Bygone
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Horror
Many of us struggle with self-forgiveness because of some unresolved guilt. Why is that? Why do we let the ghosts of our past impede growth? Alex finally decides to change that when confronting the recurring ghost of his grandmother.
Bygone
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Horror
1 Campaigns | California, United States
31 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$3,890
Goal: $5,000 for pre-production
Many of us struggle with self-forgiveness because of some unresolved guilt. Why is that? Why do we let the ghosts of our past impede growth? Alex finally decides to change that when confronting the recurring ghost of his grandmother.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
One night Alex finds himself face-to-face with the ghost of his grandmother who has haunted him since death. Though she’s a ghost, her dementia stayed with her often making encounters confusing and unsettling. Tonight is the night that Alex decides to confront her about a long-standing guilt that has also haunted him.
COMPARABLES:
WHY is Bygone so special?
Horror of the unknown is one of the most engaging elements within the horror genre. In Bygone's case, most of the horror and eeriness will be played off screen (intentionally keeping the grandmother out of frame, mostly hearing her voice off screen, etc...) which’ll keep the viewers on edge about the grandmother’s appearance and true intentions. The team would love to play with this idea and push the boundaries of telling (or hearing) not showing.
Though horror is fun it cannot survive without genuine storytelling! A proper horror-drama thrives on the balance of scares and heartfelt moments. The team wants to play with both of these elements and prove not only can we feel for the protagonist, but quite possibly the antagonist too.
EXPERIENCE:
STORYBOARDS:
Storyboarding was necessary to help visualize and consolidate the short as a whole:
COLOR DESIGN & atmosphere
Color is something that was thought of early on in development. To simplify things there are only two locations – the kitchen and the living room. The kitchen will convey a sense of antiquity which is the only time we see the grandmother alone. The living room, dressed in blues, will appear dreamlike and create atmospheric dread when Alex shares the space with his grandmother.
SOUND DESIGN & minimalism
I'd like to play with the use of diegetic sound and the near absence of a score to create a tense environment. I've always been fascinated by how films can still grab you without an overpowering sound design or soundtrack.
EDITING & intention
Storyboarding was a crucial part in visualizing cutting points thus creating concise, intentional shots. And, like previously mentioned, the fear of the unknown is a very fun and unsettling element to play with in filmmaking. Our antagonist, the grandmother, will play mostly off screen and obscured to cultivate anticipatory dread.
BUDGET & what $5000 will cover:
The overall budget will roughly cover the costs below. We plan to start shooting around the beginning-middle of August once the Seed & Spark campaign is complete!
But what's the absolute best case scenario? WE SURPASS OUR GOAL!
This will allow us to allocate additional funds elsewhere such as more equipment rentals, art design, make up, post-production, and festivals submission costs.
FINISHED... now what?
It will take time to edit, color, and complete Bygone however... the aim is to be finished and ready to submit to festivals by the end of 2026. The festival submission process will go on all through 2027 starting as early as Spring. During that time we will keep you updated on things such as the status of post-production, when the early access link will be provided, expected incentives, etc... as we move everything along!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment & other expenses
Costs $900
This will help secure any rentals needed as well as cover any additional expenses!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
WRITER-DIRECTOR
Vaal is a union script supervisor who has worked an array of projects – features, shorts, commercials and children's shows. When he isn't on set he is either writing or engrossed in photography. Some of his favorite horror films include Hereditary, Alien, Jaws, and The Witch.
The rest of the team is being assembled as we speak!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
One night Alex finds himself face-to-face with the ghost of his grandmother who has haunted him since death. Though she’s a ghost, her dementia stayed with her often making encounters confusing and unsettling. Tonight is the night that Alex decides to confront her about a long-standing guilt that has also haunted him.
COMPARABLES:
WHY is Bygone so special?
Horror of the unknown is one of the most engaging elements within the horror genre. In Bygone's case, most of the horror and eeriness will be played off screen (intentionally keeping the grandmother out of frame, mostly hearing her voice off screen, etc...) which’ll keep the viewers on edge about the grandmother’s appearance and true intentions. The team would love to play with this idea and push the boundaries of telling (or hearing) not showing.
Though horror is fun it cannot survive without genuine storytelling! A proper horror-drama thrives on the balance of scares and heartfelt moments. The team wants to play with both of these elements and prove not only can we feel for the protagonist, but quite possibly the antagonist too.
EXPERIENCE:
STORYBOARDS:
Storyboarding was necessary to help visualize and consolidate the short as a whole:
COLOR DESIGN & atmosphere
Color is something that was thought of early on in development. To simplify things there are only two locations – the kitchen and the living room. The kitchen will convey a sense of antiquity which is the only time we see the grandmother alone. The living room, dressed in blues, will appear dreamlike and create atmospheric dread when Alex shares the space with his grandmother.
SOUND DESIGN & minimalism
I'd like to play with the use of diegetic sound and the near absence of a score to create a tense environment. I've always been fascinated by how films can still grab you without an overpowering sound design or soundtrack.
EDITING & intention
Storyboarding was a crucial part in visualizing cutting points thus creating concise, intentional shots. And, like previously mentioned, the fear of the unknown is a very fun and unsettling element to play with in filmmaking. Our antagonist, the grandmother, will play mostly off screen and obscured to cultivate anticipatory dread.
BUDGET & what $5000 will cover:
The overall budget will roughly cover the costs below. We plan to start shooting around the beginning-middle of August once the Seed & Spark campaign is complete!
But what's the absolute best case scenario? WE SURPASS OUR GOAL!
This will allow us to allocate additional funds elsewhere such as more equipment rentals, art design, make up, post-production, and festivals submission costs.
FINISHED... now what?
It will take time to edit, color, and complete Bygone however... the aim is to be finished and ready to submit to festivals by the end of 2026. The festival submission process will go on all through 2027 starting as early as Spring. During that time we will keep you updated on things such as the status of post-production, when the early access link will be provided, expected incentives, etc... as we move everything along!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment & other expenses
Costs $900
This will help secure any rentals needed as well as cover any additional expenses!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
WRITER-DIRECTOR
Vaal is a union script supervisor who has worked an array of projects – features, shorts, commercials and children's shows. When he isn't on set he is either writing or engrossed in photography. Some of his favorite horror films include Hereditary, Alien, Jaws, and The Witch.
The rest of the team is being assembled as we speak!