Killing Time

The set of a children's television show turns to chaos when a possessed puppet is unleashed on a pursuit of violence.

  • Tommy Simms
    Director
    Reanimation of the Imagination, The Legend of Leatherface Larry
  • Joe Ludwig
    Director
    Denny, Glass
  • Joe Ludwig
    Writer
    Denny, Glass
  • Tommy Simms
    Writer
    Reanimation of the Imagination, The Legend of Leatherface Larry
  • Fuzzysurf
    Producer
    Denny
  • Jake Wylie Hess
    Key Cast
    "Satanic Jake"
  • Sean Lehner
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
    Denny
  • Ben Giddens
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
    Denny
  • Michael Roy
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
    Denny
  • Corey Murphy
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
    Denny
  • Tommy Simms
    Key Cast
    "Raccoon Wrangler / Carefree Dairy Man"
    Denny, Glass, Reanimation of The Imagination
  • Jamie Lehner
    Key Cast
    "Children's Show Director"
  • Franki Ludwig
    Key Cast
    "Coffee Girl"
  • Joe Ludwig
    Key Cast
    "Joest The Ghost Host"
  • Ann Vollrath
    Key Cast
    "Diner Dame"
  • Ann Vollrath
    Props, Set Design, Makeup
  • Project Type:
    Music Video, Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, Puppetry, Comedy, Camp
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 23, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Rincon International Film Festival
    Rincon
    Puerto Rico
    September 6, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Hobnobben Film Festival
    Fort Wayne, Indiana
    United States
    October 23, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Milwaukee Film Festival
    MIlwaukee, WI
    United States
    October 15, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Hobnobben Film Festival
    Fort Wayne, Indiana
    United States
    October 15, 2021
    Surprise Feature
  • Hobnobben Film Festival
    Fort Wayne, Indiana
    United States
    July 29, 2022
    Launch Feature
Director Biography - Tommy Simms, Joe Ludwig

"Killing Time" co-directed by Joe Ludwig & Tommy Simms

Joe Ludwig is a visual storyteller based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializing in narrative music videos and live event videography since 2013. His work has been shown in film festivals around the world. In 2013, he created the video for a Kickstarter campaign that successfully raised +$72,000 to save the historic Towne Cinema in Watertown, WI.

Tommy Simms is an interdisciplinary artist and award-winning filmmaker, specializing in stop-motion animation. Earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, his senior animation was showcased at the Festival de Cannes. For years, he taught classes online and at art camps across the United States, inspiring younger generations with puppetry and stop-motion. Ranging from cartoons to live-action, Tommy's work has been featured in film festivals around the world, on PBS, in theatre productions, and at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. His animated adventures continue through the production of independent films and music videos.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Drama is guaranteed behind the scenes of any television production - but never like this! Witness unholy terror as a demon-possessed puppet wreaks havoc on the set of a family friendly educational program. These definitely aren’t your children’s puppets! “Killing Time” is a love letter to the classic slasher flicks of the 1980s. Fuzzysurf and Simwig Studios pair the campiness hand in severed hand with goriness to conjure up a sidesplitting slaughterhouse. From giant s’mores to brutal beheadings, we’ve made the effects as practical as possible to stay true to that ‘80s aesthetic. If there’s ever an end in sight to this bloodbath, it begs the question… will Fuzzysurf ever be able to perform again?