Third Eye
San Anselmo, California | Film Short
Horror, Thriller
Third Eye is the proof-of-concept short film for The Way It Was, a coming-of-age feature thriller about four childhood friends who return home in the week before their mentor's funeral and must confront lost love, an uncertain future, a monster from the past, and one another.
Third Eye
San Anselmo, California | Film Short
Horror, Thriller
1 Campaigns |
24 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$3,045
Goal: $4,000 for post-production
Third Eye is the proof-of-concept short film for The Way It Was, a coming-of-age feature thriller about four childhood friends who return home in the week before their mentor's funeral and must confront lost love, an uncertain future, a monster from the past, and one another.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
This project, based partially on a true story, is both a psychedelic thriller and a coming of age drama that follows a group of friends grappling with the first major death of their adult lives. The film's tagline, "It's hard to be confronted with the power of the universe when you don't even know yourself" is as much a thought about the transition from childhood to adulthood as much as it is a disclaimer about mushroom consumption. 
This group of childhood friends decides to confront their darkest emotions through a hefty magic mushroom trip during a hike to scatter their dear friend's ashes. As the trip progresses, each of them must confront their own mortality as well as their shifting relationships. While I hope (and believe) Third Eye plays as a propulsive surface-value thriller, its genesis was entirely emotional. Despite the heightened circumstances and narrative inventions, these are feelings that everyone reaching the end of the first quarter of their lives must reconcile with.
"Childhood ends. People drift apart. Sometimes the universe is cruel and people die. I’m upset too, but I’m not taking it out on the friends I still have left," Wyatt Tithof's character says in the film.
Both Third Eye, and the feature film script it is based off of (which Third Eye exists to help raise funding for) are treatises on how to deal with these emotions. My generation is coming of age in a time where the primary societal concerns are the absolution of our humanity’s importance in the face of AI overlords, the most polarized time in the Untied States since the Civil War, and the climate clock in Union Square Park counting the seconds to our demise. I felt the need to tell story about people finding freedom from despair in the face of something they have no control over.
While the film has already been shot, we need to raise more money to get it across the finish line in time for the Sundance 2027 submissions deadline. Some of these costs include rates to pay editors, colorists, composers, post-production sound mixers, ADR studios, talent fees, as well as covering festival submission fees. The whole team has a deep appreciation for any amount you're willing to give towards making this film the best it can be.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editor compensation
Costs $500
It was incredibly important to us that we hire an editor with specific training and expertise beyond that of the current team.
Colorist Fee
Costs $250
To give the film a cohesive, polished look, we need a skilled colorist to shape its visual mood and elevate the story.
Composer Fee
Costs $250
A skilled composer who understands how music can elevate the visuals of a film will craft a distinctly original score for THIRD EYE.
ADR
Costs $750
The funds raised for ADR will go to both securing a studio space, and fairly compensating our actors for their time.
Post-Sound Expenses
Costs $1,000
The soundscape of THIRD EYE is one of the most crucial elements. We've hired a master post-sound producer to curate the sonic environment.
Graphic Designer Fee
Costs $500
We have an amazing graphic designer curating multiple (artist-generated!) concepts for us to promote THIRD EYE on its upcoming festival run.
Festival Fees
Costs $750
As THIRD EYE is a proof-of-concept for a feature, we want it to go as wide as possible! This money will cover film festival submission fees.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We had a brilliant, hard-working team, from our exceptional cast - Chloe O'Shea, Evan Mirabella, and Wyatt Tithof - who bared their souls on command, to virtuosic cinematographer Bamba Kimball and the most driven person I've ever encountered: producer Alison Lynch. Every single person brought something unique to the table, and many worked for little more than food and travel expenses out of a belief in the project. My unending gratitude goes out to everybody who had the slightest hand in making this possible.
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
Joaquin Foster
STARRING
Chloe O'shea
Evan Mirabella
Wyatt Tithof
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Bamba Kimball
PRODUCED BY Pretty Things Productions
Alison Lynch
Keira Braithwaite
in association with Twisted Hammock Productions and Gran Cru Entertainment
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Jacqueline Smith
Nicole Myer
1st AD
Keira Braithwaite
CAMERA
Gaffer: Truman Hatfield
Key Grip: Charles Coleman
1st AC: Aryan Gupta
2nd AC: Hunter Taylor-Black
GRIPS & GAFFERS
Cassian Krause
Calum Palmer
Britton Sear
PRODUCTION SOUND MIXER
Jack Spencer Gentry
ART
Art Director: Nicole Myer
HMU: Keira Braithwaite, Nicole Myer
Prop Stylist: Savi Yohannes
COMPOSER
Alex Uhrlaub
POST SOUND PRODUCTION
Cap Sharon
COLORIST
James Conlee
EDITOR
Sam Menell
Joaquin Foster
LEGAL
Benjamin Andrews
POSITIVE ENERGY CURATOR
Hank Figueroa-Lindelli
SPECIAL THANKS
Joe, Vicky, and Sean O'Reilly
Neka Pasquale & Urban Remedy
Victory Hall and Prior, Deanna Sison, and Jay Foster
Nicole MacNaughton and Untamed Artists LA
The city of San Anselmo
This film is dedicated to Jacqueline Smith
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
This project, based partially on a true story, is both a psychedelic thriller and a coming of age drama that follows a group of friends grappling with the first major death of their adult lives. The film's tagline, "It's hard to be confronted with the power of the universe when you don't even know yourself" is as much a thought about the transition from childhood to adulthood as much as it is a disclaimer about mushroom consumption.
This group of childhood friends decides to confront their darkest emotions through a hefty magic mushroom trip during a hike to scatter their dear friend's ashes. As the trip progresses, each of them must confront their own mortality as well as their shifting relationships. While I hope (and believe) Third Eye plays as a propulsive surface-value thriller, its genesis was entirely emotional. Despite the heightened circumstances and narrative inventions, these are feelings that everyone reaching the end of the first quarter of their lives must reconcile with.
"Childhood ends. People drift apart. Sometimes the universe is cruel and people die. I’m upset too, but I’m not taking it out on the friends I still have left," Wyatt Tithof's character says in the film.
Both Third Eye, and the feature film script it is based off of (which Third Eye exists to help raise funding for) are treatises on how to deal with these emotions. My generation is coming of age in a time where the primary societal concerns are the absolution of our humanity’s importance in the face of AI overlords, the most polarized time in the Untied States since the Civil War, and the climate clock in Union Square Park counting the seconds to our demise. I felt the need to tell story about people finding freedom from despair in the face of something they have no control over.
While the film has already been shot, we need to raise more money to get it across the finish line in time for the Sundance 2027 submissions deadline. Some of these costs include rates to pay editors, colorists, composers, post-production sound mixers, ADR studios, talent fees, as well as covering festival submission fees. The whole team has a deep appreciation for any amount you're willing to give towards making this film the best it can be.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editor compensation
Costs $500
It was incredibly important to us that we hire an editor with specific training and expertise beyond that of the current team.
Colorist Fee
Costs $250
To give the film a cohesive, polished look, we need a skilled colorist to shape its visual mood and elevate the story.
Composer Fee
Costs $250
A skilled composer who understands how music can elevate the visuals of a film will craft a distinctly original score for THIRD EYE.
ADR
Costs $750
The funds raised for ADR will go to both securing a studio space, and fairly compensating our actors for their time.
Post-Sound Expenses
Costs $1,000
The soundscape of THIRD EYE is one of the most crucial elements. We've hired a master post-sound producer to curate the sonic environment.
Graphic Designer Fee
Costs $500
We have an amazing graphic designer curating multiple (artist-generated!) concepts for us to promote THIRD EYE on its upcoming festival run.
Festival Fees
Costs $750
As THIRD EYE is a proof-of-concept for a feature, we want it to go as wide as possible! This money will cover film festival submission fees.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We had a brilliant, hard-working team, from our exceptional cast - Chloe O'Shea, Evan Mirabella, and Wyatt Tithof - who bared their souls on command, to virtuosic cinematographer Bamba Kimball and the most driven person I've ever encountered: producer Alison Lynch. Every single person brought something unique to the table, and many worked for little more than food and travel expenses out of a belief in the project. My unending gratitude goes out to everybody who had the slightest hand in making this possible.
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
Joaquin Foster
STARRING
Chloe O'shea
Evan Mirabella
Wyatt Tithof
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Bamba Kimball
PRODUCED BY Pretty Things Productions
Alison Lynch
Keira Braithwaite
in association with Twisted Hammock Productions and Gran Cru Entertainment
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Jacqueline Smith
Nicole Myer
1st AD
Keira Braithwaite
CAMERA
Gaffer: Truman Hatfield
Key Grip: Charles Coleman
1st AC: Aryan Gupta
2nd AC: Hunter Taylor-Black
GRIPS & GAFFERS
Cassian Krause
Calum Palmer
Britton Sear
PRODUCTION SOUND MIXER
Jack Spencer Gentry
ART
Art Director: Nicole Myer
HMU: Keira Braithwaite, Nicole Myer
Prop Stylist: Savi Yohannes
COMPOSER
Alex Uhrlaub
POST SOUND PRODUCTION
Cap Sharon
COLORIST
James Conlee
EDITOR
Sam Menell
Joaquin Foster
LEGAL
Benjamin Andrews
POSITIVE ENERGY CURATOR
Hank Figueroa-Lindelli
SPECIAL THANKS
Joe, Vicky, and Sean O'Reilly
Neka Pasquale & Urban Remedy
Victory Hall and Prior, Deanna Sison, and Jay Foster
Nicole MacNaughton and Untamed Artists LA
The city of San Anselmo
This film is dedicated to Jacqueline Smith