The Beast of Aberdeen - A Dark Musical Short Film
Vancouver, Washington | Film Short
Horror, Musical
A musical short film that tells the dark, whimsical tale of Annie, an unconventional winter holiday hero, as she returns to her childhood home to summon a beast with a mysterious past. This is a story of the familial impact of mental illness and the healing power of holiday spirit.
The Beast of Aberdeen - A Dark Musical Short Film
Vancouver, Washington | Film Short
Horror, Musical
1 Campaigns | Washington, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,775 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
91 supporters | followers
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A musical short film that tells the dark, whimsical tale of Annie, an unconventional winter holiday hero, as she returns to her childhood home to summon a beast with a mysterious past. This is a story of the familial impact of mental illness and the healing power of holiday spirit.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
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The Story.
Our film begins as our main character, a young woman named Annie, returns to her home town of Aberdeen, Washington, as she does every year. Annie is earnest, naive, and passionate about Christmas. Just outside her hometown, Annie performs an unconventional Christmas ritual in the woods, bringing forth our own iteration of Sasquatch... The Beast. The Beast is a creature burdened by a great sadness that only Annie can penetrate. And there, in the cold, damp clearing, we learn the story of Annie, The Beast, and holidays past.
Why support this project?
- The Story: Mental illness impacts relationships in many ways. And visibility is important. This is a whimsical depiction of one family's experience and how love and loyalty endures despite the pain. We hope this can remind someone that they are not alone.
- The Representation: We have a beautiful collective of talented women, LGBTQ+, and PoC creatives in key roles on this team. As well as, a film with nuanced female characters with complicated depth and relationships. Support us so that this can become the norm.
- The Art: We are creating something vastly unique and exceptional. Independent art and diverse voices are vital in making this world a better place. Support this film so that more independent art can be enjoyed!
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Themes.
The Beast of Aberdeen is a tale of unconditional love and the loyalty of family. Even when coming home for the holidays hurts and relationships are burdened with the weight of mental illness, Christmas gives us all the strength to continue to say "I love you" from the deep, sleepy caves of adulthood. Our film is inspired by the dark whimsy of films like Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Jim Henson films (like Dark Crystal and Labyrinth), Rankin-Bass stop motion specials, and the lore-riddled backdrop of the Pacific Northwest.
What makes this film unique?
What better way to tell a Christmas story than with song, puppets, and a giant monster?
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Funding and support.
Consider contributing to our campaign and supporting independent, female-lead, inclusive cinema with a powerful message of hope, love, and Christmas.
.png)
We have privately raised $3,000 to cover the cost of our pre-production needs, like our recording studio time, music mastering, location booking fees, insurance, and some of the cost of our paper puppet stages. We've been able to build a lot of momentum with this small amount of funds, but now we need to cover the cost of production. These are the things we need in order to get our vision onto the screen.
Thank you!
If you've read this far, you can already tell that this is a really big project. But, what has assured me this is possible is my team. Everything beautiful we've made so far has been touched by multiple hands and developed by many minds, and I'm so grateful. I'm so fortunate to have these women around me that make me feel like I can do anything. Even a Christmas-time monster musical with puppets feels possible. If you have any questions about this project, reach out! I want to hear from you and help you get excited about this film with us!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Paying our Cast and Crew
Costs $3,500
We hired some really talented people and we need to pay them!
Production Design + Props
Costs $1,000
We are filling the screen with lovely set decoration, wardrobe, and props!
Building a Beast - Specialty Makeup
Costs $1,500
We need to cover the cost of makeup artists/supplies needed to create The Beast.
Camera + Gear Rentals
Costs $1,500
Camera, lighting, generators, & other important tools. Insurance covered in pre-production budget.
Catering and Crafty
Costs $1,000
We need to feed our people!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We have a ROCKIN' team!
Abby Jacoby-Thompson (writer/director) - Abby is here to create something unique and beautiful that can be enjoyed by many. She's coming off of a successful festival circuit on her last film, Lovely Legs, and is thrilled to introduce her audience to her new vision, The Beast of Aberdeen. Her passion for filmmaking is rooted in the creation of unique characters that collide within genre-bending worlds, often to provide social dialogue.
Annalise Southwood (composer + lyricist) - The extremely talent composer and lyricist behind this film's soundtrack. Annalise is a writer, lyracist, theatre director, and New York-bound composer. She's captures the storybooking whimisy of the film in her music.
Scott David Bradner (orchestration + arrangement) - Scott is a composer and writer with a dozen different instruments in his wheelhouse. He has built a full orchestration for our music. And you know what? He's killing it.
Jessica Ballard Thiessen (producer) - Her most recent work includes producing the most recent Whisper Skins production, a female-lead theatre troupe. Jessica has a background in theatre production and a wide set of creative skills have have kept us organize and sane through this process.
Jordenn Bailey (production design) - Get ready to be blown away by this lady's artistic vision. She has spearheaded the design of our set, characters, and the paper pupper sequence. Jordenn works as a graphic designer at Red & Co. where she works with brands like adidas, Netflix, and Union Wine Co.
Sarah Whelden (cinematography) - Sarah is a master behind the camera. Her work is emotional, intentional, and full of voice. She's a vital part of our team and the telling of our story.
Kameron Gates (makeup and monster design) - Kameron is a director, makeup artist, and visual effects professional with a career spanning more than 15 years in the film and television industry. He's a can-do guy with a crazy amount of skill and craftsmenship. We can't wait to show you the monster he is creating for us.
Josh Bailey (editor/special effects) - Josh is a director, writer, and editor. His strong background in music video work is a great fit with the musical nature of this production.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Story.
Our film begins as our main character, a young woman named Annie, returns to her home town of Aberdeen, Washington, as she does every year. Annie is earnest, naive, and passionate about Christmas. Just outside her hometown, Annie performs an unconventional Christmas ritual in the woods, bringing forth our own iteration of Sasquatch... The Beast. The Beast is a creature burdened by a great sadness that only Annie can penetrate. And there, in the cold, damp clearing, we learn the story of Annie, The Beast, and holidays past.
Why support this project?
- The Story: Mental illness impacts relationships in many ways. And visibility is important. This is a whimsical depiction of one family's experience and how love and loyalty endures despite the pain. We hope this can remind someone that they are not alone.
- The Representation: We have a beautiful collective of talented women, LGBTQ+, and PoC creatives in key roles on this team. As well as, a film with nuanced female characters with complicated depth and relationships. Support us so that this can become the norm.
- The Art: We are creating something vastly unique and exceptional. Independent art and diverse voices are vital in making this world a better place. Support this film so that more independent art can be enjoyed!
Themes.
The Beast of Aberdeen is a tale of unconditional love and the loyalty of family. Even when coming home for the holidays hurts and relationships are burdened with the weight of mental illness, Christmas gives us all the strength to continue to say "I love you" from the deep, sleepy caves of adulthood. Our film is inspired by the dark whimsy of films like Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Jim Henson films (like Dark Crystal and Labyrinth), Rankin-Bass stop motion specials, and the lore-riddled backdrop of the Pacific Northwest.
What makes this film unique?
What better way to tell a Christmas story than with song, puppets, and a giant monster?
Funding and support.
Consider contributing to our campaign and supporting independent, female-lead, inclusive cinema with a powerful message of hope, love, and Christmas.
We have privately raised $3,000 to cover the cost of our pre-production needs, like our recording studio time, music mastering, location booking fees, insurance, and some of the cost of our paper puppet stages. We've been able to build a lot of momentum with this small amount of funds, but now we need to cover the cost of production. These are the things we need in order to get our vision onto the screen.
Thank you!
If you've read this far, you can already tell that this is a really big project. But, what has assured me this is possible is my team. Everything beautiful we've made so far has been touched by multiple hands and developed by many minds, and I'm so grateful. I'm so fortunate to have these women around me that make me feel like I can do anything. Even a Christmas-time monster musical with puppets feels possible. If you have any questions about this project, reach out! I want to hear from you and help you get excited about this film with us!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Paying our Cast and Crew
Costs $3,500
We hired some really talented people and we need to pay them!
Production Design + Props
Costs $1,000
We are filling the screen with lovely set decoration, wardrobe, and props!
Building a Beast - Specialty Makeup
Costs $1,500
We need to cover the cost of makeup artists/supplies needed to create The Beast.
Camera + Gear Rentals
Costs $1,500
Camera, lighting, generators, & other important tools. Insurance covered in pre-production budget.
Catering and Crafty
Costs $1,000
We need to feed our people!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We have a ROCKIN' team!
Abby Jacoby-Thompson (writer/director) - Abby is here to create something unique and beautiful that can be enjoyed by many. She's coming off of a successful festival circuit on her last film, Lovely Legs, and is thrilled to introduce her audience to her new vision, The Beast of Aberdeen. Her passion for filmmaking is rooted in the creation of unique characters that collide within genre-bending worlds, often to provide social dialogue.
Annalise Southwood (composer + lyricist) - The extremely talent composer and lyricist behind this film's soundtrack. Annalise is a writer, lyracist, theatre director, and New York-bound composer. She's captures the storybooking whimisy of the film in her music.
Scott David Bradner (orchestration + arrangement) - Scott is a composer and writer with a dozen different instruments in his wheelhouse. He has built a full orchestration for our music. And you know what? He's killing it.
Jessica Ballard Thiessen (producer) - Her most recent work includes producing the most recent Whisper Skins production, a female-lead theatre troupe. Jessica has a background in theatre production and a wide set of creative skills have have kept us organize and sane through this process.
Jordenn Bailey (production design) - Get ready to be blown away by this lady's artistic vision. She has spearheaded the design of our set, characters, and the paper pupper sequence. Jordenn works as a graphic designer at Red & Co. where she works with brands like adidas, Netflix, and Union Wine Co.
Sarah Whelden (cinematography) - Sarah is a master behind the camera. Her work is emotional, intentional, and full of voice. She's a vital part of our team and the telling of our story.
Kameron Gates (makeup and monster design) - Kameron is a director, makeup artist, and visual effects professional with a career spanning more than 15 years in the film and television industry. He's a can-do guy with a crazy amount of skill and craftsmenship. We can't wait to show you the monster he is creating for us.
Josh Bailey (editor/special effects) - Josh is a director, writer, and editor. His strong background in music video work is a great fit with the musical nature of this production.