THE VANITY

Los Angeles, California | Film Short

Horror, Sci-Fi

Muffy Morton

1 Campaigns | California, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $32,100 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

200 supporters | followers

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Looking for a stable way to make a living now that Artificial Intelligence has replaced your industry? Do we have the solution for you! A new social media platform that relies on authentic content by real creators - where your audience is always guaranteed. Introducing: THE VANITY.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

Is Artificial Intelligence “good” or “bad”? Is social media destroying us, or giving us new ways to connect? Because every story about technology is ultimately, a story about us. THE VANITY asks: When you - when all of us - look in the mirror, do we like what we see?

The Story


SYNOPSIS


Erinn and Conor are leaving. Their bags are packed and their car is waiting, but before they can go, Erin disappears. And then Conor.


Let’s go back to the beginning…


Young couple Conor and Erinn are influencers on a new social media platform called THE VANITY. Now that AI has taken over most jobs, streaming online is one of the last ways to make a living - especially for failed artist types like Erinn and Conor.


So Erinn does her makeup videos, and Conor plays covers of “vintage” songs from 2015 on his guitar. As Conor’s mom gets sick and their bills mount, they’re soon spending more time streaming in front of the mirror than living their real lives. Even though they met playing music together, Erinn doesn’t have the time to do her one hobby: playing the piano.


That’s when they start seeing things. Mid makeup tutorial, Erinn sees a life-sized porcelain doll next to her reflection. Worried she’s losing her mind, she keeps it from Conor. But when Conor sees a faceless audience appear around him during his stream, he finally agrees to call a repairman.


When the repairmen says there’s nothing wrong with the Vanity, the rift between Erinn and Conor grows. He doubles down on his videos, while Erinn suffocates under the mask of all she’s not saying.


Conor’s mom takes a turn for the worse. Erinn finally convinces him to take a break from streaming, so he can see his mother one last time. He agrees - as long as they can tell their Vanity followers why before they go. That’s when Erinn loses it.


She does the one thing the repairman warned them not to do, and reboots the Vanity.


For the first time, Erinn and Conor, together, experience their shared reality: they are trapped inside the Vanity. Realizing he’s about to lose Erinn forever, Conor decides to act - and breaks the Vanity. But when Conor and Erinn come to and walk out into their house, they don’t recognize it. Why are there suitcases near the door? Who called the driver?


They walk outside and ask: What is the sky?




A message from our Director, Megan Rosati:


The world is on fire.


The ice caps are melting, fascism is rising, and students are rioting in the streets. Every day I see something on my phone that makes me feel terrified and helpless, and I think: out of all the things to care about, why should I pick this movie?


Why should you?


You’ve seen it too: a video of a bomb going off in some foreign country right next to a picture of your friend’s wedding. You check to make sure it’s real, and not AI generated before sharing. The world is on fire, and it’s burning up our screens.. Yet still we stare, mesmerized by our own image.


If horror is about imagining the worst case scenario, and the catharsis of seeing the bad guy get punished, THE VANITY asks: what if the worst case scenario isn’t that far off? And how will we know who the bad guys are?


Do you trust what you see?


Like the algorithm, THE VANITY is calculated to keep you watching until you realize: the story you have been told is not the only version. Like any good art, you’ll root for our heroes only to find the reality is more complicated than it seems.


I want you to leave the theater questioning what you saw, because we all need to keep questioning. This is the best way I know how to make a difference because storytelling is the most powerful tool we have.


And I love a twist ending.



Megan Rosati has written, produced, directed, and often acted in over 60 short form films and online sketches since 2012. Her work has gone viral, with millions of views and has been covered by places like NY MAG, DEADLINE, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, FANGORIA, RUE MORGUE, LA MAG, and PASTE.


Megan created a short form series for IFC Comedy Crib, and her pilot horror script BLOOM was optioned by SHUDDER and PROJECT GREENLIGHT. Her work has appeared in festivals like OVERLOOK, FANTASTIC FEST, and FANTASPOA.


Professionally, she’s been entrusted with the branding and marketing for places like NETFLIX, RED BULL, and non-profit foundations working to enhance equity for underrepresented voices. Everything she has made has been self-funded with the help of her robust community.


Megan founded an all-women horror film director’s collective, FATALE COLLECTIVE. She’s written for noted horror magazine FANGORIA, and co-hosted a podcast for the CW anthology series TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES.


Her most recent work can be seen in the crowdfunded feature anthology film GIVE ME AN A, created by women filmmakers in response to the overturning of Roe Vs. Wade.


As a neurodivergent latina woman, Megan has carved out a niche for herself as a searing critic of hypocritical societal norms, using horror and comedy as her vehicle. Her marketing expertise gives her keen insight into how to sell her vision at every step of the filmmaking process.


THE VANITY is the culmination of 20 years of honing her craft, gaining experience, and building the relationships that are the bedrock of independent filmmaking. With your support, she’ll be able to fulfill the potential of her experience and realize the scope of her unique vision.


We hope you’ll be watching!



Distinct color palettes in both production and lighting design will differentiate Erinn & Conor’s real life house from the digital world of The Vanity.



Framing and shooting styles will further illuminate the house versus the vanity.



INFLUENCES

The slow build dread and timeless setting of IT FOLLOWS with...

...the grounded surrealism of DREAM SCENARIO plus...

...the dark techno-satire of EX MACHINA and...

...the practical effects and romantic story of ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND.


BUDGET AND FUNDRAISING GOALS



LABOR - The Vanity has a powerhouse cast and crew already behind it, all taking extremely discounted rates to make this uncanny world come to life. The scope of the project requires a 4 day shoot - 2 days in studio, 2 days on location. Cast and crew will be giving up other work during that time and we are very sensitive to that.


EQ - Camera and lighting eq will be integral in visually capturing our world as well as practically capturing the surreal effects that allow us to break the wall into the space inside the vanity. Sound EQ will capture our dialogue. Production supplies will allow us to support the crew in communicating and setting up properly.


PAYROLL/INSURANCE - We will need to run payroll for all labor on the project and follow all compliance guidelines. Additionally, we will need to make sure we are covered on the insurance side for any unexpected needs. While we always exercise extreme caution, this is a reality of being properly prepared.


PROPS/PRODUCTION DESIGN - There are hard costs that even while being extremely resourceful we must have covered - like for instance, our star, The Vanity! The Vanity will need to be designed and constructed to make sure our world is grounded. This is a world we do, and likely, will know. The production design will need budget and resources to make sure we nail this.


LOCATIONS - The scope of the project requires a 4 day shoot - 2 days in studio, 2 days on location.


MEALS - Our plan will make sure everyone feels safe, supported and well fed. The nature of this industry, as well as a scrappy shoot like this, means the holistic health of everyone is our top priority.


POST - Post production will be tentamount in executing the overall vision. Editing, color and music will be the layers that bridge the texture between our two worlds.


MARKETING - we have a multi tiered marketing plan including website, and multiple social media campaigns. This will create the real world Vanity evangelist community. From there will we submit to all relevant festivals and take this show on the road!



Should we exceed our crowdfunding goals, our stretch budget will allow us to...


  • Have a custom music composition made.
  • Create more custom propping for the film.
  • Have a higher technical level of post effects.
  • Compensate a kickass colorist.
  • Submit to more festivals.
  • Travel to festivals with the film.
  • Get the eyes and word of mouth needed to start to develop The Vanity as a feature film!


OUR ROADMAP:



We are so excited to make this film! With your support, we can realize our full vision.


We can't thank you enough for all of your time and consideration!

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Our Star, The Vanity, Props and Set Design

Costs $3,000

We will need to construct our vanity and its duplicate for practical effects.

Locations

Costs $2,000

We will need to create the world of the Vanity on a soundstage as well as in a house.

Crew Rates

Costs $15,000

We need to compensate our extremely skilled crew for the time they are spending working on bringing this to life.

Equipment

Costs $3,000

From the camera to the lights to the production supplies, we need equipment to support our skilled crew.

Catering and Crafty

Costs $2,000

We need to properly nourish our cast and crew on our various shoot days. And coffee!

Post Production

Costs $3,500

Edit, color, music and sound is what will craft the world we have shot in production.

Marketing

Costs $600

We need budget to submit The Vanity into festivals, as well as producing our limited edition swag.

Insurance and Payroll

Costs $2,500

We need to stay compliant while paying our crew, as well as prepare for all circumstances that may arise.

SFX Makeup

Costs $500

In order to give you the proper jump scares, we need to budget for great SFX makeup.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

Current Team

Supporters

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Incentives