Help My Vision Come To Life

Help Bring Come to Life to the Screen: A Thrilling Exploration of Objectification and Power in the Art World

Hi, I’m Holly Pasch, a film student at Hofstra University, and I’m incredibly excited to share my senior thesis project with you: Come to Life — a psychological horror thriller that pushes the boundaries of obsession, art, and the objectification of women in male-dominated fields.

The Story:

Ramona Young is an ambitious, talented young artist looking to carve out her place in the world of ceramics. When she begins working as an apprentice to the celebrated but eccentric artist, David Attright, she believes she's landed the opportunity of a lifetime. Known for his lifelike ceramic sculptures, David seems to offer Ramona the mentorship she’s always dreamed of.

However, the darker side of David’s genius soon reveals itself. His obsession with creating the "perfect" woman goes far beyond mere artistry. David’s disturbing process involves transforming real women into his lifeless clay creations—immobilizing them in twisted depictions of beauty. When Ramona uncovers David’s horrifying secret, she realizes that his art isn’t just about capturing beauty; it’s about control. And she is the next woman on his list to become a permanent, inanimate piece of his collection.

Come to Life is a chilling exploration of the dangerous and dehumanizing dynamics between a powerful male artist and his female protege. As Ramona fights to escape David’s increasingly obsessive grip, she must confront the terrifying reality that in his world, women are not artists or creators—they are objects to be controlled, owned, and molded into whatever form he deems perfect. Beauty, in David’s eyes, is something to possess, not something to admire.

This film delves deep into themes of objectification, control, and the exploitation of women’s bodies in male-dominated artistic spaces. It’s a psychological horror that brings to light the lengths one man will go to in the name of perfectionism—and the terrifying consequences when power and creativity intersect in such toxic ways.

Why I Need Your Help:

As a senior film student, I’m working with a limited budget, but I’m committed to making Come to Life as impactful and visually striking as possible. This project is more than just my thesis film—it’s my opportunity to push myself as a filmmaker and create a story that is both haunting and thought-provoking.

To make this vision a reality, I need your help to cover essential production costs like set design, props, special effects, and makeup, as well as the talented cast and crew who will bring this story to life.

What Your Donations Will Fund:

Set Design & Props: The heart of the film takes place in David’s eerie ceramics studio, a space filled with unnerving, lifelike sculptures. Your support will help create this chilling environment, along with the sculptures that are central to the story.

Special Effects & Makeup: Transforming real women into lifelike clay statues is a key part of the film. Your donations will fund professional makeup artists and special effects specialists who can bring these jaw-dropping moments to life in a way that will leave the audience breathless.

Sound & Music: A haunting, atmospheric score and immersive sound design will build the tension and terror throughout the film, heightening the suspense as Ramona’s nightmare unfolds.

Why This Film Matters:

Come to Life is more than just my thesis film—it’s my opportunity to explore important social themes and push creative boundaries in the world of filmmaking. This story is a reflection on the exploitation of women in art and culture, but also a deep dive into the complex relationship between creator and subject. It’s a film that asks tough questions about beauty, power, and autonomy, and one that I believe will resonate with audiences long after they’ve seen it.

For me, as a woman entering the male-dominated field of filmmaking, Come to Life takes on even deeper personal significance. Just as Ramona is faced with the oppressive control of a male artist, I too am navigating a field where women are often sidelined or underestimated. As I create this film, I’m not only exploring the horror of objectification through my characters, but also confronting the very real challenges of being a woman in a space where my voice and my vision can sometimes feel minimized.

In a way, Come to Life mirrors my own journey—fighting to be seen, heard, and respected as a filmmaker, despite the obstacles that come with gendered power dynamics. With your support, I’ll be able to create a film that not only explores these themes on screen but also gives me the opportunity to prove that women’s voices belong in all aspects of storytelling and filmmaking.

With your support, I’ll be able to bring this chilling, thought-provoking story to life. Your contributions will directly help make this film the immersive, visually arresting experience I’ve always dreamed of creating.

Thank you so much for your belief in this project and in me as a filmmaker. Your support will truly make all the difference in helping me bring Come to Life to the screen.

Let’s make this film come to life—together!

Thank you,

Holly Pasch

Writer/Director of Come to Life