Directly out of its successful festival run, FANGORIA is proud to host the online premiere for The Critic, a horror short film directed by Melissa Woodrow and starring Caitlyn Hamilton!
If you have a noisy inner critic interrupting your creative flow with oppressive self-talk, well, this ordeal's for you. Watch The Critic and then read on for some insights from Woodrow, Hamilton, and the rest of the creative team!
The Critic was made last year for the 48 Hour Film Project, which makes its impact all the more impressive. Here's the team responsible, who all worked together for the first time on this film:
Starring: Caitlyn Hamilton
Directed/Produced by: Melissa Woodrow
Cinematography: Paul Stoll and R. Benton Brown
Writing & Editing: Melissa Woodrow, Paul Stoll, and R. Benton Brown
Color: Paul Stoll
Sound: R. Benton Brown
Crew: Christine Illan, Ryann Illan, Brian “Hot Can” Capozzoli, Caitlin “Slate Cait” Keller, and Jonathan “JLo” Lennox
Why was this story important for you to tell?
Melissa: We wanted to tell a story about experiencing a manic episode and create an isolated and terrifying play by play: the feeling of losing all control, accepting your fate, and embracing the chaotic wave 'til the end. I have a deep love for horror storytelling and I was excited to make a simple, bloody, yet effective short story. As a team we connected to having felt the imposter syndrome, that ‘I’m not good enough to make art or my art isn’t good enough to be seen' feeling. I mean, we are our own worst critics sometimes, right?
Ben: I’ve been a horror film fan since I was child. I’d stay up late at night to watch USA Up All Night and Joe Bob Briggs’ MonsterVision on TNT. Growing up in a small town I was the only one I knew watching these films, so I had a sense of ownership over them and my identity grew from my ingestion of the esoteric and cult films. These films inspired everything to follow in my life, art, music, attitude, and friendship circles. And just as punk rock made so many feel like they had the ability to pick up an instrument and be heard, I feel these films did the same for budding filmmakers who had nothing but an idea and a bottle of fake blood. And that is why it was important for us to take on this endeavor, to prove that you can create a truly disturbing and entertaining little feature with almost nothing but your friends.
Paul: We all have an inner critic, and we can be very hard on ourselves without showing it outwardly. For me, being aware of that inner world helps us express ourselves through art without becoming destructive toward ourselves. Although I wasn’t a horror watcher, I appreciated the genre’s freedom to explore that struggle visually.
How'd your team end up working together for the 48 Hour Film Project?
Melissa: I tricked them all into working with me by promising lots of food. But truly, when you do a 48 Hour challenge you’re coming together for the love of the film and storytelling. I had been teasing the idea with everyone for a few months. And I’m grateful these are not only talented creatives but close friends of mine who were eager to make a film. This was the first time we produced a film together, and first-time introductions for many on the crew, too!
Ben: The 48 hour film project in its very nature is an artistic endeavor that creates a cycle of almost a group mania and then, once finished, you have the crash. Which is why a story about the manic cycle of an artist whose inner critic causes them to self harm instead of creating resonates so much with the audience. If you’re serious about making the best thing you possibly can you don’t sleep much, you worry about the looming deadline that grows nearer every second, and you stop double-thinking things and you start acting out of instinct because you just don’t have the time. The opportunity for things to go wrong and people to turn cutthroat on each other are ample. This is the simple truth of working with a group under pressure.
How did the festival rounds go? Have there been any surprises in the way audiences react to The Critic?
Melissa: The festival run has been amazing. I mean the fact we made this during a 48 Hour challenge and it's our first film together was accomplishment enough, but it's been received so well. Apparently we've grossed out a lot of folks, and I'm always surprised to hear horror film fans say they genuinely got the creeps. The best part of screening this film has been sitting and hearing audience reactions in real time. The gasps, the ‘oh no, no!', and the silence (no one wanted to eat their popcorn…).
Caitlyn: We had such an incredible response during our festival run. I’ve had several filmmakers/actors ask how we accomplished the practical effects (real tooth, real pliers and some incredible camera work, editing and sound from the incredible crew) or telling me that they couldn’t watch the whole thing (excellent). After our Filmapalooza showing I was asked my absolute favorite question about the film: ‘Respectfully, what is wrong with you?' Excellent question, and I have no idea.
What's next for this team?
Melissa: I'm exploring joining other productions as an AD; I value learning from others and experiencing how other sets are run. This has been an amazing introduction into our local Seattle/PNW film community and I'm just excited to keep momentum going. I’m personally writing a few more short film ideas and naturally will be trying to work with this team again!
Paul: I’m working on documentary projects in Tonga exploring culture, music and conservation, alongside developing narrative work. I’m also looking to direct a short of my own. I’d love to keep building with this team, there’s a lot of talent here, and we’ve all got things in the works.
Caitlyn: I’m looking forward to continued collaborations with this team! Or anyone else if they are looking for a monster. Otherwise you can find me podcasting on Pleasers & Punishers with co-hosts Mae Shults and Amanda Jane Stern.
