River Maid
Front Royal, Virginia | Film Short
Fantasy
River Maid tells the story of a grieving widower, whose encounter with a mermaid rekindles the boyhood wonder he thought he'd lost forever. We believe myths and fairy tales should be alive, not relics, and this film draws on our 20 years of filmmaking in the Shenandoah valley to embrace that ethos.
River Maid
Front Royal, Virginia | Film Short
Fantasy
1 Campaigns | District of Columbia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $12,090 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
35 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
River Maid tells the story of a grieving widower, whose encounter with a mermaid rekindles the boyhood wonder he thought he'd lost forever. We believe myths and fairy tales should be alive, not relics, and this film draws on our 20 years of filmmaking in the Shenandoah valley to embrace that ethos.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
“Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life.”
— Anne Roiphe
Once upon a time (in 2023), our creative team at Mirandum Pictures released The Custodian, a short horror film told in the style of an urban legend. That movie looked a little something like this:
(If you haven't seen The Custodian, you can check it out here!)
The Custodian went on to become our most decorated narrative project to date, thanks in large part to its performances and the stunning visual effects created by Digicore FX. But as the festival acceptances kept rolling in, we realized that it was more than just that.
Audiences were connecting to the way the film felt: a gritty, lived-in fantasy that played like an urban legend, the kind of forbidden tale whispered around a campfire on the last night of camp. Building on that success, we set out to tell another story in the same folklore-driven universe, this time in a completely different genre.
Poster art by Ben Hatke
River Maid is a lyrical, song-like tale of an aging widower, numbed by grief, who meets a mermaid that rekindles his lost sense of wonder, adventure, and purpose.
Concept art by Rose Turner
This story was born on the Shenandoah River more than a decade ago, when the river became a refuge for writer/director Colin J. Mason during a difficult divorce.
Morning after morning, Colin returned to the same quiet stretch to fish, growing increasingly familiar with the creatures that frequented it. Over time, he began to fantasize about what else might be stirring beneath the surface, or just beyond the natural world. What if something ancient and strange rose up to meet him?
From those mornings came this film: part meditation on grief, part act of rediscovery, rooted in the belief that wonder is the only true way out of darkness.
So many of us have lost someone close, whether to the pandemic, to violence, or to the unrelenting passage of time. And each of us has faced the same questions: How do we move forward without this person? What does healing look like?
River Maid doesn’t just pose those questions. It tries, gently, to suggest an answer.
But River Maid is more than a short film. It’s also the first step toward a feature film set in the same folk-America universe: a mythic road trip through hidden corners of the country, alive with strange magic and legendary creatures. The short isn’t just a proof-of-concept; we are going to actually use its footage in the feature itself. Supporting River Maid means you’re not just helping us make a short, you’re helping us take the first concrete step toward that larger vision.
_________________________________________
Which is why your support is so crucial.
___________________________________
Where We Are Now
We’ve spent over a decade developing River Maid and assembling the right team to bring it to life. After 20 years of professional, high-level filmmaking in the Shenandoah Valley, we’ve grown into this moment, and we’re ready to create a film that feels both deeply local and universally resonant.
How Your Support Moves Us Forward
Your pledges will cover production expenses for our 2025 shoot, from cast and crew wages to locations, costumes, and special effects. Backing this project ensures we can deliver a film that does justice to the story and the place it comes from, even though so many of our artists are donating a great deal of the time, resources, and talent required to make this happen.
What Happens Next
Once complete, River Maid will debut on the film festival circuit, then be made available to backers with an exclusive early screening. After festivals, we’ll release it publicly online so the story can reach the widest possible audience.
Stretch Goals
If we surpass 100% funding, our stretch goals include:
- Hiring a composer for an original score, rather than relying on production music.
- A behind-the-scenes mini-doc detailing how we went about making this challenging project.
How You Can Help
Support comes in three forms:
- Pledge: Back the project at any level.
- Follow: Click “Follow” on this campaign to help us reach more people.
- Share: Spread the word to your friends, family, and networks.
To make it easy, here’s some copy-paste text you can share on social media:
- Twitter/X/Bluesky: "Just backed RIVER MAID from @MirandumPics. They’ve spent 20 years filming in the Shenandoah Valley, and this one uses that experience to bring an incredible practical mermaid to life. A story of grief + wonder: feels needed right now: https://seedandspark.com/fund/river-maid"
- Instagram/Facebook: "I just backed RIVER MAID from Mirandum Pictures, who’ve spent 20 years telling stories in the Shenandoah Valley. This one is close to home: a grieving widower meets a mermaid, a story born from the folklore of the river itself. Why now? Because after years of collective grief, we need stories that point us back toward wonder. You can pledge, follow, or share here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/river-maid"
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Lighting Equipment Rentals
Costs $700
Lighting, stands, reflectors, etc.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Practical Creature Effects
Costs $2,500
Design, Construction and Materials for Mermaid Tail rig, as well as supplemental prosthetics and effects makeup
Props
Costs $500
Over 150 props need to be sourced or created, included multiple old books, prop fish, old photographs, and vintage household items.
Catering - 5th shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Catering - 4th shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Catering - 3rd shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Catering - 2nd shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Catering - 1st shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Set Dressing
Costs $500
Furniture, decorations, and other materials to dress the house location to fit the world of the film.
Cast
Costs $4,000
Hiring of cast members (including professional stunt talent) for the duration of the film shoot
Camera Rentals
Costs $1,500
Lenses, accessories, and waterproofing for RED digital camera
Truck Rental
Costs $300
Featured vehicle in film
House Rental
Costs $500
Primary filming location
SUPERVISING LOCATION MANAGER
Costs $500
Crew position
HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST
Costs $500
Crew position
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Costs $1,500
Crew position
GAFFER
Costs $500
Crew position
1st ASSISTANT CAMERA
Costs $500
Crew position
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
THE TEAM
Colin J. Mason - Writer/Director
Colin J. Mason is a writer and director with over 20 years of experience in both narrative and documentary filmmaking, with credits spanning 17 countries across 5 continents. His short films have screened at festivals worldwide, including Telluride Horror Show and Dances With Films, and have earned awards for directing, editing, and sound design. Drawing on his professional background in visual storytelling and his personal connection to the Shenandoah River, Colin brings both the technical discipline and the lived experience that River Maid requires: a film that combines lyrical visual poetry with the logistical challenges of practical effects and location shooting.
Mike Powell - Producer/Creative Consultant
Mike is the co-founder with Colin Mason of Mirandum Pictures. In the 20 years of the company, he has served as writer, director or producer on over three dozen commercial and narrative projects. The writer of The Custodian, Mike returns to the world of that film as a creative consultant and producer for River Maid.
Steve Nerangis - Executive Producer
Steve is the co-owner of the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, VA, as well as a partner at Varla Dogwood Films, and has built a career championing independent cinema while guiding projects from concept to completion.
Parson Brown - Producer
Parson's credits include Naked and Afraid and Appalachian Outlaws as well as narrative features like Chicago Overcoat (not to mention countless other projects), and he adds a rare combination of art-department expertise and production know-how.
Jacob Schwartz - Director of Photography
Jacob, who also leads Digicore FX (the VFX team behind The Custodian), brings both a strong background in natural-light cinematography and deep expertise in special effects (his team’s work includes major studio projects like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and the latest Superman), experience that he now brings to a much more intimate, mythical scale. Jacob thrives in unpredictable environments, making him the ideal collaborator as we shape a visual language that is both painterly and visceral.
Luna Duran - The Mermaid
Originally from the Bolivian Andes, Luna has more than 17 years of experience in ritual body art and movement-based performance. Because the mermaid never speaks, her background in expressive, physical storytelling is essential, as are her stamina, training, and comfort with prosthetics and special-effects makeup. Just as vital, she brings a perspective rooted in Indigenous Andean culture, bringing the added dimension of that spirituality to her depiction of an ancient spirit of the Shenandoah, a word which in the Algonquian language means "daughter of the stars." We are honored to have her not only embody the role but also share her perspective on mythology and Indigenous identity, strengthening and supporting our vision of fairy tales as living parts of the modern world.
Rachel England - Creature Designer
Rachel is a special effects artist and creature designer whose work spans prosthetics, lifecasting, blood FX, body painting, and airbrushing. Currently an artist at Laurel’s House of Horror and an apprentice under Mandy Gibson, Rachel also runs her own creature shop, where she continues to push the boundaries of practical effects. For River Maid, she is designing and fabricating the mermaid’s tail, working closely with the production team to create something that can be achieved with a minimum of VFX.
Ben Hatke - Puppetry and Design
Ben Hatke, a NY Times bestselling graphic novelist and artist best known for his Zita the Spacegirl series and other award-winning graphic novels, is contributing his decades of practical puppetry experience to help execute the film’s practical effects, in addition to creating beautiful original artwork for the project.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
“Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life.”
— Anne Roiphe
Once upon a time (in 2023), our creative team at Mirandum Pictures released The Custodian, a short horror film told in the style of an urban legend. That movie looked a little something like this:
(If you haven't seen The Custodian, you can check it out here!)
The Custodian went on to become our most decorated narrative project to date, thanks in large part to its performances and the stunning visual effects created by Digicore FX. But as the festival acceptances kept rolling in, we realized that it was more than just that.
Audiences were connecting to the way the film felt: a gritty, lived-in fantasy that played like an urban legend, the kind of forbidden tale whispered around a campfire on the last night of camp. Building on that success, we set out to tell another story in the same folklore-driven universe, this time in a completely different genre.
Poster art by Ben Hatke
River Maid is a lyrical, song-like tale of an aging widower, numbed by grief, who meets a mermaid that rekindles his lost sense of wonder, adventure, and purpose.
Concept art by Rose Turner
This story was born on the Shenandoah River more than a decade ago, when the river became a refuge for writer/director Colin J. Mason during a difficult divorce.
Morning after morning, Colin returned to the same quiet stretch to fish, growing increasingly familiar with the creatures that frequented it. Over time, he began to fantasize about what else might be stirring beneath the surface, or just beyond the natural world. What if something ancient and strange rose up to meet him?
From those mornings came this film: part meditation on grief, part act of rediscovery, rooted in the belief that wonder is the only true way out of darkness.
So many of us have lost someone close, whether to the pandemic, to violence, or to the unrelenting passage of time. And each of us has faced the same questions: How do we move forward without this person? What does healing look like?
River Maid doesn’t just pose those questions. It tries, gently, to suggest an answer.
But River Maid is more than a short film. It’s also the first step toward a feature film set in the same folk-America universe: a mythic road trip through hidden corners of the country, alive with strange magic and legendary creatures. The short isn’t just a proof-of-concept; we are going to actually use its footage in the feature itself. Supporting River Maid means you’re not just helping us make a short, you’re helping us take the first concrete step toward that larger vision.
_________________________________________
Which is why your support is so crucial.
___________________________________
Where We Are Now
We’ve spent over a decade developing River Maid and assembling the right team to bring it to life. After 20 years of professional, high-level filmmaking in the Shenandoah Valley, we’ve grown into this moment, and we’re ready to create a film that feels both deeply local and universally resonant.
How Your Support Moves Us Forward
Your pledges will cover production expenses for our 2025 shoot, from cast and crew wages to locations, costumes, and special effects. Backing this project ensures we can deliver a film that does justice to the story and the place it comes from, even though so many of our artists are donating a great deal of the time, resources, and talent required to make this happen.
What Happens Next
Once complete, River Maid will debut on the film festival circuit, then be made available to backers with an exclusive early screening. After festivals, we’ll release it publicly online so the story can reach the widest possible audience.
Stretch Goals
If we surpass 100% funding, our stretch goals include:
- Hiring a composer for an original score, rather than relying on production music.
- A behind-the-scenes mini-doc detailing how we went about making this challenging project.
How You Can Help
Support comes in three forms:
- Pledge: Back the project at any level.
- Follow: Click “Follow” on this campaign to help us reach more people.
- Share: Spread the word to your friends, family, and networks.
To make it easy, here’s some copy-paste text you can share on social media:
- Twitter/X/Bluesky: "Just backed RIVER MAID from @MirandumPics. They’ve spent 20 years filming in the Shenandoah Valley, and this one uses that experience to bring an incredible practical mermaid to life. A story of grief + wonder: feels needed right now: https://seedandspark.com/fund/river-maid"
- Instagram/Facebook: "I just backed RIVER MAID from Mirandum Pictures, who’ve spent 20 years telling stories in the Shenandoah Valley. This one is close to home: a grieving widower meets a mermaid, a story born from the folklore of the river itself. Why now? Because after years of collective grief, we need stories that point us back toward wonder. You can pledge, follow, or share here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/river-maid"
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Lighting Equipment Rentals
Costs $700
Lighting, stands, reflectors, etc.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Practical Creature Effects
Costs $2,500
Design, Construction and Materials for Mermaid Tail rig, as well as supplemental prosthetics and effects makeup
Props
Costs $500
Over 150 props need to be sourced or created, included multiple old books, prop fish, old photographs, and vintage household items.
Catering - 5th shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Catering - 4th shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Catering - 3rd shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Catering - 2nd shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Catering - 1st shoot day
Costs $200
Cast/crew meals
Set Dressing
Costs $500
Furniture, decorations, and other materials to dress the house location to fit the world of the film.
Cast
Costs $4,000
Hiring of cast members (including professional stunt talent) for the duration of the film shoot
Camera Rentals
Costs $1,500
Lenses, accessories, and waterproofing for RED digital camera
Truck Rental
Costs $300
Featured vehicle in film
House Rental
Costs $500
Primary filming location
SUPERVISING LOCATION MANAGER
Costs $500
Crew position
HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST
Costs $500
Crew position
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Costs $1,500
Crew position
GAFFER
Costs $500
Crew position
1st ASSISTANT CAMERA
Costs $500
Crew position
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
THE TEAM
Colin J. Mason - Writer/Director
Colin J. Mason is a writer and director with over 20 years of experience in both narrative and documentary filmmaking, with credits spanning 17 countries across 5 continents. His short films have screened at festivals worldwide, including Telluride Horror Show and Dances With Films, and have earned awards for directing, editing, and sound design. Drawing on his professional background in visual storytelling and his personal connection to the Shenandoah River, Colin brings both the technical discipline and the lived experience that River Maid requires: a film that combines lyrical visual poetry with the logistical challenges of practical effects and location shooting.
Mike Powell - Producer/Creative Consultant
Mike is the co-founder with Colin Mason of Mirandum Pictures. In the 20 years of the company, he has served as writer, director or producer on over three dozen commercial and narrative projects. The writer of The Custodian, Mike returns to the world of that film as a creative consultant and producer for River Maid.
Steve Nerangis - Executive Producer
Steve is the co-owner of the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, VA, as well as a partner at Varla Dogwood Films, and has built a career championing independent cinema while guiding projects from concept to completion.
Parson Brown - Producer
Parson's credits include Naked and Afraid and Appalachian Outlaws as well as narrative features like Chicago Overcoat (not to mention countless other projects), and he adds a rare combination of art-department expertise and production know-how.
Jacob Schwartz - Director of Photography
Jacob, who also leads Digicore FX (the VFX team behind The Custodian), brings both a strong background in natural-light cinematography and deep expertise in special effects (his team’s work includes major studio projects like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and the latest Superman), experience that he now brings to a much more intimate, mythical scale. Jacob thrives in unpredictable environments, making him the ideal collaborator as we shape a visual language that is both painterly and visceral.
Luna Duran - The Mermaid
Originally from the Bolivian Andes, Luna has more than 17 years of experience in ritual body art and movement-based performance. Because the mermaid never speaks, her background in expressive, physical storytelling is essential, as are her stamina, training, and comfort with prosthetics and special-effects makeup. Just as vital, she brings a perspective rooted in Indigenous Andean culture, bringing the added dimension of that spirituality to her depiction of an ancient spirit of the Shenandoah, a word which in the Algonquian language means "daughter of the stars." We are honored to have her not only embody the role but also share her perspective on mythology and Indigenous identity, strengthening and supporting our vision of fairy tales as living parts of the modern world.
Rachel England - Creature Designer
Rachel is a special effects artist and creature designer whose work spans prosthetics, lifecasting, blood FX, body painting, and airbrushing. Currently an artist at Laurel’s House of Horror and an apprentice under Mandy Gibson, Rachel also runs her own creature shop, where she continues to push the boundaries of practical effects. For River Maid, she is designing and fabricating the mermaid’s tail, working closely with the production team to create something that can be achieved with a minimum of VFX.
Ben Hatke - Puppetry and Design
Ben Hatke, a NY Times bestselling graphic novelist and artist best known for his Zita the Spacegirl series and other award-winning graphic novels, is contributing his decades of practical puppetry experience to help execute the film’s practical effects, in addition to creating beautiful original artwork for the project.