Reel Terror

Reel Terror is, at its heart, a twisted love letter to physical media. Film and cinema are a fundamental part of my life, and in this short film I use them as inspiration to explore ideas of obsession, connection, and modernity.

In the film, we see a collector turn up at a stranger’s house to see items they have for sale. As an avid collector of physical media, it dramatises an experience I’ve had many times: meeting another collector without knowing what to expect. The unpredictability, the experience of creating a connection (genuine or otherwise), and the transactional nature of these meetings fascinates me and became the foundation of this story.

Reel Terror explores the potential dark side of acquisition and how people pursue their obsessions - whether they’re searching for knowledge, love or the perfect piece for a collection. I drew particular inspiration from the tension in the basement scene in Zodiac, where a new connection becomes a potential threat.

The relationship between the film’s main characters, Ron and Lawrence, is another central theme. We see two people who have similar interests but are ultimately unable to connect; they feel out of sync in some way, which is signified audibly by their incorrectly paced clocks. Male loneliness is often framed as a uniquely modern problem, but I challenge this by drawing visual influence from Jaws for scenes that are about male bonding and isolation. The composition of my shots give a voyeuristic feel, maintaining the distance between the characters and their watchers.

Working with three talented performers was pivotal in shaping the characters: Startin (‘Ron’) and Ardern-Sodje (‘Lawrence’) developed a unique language between them that brings a depth to their interactions. In addition, the portrayal of the shadow transformed during production. At first I wanted it to be seen peripherally, inspired by material like ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ and Late Night with the Devil. I decided to emphasise it more because of Kim Wildborne’s compelling performance, which necessitated a more prominent presence.

The collaboration with Midlands-based filmmakers was essential. This film is a testament to the incredible talent in the Midlands, and I am proud of the crew's dedication to highlighting filmmaking in the region. Their contributions were instrumental in bringing this story to life.

Earlier I mentioned that this was a twisted love letter to physical media, when in reality it is a personal look at my own obsession with film. Collecting physical media, especially redundant forms of media, brings me closer to the film and makes me search it out. Reel Terror shows the lengths us film obsessives will go for the right film.