Behind the Eyes
Davenport, Iowa | Film Feature
Horror, Drama
Behind the Eyes is a dramatic horror film about an author who, after completing his latest novel, finds himself trapped in a strange manor by a mysterious entity. Through this entity we discover the history of this manor, and the truth woven through the author's pages.
Behind the Eyes
Davenport, Iowa | Film Feature
Horror, Drama
1 Campaigns | Missouri, United States
13 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$3,615
Goal: $12,000 for production
Behind the Eyes is a dramatic horror film about an author who, after completing his latest novel, finds himself trapped in a strange manor by a mysterious entity. Through this entity we discover the history of this manor, and the truth woven through the author's pages.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Behind the Eyes is a 90 minute horror feature being shot in Davenport, Iowa by the production team Radix Studios. It follows a struggling author named August who, after completing his most recent novel, finds himself trapped in a strange manor. August soon encounters a mysterious and terrifying entity, and together we learn of the secrets behind the manor, its staff, and the entity itself.
Playing off familiar horror tropes, our film takes the classic setup of spooky manor and powerful beings and flips them on their head. It becomes a story of loneliness, illness, and grief. It is a story of relationships. Not only to those closest to us, but to our past, to our health, and to art itself. What happens when an artist becomes so consumed by their creation that it begins to wear them down to the bone? What happens when a soul yearns for connection, but is too hurt to let anyone in? These are all questions we seek to ask in Behind the Eyes.
Inspired by classic horror films of early Hollywood such as "White Zombie", and thrillers from the 60s and 70s like "That Cold Day in the Park", our film seeks to revitalize an older style of filmmaking. Not a simpler style, but rather one that focuses more on complex staging and blocking to hold the audiences attention. Coupled with an emphasis on practical effects like rear projection and matte paintings, our film is a celebration of the history of horror filmmaking, transporting our audience to another time.
Speaking of, one of the most engaging elements of our story is it's approach to non-linear storytelling. There is a mystery to our story that can only be unraveled by stepping into the past itself. The concept of time is a key thematic element of our film, both in how it shapes us, and how we romanticize it. With Behind the Eyes, we seek to combine classical film techniques with modern storytelling to create a unique and fascinating experience.
this campaign, we are asking for $12,000 to cover ancillary production costs to ensure our film looks and sounds the best it can. Should we surpass this goal, further funding will go toward our post-production process and our eventual festival run.
$1,500 - Travel and Accommodations
$750 - Craft Services
$3,250 - Cast Wages
$3,000 - Crew Wages
$2,500 - Equipment
$1,000 - Production Design
$12,000 Total
STRETCH GOAL: 14,000 - Help fund our post production work, including editing, sound design, color grading, and score.
STRETCH GOAL 2: 16,000 - These additional funds will contribute to our festival campaign.
In order for our campaign to greenlit, we'll need to reach at least $9,600. If not, your pledge will be returned to you.
If I were to ever make a passion project, it would be Behind the Eyes. We began writing this film shortly after we finished producing our first feature film. As exciting as the experience was, it was also one of immense stress and turmoil. Coupled with a chronic illness diagnosis, and I was ready to collapse. Finishing my first film became my guiding light. "If I could just make this movie, I can die happy." I'm sure many filmmakers know the feeling. Well, we made our first movie, and I wasn't happy.
It's not that I'm not proud of it. I certainly am. But in pursuit of that creation, I had neglected myself and the things that truly make me happy. Things like my loved ones and my hobbies. I realized that, while I love filmmaking, it wasn't going to make me feel "complete". I promised that for my next film, I'd do things differently. That's where the idea for Behind the Eyes would be born.
August is a struggling artist who sacrifices his health in a vain attempt to create something that will bring him purpose. Likewise, other characters in this film reflect my personal experience with illness and nostalgia. Whether it be the starving artist or literally starving yourself, the romanticization of suffering is at the heart of this film. There is truly a piece of me in every character in this story. I hope you come to love them as I have when you get to experience this film for yourself.
Sincerely,
S. Morgan Schweitzer
August: Crowdfunding!
August-September: Principal photography
November: Assembly cut complete
December: Rough cut
January: Picture lock, begin sound design, color grading, scoring, etc
March: Festival cut complete, Private Cast & Crew screening
April: Festival submissions!
We have a long road ahead to make this film, but we know that with your help, we can create something spectacular together.
If you are unable to contribute financially, you can still help by sharing our campaign with friends and spreading the word through social media. Include this link in your caption: seedandspark.com/fund/behind-the-eyes, with a message like:
"Check out this cool indie horror project being shot in Davenport, Iowa by @radixstudiosofficial ! If you're a fan of old fashioned horror and fresh voices in film, consider dropping them a pledge on their fundraiser page seedandspark.com/fund/behind-the-eyes"
If you would like to reach out to us privately for more information about the project or other avenues of support, you can contact us at [email protected], or at our instagram page @radixstudiosofficial
For a look at our previous work, including our first feature film shot for $30,000 in southwest Missouri, check out our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RadixStudios
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel and Accomodations
Costs $1,500
Many of our team hail from out of state, including residents of both LA and New York. Help us ensure comfortable living during our shoot!
Craft Services
Costs $750
Long shoot days can take a lot out of you. That's why we want to make sure every one is nice and fed each day of filming.
Cast
Costs $3,250
We've assembled an immensely talented cast for this film. Your donations help fund their wages, and help our actors bring this story to life
Crew
Costs $3,000
Your contributions allow us to allot a greater wage to the hardworking people crafting the film from behind the camera
Equipment
Costs $2,500
To get this film looking and sounding it's best, we'll need good equipment. When you watch our film, know it's quality was because of you.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
A portion of donations go directly to our production design/costuming team to truly invoke the eras this film takes inspiration from.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
S. Morgan Schweitzer (He/They): Director/Co-Writer
S. Morgan Schweitzer first fell in love with the art of filmmaking in high school when he watched Dracula (1931) for the first time. Since then he has committed his creative efforts to producing high quality short and feature films. Having served as editor, actor, and cinematographer for multiple shorts and features over the years, he feels most comfortable in the directors chair. In 2023, he co-wrote/directed directed his first feature film with his longtime collaborator Jackson Lierz and their production company. For Behind the Eyes, Morgan returns to his horror roots with a film that exemplifies his love of the medium, and his vision as an artist.
Jackson Lierz (He/Him): Co-Writer/1st AD
Jackson Lierz is a writer and director from Springfield, Missouri. Co-founding Radix Studios with S. Morgan Schweitzer in 2020 whilst attending Missouri State University. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Film & TV Production, he quickly began work as co-writer and co-director for his first feature film, Seeing Someone Else. With Behind the Eyes, Jackson steps down from the directors chair to function as 1st AD, putting trust in his creative partner to craft to best film possible while he ensures everything on set runs smoothly and safely.
Samuel Walraven (He/Him): Producer
Samuel F.C. Walraven is a film producer, director, and cinematographer. Having graduated from The University of Iowa with a bachelors in Cinema, Samuel’s long-term film aspirations are to bring real LGBTQ and particularly trans stories and visibility to the big screen by working with Trans and Queer people both in front of and behind the camera. As a producer for Behind The Eyes, Samuel aims to bring the Radix Team with the local Iowan and Quad City communities together to bring our unique story to life. Making Behind The Eyes a story bigger than Radix Studios alone.
Jordan Leigh (He/Him): Post Sound/Composer
Jordan Leigh is a composer and sound mixer/designer that has been working in the independent film community for five years. He studied Electronic Media Production at Ozarks Tech in Springfield, MO. He aims to create soundscapes and scores that enhance both the film’s themes and the audiences viewing experience.
Aly Bates (They/She): Props Master/Set Decorator
Aly is a Scenic Artist located in Kansas City, Missouri. This is their debut film project, but they are a lifetime lover of film, art, and live theatre. Some recent theatre credits include Rent, Cats, and Moby Dick at Music Theatre Heritage and Pete the Cat, Elf, and Finding Nemo at The Coterie Children’s Theater.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Behind the Eyes is a 90 minute horror feature being shot in Davenport, Iowa by the production team Radix Studios. It follows a struggling author named August who, after completing his most recent novel, finds himself trapped in a strange manor. August soon encounters a mysterious and terrifying entity, and together we learn of the secrets behind the manor, its staff, and the entity itself.
Playing off familiar horror tropes, our film takes the classic setup of spooky manor and powerful beings and flips them on their head. It becomes a story of loneliness, illness, and grief. It is a story of relationships. Not only to those closest to us, but to our past, to our health, and to art itself. What happens when an artist becomes so consumed by their creation that it begins to wear them down to the bone? What happens when a soul yearns for connection, but is too hurt to let anyone in? These are all questions we seek to ask in Behind the Eyes.
Inspired by classic horror films of early Hollywood such as "White Zombie", and thrillers from the 60s and 70s like "That Cold Day in the Park", our film seeks to revitalize an older style of filmmaking. Not a simpler style, but rather one that focuses more on complex staging and blocking to hold the audiences attention. Coupled with an emphasis on practical effects like rear projection and matte paintings, our film is a celebration of the history of horror filmmaking, transporting our audience to another time.
Speaking of, one of the most engaging elements of our story is it's approach to non-linear storytelling. There is a mystery to our story that can only be unraveled by stepping into the past itself. The concept of time is a key thematic element of our film, both in how it shapes us, and how we romanticize it. With Behind the Eyes, we seek to combine classical film techniques with modern storytelling to create a unique and fascinating experience.
this campaign, we are asking for $12,000 to cover ancillary production costs to ensure our film looks and sounds the best it can. Should we surpass this goal, further funding will go toward our post-production process and our eventual festival run.
$1,500 - Travel and Accommodations
$750 - Craft Services
$3,250 - Cast Wages
$3,000 - Crew Wages
$2,500 - Equipment
$1,000 - Production Design
$12,000 Total
STRETCH GOAL: 14,000 - Help fund our post production work, including editing, sound design, color grading, and score.
STRETCH GOAL 2: 16,000 - These additional funds will contribute to our festival campaign.
In order for our campaign to greenlit, we'll need to reach at least $9,600. If not, your pledge will be returned to you.
If I were to ever make a passion project, it would be Behind the Eyes. We began writing this film shortly after we finished producing our first feature film. As exciting as the experience was, it was also one of immense stress and turmoil. Coupled with a chronic illness diagnosis, and I was ready to collapse. Finishing my first film became my guiding light. "If I could just make this movie, I can die happy." I'm sure many filmmakers know the feeling. Well, we made our first movie, and I wasn't happy.
It's not that I'm not proud of it. I certainly am. But in pursuit of that creation, I had neglected myself and the things that truly make me happy. Things like my loved ones and my hobbies. I realized that, while I love filmmaking, it wasn't going to make me feel "complete". I promised that for my next film, I'd do things differently. That's where the idea for Behind the Eyes would be born.
August is a struggling artist who sacrifices his health in a vain attempt to create something that will bring him purpose. Likewise, other characters in this film reflect my personal experience with illness and nostalgia. Whether it be the starving artist or literally starving yourself, the romanticization of suffering is at the heart of this film. There is truly a piece of me in every character in this story. I hope you come to love them as I have when you get to experience this film for yourself.
Sincerely,
S. Morgan Schweitzer
August: Crowdfunding!
August-September: Principal photography
November: Assembly cut complete
December: Rough cut
January: Picture lock, begin sound design, color grading, scoring, etc
March: Festival cut complete, Private Cast & Crew screening
April: Festival submissions!
We have a long road ahead to make this film, but we know that with your help, we can create something spectacular together.
If you are unable to contribute financially, you can still help by sharing our campaign with friends and spreading the word through social media. Include this link in your caption: seedandspark.com/fund/behind-the-eyes, with a message like:
"Check out this cool indie horror project being shot in Davenport, Iowa by @radixstudiosofficial ! If you're a fan of old fashioned horror and fresh voices in film, consider dropping them a pledge on their fundraiser page seedandspark.com/fund/behind-the-eyes"
If you would like to reach out to us privately for more information about the project or other avenues of support, you can contact us at [email protected], or at our instagram page @radixstudiosofficial
For a look at our previous work, including our first feature film shot for $30,000 in southwest Missouri, check out our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RadixStudios
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel and Accomodations
Costs $1,500
Many of our team hail from out of state, including residents of both LA and New York. Help us ensure comfortable living during our shoot!
Craft Services
Costs $750
Long shoot days can take a lot out of you. That's why we want to make sure every one is nice and fed each day of filming.
Cast
Costs $3,250
We've assembled an immensely talented cast for this film. Your donations help fund their wages, and help our actors bring this story to life
Crew
Costs $3,000
Your contributions allow us to allot a greater wage to the hardworking people crafting the film from behind the camera
Equipment
Costs $2,500
To get this film looking and sounding it's best, we'll need good equipment. When you watch our film, know it's quality was because of you.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
A portion of donations go directly to our production design/costuming team to truly invoke the eras this film takes inspiration from.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
S. Morgan Schweitzer (He/They): Director/Co-Writer
S. Morgan Schweitzer first fell in love with the art of filmmaking in high school when he watched Dracula (1931) for the first time. Since then he has committed his creative efforts to producing high quality short and feature films. Having served as editor, actor, and cinematographer for multiple shorts and features over the years, he feels most comfortable in the directors chair. In 2023, he co-wrote/directed directed his first feature film with his longtime collaborator Jackson Lierz and their production company. For Behind the Eyes, Morgan returns to his horror roots with a film that exemplifies his love of the medium, and his vision as an artist.
Jackson Lierz (He/Him): Co-Writer/1st AD
Jackson Lierz is a writer and director from Springfield, Missouri. Co-founding Radix Studios with S. Morgan Schweitzer in 2020 whilst attending Missouri State University. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Film & TV Production, he quickly began work as co-writer and co-director for his first feature film, Seeing Someone Else. With Behind the Eyes, Jackson steps down from the directors chair to function as 1st AD, putting trust in his creative partner to craft to best film possible while he ensures everything on set runs smoothly and safely.
Samuel Walraven (He/Him): Producer
Samuel F.C. Walraven is a film producer, director, and cinematographer. Having graduated from The University of Iowa with a bachelors in Cinema, Samuel’s long-term film aspirations are to bring real LGBTQ and particularly trans stories and visibility to the big screen by working with Trans and Queer people both in front of and behind the camera. As a producer for Behind The Eyes, Samuel aims to bring the Radix Team with the local Iowan and Quad City communities together to bring our unique story to life. Making Behind The Eyes a story bigger than Radix Studios alone.
Jordan Leigh (He/Him): Post Sound/Composer
Jordan Leigh is a composer and sound mixer/designer that has been working in the independent film community for five years. He studied Electronic Media Production at Ozarks Tech in Springfield, MO. He aims to create soundscapes and scores that enhance both the film’s themes and the audiences viewing experience.
Aly Bates (They/She): Props Master/Set Decorator
Aly is a Scenic Artist located in Kansas City, Missouri. This is their debut film project, but they are a lifetime lover of film, art, and live theatre. Some recent theatre credits include Rent, Cats, and Moby Dick at Music Theatre Heritage and Pete the Cat, Elf, and Finding Nemo at The Coterie Children’s Theater.