Dustin Gebel
Three superstar creators, writer James Tynion IV, director PK Colinet, and artist Elsa Charretier, have announced they are partnering for a live action short film, Room Service. The project has been launched through Kickstarter, and at time of reporting has already met and exceeded its initial goal of $52,749.
The project is described as “a dark, strange, and provocative” and follows as a down on his luck man tries to save his family from coming apart.
“Room Service” asks: what’s the cost of one perfect evening? The wealthy know that there’s no desire outside the reach of their wallet,” said director PK Colinet. “The film’s protagonist is down on his luck and his family is on the verge of ruin. With the help of the mysterious Caretaker, he might have found a way out of his trouble. But at what cost?”
Tynion has already written the screenplay for the film, with Charretier providing illustrated storyboards in her unique style, and will see Colinet directing. The trio is joined by Skulldigger artist Ton?i Zonji?, who provided concept designs for the mask of the mysterious “Caretaker”.
The ambitious “Room Service” crowdfunding project includes a beautiful artbook that will document the film’s creation, a poster by artist Martin Simmonds (Tynion’s collaborator on The Department of Truth), a Kickstarter exclusive poster by Charretier, a stand-alone prose short story by Tynion, set in the world of the film, featuring Charretier’s spot illustrations, and prints by five all-star comic book creators: Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire), Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls), Francesco Francavilla (Night of The Ghoul), and Jim Mahfood (Grrl Scouts), and Charretier.
“From ‘Get Out’ to ‘The Invisible Man’ and ‘Parasite,’ this is a tremendously exciting time for people who love horror films with biting social commentary,” said screenwriter James Tynion IV. “When PK and Elsa approached me about collaborating on a short film, I wanted to create a story that would confront the horror and inequity of the world around us.”
“The great thing about comic books is that you don’t need anyone’s permission or money to create one. Take a wad of paper, a pen, and a bunch of hours later, there’s your comic!” said storyboard artist Elsa Charretier. “So why the heck are three successful comic creators pivoting to this cash-eating monster of a medium: movies?! PK was excited to get behind the camera for his directorial debut, James wanted to stretch himself creatively, and for me it was a true honor to capture James’ chilling words and PK’s haunting vision in my storyboards. “Room Service” is poetic and gory and it just might break your heart.”