Scary World Theory
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
Scary World Theory is about a mother and daughter who love each other too much to let go and too much to stay the same. —a raw, electric portrayal of the beauty and pain of coming-of-age.
Scary World Theory
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama
2 Campaigns | New York, United States
45 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$2,598
Goal: $2,500 for production
Scary World Theory is about a mother and daughter who love each other too much to let go and too much to stay the same. —a raw, electric portrayal of the beauty and pain of coming-of-age.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Seventeen-year-old Magnolia has defined her life by ballet, following a path carefully laid out by her mother, Julia, a former dancer herself, who has given up everything to make sure Magnolia succeeds.
To her, ballet is more than movement—it’s a survival tactic, a roadmap to something bigger.
But to Magnolia, it’s starting to feel like a trap.
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One night in a Brooklyn laundromat, Magnolia finally asks: What if I don’t want this? For the first time, she and her mother are forced to confront the weight of their choices and what it means to let go.
Frustration turns into recklessness. And recklessness needs an outlet, even if that outlet is a road of no return.
This is not just Magnolia’s coming-of-age—it’s Julia’s, too. Magnolia is learning what it means to carve out her own path, even if it means disappointing the person she loves most. Julia is realizing that the dreams she built for her daughter may not be the ones Magnolia wants.
This film matters now because so many of us are navigating the tension between inherited dreams and personal identity. It’s about breaking cycles, redefining success, and understanding that love and expectation don’t always mean the same thing.
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Maja Korsika is a Lithuanian filmmaker, producer, and NYU Tisch student, and the first filmmaker from Lithuania to attend the program. Born and raised in Lithuania, she moved to New York in 2018 with her mother, chasing a dream of storytelling that felt both impossibly far and entirely inevitable.
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Her work has been showcased at international festivals, including the ZEBRA Film Poetry Festival in Berlin, and she has produced and directed multiple projects across NYU and beyond. With a sharp eye for visual storytelling and an instinct for emotional nuance, Maja’s films explore themes of identity, memory, and the quiet tensions that shape relationships.
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DIRECTOR'S CONNECTION
Scary World Theory is not an autobiographical story, but it is rooted in entirely possible events. It’s built from the moments that exist in the space between generations—the unspoken expectations, the small rebellions, the ways love and sacrifice blur together. This is a story Maja knows intimately, not because she lived it exactly as it unfolds on screen, but because she’s seen it, felt it, and understands just how real it is.
Scary World Theory is a film built on contrasts—precision and chaos, intimacy and distance, symmetry and imperfection. The story’s emotional weight will be reflected in its visual language, blending controlled, composed framing with raw, unfiltered moments of reality. The camera will be both a distant observer and an uncomfortably close participant. This film takes inspiration from the visual style of Toxic by Saule Bliuvaite, bringing a new signature style of Lithuanian filmmaking into the setting of New York. The film blends the precise, carefully framed symmetry of Wes Anderson with the naturalistic, emotionally grounded style of Lady Bird to create a world that feels both controlled and deeply personal.
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We’re currently in pre-production, finalizing casting, securing locations, and locking in every detail before filming in early April 2025. Once production wraps, we’ll move into post-production through May, focusing on editing, sound design, color grading, and working with a composer to create an original score. From there, we’ll prepare for a festival run starting in Fall 2025, submitting to top-tier festivals to bring Scary World Theory to a global audience. Your support helps make every step of this journey possible—from capturing the first shot to seeing the film on the big screen.
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From securing the perfect laundromat location to ensuring our cast and crew are well-fed, each dollar goes directly into creating a film that looks, feels, and sounds as immersive as the story itself. We’re investing in high-quality equipment rentals to achieve a distinct visual style, production design to craft Magnolia’s world, and transportation and insurance to keep everything running smoothly and safely. If you’re curious about exactly where your support goes, you can check out the Wishlist section, where we break it all down. Every bit of support—big or small—helps make independent filmmaking possible, and we’re beyond grateful to have you be part of this journey.
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Backing Scary World Theory isn’t just about funding a film—it’s about becoming part of its story. Whether you contribute $15 or $500, you’re helping bring an independent film to life, supporting emerging voices in cinema, and proving that unique, personal storytelling matters.
With each tier, you’ll receive exclusive perks, behind-the-scenes access, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes that make you more than just a supporter—you’re part of the team. From cryptic laundromat receipts and Polaroids from set to VIP wrap party invitations, every reward is designed to pull you deeper into the world of the film.
Even beyond the campaign, your involvement continues. You’ll be the first to see updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes content, and when Scary World Theory hits the festival circuit, you’ll know you helped make it possible.
Independent films don’t happen without a community.
EVEN IF YOU DON'T DONATE, YOU CAN BE PART OF SCARY WORLD THEORY
Copy & paste this message and send it to friends, post it on social media, or drop it in a group chat! Every share helps!
★ I just backed Scary World Theory! ★
This is a deeply personal, visually stunning indie film about ambition, sacrifice, and breaking free from expectations. Created by an incredibly talented team, this story deserves to be told.
Help bring this film to life by supporting the campaign! Even $5 makes a difference—plus, the perks are low-key amazing.
★ seedandspark.com/fund/scary-world-theory ★
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We’ve set our initial goal to cover the essential costs of making this film a reality—but with your continued support, we can take Scary World Theory even further.
If we surpass our goal, additional funds will go directly toward:
- Enhancing Post-Production – Better color grading, sound design, and editing to ensure every frame is exactly as it should be.
- Festival Submissions & Screenings – More funding means we can submit Scary World Theory to top-tier film festivals worldwide, ensuring it reaches the widest audience possible.
- Marketing & Distribution – Expanding our reach, promoting the film, and getting Scary World Theory in front of more indie film lovers.
Every extra dollar raised pushes this project further, elevating it from a great indie short to an unforgettable festival experience. Let’s make it happen.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $700
Securing the perfect laundromat requires rental fees, permits, and logistical planning to make sure everything runs smoothly on set.
Cast & Crew Meals
Costs $400
Filmmaking is hard work, and hungry filmmakers don’t make great films. This budget ensures that everyone on set gets well-fed and fueled.
Production Design
Costs $350
This budget covers props, costumes, and set dressing to create a visually striking and emotionally immersive film.
Insurance
Costs $200
We want to protect our team, equipment, and locations. Insurance ensures that we can handle any unexpected issues without derailing the pro
Transportation
Costs $350
This budget covers transportation costs, gas, and rentals to keep the production running efficiently.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $500
This budget ensures that we get the best tools possible to bring Scary World Theory to life at a professional level.
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET THE TEAM BEHIND SCARY WORLD THEORY
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Seventeen-year-old Magnolia has defined her life by ballet, following a path carefully laid out by her mother, Julia, a former dancer herself, who has given up everything to make sure Magnolia succeeds.
To her, ballet is more than movement—it’s a survival tactic, a roadmap to something bigger.
But to Magnolia, it’s starting to feel like a trap.
One night in a Brooklyn laundromat, Magnolia finally asks: What if I don’t want this? For the first time, she and her mother are forced to confront the weight of their choices and what it means to let go.
Frustration turns into recklessness. And recklessness needs an outlet, even if that outlet is a road of no return.
This is not just Magnolia’s coming-of-age—it’s Julia’s, too. Magnolia is learning what it means to carve out her own path, even if it means disappointing the person she loves most. Julia is realizing that the dreams she built for her daughter may not be the ones Magnolia wants.
This film matters now because so many of us are navigating the tension between inherited dreams and personal identity. It’s about breaking cycles, redefining success, and understanding that love and expectation don’t always mean the same thing.
Maja Korsika is a Lithuanian filmmaker, producer, and NYU Tisch student, and the first filmmaker from Lithuania to attend the program. Born and raised in Lithuania, she moved to New York in 2018 with her mother, chasing a dream of storytelling that felt both impossibly far and entirely inevitable.
Her work has been showcased at international festivals, including the ZEBRA Film Poetry Festival in Berlin, and she has produced and directed multiple projects across NYU and beyond. With a sharp eye for visual storytelling and an instinct for emotional nuance, Maja’s films explore themes of identity, memory, and the quiet tensions that shape relationships.
DIRECTOR'S CONNECTION
Scary World Theory is not an autobiographical story, but it is rooted in entirely possible events. It’s built from the moments that exist in the space between generations—the unspoken expectations, the small rebellions, the ways love and sacrifice blur together. This is a story Maja knows intimately, not because she lived it exactly as it unfolds on screen, but because she’s seen it, felt it, and understands just how real it is.
Scary World Theory is a film built on contrasts—precision and chaos, intimacy and distance, symmetry and imperfection. The story’s emotional weight will be reflected in its visual language, blending controlled, composed framing with raw, unfiltered moments of reality. The camera will be both a distant observer and an uncomfortably close participant. This film takes inspiration from the visual style of Toxic by Saule Bliuvaite, bringing a new signature style of Lithuanian filmmaking into the setting of New York. The film blends the precise, carefully framed symmetry of Wes Anderson with the naturalistic, emotionally grounded style of Lady Bird to create a world that feels both controlled and deeply personal.
We’re currently in pre-production, finalizing casting, securing locations, and locking in every detail before filming in early April 2025. Once production wraps, we’ll move into post-production through May, focusing on editing, sound design, color grading, and working with a composer to create an original score. From there, we’ll prepare for a festival run starting in Fall 2025, submitting to top-tier festivals to bring Scary World Theory to a global audience. Your support helps make every step of this journey possible—from capturing the first shot to seeing the film on the big screen.
From securing the perfect laundromat location to ensuring our cast and crew are well-fed, each dollar goes directly into creating a film that looks, feels, and sounds as immersive as the story itself. We’re investing in high-quality equipment rentals to achieve a distinct visual style, production design to craft Magnolia’s world, and transportation and insurance to keep everything running smoothly and safely. If you’re curious about exactly where your support goes, you can check out the Wishlist section, where we break it all down. Every bit of support—big or small—helps make independent filmmaking possible, and we’re beyond grateful to have you be part of this journey.
Backing Scary World Theory isn’t just about funding a film—it’s about becoming part of its story. Whether you contribute $15 or $500, you’re helping bring an independent film to life, supporting emerging voices in cinema, and proving that unique, personal storytelling matters.
With each tier, you’ll receive exclusive perks, behind-the-scenes access, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes that make you more than just a supporter—you’re part of the team. From cryptic laundromat receipts and Polaroids from set to VIP wrap party invitations, every reward is designed to pull you deeper into the world of the film.
Even beyond the campaign, your involvement continues. You’ll be the first to see updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes content, and when Scary World Theory hits the festival circuit, you’ll know you helped make it possible.
Independent films don’t happen without a community.
EVEN IF YOU DON'T DONATE, YOU CAN BE PART OF SCARY WORLD THEORY
Copy & paste this message and send it to friends, post it on social media, or drop it in a group chat! Every share helps!
★ I just backed Scary World Theory! ★
This is a deeply personal, visually stunning indie film about ambition, sacrifice, and breaking free from expectations. Created by an incredibly talented team, this story deserves to be told.
Help bring this film to life by supporting the campaign! Even $5 makes a difference—plus, the perks are low-key amazing.
★ seedandspark.com/fund/scary-world-theory ★
We’ve set our initial goal to cover the essential costs of making this film a reality—but with your continued support, we can take Scary World Theory even further.
If we surpass our goal, additional funds will go directly toward:
- Enhancing Post-Production – Better color grading, sound design, and editing to ensure every frame is exactly as it should be.
- Festival Submissions & Screenings – More funding means we can submit Scary World Theory to top-tier film festivals worldwide, ensuring it reaches the widest audience possible.
- Marketing & Distribution – Expanding our reach, promoting the film, and getting Scary World Theory in front of more indie film lovers.
Every extra dollar raised pushes this project further, elevating it from a great indie short to an unforgettable festival experience. Let’s make it happen.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $700
Securing the perfect laundromat requires rental fees, permits, and logistical planning to make sure everything runs smoothly on set.
Cast & Crew Meals
Costs $400
Filmmaking is hard work, and hungry filmmakers don’t make great films. This budget ensures that everyone on set gets well-fed and fueled.
Production Design
Costs $350
This budget covers props, costumes, and set dressing to create a visually striking and emotionally immersive film.
Insurance
Costs $200
We want to protect our team, equipment, and locations. Insurance ensures that we can handle any unexpected issues without derailing the pro
Transportation
Costs $350
This budget covers transportation costs, gas, and rentals to keep the production running efficiently.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $500
This budget ensures that we get the best tools possible to bring Scary World Theory to life at a professional level.
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET THE TEAM BEHIND SCARY WORLD THEORY