My Story
Hello! My name is Spencer Somlyody and I am a second year film student studying filmmaking at the New York Film Academy in NYC. I am excited to share my latest project with you, Empire of Pine. It is a historical piece based upon survival, ambition, and the drive to create something of oneself amidst the quest. I have assembled a great team of filmmakers for Empire of Pine. I will be filming this movie in the woods of Western New York in February. That is why I need your help!
Film has connected with me like no other medium could. It is hard to express the feeling I get across my whole body, while watching a movie I love. But if I were to use one it would be “magic.” Making a movie to me has always been like magicians presenting a trick or spectacle to an audience.
As a filmmaker I am driven by the transformative power of storytelling. My passion is bringing stories to life, evoking deep emotions and creating an immersive experience with characters that resonate with audiences. I weave in history to encompass a zeal for more than an art form – to inspire, illuminate the lens of the imagination.
Your contribution to this student short film will be monumental to me in bringing this film to life. With your support, we will be able to exceed expectations and present this film to a wider audience, including film festivals. I want to thank you for supporting my milestone journey as a filmmaker.
Your Impact
All of your contributions are going toward making this student short film possible. So much goes into the making of a film and with your help we'll be able to cover:
- Costume and Production Design
- Cast & Crew meals while on location in Western New York
- Equipment Costs
- Location Fees
- Lodging
- Film Festival Submission Fees
- Post Production Costs
Contribution Perks: Every higher tier gets the full perks of the previous tier and I am offering these as a token of my gratitude.
Synopsis
In a time when manifest destiny, and the promise of boundless gold drove American settlers out west. A silver tongued self proclaimed timberman and his hired guide set their sights north: The unmapped, unclaimed & untamed Adirondack Mountains and her swaths of timber. During their perilous quest through unknown territory, the guide begins to realize the Timberman has more to his story than he’d let on. Dark secrets, and a long-saturated evil that has haunted these lands as long as the pine lay routed began to surface. As the land around them begins to fight back…. turning the two men against each other in a fight of man vs. nature.
Thank you for supporting this film project. Your generous contributions will help bring this vision to life and help fund our production. Any support you can give would be immensely appreciated! Please share this campaign to help spread the word. Stay up to date on our production on Instagram @empireofpinefilm and on Facebook - Empire of Pine Film. Reach out to me via email at empireofpine@gmail.com with any questions you have for me.
Writer/Director
Spencer Somlyody is a passionate writer and director dedicated to crafting compelling stories that captivate and inspire audiences. With a keen eye for visual storytelling, he honed his skills writing and filming in his early years. He began his journey into filmmaking with an internship and then full time job with Sky Pro Studios. With the studio, he filmed a feature film working with a talented group of actors and crew and gained immeasurable experience on set. He has worked on many award-winning student short films and collaborated on outstanding NYFA productions. As a director, Spencer is celebrated for his collaborative approach, meticulous attention to detail and passionate drive to create authentic performances. Spencer is currently a second-year film student at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in NYC studying screenwriting, production, directing and so many facets of filmmaking. He will be graduating in 2027 with a BFA in Filmmaking.
Student Short Films by Spencer Somlyody