Sinister secrets await as Mary helps her girlfriend Marsha escape from her parent's gothic mansion one dark and eldritch night.

Interview with Director Kris Theorin

Watch Mary & Marsha in the Manor of Madness here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

It was originally a final project for Kris’ film production class at college. He asked me, his brother Kurtis, to come up with an idea for something he could animate. He wanted to do a project to hone his digital animation skills.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

To be entertained! Thrills and chills await those who dare enter the Manor of Madness! It features old tales and tropes in new forms that will dazzle the viewer! Come one, come all!

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

There is a strong theme of love and partnership overcoming evil. While writing this, I made a conscious effort to make sure that Mary and Marsha are helping each other. It’s not one doing all the work and the other being dragged along. Each steps up to take down an obstacle when needed, which is why they are able to get out. I was really trying to show that they have a partnership and together they can take whatever comes their way.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The first idea for this movie project was of a tripedal robot wandering a wasteland and making friends with a big Iron Giant type robot. There were many ideas and scripts written and ultimately rejected before we got to this final idea.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Feedback has been very positive! Several popular websites like io9, Gizmodo and Geek Tyrant reviewed it as well as genre sites all over the world. Most people have viewed it through the lens of “Lovecraft meets Scooby-Doo Chase” and they claim to find it creepy and fun.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Most of the feedback has confirmed that we succeeded in what we set out to do. We were a little surprised at how many people comment on the lack of arms on the characters. Growing up watching Homestar Runner I sort of assumed that was a standard animation choice one could make.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We would be interested in getting in touch with people who enjoy our style of storytelling and might be interested in working on/promoting our future projects.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We are interested in whoever can help more people see our film! Not to mention others who might want to lend a hand in helping to finance any of our future endeavors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We wanted to take a genre and twist it in fun and unexpected ways. We also wanted to promote progressive story elements like strong female characters and same-sex romance/partnership. It’s our very tiny way of making the culture better.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

I think our film is pretty straight-forward… “Would you pet a tentacle-head dog or not?” might inspire some debate.

Would you like to add anything else?

Just want to give a shout out to Nick Angeloni for providing the bouncy but demented music and our producer, Amy Theorin, for all the work she does promoting and organizing.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We are in the early stages of working on a project about the militarization of the power of love and a historical short film about vampire watermelons.

Interview: August 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Mary & Marsha in the Manor of Madness

Sinister secrets await as Mary helps her girlfriend Marsha escape from her parent's gothic mansion one dark and eldritch night.

Length: 2:56

Director: Kris Theorin

Producer: Amy Theorin

Writer: Kurtis Theorin

About the writer, director and producer:

Kris Theorin is an award-winning director and animator currently attending Emerson College. He makes commercials and short films for Something’s Awry Productions.

Kurtis Theorin is the Creative Director at Something’s Awry productions. He likes to write stories that are just a little bit odd.

Amy Theorin is the producer/promoter/networker extrordinare at Something’s Awry productions.

Looking for: Film Festival Directors, Journalists, Financiers and Distributors

ocial media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Somethingsawry/

Twitter: @AmyTheorin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somethingsawryproductions/

Website: http://somethingsawryproductions.com/

Funders: Self Funded

Where can I see it in the next month?

H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival

Montreal International Animation Festival