The Caricature
Athens, Georgia | Film Short
Horror, Comedy
Aspiring actor Gabriel Pritchard becomes obsessed with his appearance after a terribly drawn caricature exposes his insecurities. As his fixation grows, the caricature begins to manifest as a grotesque creature, forcing Gabriel to confront the distorted image of himself he fears most.
The Caricature
Athens, Georgia | Film Short
Horror, Comedy
1 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
20 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,004
Goal: $1,000 for pre-production
Aspiring actor Gabriel Pritchard becomes obsessed with his appearance after a terribly drawn caricature exposes his insecurities. As his fixation grows, the caricature begins to manifest as a grotesque creature, forcing Gabriel to confront the distorted image of himself he fears most.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
At its core, The Caricature is a story about perception, insecurity, and identity. The film follows an aspiring actor, Gabriel Pritchard, who receives a poorly drawn caricature of himself. What initially appears to be a harmless image slowly becomes an obsession, causing him to see himself through the distorted lens reflected back at him. As the caricature begins to manifest in reality, he is forced to confront unsettling questions about his appearance and how others have always viewed him.
The Caricature represents my first serious effort to step beyond my creative comfort zone and challenge myself as a filmmaker. While I have made several films before, this project marks my first opportunity to work with professional equipment and collaborate with a dedicated cast and crew in a way that elevates both the production process and my artistic ambitions. As a graduate student in the University of Georgia's Film Program, I want to create a film that pushes me into unfamiliar territory by exploring a genre I have rarely worked in, horror.
Beyond its horror and comedic elements, the film serves as a commentary on body image and the unrealistic standards of attractiveness often portrayed by the entertainment industry. Through this narrative, I hope to question how masculinity is portrayed in film and why certain bodies and appearances continue to be treated as the standard for success.
Horror has always been an effective genre for externalizing internal fears, and The Caricature uses body horror and dark comedy to transform anxieties about self image into a physical entity. The exaggerated nature of the caricature mirrors the way insecurity itself distorts reality.
My goal is to create a film that is both entertaining and unsettling. One that uses laughter and discomfort to encourage reflection. I want audiences to leave the film thinking beyond its surface story and questioning the cultural expectations surrounding beauty, masculinity, and self perception. Most importantly, I hope to produce a work that demonstrates my growth as a filmmaker, one that is ambitious enough to resonate with audiences and strong enough to earn recognition through film festival exhibition.
CAMPAIGN FUNDS / STRETCH GOALS
The money you contribute will go a long way to ensuring I have the funds to basically make my movie look a lot more professional. It will primarily be spent on set dressing and makeup (especially on bringing the monster at the end of my film to life). There’s a lot of gear I’d like to invest in as well, like special petzval lenses and lighting setups that I’m currently unable to afford without your help. If the project happens to exceed my goal, then I'll use that money to help pay my cast and crew and finance my spring film at UGA.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Makeup & Wardrobe
Costs $200
Heavy prosthetics and makeup will be used to bring the "Caricature Creature" to life at the end of the film.
Props / Set Dressing
Costs $500
Set dressing & props will be essential for giving insight into the protagonists state of mind and personality. (posters, furniture etc.)
Food/Transportation/Misc. Costs
Costs $300
I want to be able to provide food for my crew and also account for any miscellaneous costs that might arise.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The creative team behind The Caricature will be primarily composed of talented filmmakers and artists from my cohort in the University of Georgia's Film Graduate Program. This project represents a collaborative effort among student filmmakers who bring a diverse range of skills and professional experience to the production.
I (Conor Starling) will serve as the film's writer, director, and director of photography overseeing the project's creative vision rom script development to production. I aim to ensure a cohesive visual and narrative style that supports the film's themes.
The film's lead protagonist will be portrayed by David Green, a talented actor and fellow member of my UGA cohort. David's commitment to character driven storytelling will make him a perfect choice to bring the emotional journey of the protagonist to life.
Serving as Gaffer is Luke Dye (aka. Peachy Weachy), who brings an extensive background in lighting and cinematography. His technical expertise will be instrumental in crafting the film's unsettling visual atmosphere.
Chloey Garza will serve as Script Supervisor. Chloey recently led a successful crowdfunding campaign through Seed&Spark demonstrating both her organizational skills and dedication to independent filmmaking.
Regan Murray will be in charge of makeup and creating the look for the final "Caricature Monster". Her attention to detail and production experience will help maintain the project remains aligned with its creative goals through filming.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
At its core, The Caricature is a story about perception, insecurity, and identity. The film follows an aspiring actor, Gabriel Pritchard, who receives a poorly drawn caricature of himself. What initially appears to be a harmless image slowly becomes an obsession, causing him to see himself through the distorted lens reflected back at him. As the caricature begins to manifest in reality, he is forced to confront unsettling questions about his appearance and how others have always viewed him.
The Caricature represents my first serious effort to step beyond my creative comfort zone and challenge myself as a filmmaker. While I have made several films before, this project marks my first opportunity to work with professional equipment and collaborate with a dedicated cast and crew in a way that elevates both the production process and my artistic ambitions. As a graduate student in the University of Georgia's Film Program, I want to create a film that pushes me into unfamiliar territory by exploring a genre I have rarely worked in, horror.
Beyond its horror and comedic elements, the film serves as a commentary on body image and the unrealistic standards of attractiveness often portrayed by the entertainment industry. Through this narrative, I hope to question how masculinity is portrayed in film and why certain bodies and appearances continue to be treated as the standard for success.
Horror has always been an effective genre for externalizing internal fears, and The Caricature uses body horror and dark comedy to transform anxieties about self image into a physical entity. The exaggerated nature of the caricature mirrors the way insecurity itself distorts reality.
My goal is to create a film that is both entertaining and unsettling. One that uses laughter and discomfort to encourage reflection. I want audiences to leave the film thinking beyond its surface story and questioning the cultural expectations surrounding beauty, masculinity, and self perception. Most importantly, I hope to produce a work that demonstrates my growth as a filmmaker, one that is ambitious enough to resonate with audiences and strong enough to earn recognition through film festival exhibition.
CAMPAIGN FUNDS / STRETCH GOALS
The money you contribute will go a long way to ensuring I have the funds to basically make my movie look a lot more professional. It will primarily be spent on set dressing and makeup (especially on bringing the monster at the end of my film to life). There’s a lot of gear I’d like to invest in as well, like special petzval lenses and lighting setups that I’m currently unable to afford without your help. If the project happens to exceed my goal, then I'll use that money to help pay my cast and crew and finance my spring film at UGA.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Makeup & Wardrobe
Costs $200
Heavy prosthetics and makeup will be used to bring the "Caricature Creature" to life at the end of the film.
Props / Set Dressing
Costs $500
Set dressing & props will be essential for giving insight into the protagonists state of mind and personality. (posters, furniture etc.)
Food/Transportation/Misc. Costs
Costs $300
I want to be able to provide food for my crew and also account for any miscellaneous costs that might arise.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
The creative team behind The Caricature will be primarily composed of talented filmmakers and artists from my cohort in the University of Georgia's Film Graduate Program. This project represents a collaborative effort among student filmmakers who bring a diverse range of skills and professional experience to the production.
I (Conor Starling) will serve as the film's writer, director, and director of photography overseeing the project's creative vision rom script development to production. I aim to ensure a cohesive visual and narrative style that supports the film's themes.
The film's lead protagonist will be portrayed by David Green, a talented actor and fellow member of my UGA cohort. David's commitment to character driven storytelling will make him a perfect choice to bring the emotional journey of the protagonist to life.
Serving as Gaffer is Luke Dye (aka. Peachy Weachy), who brings an extensive background in lighting and cinematography. His technical expertise will be instrumental in crafting the film's unsettling visual atmosphere.
Chloey Garza will serve as Script Supervisor. Chloey recently led a successful crowdfunding campaign through Seed&Spark demonstrating both her organizational skills and dedication to independent filmmaking.
Regan Murray will be in charge of makeup and creating the look for the final "Caricature Monster". Her attention to detail and production experience will help maintain the project remains aligned with its creative goals through filming.