The Vessel is Cinema Therapy Studios' first feature length horror comedy film. Created by the team behind the YouTube channel Cinema Therapy, this film brings our love of storytelling, dark comedy, and exploration of psychology and human relationships to the silver screen.

A film based on one very bad weekend for the UC Davis British Literature and Malt Beverage Appreciation Alumni Society...AKA the Lit-Brits...

What starts as a reunion between old college friends at a supposedly haunted manor quickly turns into a fight for survival when their host becomes possessed by something far beyond their understanding. Trapped inside with nowhere to run, the group must confront their fears, their regrets, and each other if they want to make it out alive.

The Vessel, in true Cinema Therapy fashion, is a horror/comedy story about what happens when the things haunting you are not just supernatural. It explores the storytelling and relationship themes we've spent years breaking down:

Not only are we creating this movie, but we're offering Backerkit exclusives only available here!

Is this your first time on Backerkit? Don't worry, we've made the process as simple as possible! After clicking the above image you'll be redirected to an in-depth walk through of how crowdfunding and supporting Cinema Therapy's first independent film, The Vessel, will work!

The Vessel has been a passion project for husband and wife duo Alan and Megan Seawright, alongside co-creator David Sant. Inspired by the themes explored on our show: Cinema Therapy, and informed by insights from Story Consultant (and Cinema Therapy co-host) Jonathan Decker, the film brings horror, friendship, fear, and the psychology of relationships together in an original feature film crafted for the big screen.

Support independent film and become part of The Vessel by pledging a tier with just the movie OR get some cool Vessel themed merch that you can show off for years to come (after the movie inevitably becomes a cult classic!) Some lucky backers will get early access to watch the film at a remote screening, and others will even end up at our live private screening of the movie.

Cinema Therapy Studios is the brainchild of Licensed Therapist Jonathan Decker, and his co-host (and real-life friend) Alan Seawright, and their YouTube show: Cinema Therapy. They decided to take their mission of helping people understand more about themselves through understanding film, and flip it. The Studio's mission is to produce movies that entertain, while informing and (hopefully) uplifting the audience.

Sometimes that uplift will come in the last 5 minutes of the movie, after a lot of spooky, dark, and really emotional stuff. Sometimes it'll be a more like a cute dog movie (we've got ideas.) Always it'll be funny, exciting, and entertaining. After all, if we haven't kept you entertained for 2 hours, why are we even making movies? This isn't a church. We're here to have fun!

Alan and key members of the creative team have already made some horror short films, like these:

And Cinema Therapy Studios just recently made a romantic dark comedy short:

Casting is still in progress for The Vessel, and we cannot wait to start sharing some of the talented people who will bring the Lit-Brits to life. Throughout the campaign, we will be announcing cast members and giving you a closer look at the people stepping into Fugelsang Manor!

Keep an eye on the campaign for casting announcements, and let us know who you would love to see join The Vessel! 

In The Mad Butler Murders, the last living heirs to the fabled Fugelsang family fortune must brave the terrors of Fugelsang Manor to receive their just rewards. Fight, flee, survive, betray, unite: choose between fortune and family. Or is it possible to have both?

Designed by David Sant, this is a full length campaign book, designed to last 6-12 sessions, based on The Vessel’s Haunted House meta story. The simplified mechanics in this book make it remarkably easy for anyone to join in, regardless of experience level. And the breakneck pace of the plot is sure to keep even the most experienced players engaged, surprised, and deeply unnerved.

Completely home brewed as a sequel to David’s last TTRPG book, The Final Seance, this greatly expanded campaign adds multiple possible endings, secret player motivations, more powerful entities and a sweeping, comprehensive plot line to tie it all together.

This campaign book features 9 pre-built playable characters, dozens of monsters, 35 separate rooms (and counting!), and a host of original items and tools for players to discover!

Using your custom Vessel dice pull the d20 and d4 out as these will be the only dice needed in gameplay and combat! Your d20 is used for all attacks and tactics, while the d4 is used for damage. There are no modifers in The Mad Butler Murders, however the game master is free to make use of Advantage and Disadvantage at any time. What is this?

There are quite a number of horrific ways to die in this game. However, Dead Players are not immediately taken out of gameplay. Instead, they become powerful entities themselves, and are given the opportunity to either aid the remaining Living Players, or join the Manor in seeking their deaths!

So what are you waiting for? We're dying for you to check out a sneak peek of The Mad Butler Murders!

We’re offering ten pledge tiers, with options ranging from digital offerings to the ultimate All In experience. Whether you want to watch the film, dive deeper into its world, or collect something special, there’s a tier for you. And for those ready to go all in, you can even become a Producer on the film and have your own production logo featured in The Vessel.

Ever wanted to build your own haunted mansion? Now's your chance! No construction experience required! Just choose exactly what you want from our offerings, plus get access to any additional items that unlock during the campaign as a stretch goal.

The simplest digital tier that we will be offering in the campaign. You get a digital copy of the movie and your name in film credits as a Vessel supporter!
 

Want it all but don't want to deal with the hassle of shipping? Or you simply just prefer digital? The digital package tier is your go-to. You get the movie, haunting soundtrack, film credit, a PDF of the director's shooting script, and commentary from the cast, crew, and director. Additionally you get an exclusive invitation to a remote screening and Q&A for The Vessel!

The Mad Butler TTRPG tier is for our game lovers, and returning Final Seance backers (the sequel you didn't know you were waiting for)! You get to support the film by stepping into Fugelsang Manor and learning its lore. This tier comes with a physical copy of the book, the PDF, and a set of custom Vessel Dice.

The Vessel Core Bundle...a hauntingly good deal. You get all the essentials for a cinema buff who enjoys physical media in your format of choice (Blu-ray 4K, Blu-ray 1080p, or DVD)! Along with the disc and slipcase, you get digital copies of everything for easy viewing on the go. PLUS, some neat stickers based on scenes from the movie, film credit, a poster, and an invitation to a remote screening and Q&A.

Two collectors editions for two types of people. The standard Collector's Edition tier offers all previous items PLUS a fun Vessel graphic tee, concept book, and the The Mad Butler Murders PDF.

The Signed Collectors Edition offers all the same products, but with these signed upgrades from our cast and director: DVD slipcase, poster, and concept book!

You've survived so far. Your reward: an all-in tier that includes all of the base items in the campaign! This tier is EVERYTHING, absolutly every haunted item you've seen previously PLUS a physical copy of The Mad Butler Murders, custom Vessel dice, all variations of the script in PDF format, a ghost box keychain, 3 pins based on scenes from the movie, and *two exclusive non-transferable tickets to the BackerKit Private screening.

*Date and location are still being determined. Transportation and lodging is not covered in this offer.

Cinema Therapy Patreons, this tier is dedicated to you, our OG supporters. This tier offers a little bit of all of the tiers at an extremly discounted rate, giving you the chance to support The Vessel while getting some of the best rewards from across the campaign.

Want a little piece of The Vessel to call your own? This tier gets you an actual prop from the film, with only 30 spots available. Along with your unique prop, all other base items from the campaign are included in this tier! Once the props are gone, they’re gone!

Get the chance of a lifetime to be listed as a producer of The Vessel, along with all other base items from the campaign. Only 10 spots will be available for this tier!

This is the ultimate tier in The Vessel for supporters of independent film! You get everything from the base tiers, producer name credits, and your logo on a shared production logo slate at the start of the movie. Only 10 lucky backers will be able to claim the title of executive producer in the production of The Vessel.

 

Support our campaign with greater flexibility! BackerKit's Pay Over Time option allows backers pledging $150 or more to split their payment into four monthly installments after our campaign ends.

Here's how it works: When you pledge $150+, you'll see the Pay Over Time option at checkout. Once our campaign successfully funds, you'll be charged 25% of your total pledge monthly over four months. Your pledge is confirmed immediately, and you'll receive all rewards alongside other backers once fulfillment begins.

This payment flexibility makes it easier to support at higher tiers while managing your budget effectively.

There's no interest or additional fees, just a more accessible way to back the projects you love! Look for the Pay Over Time option during checkout when pledging $150 or more.

The Mad Butler Murders book just got a little more bespoke! At the $20K goal unlock, your book is automatically upgraded to include a ribbon bookmark, so you can always keep your spot while you dive back into the campaign! This goal only applies to backers who have The Mad Butler Murders book in their tier or as an add-on.

At $30K, we are adding the iconic Crying with Alan merch to select tiers! This unlocked item will automatically be included in The Vessel Core Bundle, Collector's Edition, Signed Collector's Edition, All In, Patreon Exclusive, Prop, Associate Producer, and Producer tiers.

Every movie lover needs a movie ticket worth keeping, right? Now you can bring home a Collector’s Ticket for The Vessel, made to feel like a little piece of the movie-going experience you can actually keep.

All Core Bundle backers and up will automatically receive the Collector’s Ticket. Not at that tier? No problem! You’ll also be able to grab one as an add-on!

We are committed to making the fulfillment process as smooth as possible for our backers around the world! Shipping costs will be collected after the campaign ends through our pledge manager once final rates are confirmed. Following the end of the campaign, we plan to have all items fulfilled by Fall of 2027. You will receive an email from our pledge manager shortly after the campaign concludes to confirm your pledge and add any additional items you would like.

Special thanks to Grant & Heidi Mielke, Sasha Smolker, Taylor Sloan, Rocky Deleon, Blake Coker, Josie Jaede, and Michael Jackson!

Your involvement makes this project special, and we want to hear your thoughts every step of the way. Let's build this story together! We have a variety of ways for you to join our community at Cinema Therapy!