A House on the Hill
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Thriller, Comedy
Matt worries that the house reserved for his bachelor party won’t accommodate his disability, but his concerns manifest into reality when strange phone calls begin to question his stay. As the night descends, Matt’s anxiety transforms into terror when a brutal force challenges his very existence.
A House on the Hill
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Thriller, Comedy
1 Campaigns | Texas, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $11,050 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
58 supporters | followers
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Matt worries that the house reserved for his bachelor party won’t accommodate his disability, but his concerns manifest into reality when strange phone calls begin to question his stay. As the night descends, Matt’s anxiety transforms into terror when a brutal force challenges his very existence.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Matt's concerns that the hostel his best man, Andrew, has reserved to celebrate his bachelor party won't accommodate his physical disability manifests as the house and the hill it sits on become increasingly difficult for him to maneuver. A treacherous landscape, strange and desolate living conditions, locked doors, and an inaccessible second-floor pit Matt and Andrew against each other. But when mysterious texts and phone calls question Matt's ability and worthiness to stay at the hostel, his anxiety transforms into terror as a brutal force challenges his very existence.
A House on the Hill is loosely based on actual events. A few years ago, friends and filmmakers Matthew S. Alaniz and Andrew C. Fisher embarked on an adventure to make a short film in Atlanta, Georgia, with fellow disabled actor-producer AJ Murray. When they arrived on set, Matthew was presented with locations, obstacles, and aggressions that challenged his physical disability. After much strife, struggle, and strategy, Matthew and Andrew were able to overcome and persevere to complete the film, but the experience left an undeniable impression on them and their friendship. Inspired by the triumph and tragedy, Matthew was compelled to tell the tale. After several drafts of the script and a splash of genre, he's ready to bring this story to life with a talented team of artists, filmmakers, and friends.
A STATEMENT FROM DIRECTOR MATTHEW S. ALANIZ:
Let me start by saying this: I love cinema. Actually, no, scratch that. I'm IN LOVE with cinema, and I have a complicated relationship with it. I've consumed movies my entire life and have written screenplays for over a decade. I've even been honored with several awards for my work, but as a person with disabilities (PWD), I rarely see myself and my community represented on screen, and when I do, it's usually grossly inspirational or highly offensive. Being unable to see a considerable part of my identity in film and television created a fear of seeing my actual self on screen. In April 2023, I decided to throw caution to the wind, and I co-produced, co-wrote, and co-starred in a short film for Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. That experience, as challenging as it was, gave rise to something that's always bubbled inside me... I don't just want to write movies -- I want to make them. A renewed sense of self and purpose drives me to be a part of a new wave of talented disabled artists who will use their voices to create authentic representations of people with disabilities in all art forms. I hope this film can be my first contribution to this unprecedented era of representation. And I hope your contribution will make it possible.
A House on the Hill explores disability through the lens of a disabled filmmaker and, specifically, the interabled relationship (a relationship between a person with a disability and a person who is able-bodied) between best friends embarking on a travel adventure. People with disabilities often encounter conflict with travel accommodations that can quickly turn a joyous vacation into a hellish nightmare.
In A House on the Hill, Matt is immediately confronted with accessibility issues that exemplify how often disability is overlooked for travelers with specific access needs. Feeling the pressure from Andrew, Matt agrees to be wheeled down the hill -- with an all too real danger of bodily injury. With a near fall, they make it inside the hostel only to discover it's just as inaccessible, representing the myriad of blocked opportunities for people with disabilities. With "good intentions," Andrew convinces Matt to stay, but as we all know, the road (or hill) to hell is often paved with good intentions. In this case, it demonstrates a nuanced form of ableism -- an unbalanced power dynamic between friends. Their disparities transform into discord, leaving Matt alone in the house when a mysterious caller harasses him, forcing Matt to face the hill and battle the manifestation of an oppressive entity.
MAKING MOVIES COSTS MONEY! We hope to raise $11,000 to produce our short film during a five-day shoot. The funds will go towards hiring (and feeding) a talented crew, securing locations, and utilizing specific props to bring this vision to life. Below is a more detailed chart on how the funds will be allocated. If you can't support this project monetarily, please consider contributing by sharing this campaign and spreading the word! We thank you for your contribution!
Considering today's times and the current threats against disability rights, people with disabilities must make their voices heard now more than ever. We hope our film will entertain and enlighten audiences to an authentic representation of disability. Our team has been in preproduction for several months, rewriting, planning, location scouting, and securing a passionate crew to tell this story. Your contribution will help make this dream a reality. Once finished, A House on the Hill will hit the film festival circuit full force to help spread our message. Should we exceed our financial goal, the money will go towards paying for festival fees, promotional costs, and travel expenses for our filmmakers. Representation matters! Not only on the big screen but when walking - or rolling - down the red carpet.
Timeline:
Preproduction
June 2024 - August 2024: First draft of the screenplay
August 2024 - October 2024: Second draft of the screenplay
October 2024 - December 2024: Final draft of the screenplay
December 2024 - mid-March 2025: Preproduction/rehearsals
Production
March 24, 2025 - March 28, 2025: Scheduled shoot days
Post-Production
April 2025 - June 2025: Editing, sound mixing, visual FX, musical composition
We hit the festival circuit after that!
You made it all the way down to the bottom of the page! Thank you for your time.
Now scroll back to the top of the page and choose an incentive!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $5,875
Hiring a producer, 1st assistant director, cinematographer, script supervisor, production sound, and production assistant(s).
Production Design
Costs $2,875
This includes set design, props, make-up, and wardrobe.
Talent
Costs $1,000
This pays for our actors, extras, and stand-ins, who will help with the disability needs of our team and talent for a five-day shoot.
Craft Services & Location
Costs $1,250
This pays for meals on set for the crew and talent, as well as location fees.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Matthew S. Alaniz is an award-winning screenwriter and script consultant from Austin, Texas, with several production credits for previous short films. As a disability advocate, Alaniz serves as vice chair on the board of directors for the Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability. He's also served as a judge for several film festivals across the country, including Superfest Disability Film Festival -- the largest and longest-running disability film festival in the world. His Mexican-American heritage and unique lived experience as a person with disabilities, combined with a strong film and architectural background, help shape his authentic storytelling.
Andrew C. Fisher is an award-winning actor, director, and editor. He created and produced the Thanatos short film and web series, which won the Jury Award for Best Web Series at the Austin Film Festival in 2023. He also won Best Actor for the film A Town Full Of Ghosts (2022) from the Focus International Film Festival. Fisher, a Texan native with a background in philosophy, has won several other awards.
Ajani (AJ) Murray is a SAG actor and podcaster from Atlanta, Georgia. As a Black creative with disabilities, Murray is passionate about the authentic representation of people with disabilities in film and media. He is known for his roles in the film Bulletproof (2012), the TV series Speechless (2018), and Best Summer Ever (2020). Murray is also the producer and host of the Acting Up With AJ & Crew podcast.
Jonathon Pawlowski is an actor, filmmaker, and editor. In addition to accumulating acting credits over the years, he has directed short-form content, including the two pieces Funny Or Die Exclusives titled "The 'Christmas Carol' Ending You Weren't Supposed to See" and "The 'Cast Away' Ending You Weren't Supposed to See." His short film "SHEEP" (starring Paul Walter Hauser) played at the 2019 Atlanta Film Festival.
Valentina (Val) Lee is a video producer based in Atlanta, GA. She's worked as a freelance reporter, videographer, video editor, director of photography, and assistant producer. Lee works full-time as an entrepreneur with her company, VTL Productions. She has a background in telecommunications and is originally from Naples, Italy.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Matt's concerns that the hostel his best man, Andrew, has reserved to celebrate his bachelor party won't accommodate his physical disability manifests as the house and the hill it sits on become increasingly difficult for him to maneuver. A treacherous landscape, strange and desolate living conditions, locked doors, and an inaccessible second-floor pit Matt and Andrew against each other. But when mysterious texts and phone calls question Matt's ability and worthiness to stay at the hostel, his anxiety transforms into terror as a brutal force challenges his very existence.
A House on the Hill is loosely based on actual events. A few years ago, friends and filmmakers Matthew S. Alaniz and Andrew C. Fisher embarked on an adventure to make a short film in Atlanta, Georgia, with fellow disabled actor-producer AJ Murray. When they arrived on set, Matthew was presented with locations, obstacles, and aggressions that challenged his physical disability. After much strife, struggle, and strategy, Matthew and Andrew were able to overcome and persevere to complete the film, but the experience left an undeniable impression on them and their friendship. Inspired by the triumph and tragedy, Matthew was compelled to tell the tale. After several drafts of the script and a splash of genre, he's ready to bring this story to life with a talented team of artists, filmmakers, and friends.
A STATEMENT FROM DIRECTOR MATTHEW S. ALANIZ:
Let me start by saying this: I love cinema. Actually, no, scratch that. I'm IN LOVE with cinema, and I have a complicated relationship with it. I've consumed movies my entire life and have written screenplays for over a decade. I've even been honored with several awards for my work, but as a person with disabilities (PWD), I rarely see myself and my community represented on screen, and when I do, it's usually grossly inspirational or highly offensive. Being unable to see a considerable part of my identity in film and television created a fear of seeing my actual self on screen. In April 2023, I decided to throw caution to the wind, and I co-produced, co-wrote, and co-starred in a short film for Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. That experience, as challenging as it was, gave rise to something that's always bubbled inside me... I don't just want to write movies -- I want to make them. A renewed sense of self and purpose drives me to be a part of a new wave of talented disabled artists who will use their voices to create authentic representations of people with disabilities in all art forms. I hope this film can be my first contribution to this unprecedented era of representation. And I hope your contribution will make it possible.
A House on the Hill explores disability through the lens of a disabled filmmaker and, specifically, the interabled relationship (a relationship between a person with a disability and a person who is able-bodied) between best friends embarking on a travel adventure. People with disabilities often encounter conflict with travel accommodations that can quickly turn a joyous vacation into a hellish nightmare.
In A House on the Hill, Matt is immediately confronted with accessibility issues that exemplify how often disability is overlooked for travelers with specific access needs. Feeling the pressure from Andrew, Matt agrees to be wheeled down the hill -- with an all too real danger of bodily injury. With a near fall, they make it inside the hostel only to discover it's just as inaccessible, representing the myriad of blocked opportunities for people with disabilities. With "good intentions," Andrew convinces Matt to stay, but as we all know, the road (or hill) to hell is often paved with good intentions. In this case, it demonstrates a nuanced form of ableism -- an unbalanced power dynamic between friends. Their disparities transform into discord, leaving Matt alone in the house when a mysterious caller harasses him, forcing Matt to face the hill and battle the manifestation of an oppressive entity.
MAKING MOVIES COSTS MONEY! We hope to raise $11,000 to produce our short film during a five-day shoot. The funds will go towards hiring (and feeding) a talented crew, securing locations, and utilizing specific props to bring this vision to life. Below is a more detailed chart on how the funds will be allocated. If you can't support this project monetarily, please consider contributing by sharing this campaign and spreading the word! We thank you for your contribution!
Considering today's times and the current threats against disability rights, people with disabilities must make their voices heard now more than ever. We hope our film will entertain and enlighten audiences to an authentic representation of disability. Our team has been in preproduction for several months, rewriting, planning, location scouting, and securing a passionate crew to tell this story. Your contribution will help make this dream a reality. Once finished, A House on the Hill will hit the film festival circuit full force to help spread our message. Should we exceed our financial goal, the money will go towards paying for festival fees, promotional costs, and travel expenses for our filmmakers. Representation matters! Not only on the big screen but when walking - or rolling - down the red carpet.
Timeline:
Preproduction
June 2024 - August 2024: First draft of the screenplay
August 2024 - October 2024: Second draft of the screenplay
October 2024 - December 2024: Final draft of the screenplay
December 2024 - mid-March 2025: Preproduction/rehearsals
Production
March 24, 2025 - March 28, 2025: Scheduled shoot days
Post-Production
April 2025 - June 2025: Editing, sound mixing, visual FX, musical composition
We hit the festival circuit after that!
You made it all the way down to the bottom of the page! Thank you for your time.
Now scroll back to the top of the page and choose an incentive!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $5,875
Hiring a producer, 1st assistant director, cinematographer, script supervisor, production sound, and production assistant(s).
Production Design
Costs $2,875
This includes set design, props, make-up, and wardrobe.
Talent
Costs $1,000
This pays for our actors, extras, and stand-ins, who will help with the disability needs of our team and talent for a five-day shoot.
Craft Services & Location
Costs $1,250
This pays for meals on set for the crew and talent, as well as location fees.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Matthew S. Alaniz is an award-winning screenwriter and script consultant from Austin, Texas, with several production credits for previous short films. As a disability advocate, Alaniz serves as vice chair on the board of directors for the Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability. He's also served as a judge for several film festivals across the country, including Superfest Disability Film Festival -- the largest and longest-running disability film festival in the world. His Mexican-American heritage and unique lived experience as a person with disabilities, combined with a strong film and architectural background, help shape his authentic storytelling.
Andrew C. Fisher is an award-winning actor, director, and editor. He created and produced the Thanatos short film and web series, which won the Jury Award for Best Web Series at the Austin Film Festival in 2023. He also won Best Actor for the film A Town Full Of Ghosts (2022) from the Focus International Film Festival. Fisher, a Texan native with a background in philosophy, has won several other awards.
Ajani (AJ) Murray is a SAG actor and podcaster from Atlanta, Georgia. As a Black creative with disabilities, Murray is passionate about the authentic representation of people with disabilities in film and media. He is known for his roles in the film Bulletproof (2012), the TV series Speechless (2018), and Best Summer Ever (2020). Murray is also the producer and host of the Acting Up With AJ & Crew podcast.
Jonathon Pawlowski is an actor, filmmaker, and editor. In addition to accumulating acting credits over the years, he has directed short-form content, including the two pieces Funny Or Die Exclusives titled "The 'Christmas Carol' Ending You Weren't Supposed to See" and "The 'Cast Away' Ending You Weren't Supposed to See." His short film "SHEEP" (starring Paul Walter Hauser) played at the 2019 Atlanta Film Festival.
Valentina (Val) Lee is a video producer based in Atlanta, GA. She's worked as a freelance reporter, videographer, video editor, director of photography, and assistant producer. Lee works full-time as an entrepreneur with her company, VTL Productions. She has a background in telecommunications and is originally from Naples, Italy.