THE STORY

MNSTR (pronounced "monster") is a film exploring the physical manifestation of anxiety. The plot topically follows a girl and her best friend going out to a club, while linearly mirroring the beats of a panic attack until the girl reaches full panic, and has to decide to fight or give in once again to her anxiety. Whether it is a chronic condition or just jitters before a big interview, everyone lives with some form of anxiety, but for being such a universal topic, it manifests so specifically to each individual, sometimes making it hard to talk about. However, the universality also works to MNSTR’s benefit.

We want to make this film to open a discussion about panic and anxiety, and show that people are stronger than their mental limitations. Additionally, we want to recreate a physical space that represents the chaos of the mind during states of panic to truly make people feel what anxiety can be like.

The anxiety will manifest itself in the form of monsters, that will be created through negative scratching, which is a technique where images are created by literally scratching into and removing parts of the film itself, symbolizing how people with anxiety see the world, but their affliction prevents them from seeing what is really there because of their fearful beliefs.

MNSTR has the potential to change the lives of people who suffer from panic and anxiety. Your donations to Monster will make a difference by shining a beacon on anxiety. We have the ability to change the way people see it, to de-stigmatize and create an understanding of what this disorder really feels like.

THE CREW

These are some of the brains making MNSTR happen!

Nicole Melillo - Writer/Director/Production Designer

Nicole Melillo is a curly haired director with a love for art and all things film. She is completing her final semester at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. When not creating her own films, she works for Sikelia Productions and HBO. Her experience on set and behind the camera gives her a holistic view of the worlds she creates, helping to create an in depth viewing experience. She is lovingly pouring her knowledge of filmmaking and lessons from life into creating MNSTR, and wants to open discussion on taboo subjects by making them more accessible through film.

Jason "Xiangtian" Zheng - Producer

Jason Zheng “Xiangtian” is a New York based film director and producer born and raised in Sichuan, and currently studying at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Eat Me, an experimental short film Jason directed and produced in China, screened at the 2015 Brooklyn Film Festival and the 2015 San Francisco Film Festival. Jason has gained a large amount of experience producing independent short films and he is beyond excited to make MNSTR happen!

Cheyenne Cohen - Director of Photography

Cheyenne Cohen is a cinematographer and photographer finishing up her education at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She has shot and been intimately involved in the visuals for multiple films, projects, and photo shoots, working with students, artists, and various companies to bring their visions to the screen. After working with companies such as Soul Cycle, Saturday Night Live, and Refinery29, among others, she looks forward to spending time telling a story that is rarely heard. She hopes to bring her photographic expertise and love of darker things to bring light to the exquisite MNSTR.

Adrian Anaya - Assistant Director

Adrian is a senior at NYU studying Film and TV where he has participated in over 90 film productions accumulating more than 3,000 hours on set. He enjoys Assistant Directing because it requires a combination of fast decision making ability, leadership prowess, and sharp social skills. Adrian loves the German language, going to the opera, and combining the two whenever possible.

THE PERKS

As a thank you for donating, here's some of the MNSTR swag you'll receive!

By donating any amount to this film, you become a part of the MNSTR family, and will be offered a position as a background extra in the film's club scene! By donating $75 and above, you will also be offered the opportunity to be turned into a customized monster through VFX that will be used in the film!

We really want to show you how much your contributions mean to us, so many of the gifts are handmade and personalized by our director. In addition to the prizes you'll receive in each price bracket, donations of $20 and under get a shout out on our social media (be sure to check out our Facebook!), and all packages $50 and above will include a personalized handwritten thank you note.

Our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MNSTRfilm

Check out some of the prizes below!

(Transportation not included. International shipping fees may apply.)

THE BUDGET

This is where all the money will be going to create MNSTR!

Thank you for your support and welcome to the MNSTR Family!