SOMNAMBULANCE

In the past, many Directors have been seen as these shadowy figures enforcing strict control on their cast and crew - Ultimately getting praised for their end products, while their methods are brushed off as merely the means to an end...

You can see how a new Director would think the answer to "Cinematic Magic" is holding their Film above all else. Often using the term "Pain is temporary, film is forever." One that I found myself using in the past - And looking back cringe hard at T_T

Now look, I'm not saying that there aren't examples of this sort of method working - Most of those classic Films I have more than obsessed over, but in these past few years I have found myself asking if that's really what I want this Studios morals to be.

Today I can point to several examples of Films that have not just amazed audiences with their end product - But made a point of creating safe environments for artists to inhabit that allow for exploration and creation - Without sacrificing peoples treatment.

• Nomadland - 2020

• Everything Everywhere All At Once - 2022

• Sinners - 2025

• Project Hail Mary - 2026

• Backrooms - 2026

When I look into each of these productions - The one constant is that the set environment was a caring, giving place that treated their cast and crew as fellow collaborators - Rather than just a means to an end.

Now when we apply this to Anima Studios - It means our main goal is that everyone feels comfortable and safe; To speak up, to share ideas and to find the experience rewarding on multiple levels. We have spent the past three years building up our creative skills and recently have begun full Production of our second Feature Film - Somnambulance.

We don't take dealing with heavy topics and subject matter lightly. We ensure that we will treat them with care and not take advantage of people's real experiences for the sake of profit - In practice that starts with listening to Actors feedback and not forcing a vision because it feels 'interesting', but rather mutually arriving at a place that feels instinctually correct.

Our script is comprised of several real events that have either happened to members of our team - Or people that we have known and lost. This entire project is really a therapy experiment that we feel has created itself out of a necessity to be made.

Our cast is the lifeblood of this film and I'm happy to announce that we have cast the Zhen Family and will update this soon with a rollout of our actors! Until then, I hope that this has given you a brief glimpse into our goals moving forward.

Consider becoming a Patreon Member today and get your name in our end credits, as well as access to behind the scenes content as we move along the journey bringing Somnambulance to life!

All proceeds go towards funding our Film and paying the Cast and Crew.

Written by Will Schrueder, co-founder/writer/director of Anima Studios | 2026