Bakemono

A man with seemingly everything embarks on a trip in hopes of retrieving his greatest loss - his son.
A super 16mm short film exploring mental health, imperfections and love, starring ESEA actors in non-racially specific roles.

£2,735.00
raised of £5,000.00 goal
Funded
50 Backers
Genre
Drama
Scope
Short
Seeking funding for
Completion
Campaign type
Flexible Funding
Support project
    Project

    Bakemono

    Genre
    Drama
    Seeking funding for
    Completion
    Scope
    Short
    Campaign type
    Flexible Funding

    intro

    Bakemono (Japanese for 'Monster') is a zero-dialogue narrative drama that follows a man with seemingly everything attempting to retrieve his greatest loss - his son.
    Self-funded up until this stage and with production complete, we're turning to you to help finish this super 16mm passion project. Inspired by the director's relationship with his own father, Bakemono stars only Asian actors performing in non-racially specific roles - an unfortunate rarity.
    Live recorded score, hard-of-hearing subtitles translated into 15+ languages and audio description are just some of the things we are incorporating into this project.

     

    Image

    director's statement

    Love is everything.
    Love can be seen in our passions, hobbies, aspirations, friendships and more – the foundation of all my ideas. They all explore the concept of love, forging new, familiar narratives every time.
    This film is a visual embodiment of an unreleased song about my father, a summary of my feelings and emotions whilst also exploring his potential remorse upon abandoning his family. The want to love and the want to be loved.
    Much like my debut 'Moments', this film features no dialogue. There is no language barrier, no lack of comprehension due to beliefs, background or culture. It’s a canvas. 
    Moments (2019) - Dir: Tristan Nelson
     
    As someone who considers themselves from an under-represented, low-socioeconomic background, I’ve felt the separation in the industry. If a narrative can call for someone who isn’t “White British”, why shouldn’t it? 'Bakemono' takes one of the most under-represented groups in this industry and gives them a presence that doesn’t fall on tired, racial stereotypes. 
    Something that shouldn’t be, but is rare.
    There are shots with little movement. Shots that linger on the character a little longer, encapsulating their emotions, their discomfort, their sadness. Nuances that can be perceived metaphorically. Symbolic imagery that elaborates the scenario.
    To hone in on the characters, the film is shot with an 1.66:1 aspect ratio, Super 16mm. Neither us, nor they can escape the narrow perspective. 
    'Bakemono' screams imperfection. Human connection. Yearning. Something only the aforementioned can achieve. The only 'real' method that can show the imperfections of us all.

     

    Image

    cast

    Eiji Mihara as The Man

    Image
    Eiji is a Japanese actor, currently based in London, UK. Hailing from both NHK in Tokyo & Denise Noël acting school in Paris, Eiji has worked with directors such as Sam Mendes, Ron Howard, Peter Brook & Yukio Ninagawa. Eiji can be seen in Spectre, Rush, Giri/Haji and most recently the Finnish series, The Man Who Died

     

    crew

    Writer/Director/Producer - Tristan Nelson

    Image
    Tristan is primarily a director from Bedford, UK. Favouring experience over education, he managed to secure work in various departments on projects for companies such as Netflix, Disney, Universal & Lucasfilm. In 2018, Tristan set about focussing on creating his own projects, releasing his debut short film 'Moments' in 2019 and multiple music releases in 20/21 under the pseudonym, 'Three Day Monk'.

     

    Producer - Gavin Spoors

    Image
    Gavin is a writer and producer currently living in South London. With an MA in Moving Image and Sound and experience in running his own production company, Gavin is focused on telling stories and empowering others to do so, too! He works as a journalistic writer, covering films and games and is developing projects as a screenwriter and games writer.

     

    Cinematographer - Lorène Desportes

    Image
    Lorène is an emerging cinematographer from Paris, France. She studied Fine Art and Film in London where she now lives and works. She finds motivation in honest storytelling that requires straightforward but powerful visual solutions. Lorène was nominated at the BSC Short Film Awards 2020 for her work on 'Jahannam'. 

     

    Sound Designer - Liam Cameron

    Image
    Liam is best known as a sound editor and dubbing mixer, specialising in children's animation, documentaries and commercials. Liam has worked across a range of successful series, including; 'The Amazing World of Gumball', 'Emoji Town', 'Fireman Sam' and Netflix's 'My Little Pony'. He has also sound edited and mixed a number of award-winning documentaries and commercials for the likes of KIA, and Ballantine's Whisky.

     

     

    inspirations

     

    budget breakdown

    Image

     

    timeline

    September 22 - October 22
    Crowdfunding campaign
     
    November 22
    Recording the score in the studio, including the mix
    Sound Design
    Audio Description
    Physical pledges being created
     
    December 22
    Sound Design (finalising)
    Hard of Hearing Subtitles
    Colour Grade
    Physical pledges shipped
     
    January 2023
    Film complete
    Early+ screening & Q&A takes place
     
    February - March 2023
    Delivery of remaining pledges
    Begin submitting to film festivals

     

    Mid - Late 2023
    General public/online release

     

    Image
    £2,735.00
    raised of £5,000.00 goal
    Funded
    50 Backers
    Name in the credits

    Thanks for supporting us! With this perk, you'll be thanked and featured in the credits of our film.

    (estimated delivery: early 2023)

    £5.00
    Digital Wallpaper

    Two original designs by artist Ollie Hoff.

    This perk also includes the following;

    -Name in the credits

    (estimated delivery: November 2022)

    £7.00
    Film's score (Digital Download)

    The film's original score.
    This perk includes the following;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper

    (estimated delivery: early 2023)

    £10.00
    Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)

    Watch the finished film before film festivals/general public.
    This perk includes the following;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Film's score (Digital Download)

    (estimated delivery: early 2023)

    NOTE: this perk is delivered as an online screening

    £12.00
    Digital Download of 'Bakemono'

    Digital download of the finished film.
    This perk includes the following;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)
    -Film's score (Digital Download)

    (estimated delivery: early 2023)

    £15.00
    Script (Digital)

    Digital copy of the film's script.
    Includes the following perks;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)
    -Film's score (Digital Download)

    (estimated delivery: early 2023)

    £35.00
    Physical Script - *SIGNED & NUMBERED*

    Limited physical copy of the film's script. Handmade with Japanese book binding. Numbered and signed by the Director. Made with high quality, FSC approved paper.

    This perk includes the following;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Film's score (Digital Download)
    -Early screening
    -Script (Digital)

    (estimated delivery: Dec 2022)

    NOTE: estimated delivery is for this physical item only

    (13 remaining out of 16)
    £45.00
    Poster - *SIGNED & NUMBERED*

    Limited edition A3 film poster. Numbered and signed by our lead actor & director. FSC approved paper printed using Vegan ink.

    This perk includes the following;
    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Film's score (Digital Download)
    -Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)
    -Script (Digital)

    (estimated delivery: Dec 2022)

    NOTE: estimated delivery is for the physical item only

    (35 remaining out of 41)
    £45.00
    Early screening+ & Q&A (Digital)

    See 'Bakemono' even earlier than those with the 'Early screening' perk & also gain access to the live Q&A with the director & producers of the film!

    This perk also includes the following;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Film's score (Digital Download)
    -Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)
    -Script (Digital)

    (estimated delivery: early 2023)

    NOTE: this perk is delivered as an online screening

    £50.00
    Physical Bundle (DISCOUNT) - *SIGNED & NUMBERED*

    Receive both the physical script & poster for a limited discounted price!

    This perk includes the following;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Film's score (Digital Download)
    -Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)
    -Script (Digital)
    -Physical script - *SIGNED & NUMBERED*
    -Poster - *SIGNED & NUMBERED*

    (estimated delivery: Dec 2022)

    NOTE: estimated delivery is for the physical items only

    (4 remaining out of 5)
    £80.00
    Let's hang out! (Digital)

    Hang out with the director & producers of 'Bakemono' for 30 minutes. Chat about the film, (try to) beat us at some games - your call (more or less - let's be PG-ish?).

    This perk includes the following;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Film's score (Digital Download)
    -Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)
    -Digital Download of 'Bakemono'
    -Script (Digital)

    (estimated delivery: Early 2023)

    (5 remaining out of 5)
    £150.00
    Executive Producer

    You're something else! Become a member of the crew with a credit as an Executive Producer on the film's credits. You'll also be credited on iMDB!

    This perk includes the following;

    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Film's score (Digital Download)
    -Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)
    -Digital download of 'Bakemono'
    -Script (Digital)
    -Physical script - *SIGNED*
    -Poster - *SIGNED & NUMBERED*
    -Early screening+ & Q&A (Digital)
    -Let's hang out! (Digital)

    (estimated delivery: Early 2023)

    (3 remaining out of 3)
    £750.00
    Executive Producer - Ultimate Package

    Our top backer! You will receive everything the 'Executive Producer' package involves + solo credit on-screen prior to other EPs, shout out on all our social media platforms, as well as an exclusive, one of a kind perk.
    This perk includes the following;
    -Name in the credits
    -Digital wallpaper
    -Film's score (Digital Download)
    -Early screening of 'Bakemono' (Digital)
    -Digital download of 'Bakemono'
    -Script (Digital)
    -Physical script - *SIGNED & NUMBERED*
    -Poster - *SIGNED & NUMBERED*
    -Early screening+ & Q&A (Digital)
    -Let's hang out! (Digital)
    (estimated delivery: Early 2023)

    (0 remaining out of 1)
    £1,000.00