Clara and the Below
Gothic horror Nutcracker adaptation.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Clara and the Below is a gothic horror adaptation of The Nutcracker. The project was announced as the first production of a newly founded animation studio, Fantasy Project, and was funded through a Kickstarter campaign.
- creator
- Unknown
- announced
- TBD
- format
- Four interconnected animated shorts forming a roughly 24-minute film
- genre
- Gothic horror adaptation of The Nutcracker
- studio
- Fantasy Project
- music composer
- TBD
- first episode release
- TBD
Lore & Background
The project Clara and the Below was announced as a gothic horror adaptation of The Nutcracker, with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. A Kickstarter for the series was launched, with a goal of funding a single episode which was 6-10 minutes for a cost of $25,000. After less than a week, it earned 'more than ten times' that target amount, at over $231,000. The music composer for the project has yet to be confirmed. The first episode's release date has not been announced.
Reader's Guide
Clara and the Below represents Matt Braly's first independent project after leaving Disney Television Animation and founding his own studio, Fantasy Project. The series is notable for its funding model: a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $231,000 in less than a week, far exceeding its $25,000 goal. Braly told Cartoon Brew that his goal is to produce four interconnected animated shorts to form a 'roughly 24-minute film,' focusing on Clara in the first section, and others on different characters. He described Samurai Jack as a major inspiration since he is a fan of Genndy Tartakovsky, while ensuring his crew is 'fairly compensated' through crowdfunding. The project's gothic horror take on The Nutcracker marks a departure from Braly's previous family-friendly work at Disney, and its success on Kickstarter demonstrates the viability of crowdfunding for independent animation projects.
Did You Know?
- The Kickstarter for Clara and the Below raised over $231,000, more than ten times its $25,000 goal.
- The first episode's release date has not been announced.
- The project is a gothic horror adaptation of The Nutcracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clara and the Below?
It is a gothic horror reimagining of The Nutcracker, structured as four linked animated shorts that together form a roughly 24-minute film. The project was created by Matt Braly and produced as the first title from his studio, Fantasy Project.
Who created Clara and the Below?
Matt Braly, the Thai-American animator best known for developing Amphibia for Disney Channel, is the creator. He also founded the independent animation studio Fantasy Project, which is producing the series as its launch title.
How was Clara and the Below funded?
The project was financed through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign that opened on March 17, 2026. It had been publicly announced a month earlier, on February 11, 2026.
What is the format of Clara and the Below?
Instead of a conventional episode structure, the project consists of four interconnected shorts that combine into an approximately 24-minute runtime. The score was composed by TJ Hill.
Why is Clara and the Below notable for fans of animated horror?
It marks a bold genre shift from Braly's earlier family-oriented work on Amphibia into the gothic horror space. As the debut production of Fantasy Project, it also signals the studio's creative identity and independent ambitions.
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