The Creature

THE CREATURE is a queer horror coming-of-age web series about a young man's journey of self-acceptance.

Your support for this project will upskill emerging queer screen creatives and allow us to tell this powerful story in the most accessible way we can.

SYNOPSIS

THE CREATURE is a four-part web series that follows Aidan, a young queer man who learns to face and embrace his authentic self. It explores the harrowing journey of grappling with relationship anxiety in the digital era.

Stuck in the online dating rut of endlessly swiping with no results, Aidan is ecstatic when he matches with his 'dream man'. However, to leave for his date, Aidan must face the perturbed Creature lurking in the shadows of his home. As he challenges the Creature's authority over him, Aidan discovers that being alone doesn't mean he has to be lonely.

WHY THIS STORY MATTERS

This is an authentically queer story. The writer and director, Jake Tabata, has written this story from his own lived experiences as a queer man. Battling anxiety around romance is a deeply personal struggle that Jake has faced, but one that he's sure he's not alone in feeling. 

We believe this web series will help other young queer people feel seen, heard, and validated.

That's why we want to tell this story. 

A web series like this has the power to embrace and reflect modern queer struggles and ultimately spread hope and self-love for those in the community. 

REASONS TO SUPPORT US

Upskilling Young Queer Creatives:

This project will create space for young queer and BIPOC creatives to gain experience and upskill themselves. We hope this will result in what we all desperately want: better representation on our screens and behind the cameras!

Accessibility:

This web series will be available across all social media platforms. Therefore, it will not be behind a paywall or streaming service subscription! This wider accessibility means that anyone who might relate to Aidan and benefit from seeing his story can do so with ease.

Diverse & Inclusive Storytelling:

On-screen, there are queer Asian faces at the forefront. As Aidan is a queer East-Asian character, we are excited to bring this much-needed representation! Behind the scenes, there is a hard-working group of local LGBTQIA and BIPOC creatives.

So, please support us in our effort to tell stories FOR the community, made BY the community. 

THE TEAM

Jake Tabata: Writer/Director

Jake is a Japanese-Pākehā creative practitioner in film, TV, and theatre. He recently completed a BA in Screen Production and Drama at the University of Auckland. He is eager to tell stories that uplift the Rainbow, Pan-Asian and disability communities.

Isabelle Hoskyn: Producer

Isabelle is a screen and theatre creative, currently completing a BA/BCom at the University of Auckland. She is interested in telling stories (and supporting others in telling their stories) that reflect accurate and non-tokenistic representation. She is also passionate about creating safe work environments for all creatives.

Marketing Manager: Maddison Payne

Director of Photography: Flora Xie

Assistant Camera: Tilly Molloy

Assistant Director: Dragon Chen 

Grip/Gaffer: Joshua Siu

Continuity Supervisor: Louie Kingston

Set Designer: Molly Beattie

Costume Designer: Kate Fu

Sound Designer: Tasman Clark

Music Composer: Gabbi Jones

Editor: Gilbert Patten-Elliott

Script Consultants: Shelby Kua & Danny Lam

WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU

This is a not-for-profit web series. All funds raised will go directly to covering production costs. By supporting this project, you will allow us to:

• Pay our cast and crew for their mahi
• Allow us to secure the best location for filming
• Fund better costumes and set design
• Feed our wonderful team
• & much more!

This is an all-or-nothing crowdfunding campaign, so we need every bit of help we can get! Any donation, big or small, will be greatly appreciated.

We thank you for your support and cannot wait to bring THE CREATURE to life!

Follow our Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter to join us on the journey of making this web series!