There's a Creature in My Bed
Portland, Oregon | Film Short
Horror, Drama
When a young man arrives home late to his strange, temperamental pet, he must endure the consequences that befall him and decide whether or not to continue feeding the mouth that bites him.
There's a Creature in My Bed
Portland, Oregon | Film Short
Horror, Drama
1 Campaigns | Oregon, United States
5 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,473
Goal: $12,000 for production
When a young man arrives home late to his strange, temperamental pet, he must endure the consequences that befall him and decide whether or not to continue feeding the mouth that bites him.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In this slice-of-life-meets-horror short film, Oliver, a young, anxious man, arrives home late one night to find his strange and temperamental pet, The Creature. The Creature, a dog-like entity, is not happy to be served dinner late, lashing out at Oliver and biting him as he feeds it. Oliver struggles with the internal turmoil of needing to be The Creature’s savior, holding out hope for the good moments they share, and the buildup of increasingly dangerous actions from his pet.
We follow Oliver's journey and the tension between him and The Creature as they share soft, sweet moments that are contrasted by The Creature lashing out at Oliver. Oliver slowly reaches his breaking point with the emotional and physical whiplash he experiences with The Creature. Unsure of what life might be like on the other side, he must decide whether or not to continue feeding the mouth that bites him.
The Vision
There’s a Creature in My Bed is a dark film both in style and substance.
This film is visually heavy, using soft lighting and desaturation to emulate a slice-of-life-style drama during the lighter, contemplative moments, amplifying the fleeting sweet and calm behavior of The Creature.
As The Creature becomes more aggressive, the lighting becomes harder and more striking in color and contrast, using reds, blues, and yellows to draw us into the film's more physically and emotionally intense moments and reflect the horror style.
Style Inspiration
There's a Creature in My Bed takes inspiration from dramas such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Moonlight and horror films such as Hereditary and Obsession.
The slice-of-life style of storytelling in this film is inspired by dramas such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Moonlight, exploring characters through everyday situations and mundane life events, allowing us to sit with their emotions and be in the moment with them.
The horror aspects of this film are inspired by the high-contrast visuals, deep shadows, and striking lighting of films such as Hereditary and Obsession, building tension through sound design, unusual cinematography, and claustrophobia-inducing art design and lighting.
The Characters
Oliver is a man in his early twenties; his people-pleasing tendencies, anxiety, and craving for importance cause him to overshadow his own needs. He feeds the mouth that bites him and cherishes the facade of what the creature could be.
Character inspiration:
Charlie Kelmeckis - The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Theodore Finch - All the Bright Places
Peter Graham - Hereditary
Cast
Oliver - Mack Bayda Mack Bayda is an actor based in Nashville, TN. Opposite Tom Hanks, he played the supporting lead role of Malcolm in A Man Called Otto. He’s worked on several short and feature films this year and is excited to join There’s a Creature in My Bed in the role of Oliver.
The Creature is a dog-like beast, wild and untamable. The Creature carries the scars of its past, and its temperamental tendencies become increasingly dangerous.
Our amazing Special Effects Supervisor, Trysta Lee Kelley, is designing and building The Creature from scratch. The film will use lighting and camera tricks, mixed with practical effects and puppet design, to bring The Creature to life.
Director's Statement
There's a Creature in My Bed explores the nuances of abusive relationships. So often in film, we see abuse shown in ways that are insensitive or obviously come from someone who doesn't understand the minutiae of the experience. This story was created from my personal struggles with the journey after leaving an abusive relationship. I believe these stories can be told in ways that connect with other survivors and evoke empathy in those who haven't experienced such trauma. We must hear these stories from survivors themselves. The creation of The Creature has helped me distance myself from harmful memories, allowing me to process them through art in a healthy way. This film hopes to bring awareness to domestic abuse and tell the story of a queer character in which their queerness is not their biggest obstacle.
Budget Breakdown
Our Budget Goals
- Cast & Crew - $6,500
- Materials & Decor - $1,100
- Location - $1,000
- Crafty & Catering - $600
- Equipment Rentals - $400
- Post Production - $2,400
Total: $12,000
Stretch Goal 1: $14,000
- Help us pay our crew higher rates.
Stretch Goal 2: $16,000
- Get us through the finish line; our last stretch goal will get us to the festival circuit.
How you can help...
- Contribute to our campaign! Every little bit helps us get to our goal.
- Follow our Seed&Spark Page. We understand not everyone can contribute monetarily; following our campaign page helps a lot. And it's completely free!
- Follow us on socials! Want to stay up to date on the project? Follow tacimb.film on Instagram for all the latest news.
- Spread the word. Help us spread the word about our project. Know someone who loves indie movies? Send our page their way. Share the project on socials or tell people about it in person!
Follow along on Seed&Spark and on Instagram: @tacimb.film
Thank you so much for visiting our campaign page.
Love from,
The 'There's a Creature in My Bed' team.
This film is and will continue to be created free of AI.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew
Costs $6,500
Our team is amazing; help us provide proper compensation for our Cast and Crew.
Locations
Costs $1,000
Oliver's home may be run-down and dingy, but rent is still due. Help us secure the perfect location. Have a place we can use? Let us know!
Equipment Rentals
Costs $400
We need a couple of extra gadgets to make our vision come to life. Help us rent the gear to give you nightmares!
Crafty & Catering
Costs $600
Fuel the team! Make sure our team is well-fed so we have the energy to bring this film to life.
Materials & Decor
Costs $1,100
Bring our Creature to life with the materials we need to craft it from scratch and build the environment it lives in with Oliver.
Post Production
Costs $2,400
Once we finish filming our amazing post team will get to work. Help us get the film to the finish line.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director - Hayes Tufts Hayes Tufts is a queer-identified filmmaker based in Portland, Oregon. Hayes is passionate about telling stories that depict true, human emotional experiences in surreal situations. He hopes to help audiences relate to those they otherwise wouldn't by sharing their stories told through juxtaposed genres, focusing on what we all have in common by showcasing what makes us all unique.
Director of Photography - Nathan Montalvo Nathan Montalvo is a Puerto Rican writer, director, and cinematographer best known for his work on Just Friends (2026) and the Diversity-in-Cannes-selected short film A Seat at the Table (2025). He is the founder of New Mountain Pictures, an independent film production company based in Portland, Oregon that focuses on subversive creativity and telling stories that are simultaneously poignant and entertaining.
SFX Supervisor - Trysta Lee Kelley (TK) Trysta "TK" Kelley is a Portland-based SFX, hair and makeup artist who specializes in gore, blood effects, and all things ooey-gooey. After graduating from AOM in 2021, she launched a successful freelance career bringing page to life for feature films such as BAMPIRE, EAT YOUR HEART OUT, and COTTONTAIL. Her work explores the human body's limits and breaking points, with an aim to create a level of realism that will leave you squirming.
Art Director - Katie Wagner. Portland-local weird girl Katie can't wait to get her grubby little paws on this production. She's a queer art director who loves designing things that are creepy, yet also cutesy. From interior design to haunted houses to working on many shorts and two feature films. A goofy creative who is always excited to try new things, Katie elevates the storytelling of each project she works on with her attention to detail.
Sound Designer - Kyle Olvera Kyle Olvera is a Post Production Editor specializing in sound design and video editing. With an extensive background in audio production for short films and animation, he has spent the last 7 years partnering with directors and content producers to provide full-service audio support. A graduate of the Academy of Art University with a BFA in Sound Design, Kyle has worked with Outpost Studios and One Union Recording Studios in San Francisco. Working on countless films and commercials in the Bay Area and Portland.
Producer - Camber Hollywood. Camber Hollywood is a dedicated film producer committed to championing stories that elevate underrepresented voices and ideas. Most recently, they served as the Executive Producer of the multiple-award-winning gay horror short film DEMON TWINK. With a passion for bold and unconventional storytelling, Camber strives to produce compelling cinema that challenges the status quo and deeply moves and inspires audiences.
Producer - Brie Sapir Brie Sapir is a Portland-based queer, Argentinian-American champion of artists and storytellers. She is passionate about bringing great stories to life in exciting and effective ways. Her previous projects range from micro-budget short films to large-scale network television shows, live events, and conventions, taking her around the world. She is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful project and cannot wait to show it to the world.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In this slice-of-life-meets-horror short film, Oliver, a young, anxious man, arrives home late one night to find his strange and temperamental pet, The Creature. The Creature, a dog-like entity, is not happy to be served dinner late, lashing out at Oliver and biting him as he feeds it. Oliver struggles with the internal turmoil of needing to be The Creature’s savior, holding out hope for the good moments they share, and the buildup of increasingly dangerous actions from his pet.
We follow Oliver's journey and the tension between him and The Creature as they share soft, sweet moments that are contrasted by The Creature lashing out at Oliver. Oliver slowly reaches his breaking point with the emotional and physical whiplash he experiences with The Creature. Unsure of what life might be like on the other side, he must decide whether or not to continue feeding the mouth that bites him.
The Vision
There’s a Creature in My Bed is a dark film both in style and substance.
This film is visually heavy, using soft lighting and desaturation to emulate a slice-of-life-style drama during the lighter, contemplative moments, amplifying the fleeting sweet and calm behavior of The Creature.
As The Creature becomes more aggressive, the lighting becomes harder and more striking in color and contrast, using reds, blues, and yellows to draw us into the film's more physically and emotionally intense moments and reflect the horror style.
Style Inspiration
There's a Creature in My Bed takes inspiration from dramas such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Moonlight and horror films such as Hereditary and Obsession.
The slice-of-life style of storytelling in this film is inspired by dramas such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Moonlight, exploring characters through everyday situations and mundane life events, allowing us to sit with their emotions and be in the moment with them.
The horror aspects of this film are inspired by the high-contrast visuals, deep shadows, and striking lighting of films such as Hereditary and Obsession, building tension through sound design, unusual cinematography, and claustrophobia-inducing art design and lighting.
The Characters
Oliver is a man in his early twenties; his people-pleasing tendencies, anxiety, and craving for importance cause him to overshadow his own needs. He feeds the mouth that bites him and cherishes the facade of what the creature could be.
Character inspiration:
Charlie Kelmeckis - The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Theodore Finch - All the Bright Places
Peter Graham - Hereditary
Cast
Oliver - Mack Bayda Mack Bayda is an actor based in Nashville, TN. Opposite Tom Hanks, he played the supporting lead role of Malcolm in A Man Called Otto. He’s worked on several short and feature films this year and is excited to join There’s a Creature in My Bed in the role of Oliver.
The Creature is a dog-like beast, wild and untamable. The Creature carries the scars of its past, and its temperamental tendencies become increasingly dangerous.
Our amazing Special Effects Supervisor, Trysta Lee Kelley, is designing and building The Creature from scratch. The film will use lighting and camera tricks, mixed with practical effects and puppet design, to bring The Creature to life.
Director's Statement
There's a Creature in My Bed explores the nuances of abusive relationships. So often in film, we see abuse shown in ways that are insensitive or obviously come from someone who doesn't understand the minutiae of the experience. This story was created from my personal struggles with the journey after leaving an abusive relationship. I believe these stories can be told in ways that connect with other survivors and evoke empathy in those who haven't experienced such trauma. We must hear these stories from survivors themselves. The creation of The Creature has helped me distance myself from harmful memories, allowing me to process them through art in a healthy way. This film hopes to bring awareness to domestic abuse and tell the story of a queer character in which their queerness is not their biggest obstacle.
Budget Breakdown
Our Budget Goals
- Cast & Crew - $6,500
- Materials & Decor - $1,100
- Location - $1,000
- Crafty & Catering - $600
- Equipment Rentals - $400
- Post Production - $2,400
Total: $12,000
Stretch Goal 1: $14,000
- Help us pay our crew higher rates.
Stretch Goal 2: $16,000
- Get us through the finish line; our last stretch goal will get us to the festival circuit.
How you can help...
- Contribute to our campaign! Every little bit helps us get to our goal.
- Follow our Seed&Spark Page. We understand not everyone can contribute monetarily; following our campaign page helps a lot. And it's completely free!
- Follow us on socials! Want to stay up to date on the project? Follow tacimb.film on Instagram for all the latest news.
- Spread the word. Help us spread the word about our project. Know someone who loves indie movies? Send our page their way. Share the project on socials or tell people about it in person!
Follow along on Seed&Spark and on Instagram: @tacimb.film
Thank you so much for visiting our campaign page.
Love from,
The 'There's a Creature in My Bed' team.
This film is and will continue to be created free of AI.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew
Costs $6,500
Our team is amazing; help us provide proper compensation for our Cast and Crew.
Locations
Costs $1,000
Oliver's home may be run-down and dingy, but rent is still due. Help us secure the perfect location. Have a place we can use? Let us know!
Equipment Rentals
Costs $400
We need a couple of extra gadgets to make our vision come to life. Help us rent the gear to give you nightmares!
Crafty & Catering
Costs $600
Fuel the team! Make sure our team is well-fed so we have the energy to bring this film to life.
Materials & Decor
Costs $1,100
Bring our Creature to life with the materials we need to craft it from scratch and build the environment it lives in with Oliver.
Post Production
Costs $2,400
Once we finish filming our amazing post team will get to work. Help us get the film to the finish line.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director - Hayes Tufts Hayes Tufts is a queer-identified filmmaker based in Portland, Oregon. Hayes is passionate about telling stories that depict true, human emotional experiences in surreal situations. He hopes to help audiences relate to those they otherwise wouldn't by sharing their stories told through juxtaposed genres, focusing on what we all have in common by showcasing what makes us all unique.
Director of Photography - Nathan Montalvo Nathan Montalvo is a Puerto Rican writer, director, and cinematographer best known for his work on Just Friends (2026) and the Diversity-in-Cannes-selected short film A Seat at the Table (2025). He is the founder of New Mountain Pictures, an independent film production company based in Portland, Oregon that focuses on subversive creativity and telling stories that are simultaneously poignant and entertaining.
SFX Supervisor - Trysta Lee Kelley (TK) Trysta "TK" Kelley is a Portland-based SFX, hair and makeup artist who specializes in gore, blood effects, and all things ooey-gooey. After graduating from AOM in 2021, she launched a successful freelance career bringing page to life for feature films such as BAMPIRE, EAT YOUR HEART OUT, and COTTONTAIL. Her work explores the human body's limits and breaking points, with an aim to create a level of realism that will leave you squirming.
Art Director - Katie Wagner. Portland-local weird girl Katie can't wait to get her grubby little paws on this production. She's a queer art director who loves designing things that are creepy, yet also cutesy. From interior design to haunted houses to working on many shorts and two feature films. A goofy creative who is always excited to try new things, Katie elevates the storytelling of each project she works on with her attention to detail.
Sound Designer - Kyle Olvera Kyle Olvera is a Post Production Editor specializing in sound design and video editing. With an extensive background in audio production for short films and animation, he has spent the last 7 years partnering with directors and content producers to provide full-service audio support. A graduate of the Academy of Art University with a BFA in Sound Design, Kyle has worked with Outpost Studios and One Union Recording Studios in San Francisco. Working on countless films and commercials in the Bay Area and Portland.
Producer - Camber Hollywood. Camber Hollywood is a dedicated film producer committed to championing stories that elevate underrepresented voices and ideas. Most recently, they served as the Executive Producer of the multiple-award-winning gay horror short film DEMON TWINK. With a passion for bold and unconventional storytelling, Camber strives to produce compelling cinema that challenges the status quo and deeply moves and inspires audiences.
Producer - Brie Sapir Brie Sapir is a Portland-based queer, Argentinian-American champion of artists and storytellers. She is passionate about bringing great stories to life in exciting and effective ways. Her previous projects range from micro-budget short films to large-scale network television shows, live events, and conventions, taking her around the world. She is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful project and cannot wait to show it to the world.