Become The Monsters
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Other
Is letting go of the magic of childhood truly a noble pursuit, or can it flourish into adulthood? This pivotal question informs every aspect of Become the Monsters, where character relationships, conflicts, and conversations percolate a particular warmth at the center of our story.
Become The Monsters
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Other
1 Campaigns |
9 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,005
Goal: $8,900 for pre-production
Is letting go of the magic of childhood truly a noble pursuit, or can it flourish into adulthood? This pivotal question informs every aspect of Become the Monsters, where character relationships, conflicts, and conversations percolate a particular warmth at the center of our story.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
This short film uses a blend of illustrations and fun-filled adventures to explore how our perceptions of community and self-acceptance change as we grow up. Grounded in the lives of two complex female leads, Become the Monsters questions if letting go of the magic of childhood is truly a noble pursuit, or if a change of perspective can allow it to flourish into adulthood. This deeply human question informs every aspect of the story, with an emphasis on character relationships, conflict, and conversations.
Despite the bright colors and memorable magic, Become the Monsters aims to prioritize the development and relationships of the two leads above all else. Luckily, these women live connected and imaginative lives. That vibrance translates into detailed production design, colorful illustrations, and playful cinematography. Character complexity is never sacrificed for aesthetics, and when aesthetics are well thought out and story-driven, there’s no need to sacrifice them either. Nothing is beautiful for the sake of being beautiful, and yet it manages to be beautiful anyway.
In today's world, it is all too easy to fall into the trappings of individualism, but we believe community and connection are worth celebrating. Our lives are intricately intertwined and bettered by being good friends and neighbors. It's something we find truly magical.
As someone who grew up exploring the whimsical woods of Missouri, my elementary-aged imagination led me on a never-ending search for magic right outside my window. When I moved to Chicago, I found myself in a city so different from the tales I was told as a child, but despite this, the magic wasn’t gone. Become The Monsters is my love letter to the place my stories were born, the city where they came to life, and the people who made me put down my sword in favor of a warm hand.
Magic is in the people I pass on the sidewalk. It’s in the dogs at the park and the kids at the library. Magic is everywhere. You just have to take a moment to notice.
Become The Monsters doesn’t just take place in Chicago; the city is a living, breathing character of its own. Since whimsical monster-hunting stories aren’t typically set in urban areas, the script offers an opportunity for a unique visual style.
Check out some of our inspirations:
This film isn't possible without your help! While financial contributions are the fastest way to guarantee we can hit the ground running, you can also show your support by following us here on Seed&Spark and sharing our campaign with friends and family. The more people who know about our project, the better!
To stay up to date on the preproduction, production, and post-production process, be sure to follow us on Instagram @becomethemonsters
If you have any questions about donating or would like to show your support in other ways, feel free to email us at [email protected]
Currently, we are set to shoot in early June, with an intended festival run through 2027. While this process is a long one, we have lots of things planned to keep you informed and excited about the status of the film!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $1,700
As much as we would like to, we can't shoot anywhere we'd like for free! This ensures we take proper precautions in acquiring a safe set.
Insurance & Permits
Costs $200
Similar to location, this budget is necessary for keeping all legal, financial, and safety requirements in mind to make our magic!
Camera & Lighting
Costs $1,500
You don't get film without the camera! This allows our lighting, movement, and framing to be as close to our original vision as possible!
Sound
Costs $400
Likewise, there's no film without sound! Help us compensate our hardworking sound crew and provide them with the best equipment for the job!
Talent
Costs $400
The face of the film--literally! With your help, we can compensate our dedicated cast for their beautiful portrayals on the screen!
Art / Production Design
Costs $1,000
Bringing the space and story to life! Carpentry, tapestry, electronics, custom illustrations, last minute thrift runs, you name it!
Transportation
Costs $800
With a lot of hardworking souls and high end equipment, we're making sure everyone and everything safely gets to where they need to be!
Original Music
Costs $800
With the whimsy and unique heart at the center of this story, of course we'd need a fully fresh and equally unique score to go along with!
SFX
Costs $500
This film features beckoning beasts and careening cryptids--kind of! With this budget, they'll come to life on the screen in the best way!
Festivals
Costs $300
The magic doesn't stop once we're done with the camera or in the editing room! Help us to put this film in front of countless artistic eyes!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
This project would not be possible without our incredibly talented, intelligent, and creative team.
Sterling Sullivan - PRODUCER
Sterling Sullivan is an indie filmmaker and multi-hyphenated artist in the Chicago area whose passions and work experiences coalesce across a variety of mediums, genres, and forms. Whether feature filmmaking, orchestral composing, or logistics planning is on the docket, he embraces the experience to its core to share stories overflowing with sincerity. Become the Monsters is a short film with a central message and team he holds near and dear to his heart!
Parker Kelles - PRODUCER
Parker recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago and is excited to be working on this independent project with some of the coolest and most talented people! After successfully producing a big-budget corporate commercial and co-producing his own thesis project, Parker is beyond thrilled to step into the world of magic and fantasy with Become The Monsters. When he isn’t figuring out budgets or hunting for the perfect location, you can find him watching Doctor Who or Frasier with his French Bulldog, Bentley.
.png)
Aidan Vogel - WRITER & DIRECTOR
Aidan Vogel is a Chicago-based writer and director, passionate about the fusion of artistic mediums like puppets, animation, and stop-motion. Aidan has written multiple short films, features, and pilots (including the award-winning film Dégagé) and strives to create engaging stories, fleshed-out characters, and impactful themes. Become the Monsters is jam-packed with everything Aidan loves about storytelling, filmmaking, and community, brought to life by such an incredible team.
 - petra espinosa.jpg)
Petra Espinosa - CINEMATOGRAPHER
Petra Espinosa is a Chicago-based cinematographer, camera operator, and AC. From a young age, she had a passion and commitment for filmmaking and has continued her career through her camerawork in indie, union, and student projects. Through her technical and creative abilities, Petra works with her team to craft immersive and impactful imagery. She is excited to bring this story to life, as nostalgic-childhood stories are some of her favorites to visually story-tell.
Frankie Buente - PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Frankie Buente is a multidisciplinary artist deeply inspired by their upbringing in Kentucky, nonhuman nature, queerness, and their closest friends. Their work is driven by a desire to challenge boundaries and expectations while inspiring others to do the same.
Helena Brophy - ILLUSTRATOR
Helena Brophy is a freaky little native New Yorker turned Chicago-based Illustrator, animator, and cartoonist. Over the past several years, she has enthusiastically taken part in many collaborative projects, notably serving as a key animator on her group thesis film and as head of wardrobe on two additional short films. Helena’s body of work is most frequently inspired by her closest friendships and relationships. Needless to say, she is beyond thrilled to be part of a team made up of deeply passionate creatives that she admires wholeheartedly.
Amelia Lutz - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Amelia is a current film student at Columbia College Chicago with a passion for creative films! She’s spent the last few semesters working as a 1st AD for projects such as Souncheck, Warped Windows, and Degage, but she also spends a lot of free time working on her own short scripts. She can’t wait to work on this project with such an electric crew and beautiful story!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
This short film uses a blend of illustrations and fun-filled adventures to explore how our perceptions of community and self-acceptance change as we grow up. Grounded in the lives of two complex female leads, Become the Monsters questions if letting go of the magic of childhood is truly a noble pursuit, or if a change of perspective can allow it to flourish into adulthood. This deeply human question informs every aspect of the story, with an emphasis on character relationships, conflict, and conversations.
Despite the bright colors and memorable magic, Become the Monsters aims to prioritize the development and relationships of the two leads above all else. Luckily, these women live connected and imaginative lives. That vibrance translates into detailed production design, colorful illustrations, and playful cinematography. Character complexity is never sacrificed for aesthetics, and when aesthetics are well thought out and story-driven, there’s no need to sacrifice them either. Nothing is beautiful for the sake of being beautiful, and yet it manages to be beautiful anyway.
In today's world, it is all too easy to fall into the trappings of individualism, but we believe community and connection are worth celebrating. Our lives are intricately intertwined and bettered by being good friends and neighbors. It's something we find truly magical.
As someone who grew up exploring the whimsical woods of Missouri, my elementary-aged imagination led me on a never-ending search for magic right outside my window. When I moved to Chicago, I found myself in a city so different from the tales I was told as a child, but despite this, the magic wasn’t gone. Become The Monsters is my love letter to the place my stories were born, the city where they came to life, and the people who made me put down my sword in favor of a warm hand.
Magic is in the people I pass on the sidewalk. It’s in the dogs at the park and the kids at the library. Magic is everywhere. You just have to take a moment to notice.
Become The Monsters doesn’t just take place in Chicago; the city is a living, breathing character of its own. Since whimsical monster-hunting stories aren’t typically set in urban areas, the script offers an opportunity for a unique visual style.
Check out some of our inspirations:
This film isn't possible without your help! While financial contributions are the fastest way to guarantee we can hit the ground running, you can also show your support by following us here on Seed&Spark and sharing our campaign with friends and family. The more people who know about our project, the better!
To stay up to date on the preproduction, production, and post-production process, be sure to follow us on Instagram @becomethemonsters
If you have any questions about donating or would like to show your support in other ways, feel free to email us at [email protected]
Currently, we are set to shoot in early June, with an intended festival run through 2027. While this process is a long one, we have lots of things planned to keep you informed and excited about the status of the film!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $1,700
As much as we would like to, we can't shoot anywhere we'd like for free! This ensures we take proper precautions in acquiring a safe set.
Insurance & Permits
Costs $200
Similar to location, this budget is necessary for keeping all legal, financial, and safety requirements in mind to make our magic!
Camera & Lighting
Costs $1,500
You don't get film without the camera! This allows our lighting, movement, and framing to be as close to our original vision as possible!
Sound
Costs $400
Likewise, there's no film without sound! Help us compensate our hardworking sound crew and provide them with the best equipment for the job!
Talent
Costs $400
The face of the film--literally! With your help, we can compensate our dedicated cast for their beautiful portrayals on the screen!
Art / Production Design
Costs $1,000
Bringing the space and story to life! Carpentry, tapestry, electronics, custom illustrations, last minute thrift runs, you name it!
Transportation
Costs $800
With a lot of hardworking souls and high end equipment, we're making sure everyone and everything safely gets to where they need to be!
Original Music
Costs $800
With the whimsy and unique heart at the center of this story, of course we'd need a fully fresh and equally unique score to go along with!
SFX
Costs $500
This film features beckoning beasts and careening cryptids--kind of! With this budget, they'll come to life on the screen in the best way!
Festivals
Costs $300
The magic doesn't stop once we're done with the camera or in the editing room! Help us to put this film in front of countless artistic eyes!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
This project would not be possible without our incredibly talented, intelligent, and creative team.
Sterling Sullivan - PRODUCER
Sterling Sullivan is an indie filmmaker and multi-hyphenated artist in the Chicago area whose passions and work experiences coalesce across a variety of mediums, genres, and forms. Whether feature filmmaking, orchestral composing, or logistics planning is on the docket, he embraces the experience to its core to share stories overflowing with sincerity. Become the Monsters is a short film with a central message and team he holds near and dear to his heart!
Parker Kelles - PRODUCER
Parker recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago and is excited to be working on this independent project with some of the coolest and most talented people! After successfully producing a big-budget corporate commercial and co-producing his own thesis project, Parker is beyond thrilled to step into the world of magic and fantasy with Become The Monsters. When he isn’t figuring out budgets or hunting for the perfect location, you can find him watching Doctor Who or Frasier with his French Bulldog, Bentley.
Aidan Vogel - WRITER & DIRECTOR
Aidan Vogel is a Chicago-based writer and director, passionate about the fusion of artistic mediums like puppets, animation, and stop-motion. Aidan has written multiple short films, features, and pilots (including the award-winning film Dégagé) and strives to create engaging stories, fleshed-out characters, and impactful themes. Become the Monsters is jam-packed with everything Aidan loves about storytelling, filmmaking, and community, brought to life by such an incredible team.
Petra Espinosa - CINEMATOGRAPHER
Petra Espinosa is a Chicago-based cinematographer, camera operator, and AC. From a young age, she had a passion and commitment for filmmaking and has continued her career through her camerawork in indie, union, and student projects. Through her technical and creative abilities, Petra works with her team to craft immersive and impactful imagery. She is excited to bring this story to life, as nostalgic-childhood stories are some of her favorites to visually story-tell.
Frankie Buente - PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Frankie Buente is a multidisciplinary artist deeply inspired by their upbringing in Kentucky, nonhuman nature, queerness, and their closest friends. Their work is driven by a desire to challenge boundaries and expectations while inspiring others to do the same.
Helena Brophy - ILLUSTRATOR
Helena Brophy is a freaky little native New Yorker turned Chicago-based Illustrator, animator, and cartoonist. Over the past several years, she has enthusiastically taken part in many collaborative projects, notably serving as a key animator on her group thesis film and as head of wardrobe on two additional short films. Helena’s body of work is most frequently inspired by her closest friendships and relationships. Needless to say, she is beyond thrilled to be part of a team made up of deeply passionate creatives that she admires wholeheartedly.
Amelia Lutz - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Amelia is a current film student at Columbia College Chicago with a passion for creative films! She’s spent the last few semesters working as a 1st AD for projects such as Souncheck, Warped Windows, and Degage, but she also spends a lot of free time working on her own short scripts. She can’t wait to work on this project with such an electric crew and beautiful story!