ABSOLUTE CHAD
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Horror, Action
Mike goes to the gym late to avoid judgmental looks and bullying. Normally he gets the whole place to himself but when a surprise encounter takes a violent turn, Mike becomes desperate for a hero. Instead, he gets an ABSOLUTE CHAD.
ABSOLUTE CHAD
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Horror, Action
1 Campaigns | California, United States
167 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$10,310
Goal: $20,000 for production
Mike goes to the gym late to avoid judgmental looks and bullying. Normally he gets the whole place to himself but when a surprise encounter takes a violent turn, Mike becomes desperate for a hero. Instead, he gets an ABSOLUTE CHAD.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Self-conscious about his weak, noodle-bodied physique, Mike goes to the gym late to avoid judgmental looks and bullying comments. Usually this works out great, and he gets the whole place to himself…
Until one night, when a surprise encounter takes a violent turn. Fighting for his life, Mike’s desperate for a hero. Instead, he gets an ABSOLUTE CHAD.
“I had this idea, perhaps unsurprisingly, while working out. I’m a fitness nut, it’s my utmost passion, and I’ve spent most of my life training in commercial gyms. Sometimes even in the middle of the night, to avoid peak crowds. It can feel like a luxury; my own private gym, with only the soft hum of the fluorescent lights to keep me company. That said, I’m equally familiar with the eerie feeling that, despite appearances, there’s a chance I’m not as alone as I think I am...”
- James Willems, Writer & Director
Gyms are intimidating. Working out in public can make a person feel vulnerable and insecure. This is where ABSOLUTE CHAD comes in.
Tone & Style
ABSOLUTE CHAD lives in the disquieting space between liminal and surreal. A creeping kind of horror intended to fill the viewer with an imminent sense of dread bathed in fluorescent light. If you loved Possessor, The Substance, You're Next, or Slither, this film is for you.
Physicality
We'll be using practical effects and choreographed stunt work to sell the brutality and scares. We want viewers to experience, through Mike's eyes, the shock and awe of our violent vigilante. For the blood and body horror, we’ve called upon the talented Brittany Jamison-Lackey (Amazon’s Carnival Row, Netflix’s The Witcher: Blood Origin, Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), who will oversee our special effects showcase.
Location
We’re looking for the right, real-life gym that will deliver on atmosphere and vibes – budget permitting.
The Cast (So Far!)
We're still in the process of casting for all roles, but will update you as we do.
September 30th - Seed & Spark campaign launches
October 30th - Seed & Spark campaign ends
November/December 2026 - 3-day shoot
December 2026 - Post-production begins
Q1 2027 - ABSOLUTE CHAD enters the festival circuit
Here are some of the departments and areas we need to fund:
Special Effects (by far our biggest spend, requiring at least one quarter of the entire budget)
Crew and Cast Payroll
Camera & Equipment
Grip & Electric
Food & Crafty
Locations
Insurance
Hard Drives & Storage
Festival fees
Other Incidentals
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded.
We must reach this goal in 30 days or we won't receive any funds at all.
EXCEEDING OUR GOAL WOULD BE INCREDIBLE! (no pressure, just sayin')
Your donation will help us give ABSOLUTE CHAD the resources it needs to come to life, while making sure the people working on it are supported along the way. Resources include crew, equipment, locations, practical effects, and post-production. We want to make sure that the cast and crew are compensated fairly and deserving of their time and talent.
However you’re able to support ABSOLUTE CHAD, we’re incredibly grateful. If donating isn’t an option, please spread the word about our project, following along, or send to a friend who might connect with it. Your support really does make a difference here!
Please share ABSOLUTE CHAD through social media, email, text, word of mouth, sky-writing, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Twitter/X, Bluesky.
Here’s some sample text you can copy and paste for your posts:
No gain, only pain. I’m supporting an offbeat horror short called ABSOLUTE CHAD (@absolutechadfilm) that brings gore and dread to an already anxiety-inducing place… THE GYM. It’s written and directed by @jameswillems, an accomplished creative in both horror and comedy. Would you be willing to show some support by donating to their crowdfunding campaign or passing it on? Head on over to ABSOLUTE CHAD on Seed&Spark: https://seedandspark.com/fund/absolutechad
Follow and share over at our Instagram: instagram.com/absolutechadfilm
Support the Campaign: www.seedandspark.com/fund/absolutechad
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $2,500
A large commercial gym & locker room location that conveys the liminal unease of our project. (And that we can get pretty bloody...)
Makeup & Effects
Costs $7,000
Ensuring our team has all the resources they need to make exciting and brutal practical makeup and effect.
Production
Costs $7,000
Cameras, lights, sound, art and all the tools that allow us to make this film in the highest quality possible.
Cast & Crew
Costs $3,500
We have so many talented members on our team and want to make sure they're compensated appropriately for their work.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
(So far!)
JAMES WILLEMS - Writer & Director
James Willems is a writer, director, and comedian best known for co-creating Funhaus. ABSOLUTE CHAD is a product of his fitness-loving dark side. As a writer and voiceover director on Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed and Halloween The Video Game, James has carved out a niche for himself in the horror space without ever taking himself too seriously. Case in point, his sketch parodies of The Conjuring, Annabelle, Alien, and Weekend At Bernie's.
BRANDON WINFREY - Producer
Brandon Winfrey has been an entertainment industry producer for over 15 years, working with Warner Brothers, AMC Networks, Facebook, Sony, Microsoft, YouTube, and more. Currently, he co-runs Frog City Studios and is a Head of Production in the creator economy space. Brandon strives to create high-impact content with sustainable budgets and resources; this includes overseeing the production of four horror short films for AMC in the span of eight days.
ELYSE WILLEMS - Producer
Elyse Willems spent ten years making the Internet laugh via Funhaus, in addition to spearheading tentpole comedy and competition series. More recently, she's worked as a writer and voiceover director on Halloween The Video Game and Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. Elyse is also a veteran on-camera host, having hosted projects for Square Enix, PBS, Warner Bros, YouTube, SXSW, IndieCade and more. In 2020, she published a children's book titled "A Night in Halloween House" that topped the Amazon bestseller list.
DALLAS CALKINS - Director of Photography
Dallas Calkins is a director of photography with seven years of cinematography experience spanning digital, celluloid, and virtual production. As a RIT Film and Animation graduate, she moves fluidly between narrative and commercial projects adjusting her techniques to coexist and develop with emerging technologies. She is grounded by a collaborative, relationship-driven approach on set, and believes that the trust built between creatives forms the foundation for every story brought to the screen.
BRITTANY JAMISON LACKEY - Makeup Effects Designer
Brittany Jamison-Lackey is a makeup effects designer based in Los Angeles and London and a member of The Hollywood Hair & Makeup Artists Guild, IATSE Local 706. Brittany has been a Makeup Artist since 2004 with credits that include Bridgerton, Carnival Row, Fallout, The Witcher: Blood Origin, and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. Brittany designs and builds prosthetics and special makeup effects and blood rigging for film and television, and recently won Best FX (Makeup Effects) at GenreBlast and Panic Fest.
JAY HASRAJANI - Story Board Artist
Jaydeep Hasrajani is an Indian-American animator, designer, storyboard artist, and director based in Los Angeles. In addition to creating Boons And Curses (Netflix), Jaydeep has worked on The Powerpuff Girls and The Fungies! (Cartoon Network), and Ghee Happy (Netflix). Jay is also the co-founder of the non-profit SAVA (South Asians In Visual Arts), spotlighting the people and cultures of South Asia in the entertainment industry.
KEVIN HIBBARD - Editor
Kevin Hibbard is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated picture editor, with recent credits such as the documentary Drift (2026), and Out There: Crimes of the Paranormal (2024). Kevin’s passion for editing has blossomed into a distinguished 20 year career in the entertainment industry. He continues to work and push the boundaries of storytelling while exploring new creative possibilities.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Self-conscious about his weak, noodle-bodied physique, Mike goes to the gym late to avoid judgmental looks and bullying comments. Usually this works out great, and he gets the whole place to himself…
Until one night, when a surprise encounter takes a violent turn. Fighting for his life, Mike’s desperate for a hero. Instead, he gets an ABSOLUTE CHAD.
“I had this idea, perhaps unsurprisingly, while working out. I’m a fitness nut, it’s my utmost passion, and I’ve spent most of my life training in commercial gyms. Sometimes even in the middle of the night, to avoid peak crowds. It can feel like a luxury; my own private gym, with only the soft hum of the fluorescent lights to keep me company. That said, I’m equally familiar with the eerie feeling that, despite appearances, there’s a chance I’m not as alone as I think I am...”
- James Willems, Writer & Director
Gyms are intimidating. Working out in public can make a person feel vulnerable and insecure. This is where ABSOLUTE CHAD comes in.
Tone & Style
ABSOLUTE CHAD lives in the disquieting space between liminal and surreal. A creeping kind of horror intended to fill the viewer with an imminent sense of dread bathed in fluorescent light. If you loved Possessor, The Substance, You're Next, or Slither, this film is for you.
Physicality
We'll be using practical effects and choreographed stunt work to sell the brutality and scares. We want viewers to experience, through Mike's eyes, the shock and awe of our violent vigilante. For the blood and body horror, we’ve called upon the talented Brittany Jamison-Lackey (Amazon’s Carnival Row, Netflix’s The Witcher: Blood Origin, Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), who will oversee our special effects showcase.
Location
We’re looking for the right, real-life gym that will deliver on atmosphere and vibes – budget permitting.
The Cast (So Far!)
We're still in the process of casting for all roles, but will update you as we do.
September 30th - Seed & Spark campaign launches
October 30th - Seed & Spark campaign ends
November/December 2026 - 3-day shoot
December 2026 - Post-production begins
Q1 2027 - ABSOLUTE CHAD enters the festival circuit
Here are some of the departments and areas we need to fund:
Special Effects (by far our biggest spend, requiring at least one quarter of the entire budget)
Crew and Cast Payroll
Camera & Equipment
Grip & Electric
Food & Crafty
Locations
Insurance
Hard Drives & Storage
Festival fees
Other Incidentals
Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded.
We must reach this goal in 30 days or we won't receive any funds at all.
EXCEEDING OUR GOAL WOULD BE INCREDIBLE! (no pressure, just sayin')
Your donation will help us give ABSOLUTE CHAD the resources it needs to come to life, while making sure the people working on it are supported along the way. Resources include crew, equipment, locations, practical effects, and post-production. We want to make sure that the cast and crew are compensated fairly and deserving of their time and talent.
However you’re able to support ABSOLUTE CHAD, we’re incredibly grateful. If donating isn’t an option, please spread the word about our project, following along, or send to a friend who might connect with it. Your support really does make a difference here!
Please share ABSOLUTE CHAD through social media, email, text, word of mouth, sky-writing, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Twitter/X, Bluesky.
Here’s some sample text you can copy and paste for your posts:
No gain, only pain. I’m supporting an offbeat horror short called ABSOLUTE CHAD (@absolutechadfilm) that brings gore and dread to an already anxiety-inducing place… THE GYM. It’s written and directed by @jameswillems, an accomplished creative in both horror and comedy. Would you be willing to show some support by donating to their crowdfunding campaign or passing it on? Head on over to ABSOLUTE CHAD on Seed&Spark: https://seedandspark.com/fund/absolutechad
Follow and share over at our Instagram: instagram.com/absolutechadfilm
Support the Campaign: www.seedandspark.com/fund/absolutechad
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $2,500
A large commercial gym & locker room location that conveys the liminal unease of our project. (And that we can get pretty bloody...)
Makeup & Effects
Costs $7,000
Ensuring our team has all the resources they need to make exciting and brutal practical makeup and effect.
Production
Costs $7,000
Cameras, lights, sound, art and all the tools that allow us to make this film in the highest quality possible.
Cast & Crew
Costs $3,500
We have so many talented members on our team and want to make sure they're compensated appropriately for their work.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
(So far!)
JAMES WILLEMS - Writer & Director
James Willems is a writer, director, and comedian best known for co-creating Funhaus. ABSOLUTE CHAD is a product of his fitness-loving dark side. As a writer and voiceover director on Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed and Halloween The Video Game, James has carved out a niche for himself in the horror space without ever taking himself too seriously. Case in point, his sketch parodies of The Conjuring, Annabelle, Alien, and Weekend At Bernie's.
BRANDON WINFREY - Producer
Brandon Winfrey has been an entertainment industry producer for over 15 years, working with Warner Brothers, AMC Networks, Facebook, Sony, Microsoft, YouTube, and more. Currently, he co-runs Frog City Studios and is a Head of Production in the creator economy space. Brandon strives to create high-impact content with sustainable budgets and resources; this includes overseeing the production of four horror short films for AMC in the span of eight days.
ELYSE WILLEMS - Producer
Elyse Willems spent ten years making the Internet laugh via Funhaus, in addition to spearheading tentpole comedy and competition series. More recently, she's worked as a writer and voiceover director on Halloween The Video Game and Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. Elyse is also a veteran on-camera host, having hosted projects for Square Enix, PBS, Warner Bros, YouTube, SXSW, IndieCade and more. In 2020, she published a children's book titled "A Night in Halloween House" that topped the Amazon bestseller list.
DALLAS CALKINS - Director of Photography
Dallas Calkins is a director of photography with seven years of cinematography experience spanning digital, celluloid, and virtual production. As a RIT Film and Animation graduate, she moves fluidly between narrative and commercial projects adjusting her techniques to coexist and develop with emerging technologies. She is grounded by a collaborative, relationship-driven approach on set, and believes that the trust built between creatives forms the foundation for every story brought to the screen.
BRITTANY JAMISON LACKEY - Makeup Effects Designer
Brittany Jamison-Lackey is a makeup effects designer based in Los Angeles and London and a member of The Hollywood Hair & Makeup Artists Guild, IATSE Local 706. Brittany has been a Makeup Artist since 2004 with credits that include Bridgerton, Carnival Row, Fallout, The Witcher: Blood Origin, and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. Brittany designs and builds prosthetics and special makeup effects and blood rigging for film and television, and recently won Best FX (Makeup Effects) at GenreBlast and Panic Fest.
JAY HASRAJANI - Story Board Artist
Jaydeep Hasrajani is an Indian-American animator, designer, storyboard artist, and director based in Los Angeles. In addition to creating Boons And Curses (Netflix), Jaydeep has worked on The Powerpuff Girls and The Fungies! (Cartoon Network), and Ghee Happy (Netflix). Jay is also the co-founder of the non-profit SAVA (South Asians In Visual Arts), spotlighting the people and cultures of South Asia in the entertainment industry.
KEVIN HIBBARD - Editor
Kevin Hibbard is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated picture editor, with recent credits such as the documentary Drift (2026), and Out There: Crimes of the Paranormal (2024). Kevin’s passion for editing has blossomed into a distinguished 20 year career in the entertainment industry. He continues to work and push the boundaries of storytelling while exploring new creative possibilities.