The about part...
Insomnolence is a short horror film being made as part of the Victorian College of the Arts Masters course in Film and Television. The film is a psychological/psychedelic horror that seeks to portray a descent into madness using a 70s-style-horror visual aesthetic, while also acting as a meditation on how we refuse to let ourselves let go of what we cannot hold onto.
Insomnolence tells the story of a man, Virgil, being slowly driven to madness by his inability to deal with the loss of his beloved wife Lizzie. Unable to cope with grief, culminated in a case of chronic insomnia, Virgil finds himself sitting in on a therapy group. While the therapy proves to be a type of feeble distraction from his crumbling life, Virgil becomes increasingly troubled by visions of Lizzie's hair, a mortal reminder of a life left behind, engulfing him as his sanity deteriorates.
Will Virgil be able to get a good night's sleep to keep his sanity?
The key team working on this film consists of Director Kiefer Findlow, Producer Jacob Richards, DOP Anders Olsen and working on the soundtrack is Miles Brown (From The Night Terrors) in conjunction with Jacob Richards.
![]()
![]()
stills from the Director's last film 'Ligatio', available exclusively on the DVD/BR
The stuff with the help and the things
For this film we have stylistically turned to the realm of Euro-horror. Looking particularly at artists like Dario Argento. Films of the 70s and 80s were grainy, colourful, and full of texture. We want this film to be a technicolor nightmare, with vibrant purples and reds splashing the screen the further we get into Virgil's insanity. To get the most out of this we have decided to shoot the film on well...film. Super 16 for that matter. Problem is that basically that adds a third onto our budget.
However while costly, this will bring the best look and feel to the film. This is the type of film that is all about atmosphere and being visceral. We feel that film is the only way to shoot Insomnolence. All of us on this team are avid fans of real film and we need your help to make this happen. On top of those costs we also have the costs of shooting a horror film again is another third of our budget. Make up, effects, music all play a part in the genre and style and without them this film cannot exist. We want to use practical effects only in this film, nothing computer generated and again... the old ways cost a lot.
![]()
So sure its clear we need some help. But what do you get from helping us? A simple thanks? My undying love? A treasure trove of goodies?
The answer is all three. We have some fantastic rewards listed and ones that we think will wet any film-lover's lips. Novelizations, soundtracks, scripts, posters... my crappy high school films.
Okay you don't want the last one but screw you, you'll get 'em anyway!
How your contribution Impacts us
Your contribution will help some starving artists make a film that is not only entertaining, but this project serves as a part of a healing process; a meditation on how we deal with grief and loss. This is an area particularly close to me as the film was birthed when I lost my brother in a car accident in 2011. Not only will you be helping me to make this film but also helping create a tribute to not only the ones I've lost but that we all have lost in our lives. The presence of the ones we have lost will haunt every frame of this film.
This may be a horror film but it is no less important to heart and soul of our crew.
Risks & Challenges
There are absolutely 100% no risks or challenges.
Okay there are but only a few. This will be a heavily practical effect based film meaning that we will have many challenges over creating and using these effects.
On top of that we have the added risk of shooting on film which means we need to be a tight disciplined and economic team. I feel confident that we can meet those challenges and beat them into a bloody pulp.
