter into festivals!
Contigency
Costs $1,900
Based off of our budget, we have added a 5% contingency incase unforseen problems arise.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
James Coleman, Writer-Director
James Coleman is a filmmaker and producer who has worked across Film, Television, Broadway, and Commercials. Since graduating from NYU Tisch School of the Arts for Film & Television production in 2019, he has worked as an Assistant to Oscar, Emmy, and Tony winning Producers, Directors, Showrunners, and Talent Managers.
He is a graduate of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater for Improv and has performed at the Pack Theater and the Yard Theater. He is a Celine Cousteau Film Fellowship directing fellow and has photographed social campaigns for brands like Bloomingdales, Christie’s, Illy Coffee, and United Airlines.
He is unnaturally good at Connect4. I suspect he cheats.
Parker Smith, Producer
Parker Smith is a Los Angeles-based producer specializing in narrative short films, with a particular focus on comedic and lighthearted genres. Since graduating from film school in 2020, Parker has worked in production across a variety of mediums—including commercials for tech companies, music videos for high-profile talent, and even large-scale tabletop gameplay productions. Despite the range of his experience, his heart remains in narrative filmmaking. He has collaborated with a variety of directors on mid- to high-budget short films. Parker’s work brings a fresh, entertaining perspective to storytelling, blending humor and heart into every project.
Hector Martinez, Producer
With over a decade of industry experience, Hector is a seasoned content creator and award-winning producer based in Los Angeles. His diverse portfolio includes branded content for prominent national and international partners such as Virgin Voyages, Carnival Corp., Tim Hortons, Disney, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
A recent graduate of the prestigious Producing program at the American Film Institute, Hector’s work is rooted in themes of connection—exploring the intricacies of human relationships, the bonds that unite us, and the lived experiences that give our existence meaning. His films have screened at renowned festivals including CAA Moebius, Bend Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Sonoma International Film Festival, and Miami Film Festival.
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Zach Morrison is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles and Austin, TX. He is an ASC Heritage Award winner for The Witch Pricker & The Hare. In 2025, he was named an ASC Vision Mentee and selected by UTA as the cinematographer to represent The New Wave of emerging filmmakers. In 2024, he was a part of the Camerimage Talent Demo.
A Texas native and Hawaiian-shirt enthusiast, Zach has carried 3D cameras through the moonlit White Sands desert, loaded 16mm in the trunk of a car to catch the perfect sunset, and taught free film workshops to hundreds across the country.
In 2019, he co-founded the Austin Cinematography Group with Peter Simonite, ASC, an organization dedicated to providing free education and training in the cinematic arts. Over the years, Zach has placed over 100 trainees in their first job on set.
Theo Cohn, Production Design
Theo Cohn was born, raised, and is based in Los Angeles, California. He has worked on the art department of hundreds of commercials and TV shows including multiple seasons of The Eric Andre Show. His latest work as an art director for the film East of Wall won the audience award at the Sundance film festival. He has directed music videos for bands like the Drums and Sadgirl and short films for which he has constructed large puppet and practical special effect rigs. Theo speaks English and French, and is a member of the IATSE Local 44.
Corey Glenn, Puppet Fabricator
Corey Glenn is a Los Angeles prop fabricator and artist specializing in miniatures, papier-mâché, and foam. His work mixes skilled fabrication with a playful, outsider-art sensibility.
Jef
f Kleinman, Composer
Jeff Kleinman is an accomplished musician and artist from Columbus, Ohio. After graduating OSU with a BFA he got his start in music as a DIY touring punk musician before eventually settling temporarily in Salt Lake City. During this time he joined indie-pop band Choir Boy. With over 20 million streams on Spotify and music videos with over 450,000 plays on Youtube, the band has been widely and successfully touring since. A multi-instrumentalist, Jeff specializes in electronic pop, punk and rock songs, solo piano arrangements, and synth and saxophone-fueled ambient
soundscapes.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
DAN’s expectations were low when he arrived at CHRIS's dinner party. He’s going by himself after his girlfriend got sick, and let's be honest, Chris isn’t his favorite person in their friend group.
He pulls up to the house, greeted by a shockingly nice Hollywood Hills mansion and the devastating revelation that everyone else cancelled. It’s just Dan and Chris. Alone.
They struggle through small talk, but Dan isn’t able to relax as strange events disturb the house. A dropped wineglass hits concrete and doesn’t shatter. Birds crash into the windows, leading Dan to see a shadowy figure inside. And Dan starts to think that they are not alone in the house after all…
This is an anxiety play, where Dan’s internal catastrophizing becomes a horror film of his own making. Tonally, the goal is to subjectively explore Dan’s mistrustful mindset and contrast it with the absurdity of the scenario.
Dan's ambivalence towards Chris shifts the tone back and forth between comedy-farce and thriller. When Dan first meets Chris by the pool, we’re focusing on the humor and discomfort of being trapped in a house with an intense, but harmless kook. But as he wanders the house, he lets his assumptions about Chris turn into sinister speculation.
Think:
- A SERIOUS MAN - Joel & Ethan Coen (2009)
- ANNIE HALL - Woody Allen (1977)
- I SAW THE TV GLOW - Jane Schoenbrun (2024)
- BEING JOHN MALKOVICH - Spike Jonze (1999)
- ATLANTA - Donald Glover (2016-2022)
- BARRY - Bill Hader & Alex Berg (2018-2023)
Since we're playing with Dan's anxious experience and tricks of the eye, it's essential to use practical lighting effects and custom prop effects to retain a tactile absurdity and threat, and give the actors something to react to. Especially since the men bond over something lovingly handmade…
Dan is ready to bolt when he stumbles upon a closet FILLED WITH MUPPETS - characters from THE EARLY MID-LATE AFTERNOON SHOW, a subversive puppet show Dan loved growing up. THE ERIC ANDRE SHOW meets THE MUPPET SHOW, the MID-LATE SHOW’s sincere core and sardonic humor connects Dan and Chris.
When the shadowy figure Dan sees early on turns out to be a muppet from his favorite kids' show, his mistrust cracks. Chris puts on a puppet performance that reconnects Dan to something playful and essential – a side of himself that he keeps locked up. Chris eventually eggs Dan into joining in, and the two men become kids again together.
DAN (29 Years Old)
When he enters the house, Dan has already decided that Chris has nothing to offer him. Despite his politeness, he cringes at this guy's obliviousness to the social graces he’s missing – mostly because Dan puts a lot of effort into his own mask. His anxious desire to make the night work keeps him from leaving but fuels his mistrust and discomfort.
CHRIS (32 Years Old)
Chris is always himself for better or worse. He is bad at keeping an embarrassing story to himself and not saying the bad joke or regulating his volume. He makes people uncomfortable, but can’t figure out why. He desperately wants to fit in, but comes in a little too hot. But there’s a power to that – a confidence and drive that makes him passionate and colorful.
Dan and Chris are two sides of the same person. Though buried, they share interests, anxieties, and a sense of humor. I really see them as two sides of myself: one that wants to be big and silly and let loose, and one that craves social acceptance and cringes at my most sincere tendencies. I’ve been annoyed at both sides—and wanted to put them in a room together.
I reflected on my quiet love for The Muppets and began to ask why they meant so much to me and why I was ashamed to openly embrace them. I realized that the Muppets as a species don’t have the self-consciousness that stopped me from creating with my heart for many years. That led me here: to a film about saying yes to yourself through connection, childhood joy, and shared weirdness.
This story speaks to anyone who’s felt split between who they are and who they think they should be. It’s for the people whose internal voices never agree, who want to be taken seriously but also want to make each other laugh. It’s for cinephiles, people struggling with creative identity, or just navigating the emotional debris of their 20s and 30s.
- James (Writer, Director)
Our goal with this project is to tell a thrilling story in a professional and visually stunning way. It is a difficult time in the industry, and as much as we prioritize telling unique stories, we want our crew to leave with something they can use to get them jobs. We are not a student film! Our project is expensive because we are dedicated to paying our crew -- getting the talent required who can execute this professional vision and emphasize that their time, effort, and skills matter.
Traditional film financing rarely fits short films—there just aren’t many distribution opportunities—so we’re turning instead to the generosity and goodwill of our community. Luckily, we're starting with $15.1k already secured from close friends and family, and are supported by THE BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER, a legendary Los Angeles puppetry institution, which is providing donation rewards starting at $150.
And thanks to our partnership with ANGAELICA, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to innovating talent discovery and artist support for independent filmmakers, ALL DONATIONS TO THE PROJECT ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
The funds already raised cover key essentials like our puppet fabrication, location, and (most crucially) feeding our cast and crew, but there’s still plenty left to fund. By including our post-production cost (VFX, color grading, and sound design) and festival submission fees in our crowdfunding goals, your donation here guarantees that we can share the finished film with the world. Not a cent will go to waste.
We are in a very strong position going into this crowdfunding campaign! We have 40% of our total budget. We have our creative heads locked and loaded, along with the specialty positions this project requires, including a puppet fabricator and pigeon wrangler! And our beautiful Beverly Hills location is ready to go.
Our DP, Zach Morrison, is an American Society of Cinematographers Award-winner for the AFI Thesis Short, THE WITCH PRICKER AND THE HARE.
We have begun working with our amazing puppet fabricator, Corey Glenn, to design characters that will communicate the subversive nature of the show while retaining the innocent joy that breaks down Dan's walls.
Corey's Previous Puppet Fabrications:
The ridiculously talented Landon Yost is committed to shoot Behind-The-Scenes photos from our set. These stills will be sent to artist and graphic designer, Eli Coretti — who has already designed our Art Print Poster and the mugs that are rewards at the $75 and $300 donation levels.
At this point, we are just waiting for funding! We are aiming to shoot the third or fourth week of February. With this tight timeline, we need your support as early in the campaign as possible so we can focus all our attention on prepping the shoot!
MAKE A PLEDGE
Whether you’re a filmmaker, a film lover, or simply someone who grew up loving (and always will love) Kermit the Frog, we've partnered with amazing artists and Bob Baker for truly unique donation incentives just for you.
SPONSOR A DEPARTMENT
Take a peek at our Wishlist and claim bragging rights for fueling the madness—whether you’re funding the gaggle of colorful muppets or making sure our gaffer stays caffeinated through our night shoots.
LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE
- FOLLOW our campaign’s Seed&Spark page and our Instagram (@ahouseinthehills.movie) - just visiting and following our pages boosts our visibility in the algorithm!
- SHARE with anyone you think would respond to the concept, anyone with small children who’d be interested in the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, or anyone looking to reduce their taxes by donating to the arts!
- NON-CASH DONATIONS like snacks, catering, transportation, equipment rentals, discounts, and more are deeply appreciated and may be tax-deductible as well!
Every follow, re-share, tweet, email, or DM brings us closer to our goal—and to making this surreal satire a reality.
Follow us on Instagram: @ahouseinthehills.movie
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Post Production!
Costs $2,600
We need to pay our Editor! Our Colorist! Our Composer! We need money to enter into festivals!
Contigency
Costs $1,900
Based off of our budget, we have added a 5% contingency incase unforseen problems arise.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
James Coleman, Writer-Director
James Coleman is a filmmaker and producer who has worked across Film, Television, Broadway, and Commercials. Since graduating from NYU Tisch School of the Arts for Film & Television production in 2019, he has worked as an Assistant to Oscar, Emmy, and Tony winning Producers, Directors, Showrunners, and Talent Managers.
He is a graduate of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater for Improv and has performed at the Pack Theater and the Yard Theater. He is a Celine Cousteau Film Fellowship directing fellow and has photographed social campaigns for brands like Bloomingdales, Christie’s, Illy Coffee, and United Airlines.
He is unnaturally good at Connect4. I suspect he cheats.
Parker Smith, Producer
Parker Smith is a Los Angeles-based producer specializing in narrative short films, with a particular focus on comedic and lighthearted genres. Since graduating from film school in 2020, Parker has worked in production across a variety of mediums—including commercials for tech companies, music videos for high-profile talent, and even large-scale tabletop gameplay productions. Despite the range of his experience, his heart remains in narrative filmmaking. He has collaborated with a variety of directors on mid- to high-budget short films. Parker’s work brings a fresh, entertaining perspective to storytelling, blending humor and heart into every project.
Hector Martinez, Producer
With over a decade of industry experience, Hector is a seasoned content creator and award-winning producer based in Los Angeles. His diverse portfolio includes branded content for prominent national and international partners such as Virgin Voyages, Carnival Corp., Tim Hortons, Disney, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
A recent graduate of the prestigious Producing program at the American Film Institute, Hector’s work is rooted in themes of connection—exploring the intricacies of human relationships, the bonds that unite us, and the lived experiences that give our existence meaning. His films have screened at renowned festivals including CAA Moebius, Bend Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Sonoma International Film Festival, and Miami Film Festival.
Zach Morrison is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles and Austin, TX. He is an ASC Heritage Award winner for The Witch Pricker & The Hare. In 2025, he was named an ASC Vision Mentee and selected by UTA as the cinematographer to represent The New Wave of emerging filmmakers. In 2024, he was a part of the Camerimage Talent Demo.
A Texas native and Hawaiian-shirt enthusiast, Zach has carried 3D cameras through the moonlit White Sands desert, loaded 16mm in the trunk of a car to catch the perfect sunset, and taught free film workshops to hundreds across the country.
In 2019, he co-founded the Austin Cinematography Group with Peter Simonite, ASC, an organization dedicated to providing free education and training in the cinematic arts. Over the years, Zach has placed over 100 trainees in their first job on set.
Theo Cohn, Production Design
Theo Cohn was born, raised, and is based in Los Angeles, California. He has worked on the art department of hundreds of commercials and TV shows including multiple seasons of The Eric Andre Show. His latest work as an art director for the film East of Wall won the audience award at the Sundance film festival. He has directed music videos for bands like the Drums and Sadgirl and short films for which he has constructed large puppet and practical special effect rigs. Theo speaks English and French, and is a member of the IATSE Local 44.
Corey Glenn, Puppet Fabricator
Corey Glenn is a Los Angeles prop fabricator and artist specializing in miniatures, papier-mâché, and foam. His work mixes skilled fabrication with a playful, outsider-art sensibility.
Jeff Kleinman, Composer
Jeff Kleinman is an accomplished musician and artist from Columbus, Ohio. After graduating OSU with a BFA he got his start in music as a DIY touring punk musician before eventually settling temporarily in Salt Lake City. During this time he joined indie-pop band Choir Boy. With over 20 million streams on Spotify and music videos with over 450,000 plays on Youtube, the band has been widely and successfully touring since. A multi-instrumentalist, Jeff specializes in electronic pop, punk and rock songs, solo piano arrangements, and synth and saxophone-fueled ambient
soundscapes.