A Barre filmmaker is offering a limited release of his new murder mystery in an effort to raise funds to pursue his dreams for a feature-length version.
Inspired by the Italian giallo films of the 1970s and 1980s — or hybrid slasher and murder mystery movies — “The Red Raven’s Kiss” is a short film written and directed by Austen Sprake, produced at Proctor’s Wilson Castle.
The film follows young private investigator Piper Monroe after she returns home to her father’s mansion on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s unsolved death. Alongside the film’s audience, she must use her investigative skills to solve a very personal case during a deadly game where every guest is a suspect.
With one victim, one detective and five suspects, the four-part film is an amalgamation of found footage — from the police officer’s body camera, to the social media influencer’s Instagram Live video, to the castle’s hidden cameras.
“In this, you’re watching straight footage. You’re spying through the lens of different cameras. It’s about watching and seeing what characters (are) in what area at what time and seeing who could possibly be lying based on things that we’ve seen before,” Sprake said.
According to Sprake, the short film is intended to be a proof of concept and fundraising tool for a feature-length version of the film, which Sprake and his crew hope to develop in the near future.
Sprake will be submitting the short film to various film festivals and said he hopes, in addition to fundraising, that the effort will help get a full feature adaptation off the ground.
“The feature film will reveal the killer, but in this version, we’re keeping it a mystery so that the audience can watch the film play out and hopefully come up with their own explanation,” he said.
The short film is split into four parts — one for the victim, one for the main character and two for two suspects. Sprake said that the full-length feature will have a section of the movie dedicated to each of the film’s characters.
Candice Bryan-Broe, the film’s casting director who also plays the role of Evelyn, said that the film will be perfect for those who like to be thrown for a loop, adding that the little hints of horror, slasher and murder mystery classics that inspire the movie give it an almost nostalgic feel.
“I love a good ‘Clue’ mystery,” she said. “I also love that (Austen) put these red herrings in it. You really have to watch and know what’s going on in order to really be able to figure out who the murderer is.”
Bryan-Broe highlighted that the film’s cast was amazing and thanked the folks at Wilson Castle who allowed the crew to film in their building.
Mia Nassivera, who plays the private investigator, wrote in an email correspondence that filming at Wilson Castle was certainly a unique experience.
“There are bats and strange shrines to the child ghosts that live there with crayons and candy. The castle is definitely haunted. I know that, because the ghost that lives in the kitchen punched me in the head while I was trying to learn my lines. I didn’t even do anything. He just chose violence,” Nassivera wrote.
Despite the haunts, she said she is honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the film and thinks viewers who are fans of the found-footage genre will really appreciate the movie and the consideration put into body movement, blocking and costumes.
“Making this was a lot of fun. We had a really good cast and crew all from within Vermont,” Sprake said. “Instead of just making a slasher film or a murder mystery, this is the first movie I’ve made that’s worked really well for me because I’m able to do both (at once.)”
Those interested in donating to the campaign will also receive some perks, depending on their donation amount, ranging from a copy of the short film to a producer credit.
The short film is being made available exclusively to donors and film festivals and will be “locked away” afterward.
Donations can be made at bit.ly/TheRedRavensKiss. The campaign is set to end in less than two weeks.
“I love, more than anything, Austen’s vision and the steps he’s taking to make this vision come to life,” Bryan-Broe said. “If (viewers) like to have their brain messed with a little bit, if they like those psychological, thriller movies with a bit of a 1970s horror vibe, they’re going to love this film.”
sophia.buckley-clement @rutlandherald.com
