The Demon of Parce Manor
New York City, New York | Film Short
Horror, Thriller
People have strange ways of proving themselves. Some people show off a new car or flex their bank account. That would be normal. Greta Parce summons a demon. Her super “cool” friends become subjects to terror, what will Greta do now: save or destroy?
The Demon of Parce Manor
New York City, New York | Film Short
Horror, Thriller
2 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
19 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
People have strange ways of proving themselves. Some people show off a new car or flex their bank account. That would be normal. Greta Parce summons a demon. Her super “cool” friends become subjects to terror, what will Greta do now: save or destroy?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Introduction
Hey! My name is Jaemen Topalian, and I am a senior at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. As I reach the last leg of my academic journey I am thrilled to share with you my thesis short film "The Demon of Parce Manor". This project is a culmination of the types of filmmaking I want to pursue following my graduation and my dedication to the craft of filmmaking.
Why This Film
At the core of this film is the idea of friendship. For most of us, friends are essential to the human experience. Friendships can be long-term, short-term, beautiful, intimate, awkward, toxic, and in some cases deadly. As someone who has had many friend groups over the years, I wanted to create a story highlighting traits from my own life while warping it into the reality of this film. Everyone can relate to an unpleasant friendship, making this film universally receivable to anyone watching.
As I sat down last year to create this script I knew I wanted to tell this story differently than others. There is a certain comfort to me in being able to watch a horror film and knowing you're doing it in the safety of your own home, theater, or in bed on your laptop. There is a controlled feeling of being scared that we can't get in our everyday life. You obviously wouldn't want an axe murder chasing after you in real life but through a screen... it seems manageable.
I love watching horror movies from directors who have elevated and changed the meaning of horror such as Ari Aster, Jordan Peele, James Wan, and so many more. However, there is a special place in my heart for older classic horror films such as Evil Dead, Scream, and Friday the 13th. I remember sitting in my parent's bedroom as a 8-year-old flipping through TV channels with my younger brother. I had come across one of the most jarring thing a child could see... Friday the 13th: A New Beginning. Now while at the time I was scared sh*tless and had nightmares for weeks on end about some figure in a hockey mask, I soon came to realize that it wasn't all that scary on my rewatch 14 years later as a 22-year-old. So I wanted to combine this passion that I have for horror films with some of my social experiences albeit I exaggerate the experiences a little bit. So this story revolves around toxic friendships told through extremes, campiness, and the horror genre.
This project is a culmination of all of my schooling, learning, and everything from the last 22 years of my life. I am grateful to all the people who have supported me in getting to where I am today as a filmmaker, creative, and most importantly a person. I would not be able to get to the places I am today without the support of others. Creating this film will be no easy task, and will take the dedication of a large team and supporters. I hope I can make all of you proud of who I am and what I will continue to do in the future. If you are able to support this film, I would greatly appreciate any donation that help bring this project to life.
Story Overview
This 80s-inspired horror tale follows Greta Parce, your stereotypical nerd, naive, yes-girl. She has a voice inside her head, but not the normal regular voice in your head everyone is supposed to hear, but the voice of a demon. Looking to banish the demon who has been occupying her head, she invites her friends over to help.
Soon hell breaks loose when she accidentally frees the demon rather than banishing him. As the demon terrorizes her friends, she begins to realize what types of friends she has and debates whether or not they are worth saving.
Greta undergoes her own dark transformation, learning to own the darkest parts of herself. All while discovering that sometimes the friend that you need isn’t always the one you initially expected.
The Shoot
Like most low-budget indie productions, our goal is to stretch every dollar as far as we can. We will be rolling into production shortly after our campaign closes. We need to ensure we meet all of our costs, feed the crew, and protect the creative integrity of the film.
Once the film is complete, we'll be sending it off to reputable genre festivals!
Closing Remarks
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our project. We hope to gain your support! And if you can't donate to the campaign, spreading the word about our film helps just as much. For updates follow this campaign and follow our Instagram @demonofparcemanor.mp4
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $2,000
Our story is written vibrantly into its location (hence our title), help us find the perfect manor to bring our story to life!
Food
Costs $1,000
To be able to feed our cast and crew throughout our shoot!
Special Effects / Production Design
Costs $600
For the creation of our special effects and stunt work in a safe manor for all involved!
Equipment
Costs $400
To afford the equipment we need in order to achieve the visual style for our film!
Transportation
Costs $1,000
Transportation for our crew, equipment and cast.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
About The Team
Writer/Director: Jaemen Topalian
Jaemen is in his final semester at NYU studying film & television. He has been a part of films that have been showcased at Cannes Film Festival along with many others. He has also worked under well-known production companies such as Warner Brothers, HGTV, and One and Other Productions. Jaemen's deep love for horror films is combined with his love for relevant campy characters to create this fun horror film.
Producer: Maggie Soik
Maggie Soik is a NYC-based producer from Charlotte, North Carolina. Maggie has produced eight short films ranging in length from eight minutes to thirty-five minutes. She is set to graduate in 2024 with a B.F.A. in Film and Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, with a second major in Economics and a minor in Business. Maggie has worked with companies such as the Producers Guild of America, Billy Porter’s company Incognegro Productions, commercial production company Biscuit Filmworks, leading distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films, and KPA Talent Management. Maggie has also recently served as the director of the Gallatin Film Alliance Film Festival. Currently, Maggie writes for the Producers Guild of America "Produced By" magazine about how A-List producers make movies.
Producer: Tess Rechtweg
Tess Rechtweg is a third-year Film and TV student at NYU Tisch, concentrating on producing with a minor in Business Studies. Her love of filmmaking came from Tess and her dad watching classic movies together as a kid, and she hasn’t stopped watching since. As well as being the president of NYU’s Student Producers Association, Tess has been involved in the production of over 30 films. Tess is inspired by the works of Jonathan Demme, Greta Gerwig, and Wes Anderson. She hails from Long Island, NY. Tess is currently a development intern at Anthony Bregman's company, Likely Story.
Co-Producer: Lily Garcia
Lily is a senior at NYU, majoring in Business with a minor in Film Production. She chose to study finance before pivoting into film two years ago in order to pursue her passion for bringing fascinating stories to life. Since then, she has produced two short films and has interned at companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Amblin Entertainment, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Director of Photography: Samuel Mitchell
Samuel Mitchell is an interdisciplinary artist from Washington, D.C. currently pursuing a BFA in Film & Television at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts as well as a BA in English Literature. Both his directorial and DP work have been featured at numerous festivals and creative workshops, and he recently shot his first feature film for director Muhil Vaseekaran. Apart from narrative filmmaking, Samuel has also shot commercial work for companies like National Geographic and Acne Studios and is launching a production company this spring.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Introduction
Hey! My name is Jaemen Topalian, and I am a senior at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. As I reach the last leg of my academic journey I am thrilled to share with you my thesis short film "The Demon of Parce Manor". This project is a culmination of the types of filmmaking I want to pursue following my graduation and my dedication to the craft of filmmaking.
Why This Film
At the core of this film is the idea of friendship. For most of us, friends are essential to the human experience. Friendships can be long-term, short-term, beautiful, intimate, awkward, toxic, and in some cases deadly. As someone who has had many friend groups over the years, I wanted to create a story highlighting traits from my own life while warping it into the reality of this film. Everyone can relate to an unpleasant friendship, making this film universally receivable to anyone watching.
As I sat down last year to create this script I knew I wanted to tell this story differently than others. There is a certain comfort to me in being able to watch a horror film and knowing you're doing it in the safety of your own home, theater, or in bed on your laptop. There is a controlled feeling of being scared that we can't get in our everyday life. You obviously wouldn't want an axe murder chasing after you in real life but through a screen... it seems manageable.
I love watching horror movies from directors who have elevated and changed the meaning of horror such as Ari Aster, Jordan Peele, James Wan, and so many more. However, there is a special place in my heart for older classic horror films such as Evil Dead, Scream, and Friday the 13th. I remember sitting in my parent's bedroom as a 8-year-old flipping through TV channels with my younger brother. I had come across one of the most jarring thing a child could see... Friday the 13th: A New Beginning. Now while at the time I was scared sh*tless and had nightmares for weeks on end about some figure in a hockey mask, I soon came to realize that it wasn't all that scary on my rewatch 14 years later as a 22-year-old. So I wanted to combine this passion that I have for horror films with some of my social experiences albeit I exaggerate the experiences a little bit. So this story revolves around toxic friendships told through extremes, campiness, and the horror genre.
This project is a culmination of all of my schooling, learning, and everything from the last 22 years of my life. I am grateful to all the people who have supported me in getting to where I am today as a filmmaker, creative, and most importantly a person. I would not be able to get to the places I am today without the support of others. Creating this film will be no easy task, and will take the dedication of a large team and supporters. I hope I can make all of you proud of who I am and what I will continue to do in the future. If you are able to support this film, I would greatly appreciate any donation that help bring this project to life.
Story Overview
This 80s-inspired horror tale follows Greta Parce, your stereotypical nerd, naive, yes-girl. She has a voice inside her head, but not the normal regular voice in your head everyone is supposed to hear, but the voice of a demon. Looking to banish the demon who has been occupying her head, she invites her friends over to help.
Soon hell breaks loose when she accidentally frees the demon rather than banishing him. As the demon terrorizes her friends, she begins to realize what types of friends she has and debates whether or not they are worth saving.
Greta undergoes her own dark transformation, learning to own the darkest parts of herself. All while discovering that sometimes the friend that you need isn’t always the one you initially expected.
The Shoot
Like most low-budget indie productions, our goal is to stretch every dollar as far as we can. We will be rolling into production shortly after our campaign closes. We need to ensure we meet all of our costs, feed the crew, and protect the creative integrity of the film.
Once the film is complete, we'll be sending it off to reputable genre festivals!
Closing Remarks
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our project. We hope to gain your support! And if you can't donate to the campaign, spreading the word about our film helps just as much. For updates follow this campaign and follow our Instagram @demonofparcemanor.mp4
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $2,000
Our story is written vibrantly into its location (hence our title), help us find the perfect manor to bring our story to life!
Food
Costs $1,000
To be able to feed our cast and crew throughout our shoot!
Special Effects / Production Design
Costs $600
For the creation of our special effects and stunt work in a safe manor for all involved!
Equipment
Costs $400
To afford the equipment we need in order to achieve the visual style for our film!
Transportation
Costs $1,000
Transportation for our crew, equipment and cast.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
About The TeamWriter/Director: Jaemen Topalian
Jaemen is in his final semester at NYU studying film & television. He has been a part of films that have been showcased at Cannes Film Festival along with many others. He has also worked under well-known production companies such as Warner Brothers, HGTV, and One and Other Productions. Jaemen's deep love for horror films is combined with his love for relevant campy characters to create this fun horror film.
Producer: Maggie Soik
Maggie Soik is a NYC-based producer from Charlotte, North Carolina. Maggie has produced eight short films ranging in length from eight minutes to thirty-five minutes. She is set to graduate in 2024 with a B.F.A. in Film and Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, with a second major in Economics and a minor in Business. Maggie has worked with companies such as the Producers Guild of America, Billy Porter’s company Incognegro Productions, commercial production company Biscuit Filmworks, leading distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films, and KPA Talent Management. Maggie has also recently served as the director of the Gallatin Film Alliance Film Festival. Currently, Maggie writes for the Producers Guild of America "Produced By" magazine about how A-List producers make movies.
Producer: Tess Rechtweg
Tess Rechtweg is a third-year Film and TV student at NYU Tisch, concentrating on producing with a minor in Business Studies. Her love of filmmaking came from Tess and her dad watching classic movies together as a kid, and she hasn’t stopped watching since. As well as being the president of NYU’s Student Producers Association, Tess has been involved in the production of over 30 films. Tess is inspired by the works of Jonathan Demme, Greta Gerwig, and Wes Anderson. She hails from Long Island, NY. Tess is currently a development intern at Anthony Bregman's company, Likely Story.
Co-Producer: Lily Garcia
Lily is a senior at NYU, majoring in Business with a minor in Film Production. She chose to study finance before pivoting into film two years ago in order to pursue her passion for bringing fascinating stories to life. Since then, she has produced two short films and has interned at companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Amblin Entertainment, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Director of Photography: Samuel Mitchell
Samuel Mitchell is an interdisciplinary artist from Washington, D.C. currently pursuing a BFA in Film & Television at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts as well as a BA in English Literature. Both his directorial and DP work have been featured at numerous festivals and creative workshops, and he recently shot his first feature film for director Muhil Vaseekaran. Apart from narrative filmmaking, Samuel has also shot commercial work for companies like National Geographic and Acne Studios and is launching a production company this spring.