Neon Hereafter

The hypnotic buzz and glow of neon engrosses Cecilia as she struggles to evade her addiction, disturbed past, and the nightmarish monster ceaselessly stalking her.

  • Pacey Hansen
    Director
    Tony and the Tree, Sophie in Furbyland
  • Pacey Hansen
    Writer
    Tony and the Tree, Sophie in Furbyland
  • DeMori Hawkins
    Producer
  • Gabby Carbone
    Director of Photography
    Tony and the Tree
  • Javier Barranco
    Production Designer
  • Indie DiMartino
    Editor
  • Brittany Hoffner
    Key Cast
    "Cecilia"
  • Spencer Makow
    Key Cast
    "Reggie"
  • Finnegan Greisl
    Key Cast
    "Coleman"
    Tony and the Tree
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 6, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 35mm, RED Helium
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Florida State University
Director Biography - Pacey Hansen

While many kids spent their evenings playing video games or sleeping, Pacey Hansen spent his sneaking downstairs to view formidable horror narratives that no eleven-year-old should ever view. Raised in Colorado, Hansen became fascinated with creating terrifying, spine-chilling, strange, and unique stories while alone outside. In his teenage years, he worked odd jobs, from a clown in a haunted house to a lifeguard in an amusement park to a chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. Influenced by his strange teenage work history, many of his stories feature characters with compelling occupations and unusual personality types. Today, he continues to write and direct horror films with disturbing and taboo subject matter that is presented to audiences in a palatable way.

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Director Statement

Growing up, I was fascinated with neon signs and often dreamed of learning to fabricate them myself. I vividly remember calling the local Denver neon shop in middle school and asking if they would teach me how to create these signs. To my dismay, I found they charged hundreds of dollars for classes, and it would take weeks to learn the trade.

Flash forward eight years to college when it was time to write my thesis film. While brainstorming film topics, I thought of a compelling one that has profoundly affected my life - Addiction. Many members of my family and people I know have struggled with addiction, and I wanted to find a way to show this struggle in a palatable way. When I decided on addiction, I had almost entirely forgotten about neon. I was still searching for the characters in my story, their occupation, and how to communicate what I wanted to say. Oddly enough, one night later, I got off a random highway exit for gas and discovered a giant neon sign that read "restaurant." The rest is history.

Crafting this film has challenged me mentally, emotionally, and psychically; I even learned to bend neon in a real sign shop. While directing, I deeply engrained my experience and opinion on addiction in this film; it symbolizes so much to me. I wanted to present a different view on addiction and trauma than I have seen represented in mainstream media. I hope it can alter people's perspectives on how they treat or regard people struggling with the disease. Addiction is a terrifying, ruthless cycle that will eventually rip an addict apart if we don't quit addict shaming and offer our help to those who are struggling. I hope you enjoy entering the world of Neon Hereafter; I enjoyed creating it for you!