Private Project

NIGHT SHIFT

After a mysterious late-night animal attack, a teenage waitress undergoes a strange transformation that forces her to confront her anxieties around growing up and break free from her suffocating small-town life once and for all.

"NIGHT SHIFT" follows 18-year-old Cheryl and best friend Darcy as they waste away the Summer of ’85 waiting tables at the only diner in their middle of nowhere Oregon town. Suffocated by small-town conservatism and her sexist high school reputation, Cheryl longs for the day that she can finally ditch Myrtlewood and her vengeful ex, Scottie, for good. But after falling victim to a mysterious late-night animal attack, Cheryl undergoes a strange transformation that pushes her friendship with Darcy to the brink and forces her to bite back against her tormentors once & for all.

  • Karlee Boon
    Director
  • Karlee Boon
    Writer
  • Shade Standard
    Writer
  • Marlowe Eduvijes Ostara
    Key Cast
    "Cheryl Bennett"
  • Chynna Rae Shurts
    Key Cast
    "Darcy Blake"
    Haunting of Ravenwood
  • Eddie Lee Wollrabe
    Key Cast
    "Scottie Perkins"
  • Mel Guérison
    Composer
  • Eduardo Jovanovic
    Director of Photography
  • Leah Rebecca Brown
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, Coming of Age
  • Runtime:
    28 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 25, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 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
  • HorrOrigins 2022
    Tucson, AZ
    Official Screenplay Selection
  • Portland Horror Film Fest 2023
    Portland
    June 10, 2023
    PNW Premiere
    "Devil's Discord" Best Score + Sound Design
  • Queer Screams Film Fest 2023
    Portland, OR
    August 20, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Tacoma Film Fest 2023
    Tacoma, WA
    October 5, 2023
    Washington Premiere

  • Official Selection
Director Biography - Karlee Boon

Karlee is a Portland-based filmmaker dedicated to carving out an inclusive space for women and queer individuals within the indie film world. Her artistic style is self-described as a fusion of 'retro aesthetics with a modern sensibility,' reflecting Karlee’s deep appreciation for the 1980s, alternative rock and feminist horror.

With a keen eye for storytelling, Karlee focuses on narratives that delve into the complexities of womanhood, queerness, and growing up – often through a distinctly female lens. Since her entry to filmmaking in 2017, Karlee has produced a diverse range of projects from music videos to narrative shorts and, most recently, feature films. Her works have screened at festivals across the United States, including Bend Film Fest, Tacoma Film Fest and Dances with Films NYC. She is also skilled in the world of film crowdfunding, having raised over $65,000 via campaigns on Seed & Spark since 2022. 
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In 2023, Karlee completed her debut short, the coming-of-age horror film NIGHT SHIFT. The film premiered at Portland Horror in June 2023 where it received the “Devil’s Discord” award for best original score and sound mixing. She produced Jacy Mair's debut feature film Trash Baby in July 2023, which is currently in post-production and set to hit festivals in 2024.

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Director Statement

As a filmmaker, I'm drawn to stories that explore the complexities of growing up and the challenges of finding your place in the world. With 'NIGHT SHIFT,' I wanted to delve into the experience of young adulthood and the struggles of breaking free from the confines of small-town life. The film centers around Cheryl, a young woman working as a waitress in a small town diner, who faces constant harassment and sexism. Through her journey, we see her transform from a timid outcast to a powerful force standing up against her tormentors. Ultimately, 'NIGHT SHIFT' is a film about finding the strength to fight back against the forces that hold us back and discovering our true power in the process.