Kinship & Matrimony: An Anthropology of the Selkolla is an original short horror/comedy film which chronicles a student documentary crew’s summoning of a fish demon. Although most believe it is merely folklore, the bickering classmates learn the truth when they come face to face with the half-woman half-fish known as Selkolla. But all is not as it seems, as one student may have weirder intentions than any of them would have imagined… 

Inspired by the macabre comedy of What We Do in the Shadows, the authentic gen z representation of Bodies Bodies Bodies, and the fact that we love mockumentaries, this film is a new take on creature features and a commentary on the inherent absurdity of toxic masculinity. 

This project was written by Noelle Schwarz and will be directed by Noelle Schwarz and Campbell Moore. It’s the latest outing for Twisted Lamb Productions, a student run production company which has been telling spooky stories since last year. We’re so excited to bring this, by far our most ambitious project, to life and share it with all of you! But we can’t do it without your help…

We need to raise approximately $2,500 in order to fund this project. Here’s how we’ll be utilizing our budget:

As you can see, we’ve set a lot aside for locations. In the film, our motley crew of aspiring filmmakers travels to a remote, atmospheric cabin full of creaky doors and antique furniture. We’re planning on bringing that to the screen by shooting two nights at a wonderfully cinematic house in Crestline, California. 

Another large expense is the creation of the fish demon herself, Selkolla. Unless we find an actor whose natural visage is sufficient, we’ll have a visual effects team working hard to bring this creature to life using make-up, prosthetics, and rich, textured costumes. 

Beyond that, we’ll be providing transportation and food for the cast and crew, gathering props, renting equipment, and financing distribution through festival fees. 

BUDGET

40% -- $1,000 locations. We will be filming for two nights at an log cabin

10%-- transportation

10%-- food

14%-- hair and makeup and costumes

4%-- Props

14%-- equipment rental

8%-- film festival fees

WHO ARE WE

Noelle-- Writer, Director, Executive Producer

Noelle grew up playing in abandoned prisons and empty corn fields in rural Illinois where her dad raised her on a healthy diet of B-horror movies and science fiction TV shows. Her love of telling ghost stories around campfires on the farm grew into writing novels, films, and television. Brought up in a church where the line between good and evil was black and white, Noelle became fascinated by those whose actions blur the line between morality and criminality. As a senior at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts majoring in Writing for Screen and Television, she writes stories about destructive, sinister women who live in that line. Her most recent short film, Domestic Animals, placed in the World Impact Festival this past year.

Campbell-- Co-Director

Campbell is a director and editor who is passionate about using the power of films to uplift the voices of those who are often unheard, represent those who are underrepresented, and bring awareness to issues of social justice. From a young age, she has enjoyed making movies with her friends and the storytelling through films.

Leila-- Executive Producer, Hair and Makeup Artist

Leila is a French-Iranian writer who tells story about macabre female protagonists whose morbid tendances are a reflection of their fears of loss. She is also currently learning special effects makeup (emphasis on learning)

Eli-- Executive Producer

Eli is a storyteller who writes about anything from warm-hearted coming-of-age stories to brutal slashers. He loves working on set and making movies with his friends.

Kyle-- Producer

Kyle is a writer and director with a focus on comedy and heightened storytelling. His work often focuses on the trials and tribulations of characters who are themselves working in a creative field (such as students filming a documentary in the woods, for example).