Animator Matt Ley is using Kickstarter to crowdfund a new short film.
Matt is set to direct Ghost to Ghost, which according to its Kickstarter page is a “short comedy drama following Kat – a university drop-out who’s recently moved back to live with her newly-divorced father Rhys.
“Rhys just happens to be a freelance ghost-hunter,” the description continues, “and together the two must come to terms with their newly disrupted familial arrangement, all the while trying not to get all goofed up by a big spooky demon, as well as Rhys’s ex-wife.”
Ghost to Ghost will continue Matt’s exploration of live-action filmmaking, after previously focusing primarily on animation.
“When we shot my last film, Why Trevor Baxter Doesn’t Like Dinner Parties, it was probably the first time I was directing what I’m calling an ‘actual’ film – i.e. more than just three people and a DSLR!” he tells TenEighty. “It was a fantastic process. With animation I’m so used to having to keep tabs on every little aspect of each thing I make, but the amount of times I’d realise I didn’t have to do something because we had a crew of people so much more qualified and talented at each of their roles was very refreshing! And obviously the film was so much better for it.
“For this film, my good friend Millie Johnston is producing,” he adds, “and she’s doing a stellar job – not only is she putting up with my ridiculous script and difficult requests, she’s going above and beyond to accommodate them and bring everything to life. This couldn’t happen without her!
“It’s just satisfying being part of a team, everyone working together to pull something off. The feeling of accomplishment once everything’s wrapped up is hard to beat.”
Matt describes the response to the crowdfunding campaign so far as “wonderful”, noting that “everyone has been very supportive in donating and sharing”.
“I won’t lie, the build-up and the actual release of the Kickstarter was far more daunting than I was expecting,” he admits. “The anxiety of the first couple of hours was a feeling I do not miss. But everyone quickly calmed that feeling and I’m honestly so flattered with the kindness people are showing us.”
Guys… we've only gone and hit the bloody GOAL.
I can't thank everyone enough for all the support, we won't let you down ❤️
Any further support for pushing for the stretch goals will be amazing!!https://t.co/mIUz9WK7Js
— Matt Ley (@Thelaserbearguy) March 8, 2018
The Kickstarter has reached its original goal of £2,720, but there are stretch goals – including Matt re-dubbing the entire film with impressions from The Simpsons.
“If we don’t hit that,” Matt jokes, “the whole thing will be worthless, to be honest!”
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