The Summoning at Danforth Manor

Kingsport, Massachusetts,1918. The Golden Age of Spiritualism. Five people assemble at the foreboding Danforth Manor to hold a seance. Each has a question to ask the spirit realm... but what if they don't like the answers they receive?

This project began in April of 2023 as little more than a sizzle reel intended to show off in-camera effects and the low-budget versatility of our studio, PORTRAITLANDIA!. It quickly became more as we added characters, depth, and humor, integrating the effects into a tight little narrative. The result is as funny as it is spooky, utilizing silent-age make-up tricks, lighting, and miniatures to create a glimpse into a Lovecraftian past.

I built the set, gaffed, lit, and shot the footage on Fuji X cameras outfitted with an assortment of vintage Soviet lenses, then edited and graded the footage in Adobe Premiere. Lola Lebowski wrote most of the jokes, built props and miniatures, and handled costuming. Rose Monster did make-up and special make-up effects. The cast included Naomi Rose, Clifton Holznagel, Alanna Archibald, Jean-Luc Boucherot, and Mandy Khoshnevisan. We shot it in 2 days.

The Summoning at Danforth Manor (7:28) is a horror/comedy silent film inspired by the work of Guy Maddin, HP Lovecraft, and Charles Addams featuring practical effects, a custom harpsichord score, and a who's who of the Portland, Oregon theater scene. It screened twice at the Hollywood Theater in Portland, OR., and worldwide as a featured selection of the 2023 H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival. Seeing it in the main theater there with a sold-out crowd of 300 was a surreal highlight of my life.

Have a look: https://filmfreeway.com/TheSummoningatDanforthManor