Experiencing Interruptions?

The Essay From Hell

Despite being asked by the girl of his dreams; conscientious high school student, Rob, declines a trip up to an abandoned cabin in the woods with his 4 friends. They leave him to go and party while he finishes his essay...an essay from hell. Through the pages of that very essay, Rob accidentally summons a demon who plans to do more than critique his grammar.

  • Maxwell Seiler
    Director
  • Maxwell Seiler
    Writer
  • Maxwell Seiler
    Producer
  • Megan Heon
    Producer
  • Ben Getz
    Key Cast
  • Olivia Gilliat
    Key Cast
  • Alexandra Boskovich
    Editor
  • Ronnee Swenton
    Cinematographer
  • Maxwell Seiler
    Sound Design
  • Gabriel Francis
    Original Score
  • Project Type:
    Student
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 1, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    4,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35.1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Dusty Film & Animation Festival
    New York
    United States
    May 10, 2015
    US Premiere
  • Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    October 5, 2016
    Best Editing
  • Independent Horror Awards

    United States
    November 4, 2016
    Best Cinematography
  • New York Short Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    November 6, 2016
Distribution Information
  • 13Horror.com
    Country: United States
    Rights: Video on Demand
Director Biography - Maxwell Seiler

Maxwell grew up in a small rural town in New Jersey, and therefore had nothing to do but make horror movies in the woods with his friends. Eventually, he traded the woods of Jersey for the streets of NYC where he attended the School of Visual Arts - receiving his BFA in Film Editing. He is currently the Production Supervisor & Staff Editor at Automatic Studios.

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Director Statement

The Essay From Hell of course comes from my love of horror films and my strongly-held conviction that genre films are absolutely the most fun kinds of movies to make. There’s always some element of ridiculousness or heightened reality that upends expectations. I always hope that if I can have a blast making a movie, that enjoyment will shine through to viewers.