This retro-pop musical paints a turning point in the lives of Hazel and Carson-Virginia, the soul-tied, dewy-eyed members of a band on the run. Evicted by their cold-hearted manager Reggie, the shut-in duo must overcome self-doubt, jumpstart their hunt for inspiration, and venture into the unknown.
This retro-pop musical paints a turning point in the lives of Hazel and Carson-Virginia, the soul-tied, dewy-eyed members of a band on the run. Evicted by their cold-hearted manager Reggie, the shut-in duo must overcome self-doubt, jumpstart their hunt for inspiration, and venture into the unknown.
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Story
Mission Statement
As young artists, we bear the same risk as our protagonists, that of creative failure. With this film, we strive to do what the band initially cannot—face our fears and put ourselves out there. We will do so through a comic celebration of confused inspiration and collaboration.About The Project
Hazel (left) - The impulsive, speedo-clad, pole-vault-performing, makeshift mastermind behind the duo’s tracks. CV’s only companion in this world.
Carson-Virginia (CV) (right) - The circumspect, delusional, sticky-sideburn-sporting, pretend professional of the pair. Hazel’s only companion in this world.
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Time has lagged and dragged for our two flabbergasted punkers down in the bunker. To cope with their ever-increasing distance from the world, the two have turned to daily mischief.
For Hazel these misadventures do it all. Spending his time miming John Travolta’s hip thrusts in Saturday Night Fever keeps him going.
CV, however, Hazel's partner in crime, fervently believes that their self-indulgence does not work to stimulate their imaginations. He comes to see the choice to hide away as a path to complete musical stagnation.
On one fateful afternoon, the band is finally propelled into the real world. The challenges of getting evicted and having to re-evaluate their path bring to light the conflicts of an increasingly toxic relationship and fraught creative process.
As these basement ghouls face the music (literally- through three original songs!), they are reminded of the power of their connection. This film is the product of a group of young artists aiming to genuinely channel the joys of creative maturation, in all its rocky glory.
Raising Arizona (1987 - dir. Joel Coen), Withnail & I (1987 - dir. Bruce Robinson), Smithereens (1982 - dir. Susan Seidelman), T2 (2017 - dir. Danny Boyle)
“Following the free-spirited nature of proto-punk and the non-conforming, anti-establishment ethos of the alternative, the visual language of this film finds its raw, experimental, and heightened nature through obscuring everyday elements. Using practical lighting as a framework to expand on, this film finds ways of making the dingy a little bit magical.”
- Gus Aronson, Director of Photography
Onion (2018 - Shannon and the Clams), A Hard Day's Night (1964 - dir. Richard Lester), Purple Rain (1984 - dir. Albert Magnoli), Waka/jawaka (1972 - Frank Zappa)
“The music of this story fuses the madcap lyrical sensibilities of Frank Zappa, the perky drum machines and lilting guitar lines of J.J Cale, and the razor-sharp melodic sound of XTC with a modern indie twist. The songs touch on love, isolation, camaraderie, the inherent grossness of the human body, and the true nature of being an artist - a total willingness to embarrass yourself at any moment.”
- Charlie Kilgore, Music and Lyrics
(Banner and Title Design by Declan Moy Bishow, Backdrop by Theo Webb and Chase Mayo)
Production Design is arguably the most important element of this colorful story's realization. It is imperative to the success and authenticity of our film that the bunker in which the basement boys dwell is built from scratch. Every crack in the wall, every yogurt stain on the pull-out sofa bed, and every piece of trash that CV pulls out of the gigantic Oyster sculpture that they built down there, should feel like it was fabricated by its inhabitants. These people do not operate in the real world; the self-constructed one from which they must break away needs to live and breathe on screen.
(Sketches by Regina Melady)
While the duo’s living space resembles a dilapidated shrine to their “glory year” (singular), the same can be said of their Costumes. Our protagonists are a pair of antisocial eccentrics whose outfits express their disillusionment as fiercely as their surroundings. While Hazel’s everyday ensemble is his speedo, CV prefers the comfort of his tattered leather pants—the same ones worn in the music video for their smash hit single.
We are eager to get back on-set and doing what we love. To truly dive back into things, and to keep our set safe, we'll be podding up! We will be keeping a closed set in Upstate New York, with our entire team shacking up together for the duration of the production. Additionally, all of our team is fully vaccinated and ready to adhere to New York’s Media Production Guidelines and current CDC Covid protocol.After five months of meetings, rehearsals, and synthesizing our ideas (and melodies, of course), our team has formed a creative community in which all members have been encouraged to contribute to the aesthetic and emotional core of the project. Theo, as the film’s screenwriter, has drafted over 40 rewrites of the script on the basis of contributions and notes from all departments. Over Memorial Day weekend, our entire cast and crew gathered together for the first time to shoot a short music video on Super 8mm film as a screen test. Having already found great chemistry both in front of and behind the camera, we could not be more excited about our upcoming shoot in August.
Following the completion of the film, we plan to submit to several domestic and international festivals that lean towards high-energy, visually engaging films. Additionally, we will host an internet release of the film which will serve to get it in front of as many audiences as possible.
In both its content and production, this is an ambitious project. In order to do justice to the prep work of our crew, we will need the support of a larger community. If you are not in a position to contribute financially, there are still many ways to support our project. Even just "following" our campaign with a simple click will go farther than you can imagine in this rockin' effort! Or better yet, share this page along with the slogan, "Did you ever live in an oyster?".
We hope that you will recognize and appreciate the time, energy, and creativity which we have invested so far and decide to join us in our endeavor.
Incentives
$10
Groupie
You'll receive a shoutout on our official Twitter page!
$25
Roadie
You'll receive a photoshopped image of yourself in the giant oyster!
$50
One Hit Wonder
You'll receive a behind-the-scenes sizzle reel from set, as well as an early link to the film, and a special thanks in the credits!
$100
Basement Ghoul
You'll receive This Room is My Oyster stickers designed by our Concept Art Director, Declan! Plus all of the previously listed incentives.
$250
Bunk Rocker
You'll receive a physical copy of our Official Poster, which is currently being designed. Plus all of the previously listed incentives, and an HD download.
Claimed: 2 of 20
$500
Guitar Hero
You are keeping this production groovin'! We show our thanks with a vinyl copy of the film's Original Soundtrack. Plus all of the previously listed incentives.
Claimed: 6 of 10
$1,000
Platinum Record
You'll receive a comprehensive behind-the-scenes scrapbook encompassing the entire production. Plus all of the previously listed incentives.
Claimed: 3 of 5
$2,500
Rock Legend
You'll receive an Associate Producer credit on the film. You will also receive a portrait of yourself, taken by Gus, our talented Director of Photography. Plus all of the previously listed incentives.
Claimed: 1 of 2
$5,000
Record Label Exec
You will receive an Executive Producer credit on the film. You will also be invited to dinner with the Director at the NYC restaurant "Oyster Bar," as well as receiving all of the previously listed incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 2
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Groupie
You'll receive a shoutout on our official Twitter page!
$25
Roadie
You'll receive a photoshopped image of yourself in the giant oyster!
$50
One Hit Wonder
You'll receive a behind-the-scenes sizzle reel from set, as well as an early link to the film, and a special thanks in the credits!
$100
Basement Ghoul
You'll receive This Room is My Oyster stickers designed by our Concept Art Director, Declan! Plus all of the previously listed incentives.
$250
Bunk Rocker
You'll receive a physical copy of our Official Poster, which is currently being designed. Plus all of the previously listed incentives, and an HD download.
Claimed: 2 of 20
$500
Guitar Hero
You are keeping this production groovin'! We show our thanks with a vinyl copy of the film's Original Soundtrack. Plus all of the previously listed incentives.
Claimed: 6 of 10
$1,000
Platinum Record
You'll receive a comprehensive behind-the-scenes scrapbook encompassing the entire production. Plus all of the previously listed incentives.
Claimed: 3 of 5
$2,500
Rock Legend
You'll receive an Associate Producer credit on the film. You will also receive a portrait of yourself, taken by Gus, our talented Director of Photography. Plus all of the previously listed incentives.
Claimed: 1 of 2
$5,000
Record Label Exec
You will receive an Executive Producer credit on the film. You will also be invited to dinner with the Director at the NYC restaurant "Oyster Bar," as well as receiving all of the previously listed incentives.
Claimed: 0 of 2
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Theo Matza (Writer/Director) is a 21 year-old writer, filmmaker, and photographer based in New York City. He studied at Wesleyan University, where he shot many thesis films that received honors. In addition to being in post-production on a collaborative feature-length road trip film he conceived of as a senior-thesis alternative, Theo has served as a pre-screener for the New York Film Festival, and has lensed and lit several more recognized narrative projects. He is honored to have gathered such a professional and distinctive team for his debut short.
Charlie Kilgore (Actor/Composer) is an actor/musician who has appeared in Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom and HBO‘s Divorce, and is currently signed to Atlantic Records as a songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist with the group MICHELLE. As a member of the This Room Is My Oyster team, he has written the songs that our hapless musician protagonists will be trying to pitch to the outside world, as well as appearing as their erstwhile collaborator/overzealous USPS delivery man, Benjy.
Asher Muldoon (Actor) is a 21 year old actor and writer from New York. He will be portraying Carson-Virginia (CV) in This Room is My Oyster. He has worked extensively in theater and film, most recently in the First National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen. He studies English at Princeton University and his work as a composer and lyricist has been performed on several professional stages.
Alvaro Chavez (Actor) will be playing the role of Hazel. He has previously participated in many different forms of comedy and content creation, most notably on TikTok, where he has a strong folowing. He expects that he can bring his background in comedy and love for musicals to this film and help make it come alive!
Aurora Amidon (Actor) made her acting debut on Flip Video horror movies she made with her twin sister when they were six. Since then, she has appeared in a number of short films, including Leaving Disco and A Case of Bananas. She graduated from Bard College in 2020 with a BA in Film and Literature, and is intent on committing her post-grad life entirely to film.
João Pereira-Webber (Producer) is a Brooklyn-Based Brazilian-American filmmaker. He has produced the short film The Chicken, which premiered at Locarno Film Festival, NYFF, HKIFF, and AFI Fest. He also directed Galinha for which he received honors from Wesleyan University’s College of Film and the Moving Image and premiered the 41st Mill Valley Film Festival. João is also a member of the National Board of Review.
Daniel Sorkin (Producer) is a senior in the Film Production program at the University of Southern California focused on directing and producing. In addition to working on student films through USC, Daniel has had the opportunity to work as an associate producer on Silo, an independent feature film to be released by Oscilloscope this summer.
Chase Mayo (Producer/Assistant Art Director) is a freelance producer based out of Red Hook, NY. She is a recent graduate of the Film Studies program at Wesleyan University, where she was awarded the “Leavell Memorial Prize” for outstanding work in the department. Her recent work as both a producer and art assistant has been showcased in several short films which have achieved festival admission.
Gus Aronson (Director of Photography) is a photographer and filmmaker based in the Bronx, NY. Gus’s work honors the individuality of his subjects and their stories. After graduating Bard College in 2020, he has completed commissions for Aperture and Elle Magazines, and was part of the Aperture Summer Open 2020 “Information” show in September.
Michael Bloom (1st Assistant Director) is a recent graduate of Wesleyan University’s Film Studies program, and is extremely excited to be included in this talented crew of wonderful artists. He enjoys directing the written works of Aedan Roney during his summer months.
Theo Webb (Production Designer) is a filmmaker, editor and production designer from New York City. He is a recent graduate of the Bard College film program, where his thesis, Wren, received the “Maya Deren Prize”.
Declan Moy Bishow (Concept Artist) is a visual artist with a strong background in cartooning and poster design. He is a recent graduate of Wesleyan University, where he achieved high honors and a BA in studio art. For this lovely film, he will be designing the poster, title cards and acting as the concept designer for various props.
Joel Kaswan Meilijson (Gaffer), a recent NYU-Tisch graduate, enjoys piecing narratives together in the editing room, while also shooting and directing both fictional and documentary projects. Joel will be using the skills he has picked up over the past four years on set to light Gus's compositions.
Eliza McKenna (Gaffer) is a Brooklyn-based director and assistant director. She graduated from Wesleyan University in 2020 and is now pursuing her MFA at Pratt Institute. The last film she Assistant-Directed, Bruiser, screened in Shorts Program A at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
CJ Bruce (Sound Recordist) is a Brooklyn based sound recordist. He has worked on all types of projects, from indie films starring nobodies, to skits starring pop icons. T.R.I.M.O. will be his first musical.
Kate Williams (Choreographer) is a recent graduate of Bard College with a joint degree in Dance and Human Rights, who will be leading the choreography and informed movement in This Room is My Oyster. Much of Kate’s choreographic work has been based in personal narrative.
Stefano Castro (Art Assistant) is a Colombian-American creative interested in reframing cultural narrative through film, photography, and digital art. Born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, he was first introduced to the visual arts through his mother who has a passion for cameras and expanding their family archive.
Annie Ning (Art Assistant) is a filmmaker, theater artist and production designer from Suzhou, China. Her previous design projects range from a psychological thriller shot in the Canadian woods to recent branded and narrative work with her co-founded production company, Rai Productions.
Regina Melady (Costume Designer) is a costume designer and filmmaker. She recently costumed All I've Been Wanting, the third feature from writer/director Jimmy Bontatibus. She is in the final stages of editing a documentary about her grandpa titled Grandpa Al Feeds the Fishes.
Ella Matza (Hair and Makeup) is a mixed medium artist and a recent graduate of the University of St Andrews. An experienced jeweler, clothing designer, and makeup artist, Ella is excited to experiment with new techniques to give these characters unforgettable looks.
Alex Sennett (Editor) is a freelance editor based in NYC with experience ranging from narrative, music video, documentary, commercial, and more. His passion for post production was born from a love of telling cutting-edge stories that bend perceptions and perspectives.
Sarah Lucente (Script Supervisor) has been a producer, assistant director, and art department PA for several honors-awarded senior thesis films and independent projects. She also received honors for her own film criticism thesis while attending Wesleyan University.
David Weindorf (First Assistant Camera) is a NYC-based production coordinator/photographer/1st AC. He has collaborated closely with Gus on many film projects in the past and enjoys building cameras more than he should. At Bard College, David studied with Gilles Peress and Daphne Fitzpatrick and developed an appreciation for medium-format photography. Professionally, he has worked in photo production for clients such as Athleta, The North Face, and S&S Activewear.
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