Hello,
My name is J.R. Cruz and I'm a filmmaker based out of Salt Lake City, UT. I'm the writer and director of The Void, a horror short that touches on themes of loneliness, grief, depression, and overcoming the darkness within.
Logline:
A troubled man’s struggle with his personal demons manifests into a terrifying and disturbing force, tormenting him from within a dark room inside the walls of his own home.
Synopsis:
The story plays out over the course of one night, starting with the protagonist getting ready for bed. After all the doors and windows are locked, he notices that the door at the end of the hallway is slightly cracked open. Shrugging off the creepy feeling it gives him, he shuts the door and goes to bed.
However, he's restless and unable to sleep, getting up at various points to go to the bathroom, get a drink, etc. Each time he does, the door is once again open, despite him repeatedly closing it. Eventually, he’s unable to ignore what’s happening and must confront the void head on.
Intent and Impact:
This is a film that will provide a great horror experience while also offering up raw emotion, relatability, and a unique insight into how the greatest challenges people face on a day-to-day basis can be their own inner turmoil. As the title suggests, The Void is what our main character is struggling to deal with, and as much as he may try, he just can't escape it.
Director's Statement:
The Void is a short film I’ve had on the back burner for a few years now, drafting multiple iterations until I eventually found the right way to tell this story.
It's a very personal story to me as it was inspired during a dark point in my life. I had just ended a long term relationship, and needed to move back home in my parents' basement, who were living in another state at the time. I was struggling to stay in school, keep my job, all while dealing with the breakup. The hardest days came when I would get home feeling exhausted, just wanting to relax, but being unable to as the grief and loneliness I was feeling felt too overwhelming to go through, something I think we can all relate to.
However, it's also about how confronting those feelings and facing the darkness is the only way to get yourself out of that void.
How You Can Help:
Please consider donating to the campaign and help make this film happen!
Right now, the target budget needed is $1,500. This is meant to cover the cost of securing equipment as well as providing compensation for my hardworking crew, who work tirelessly to make The Void come to life.
$10 - "Special Thanks" credit
$25 - "Special Thanks" credit + Link to download/view the film
$50 - "Special Thanks" + Download Link + photo of the crew for The Void signed by the director
$100 - "Producer" credit + Download Link + photo of the crew for The Void signed by the director + Personalized "Thank You" Video Message from J.R. Cruz
*New cumulative reward for $100 tier: Private watch party followed by Q&A session with the writer/director.*
