A summary of our project

For our final-year FTT3ADV module project, where we are required to create, develop, and produce a short film, we are aiming to raise £1,500 to help bring our vision to life. This project is a collaborative effort in which each group member contributes their individual skills and specialisms to create a film we are truly passionate about. Our project is a short psychological thriller. The story follows Heather White, once an ambitious student, but now feels overshadowed by a negligent home life and a town that has become disturbingly desensitised to the disappearance of young women. When she is abducted by a man trying to mould her into the image of his late sister, Heather uncovers the dark history of the girls who vanished before her.

While her mother remains oblivious, the only public voice demanding justice is Heather’s teacher,  whose steady advocacy echoes through radios and TV screens, becoming a lifeline for Heather’s will to survive. As Heather learns the truth through a scrapbook of victims and a diary left behind, she undergoes a powerful internal shift: from fear, to strategy, to taking control of her fate.

In a final act of defiance, she not only fights for her own escape but symbolically refuses to let the stories of the missing be erased ever again.

This project means a lot to us as a team because it challenges us both creatively and emotionally. It’s an opportunity to tell a story about survival and inner strength while experimenting with the intense and atmospheric storytelling that defines psychological thrillers. We’re passionate about bringing Heather’s story to life and creating a film that leaves viewers reflecting on what it truly means to fight for yourself.

Who are WE?

We’re a group of passionate final-year Film and Television Production students at the University of Reading, each bringing our own creative strengths and experience to this project. Together, we form the core team:

Producer – Iman Wasily

Organised, detail-driven, and passionate about storytelling, Iman oversees the project’s development and production, making sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

Directors – Lottie Absalom & Eunice Chan

Lottie and Eunice share a strong creative vision and are dedicated to crafting the emotional and visual tone of the film. Their collaboration brings both artistic depth and a sharp eye for character and atmosphere.

Director of Photography – Jan W. Gilbert

Jan brings a cinematic eye and technical precision to every shot, helping shape the film’s tense, immersive visual style.

Sound Mixer – Ethan Willetts

Ethan focuses on creating the soundscape that builds suspense and emotion, adding a crucial layer to the storytelling experience.

Editor – Matt Barnett 

With a keen sense of rhythm and pacing, Matt ensures that the final film flows seamlessly and delivers the emotional impact we envision.

While this is our core production team, we’re also thrilled to be expanding our crew. We’re collaborating with talented students across different FTT cohorts and welcoming volunteers from outside the department, including set designers, runners, production assistants, and composers, all equally dedicated to bringing this vision to life.

Your support will not only help us create this film but will also make you a meaningful part of our journey and our team.

Our Aim & How Funds Will Be Used

We are aiming to raise £1,500 to help fund our final-year short film project. This amount has been strategically and carefully planned to cover the essential costs of producing the film to a professional standard. We aim to begin filming over a 2-week production period, ensuring enough time for rehearsals, reshoots, and high-quality results across every stage of production.

Our budget breakdown is as follows:

• Securing main set locations: ~£750
• Cast & crew transportation reimbursements (public transport & petrol): ~£150
• Production costs (permits, Basecamp, etc.): ~£200
• Equipment hire (beyond university-provided kits): ~£150
• Production design (set design, costume, hair & makeup): ~£100
• Catering for cast & crew: ~£150

If we reach our minimum target, funds will go directly toward securing our locations and covering essential production costs. If we’re lucky enough to exceed our goal, any additional funds will be invested into post-production, festival submissions, and enhancing the overall visual and sound quality of the film. We’ll also be sharing regular updates throughout the process through our social media accounts, from behind-the-scenes production photos to post-production milestones, so our supporters can follow along as the film comes to life.

If we raise any extra funds above our target, this money will be used by the University of Reading Film, Theatre and Television department to help promote our film in our Market & Distribution Phase.

Rewards

Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a real difference in helping us bring our project to life. To show our appreciation, we’ve created an exciting reward system to thank our supporters and make you feel more involved in the project.

Your contribution helps us move one step closer to realising our vision, and you can check out all the rewards we’ve prepared for our amazing donors on the Rewards page.

Find us here

We’ve officially launched an Instagram page for our project: @thepurplero0m, where you can get to know our team and cast, see behind-the-scenes moments, and follow our journey from pre-production to the final film. Follow us and stay tuned for regular updates, sneak peeks, and exciting announcements as our project develops!

Feel free to drop us a message or DM with any questions, encouragement, or support. We’d love to hear from you.

Help us succeed!

You don’t have to donate to make a difference; simply sharing our campaign helps us reach more people who might want to support our project. Share our project with your friends, family, classmates, or anyone who loves independent film.

Every follow, share, and word of encouragement helps our small team create something truly special. Of course, if you can donate, we’d be incredibly grateful for your support in bringing this story to life.