!!!STRETCH GOALS!!!

We have successfully raised nearly £1500 for the film to date, however, we are committed to doing this film justice, so we need YOUR help to reach our goals! To make this interesting, we are now adding in stretch goal targets and perks: 

£3000 - Everyone who donates will receive a behind-the-scenes digital portfolio, giving an insight into the making of Lone. 

£6000 - Everyone who donates will receive a digital copy of the film and be invited to a Q&A with the Cast and Director.

A man trying to escape his lonely life in the city gets lost while hiking in remote woods. When night falls, a wolf chases him in the dark. Injured, he seeks shelter in an isolated cabin and finds himself at the mercy of a mysterious woman. The longer he spends there the more he realises that a single trip to the countryside won’t give him what he needs. Will he succumb and embrace the wild?

‘Lone’, the recipient of this year's 'Emerging Script to Screen' award, presented by the BIFA qualifying Spirit of Independence Festival, is a visually stunning tale of female empowerment, profound connections, and supernatural intrigue.  However, we need your support to fund the film and give it the justice it deserves!

Your contribution, of any amount, will not only help us realise this intricate thriller but also foster the growth and development of our talented production team. 

By supporting 'Lone,' you become an integral part of our journey, enabling us to create a short film that showcases the immense talent and creativity of Yorkshire while bringing forth a powerful and inspiring narrative.

Join us in turning "Lone" into a reality, and let this extraordinary project stand as a testament to our shared passion and unwavering commitment to the art of storytelling so that we can make a lasting impact and create a film that resonates with audiences far and wide.

‘Lone’ is a short film written and directed by Emma-Jane Heaton, produced by Albus Studios’ Katie White and exec produced by Sheffield video production company, Open House Pictures. We have a team of brilliantly talented, experienced crew all gearing up to help bring this tale to screen.

Emma-Jane Heaton

Emma-Jane Heaton studied Comparative Literature then spent several years travelling and working in adventure sports before taking NFTS's Certificates in Filmmaking in 2023 which launched her into the world of filmmaking. Her short films and have won several awards including Horror Underground’s Best Short Form Short Film 2023 for 'Gorgon’ and New Arts International Film Festival’s Best Fiction Short 2024 for 'I am Feeling Overwhelmed'. She is currently taking NFTS’s Certificate in Screenwriting to develop her first feature. She loves to write the spooky, and characters that break gender stereotypes.

Albus Studios is an award-winning, multi-media production company whose work spans 4 continents. They deliver comprehensive creative services across film, TV, YouTube, social media, and print. Albus Studios won Newspress Video of the Year 2022,  and was nominated for 11 international awards 2022-2024.

Katie White

Katie is a Creative Producer and Director of Albus Studios, the production company that she founded back in 2014. Katie has worked in documentary, editorial, drama and commercial film; in producing, creative ideation, script supervising and coordinating roles.  Film credits include Nightstand (exec. produced by Stephen Fry), Faceless Paintings and Detach. Nominated for the PPA 30 under 30 New Talent Award in 2019 for her work in advertising and publishing, her films went on to win the Newspress Award in 2022 and be nominated for 6 films at the International Motor Film Awards in 2022-2024. 

Abigail Timmins

Abi is a cinematographer who is passionate about storytelling and has been working in the film and TV  industry since 2015. She has a strong interest in social issues and bringing light to stories that are yet to be told. Her work has been shown internationally including screenings at Academy Award and BAFTA qualifying festivals.

Abi is currently a mentee of Stuart Bentley BSC thanks to the Screenskills British Society of Cinematographers Mentorship programme.

She has also completed a BSC / National Film and Television School Masterclass under the tutorage of Fabian Wagner BSC, Catherine Goldschmidt and Ben Davis BSC.

Open House Pictures / Joseph Palmer and Dan Bale - Executive Producers

(Left to right: Joseph Palmer and Dan Bale)

Open House Pictures, established in Sheffield, UK in 2018, is a passionate video production agency fueled by a love for storytelling. Founded on the belief in empowering talented local creatives, Open House Pictures collaborates with filmmakers to bring their visions to life.

Since then, they've built a remarkable portfolio, collaborating on a series of short films. Notably, their recent work, "Black Dog," has just entered the festival circuit, following the success of "Dead Skin," which garnered "Best Special Effects" at the Dead Northern Film Festival.

For upcoming project, "Lone," they're excited to not only provide funding strategy but also offer creative guidance throughout the film's development. 

Below is a sample of Lone’s mood board:

The location of our film is the Yorkshire and Welsh countryside - a secluded cottage with no connection to human life in the towns and cities, a dark woodland. The location provides a stunning backdrop to the film and in many respects becomes a character of its own.

A message from our writer-director Emma-Jane Heaton:

“The idea was inspired by myths surrounding wolves and how they have been adapted into popular culture. The idea of the ‘alpha’ male which has become central to toxic masculinity but has long been disproved, and the archetype of the ‘lone wolf’, which in reality is incredibly rare as wolves live in packs. In Lone, the man wishes to escape a society that reveres the ‘alpha male’ so he can be himself, and though the woman begins the story as a lone wolf, what they both truly need is meaningful connection, their pack, each other. 

I spent a decade working in the outdoor pursuits industry, taking people rock climbing and mountaineering. The man is inspired by the many kind and intelligent people who spend most of their time in the city, successful in their careers, who take climbing or navigation courses as a gateway to spending more time outdoors to enrich their lives. The woman is more personal to me. She is capable and toughened and has learnt that it's easier to do things alone. But she’s also kind, and her lycanthropy is an excuse to cut herself off from others and prevent herself from making real connections. Strong, independent women who need to learn that making connections won’t take from their independence is one of my core stories and a narrative I explore often. 

In an age where we are always plugged in and connected and yet so isolated, Lone is an incredibly relevant story. Both characters have fled their lives in an act of desperation, naively putting themselves in harm’s way. I am a great proponent for access to the outdoors, but with such little access to the necessary knowledge, many succumb to very real and serious injuries and sometimes death in the British countryside. In Lone, the danger is also supernatural, but wolf or not, without the woman’s help, the man may have not made it out of those woods alive.”

Lone is supported by the Spirit of Independence film festival with a grant of £500, and is fortunate to have an amazing crew willing to give up their time to help make this film as good as it can be. To produce the film to the best standard possible, we are focusing our fundraising efforts on production costs.

The main core elements of our budget are divided into the following:

CAST & CREW: Our dedicated crew is generously donating their time and expertise to ‘Lone.’ However, we strongly believe in taking care of our team and ensuring their well-being throughout the production. Your support will help us provide them with the necessary resources and support they deserve.

EQUIPMENT: To capture the atmospheric cinematic style and tone of 'Lone,' we require top-notch camera equipment. Your contribution will enable us to acquire the right tools and ensure that our visuals are of the highest quality.

CONSUMABLES: From batteries to cables and everything in between, these small yet crucial components ensure that our equipment and setups are always ready to go. Your contribution will assist us in acquiring these essentials.

LOCATIONS: ‘Lone’ encompasses a diverse range of locations to bring the harrowing story to life. Each setting adds depth and atmosphere to the story. Your donation will help us secure these locations and create an immersive experience for our audience.

POST-PRODUCTION: The journey doesn't end after the filming stage. We need additional resources for post-production to piece together the footage, fine-tune the audio, and refine the visual elements. Your support will play a vital role in bringing ‘Lone’ to its final production stage and ensuring a polished end film.

 "Lone" isn't just a short film – it's our chance to push our limits and make something truly special. Your support goes way beyond funding; it fuels the passion of our talented crew and lets them take their skills to the next level. This project is like a stepping stone for all of us, a chance to showcase what we can do and leave our mark on the short film world.

But it's bigger than just us. By backing "Lone," you're helping Yorkshire's filmmaking scene flourish. You're creating a space for local creatives to tell their stories and make a real impact. We're incredibly excited to announce that "Lone" will be premiering at the Spirit of Independence festival this September! This is a huge deal – a chance for our team to get their work seen by industry pros and fellow filmmakers. It's a chance to connect and grow within the filmmaking community.

We’d really appreciate the support for our project in any way you can, whether that’s making a donation or sharing our project on social media.