THERE
Clara is a young woman going about her life, but never quite feeling like she’s doing it alone. She always feels the frightening presence of a creature standing right behind her, watching her. At first she tries to avoid it but becomes determined to confront it. When she eventually manages to come face to face with the monster that haunts her, she is surprised by their interaction.
Project
THERE
Clara is haunted by an unnerving presence, but if it left her, would she like being alone?
Synopsis
Clara is a young woman going about her life, but never quite feeling like she’s doing it alone. She always feels the frightening presence of a creature standing right behind her, watching her. At first she tries to avoid it but becomes determined to confront it. When she eventually manages to come face to face with the monster that haunts her, she is surprised by their interaction.
'There' is a short, animated film, inspired by personal experience, which communicates emotions and interactions without the use of dialogue. It portrays Clara’s experience, her fear, anxiety and frustration through subtle sounds and simple imagery, accompanied by instrumental music contributing to the atmosphere of the film.
Why we're making this film
When I was around 10 years old, I developed a new fear. A paranoid sense that there was always someone, or something, standing right behind me, or just out of my view. I felt the need to constantly check, to make sure it wasn’t really there. My neck would hurt from how often I would turn my head to look behind me, every time I showered I would look behind the curtain at least once. I would try to always sit with my back against a wall, where I could see the whole room, it was the only way I felt safe from it. I never spoke to anyone about this feeling, I was ashamed, embarrassed.
Despite not believing in the supernatural and rationally understanding that nothing was there, I continued to compulsively check as a teenager. Although this has faded over the last few years, it has never totally gone.
I had the idea for this film when in the shower last year, I peeked behind the curtain, knowing nothing would be there, but still knowing I had to. Then for the first time I wondered, what if something was there, what would I do? If it’s been following me my whole life, surely it doesn’t want to hurt me, maybe it’s even protecting me.
Why we think it's an important project to make
I've always found the accurate representation of mental health in media and art extremely important, but unfortunately rare. Words like 'psycho' or 'crazy' are used are derogatory terms, used to shame those who perceive their reality differently. Symptoms such as paranoia and even mild hallucinations are usually depicted as extreme and rare cases. This makes many of us too ashamed to admit we experience symptoms like this.
One of the more misrepresented and misunderstood conditions is OCD, with people still using it as an adjective to describe being tidy, or liking their kitchen to be clean. Only after purposeful research did I find out about intrusive thoughts, and how distressing they are for so many people.
After being diagnosed with BPD last year, I have found overwhelming comfort in hearing about other people's experiences with it, and understanding how many others can relate to me. I became more comfortable discussing my experience. I remember the relief I felt when I first heard the term 'shadow people' in the context of this diagnosis.
Since starting to share this script with potential collaborators, I have had one person tell me they cried and three people tell me they couldn’t believe how much they related to it, how much it represented their experience. I have never felt more comforted and seen, than knowing that others share this anxiety, which I hid for most of my life.
This film is dedicated to anyone who's ever felt ashamed of how their brain works.
How your money will be used
All funds will go towards fairly compensating our talented crew. By donating to the project you are directly supporting young, independent artists. Any additional funds will be used to submit the film to festivals.
Writer & Director
Chloe (she/her) is an award winning short film writer and director, producer and film festival judge. She grew up in Greece and got her BA in Film and Television at Brunel University, staying in London to work in the industry, gaining experience in various roles from pre production to post, as well as theatre and performance. She is particularly passionate about projects which empower female and queer voices and challenge traditional narrative structures. She has always been passionate about animation and is excited to finally bring her own to life, through a meaningful and very personal story.
Animation & Character Design
Alex (they/them) is a professional artist and illustrator. They grew up in Greece and studied Graphic Design at the University of West Attica, specializing in illustration and comics. Carrying with them the experience of working on a big animation series, they seek to enrich the world of independent animation through art direction. They hope to tell a new emotional story alongside the other passionate creatives in this short film.
Character Design
Nina (she/her) is an aspiring illustrator, taking her first steps in the art industry. She grew up in Greece and studied the basic principles of comics and illustration at Ornerakis' School of Applied Arts. As a beginner in her field, she seeks to gain experience by supporting small productions that aim to tell a big story. After working on personal commissions and taking part in a number of art conventions, she hopes to kickstart her illustration career by giving life to a very personal project, that she believes most people will find a piece of themselves in.
Producer
Tom (he/him) is a producer with multiple short film credits and festival nominations. He grew up in the UK and got his BA in Film and Television Production at the University of Hertfordshire. Now living in London to work in the industry, Tom is focused on the financial side of film productions. He has always and continues to seek work on productions that hold a great message and can change people’s perspectives about life and the world.
Composer
Shane (he/him) is a London based composer and producer who has worked across multiple genres of film and media. His diverse style encompasses sound design, cinematic and electronic works, right up to scores for full orchestra and chamber ensemble. He began his professional music career arranging and transcribing scores at the Eighty Sixth Floor Music in London, and quickly developed a unique understanding of the art of writing music for moving images, learning the intricacies of sound from a variety of genres; orchestrating and preparing scores for production. In 2013, Shane composed his first feature for the documentary, Understanding Helen and since then has been involved in a variety of projects for film, podcast as well as producing and engineering for artists across many genres. Most recently, Shane has been writing music for the The Dark Sire Podcast, and he is currently the lead composer for the children’s animated series Gecko’s Garage.
Sound Design
Paul (he/him) is a Sound Designer and Sound Artist. Currently, his interest lies in the chaotic and unpredictable nature of organic sound. He can be a passive agent, experimenting with field recording or an active one, inducing sound through resonance. Apart from his compositions, these processes can be identified in his sound designs for film.
