Dear Callum

Aim

An original urban fantasy short film about loss and self-discovery. Faerie world in Wales, inspired by the works of Brian and Wendy Froud.

DEAR CALLUM

WHAT IT IS ABOUT

Dear Callum is an original short urban fantasy film about a young woman rediscovering a passion for art through believing in the seemingly impossible. Loosely based on the early work from Brian and Wendy Froud (known for Dark Crystal and Labyrinth).

THE STORY

Callum has inherited her late aunt Freya's house. Grateful but anxious she moves into what she thought was an empty house.

It is anything but. Countless sketches, drawings and paintings of many magical faeries and fae litter the walls and occupy every part of Freya's sketchbooks. But appearances aren't what they seem. Things go missing and strange noises are heard.

Shortly after, Puka appears. A faerie that has taken up residence in her Aunt's house. Puka wants to know if Callum is of any use to the fae, and helps her on her journey of self-discovery and unravelling the mystery of the fae world to find out where she belongs. 

Dear Callum has a lot to say and even more to show. The loss of a relative and the regret of not talking to them while they were alive. The feeling of belonging and purpose to get away from the uncertainty of the future. How to find your true self in the sea of conformity and much more.

We are working with artists from across the world (Canada, Malaysia, Belarus and more) to showcase many different art forms and art styles and create a new, different look of the urban fantasy world.

Inspired by work from great world designers such as Brian and Wendy Froud, the designers behind Dark Crystal or Star Wars's Yoda.

All this fantasy wrapped in a Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse cyberpunk-like aesthetic visual.

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Nox Meriil - the writer
This film is a real passion project for me. I've been interested in the fae since I was a child and would imagine up my own adventures in their world. One idea I've been really attached to lately is the idea that you don't have to stop imagining after you've grown up. As the writer of this film, his is the idea that I hope to bring to life, to inspire others to see the magic in their world even through the harsh realities of adulthood.

Benigna Klausz - the director
I am Cardiff based but came from Hungary aiming to become a director and producer. I believe that cinema is first and foremost a visual platform and even meaningful content doesn't have to be bland and simple but can still be beautiful looking, mesmerizing and colourful. Exactly what Dear Callum will be! I'm inspired by films like ‘Funny Face’ (1957) and ‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2017) not only taking from the performances but the style as well. And I actually think that magic and fairies are real!!

David Svorcik - the producer
After over 60 different projects I worked on during the last three years, I am ready to make the biggest and best one - Dear Callum. With an amazing group of excited people - from the writer putting down the first letter to the editor, who is going to export the final edit everyone is giving it their absolute best. And we will not stop until it is finished. Do you want to be there with us?

Vicki Hill - the cinematographer
Having a background in art and photography, cinematography is something that I'm still learning to explore in new and creative ways. The premise of this film has really sparked my imagination and I want to use colourful stylistic lighting to represent the magic in this world - think Blade Runner 2049 or Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse but with a twist of fantasy. It's going to be a challenge, but it's going to be an exciting one, and I personally can't wait.

Alberto Suneson - the editor
As the editor for this film. I first had an interest in this film when I heard of all the creative ideas for it, like the effects and sound required for a faery-like edit. The creative freedom I’ll have as an editor for these gets me motivated. From implementing the fairies into the film to the colour grading process I strongly believe it will be a very challenging process but with your help, we can make it happen!

Megan Davies - the sound supervisor
I’m so excited to be a part of this wonderful crew, and to work with them to bring this fantastical world to life! I have so many ideas to make the soundscape of this film something magical, and with the help of backers like you, that can become a reality! This project is full of talented and passionate people and I can’t wait to see the final result!

Hayley Winter, Ffion Boughay and Sophie Blake - the set designers

Pictured at the wrap of our previous, successful project, The Last Signal that is in its late post-production stages at the moment.

And that's not all! Many more excited, creative souls ready to make an amazing film are working their hardest to make it happen on the tightest possible budget, please support us to help us get there!

THE PLAN, THE PLACE, THE PURPOSE

We are filming in February this year, utilizing everything we learned and experienced to make the best short possible. But I bet you have heard that a thousand times.

Well, we mean it! Collectively we made or had a hand in making over 200 projects just during the last 3 years, big and small.

Some of our crew worked on shows such as NETFLIX's Sex Education, BBC's Doctor Who and Keeping Faith and most of our crew have won awards in their respective departments for their personal work.

Cardiff streets are our main stage. Hidden, overgrown street art havens are all over the place. Giving the film's urban fantasy its name. And if the stylized camera and lighting won't be saying Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse enough, the locations will cover it

Beyond back-alleys? How about Secret underground clubs? Art galleries? You name it! But we cannot spoil it all right away!

Professional, effective and as low-cost as possible.

But sadly, even then making a project like this isn't cheap.

All of the production team members are putting in any money we can spare but that will not be enough to make the film the greatest it can be.

This is why we are coming to you for help with the funding as it will be impossible to make this film happen without your help. Every coin will bring us closer.

Check out the pie chart below to see how the budget is split. 

And lastly, a little sneak peek of some of the art featured in the film or made for it! Some of these can be yours if you support the film!

THE REWARDS

There are a plethora of rewards and perks available to anyone supporting the film! From insight to the creative process, art and concept art prints, all the way to props from the film, special credits and more! Some of the rewards are limited in number, so think fast, if you are interested! 

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Thanks to the generosity of kind souls such as yourselves we have the chance to make something truly amazing and moving. However, we understand what it's like to be low on funds, we are students after all, so if you cannot donate then please just help us spread the word about Dear Callum.

Tell your friends and family about the film if this is something they would like to see or share it on Facebook and Instagram! Getting the word out about the film can be just as valuable as financial help. To share this page all you need to do is to click the buttons located at the top right of the website, just above the perks. :)

STAY UPDATED! We'll be constantly posting updates about the progress of the film here, on our Instagram @dearcallumfilm and our Facebook page facebook.com/dearcallumfilm, so please make sure to check up on us! 

Last but not least, we’d like to thank YOU for taking the time to see what we’re up to and reading all the way down here. Hopefully, you share our belief that Dear Callum is worth it!

Do not hesitate to contact us to ask any questions and I hope you a wonderful day!

This project successfully funded on 12th February 2020