The Game Farm
Catskill, New York | Film Short
Horror, Thriller
Anna, her boyfriend, her brother, and her friend embark on a road trip to explore an abandoned theme park. Strange events start unfolding as the nights continue, with Anna documenting the entire journey on her camcorder. Slowly, they start to discover they may not be as alone as they thought.
The Game Farm
Catskill, New York | Film Short
Horror, Thriller
4 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,420 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
29 supporters | followers
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Anna, her boyfriend, her brother, and her friend embark on a road trip to explore an abandoned theme park. Strange events start unfolding as the nights continue, with Anna documenting the entire journey on her camcorder. Slowly, they start to discover they may not be as alone as they thought.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Story Goal: Refocusing on the Art of the Scare
Why am I doing this film?
This story is important to me because it connects me to the reason I began filmmaking in the first place – to engage in the art of horror. I believe horror films are unique in their ability to evoke a visceral, biologically sound reaction in their viewers. There’s something in the terror that keeps people coming back for more. Maybe it’s a sense of safety in keeping a screen between the viewer and the victim. Maybe it’s the adrenaline rush. Either way, it is undeniably addictive to those who fall prey to the throws of horror. I aspire to evoke this strong emotional reaction through raw, authentic feeling horror. I aim to put fresh twists on beloved tropes and reintroduce the value of classic, straightforward fear in film to my audience.
Why should I be the one to make it?
As an SFX makeup artist, I believe this film would allow me to showcase my skills, affect my audience, and provoke thought regarding the reassessment of classic horror stereotypes. Inspired by films such as Blair Witch Project and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I hope to bring a modern perspective to a traditional-sounding horror concept.
Why now?
Same Feeling, New Ideas
I aim to encapsulate the cherished feeling of watching the perfect 80s slasher movie but with modern updates. Taking the fear and anxiety found in a film like Blair Witch Project but seeing it in a fresh location will allow for a wonderful blend of tradition and innovation.
I also aim to capture the nostalgia of classic horror minus the outdated stereotypes. Featuring a female protagonist who is feisty and independent will bring a much needed social update to a historically accurate period piece. I want to blend my love of the past with the social awareness of the present.
Innovation in Location
The Old Catskill Game Farm has sat in the mountains of upstate New York for decades, its creepy, abandoned nature juxtaposing with its colorful, playful fixtures in a way that automatically lends itself to horror. However, it is unique in that one of its buildings has been renovated to provide safe housing for those who wish to explore its abandoned grounds. This provides a unique opportunity to film in an authentic abandoned location while maintaining full safety and comfort of the cast and crew, with access to full amenities and working internet should any help need to be accessed. It provides all the creepiness of an abandoned location with none of the risk.
The GAME Plan:
- Preproduction would begin as soon as green light is hit, ideally around May
- Filming will take place late August
- Editing/postproduction will take place early September
- Festival circuit/public distribution would occur by October 2024 -- just in time for Halloween season!
Below is a breakdown of how fundraising would be distributed:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Old Catskill Game Farm
Costs $3,600
This location is the centerpiece of the film -- without use of the Old Catskill Game Farm, there is no ability to make this movie.
Car Rental
Costs $300
Needed as both a set piece for the film and as a means of transport for cast/crew.
Microphones
Costs $250
One of the only pieces of equipment not already covered are microphones, which would be necessary for quality audio.
Food
Costs $150
Enough groceries for 4 people over 2 days would be necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of the cast and crew.
Props/Costumes
Costs $150
Props needed would include sleeping bags, a lantern, and headlamps, whilst costumes could be easily thrifted.
Gas
Costs $50
Needed to transport to and from locations.
Distribution
Costs $300
Needed to submit film to festivals and other forms of distribution.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
My name is Ava Sexton, and I'm a rising junior pursuing two degrees at NYU Film School and Stern School of Business. I am an SFX makeup artist, and love all things horror. I am the writer, director, and producer of this project, and will be playing the part of Anna.
Given the untraditional structure of found footage horror films, our crew is essentially just the cast and one assistant. The cast includes: Liam Hawley (Elliot), a rising senior at NYU film, Emily Desser (Sylvie), a rising junior at NYU Tisch Drama, and Sinan Gultekin (Jack), a rising junior at NYU Film.
We are a small but passionate crew, all dedicated staunchly to the arts and a passion for horror filmmakers. We all have extensive acting and film experience, and hope to put our diverse and multifaceted skills to use on this project.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Story Goal: Refocusing on the Art of the Scare
Why am I doing this film?
This story is important to me because it connects me to the reason I began filmmaking in the first place – to engage in the art of horror. I believe horror films are unique in their ability to evoke a visceral, biologically sound reaction in their viewers. There’s something in the terror that keeps people coming back for more. Maybe it’s a sense of safety in keeping a screen between the viewer and the victim. Maybe it’s the adrenaline rush. Either way, it is undeniably addictive to those who fall prey to the throws of horror. I aspire to evoke this strong emotional reaction through raw, authentic feeling horror. I aim to put fresh twists on beloved tropes and reintroduce the value of classic, straightforward fear in film to my audience.
Why should I be the one to make it?
As an SFX makeup artist, I believe this film would allow me to showcase my skills, affect my audience, and provoke thought regarding the reassessment of classic horror stereotypes. Inspired by films such as Blair Witch Project and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I hope to bring a modern perspective to a traditional-sounding horror concept.
Why now?
Same Feeling, New Ideas
I aim to encapsulate the cherished feeling of watching the perfect 80s slasher movie but with modern updates. Taking the fear and anxiety found in a film like Blair Witch Project but seeing it in a fresh location will allow for a wonderful blend of tradition and innovation.
I also aim to capture the nostalgia of classic horror minus the outdated stereotypes. Featuring a female protagonist who is feisty and independent will bring a much needed social update to a historically accurate period piece. I want to blend my love of the past with the social awareness of the present.
Innovation in Location
The Old Catskill Game Farm has sat in the mountains of upstate New York for decades, its creepy, abandoned nature juxtaposing with its colorful, playful fixtures in a way that automatically lends itself to horror. However, it is unique in that one of its buildings has been renovated to provide safe housing for those who wish to explore its abandoned grounds. This provides a unique opportunity to film in an authentic abandoned location while maintaining full safety and comfort of the cast and crew, with access to full amenities and working internet should any help need to be accessed. It provides all the creepiness of an abandoned location with none of the risk.
The GAME Plan:
- Preproduction would begin as soon as green light is hit, ideally around May
- Filming will take place late August
- Editing/postproduction will take place early September
- Festival circuit/public distribution would occur by October 2024 -- just in time for Halloween season!
Below is a breakdown of how fundraising would be distributed:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Old Catskill Game Farm
Costs $3,600
This location is the centerpiece of the film -- without use of the Old Catskill Game Farm, there is no ability to make this movie.
Car Rental
Costs $300
Needed as both a set piece for the film and as a means of transport for cast/crew.
Microphones
Costs $250
One of the only pieces of equipment not already covered are microphones, which would be necessary for quality audio.
Food
Costs $150
Enough groceries for 4 people over 2 days would be necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of the cast and crew.
Props/Costumes
Costs $150
Props needed would include sleeping bags, a lantern, and headlamps, whilst costumes could be easily thrifted.
Gas
Costs $50
Needed to transport to and from locations.
Distribution
Costs $300
Needed to submit film to festivals and other forms of distribution.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
My name is Ava Sexton, and I'm a rising junior pursuing two degrees at NYU Film School and Stern School of Business. I am an SFX makeup artist, and love all things horror. I am the writer, director, and producer of this project, and will be playing the part of Anna.
Given the untraditional structure of found footage horror films, our crew is essentially just the cast and one assistant. The cast includes: Liam Hawley (Elliot), a rising senior at NYU film, Emily Desser (Sylvie), a rising junior at NYU Tisch Drama, and Sinan Gultekin (Jack), a rising junior at NYU Film.
We are a small but passionate crew, all dedicated staunchly to the arts and a passion for horror filmmakers. We all have extensive acting and film experience, and hope to put our diverse and multifaceted skills to use on this project.