Bad Shepherd
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Horror, Drama
Bad Shepherd is a horror film about Pastor Jacob, whose anxiety-fueled relapse on Easter Sunday curses his flock—and summons demons. Inspired by conversations around shame and addiction, it confronts stigma, sparks vital mental-health dialogue, and finds hope through the genre of horror.
45 supporters | followers
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$7,388
Goal: $10,000 for pre-production
Bad Shepherd is a horror film about Pastor Jacob, whose anxiety-fueled relapse on Easter Sunday curses his flock—and summons demons. Inspired by conversations around shame and addiction, it confronts stigma, sparks vital mental-health dialogue, and finds hope through the genre of horror.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Bad Shepherd plunges into the horror of feeling the world on your shoulders while your soul breaks down.
It’s Easter Sunday, and half of Pastor Jacob’s flock threatens to leave his church. He's given everything to this ministry while sacrificing his own mental well being. The anxiety is too much. He turns back to alcohol after being sober for 10 years. In a drunken tirade he curses his members but in doing so, he accidentally summons demons who seek to manipulate the congregation towards violence. This horror story explores mental health, stigma, and addiction through visceral metaphor.
WHY ME
Hi, I’m Kenneth Chang, writer/director of Bad Shepherd. I grew up watching my family battle addiction without the professional help they desperately needed. In my first-generation Korean community, admitting crisis is shameful—so people suffer in silence. I saw my parents carry that pain alone, and I know firsthand how broken systems and stigma leave families stranded.
WHY NOW
The CDC reports Asian-American young adults suffer the highest suicide rates yet under-utilize therapy. Audiences are hungry for Asian-American voices and honest conversations on mental health. We’ve already secured an amazing cinematographer, production designer, and storyboard artist—now is the moment to transform our script into a production budget and schedule. A story board and concept art and rehearsals. All of which will help our investors take us the rest of the way.
WHY YOU
With your support, you’ll help spark vital dialogue and shape a film that turns fear into hope. Backers get exclusive set visits, digital storyboards & concept art, private Zoom Q&As, and film credits. Join us—be part of a movement that uses horror to heal, uplift, and save souls.
We’re deep into prep for Bad Shepherd, with a full script, key creatives on board, and an ambitious shoot slated for this late this year. Your support today turns plans into action—funding legal setup, line producing, concept art, storyboards, and DP prep so we can roll cameras.
How This Campaign Moves Us Forward
- Right Now: Funds build our foundation—legal filings, LLC formation, and line production breakdowns.
- Prep Phase: Concept art, storyboards, and shot tests ensure every effect and complex sequence is planned to perfection.
- Production & Beyond: We plan to shoot near November and finish post early Spring of next year.
Where You’ll See the Film
After festival runs we hope to share the film worldwide in theaters.
Social Media Copy (feel free to copy/paste!) “I just backed Bad Shepherd on @SeedandSpark—an AAPI horror project shooting this fall! Check it out and help bring this film to life @uncommon_voices #BadShepherdFilm #SeedAndSpark”
501C3
That’s why our non profit organization Uncommon Voices Collective exists: to champion brave, heartfelt stories that tackle social commentary and spirituality in underrepresented communities. UVC is more than a fiscal sponsor of this film—we’re partners who care deeply about shining light on struggles too often kept in the dark. All donations to this Seed&Spark campaign are tax-deductible through our nonprofit, Uncommon Voices Collective.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Line Producer Attachment
Costs $3,000
Hire a seasoned line producer to break down finished script into budgets, schedules, and deal memos.
Storyboard/ Previs Artist
Costs $2,000
Commission storyboards and previs animations for your most complex sequences (e.g., demon effects, aerials, set pieces). Update Pitchdeck.
Concept Art alongside Production Designer
Costs $1,000
Hire an illustrator to work with production designer to craft key location designs. They also help with creature design.
Cinematographer Shot List and Test Planning
Costs $3,000
Bring DP on board early to co-create a detailed shot list and mood reel.
Legal prep
Costs $1,000
Includes basic legal filings (option agreements, LLC formation, music rights research)
Share this update!
About This Team
Jay Swuen (Weijie Sun) is a Los Angeles–Beijing writer, director, and cinematographer with 7+ years in multimedia and 3 years in film. He’s worked on US and Chinese projects in drama, comedy, sci-fi, VR/360, thriller, reality TV, and commercials, bringing versatile storytelling to every screen.
Mochii Mengqing Yuan is an LA-based production designer and art director who moved from China at 19 to study Scenic Design at CalArts. She’s crafted immersive worlds for films, stage, live events, and music videos with HBO, Disney, and Universal, and her work has screened and won awards at Berlinale, Sundance, and Tribeca.
Gris Eichenier is an ArtCenter-trained artist and storyboard designer. They shaped visuals for award-winning shorts like Refuse, bringing fresh creative energy and precision to every frame.
Gabrielle Galon Operations Manager, Uncommon Voices Collective & Film Producer
Gabby guides college students to break free from expectations and pursue their true passions. After swapping a medical career for storytelling—first as a podcast producer, now as a filmmaker and content creator—she champions authenticity, helping young adults make the most of their college years and discover who they really are.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Bad Shepherd plunges into the horror of feeling the world on your shoulders while your soul breaks down.
It’s Easter Sunday, and half of Pastor Jacob’s flock threatens to leave his church. He's given everything to this ministry while sacrificing his own mental well being. The anxiety is too much. He turns back to alcohol after being sober for 10 years. In a drunken tirade he curses his members but in doing so, he accidentally summons demons who seek to manipulate the congregation towards violence. This horror story explores mental health, stigma, and addiction through visceral metaphor.
WHY ME
Hi, I’m Kenneth Chang, writer/director of Bad Shepherd. I grew up watching my family battle addiction without the professional help they desperately needed. In my first-generation Korean community, admitting crisis is shameful—so people suffer in silence. I saw my parents carry that pain alone, and I know firsthand how broken systems and stigma leave families stranded.
WHY NOW
The CDC reports Asian-American young adults suffer the highest suicide rates yet under-utilize therapy. Audiences are hungry for Asian-American voices and honest conversations on mental health. We’ve already secured an amazing cinematographer, production designer, and storyboard artist—now is the moment to transform our script into a production budget and schedule. A story board and concept art and rehearsals. All of which will help our investors take us the rest of the way.
WHY YOU
With your support, you’ll help spark vital dialogue and shape a film that turns fear into hope. Backers get exclusive set visits, digital storyboards & concept art, private Zoom Q&As, and film credits. Join us—be part of a movement that uses horror to heal, uplift, and save souls.
We’re deep into prep for Bad Shepherd, with a full script, key creatives on board, and an ambitious shoot slated for this late this year. Your support today turns plans into action—funding legal setup, line producing, concept art, storyboards, and DP prep so we can roll cameras.
How This Campaign Moves Us Forward
- Right Now: Funds build our foundation—legal filings, LLC formation, and line production breakdowns.
- Prep Phase: Concept art, storyboards, and shot tests ensure every effect and complex sequence is planned to perfection.
- Production & Beyond: We plan to shoot near November and finish post early Spring of next year.
Where You’ll See the Film
After festival runs we hope to share the film worldwide in theaters.
Social Media Copy (feel free to copy/paste!) “I just backed Bad Shepherd on @SeedandSpark—an AAPI horror project shooting this fall! Check it out and help bring this film to life @uncommon_voices #BadShepherdFilm #SeedAndSpark”
501C3
That’s why our non profit organization Uncommon Voices Collective exists: to champion brave, heartfelt stories that tackle social commentary and spirituality in underrepresented communities. UVC is more than a fiscal sponsor of this film—we’re partners who care deeply about shining light on struggles too often kept in the dark. All donations to this Seed&Spark campaign are tax-deductible through our nonprofit, Uncommon Voices Collective.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Line Producer Attachment
Costs $3,000
Hire a seasoned line producer to break down finished script into budgets, schedules, and deal memos.
Storyboard/ Previs Artist
Costs $2,000
Commission storyboards and previs animations for your most complex sequences (e.g., demon effects, aerials, set pieces). Update Pitchdeck.
Concept Art alongside Production Designer
Costs $1,000
Hire an illustrator to work with production designer to craft key location designs. They also help with creature design.
Cinematographer Shot List and Test Planning
Costs $3,000
Bring DP on board early to co-create a detailed shot list and mood reel.
Legal prep
Costs $1,000
Includes basic legal filings (option agreements, LLC formation, music rights research)
Share this update!
About This Team
Jay Swuen (Weijie Sun) is a Los Angeles–Beijing writer, director, and cinematographer with 7+ years in multimedia and 3 years in film. He’s worked on US and Chinese projects in drama, comedy, sci-fi, VR/360, thriller, reality TV, and commercials, bringing versatile storytelling to every screen.
Mochii Mengqing Yuan is an LA-based production designer and art director who moved from China at 19 to study Scenic Design at CalArts. She’s crafted immersive worlds for films, stage, live events, and music videos with HBO, Disney, and Universal, and her work has screened and won awards at Berlinale, Sundance, and Tribeca.
Gris Eichenier is an ArtCenter-trained artist and storyboard designer. They shaped visuals for award-winning shorts like Refuse, bringing fresh creative energy and precision to every frame.
Gabrielle Galon Operations Manager, Uncommon Voices Collective & Film Producer
Gabby guides college students to break free from expectations and pursue their true passions. After swapping a medical career for storytelling—first as a podcast producer, now as a filmmaker and content creator—she champions authenticity, helping young adults make the most of their college years and discover who they really are.