THE HORROR ADVOCATE PROJECT FUND 2023
MEET THE ARTIST/FOUNDER
Horror Advocate| Crime Trends Expert| Researcher| GHOST WRITER| Pop Culture Survivalist| Cryptanalyst |+Poet
As a media artist and community leader, Avie positions her work as immersion therapy, an untapped resource for prioritizing underrepresented communities/voices. Her award-winning content house, The Horror Advocate, creates pop culture resources focused on the nexus of horror and social justice. THA provides consulting services to help educators, civic leaders, and community organizers implement film literacy as part of their efforts to impart change.
In February 2023, the Mass Cultural Council recognized THA's mission of meeting inequities at their root rather than their symptomatic effect as a critical influence on MA culture. THA reframes and repurposes traumatic content through innovative community response models, demonstrating the transformative impact of blending horror film, equity, and compassion. The objective is to transform antiquated social structures that thrive on harm and starve survival.
Recently released content includes The Horror Advocate's Guide to Streaming with Intention [Tubi, 2023] and the early-stage development document for the DEI FILM ARCHIVE mobile application.
She hopes people experience the same catharsis engaging with her work as she does creating it.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Horror Advocate is a pop-culture research project that meets inequities at their root rather than their symptomatic effect. Using innovative community response models, THA demonstrates the transformative impact of blending horror film, equity, and compassion. The objective is to transform antiquated social structures that thrive on harm and starve survival by reframing and repurposing what some viewers may consider traumatic content.
Over the past year, THA has gained respect in the virtual/DEI horror industry. Its growing notoriety comes from several exciting features, interviews, projects, and the release of original pop culture resource documents. Below, you will find details on project activities as of June 4, 2023, and upcoming events projected as far out as January 2024. Join us in the effort to continue this critical work!
WHAT YOU'RE HEARING
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
the horror advocatE [PROGRAMS]
THE MISSION
The Horror Advocate is a pop-culture research project that meets inequities at their root rather than their symptomatic effect.
First, take the time to review my project map below, which will provide clarity for those unfamiliar with this project. For returning supporters, this will offer a quick overview.
THE HORROR ADVOCATE FUNDING SUMMARY
Functional expenses
+Advertising platforms/programs [ex: Hulu Ad Manager, Snapchat Ad, and Twitter ads]
Merchandise supply
+ Shirts, Posters, Winter Gloves, Winter Hats, and Key Chains
Research Materials
+ Streaming services including Max, Youtube, Starz, Showtime, Paramount+, Peacock, and Apple TV] [Sample list that details what I do with Streaming Services: Tubi 2023].
Operational expenses
+ Film/media/editing equipment, service platforms [Ex: zoom, Canva, final cut pro, Docusign, Wix website/website domain], Question Pro, Trello, THA phoneline, and studio maintenance.
Fixed Expenses
+Trademarking [Ex: logos, programs titles, and slogans/language]
+ Research Assistant Stipend: This person will help organize, source, and construct a digital and physical horror archive in the app and the THA website.
the fundraiser TIMELINE
In this round, THA is raising $10K for varied expenses and project needs, Round 2 will be exclusive to the following stages of the app with a goal of [$30K], and Round 3 will be the same with a goal of [$ 40K]. After thorough discussions with my team and careful analysis, we have arrived at a rough estimation for the app's development, ranging from approximately 50,000 to 80,000 USD. This figure is only a preliminary estimate based on our initial understanding of the project scope.
How would the money help?
+ Continue to develop a content series of pop culture resources focusing on horror and social justice contexts.
+Continue to host content already created through videos, websites, and social media accounts.
+ Research and Gather Horror Materials to source a digital + physical archive
+ Move the DEI Film Archive to the development stage by December 2023
+ Trademarking ALL THA programs [Nyt owl writing, Apt Horror, REC Zombie, The Black Horroror Survivors Movie Challenge, The DEI Film Archive] logos, slogans, and materials
+ General Operating 'Keeping the lights on'
+ A digital mailbox/po box to organize and streamline any project communications
When does it end? How can people support it?
So far, THA has raised 0.5% of the goal. People are encouraged to donate directly through THA's fiscal sponsor; however, people are also welcome to donate via Paypal and include the note "Donation to The Horror Advocate Campaign 2023/24". Donations are accepted at any time, whether campaigning or not.
NOTE: If you want to donate to a specific program or activity, make a note on your donation entry.
How is THE APP related to THE larger VISION OF THE Horror Advocate project?
The Horror Advocate is a content creation and research project that meets inequities at their root rather than their symptomatic effect, developing resources focusing on Horror and social justice. THA is divided into three sections: Data gathering and analysis, Preservation and Archives, and Pedagogy/Community Response Models. The app draws all these pieces together.
What is the necessity of the app?
The DEI Film Archive is a revolutionary mobile app, a living register that maps Horror's impact across various social sectors, including culture, education, civics, accessibility, and community development. Using proprietary coding and tagging systems, DFA produces DEI-tailored recommendation lists, educational resources, and community resources and demonstrates innovative approaches to addressing contemporary challenges; with maximum depth and equity. In addition, DFA implements alternative methods of teaching, learning, and sourcing information.
The app is designed to standardize THA pedagogy, and film literacy, as reputable approaches to understanding contemporary quandaries; as the antidote for social ills. You can use this guide as context, suspend your expectations, and make your mind amenable.
Via Fiscal Sponsor
Directly to the artist
Apt, Horror is an innovative approach to community data collection and analysis. This project utilizes the horror genre as a strategic community development tool and converts theories into practical conclusions. The annual process includes Community Research, Community Partnerships, and Community Gatherings. These findings will serve as a valuable resource for city, state, and federal officials, initiatives, and programs aspiring to better serve the underrepresented communities they were appointed to protect.
The findings will also be valuable to the film/horror media industry regarding how they develop, market, and build audiences around the genre. In 2022, THA circulated a successful test run of the study and completed Apt, Horror’s first study Report. Through this survey process, I learned it takes six months to complete adequate community research, which will inform my strategy/process going forward.
The study questions combine demographic, lifestyle, and media data topics. Once the study round closes, that data is used to identify trending topics that may affect our personal, social, or professional landscapes. Specifically, I look for possible areas of engagement (e.g., political and social anxieties). I then share the analytics with those involved in Community Development, Equity Initiatives, Policy reform, Prison Reform, The Film Industry, The Horror Industry, DEI Professionals and Educators, Community service leaders, and organizers across the United States. I will use that data to develop partnerships with mission-aligned organizations and produce an informative annual community event offering low-lift strategies to effect change.
The study will be officially released in January 2024. In the meantime, I want to ensure the study is constructed correctly by utilizing data/study design consultants, programs, and Platforms. This will help objectively identify causes or difficulties quantified via THA research efforts.
WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE MONEY: APT, HORROR
+ Maintain database systems to track survey participants data accurately
+Survey software: QuestionPro Subscription
+Cover the acquisition costs for survey respondents
+Survey incentives cost [E-gift cards]
REC Zombie is an archival resource project, a collection of horror film/television titles, descriptions, and streaming locations that map America's cultural temperature from 1896 to the present. THA will develop the following resources this year: The DEI Film Archive (digital), the REC Retro Horror Awards, Death by Intention: A Comprehensive History of blackness in Horror, and the REC Zombie Horror Appreciation List.
RRHA will reimagine the Academy Awards from 1929 to the present, detailing what horror films should have been nominated that year, which films would have won, and why.
RZ Horror Appreciation List is dedicated to recognizing and expanding which films are considered 'awards worthy,' as well as the genres' history of being (under)valued by the film industry. .. This part of the project will include an ongoing list of actors, directors, producers, writers, screenwriters, and prop artists whose careers start in horror.
WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE MONEY: REC Zombie?
+ Digitization Equipment
+ Digitization Software
+ Physical Film archive equipment
+ Collections Management Systems (CMS)
+ Digital Asset Management Systems (DAMS)
The DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] film archive reframes and repurposes traumatic content to amplify layers of identity, communities, and experiences historically excluded and pushed to the borderlands. As an educational tool, DFA offers various approaches to understanding contemporary challenges using horror films and cultural history as a guide. The project will move to the application development phase by December 2023. In the meantime, it requires funds to maintain database access, source materials/research, digital audio/video equipment + software, and Cloud services and storage (Google, Box, etc.). This archive will ignite a cultural shift towards accessibility and alternative learning models as a standard in educational systems across the US. Ultimately, The archive will become institutionalized as a reputable teaching tool and community development resource.
WHO ARE ITS TARGET USERS?
Horror film aficionados[ podcasters, filmmakers, festival organizers, production companies, creators], Universities with film and social impact programs, Community leaders in media and community development, anyone who wants to learn more about the connection between horror films, equity, and community development and Cinephiles.
MAJOR DIFFERENTIATORS FROM TOP COMPETITORS
[Shudder, Screambox, and TubiTV]
+Explicitly designed to engage in social issues.
+Unique categorizations/tagging systems related to DEI practices that connect horror films to critical cultural moments in US history.
DEI CATEGORIES
This resource details how content will be categorized and tagged across the project. View the full li of mindmaps on the THA website.
WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE MONEY: THE DEI FILM ARCHIVE
+ To begin the process of wireframing and prototyping the application, visual design (UI), and user experience design
+Secure proper documentation to protect ALL materials, slogans, and logos
+ App design consultant/team
The Horror Advocate's Guide to Streaming with Intention standardizes THA pedagogy, and film literacy, as a reputable approach to understanding contemporary quandaries; as the antidote for social ills. You can use this guide as context, suspend your expectations, and make your mind amenable.
WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE MONEY: THE HORROR ADVOCATES GUIDE TO STREAMING WITH INTENTION
+ Research Materials including but not limited to digital streaming services, reference texts, and crime pop culture magazines
SAMPLE CONTENT: BLACK HORROR HISTORY AND THE LEGACY OF FREAKS [1932]
SAMPLE CONTENT: WHOSE COFFIN IS WHOSE? [HOSTEL 2005/2006]
SAMPLE CONTENT: A BOY AND HIS HOOD [FRIDAY THE 13TH, PART 5. 1985]
The Black Horror Survivors Movie Challenge is a living archive that maps America's obsession with the black body across key cultural/criminal historical moments. (EX: Candyman [1992] + Rodney King). This work frames the lived experiences and liberation of all people, communities, and existences traditionally pushed to the borderlands. One of the three modules is complete; the recap is available on the THA website. Take the time to review it to gain further understanding and engage with THA's original content.
WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE MONEY: THE BLACK HORROR SURVIVORS MOVIE CHALLENGE
+ Audio and Video Materials/Equipment (ring light, Smartphone Video Kit, Streaming software stream labs OBS, Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro, live streaming encoder/Teradek Vidiu X, Streaming box/NewTek TriCaster Mini Advanced HD-4,)
[Pop] Cult Survivalist is an investigative project that uses crime trends, statistics, and media to map pop culture as a decoder for criminality. PCS rejects our standard practice for addressing criminal activity and offers an innovative community response model in its place.
In May 2023, PCS released the first bi-quarterly report on violent crime driven by talk shows and how we bastardize childhood by supporting bias.
SAMPLE CONTENT FROM PCS Q1 REPORT
WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE MONEY: [POP]CULT SURVIVALIST?
+ Fees for Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)
+Fees for Courthouse Electronic Access
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CURIOSITIES?
USE THE CONTACT INFO BELOW TO GET IN TOUCH.
Boston, MA
Love, Avie
thehorroradvocate@gmail.com
@ahorroradvocate
NAME RULES
How do you Pronounce Ava? (see the Australian pronunciation)
Professional Credits: Ava M. Fields
Introducing me: Ava
Casual communications + Zoom meetings: Ava or Avie
Via Fiscal Sponsor
Directly to the artist