SANGUINE DEPOSIT, 15min., USA
Directed by Robert Del Campo
Mac is a violent, train hopping, drifter who has found himself wandering from small town to small town during the Great Depression. He is a sadist with no compunction about using robbery, or even murder, to survive. Although he seems happy-go-lucky, he can become annoyed or angered easily. To Mac, the world, and everything in it, are up for grabs to someone who is not afraid to use violence as a tool.

https://www.instagram.com/sanguine_deposit/

Get to know writer, executive producer, and lead actor (Mac), Dr. Greg McWhorter.

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Without getting into too much detail, I basically saw that I had an opportunity to work with a director to create my vision of a black-and-white, silent, horror, film, and I approached him with it and luckily, he agreed to work with me on it. I always wanted to make a silent horror film that would’ve been like the first slasher film ever made but also like a lost film from the 30s that we’re just discovering nowadays. And I wanted it to be violent, but also fitting with the times and I knew I had the chance to use a lot of great sets and I have an eye for buying the right pieces for the costumes and props. Basically this was in my head for years and I saw the opportunity to work with the right director to get this done.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Like I said, the idea has been going around my head for years, but from the moment I approached the director and sold him the idea to the point where we actually had a finished film, took us about 2 1/2 years. So it was crucial to get the continuity, right (which fell on me).

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Vintage slasher.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The hardest part was actually in the changing landscape in the cities we shot in. If we had made this film five or 10 years ago, we would’ve had no problem having some amazing alley shots, but with gentrification and Alleys being blocked off to keep the homeless from living in them, it was really hard to get some good alley scenes and that really held us up

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was actually pleasantly impressed and excited by how much they seem to like the story and the acting, which was my doing. But I’m glad they also talked a lot about the cinematography which was my director’s doing. We made a good team and this film never would’ve been made if it wasn’t for both of us bringing our talents to it. I am always thrilled to learn when an audience likes our film as that is what it’s made for… Entertainment!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I’ve actually wanted to make films my whole life, but I’m more of a writer and actor than doing the technical end. I used to work for a television station doing technical work and I realized that that side was not something I enjoyed. Sitting around editing for hours upon hours when I could be doing other things. This is where my director’s talents came in to play as he loves the technical and with the camera shots and the editing, and he even learned how to do some computer generated images during the making of our film, which expanded his repertoire of skills and abilities in filmmaking.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I have to preface this by saying that I love films from around the world and silent films, and of course, horror films, but probably the film I’ve seen the most is Big Fat Greek Wedding. I know this doesn’t fit with me, writing horror and making a horror film, but I’ve played it over and over again for background as I was working on my doctoral degree and also when I’ve written my non-horror novels. So you can say it’s been played the most of my house, but I don’t know if I’ve really watched it that much. It’s just a nice smart film to have playing in the background that I don’t have to pay too much attention to, but it still has decent dialogue and is not annoying with loud noises or big explosions or other nonsense to distract me from my writing.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I’m not too sure, but as of right now, I’m pretty happy with the festival experience. Of course I’d like to know more about where the films are shown and if it’s possible to attend some of these screenings.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Film freeway has been fantastic for us, and it has enabled us to get our film screened in festivals that otherwise we may never have known about. I have nothing but good things to say about Film freeway. If you were a filmmaker, it’s a fantastic resource.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I’m a foodie and I love food from around the world so that’s a tough question. I love Indian food, Thai food, South American cuisine, and so on. I will say that no matter where I go in the world I can’t wait to come home and get some good Mexican food! Growing up in Southern California, Mexican food is my soul food! Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, caldos (soups), etc., are all my favorites! If I had to pick just one meal, I would say it would have to be a combo platter with a taco and enchilada and a chile relleno.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

My director and I are moving forward with a new film, which is already in preproduction. I can’t see too much about it now, but it is another horror film, but this one will be set in modern times with color and full sound. My director is really gonna push the envelope with color and lighting and I’m gonna be pushing myself on my acting ability as the lead in this one as well. We’re really excited about it and we think that it’s going to be a great calling card for us to hopefully bigger productions. I’m 55 years old and my director is 60, but we feel that age is just a number and we still have great hopes for working on even greater films in the future!

LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, 10min., USA
Directed by Nick Noyes
In “Like, Comment, Share,” Casey, a social media influencer, takes on a house-sitting job for the night. Casey’s lighthearted updates quickly turn into a desperate plea for help as the night progresses.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Last year, I attended a friend’s short horror film festival, and I was deeply inspired by the incredible films I saw. I knew I wanted to create something for the following year, with the hope of getting into their festival. It was exciting to have a clear goal, Given my work in social media and my conflicted feelings about its negative impact on mental health, this theme felt like the perfect foundation. After brainstorming several story ideas, it made sense to land on this one—it allowed me to channel those thoughts into a project that was both meaningful and creatively fulfilling.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
We made this film in just five days. After spending almost the entire year trying to think of different short film ideas writing scripts, I saw a post that the final deadline for my friends festival was in 5 days… and I realized I probably wouldn’t have time to make a film for it—especially since I had to film a documentary over the weekend. However, the documentary was bringing me to LA, where Aria lives, so I asked if she’d be up for filming something if I came up with an idea. She was down and we kind of just dove into it.

Given the restrictions—one actor, a three-hour filming window, and the need to edit on the flight home—the format naturally fell into place. I wrote the script the next day, and when we got to the location, we adjusted a lot on the spot to work with the time and space.

3. How would you describe your film in two words?
“Tension, tension.”

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle we faced was definitely the time constraints—we were really up against it with this one. However, I think those limitations actually worked in our favor. They forced us to focus on making fast, strong decisions without overcomplicating things. It also pushed us to lean into what was available to us, which ultimately helped shape the film’s style and format.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
When you make something, you just hope the goals you had for the film come across. For me, this film was meant to be, first and foremost, a really fun and tension-filled 10 minutes. But I also wanted it to make people think—about how we interact with social media, how someone sharing a fun update might actually be feeling really sad, and how they probably need to step away from social media and ask for help. The underlying horror I wanted to highlight wasn’t about an intruder, but the unsettling reality of normal life. Hearing the audience pick up on those layers was both validating and really meaningful. I also really liked the notion of making this a short series, That was a really fun idea what i’ve been thinking about since I watched the video.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized I wanted to make films while sitting in a movie theater in high school. My eyes left the screen for a moment, and I looked at all the silhouetted people around me, sharing this collective experience. That moment has stayed with me and has repeated a few times in my life, always leaving me with the same feeling: I want to create something that gives people that shared experience. I’m not the best at talking to people, so the idea of connecting with them through film has always been exciting and meaningful to me.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
The most recent film I’ve watched over and over is Lisa Frankenstein. It’s such a light and fun watch, oozing with nostalgia for the kinds of movies I grew up on. At the same time, it’s a really beautiful story about loving someone despite their—sometimes terrible—faults. The addition of horror elements makes it even more enjoyable, showcasing how amazing this genre can be. It blends gore and scares with so much heart and humor, which is exactly what I love about horror—it’s endlessly versatile and emotional.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I really appreciate that your festival has so many layers to it, especially as a filmmaker who can’t always attend every festival my films are accepted into. It can be a strange feeling when a festival comes and goes, and I have no idea how my film was received. The additional support you offer after the festival is incredibly helpful—filmmaking is so hard, and any assistance in getting your film out into the world is invaluable.

That said, I do feel a bit conflicted when it comes to festival services that come with added costs. While I completely understand the expenses involved, sometimes it can feel a bit scammy—not necessarily because of your festival, but more due to the reputation of some FilmFreeway festivals. I think separating emails about services from general festival communication would be a great way to keep everything feeling clear and genuine.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
This was my first time using FilmFreeway, and my experience has been mixed. I really appreciate that this platform exists—it’s an incredible resource for filmmakers—but I was surprised by how many sketchy festivals are kind of validated by FilmFreeway platform, you really need to read the fine print. It was a harsh lesson to learn, and while I don’t know of a better option out there, I definitely feel more informed for the next time I submit a film.

10. What is your favorite meal?
My favorite meal is probably a savory Dutch baby topped with arugula and goat cheese.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
as a low to no budget horror film maker, I’m currently working on a horror anthology film consisting of five short horror stories. We’ve filmed one so far and are gearing up to shoot the next one in March. I like the idea of having a festival edit of each of the shorts and then longer versions that are shown in the anthology format.

At the end of the month, Aria and I are also starting production on a horror feature film. It’s a found-footage story about a group of friends who head to a remote location to make a horror movie, only to find that the behind-the-scenes drama becomes scarier than the film itself. It’s my first feature, and much like Like Comment Share, it’s come together quickly. I’m super excited we film in 10 days! it’s going to be a lot of fun!