Private Project

Horror Spell

A Halloween movie marathon turns deadly when a grieving college student casts a spell that brings the horror films to life, forcing her and her friends to face the trauma head-on or die trying.

  • Daniel Ziegler
    Director
  • Daniel Ziegler
    Writer
  • Daniel Ziegler
    Producer
  • Katelyn Schlitz
    Producer
  • Bill Schlitz
    Producer
  • Logan Fetters
    Director of Photography
  • Louis Coste
    Composer
  • Elena Flores
    Key Cast
    "Haven"
  • Cassie Miller
    Key Cast
    "Ginny"
  • Zac Denny
    Key Cast
    "Alan"
  • Erin Zipse
    Key Cast
    "Sophie"
  • LJ Gomez
    Key Cast
    "Pumpkin Man"
  • Kaleb Deatherage
    Key Cast
    "Scott"
  • Zoe Bolan
    Key Cast
    "Blair"
  • Daniel Ziegler
    Editor
  • Nick Cagnetti
    Production Designer
  • Carter Hoover
    Costume Designer
  • Jaclyn Ziegler
    Associate Producer
  • Ethan Hoover
    Associate Producer
  • Robert Ziegler
    Executive Producer
  • Loren Ziegler
    Executive Producer
  • Carter Hoover
    Special Effects Makeup
  • Mikayla Gillespie
    Special Effects Makeup
  • Nick Proto
    Visual Effects Supervisor
  • Terry Hogan
    Production Sound Mixer
  • Gary Taylor
    Production Sound Mixer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 1, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Daniel Ziegler

Daniel Ziegler discovered his passion for storytelling before he could speak and began making films as soon as he could lift a camera. In 2012, after years of experimenting with home movies, he founded Black Box Films to produce more professional short films. Just two years later, he made his feature debut with Timespace (2014), a sci-fi drama he wrote and directed. He followed it with Elodie (2019), a psychological thriller that helped define his distinctive, genre-blending style.

Daniel earned his degree in Film Studies and Production from Hofstra University in New York. He currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where he continues to develop original projects that push creative boundaries.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Growing up, I was convinced I didn’t like horror. I gravitated toward anything but the blood and guts of a genre that always felt like more than I could handle. That all changed when I discovered classic monster films. They made me realize how narrow my idea of horror had been. That it can be more than just gore and jump scares - it can be atmospheric, allegorical, and emotional. Now, after giving many more variations of horror a chance, it’s become my favorite genre.

Horror Spell is my love letter to horror and its many evolutions. It follows a woman who refuses to confront her trauma, only to find herself trapped inside several horror movies come to life. We set out to celebrate the genre’s versatility by painstakingly recreating some of its iconic styles and tropes across the decades. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a late convert like me, I hope our film reminds you that horror has always been more than it seems.