RUBY
A$10,350
of $10,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 14th Dec 2014 at 1:58AM.
Three years after the death of her mother, ten-year-old Ruby still struggles with the loss, long after her father re-marries. Stepmother Grace fears she is failing in her role as new mother while Ruby’s resentment towards her simmers. Ruby's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic with the arrival of stepbrother Archie, who pushes the family into an anxious sleep deprivation limbo. Withdrawing further into her world of disturbing fairytales, Ruby's relationship with her beloved witch doll takes on a sinister dimension when she comes to believe she can be reunited with her dead mother. Out of desperation, Grace employs the assistance of a Baby Whisperer, Nina - a woman with a preternatural ability to sooth the sleepless Archie, and return some sanity to the family. But Nina's true motives become clearer as Ruby connects with her on a level of understanding deeper than anyone will suspect.
THE FILM
RUBY is a Gothic Horror short film written and directed by Sean Gilligan and produced by Lucas Thyer.
Inspired by classic films of the 60's and 70's such as Rosemary’s Baby and The Haunting of Julia and contemporary classics The Orphanage and Pan's Labyrinth this adult's fairy will take us into dark corners and exploit our most primal fears, the fears that come when tasked with the responsibility of protecting the ones we love.
Quite often fairy tales offer us characters of evil women. One of the most enduring and terrifying ideas is the maternal instinct turning against us with dark, malevolent intent - the maternal as monster. It is what we least expect and therefore can be truly horrifying. Ruby explores these themes and binds them into a contemporary story, but one in which ancient characters of folklore still exist.
"There are fairy tales that are created to instil fear in children, and there are fairy tales that are created to instil hope and magic in children. I like those. I like the anarchic ones. I like the crazy ones. And, I think that all of them have a huge quotient of darkness because the one thing that alchemy understands, and fairy tale lore understands, is that you need the vile matter for magic to flourish. You need lead to turn it into gold. You need the two things for the process." - Guillermo Del Toro
DIRECTOR'S INSPIRATION
Not too long ago I became a parent for the first time. When my son was 6 weeks old it was painfully clear he wasn't a great sleeper and as a consequence neither were his parents. As a last ditch attempt to ward off our insanity and get him sleeping like, well... a baby, we needed outside help. On a recommendation we enlisted the expertise of a baby whisperer. That's what she called herself, a Baby Whisperer, this gentle older lady who just loved babies. Loved them a lot. And loved the way they smelled... a lot. She was good at her job and established a routine that helped our overtired boy, and us, get the sleep we craved. Job done. So why did she keep ringing and why did she turn up at our doorstep uninvited? What did she want? My imagination took over. Who or what had we invited into our house and what did she want with our baby? What if her love of babies was a malevolent affliction? What if she just really liked the taste? From these seeds grew the idea that would eventually become the story of Ruby.
Being a parent (now twice over) amplifies your fears and anxieties. Life is now lived with a radar that constantly detects and feels disturbances more acutely than before. Ironically this also makes a great basis for horror. Themes of parental and maternal responsibilities, anxieties and fears resonate deeply. As a story teller and filmmaker the potency of these themes are hard to deny especially when you relate to them so profoundly. But they're also universal and I know an audience will be drawn to them inevitably asking the question 'what would I do?' or 'how far would I go?'
- Sean Gilligan
Who Are We?
> Sean Gilligan - Writer / Director
Sean co-founded award winning production company Squareyed Films where he directed music video's for many of Australia's most acclaimed musicians including Missy Higgins, Silverchair, The Sleepy Jackson, Evermore, The Living End, Tim Finn and Little Birdy. He also co-directed music documentaries for artists including The Go-Betweens and George. Squareyed Films' produced over 40 music videos and earned five ARIA Award nominations while short films Stanley Ovation P.I. And The Irving Hand Prophecy also won a bag of accolades and screened locally and internationally. Sean continued to create stunning music videos at Blacklab International for Birds of Tokyo and Gin Wigmore, clips which have accumulated millions of views on youtube. Sean's feature documentary Fantome Island screened at The Brisbane International Film Festival, won Best Australian Film at the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival and the Qld State Library John Oxley Memory Award as well as screening widely.
After all is said and done it's Sean's passion for storytelling, performance and fresh creative ideas that means the most to him and the challenge of how those muscles can be flexed is the biggest thrill.
www.sean-gilligan.com
> Lucas Thyer - Producer
Lucas Thyer is an award-winning filmmaker and media producer. He began local Brisbane company PixelFrame over fourteen years ago, which from humble beginnings is now one of Queensland’s premier boutique production houses. With a strong visual style, thorough technical knowledge and eye for detail, Lucas’ work covers all formats: TV Content, short films, music videos, corporates, multi-platform projects and everything in between. Passionate and down to earth, he brings his unique creativity and enthusiasm to every project he works on. His work has been selected and won awards in the Brisbane International, Tropfest, St Kilda and Flickerfest Film Festivals and has screened across the world.
www.pixelframe.com.au
> Jason Hargreaves ACS - DOP
During the last 11 years, Jason has photographed countless commercials with both local and interstate Directors and has shot music videos for artists including the Living end, Kate Miller Heidki, Darren Hayes and Megan Washington. Jason has won dozens of awards for his Cinematography. He continues to forge connections with new collaborators and is inspired by the awesome people he loves to work with every day. In September 2012, Jason was awarded accreditation by the Australian Cinematographer's Society, allowing him to use the letters ACS after his name.
www.jasonhargreaves.com
> Caitlin Johnston - Co-Producer
With a love for organisation that hedges towards OCD, Caitlin specialises in producing and production management, having produced over a dozen short films, music videos and corporate pieces since graduating Griffith Film School in 2011. A recent achievement also includes co-producing Queensland’s first one-shot 82-minute feature film, ‘Eight’. Personable and down to earth, she is capable of organising the logistics of a project at all stages and on all scales; from overarching project supervision, to grass roots management. She is always expanding her portfolio with content that challenges and excites.
How The Funds Will Be Used
THE MONEY
The goal of our campaign is to raise $10,000. This may seem like a lot of money but in the world of filmmaking it's a small drop in deep bucket. That's why we have assembled an incredibly skilled and experienced team who know how to take a modest budget and wring it for everything it's worth and then wring it again. They will deliver the goods but will need your help!
How will it be spent?
> Art Dept! Gothic horror is a genre heavily reliant on detailed textured production design - areas such as - sets, location dressing, specialty props, costumes, sfx, make-up, prosthetics... need I go on?
> Camera and lens hire, sound recording equipment, lighting, grip gear... You know... the tools.
> Post production - editing, sound design and music composition, vfx and colour grading...
> Keep the crew and cast fed and therefore happy and not mutinous!
> Production expenses... you know... production expenses... Admin, location, hard drives... you know... that stuff.
> Festival entries and expenses. With officially 1.73* million festivals in the world this can add up. (*not official.)
Pozible offers us an amazing platform to raise funds through our community but we have to meet our funding goal before the campaign expires – or we don’t get anything! Without sounding too dramatic there is an element of high drama running this campaign... edge of your seat kinda stuff. But it is your generosity that puts it within our reach. Any contribution you are able to make will go a long way. So, help by donating and spreading the word to others. Share this link,“Like” us on Facebook, Tweet it, email this Pozible link to your friends, family, co-workers, like minded peeps and anyone else.
We can't express enough how much we appreciate your support. We know that in this wintery economic climate this can seem like a luxury expense but what would life be without art? Of course gothic horror is art! So what would life be without gothic horror? Sounds scary!
The goal of our campaign is to raise $10,000. This may seem like a lot of money but in the world of filmmaking it's a small drop in deep bucket. That's why we have assembled an incredibly skilled and experienced team who know how to take a modest budget and wring it for everything it's worth and then wring it again. They will deliver the goods but will need your help!
How will it be spent?
> Art Dept! Gothic horror is a genre heavily reliant on detailed textured production design - areas such as - sets, location dressing, specialty props, costumes, sfx, make-up, prosthetics... need I go on?
> Camera and lens hire, sound recording equipment, lighting, grip gear... You know... the tools.
> Post production - editing, sound design and music composition, vfx and colour grading...
> Keep the crew and cast fed and therefore happy and not mutinous!
> Production expenses... you know... production expenses... Admin, location, hard drives... you know... that stuff.
> Festival entries and expenses. With officially 1.73* million festivals in the world this can add up. (*not official.)
Pozible offers us an amazing platform to raise funds through our community but we have to meet our funding goal before the campaign expires – or we don’t get anything! Without sounding too dramatic there is an element of high drama running this campaign... edge of your seat kinda stuff. But it is your generosity that puts it within our reach. Any contribution you are able to make will go a long way. So, help by donating and spreading the word to others. Share this link,“Like” us on Facebook, Tweet it, email this Pozible link to your friends, family, co-workers, like minded peeps and anyone else.
We can't express enough how much we appreciate your support. We know that in this wintery economic climate this can seem like a luxury expense but what would life be without art? Of course gothic horror is art! So what would life be without gothic horror? Sounds scary!
Our Undying Love
Every dollar counts and for this you'll receive our love... and it will never die. Also feel great about knowing you paid for a very important crew members lunch.
8 chosen / 92 available
Est. delivery is Jul 15
Special Thanks Credit
Get your name in the credits and live forever! Also feel great about knowing you helped pay for a crucial piece of art department that really tied the room together.
13 chosen / 87 available
Est. delivery is Jul 15
The Film!
No need to hide your ISP and steal it. We will send you the link to a password protected digital viewing copy of the film once completed where you can rewind and pause on your own name in the special thanks credit. Also feel great about knowing you helped pay for a tank of petrol so the lighting truck could be on set.
27 chosen / 73 available
Est. delivery is Jul 15
T-Shirt Time
Wanna t-shirt? Cos that's what you'll get. Oh and a password protected digital viewing copy and a credit. Also feel great about knowing you helped pay for 1/100 of the film.
16 chosen / 84 available
Est. delivery is Jul 15
Party Down
An invitation for you and a friend to the Australian premiere in Brisbane (flights and accom not included) + t-shirt + password protected digital viewing copy. Also feel great about knowing you helped pay for a camera lens that can focus on stuff.
5 chosen / 45 available
Est. delivery is Jul 15
Associate Producer
You'll have a rad Associate Producer credit on the film AND a custom resin head cast of the witchy doll hero prop!... plus everything in the $250 reward. Also feel great about knowing you helped pay... oh enough. You're awesome!
7 chosen / 13 available
Est. delivery is Jul 15
Executive Producer
An Executive Producer credit on the film is yours AND a custom resin head cast of the witchy doll hero prop!... plus everything in the $250 reward. Also feel great about knowing that we feel great and that you're a cornerstone of making this project a reality.
1 chosen / 9 available
Est. delivery is Jul 15