The GOAL

We are raising money to submit the short film Ascension into film festivals. The film has already been made on a low budget of around £100 which included snacks, a music license, travel for the actors, some props and a lot of unpaid time. Film festivals weren't in the budget but we'd love to get the film out there.

Who are we?

I am Jadyn, the writer/director/editor/actor and the slightly warped brain behind this project and I am writing on behalf of the team. I had the great opportunity to work with some amazing people on this project. Nail, Demi, Silvia and Harriet who all made this project happen. A great, hardworking, talented group and it was a pleasure to work with them. We filmed the short in just two days with a small crew. There was a few months of planning and editing before and after but it was a great team effort and the memories will last a lifetime.

The story

Ascension is a journey between two female characters who both want control, power and a new state of reality. One is a Daemon stuck in the depths of Tartaros, the deepest pit in the Underworld who wants nothing more at the moment than to get home. The other is a skilled witch who desires control over herself and is willing to go to any lengths to achieve her goal. Sometimes the darkest parts of ourselves help us to survive and set us on the right path. Even if that path is not the best choice for everyone. 

Ascension is a small taster film of a larger story and it will act as part of a pitch project for a five season tv series that I (Jadyn) am writing called Daemon. With Gods, Daemons, Fae and other supes struggling for power in the modern world, plotting revenge due to ancient feuds, finding love and adventure with the whole five realms hanging in the balance. 

Submitting this film into film festivals would help to bring some exposure to the talent, the story, and help the series gain interest. The story challenges gender roles and ageism without drawing attention to it but most importantly, it brings a little magic into our lives. Without donor help the project will unlikely be submitted as festivals aren't cheap and multiple submissions are needed to increase the odds of being selected, winning a laurel or other prize. But it really is about getting seen. 

Where will the money go?

• The minimum amount requested would cover between 2 to 4 entries. Some festivals make you pay for multiple categories, eg. Short film, editing, acting etc so all could go on just one festival.
• Entries can be between £15 & £45 depending on the festival.
• The full target would mean more festivals, more entries/categories, and more chance at being invited to screen, win a laurel or other prize. 
• If more money is raised than what we are asking for, this will be put towards the next short film which will be part of the Daemon pitch project unless we could use it to attend festivals we get screened at. Each project/film will introduce a different supernatural character involved and is designed to be a teaser for the series. Having a larger budget for future projects would mean better quality, a larger crew, and better snacks. Although the jammy wagon wheels were awesome and quite low cost.

SCREENGRABS

Please check out the trailer! And here are some screengrabs with fun info.

Alexandria/Demi: Flames were added due to studio rules, and the spell she is reading is in a Daemon language created by mixing two current languages. Bit of a tongue twister. The floor symbol is the Sun, the Moon and Stars which is heavily linked to the series story.

Kalen/Jadyn: The Daemon in Tartaros. A toasty location but some shots were filmed in the university studios and some on a small greenscreen in a bedroom. Most lighting was done in post using AE as the BGs.

The series: Daemons were the original protectors of the humans however some can be good and others "complicated". Just like humans really.

Kalen/Alexandria: Filmed on campus. It got a little messy with the heart as the fake blood got everywhere. The heart we were going to use was a silicone one made by myself which has an open chamber and would have squirted upon nibbling. I found it after filming. Maybe next time. Mirrors are also quite tricky and we had to clean the floor as the mens loos are icky, especially for being barefoot.

Help us succeed!

You don't need to give money to help us succeed! Please share this project with anyone you think would support us. But it would be awesome if you could sponsor us and help get this project to festivals.