A Sparrow Cries At Night
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy
A Sparrow Cries at Night is a complex short story of how trauma can impact even the closest families, and how we all deal with grief differently. Darkly wholesome and crafted in the style of live action anime, this short asks the unanswerable question...is there a correct way to process pain?
A Sparrow Cries At Night
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy
Green Light
This campaign raised $30,750 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
213 supporters | followers
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A Sparrow Cries at Night is a complex short story of how trauma can impact even the closest families, and how we all deal with grief differently. Darkly wholesome and crafted in the style of live action anime, this short asks the unanswerable question...is there a correct way to process pain?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
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Saban is the determined kind of child who doesn't easily give up on things. We first meet Saban as he's digging through his neighbors' trash, on a well-intentioned mission to prove most broken things can be fixed with a little TLC. We quickly learn, however, that prematurely discarded toys and clothes aren't the only things Saban is hell-bent on fixing. The real fixer upper is his tragedy-inflicted family. His brother is missing, his mother is exhausted...and Saban seems to be the only one trying to get things back to the way they were before. He may be in over his head, though, when a mysterious man with an inexplicable ability to erase problems finds his brother first.
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Trauma & Mental Illness
One of the most important things about A Sparrow Cries at Night (SCAN) is the subject matter it tackles. Over the years, Andrew J. Lee (writer/director) has noticed that it now seems as though more people than ever suffer from a mental illness. With that observation came the epiphany that the rise in presumed cases was likely not due to mental illnesses becoming more common. Rather, we're simply more aware of them as a progressing society. As more people speak up and bring awareness to the ways that different mental illnesses can affect a person, the less taboo the subject becomes and the better understood the topic can be. SCAN lends its voice to the growing dialogue surrounding the unexpected ways trauma can unexpectedly manifest in and alter our lives. Though SCAN tells a story containing fantasy, there is an undeniable dark realism to what its characters are going through. The protagonist and his family must navigate the lesser known challenges of mental illness, specifically how trauma can affect memory and our ability to return to daily life.
It's important for our filmmakers to note that through SCAN, we aren't answering any question. We're asking them, and asking our audience to continue having these important conversations that can allow us to be more mindful as we interact with each other.
Family Responsibilities
Also important to SCAN's story is the theme of complex family dynamics and the presumed responsibilities we often feel towards those we love. Lee's family experience growing up was heavily influenced by his parents having immigrated from South Korea before he was born so that their children could follow their dreams and have a better life. As many children of immigrants can attest, there is a complicated relationship between feeling simultaneously indebted to one's family, while also feeling it's necessary to pull away from certain expectations. SCAN explores that balance by depicting two brothers who are confronted with tragedy, and the polar opposite way it affects how they feel about their family obligations.
 and Arakis JoJos Bizarre Adventure, Season 1 (right). (2).png)
Anime
SCAN draws from the limitless expressiveness that can be seen in memorable anime such as Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke (1997) and Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012-19). Lee credits both these anime classics as not only inspiration for his production company's name, Eboshi Platinum, but also heavyweight influences for the way he approached writing the script for SCAN.
 and Arakis JoJos Bizarre Adventure, Season 1 (right). (2).png)
On one hand, SCAN tackles serious subject matter that asks its audience difficult questions and represents increasingly important topics. Similar to the manner in which Miyazaki has always made powerful statements about consumerism, war, and the environment with wildly fantastical settings and characters, SCAN tackles story-telling in a nuanced and creative way. Bringing SCAN to life balances magical world-building with the authenticity necessary to address very real problems.
Yet for all its seriousness, SCAN simultaneously maintains an element of dangerously entertaining absurdity. Lee has a powerful appreciation for movies and directors that don't abide by the expectation to explain themselves or overcomplicate their stories. SCAN draws upon this daring ability to make wild and unexpected choices that don't follow your typical live action or serious drama conventions. Instead, SCAN makes its own rules (and rarely prioritizes following them) while challenging the limitations often accepted by aspiring filmmakers.
The end result will be a bold and impactful project worthy of being Eboshi Platinum's debut short film. Equal parts chilling, emotional, ridiculous, and visually stunning, SCAN is ambitiously uncompromising in utilizing every creative talent available.
Body Horror
Ever one to enjoy pushing people's buttons, Lee also plans on incorporating one of his favorite creative devices in SCAN: body horror. Though not quite as grotesque as some of the more extreme ventures in the genre, such as John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) or Junji Ito's Uzumaki (1998), SCAN is undeniably pulled toward the unthinkable, the absurd, and the repulsive.
.png)
Below are some of the first pieces of concept art for SCAN, created by local Atlanta artist Elliot Long. The art reflects both the challenge and opportunity for the short being shot almost exclusively at night, with the rich and atmospheric contrast of blues and yellows painting the world.
Creating a short film is entirely a community effort, and as such, we want to thank everyone involved with different milestones along the way! Not only can we keep track of our progress, but you'll be guaranteed fun, bonus content every time we reach a new goal!
100% MILESTONE - $30,000 : Ghost Pepper Thank You Challenge!
If you know Andrew, you know he loves his hot sauces...but enough to eat an entire ghost pepper while trying to thank every single contributor from our campaign?! Get us to 100% and the crew behind SCAN will join him in this grand thank you!
80% MILESTONE : Director Obstacle Course
If we can make it to 80%, that means we get the greenlight! If we can make it here, we'll share a special skit of Andrew going through an obstacle course, depicting all the challenges of a director trying to make a short film!
50% MILESTONE - $15,000 : A Christmas Surprise - UNLOCKED
30% MILESTONE - $9,000 : We Dye Andrew's Hair - UNLOCKED
10% MILESTONE - $3,000 : We Stream Among Us on Twitch - UNLOCKED
SCAN is no doubt an ambitious venture. To date, it will be Eboshi Platinum's most expensive project, which means it's more important than ever to know precisely where each penny is going.
Feel free to check the graphic below for a detailed look at how we plan on alocating the funds we raise!
If you've made it all the way to the bottom of the page, we're guessing you're interested in being a part of the SCAN community! Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get involved and support the process of making this film come to life, from start to finish. If you're looking to be a part of our project, here are some of the ways you can help us film this project:
- Contribute! Making films is a costly endeavor, and any amount you're able to give puts us that much closer to turning an idea into a film. We greatly appreciate anything you're able to contribute.
- Share! Spreading the word about the story and what we're doing helps us tremendously, and sharing this link is free! Tell your friends, your family, your co-workers, everyone you know and help us get the word out there!
- Get Involved! Making films is a massive project that require so many different resources, skills, and ideas. If you feel like you have something special to contribute, feel free to send us a message asking to get involved!
No matter you get involved, we are so grateful for all the support we receive. We couldn't do this without you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Labor
Costs $15,000
Paying people for their time and skill is essential at Eboshi Platinum.
COVID Safety
Costs $5,000
We're making sure to provide testing and protection in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
Food
Costs $4,000
Hearty meals, good snacks, and unlimited coffee are non-negotiable on set.
Visual FX
Costs $1,000
Bringing anime to life requires a lot of talent, a lot of creativity, and a lot of money.
Share this update!
About This Team
Andrew J. Lee (Director/Writer) is the Founder and Director at Eboshi Platinum, as well as the Writer and Director of A Sparrow Cries at Night. Unlike many filmmakers, Andrew didn’t discover the fantastic world of film until college, where he realized his love of story-telling was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He promptly transferred to GSU, where he graduated with a BA in Film, and has been working regularly on the Atlanta film scene since not only as an indie director, but also as an Assistant Director and variety of other roles. Andrew’s appreciation for and desire to create live action movies is tempered by a love affair with the creative expressions only possible with animated work, especially anime. He aims to test and push the limitations of live action film through fierce experimentation, undying curiosity, and an innate indifference toward conventional filmmaking techniques.
Nate Hurtsellers (Director of Photography) is an established DP known specifically for his work in the commercial and music video world. Having worked with artists such as Twenty-One Pilots, Young Thug, and Wiz Khalifa, he knows his way around the music scene in both Atlanta and California. That being said, he's no stranger to narrative filmmaking either. Nate has shot multiple short films that have received recognition from SXSW Film Festival, Tribecca, Sundance, Cannes, and Camerimage.
Van Dinh (Producer) is a bit of a nomad. Before working in Atlanta GA, he worked in development at Silver Pictures in Los Angeles. Van later went on to move to New York City to work in the commercial world producing for several brands such as Express, LG Mobile, UnderAmour, and so many other brands you know and love. With his combined experience and network he will ensure that A Sparrow Cries at Night will supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (breathtaking).
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Naomi Smith (Production Designer) is used to putting onmany different hats: filmmaker, production designer, art director... If there's art involved, you can expect Naomi to be there. Born and raised in Atlanta, Smith uses her background in photographic imaging to inform all her visual projects. From a young age, Naomi has been drawn to using the elements of color, space, form, and texture as the main foundation of her work. Naomi attended the advertising and marketing college at the Art Institute of Atlanta and received a BFA in photography. As a result, Naomi is well versed in the Stills/Film industry. In her spare time she works on her own projects, whether creating art, designing wearable plastic clothes, and collaborating with her friends with their passion projects.
Carlos Mancilla (Producer) is an aspiring producer producer, living out his lifelong dream of making quality movies that are based in Atlanta. As an Atlanta native, he believes in the creative scene in Atlanta and believes in the amount of talent that needs to be pushed. Having gone to school for film and working in the film industry for five years, he knows the amount of talent that's ready to bloom here, and he wants to be the supporting factor in helping everyone bloom to their full potential.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Saban is the determined kind of child who doesn't easily give up on things. We first meet Saban as he's digging through his neighbors' trash, on a well-intentioned mission to prove most broken things can be fixed with a little TLC. We quickly learn, however, that prematurely discarded toys and clothes aren't the only things Saban is hell-bent on fixing. The real fixer upper is his tragedy-inflicted family. His brother is missing, his mother is exhausted...and Saban seems to be the only one trying to get things back to the way they were before. He may be in over his head, though, when a mysterious man with an inexplicable ability to erase problems finds his brother first.
Trauma & Mental Illness
One of the most important things about A Sparrow Cries at Night (SCAN) is the subject matter it tackles. Over the years, Andrew J. Lee (writer/director) has noticed that it now seems as though more people than ever suffer from a mental illness. With that observation came the epiphany that the rise in presumed cases was likely not due to mental illnesses becoming more common. Rather, we're simply more aware of them as a progressing society. As more people speak up and bring awareness to the ways that different mental illnesses can affect a person, the less taboo the subject becomes and the better understood the topic can be. SCAN lends its voice to the growing dialogue surrounding the unexpected ways trauma can unexpectedly manifest in and alter our lives. Though SCAN tells a story containing fantasy, there is an undeniable dark realism to what its characters are going through. The protagonist and his family must navigate the lesser known challenges of mental illness, specifically how trauma can affect memory and our ability to return to daily life.
It's important for our filmmakers to note that through SCAN, we aren't answering any question. We're asking them, and asking our audience to continue having these important conversations that can allow us to be more mindful as we interact with each other.
Family Responsibilities
Also important to SCAN's story is the theme of complex family dynamics and the presumed responsibilities we often feel towards those we love. Lee's family experience growing up was heavily influenced by his parents having immigrated from South Korea before he was born so that their children could follow their dreams and have a better life. As many children of immigrants can attest, there is a complicated relationship between feeling simultaneously indebted to one's family, while also feeling it's necessary to pull away from certain expectations. SCAN explores that balance by depicting two brothers who are confronted with tragedy, and the polar opposite way it affects how they feel about their family obligations.
Anime
SCAN draws from the limitless expressiveness that can be seen in memorable anime such as Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke (1997) and Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012-19). Lee credits both these anime classics as not only inspiration for his production company's name, Eboshi Platinum, but also heavyweight influences for the way he approached writing the script for SCAN.
On one hand, SCAN tackles serious subject matter that asks its audience difficult questions and represents increasingly important topics. Similar to the manner in which Miyazaki has always made powerful statements about consumerism, war, and the environment with wildly fantastical settings and characters, SCAN tackles story-telling in a nuanced and creative way. Bringing SCAN to life balances magical world-building with the authenticity necessary to address very real problems.
Yet for all its seriousness, SCAN simultaneously maintains an element of dangerously entertaining absurdity. Lee has a powerful appreciation for movies and directors that don't abide by the expectation to explain themselves or overcomplicate their stories. SCAN draws upon this daring ability to make wild and unexpected choices that don't follow your typical live action or serious drama conventions. Instead, SCAN makes its own rules (and rarely prioritizes following them) while challenging the limitations often accepted by aspiring filmmakers.
The end result will be a bold and impactful project worthy of being Eboshi Platinum's debut short film. Equal parts chilling, emotional, ridiculous, and visually stunning, SCAN is ambitiously uncompromising in utilizing every creative talent available.
Body Horror
Ever one to enjoy pushing people's buttons, Lee also plans on incorporating one of his favorite creative devices in SCAN: body horror. Though not quite as grotesque as some of the more extreme ventures in the genre, such as John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) or Junji Ito's Uzumaki (1998), SCAN is undeniably pulled toward the unthinkable, the absurd, and the repulsive.
Below are some of the first pieces of concept art for SCAN, created by local Atlanta artist Elliot Long. The art reflects both the challenge and opportunity for the short being shot almost exclusively at night, with the rich and atmospheric contrast of blues and yellows painting the world.
Creating a short film is entirely a community effort, and as such, we want to thank everyone involved with different milestones along the way! Not only can we keep track of our progress, but you'll be guaranteed fun, bonus content every time we reach a new goal!
100% MILESTONE - $30,000 : Ghost Pepper Thank You Challenge!
If you know Andrew, you know he loves his hot sauces...but enough to eat an entire ghost pepper while trying to thank every single contributor from our campaign?! Get us to 100% and the crew behind SCAN will join him in this grand thank you!
80% MILESTONE : Director Obstacle Course
If we can make it to 80%, that means we get the greenlight! If we can make it here, we'll share a special skit of Andrew going through an obstacle course, depicting all the challenges of a director trying to make a short film!
50% MILESTONE - $15,000 : A Christmas Surprise - UNLOCKED
30% MILESTONE - $9,000 : We Dye Andrew's Hair - UNLOCKED
10% MILESTONE - $3,000 : We Stream Among Us on Twitch - UNLOCKED
SCAN is no doubt an ambitious venture. To date, it will be Eboshi Platinum's most expensive project, which means it's more important than ever to know precisely where each penny is going.
Feel free to check the graphic below for a detailed look at how we plan on alocating the funds we raise!
If you've made it all the way to the bottom of the page, we're guessing you're interested in being a part of the SCAN community! Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get involved and support the process of making this film come to life, from start to finish. If you're looking to be a part of our project, here are some of the ways you can help us film this project:
- Contribute! Making films is a costly endeavor, and any amount you're able to give puts us that much closer to turning an idea into a film. We greatly appreciate anything you're able to contribute.
- Share! Spreading the word about the story and what we're doing helps us tremendously, and sharing this link is free! Tell your friends, your family, your co-workers, everyone you know and help us get the word out there!
- Get Involved! Making films is a massive project that require so many different resources, skills, and ideas. If you feel like you have something special to contribute, feel free to send us a message asking to get involved!
No matter you get involved, we are so grateful for all the support we receive. We couldn't do this without you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Labor
Costs $15,000
Paying people for their time and skill is essential at Eboshi Platinum.
COVID Safety
Costs $5,000
We're making sure to provide testing and protection in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
Food
Costs $4,000
Hearty meals, good snacks, and unlimited coffee are non-negotiable on set.
Visual FX
Costs $1,000
Bringing anime to life requires a lot of talent, a lot of creativity, and a lot of money.
Share this update!
About This Team
Andrew J. Lee (Director/Writer) is the Founder and Director at Eboshi Platinum, as well as the Writer and Director of A Sparrow Cries at Night. Unlike many filmmakers, Andrew didn’t discover the fantastic world of film until college, where he realized his love of story-telling was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He promptly transferred to GSU, where he graduated with a BA in Film, and has been working regularly on the Atlanta film scene since not only as an indie director, but also as an Assistant Director and variety of other roles. Andrew’s appreciation for and desire to create live action movies is tempered by a love affair with the creative expressions only possible with animated work, especially anime. He aims to test and push the limitations of live action film through fierce experimentation, undying curiosity, and an innate indifference toward conventional filmmaking techniques.
Nate Hurtsellers (Director of Photography) is an established DP known specifically for his work in the commercial and music video world. Having worked with artists such as Twenty-One Pilots, Young Thug, and Wiz Khalifa, he knows his way around the music scene in both Atlanta and California. That being said, he's no stranger to narrative filmmaking either. Nate has shot multiple short films that have received recognition from SXSW Film Festival, Tribecca, Sundance, Cannes, and Camerimage.
Van Dinh (Producer) is a bit of a nomad. Before working in Atlanta GA, he worked in development at Silver Pictures in Los Angeles. Van later went on to move to New York City to work in the commercial world producing for several brands such as Express, LG Mobile, UnderAmour, and so many other brands you know and love. With his combined experience and network he will ensure that A Sparrow Cries at Night will supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (breathtaking).
Naomi Smith (Production Designer) is used to putting onmany different hats: filmmaker, production designer, art director... If there's art involved, you can expect Naomi to be there. Born and raised in Atlanta, Smith uses her background in photographic imaging to inform all her visual projects. From a young age, Naomi has been drawn to using the elements of color, space, form, and texture as the main foundation of her work. Naomi attended the advertising and marketing college at the Art Institute of Atlanta and received a BFA in photography. As a result, Naomi is well versed in the Stills/Film industry. In her spare time she works on her own projects, whether creating art, designing wearable plastic clothes, and collaborating with her friends with their passion projects.
Carlos Mancilla (Producer) is an aspiring producer producer, living out his lifelong dream of making quality movies that are based in Atlanta. As an Atlanta native, he believes in the creative scene in Atlanta and believes in the amount of talent that needs to be pushed. Having gone to school for film and working in the film industry for five years, he knows the amount of talent that's ready to bloom here, and he wants to be the supporting factor in helping everyone bloom to their full potential.