final thoughts - "TERROR TUBE"

"TERROR TUBE" is a short, silly, and not-so-serious look at the dangers of watching television. This was a short film shot for a local film festival. Filmmakers were required to submit a film that was under five minutes in length, contained a likeness of a local TV horror host ("Sivad", WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN), at least eight instances of alliteration, and at least one instance of smoke/fog. This film was shot over three days with a consumer HDV camcorder (Canon HV20). Cast and crew were friends and family. Post-production was done on a Macbook Pro using Final Cut Studio 2. The short won the BEST ACTOR Award (for the horror host, played by Valarie O. Morris) at the film fest. -- Craig

Looking back, it was as if "TERROR TUBE" was meant to be. The whole project from the script to the props to the actual filming, everything came together so effortlessly. I'd like to think it's because of my talent as a producer and ability to make things happen, but there had to be some divine intervention. "TERROR TUBE" and Cinegorella are my love letter to all the horror hosts of yesteryear. Perhaps they were all smiling down on us. -- val

i, filmmaker

I sometimes feel lost before going into production. The high from the last project has worn off. The script writing stage is lonely. Pre-production frightens me.

But then, something magical happens. The producer in me takes over and I find myself knee deep in pre-production and the excitement starts to sizzle. The butterflies are coming out of their cocoons and fluttering in my gut.

Days and weeks go by and the director in me takes over and I find myself standing in the middle of a set about to call "Action!" The butterflies have flown away, and the heat is on. My blood is boiling over with excitement and determination. I'm on a high. On a cloud. Moving without thinking. It's not auto-pilot, but I instinctively know what to do, where to go, what to say.

I was born to tell stories. I was born for this. I am a filmmaker.


(originally written December 29, 2009)