CIRCUS FREAK
New York City, New York | Film Short
Thriller, Horror
This film is about the cost of perfectionism through the lens of a child star in a circus. The core of this story is the obsession with being perfect, which is an important topic for me. Perfectionism is the last thing an artist needs on their mind when creating.
10 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$920
Goal: $5,000 for production
This film is about the cost of perfectionism through the lens of a child star in a circus. The core of this story is the obsession with being perfect, which is an important topic for me. Perfectionism is the last thing an artist needs on their mind when creating.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A twelve-year-old girl, Josephine Moon, is an acrobat and trapeze artist in her uncle, Alistair Blackwood’s circus. She looks up to the deceased international icon, Anastasia Taylor, as her mentor and muse. Alistair, the ringmaster, was once at the top, winning competitions and many accolades at a certain point. The circus’s main attraction is Josephine, which Alistair makes a point of. Alistair accepts nothing less than perfection from Josephine, and she expects the same out of herself. Slowly, Josephine loses herself and her bearings in reality as she pushes herself past her breaking point.
I’ve wanted to make a film like this come to life for three years. Perfectionism is at the core of this story, which is an important topic for me. Growing up in a household that prioritized academic superiority, nothing less than excellence was tolerated. Pulling away from that mentality was difficult, especially when I started to figure out who I was as an artist. Perfectionism is the last thing an artist needs on their mind when creating. This is also why my team is passionate about this project. They understand how obsession can negatively affect the artistic process. We have all learned how to let go and trust our judgment, which we embrace with this project.
This money would directly support my growth by providing the resources we need to create this film. Student filmmaking often comes with financial limitations, and having additional support would allow my team and me to focus on the creative process itself. The money would help cover production costs, allow me to take creative risks, and fully realize the emotional and visual ideas behind my film without being restricted by limited resources.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food!! (meals and crafty)
Costs $1,000
Help us so we can keep our hardworking cast and crew properly fed so they have the energy to put everything into this film.
Props
Costs $1,000
A circus handles a lot of different items and we want to keep the film as authentic as possible!
Wardrobe
Costs $1,000
Help us to dress our amazing cast in the most beautiful circus costumes that we can
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Prisha Sharma is a filmmaker based in New York City. She was born and raised in New Jersey and currently studies at the School of Visual Arts, set to graduate in the spring of 2027. Her concentration is in screenwriting, and she has written various short and feature-length films. She has worked as an assistant director on several student films as well as a production assistant on a feature film. She has completed multiple internships, highlighting her pre-production role and refining skills in organizing, budgeting, and scheduling. Her niche and talent lie in assistant directing and producing, and she wishes to continue in these roles after graduation.
Castor Meyer is a transgender filmmaker born and raised on Long Island to parents with disabilities, and is currently a third-year student at the School of Visual Arts, studying both directing and producing. As a queer filmmaker, he has directed five films, including Comedian and Clincher. Even though he is a director, he focuses mainly on producing, having done 12 films, including co-producing Selene, set to release in 2026, and a television pilot titled Suffolk Perspective. He also dabbles in assistant directing or makeup on set, using skills learned as a producer. Castor is currently working on a film entitled Mystery Man, a queer thriller short to be completed in the summer of 2026.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A twelve-year-old girl, Josephine Moon, is an acrobat and trapeze artist in her uncle, Alistair Blackwood’s circus. She looks up to the deceased international icon, Anastasia Taylor, as her mentor and muse. Alistair, the ringmaster, was once at the top, winning competitions and many accolades at a certain point. The circus’s main attraction is Josephine, which Alistair makes a point of. Alistair accepts nothing less than perfection from Josephine, and she expects the same out of herself. Slowly, Josephine loses herself and her bearings in reality as she pushes herself past her breaking point.
I’ve wanted to make a film like this come to life for three years. Perfectionism is at the core of this story, which is an important topic for me. Growing up in a household that prioritized academic superiority, nothing less than excellence was tolerated. Pulling away from that mentality was difficult, especially when I started to figure out who I was as an artist. Perfectionism is the last thing an artist needs on their mind when creating. This is also why my team is passionate about this project. They understand how obsession can negatively affect the artistic process. We have all learned how to let go and trust our judgment, which we embrace with this project.
This money would directly support my growth by providing the resources we need to create this film. Student filmmaking often comes with financial limitations, and having additional support would allow my team and me to focus on the creative process itself. The money would help cover production costs, allow me to take creative risks, and fully realize the emotional and visual ideas behind my film without being restricted by limited resources.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food!! (meals and crafty)
Costs $1,000
Help us so we can keep our hardworking cast and crew properly fed so they have the energy to put everything into this film.
Props
Costs $1,000
A circus handles a lot of different items and we want to keep the film as authentic as possible!
Wardrobe
Costs $1,000
Help us to dress our amazing cast in the most beautiful circus costumes that we can
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Prisha Sharma is a filmmaker based in New York City. She was born and raised in New Jersey and currently studies at the School of Visual Arts, set to graduate in the spring of 2027. Her concentration is in screenwriting, and she has written various short and feature-length films. She has worked as an assistant director on several student films as well as a production assistant on a feature film. She has completed multiple internships, highlighting her pre-production role and refining skills in organizing, budgeting, and scheduling. Her niche and talent lie in assistant directing and producing, and she wishes to continue in these roles after graduation.
Castor Meyer is a transgender filmmaker born and raised on Long Island to parents with disabilities, and is currently a third-year student at the School of Visual Arts, studying both directing and producing. As a queer filmmaker, he has directed five films, including Comedian and Clincher. Even though he is a director, he focuses mainly on producing, having done 12 films, including co-producing Selene, set to release in 2026, and a television pilot titled Suffolk Perspective. He also dabbles in assistant directing or makeup on set, using skills learned as a producer. Castor is currently working on a film entitled Mystery Man, a queer thriller short to be completed in the summer of 2026.