About
About TEN
TEN is a surrealistic, post-exploitation exploration of identity starring ten women. The film examines the arbitrary fluidity of identity and the way in which we as observers contextualize and stereotype women based on superficial characteristics including their appearance and demeanor. The film narrative itself is structured to parallel the commentary on characterization with breakneck genre, style, and tone shifts, repeatedly seeking to recontextualize all that you have previously been presented.
Plot Synopsis
Ten women find themselves in a vacant mansion on Spektor Island in December, 1972. Each believes she’s traveled to the house on business, but they all agree that something seems strange. For one thing, the entire house is full of pictures and statues of pigs.
The women all come from drastically different walks of life. None of them would have chosen to spend the night together in such an eerie place, but the last ferry for the mainland has just left, and a terrible storm is rolling in. Trying to make the best of an unpleasant situation, they raid the mansion’s wine cellar and throw a party. As the night creeps on, however, it becomes clear that someone–or something–has arranged to get them in the house. It’s not long before someone mentions that Spektor Island is supposed to be haunted. Of course, no one in the house believes in ghosts.
At least, not until the first murder.
What do an actress, a religious zealot, a renegade, a coed, a model, a singer, a medium, a real-estate investor, a historian, and a doctor have in common? None of them is who they seem. Yet, the fate of the entire world may rest in their hands.
Click here to meet the Cast & Crew of TEN
About the Author:
Jade Sylvan is the author of the autobiographical novel, Kissing Oscar Wilde (2013), the poetry collection, The Spark Singer (2009), the fiction novel, Backstage at The Caribou (2008), as well as many other poems, stories, and essays, some of which have appeared in publications such as PANK, The Sun, BuzzFeed, Bayou, Basalt, Word Riot, and others. In 2012, Jade cowrote and acted in Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein’s film, TEN. Jade is originally from the Midwest, but now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts among a rotating cast of geniuses, fairies, magicians, and kings.
TEN Novel is based on the screenplay written by Michael J. Epstein, Sarah Wait Zaranek, Jade Sylvan and Sophia Cacciola
Cover Artwork by Frank Germano – Man on Fire Design / Layout by Sophia Cacciola / Edited by Lisa Battiston
Companion Novel
BUY A LIMITED-EDITION COPY!
(also available in eBook)
The TEN film companion novel tells the story of TEN from the perspectives of the ten characters. Each of the ten chapters presents the perspectives, perceptions, and back stories of one of the visitors to Spektor Island. The novel serves to expand the world of TEN and present thematic reinforcement that enhances the TEN experience.
Book blurb:
The women all come from drastically different walks of life. None of them would have chosen to spend the night together in such an eerie place, but the last ferry for the mainland has just left, and a terrible storm is rolling in. Trying to make the best of an unpleasant situation, they raid the mansion’s wine cellar and throw a party. As the night creeps on, however, it becomes clear that someone–or something–has lied to get them in the house. It’s not long before someone mentions that Spektor Island is supposed to be haunted.
Of course, no one in the house believes in ghosts. At least, not until the first murder.
What do an actress, a religious zealot, a renegade, a coed, a model, a singer, a medium, a real-estate investor, a historian, and a doctor have in common? None of them is who they seem.
Behind-the-Scenes
We took 60+ hours of behind-the-scenes footage from the making of TEN and butchered it down to a 2-hour tale of suffering and magic…or something! It’s a pretty honest portrayal of the challenges of filmmaking, and it pretty plainly reveals us grappling with the hurdles of getting through our first feature.
Behind the Scenes of the TEN days of shooting:
Overview
Day 1, December 4, 2012 - Wingaersheek Beach - Gloucester, MA
Day 2, December 6, 2012 - Beach Mansion - Barrington, RI
Day 3, December 7, 2012 - Beach Mansion - Barrington, RI
Day 4, December 8, 2012 - Beach Mansion - Barrington, RI
Day 5, December 9, 2012 - Beach Mansion - Barrington, RI
Day 6, December 10, 2012 - Beach Mansion - Barrington, RI
Day 7, December 11, 2012 - Beach Mansion - Barrington, RI
Day 8, December 12, 2012 - Beach Mansion - Barrington, RI
Day 9, December 13, 2012 - Beach Mansion - Barrington, RI
Day 10, December 14, 2012 - The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library - Somerville, MA
Extra Inserts/Pickups Day, March 3, 2013 - Sophia Cacciola's House of Wax - Somerville, MA
TEN: Behind-the-Scenes
Press
TEN Press Kit
“Deeper still, the movie takes on a political and sociological stance, examining stereotypes, identity, and also the subtext and themes behind story lines.” – Lauren Shiro, Curve Magazine
“Imagine Scream crossed with The Usual Suspects…The art comes with meticulously framed shots full of color, the enjoyment with puzzling out the crazy plot twists.” – Jed Gottlieb Boston Herald
“…a Clue-esque, genre-mixing murder-mystery at a haunted mansion…with enough themes and tropes to start a marching band.” – Jonathan Donaldson, DigBoston
“Simultaneously entertaining, intellectual, and artistically bold” – Kristofer Jenson, DigBoston
Select Press Links
| 8/15/2014 | Fangoria | Sophia and Michael were interviewed for a full-page feature on TEN in Fangoria |
| 4/24/2014 | CURVE Magazine | TEN was reviewed by CURVE Magazine |
| 8/13/2013 | The Boston Herald | The Boston Herald reviews TEN |
| 4/20/2015 | (re)Search My Trash | (re)Search My Trash reviews TEN |
| 7/23/2015 | Starburst Magazine | TEN was reviewed by Starburst Magazine |
| 9/15/2014 | Hacked in the Head | Hacked in the Head reviewed TEN |
| 4/8/2013 | IndieWire Project of the Week | TEN is the IndieWire Project of the Week! |
| 4/27/2013 | Comics Bulletin | Sophia Cacciola, Michael J. Epstein, and Jade Sylvan were interviewed about TEN by Comics Bulletin |
| 4/1/2013 | IndieWire Project of the Day | TEN is the IndieWire Project of the Day! |
| 5/20/2014 | Jennifer's Bodies | TEN is selected for Jennifer's Bodies Women in Film Series |
| 8/5/2013 | Jewish Boston | Michael J. Epstein is interviews on Jewish Boston about film and music projects. |
| 5/5/2013 | Daily Dead Indie Spotlight | Daily Dead Indie Spotlight previewed the opening credits of TEN. |
| 8/26/2012 | Cheap Thrills | Cheap Thrills plugs the TEN the movie Kickstarter campaign |