Official Trailer released on September 14, 2023
Synopsis
Hannah (Hadley Robinson), a young fashion designer, seems fine on the surface but secretly struggles with debilitating self-doubt. Soon these buried feelings begin to make Hannah physically sick and sprout into a ferocious growth on her body: The Appendage. As Hannah’s health declines, The Appendage begins to fuel her anxieties – her perceived lack of talent at work, her deteriorating relationships with her boyfriend and best friend, and her parents’ lack of love and understanding. As The Appendage grows more powerful, Hannah seeks out others like herself, but soon realizes they have bigger and more sinister plans than she ever anticipated.
Writer/Director - Anna Zlokovic • Cinematographer - Powell Robinsion • Production Designer - Michelle Patterson
Budget
Art department was originally provided $145,000 which increased by an additional $5,000 during production. Due to the large scale effort to make returns, our department came more than $6,000 under the approved budget. An in-depth spreadsheet of all art department transactions can be found through this downloaded link.
Building Cristean
By far the largest feat of Appendage was the gutting of 3902 Market St, a dilapidated church that was used to shoot Cristean Ulman's design studio. Considering his character and his effect on Hannah's mental health, the location's patina proved perfect for the story. Due to the lack of air conditioning while in the midst of summer, locations provided industrial, portable air condiditioning as set dressers spent two weeks cleaning and dressing the location. We collaborated with local construction workers to create a few builds that would professionalize Cristean's studio.
Coordinating Couture
Fashion and the stress of making art plays a large role in Appendage, and I was fortunate enough to be part of the process. I was in charge of communicating with the dressmakers and coordinating the shipping and handling of their pieces. We had two custom-made dresses for Appendage, with the rest rented from young design students all the way to NYC-based couture designer, Bach Mai.
The Gash Dress designed by Stephen James
Selections from Bach Mai's collection, A Flower Walk, were chosen to represent the work of Hannah's employer, Cristean Ulman
Managing the Art Warehouse
I was very fortunate that the production office had allocated art department an extra large storage room with access to a loading dock. I kept inventory throughout the production, noting which shipments had arrived and labeled boxes by set. By the time we wrapped Cristean's design studio after week two, the entire warehouse was filled with studio desks, mannequins, dress forms, and so much more. Over the next few weeks, I was responsible for tens of thousands in returns and a fire sale shortly before wrap.
Working with Local Printers
After vetting different printers regarding abilities, prices, and lead times, I formed a working relationship with New Hanover Printing. Throughout production, they printed graphics that we used in Cristean Ulman's studio, the bar, and Kaelin's apartment.
Examples of the graphics used in Appendage, most created by Kevin Schofield