Kickstarter

As their award-winning student film O Abby is circuiting various film festivals, Withdrawn Films and filmmakers Zak Byrd and Gilles O'Kane are waist deep in pre-production for their forthcoming project!

The tentatively-titled Without Sun will be a short (20-40 minute) science fiction drama that deals with how a mother's depression following the loss of her husband affects her innocent daughter. After her never-present astronaut husband dies in the sun on a return trip to Earth, Shawl isolates herself and seventeen-year-old Agatha into a large underground bunker to avoid sunlight. Neglected by her despondent and unstable mother for over a decade under these conditions, Agatha must escape this fate—but can she help her mother surface to sanity?

For a sense of the film's tone, please peruse our regularly-updated blog of images and music that is a repository for our inspiration: Without Sun

We are in the process of casting the film at the moment and the crew is secured. With sufficient funding, we can fully prepare for production. Writer/director Zak Byrd is thrilled to be working on his first film since leaving the UC Santa Cruz Film and Digital Media program and deeply appreciates whatever help possible.

Shooting dates for Without Sun are set for late August at locations in Tacoma and Whidbey Island in Washington State. Funds will be allocated to the rental of camera equipment, lighting equipment, set dressing, a generator, and to feed the cast and crew during the isolated shoot.

SOME OTHER VIDEOS BY ZAK BYRD:
O ABBY: In this cautionary fairy tale for grown-ups, two young children must confront the timeless melancholy of helium du coeur.
I HOPE YOU SLEEP SWEETLY: Music video for dear friend Lindsay Olsen.
SOLID GOLD 2: Found footage music video for Tacoma band, The Nightgowns.
FEEDBACK: Experimental video project that confronts internet anonymity, particularly on YouTube.
TETHERWHEEL: A dizzying portrait of Santa Cruz, California.
PEANUT BUTTER AND MUSTARD: The origin story of Zak (Lambert) Byrd's favorite sandwich.
THE TRIALS OF ROY EBERHART: From DV tapes found in a dumpster in Santa Monica, this project re-contextualizes screen tests from the Hollywood film Hoot as an interrogation scene.

FAQ:

What format will the film be shot on?
This project will be shot in H.D.

Will there be an original soundtrack for the film?
We're experimenting with different musicians, but we haven't committed to anything yet. Some of the music featured on the project's blog may be featured, but it all depends on what best suits the movie.

Will Chyrum Lambert be a part of the art design on this film as he was on O Abby?
Of course! Please go to his website and take a peek at his ongoing card deck under "The Paper Tile Game" for a sense of what artwork will be featured.

What are your plans for WIthout Sun once it is completed?
We'll be sending it to film festivals all over the place. And sending it to you, too, for only a 20 dollar donation! :)

If you have any more questions, please ask!

Thank you for your time and support.