The movie is completely silent.
Frazer Brown, director of the short film Silencio, has become a central figure in one of the most troubling crowdfunding controversies to hit the comics industry. In 2020, Brown launched a Kickstarter campaign for a charity comic anthology titled Tales from the Quarantine, which promised contributions from over 400 creators. The campaign raised £37,185 (approximately $47,000 USD at the time), nearly tripling its original goal of £13,000 (around $16,500 USD). Despite this strong financial support, the project quickly deteriorated. Years later, the core rewards-physical hardcover and paperback editions of the anthology-remain undelivered. While a handful of backers received smaller items like trading cards and posters, the main product never shipped. A digital version was eventually released but faced widespread criticism for being incomplete, riddled with formatting errors, and missing much of the promised content.
Brown's handling of the campaign sparked growing frustration among backers and creators. Many who asked for updates were blocked on social media or reportedly threatened with legal or even police action for speaking out. Contributors described an environment where legitimate concerns were met with silence or intimidation. Communication from Brown has been sporadic and unreliable, often featuring excuses like lost emails and vague, unfulfilled promises about shipping timelines.
The project's charitable pledges have also come under scrutiny. Brown publicly stated that proceeds would be donated to NHS Charities and The Hero Initiative, but to date, no verifiable evidence has been provided to confirm that any donations were actually made. This lack of transparency around the approximately $47,000 raised has further eroded trust in the project and its creator.
In response to widespread complaints, Kickstarter's legal department reportedly launched an investigation into the campaign, ultimately placing restrictions on Brown's account. The failure of Tales from the Quarantine has since become a cautionary example of the risks involved in crowdfunding, underscoring the critical importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in creative projects.
Brown's handling of the campaign sparked growing frustration among backers and creators. Many who asked for updates were blocked on social media or reportedly threatened with legal or even police action for speaking out. Contributors described an environment where legitimate concerns were met with silence or intimidation. Communication from Brown has been sporadic and unreliable, often featuring excuses like lost emails and vague, unfulfilled promises about shipping timelines.
The project's charitable pledges have also come under scrutiny. Brown publicly stated that proceeds would be donated to NHS Charities and The Hero Initiative, but to date, no verifiable evidence has been provided to confirm that any donations were actually made. This lack of transparency around the approximately $47,000 raised has further eroded trust in the project and its creator.
In response to widespread complaints, Kickstarter's legal department reportedly launched an investigation into the campaign, ultimately placing restrictions on Brown's account. The failure of Tales from the Quarantine has since become a cautionary example of the risks involved in crowdfunding, underscoring the critical importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in creative projects.