The Years (and Airbnb Hosts) That Led to the Creation of Somnium, My Debut Horror Sci-Fi Novel

      Racheal Cain serves as the director of Somnium, which follows an aspiring actor named Gemma (Chloë Levine) who, grappling with a heart-wrenching breakup, relocates from her small town to Los Angeles. There, she takes the overnight shift at an enigmatic sleep clinic. In the excerpt below, Cain, who grew up in Miami making VHS movies with kids from her neighborhood, discusses her ten-year journey to bring Somnium to life. The film is set to be released in theaters this week.

      I believe that Somnium has been developing within me throughout my entire life. As a child, my father constructed a sensory deprivation chamber out of fiberglass in our garage, allowing him to float into the void during his nightly meditations.

      While my parents played their well-worn yard sale audio tape of The Secret, I grasped the law of attraction. But how could I, a 22-year-old with no contacts in the industry and no funds, manage to create my first million-dollar film about, well, manifesting?

      Racheal Cain and the Countdown to Somnium

      Somnium writer-director Racheal Cain. Photo by Carissa Dorson. – Credit: C/O

      In 2012, I boarded a one-way flight to Los Angeles with a rough new script and a clear plan: I’d crash on my friend's futon in the corner of his dining room (yes — dining room — as the living room was already occupied by an aspiring actor) until I figured things out. My first love had just shattered my heart and all I knew was that I had to get to L.A.

      In 2013, I obtained my first room with a door (!). I worked as a bartender at night and spent my afternoons breaking down that script into index cards, which would remain on my bedroom wall in various arrangements for the next year.

      In 2014, I accepted my first paid position from an intriguing Craigslist ad. I should have taken note of the producer’s odd emphasis on “bikini movie” when he called to offer me the job, but my dream of earning $200 a day filming poolside on a legitimate project clouded my judgment. The next weekend, I found myself handing out ham and cheese sandwiches to a fully naked cast.

      The producer wanted me to work full-time, which I politely declined. Instead, I created an Instagram account for my future film. I knew openly stating my intention would help keep me accountable; nothing holds you to task like the fear of public embarrassment.

      Chloë Levine in Somnium. Yellow Veil Pictures – Credit: C/O

      To my surprise, people began following my journey and, by 2015, I connected with creatives from all walks of life. One afternoon, I received a message from Lance Kuhns along with a link to his cinematography reel. I immediately recognized that he was the right fit for the project.

      By 2016, with my small crew growing, I began working at the coffee bar of a well-established film studio. While I steamed soy cappuccinos for celebrities, I applied for grants and workshops. While mid-latte art one day, I learned I had been selected for the Big Vision Empty Wallet “Kickstart Diversity” incubator program in NYC, an intensive weekend culminating in a major pitch opportunity.

      I presented the project and, by the end of 2017, managed to secure the first small piece of financing. However, Lance and I were both becoming impatient. Alongside this initial funding, the studio I worked for, which also had a branch in Atlanta, offered us a significant discount on equipment.

      The script had always intertwined present-day scenes with flashbacks. While I was aware it was still evolving, the flashbacks felt ready. I was eager to infuse the textures of small-town life and the authentic passage of time, envisioning the footage could be used to create a sizzle reel. The Big Vision producers connected me with casting director Bess Fifer, resulting in a list of actors in my inbox, with Chloë Levine at the top. My friend and filmmaker, Xander Robin, had met Peter Vack at a film festival and forwarded me his email. We scheduled the shoot for March 2018 in Georgia.

      Meanwhile, 2,000 miles from our filming location, I began searching for venues on Airbnb.com. I sifted through hundreds of listing photos across Georgia, scrutinizing both interiors and exteriors (there were so many wallpaper patterns) and managed to find some true gems.

      Even better than the homes I discovered were the Airbnb hosts who would become the unsung heroes of our flashback shoot. When I sought a music venue, one host happened to be the brother of the frontman of the indie rock band, Twin Peaks, who was performing at the Georgia Theatre in Athens during our shoot dates.

      He made some calls and not only secured the location for free but