What Is Fun House?
A kindergartener's birthday party takes on different shapes and forms through the distortions of Fun House, an experimental short film about young love, passionate love, and lost love. It explores how a relationship can alter a character's perception of others, the world around them, and even themselves.
Three couples find themselves stuck together for an afternoon at a birthday party, where they witness the absurdities that occur in the first and final stages of love. Each character experiences a different narrative, unaware that their reality is uniquely affected by their own relationship and perspective on love.
Who I Am
I'm Christie Leitzell, the writer and director of
Fun House. I've spent my time at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts focusing primarily on camera, but have known I wanted to direct since the sixth grade. We were assigned to put on a small play for the class, and I got a little too "into it." Was I a bit bossy? Yes. Did the play win a Tony? No. But I was hooked. Eight years later and here I am. I have a story I need to tell, and plan to use my experience in camera to realize my vision of my characters' shifting perceptions affecting the world I create.
The Budget
Location
Fun House takes place in one location - a dim, dingy, noisy arcade. While this makes many aspects of production easier, it does require the production to rent an entire space for three days or nights. This won't be cheap, but it's essential to making Fun House come to life.
Meals
My crew will be dedicating their time and efforts towards the filming of Fun House. The least I can do is feed them hot meals and keep the coffee flowing. In order to properly feed a crew of approximately 25 people, craft services is high on my budget list.
Camera
To illustrate each character's unique point of view, my Director of Photography and I are planning on using a host of in-camera effects to alter the image. This involves paying for a few extra camera lenses and accessories, but is essential to creating each look.
Transportation
It isn't glamorous, but before the lights come on and I call action, I need to get my crew and equipment from point A to point B. This requires vans and trucks, and of course lots of gas.
Art Department
A major indicator of the perspective shifts in my film is how the characters view the world around them. The production designer won't be creating one look for my film, but three. This involves costumes, set design, and props, all of which need to be bought or rented.
The Impact
Donating to Fun House, no matter the amount, has a direct influence on whether my film gets made, and how it gets made. Every bit counts, so please consider helping me raise the money to make Fun House in any way you can.
Other Ways You Can Help
How can you help? Donating would mean the world to me, but here are some other options to help make Fun House happen:
- Share my Indiegogo page! Email, Facebook, even Myspace if that's your thing.
- Connections! Got a relationship with an arcade location? A restaurant that donates to student shoots? Let me know!
- Send me a text or give me a hug when you see me, because this can get stressful!
Again, thank you so much for reading, sharing, or donating!
Contact us at funhousefilm2014@gmail.com with any comments or questions.
