No Good Calls Come in the Middle of the Night Proof of Concept

Los Angeles, California | Film Short

Horror, Mystery

Angela Cohen

1 Campaigns | California, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $19,498 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

106 supporters | followers

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A troubled children’s author travels to Ireland to settle her estranged father’s affairs, when Celtic spirits prey on her grief forcing her to confront her deepest fears. This film is a personal exploration of my experiences after my biological father's passing. His death haunts me. What haunts you?

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About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

Why do we grieve those who have traumatized us? This film explores the concept that "where there is inherited trauma, there is inherited power." It's a story of personal loss and redemption, inviting audiences to confront their own demons and find catharthis in unexpected places.

The Story

No Good Calls Come In The Middle Of The Night '' is an urgent story of grief and self-discovery, blending horror with personal narrative. As my great aunt, a beacon of my Irish heritage, passed away recently, this film serves as a tribute to her and my journey through loss after my estranged father's sudden death. My unique experience of reconciling with his flaws and finding empathy amidst trauma resonates in today's post-Covid world, offering viewers a cathartic exploration of their own struggles.


I’ve grappled with this question of ‘why do you grieve someone who traumatized you’ for some time. The body keeps the score and our brains tend to forget, protecting us from the harsh realities of the world. What happens when you remember? I am compelled to share this narrative now, bridging healing with universal themes of acceptance and transformation.


As an Irish American, I initially struggled to connect with my roots, often associating them with the shame and pain of my father's legacy. Our relationship was tumultuous, marred by his struggles with alcoholism and untreated mental illness. Much to my surprise, my journey to Ireland revealed a profound connection to my heritage and offered a path to healing. The land, with its angry ocean waves and craggy cliffs, mirrored my inner turmoil, but also provided solace and a sense of belonging.



Lilly grapples with grief over her estranged father's death. She travels to Ireland to settle his affairs, only to uncover dark family secrets and a curse linked to ancient Celtic spirits. They exploit her vulnerabilities, forcing her to confront generational trauma and her family's hidden history of witchcraft. Guided by a mysterious relative who reveals her innate power rooted in Celtic pagan traditions, Lilly must navigate a terrifying realm where the lines between nightmares and reality blur and overcome the malevolent forces to break the cycle of trauma, claiming her strength and identity.




No Good Calls Come in the Middle of the Night is a tribute to my great aunt, a beacon of my Irish heritage, who passed away in January, one day shy of our birthday. She's my namesake, born on the same day, at the same time, with the same first, middle and last name, Angela Louise Walsh. (my given name at birth) The film honors her memory and my journey through loss, ultimately finding empathy, belonging, and acceptance amidst trauma.


I'm honored to be making this film as part of the Alliance of Women Directors RISING DIRECTOR FELLOWSHIP, announced in VARIETY. Creating this proof of concept to showcase at the screening for studios at the end of the year is our first step in making the longer, feature film happen! Our team has done some amazing work. Here's some of us in action and celebrating:


Angela directing a technocrane on There Can Be Light.


Angela acting on the set of Without Grace with Ann Dowd.

Angela directing the actors on There Can Be Light.


Angela at the Emmys. We clean up nice.


Jessica in the recording studio with her podcast, The Witch and Other Tales of the American Gothic (2023)


Jessica at Lady Filmmakers Festival representing her script, Godmother (2022).


Sean talking about some of his favorite influences for his last film at Cannes.


Sean on the set of Wobble Palace


Sean & A.J. behind the camera on the set of We Are


Sean on the set of Wobble Palace


A.J. at Cannes 2024 Oh, Canada premiere party with members of The Code


TIMELINE:


Pre-production: JULY

Principal Photography/First edit: AUGUST

Post Production: SEPTEMBER

Festival Submissions: OCTOBER

AWD Screening for Studios/Production Companies to fund the feature: NOV/DEC


PLEDGE:

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Help us spread the word about our film by sharing our Campaign page with your online communities. If you can't contribute money, we understand. We'd love if you'd follow our campaign and share a social media post about the project! Here's a sample:


From personal loss to storytelling, this film delves deep into emotions. Support "No Good Calls Come in the Middle of the Night" on @SeedandSpark. #IndieFilm #HorrorCommunity @angelacohen https://seedandspark.com/fund/no-good-calls-come-in-the-middle-of-the-night-proof-of-concept


FOLLOW:

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I can't wait to go on this journey with you and make a film that is not only personal, but cathartic and entertaining. Thanks in advance for helping us get there!

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Drone and Operator

Costs $1,200

For those amazing shots you just can't quite reach!

Crew

Costs $6,675

We need our fabulous and talented community with us to make this film a reality! <3

Truck

Costs $300

Gas and equipment transport.

Expendables

Costs $200

Garbage, batteries, filters; keeping the set clean and functional!

Make-up Kit Fee

Costs $50

Gotta keep the actors camera-ready!

Wardrobe

Costs $200

Gotta keep the actors dressed!

Art Department Expenses

Costs $250

Props, decor, and all the little things that make a set beautiful.

Equipment

Costs $2,000

Lights, camera, action!

Meals and Crafty

Costs $500

A fed crew is a happy crew.

Permits/Locations

Costs $1,250

In order to keep everything on the up-and-up, we will be filing proper permits and securing locations for filming.

Insurance

Costs $3,000

It is important to us that our shoot is properly insured.

Talent

Costs $500

Compensation for our two fabulous leads.

Music

Costs $250

No film is complete without a score to set the mood.

Post Production

Costs $3,000

Editor, VFX, sound design.

Festival Fees and Marketing

Costs $2,000

Additional funds will be needed in order to submit the film to festivals and share it with the world.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

A.J. Del Cueto. Man of his word. Behold, our producer!


A.J. Del Cueto is a creative producer, director and post production expert based in Los Angeles, originally from San Antonio, Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from the University of Texas in Austin and began his film career in New York City. There he spent a decade at OFFHOLLYWOOD, an independent production and post production studio, ultimately rising to the role of Senior Vice President. During his tenure, A.J. led the company's production services, camera operations, and supported post-production endeavors for numerous commercial, television, and feature film projects. In 2011, A.J. founded Circle 9 to produce and support director-driven independent films.


Since moving to Los Angeles, A.J. has worked as a producer on "SPREE," a 2020 Sundance Film Festival premiere, and "WOBBLE PALACE," a New York Times Critic’s Pick and 2018 SXSW premiere. Most recently he acted as producer on "CANVAS," which premiered at Cinequest 2024 and was awarded Best Feature Film & Cinema Dulce 'Best in Fest' at the Hill Country Film Festival 2024. A.J. also produced the forthcoming feature film, "The CODE” which is currently in post production. A.J. has also made an impact In the documentary space through his collaborative efforts as co-producer on "BAMA RUSH," an HBOMax production, and as the post-producer of "THE AMERICAN GLADIATORS DOCUMENTARY," an ESPN 30for30 two-part feature film. A.J.'s creative vision, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication to his craft continue to inspire and captivate audiences, establishing him as a notable voice in contemporary filmmaking.



Jessica Hobbs, Associate Producer. Bonafide Witch/Bonafide friend. A stellar script supervisor who worked on my last film, "There Can Be Light." She understands the power of community, hard work, and dark magic.


Jessica is a writer and producer with a flare for the supernatural. She cut her teeth on technical theater, opera, and film festivals while earning her film degree at the University of Colorado. After five years working as a reality TV associate producer and writer's assistant, she relocated to Los Angeles to join the Sundance institute. Her scripts have landed as finalists in the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition, the Hayes Horror Fellowship, and Lady Filmmakers Festival, and she has been a frequent contributor to publications such as MS in the Biz, The Wrap, Pipeline Artists, the Horror Writers Association, and Undead Magazine. Her first book, The Witch and Other Tales of the American Gothic and its accompanying narrative podcast series of the same name was released in 2023.




Sean Price Williams, Director of Photography. Both AJ and Angela have worked with Sean and are thrilled to have his artistry on board.


Sean Price Williams is a standout Director of Photography known for his unique visual storytelling and innovative cinematography. With over two decades in the industry, Sean has worked on a variety of influential indie films, including "Good Time" (2017) with the Safdie Brothers, where his gritty, neon-soaked visuals and dynamic camera work gained critical acclaim. His versatility shines through projects like "Heaven Knows What" (2014), "Her Smell" (2018), and the quirky "Frownland" (2007), showcasing his ability to adapt his style to fit different narratives and genres.


Beyond traditional features, Sean has also lent his expertise to documentaries and experimental films, constantly pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling. His collaborative approach has earned him strong partnerships with directors, and his work continues to inspire new filmmakers. Known for his passion for cinema and mentoring emerging talent, Sean Price Williams remains a driving force in the world of cinematography. The New Yorker film critic Richard Brody described Williams as "the cinematographer for many of the best and most significant independent films of the past decade, fiction and documentary.



Angela Cohen, Writer, Director, Actor.


Angela Cohen is a multi-talented, award winning writer/director who serves up an enigmatic blend of humor, heart, and intrigue. She’s produced films that have screened at the Sundance Film Festival, qualified for the Oscars, and her work as an actress includes legends Al Pacino and Ann Dowd. She holds a degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral biology from Emory University and synergizes her skill sets in virtual reality. Angela was selected by Google to direct a mind bending VR piece in their inaugural JUMPSTART initiative. Notably, Angela is the producing director & writer at GlowMedia films, a non-profit dedicated to boosting teen mental health literacy.

Angela’s witty comedy "Drive Thru Confessionals" premiered on Elizabeth Banks' WHOHAHA and her short doc "Unimaginable" premiered at the Oscar Qualifying St. Louis International Film Festival. Her haunting short narrative, "There Can Be Light," world premiered at the Oscar qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival and was executive produced by Trish Glowacki and Marci Wiseman, former president of Blumhouse Television. She presented TRANQUIL WATERS, her new VR film with Grammy winning musicians Jessy Greene and Rami Jaffee, at the 8th annual International Virtual Reality and Healthcare Association symposium and has been selected by the Alliance of Women Directors for the Rising Director Fellowship 2024 for her debut feature film, NO GOOD CALLS COME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, recently announced in Variety. Angela founded Charley Bear Productions, driven by a vision to create a shift in perspective, igniting social change through female-fronted stories. When she's not busy making movies, Angela can be found bustin’ a move with her 2 rescue dogs, Charley and Lucky, and mentoring young women in STEM.



Craig Zobel, Mentor with the Mostess


Craig Zobel is an acclaimed American director, writer, and producer known for his versatile storytelling across film and television. Born in New York City, Zobel developed an early passion for filmmaking, which he pursued at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. His breakthrough came with the independent film "Great World of Sound" (2007), a dark comedy that garnered critical acclaim and showcased his unique voice. Zobel continued to build his reputation with the controversial thriller "Compliance" (2012), which received widespread attention for its provocative subject matter and intense performances. His ability to tackle challenging themes with sensitivity and depth has made him a standout figure in the industry.


Zobel's work extends to the small screen, where he has directed episodes of critically acclaimed series such as "The Leftovers," "Westworld," and "American Gods." His recent success with the HBO miniseries "Mare of Easttown" (2021), starring Kate Winslet, further cemented his status as a top-tier director. The series earned multiple awards and nominations, praised for its gripping narrative and Zobel's adept handling of complex characters and atmospheric tension. Throughout his career, Craig Zobel has demonstrated an exceptional ability to create compelling, thought-provoking content that resonates with audiences, establishing him as a formidable talent in contemporary cinema and television.


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