Mantras at Midnight follows Kiro, our hero, haunted by vivid dreams of a mysterious woman named Umi. The story is told as a double narrative, alternating between Kiro's dreams and his reality. Struggling to discern what is real, Kiro embarks on an obsessive quest to find Umi, the woman who exists only in his dreams. Mantras at Midnight delves into themes of truth, personal callings, and the blurred line between dreams and reality, offering a fresh perspective on the thriller and sci-fi genres.

My vision for the Mantras at Midnight is to create a visually striking and emotionally compelling experience. The film is loosely based on a real life experience, and we want to convey the feeling of confusion and the desperate search for truth for the main character, Kiro. Mantras at Midnight draws inspiration from stories like ‘The Matrix,’ ‘Shutter Island’, and ‘Inception'', combining elements of psychological thriller and science fiction. To convey the distinction between the dream and reality worlds, the visual style will rely on warm vs cool color, obscure camera angles camera, and shadowy lighting changes that distinguish the dream vs reality sequences.

Sometimes in life, whether we intend to or not, we experience something that captures us. We surrender to the experience of being truly alive, and allow it to drag us to places we’ve never thought of going. It’s a feeling that is spellbound to your reason for living. You no longer experience life the same, you are changed by it. Those are the moments we are all chasing, the moments that ask nothing of us but to live. Blessed are the ones who get there, lucky are those that stay. The truth reveals itself in those moments and demands us to listen to its call. We may respond in unexpected ways, or maybe not at all. But we all hear it, only some listen, and even fewer respond. Listen to the songs of the universe and let the melodies capture your soul into becoming one with the all. The only truth. I hope you can experience a glimpse of that feeling through my short film ‘Mantras at Midnight’. I gave it my all.

Kiro - Kiro is curious and independent by nature. Being an only child, Kiro spent a lot of time using his imagination. Kiro is the kind of person who has to make sense of things, and won’t stop until he does. Kiro goes down a rabbit hole of interest, fixated on things that catch his attention for the time being.

UMI - Umi is a shapeshifter. One moment, she can be a siren, using her beauty to her benefit. The next she can be a partner in crime, embarking on dream journeys as an ally. Umi is a part of Kiro, as a dream character, but also has her own agency separate from Kiro. She uses her powers to get what she ultimately wants, freedom.

Dr. Robert Edwards - Dr. Edwards, a renowned psychologist and Kurt-Koffka Medal recipient, has dedicated his life to studying the brain and its relationship to dreams. He takes immense pride in his work, aiming to help Black people gain a deeper understanding of themselves through his award-winning approach to perception.

Please Follow & Share Our Project!

Our current goal is to raise $7,000 to complete production funding and secure finishing grants for post-production.

With your support, we can achieve the unique look and feel of the project by collaborating with some of the industry’s top professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We’re proud to share that the majority of our production funding is already in place. This additional $7,000 will finalize our production budget, covering essential costs such as labor, departmental prep and wrap (like Art), security, gas stipends for the crew, and more. Any extra funds raised will go directly toward completing post-production.

Even if you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing our campaign on social media can make a huge difference. Together, we can ensure Mantras at Midnight reaches the finish line!

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Thank you for your support,

Takai, Christopher, and Monica