I was in high school. My friend Jordan and I had walked from the A train at 125TH STREET, down to the HUDSON RIVER. We sat on the rocks as the sun set.

Then the sky changed.

Red streaks began appearing—moving, vanishing, reappearing across the horizon. And then it was there.

A BLACK DISK, silent, hovering high above us. It shifted, dropped, then shot off toward New Jersey at a speed I can’t explain.

We ran. Shaken. Changed.

That night has stayed with me. THE MANOR is my way of giving voice to experiences like this—to what’s out there, and to those of us who have seen it.

- Luke Nieves, Co-Creator 

THE MANOR, is a high-concept, hour-long serialized television show that follows a Manhattan family’s move to an Upstate New York hamlet at the turn of the century, inadvertently awakening an EXTRA-TERESTRIAL FORCE that torments the community. 

Guided by the bonds they form within their newfound community, our characters set out to thwart the alien presence threatening to engulf the town. 

We’ve already come so far — our team is locked in, our shoot is planned for this September, and thanks to early backers, we’re already most of the way to our fundraising goal. Now, we’re making this final push to raise the last $5,000+ we need to bring The Manor to life on set BY SEPTEMBER.

We’re asking for YOUR SUPPORT, whether it’s by backing the project, sharing it, or spreading the word, because this is a show created by PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE. These are people who know these phenomena are real and have experienced them firsthand. The show's creator has lived through a real UFO encounter, and this series is rooted in that reality, not in Hollywood tropes, not in clichés, but in GROUNDED, ORIGINAL STORYTELLING. The Manor explores themes of conscientiousness, contact with both benevolent and malevolent entities, and what it means to confront realities beyond human comprehension.

The Manor is about bringing TRUE EXPERIENCES, real-world encounters, and the mysteries still happening today to the screen in a way that’s never been done before: character-driven, deeply human, and unafraid to EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN. 

With your help, we can make it happen.

We’re raising funds to produce a 15-page, HIGH-CONCEPT SEQUENCE pulled directly from one of our future episodes. This thrilling sequence will showcase the tone, scale, and cinematic vision of the series and serve as a PROOF OF CONCEPT to pitch to networks, studios, and festivals.

Through this spec short, prepare to dive in and experience the chilling FIRST ENCOUNTER our assemble have with a blood thirsty creature that defies all earthly biological laws. A massive, lurking, amphibian being crawling from the depths of the town’s desolate lake to prey on the closest pulse without the strength to outrun it.

In this concept film, we will get a chance to befriend our PROTAGONISTS, see their unique personalities and dynamics, showcase the decrepit town in which they inhabit, expose the terrifying design of our alien as well as its SPELLBINDING ABILITIES, and provide a glimpse into the ramifications of meddling with the unforeseeable FORCES OF NATURE that threaten to tear a community to pieces.

Michael River's son. He's independent, sensitive, and emotionally conscientious. Despite battling insecurities about the scarring on his body from undisclosed surgeries as a baby, he posses a level headed demeanor and knack for seeing the good in others. Grieving his uncle's death, he finds comfort in the memories of his family home, unaware of his genetic link to the alien presence passed down from his grandfather.

A soft-spoken family man with an enigmatic past, Michael Rivers' quiet strength anchors those around him. Past financial missteps haunt his once-thriving property management business in New York City. Back in his hometown upstate, he is forced to confront the traumas of childhood and a shared dark history with his deceased brother Gabriel.

A perpetual ball of energy, Jake is Christian’s childhood best friend. Gregarious, charismatic and a star basketball athlete, he’s the life of any gathering. Where Jake goes, mischief, risk-taking behavior, and trouble tend to follow. Jake encourages curiosity and challenges the norm, propelling his friends' quest to unravel the town's extraterrestrial secrets, learning the importance of responsibility along the way.

Sharp-witted, resourceful, and observant, Jonathan’s impoverished childhood has made him a resilient and pragmatic young man. He retains a gentle heart and compassionate spirit amidst life’s harshness, although envious of the privilege of his friends. Working at a local gas station, he stumbles upon clues linked to the alien activity in The Manor, forever altering his life.

A strong, spiritual, and methodical woman, Joanna is first-generation American. Shaped by her Cuban family who escaped communism abroad, she is disciplined and protective of her family's well-being. She takes charge of a failing antique shop in The Manor, discovering extra-planetary objects that hold key revelations in their quest for answers.

Homeschooled on their father’s farm, adopted siblings Thea and Lee Green are a chaotic but inseparable duo. The two search for answers when their livestock suddenly begin to go missing one-by-one overnight.

The DEPTHS OF OUR WATERS remain one of Earth’s last great mysteries, with over 80% OF THE OCEAN still uncharted. Unlike the familiar image of extraterrestrials descending from the skies, THE MANOR reveals a different truth—a species whose home is not on land, but hidden BENEATH THE WAVES.

Concealed in the warm, murky waters of THE MANOR’S LAKE, these beings have anchored their INTERPLANETARY VESSEL, invisible to the human eye. What appears peaceful and picturesque above the surface masks an OTHERWORLDLY PRESENCE lurking in silence below.

Under the cover of NIGHTFALL, they emerge from the DEPTHS to feed, channeling water into their ship to form an AQUATIC CHAMBER. While possessing JOINTED LIMBS and the ability to navigate land, they cannot breathe outside air for more than a few minutes, remaining prisoners to POCKETS OF WATER. This creates a distinct vulnerability despite their NOTABLE DANGER.

From the infamous RADIO BROADCASTS of WAR OF THE WORLDS, the pages of the ROSWELL INCIDENT conspiracy in 1947, to present-day CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS on declassified military UFO FOOTAGE, generating cryptic revelations from whistleblowers about FOREIGN BIOLOGICS.

The fascination with EXTRATERRESTRIAL EXISTENCE continues to captivate the contemporary imagination. Recent polls released by the PEW RESEARCH CENTER reveal that nearly TWO THIRDS OF AMERICANS believe in some form of alien life. Even the NEW YORK TIMES reported that mysterious nightly sightings have risen nearly 200% since the start of the pandemic.

In light of the cultural ZEITGEIST surrounding the otherworldly, the moment has never been better for a television series to explore the impacts INTERSTELLAR CONTACT would have on humankind. The series has the potential to tap into this universal intrigue, capturing the imagination of viewers and igniting discussions about our PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE and the importance of PROTECTING OUR PLANET.

The Cast:

Luke Nieves (Creator, plays Christian Rivers), is a filmmaker, actor, and producer known for A Nice lady (2025), Til Death Do Us Part (2024), Beach Pillows (2014), and Slouching Towards Bethlehem (2012). He is focused on developing original, character-driven projects across film and TV, blending genre with emotional storytelling. 

Keen Ruffalo (plays Jonathan Leone) is an emerging actor trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, where he honed a deep, character-driven approach to performance. He stars in the upcoming indie comedy New Year's Rev and has additional credits in independent films and theater, where he continues to build a reputation for grounded, dynamic work. 

Jesse Boitel (Plays Jake Gallagher) is an actor recognized for his roles in the thriller series Pretty Little liars: Original Sin (2022) and the upcoming drama They Rescue Horses, Don't They? (2025). His work spans both television and independent film, showcasing his versatility and commitment to character-driven storytelling. 

Nico Martinez (Co-Creator, Joanna Rivers) is a Telly Award-winning actress, writer, and director known for her compelling character work in both film and television. Her directorial debut, La Maestra (2015), won Best Short Film at the WCC Film Festival. Martinez continues to develop original, character-driven projects that explore nuanced human experiences.

The Crew: 

Woulfe Bova (Director, Lead Writer) is a graduate of NYU’s prestigious Tisch school of the arts with a BFA in Film and Television production. He has directed and produced numerous internationally-recognized award winning short films and music videos, and has production experience on multiple documentary and feature sets.

Kale Davidoff (Line-producer) is a film producer whose credits include Avatar: The Way of Water, New Money, and The Chosen One. With experience spanning blockbuster sets and indie features, he brings bold, character-driven stories to life with a cinematic edge.

Brenden Mascherino (Director of Photography) specializes in narrative, commercial, and music video film production. His work includes projects such as The Next Bells, Modern Amends for Personal Grievances, and Ten Minutes to Showtime. He also served as Director of Photography for Sarah Kinsley's music video, Starling. Additionally, he directed, shot, and produced a commercial for SCAD's BAM! (Black Artists in Music) celebration concert. Mascherino's portfolio showcases a diverse range of visual storytelling across various formats.

Julien Louis (Assistant Director) is a Western New York–based filmmaker whose credits include She Listens Alone, Deadly Destination, Seclusion, A Deadly Ride, Till Death Do Us Part, and Sins of the Bride. He also wrote and directed the original short film Moonglow, further showcasing his creative vision and storytelling craft.

Because it’s one of the most ACTIVE UFO HOTSPOTS in the world. Too few people know that story...

The CATSKILL MOUNTAINS and the greater HUDSON VALLEY region of New York are an epicenter for UFO activity and sightings. Between 1981 AND 1987 alone, there were over 25,000 REPORTS of strange lights, crafts, and phenomena in the skies above the valley, an extraordinary wave that drew national attention. Locals, police officers, pilots, and entire communities witnessed formations of unknown craft moving silently through the night.

To this day, the area continues to be a magnet for sightings, particularly in places like PINE BUSH, often called the EAST COAST’S UFO CAPITAL. The mystery runs deep here, tied to both modern reports and older Native American lore about strange beings and lights in the mountains.

Even the DALAI LAMA, during a visit to the HUDSON VALLEY, called the region a “special spiritual vortex,” a place where the veil between worlds feels thin.

THE MANOR is set and will be filmed on location in the CATSKILLS, because that authenticity matters. The landscape itself is part of the story. The misty forests, the remote hamlets, the deep lakes—all grounded in the real-world history of this region’s phenomena.

This is not just atmospheric fiction. It’s inspired by REAL PLACES, REAL HISTORY, AND REAL EXPERIENCES.

 

In 2021, we pulled together a SMALL TEAM of friends and creatives to shoot what would become the OFFICIAL TRAILER for The Manor, the same footage featured in the Kickstarter video above.

At the time, the series was still evolving. The story has undergone many changes since then, but the ESSENCE of the world, the tone, and the heart of The Manor were captured in that early shoot.

What we created wasn’t a traditional pilot. It was a CONCEPTUAL TRAILER, a glimpse into moments from an entire season, designed to paint a picture of this world and the PHENOMENA at its core.

Now, we’re taking the NEXT STEP.

This fall, we’re shooting full SCRIPTED SCENES — with dialogue, character development, and an ambitious ACTION SEQUENCE that throws our leads into their first full-on ENCOUNTER with the alien species at the heart of the show.

What began as a passion project among friends is growing, and with your help, we’ll bring this story to life on a whole new level.

Though our team is working on a VOLUNTEER BASIS, producing even a short scene at this level involves costs we can’t avoid, including:

We’ve poured our time and hearts into this world, and now we’re asking for your help to take it to the NEXT LEVEL.

This is where you come in.

We’ve built the team. We have the story. We’ve secured most of our funding. Now we’re asking directly for your support to help us close this gap and make this shoot happen. If you believe in this project, if you want to see UFO stories told with honesty, depth, and CINEMATIC VISION, we need you.

Every contribution matters. Every dollar gets us closer.

Together, we can bring THE MANOR to life.

We’re beyond grateful for every single person who believes in this project and helps us make it a reality.

If you have any questions, reach out anytime at Info@themanorseries.com.

Risks and Challenges:

As with any independent film project, The Manor faces certain risks and challenges. While we have a committed team of experienced professionals and a locked shoot scheduled for this summer, production always carries potential uncertainties—such as weather conditions, scheduling conflicts, or unforeseen delays in post-production.

Additionally, as this is a proof-of-concept shoot intended to pitch the full series, there is no guarantee that the project will be immediately picked up by a network or platform. However, we are strategically building relationships with industry partners and potential distributors to maximize our chances.

We are deeply committed to transparency with our backers. Should any unexpected hurdles arise, we will communicate openly with you and work diligently to stay on track and deliver the strongest version of this project possible. Your support is helping us bring this story to life—thank you for believing in The Manor.