You Look Pretty Up Here
Hi! My name is Thom Hilton, I’m the writer/director of the recent short films Synonymous With (Audience Award, Best Short - Soho Horror Film Festival Pride) and One Drift and We All Go Home and appeared last year alongside Udo Kier in Todd Stephens’ Swan Song.
My new short film You Look Pretty Up Here is based on an original concept by New York musician Ethan River Cohen, which he first introduced to me in early 2019. In the past three years, I’ve tinkered with the script obsessively, and along the way, it’s been nominated for awards in six screenwriting competitions.
FINALIST: Cordillera International Film Festival (2021)
SEMI-FINALIST: Richmond International Film Festival (2022) + Film Pipeline Short Script Competition (2021) + Scriptation Showcase (2021)
QUARTER-FINALIST: Plot Point International Screenwriting Awards (2020/2021) + Pittsburgh Shorts Film Festival & Script Competition (2021)
In it, a young man named Elliot travels to his family’s remote vacation home to process a recent breakup. But he’s not alone for long - his ex-girlfriend has the same idea, and she knows where to find the hide-a-key. Accepting that fate has brought them together again, the two decide to spend the day addressing their grievances, reminding each other why love was shared, and coming to a place of closure. It’s a gentle and patient romance about boundaries and forgiveness, and evokes films like Weekend, Columbus, and Before Sunset.
CAST: Monica Sanborn as 'May' and Josh Countiss as 'Elliot'
PRODUCER: Mark McGann
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Isaac O'Farrell
SOUNDTRACK: Jake Mackie / Jajoma
We’ve assembled a fabulous cast and crew and reserved a stunning A-frame cabin at the base of Mt. Hood here in Oregon. We’re almost ready for filming in June. But first, we need your help.
Our initial goal of $7,500 will help us get everything we need for production to begin. That means covering the costs of renting the cabin and equipment, transportation and lodging for those traveling in from out-of-town, costumes, props, makeup, and meals for the cast and crew.
Achieving our stretch goal of an additional $1,000 would mean that we could jump into post-production (editing, coloring, and sound-designing the film) right away.
On this page you’ll find other goodies, like a storyboard video of the opening scene with a sneak peak at the film’s original soundtrack, and a bunch of fun perks to show our gratitude for your donations - from music downloads to signed screenplays, posters, gift boxes, and original artwork.
I've been so lucky in the past to have projects become realized as a result of crowdfunding, and this one honestly cannot happen without it. I, and everyone involved, thank you endlessly for your support. We’re so excited to share this film with you.
