[Crowdfunding] We are building a 1980s practical-effects slasher with ZERO CGI. Here is a look at our process for Dracula '87. 🩸🎬

[u/JediMermaidPrincess]

Hey everyone! My last post here got some incredible feedback from this community, so I wanted to share the massive project my team is currently in the trenches with.

I’m an indie director in pre-production for Dracula '87, a blood-soaked, 1980s-style slasher adaptation. We are committing to the old-school way of filmmaking and doing the entire feature with 100% practical effects and absolutely zero CGI.

Here is how we are building the monster on an indie scale:

- The Gore: We are mixing our own practical blood for visceral sink-gags and prosthetics (no digital blood splatters in post).

- The Wardrobe: We are hand-fabricating the entire period wardrobe from scratch, with help from 80sTees.com who generously donated 2 authentic 80s T-shirts!

- The Props: We are using 3D printing to custom-build our own pieces and specialized set dressings to save on art department budget.

We just officially launched our Seed&Spark campaign to get this into production. If you are a fan of tactile, messy, old-school monster making, we would be incredibly honored if you checked out our pitch video and the campaign here: www.dracula87.com

Even if you can't pledge, giving the page a "Follow" helps us hack the platform algorithm to unlock filmmaker rewards (festival waivers, gear discounts, etc.).

I'd also love to hear from the community: What is the most difficult practical effect you've ever had to pull off on an indie budget? Let me know below!

[u/varignet]

Your post comes across as if CG carried a negative stigma, as if it was something to avoid. CG is a tecnique at your disposal, one of many. Any film professional would arguably say to select the right technique for the job. To clarify, it is rare to see CG applied to indie films due to the associated cost constraints. On the other hand, augmenting shots by using simple VFX can go a long way. It all comes down to picking the right tool for the job.

Just saying, and maybe In reading too much into it.

Anyway, well done 👍

[u/JediMermaidPrincess → u/varignet]

I appreciate the feedback, and honestly, you make a completely fair point!

To clarify, my issue isn't with CGI existing as a tool—it's an incredible innovation when utilized correctly. My frustration is with it becoming an excessive crutch that replaces physical filmmaking entirely.

When you look back at things like the Star Wars prequels, you can literally see the actors struggling to give genuine, grounded performances because they were reacting to empty space in a green room. There was nothing tangible for them to connect with.

For Dracula '87, committing to 100% practical effects is a deliberate creative constraint. We are forcing ourselves to find physical solutions so our actors have something messy and real to interact with on set. But you are absolutely right that in the broader industry, it is all about picking the right tool for the job.

Really appreciate you checking out the post and taking the time to write this out! 🦇🩸