Through the Umbra
Orange, California | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Action
Set in a world where Day and Night are divided, Through the Umbra explores themes of unity, truth, and what it means to champion empathy over fear. Your support will enhance our production quality, help us push the boundaries of technology in student filmmaking, and ensure our team is well-supported
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,950 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Set in a world where Day and Night are divided, Through the Umbra explores themes of unity, truth, and what it means to champion empathy over fear. Your support will enhance our production quality, help us push the boundaries of technology in student filmmaking, and ensure our team is well-supported
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Synopsis: In a dystopian future, Earth is split in two by a colossal iron wall known as Lucifer’s Divide, separating the lands of endless Day, where the sun never sets, and Night, or as the people call it, The Umbra, a ruined land of eternal darkness. In the authoritarian government of Day, where order and control rule, Citizens are taught to fear the people of the Umbra, whom they refer to as “Nocturnals,” shadow-dwelling creatures said to threaten humanity’s survival.
The story follows Luka, a devoted military pilot who moves through life on autopilot until he’s assigned to fly a reconnaissance mission along the edge of the Umbra with Commander Carnen and soldier Devo. After a sudden malfunction forces them to crash-land in the wasteland, Carnen and Devo set out to retrieve resources and purge any Nocturnals on sight in order to make it back to safety. But when communications fail, and the two vanish into the darkness, Luka is left with no choice but to venture into the abandoned ruins alone.
There, rather than creatures, he encounters Gaia, a child hiding in the wreckage. Through fear, silence, and eventually sign language, the two begin to understand one another. When Gaia asks what “color” means, Luka strikes a flame, revealing, for the first time in her life, the warmth of real light. In that glow, his faith in his world on the other side of the wall begins to crumble.
Confronted by his comrades, Luka refuses to let them harm the girl, sparking a dangerous standoff that exposes the truth behind their so-called war. In a desperate escape, Luka and Gaia flee toward the light, seeking to show the world that what they’ve been told to fear are simply people, like themselves.
We need to meet 80% of our goal to receive the green light from Seed & Spark and access our funds. We have incredible faith in this story and in our ability to bring it to life, but we can't do it without your help. Read below to learn more about each department.
PRODUCTION DESIGN: We will be building the interior of a military aircraft. Everything from the sets to the specific props and weapons, and even the uniquely designed costumes, requires the right materials and supplies to bring the world to life. A significant portion of our budget is allocated for all construction needs and outsourced props.
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION: In collaboration with Chapman University’s innovative Virtual Production and VFX programs, Through the Umbra aims to create an exceptionally immersive and realistic setting at the student level. Our production seamlessly combines live-action and digital elements using cutting-edge technology, including 3D scanning, Motion Tracking, Color Syncing, and DMX Lighting, to project real-time 3D environments onto an LED panel wall. By blending these virtual techniques with practical elements, such as detailed stage builds, real factory locations, and dynamic lighting, we aim to create a cinematic experience that feels both grounded in reality and breathtakingly otherworldly.
(Our partners: Beeble.ai, Lightcraft.pro)
Every part of this vision relies on the generosity of the people who believe in it.
PERFORMANCE: At its core, Through the Umbra is about how empathy can prevail even in the darkest places. We will be hiring professional actors, a stunt coordinator, a studio teacher, and a casting director to help bring the performance to its fullest potential.
LOCATIONS: Half of our shoot will take place on Dodge’s LED wall soundstage, where we are constructing a full aircraft interior for a major sequence as Luka and the soldiers enter the Umbra. For exterior scenes, we have been testing the use of green screens on location and digitally compositing built environments to extend and transform those spaces. A significant portion of our budget will be allocated directly towards location fees and the associated liaison costs for safety supervision.
CAST, CREW, & SET OPERATIONS: Assist in providing meals for over 35 crew members across 9 shooting days and ensure our set is safe with the necessary resources.
Ways you can support THROUGH THE UMBRA
- Pledging to our Seed&Spark Campaign (read the incentives to the right to see what you can receive for your contributions)
- Make some noise! Share our Campaign and Social Media with friends and family
- Stay connected by following our social media @Throughtheumbra
Any contribution, however great or small, is vital to making our story come to life and would mean the world to us!
Thank you for your support!
With gratitude on behalf of the Umbra Crew,
Jaime Cortez - Producer
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
PERFORMANCE
Costs $1,000
Hire professional actors, stunt coordinator, studio teacher, and casting director to help bring the performance to the screen
SET OPERATIONS
Costs $2,000
Help provide meals for 35+ crew members over 9 shooting days and ensure our set is safe with the right resources.
LOCATIONS
Costs $3,000
Support will help cover location fees filming in an abandoned factory and associated liaison costs for safety supervision.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Costs $1,000
Our intricate sets, prop designs, and unique costumes require the right materials and supplies in order to bring the world to life.
CAMERA & VIRTUAL PRODUCTION EQUIPTMNET
Costs $2,000
Working with the LED wall requires special lighting and camera equipment to blend digital and practical worlds seamlessly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a dedicated team of Chapman University Seniors!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Synopsis: In a dystopian future, Earth is split in two by a colossal iron wall known as Lucifer’s Divide, separating the lands of endless Day, where the sun never sets, and Night, or as the people call it, The Umbra, a ruined land of eternal darkness. In the authoritarian government of Day, where order and control rule, Citizens are taught to fear the people of the Umbra, whom they refer to as “Nocturnals,” shadow-dwelling creatures said to threaten humanity’s survival.
The story follows Luka, a devoted military pilot who moves through life on autopilot until he’s assigned to fly a reconnaissance mission along the edge of the Umbra with Commander Carnen and soldier Devo. After a sudden malfunction forces them to crash-land in the wasteland, Carnen and Devo set out to retrieve resources and purge any Nocturnals on sight in order to make it back to safety. But when communications fail, and the two vanish into the darkness, Luka is left with no choice but to venture into the abandoned ruins alone.
There, rather than creatures, he encounters Gaia, a child hiding in the wreckage. Through fear, silence, and eventually sign language, the two begin to understand one another. When Gaia asks what “color” means, Luka strikes a flame, revealing, for the first time in her life, the warmth of real light. In that glow, his faith in his world on the other side of the wall begins to crumble.
Confronted by his comrades, Luka refuses to let them harm the girl, sparking a dangerous standoff that exposes the truth behind their so-called war. In a desperate escape, Luka and Gaia flee toward the light, seeking to show the world that what they’ve been told to fear are simply people, like themselves.
We need to meet 80% of our goal to receive the green light from Seed & Spark and access our funds. We have incredible faith in this story and in our ability to bring it to life, but we can't do it without your help. Read below to learn more about each department.
PRODUCTION DESIGN: We will be building the interior of a military aircraft. Everything from the sets to the specific props and weapons, and even the uniquely designed costumes, requires the right materials and supplies to bring the world to life. A significant portion of our budget is allocated for all construction needs and outsourced props.
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION: In collaboration with Chapman University’s innovative Virtual Production and VFX programs, Through the Umbra aims to create an exceptionally immersive and realistic setting at the student level. Our production seamlessly combines live-action and digital elements using cutting-edge technology, including 3D scanning, Motion Tracking, Color Syncing, and DMX Lighting, to project real-time 3D environments onto an LED panel wall. By blending these virtual techniques with practical elements, such as detailed stage builds, real factory locations, and dynamic lighting, we aim to create a cinematic experience that feels both grounded in reality and breathtakingly otherworldly.
(Our partners: Beeble.ai, Lightcraft.pro)
Every part of this vision relies on the generosity of the people who believe in it.
PERFORMANCE: At its core, Through the Umbra is about how empathy can prevail even in the darkest places. We will be hiring professional actors, a stunt coordinator, a studio teacher, and a casting director to help bring the performance to its fullest potential.
LOCATIONS: Half of our shoot will take place on Dodge’s LED wall soundstage, where we are constructing a full aircraft interior for a major sequence as Luka and the soldiers enter the Umbra. For exterior scenes, we have been testing the use of green screens on location and digitally compositing built environments to extend and transform those spaces. A significant portion of our budget will be allocated directly towards location fees and the associated liaison costs for safety supervision.
CAST, CREW, & SET OPERATIONS: Assist in providing meals for over 35 crew members across 9 shooting days and ensure our set is safe with the necessary resources.
Ways you can support THROUGH THE UMBRA
- Pledging to our Seed&Spark Campaign (read the incentives to the right to see what you can receive for your contributions)
- Make some noise! Share our Campaign and Social Media with friends and family
- Stay connected by following our social media @Throughtheumbra
Any contribution, however great or small, is vital to making our story come to life and would mean the world to us!
Thank you for your support!
With gratitude on behalf of the Umbra Crew,
Jaime Cortez - Producer
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
PERFORMANCE
Costs $1,000
Hire professional actors, stunt coordinator, studio teacher, and casting director to help bring the performance to the screen
SET OPERATIONS
Costs $2,000
Help provide meals for 35+ crew members over 9 shooting days and ensure our set is safe with the right resources.
LOCATIONS
Costs $3,000
Support will help cover location fees filming in an abandoned factory and associated liaison costs for safety supervision.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Costs $1,000
Our intricate sets, prop designs, and unique costumes require the right materials and supplies in order to bring the world to life.
CAMERA & VIRTUAL PRODUCTION EQUIPTMNET
Costs $2,000
Working with the LED wall requires special lighting and camera equipment to blend digital and practical worlds seamlessly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a dedicated team of Chapman University Seniors!