Private Project

Kalimba

A desperate young woman seeks answers for her frightening sleep paralysis encounters before nightmare and reality collide.

  • Robbie J. Atkinson
    Director
  • Robbie J. Atkinson
    Writer
  • Rob K. Atkinson
    Writer
  • Katasha Acosta
    Producer
    B-Sides
  • Joan Atkinson
    Producer
  • Raiany Silva
    Key Cast
    "Cassidy "
    Sistas, Malicious Mind Games, Will Trent, etc.
  • Roy Coulter
    Key Cast
    "Demon"
    Fate of the Furious, Walking Dead, etc.
  • Sheila Ball
    Key Cast
    "Mom "
    Assault on VA-33, Northern Shade, etc.
  • Joana Cruz
    Key Cast
    "Esther "
    N/A
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Psychological Horror, thriller, drama
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    July 8, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    23,961 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Robbie J. Atkinson

Robbie J. Atkinson has an MA in Film & Video from Georgia State University, and has studied under award-winning directors Owen Egerton [Bloodfest] and Tessa Blake [American Horror Story] through Sundance Film Festival's program "Sundance Institute". She has also filmed and directed a short documentary that was nominated for an award at the University of Seoul's International Urban Film Festival and has had music videos screened at the Atlanta 48 Hour Film Festival. She has directed over 15 videos [experimental, shorts, interviews) for brands like the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Kung Fu Tea and even within the Kpop industry through her company RPX Media Production.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

**Preface: Please note that the purpose of this short is to create curiosity to attract financing/resources to film the entire feature.**

I wanted my short to capture a segment of the feature script--in the moments leading up to the instant that motivates the main protagonist to reach out to the family "black sheep." My Director of Photography and I both decided to use the Sony Venice and a series of [nine] Zeiss T2.1 Lenses to film Kalimba after much comparison and deliberation. A handful of scenes have multiple layers of darkness to search through and the quality of Sony Venice provides astounding clarity within that darkness . I wanted a camera that would dare the audience to search through nuanced dark space while providing suspense as they anticipate what might emerge from it. Because the original script was written as a feature, I had to strategically select the right segment that would give the audience a taste of major thematic elements of the story, provide enough backstory/subtext between the characters and equally allow the audience to see the demon while still leaving it on a cliffhanger that makes the audience want the full story. This film is intended to be an elevated horror, psychological horror and paranormal horror all mixed into one.

This script is important to me because it was co-written with my deceased Father. Years ago, we had discussed the story concept during a family vacation and later collaborated digitally to write it while he was sick. I continued writing the project after he passed and arrived at a version I was content with. This project is both a legacy of my Dad and a first-step [of many] for me as a creative.

I find this story intriguing because I challenged myself to find creative ways to relay the theme of illusion through multiple facets: technical illusion (by hiding The Demon in both the darkness and the light), social illusion (denial), and psychological illusion–leaving both the characters and the audience questioning what is reality. In order to relay the theme of illusion in the short, I actually researched the principles of optical illusion and magic tricks, then integrated them into the script and sought to make that translate physically and metaphorically within the frame as well. Principles in the short include: "Mind the Gap", "Control the Frame" & "Illusion of Free Choice".

With regards to the social relevance of this film, we delve into a collection of eclectic subjects like family tension, spirituality, psychology and sleep-paralysis itself. I chose the subject of familial tension because I wanted to provide a layer of drama and complexity to the characters aside from the elements of horror or terror. It's a relatable subject as it’s not uncommon for families to experience a generational sense of disconnection stemming from the need to understand or to be understood. On the other hand, I also wanted to use the Kalimba and it's backstory to explore the mysticism of spirituality and psychology--leaving the audience to try and figure out the root of Cassidy's torment. Lastly, sleep paralysis can be a very terrifying experience and a quick search on any forum gives perspective regarding the vast types of encounters that people have had. I wanted our short to touch on the dream-like terror of that experience through a play on the theme of illusion and lighting.

PS: I'd like to challenge all viewers to try to spot The Demon peeking into frame during the kitchen scene. (You may have to watch this film in a dark room and with head phones to capture all details.)