A self-conscious young artist grows a long nose when she fakes her life online in a desperate attempt to go from starving to established in Los Angeles. Fans reward her with the fame she desires when she designs herself a new nose and it's made of sparkling diamonds.
A self-conscious young artist grows a long nose when she fakes her life online in a desperate attempt to go from starving to established in Los Angeles. Fans reward her with the fame she desires when she designs herself a new nose and it's made of sparkling diamonds.
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Story
Mission Statement
Drawn in part from personal experience with body dysmorphia, Malocchio explores digital society through the eyes of someone who believes their true nature limits their freedom to prosper—so she fixates on fixing her body. This surreal disaster fantasy is a short proof-of-concept for a feature film.About The Project
HEY THERE!!
Thanks for stopping by! Get ready for some NOIR-STYLE SPOOKINESS that should TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE and turn a sensitive subject into ARTHOUSE SURREALISM. Come find that love for MELODRAMA you never knew you had. If you like HORROR and GENRE CINEMA with a dash of SOUL too, this dream's all for you. Now partnered with Greatgrandma Film Collective, the Malocchio team is wildly stoked you are here to share this adventure with us. So put on Federale's Mona Lisa, slick lookin', and join in before it's too late. <3 Alex + Sam, Desi, Britt, Martin, Carver, Matthew...
THE STORY
Part 1: Malocchio - The Short Film
LOS ANGELES - Along a six-lane highway in a slumlord valley beneath MacArthur, a girl walks home alone at night. Hood, backpack, work shoes. Her phone lights her face while she dictates a vow: from now on, she is VIOLET...
Bitterly at odds with her natural appearance, a struggling artist uses photoshop to fabricate a beautiful online alter ego named VIOLET in a last-ditch effort to make a name for herself in L.A.'s creative industry. To her amazement, Violet quickly garners FANS and a lucrative invitation to meet her fans in person. Eagerly Violet agrees, but she faces one glaring challenge: since Violet’s first post, she hasn’t left her apartment—because her actual nose has secretly grown very long.
To attend the meet-and-greet while keeping her long nose hidden from view, Violet artfully builds an elaborate gown with wheels; she’ll sit inside a tent greeting each fan one-by-one, swiveling herself to be seen at only the best angle. The ruse works—until a ROGUE FAN discovers her unprepared in the restroom and Violet rushes home in shame, chops off her long nose, and faints.
With money from her live appearance, Violet finds a BACK ALLEY DOCTOR who agrees to help her. Together they make Violet a new nose made of sparkling diamonds. Its unusual beauty attracts more fans, and a CREATIVE AD EXECUTIVE propositions Violet for a collaboration with a famous JEWELRY DESIGNER, sponsored by top brands. Starstruck, will Violet agree to their idea, to transform her entire head to diamonds? Nose spoilers…
TONE + APPROACH
Malocchio the short film is a dark, surrealist fairytale with a colorful shell. Alex Prager's Despair meets Jonathan Glazer's Under The Skin with a hint of spaghetti twang. But like Carlo Collodi's original Pinocchio, hidden at the center of our coming-of-age tale is heart. In Malocchio the feature, that heart grows to reveal itself as the life-affirming beauty Violet was seeking all along.
While there will be no real diamonds in Malocchio, we'll create a handcrafted feel. Our special effects will play out in-camera, with only minimal use of computer-generated VFX. This will also allow us to make and complete the short film on our limited budget. Our wardrobe, hair and makeup artists, mask maker, and production designer will strategically craft the essential story elements that are just artful enough to transport us into the Malocchio world, rich with both terror and bliss.
We'll also build most of our locations on a low-cost soundstage to eliminate the cost of company moves, and the long nose will be prosthetic, which artist Yun Nam already artfully molded! Look for her amazing behind-the-scenes SFX work on our socials. You can own the original prosthetic test piece too, wow wow wow. Check it out in the incentives to the right.→
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Like belief in the malocchio or "evil eye" curse, what we choose to believe shapes our lives, our interactions, and then our collective histories. This project attempts to undo any belief that the body determines the heart and mind, e.g. that only people with certain types of bodies can be loved and love freely, can flourish in their vocation, can express honestly, can choose happiness, can learn and can enlighten us. As soon as we replace fear with trust in ourselves and one another, what seemed unthinkable before is suddenly possible today.
This is the REAL Pinocchio story for our time. Cough it up Guillermo!! ; ) <3
JOIN US! MAKE IT REAL
Your Contribution is Tax Deductible ✨✨✨
Because Malocchio is fiscally sponsored by From The Heart Productions, your contribution—minus the hard costs of campaign incentives you might claim—is tax deductible! You'll receive proof of donation from FTH by email. Also, 6% of your contribution will support From The Heart's nonprofit mission to award grants to films that make the world a better place.
100% of Your Contribution Brings Malocchio To Life
Everything raised will be 'seen on screen' as they say. You can opt to cover our crowdfunding overhead by multiplying your donation by 1.09. If you do, shucks thank you!
Seed&Spark Receives Only What You Tip At Checkout
We chose Seed&Spark as our crowdfunding platform because of their incredible guidance and unmatched success rate, and because they charge no fees to filmmakers. Your tip at checkout supports Seed&Spark's valuable services to indie filmmakers.
How Much Should You Pledge?
By clicking the blue 'Pledge' button above, you can type in any number, and pledge with or without claiming an incentive or revealing your name. You will only be charged if our crowdfunding reaches 80% of the listed campaign goal. Every dollar counts!
THE TEAM
Malocchio owes its shift from development into pre-production to members of the GREATGRANDMA film collective: Sam Fox, Britt Lower, Desiree Staples and myself, Alex Knell. Together we produced and crafted CIRCUS PERSON, a Tribeca Festival selection and Best of Festival Winner at Catalyst 2021 that is now being developed into a half hour tv series with Diversity Hire, Ltd. at FX Productions. Also check out BAD ACID, headed to premiere at Fantasia Film Festival this July! Watch and read more about our work on the The Team page.
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BUDGET
While the baseline cost of shooting Malocchio is solidly more, help us first lock in a successful Seed&Spark campaign by reaching our initial goal of $11,111. Your support not only proves there's an audience for Malocchio, but also helps fortify our commitment to responsible filmmaking.
COMPARES TO...
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DID YOU KNOW?
The percentage of women directing films declined in 2021. Women comprised 17% of directors on the top 250 grossing movies, and only 12% of the top 100. — Dr. Lauzen
Women underwent 92% of the cosmetic procedures performed in the US in 2020, and 86% of all cosmetic procedures performed worldwide. — ASPS, ISAPS
Body dysmorphic disorder is not unique to one gender, culture, age, or socioeconomic background. Change your thoughts, change your life.
What is BDD? - Johns Hopkins | bddfoundation.org
❤️
THANK YOU!
+ An angel will cover our full professional color grade, a $2,500 value!
+ A cheering cherub has donated access to a 100+ seat private screening room in LA, worth $5000 per night!
If you'd like to offer space, equipment, childcare or food to our production (all tax deductible!), we'd love to chat at [email protected] The WishList tab lists specific needs, and harder finds we'll post to socials—along with inspiration and behind-the-scenes looks... stay tuned!
@malocchiomovie (ig) @malocchiomovie (t) @malocchiomovie (fb) in/malocchio (linkedin)
If someone else should know about Malocchio, please share our campaign!
Want to get involved as a producer or crew? Email [email protected].
Thank you for helping to bring this dream to life!
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Incentives
$11
thank you!
receive a digital Malocchio postcard with your name on it and our sincerest thanks on social media!
$33
nose sticker + poster
i. download of digital diamond nose sticker. paste where you please!
ii. printable, hi-res digital download of our official poster designed by an artist we love once the finished film is colored. we'll make it worth your walls!
$111
hand-drawn mug
this hand-drawn mug is only available here! ships to any US address from Fife, WA. dishwasher and microwave safe.
$111
IMDb prep producer
Prep Producer credit on IMDb in your name or someone else's, for all to see. you're in tinseltown now, kid!
$222
exclusive bts livestream
join us for a live zoom call from set! take a walk through the action. you'll receive exclusive access to the private video recording if unable to attend.
$222
wardrobe test piece
this sweetie pie didn't work for Violet but maybe it works for you! take home this vintage emerald skirt suit lined and in perfect condition, with a rad dip collar and adjustable waist. there's one front button at waist; the belt tie is attached at the side seams. well-structured, not lightweight. Size M.
27.5" back top of collar to back bottom hem, 14.5" waist when laid flat, 22" sleeve shoulder to cuff - ships from LA to within the US
Claimed: 0 of 1
$333
Malocchio walk-on role
see how the magic is made and be an extra in the film. you must be able to attend on the day we specify at our location within 3 hours of LA; housing and travel not provided. gift this opportunity to a friend, or we'd love to cast you or cast your kiddo, ages 12+.
$555
footage for your VO reel
once our film is cut and colored, we'll email you a voiceover script and a sound-mixed clip missing only one thing - your voice. go get 'em!
$1,080
facepainting by Britt Lower
rebellious Helly from the hit AppleTV+ series Severance will custom design and digitally face-paint a photograph of you, sent by email. you can also gift a custom artwork to a friend.
$1,111
associate producer
this is big time! you or someone you choose will be credited on IMDb and in the film's credits as Associate Producer.
$2,222
framed photo series by Alex
EIGHT PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME is a 10-piece artwork inspired by the 2014 events in Ferguson, Missouri. Southern California pick up / delivery only. see details and learn more at malocchiomovie.com/bemyselfie.
Claimed: 0 of 1
$3,333
your private movie theater
throw a party (like a surprise birthday!) at a 100+ seat theater in Beverly Hills, normally rented for $5K! includes free popcorn and under- ground garage parking for your guests. we can source the film of your choice. movies are better together!
$4,444
Violet's nose
own Violet's prosthetic long nose, as worn by Alex in the test footage above. this orphaned honker needs a home!! comes boxed with a COA.
Claimed: 0 of 1
$11,111
brava, Maestro!
we are humbled by your belief in bringing this story to life. Thank You! the name of your choice will appear in the pre-credits at the top of the film and on IMDb as Executive Producer. apart from limited quantity items, this pledge level includes all previous incentives! plan your movie bash at our private theater now!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$11
thank you!
receive a digital Malocchio postcard with your name on it and our sincerest thanks on social media!
$33
nose sticker + poster
i. download of digital diamond nose sticker. paste where you please!
ii. printable, hi-res digital download of our official poster designed by an artist we love once the finished film is colored. we'll make it worth your walls!
$111
hand-drawn mug
this hand-drawn mug is only available here! ships to any US address from Fife, WA. dishwasher and microwave safe.
$111
IMDb prep producer
Prep Producer credit on IMDb in your name or someone else's, for all to see. you're in tinseltown now, kid!
$222
exclusive bts livestream
join us for a live zoom call from set! take a walk through the action. you'll receive exclusive access to the private video recording if unable to attend.
$222
wardrobe test piece
this sweetie pie didn't work for Violet but maybe it works for you! take home this vintage emerald skirt suit lined and in perfect condition, with a rad dip collar and adjustable waist. there's one front button at waist; the belt tie is attached at the side seams. well-structured, not lightweight. Size M.
27.5" back top of collar to back bottom hem, 14.5" waist when laid flat, 22" sleeve shoulder to cuff - ships from LA to within the US
Claimed: 0 of 1
$333
Malocchio walk-on role
see how the magic is made and be an extra in the film. you must be able to attend on the day we specify at our location within 3 hours of LA; housing and travel not provided. gift this opportunity to a friend, or we'd love to cast you or cast your kiddo, ages 12+.
$555
footage for your VO reel
once our film is cut and colored, we'll email you a voiceover script and a sound-mixed clip missing only one thing - your voice. go get 'em!
$1,080
facepainting by Britt Lower
rebellious Helly from the hit AppleTV+ series Severance will custom design and digitally face-paint a photograph of you, sent by email. you can also gift a custom artwork to a friend.
$1,111
associate producer
this is big time! you or someone you choose will be credited on IMDb and in the film's credits as Associate Producer.
$2,222
framed photo series by Alex
EIGHT PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME is a 10-piece artwork inspired by the 2014 events in Ferguson, Missouri. Southern California pick up / delivery only. see details and learn more at malocchiomovie.com/bemyselfie.
Claimed: 0 of 1
$3,333
your private movie theater
throw a party (like a surprise birthday!) at a 100+ seat theater in Beverly Hills, normally rented for $5K! includes free popcorn and under- ground garage parking for your guests. we can source the film of your choice. movies are better together!
$4,444
Violet's nose
own Violet's prosthetic long nose, as worn by Alex in the test footage above. this orphaned honker needs a home!! comes boxed with a COA.
Claimed: 0 of 1
$11,111
brava, Maestro!
we are humbled by your belief in bringing this story to life. Thank You! the name of your choice will appear in the pre-credits at the top of the film and on IMDb as Executive Producer. apart from limited quantity items, this pledge level includes all previous incentives! plan your movie bash at our private theater now!
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
P R E V I O U S L Y F R O M T H E G R E A T G R A N D M A F I L M C O L L E C T I V E . . .
Alexandra Knell
MALOCCHIO WRITER/DIRECTOR alexandraknell.cargo.site
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Sam Fox CREATIVE PRODUCER
Britt Lower
PRODUCER
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Desiree Staples
PRODUCER
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PRODUCER
Carole DeanFISCAL SPONSOR
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