DOORS
Williamsburg, Virginia | Film Short
Thriller, Mystery
Horror in the mundane! Pamela Painter's story of an older couple's disagreement is deceptively simple -- a slow-burn, creepy thriller with a twist ending that corrects a gendered power imbalance. So I put together a mostly-female team of creatives to bring this story to life!
DOORS
Williamsburg, Virginia | Film Short
Thriller, Mystery
Green Light
This campaign raised $10,500 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
113 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Horror in the mundane! Pamela Painter's story of an older couple's disagreement is deceptively simple -- a slow-burn, creepy thriller with a twist ending that corrects a gendered power imbalance. So I put together a mostly-female team of creatives to bring this story to life!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The short story "Doors" by Pamela Painter has a single, narrow point of view -- and an air of mystery befitting its feminist worldview.
It's deceptively simple -- right up to its spine-tingling ending.
As soon as I read it, I knew it had to be my next film.
I wanted the film version of DOORS to give audiences the same slow-burn, creepy feeling I had while reading Painter's story.
What's the story?
Franklin is a curmudgeon who's determined to move to a bright new sterile condo when he retires -- no matter the effect on his wife, Beryl, who doesn't want to move, or their elderly dog Zeus, who isn't allowed to come along. Franklin's sure he'll wear Beryl down. He always has before.
Why now?
Watching a devastating pandemic, a messed-up economy, and a crushing cost-of-living ravage so many friends and families, while struggling to keep my own family alive and healthy ... I've thought a lot about close relationships.
People can spend years, even decades, with a partner who doesn't meet their needs.
What keeps them there? Is it a shared history? Comfortable habits? Just ... inertia?
The truth is, for many people, if nothing's bad enough to force a big change -- then they won't change.
DOORS is about what happens when we no longer meet our loved ones' needs.
... about the power imbalance that can grow in a relationship without anyone noticing.
... about when someone decides one day to overcome inertia ... and move.
But the best part of making this film: There's a dog! See?
Why me?
As an author and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, I focused for many years on words on pages -- until that wasn't enough. I got tired of waiting for permission to tell my stories directly to audiences. After an MFA in screenwriting, I dove into learning filmmaking on my own.
But a funny thing happened when I decided to go it alone: I found a family of fellow creatives with vast hands-on knowledge who were eager to help.
DOORS is my second outing with this core team, AND it's the first-ever film adaptation of Pamela Painter's award-winning work.
DOORS is in the can!
We can't wait for you to see it! But it still needs post-production work, including:
- editing and color grading
- sound design, mixing, and editing
- visual effects -- minimal but crucial
- graphic design and marketing materials
- festival and distribution expenses
Whether it's pledging, clicking "follow" on this page, or spreading the word --
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Together, we can get DOORS out into the world!
By pledging support, you can get a sneak preview of the trailer and film, fun images from the cast to share, even Q&A time or script notes from the writer-director.
There's more we could do, if we surpass 100% -- like punching up the visual effects work -- and every penny will go toward sustainable independent filmmaking!
Every dollar counts -- no pledge is too small. But even if you can't pledge, clicking helps too!
Share our page via social media -- click "follow" -- tell friends about it who you think would dig the story and ask them to follow too!
DOORS is a #spooky psychological thriller #shortfilm from @GoshDarnMedia and @ginadewriter, featuring a talented, experienced team (of mostly #women) behind the camera. Support women-led independent filmmaking! Visit DOORS @seedandspark campaign to join this project: https://tinyurl.com/4ux99mpb
And Thank You for supporting independent film!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editing, VFX, and Color Correction
Costs $2,400
To get a polished final cut of the film, including editing, VFX, color correction, and a teaser/trailer.
Sound Design, Mixing, and Editing
Costs $1,250
Quality sound is in some ways more important than picture! Audiences will put up with grainy images but not bad sound.
Composer
Costs $1,000
DOORS needs a lush and intriguing soundscape to underscore its Twilight Zone-like atmosphere.
Graphic Design and Marketing Materials
Costs $950
Our graphic designer will create striking imagery and an electronic press kit (EPK) to show festivals and distributors.
Publicist
Costs $750
A media professional with experience helping indie filmmakers is already on board to help get the word out about our project.
Film Festival Expenses
Costs $1,750
Covers the costs of submitting to film festivals, and helps subsidize the travel expenses to attend. We want to meet our audience!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
On my last short film, ASK FOR HELP, I was lucky to put together a great team that was a mixture of talented friends and professionals I hunted for. I was honest about the limited pay, but I promised them a truly collaborative atmosphere (and good food!). They had a lot to teach me and they were all so gracious about it.
When I contacted the ol' gang again in spring 2023, to tell them that I was adapting a short story called DOORS, they were on board. That means so much to me. I really stretched the budget to pay them a rate closer to what they'd get elsewhere, to what they *deserve*. But nobody asked for more pay for themselves -- they asked for more money in the budget. So I reworked the budget. Isn't that how the old saying goes, "happy crew, happy film"?
Now DOORS is in the can, and I am so proud of their work ... I'm already plotting the next project I can work with them on. :) But first, we need to get through post-production.
Join us!
THE DOORS TEAM (so far!):
Gina DeAngelis
Gillian Fritzsche
Danny Belinkie
Megan Earhart
Chris Potako
Fran Donato
Robert Boyd
Chrissy Joy/The Joy Crew
Edward Whitacre
Abigail Schumann
Tina Richards
Karen Zaffarano
Shana Roberts
Audrey DeAngelis
Kyle Balestrieri
Ashley Lynch
Glenn Ianaro
Aalisha Jaisinghani
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The short story "Doors" by Pamela Painter has a single, narrow point of view -- and an air of mystery befitting its feminist worldview.
It's deceptively simple -- right up to its spine-tingling ending.
As soon as I read it, I knew it had to be my next film.
I wanted the film version of DOORS to give audiences the same slow-burn, creepy feeling I had while reading Painter's story.
What's the story?
Franklin is a curmudgeon who's determined to move to a bright new sterile condo when he retires -- no matter the effect on his wife, Beryl, who doesn't want to move, or their elderly dog Zeus, who isn't allowed to come along. Franklin's sure he'll wear Beryl down. He always has before.
Why now?
Watching a devastating pandemic, a messed-up economy, and a crushing cost-of-living ravage so many friends and families, while struggling to keep my own family alive and healthy ... I've thought a lot about close relationships.
People can spend years, even decades, with a partner who doesn't meet their needs.
What keeps them there? Is it a shared history? Comfortable habits? Just ... inertia?
The truth is, for many people, if nothing's bad enough to force a big change -- then they won't change.
DOORS is about what happens when we no longer meet our loved ones' needs.
... about the power imbalance that can grow in a relationship without anyone noticing.
... about when someone decides one day to overcome inertia ... and move.
But the best part of making this film: There's a dog! See?
Why me?
As an author and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, I focused for many years on words on pages -- until that wasn't enough. I got tired of waiting for permission to tell my stories directly to audiences. After an MFA in screenwriting, I dove into learning filmmaking on my own.
But a funny thing happened when I decided to go it alone: I found a family of fellow creatives with vast hands-on knowledge who were eager to help.
DOORS is my second outing with this core team, AND it's the first-ever film adaptation of Pamela Painter's award-winning work.
DOORS is in the can!
We can't wait for you to see it! But it still needs post-production work, including:
- editing and color grading
- sound design, mixing, and editing
- visual effects -- minimal but crucial
- graphic design and marketing materials
- festival and distribution expenses
Whether it's pledging, clicking "follow" on this page, or spreading the word --
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Together, we can get DOORS out into the world!
By pledging support, you can get a sneak preview of the trailer and film, fun images from the cast to share, even Q&A time or script notes from the writer-director.
There's more we could do, if we surpass 100% -- like punching up the visual effects work -- and every penny will go toward sustainable independent filmmaking!
Every dollar counts -- no pledge is too small. But even if you can't pledge, clicking helps too!
Share our page via social media -- click "follow" -- tell friends about it who you think would dig the story and ask them to follow too!
DOORS is a #spooky psychological thriller #shortfilm from @GoshDarnMedia and @ginadewriter, featuring a talented, experienced team (of mostly #women) behind the camera. Support women-led independent filmmaking! Visit DOORS @seedandspark campaign to join this project: https://tinyurl.com/4ux99mpb
And Thank You for supporting independent film!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editing, VFX, and Color Correction
Costs $2,400
To get a polished final cut of the film, including editing, VFX, color correction, and a teaser/trailer.
Sound Design, Mixing, and Editing
Costs $1,250
Quality sound is in some ways more important than picture! Audiences will put up with grainy images but not bad sound.
Composer
Costs $1,000
DOORS needs a lush and intriguing soundscape to underscore its Twilight Zone-like atmosphere.
Graphic Design and Marketing Materials
Costs $950
Our graphic designer will create striking imagery and an electronic press kit (EPK) to show festivals and distributors.
Publicist
Costs $750
A media professional with experience helping indie filmmakers is already on board to help get the word out about our project.
Film Festival Expenses
Costs $1,750
Covers the costs of submitting to film festivals, and helps subsidize the travel expenses to attend. We want to meet our audience!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
On my last short film, ASK FOR HELP, I was lucky to put together a great team that was a mixture of talented friends and professionals I hunted for. I was honest about the limited pay, but I promised them a truly collaborative atmosphere (and good food!). They had a lot to teach me and they were all so gracious about it.
When I contacted the ol' gang again in spring 2023, to tell them that I was adapting a short story called DOORS, they were on board. That means so much to me. I really stretched the budget to pay them a rate closer to what they'd get elsewhere, to what they *deserve*. But nobody asked for more pay for themselves -- they asked for more money in the budget. So I reworked the budget. Isn't that how the old saying goes, "happy crew, happy film"?
Now DOORS is in the can, and I am so proud of their work ... I'm already plotting the next project I can work with them on. :) But first, we need to get through post-production.
Join us!
THE DOORS TEAM (so far!):
Gina DeAngelis
Gillian Fritzsche
Danny Belinkie
Megan Earhart
Chris Potako
Fran Donato
Robert Boyd
Chrissy Joy/The Joy Crew
Edward Whitacre
Abigail Schumann
Tina Richards
Karen Zaffarano
Shana Roberts
Audrey DeAngelis
Kyle Balestrieri
Ashley Lynch
Glenn Ianaro
Aalisha Jaisinghani