Indie Filmmakers Delve into the Supernatural (Video/Short Film)

01/31/2010

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The Night Shift

Mobile, Alabama based independent filmmaking group Fighting Owl Films is set to produce an independent feature in the city, utilizing local talent. The feature, titled “The Night Shift”, is based on Fighting Owl Films’ shoestring budget short film of the same name which proved an online hit, was positively reviewed in “Fangoria” magazine’s online edition in 2009, and has screened in several festivals across the United States.

A supernatural adventure-comedy, “The Night Shift” centers on Rue Morgan, the undead night watchman at Pinewood Oaks Cemetery. Rue, along with his buddy Herb, a limbless skeleton, spends his nights trying to keep the cemetery’s cantankerous residents from escaping, and his days dreaming of a date with hard-nosed day-shifter, Claire. It’s an okay afterlife–until a scourge of supernatural occurrences leave Rue not only watching the cemetery, but also watching his back!

The filmmakers are no strangers when it comes to the supernatural. Director Thomas Smith has had a deep-seeded interest in all things paranormal since childhood, partly due to falling in love with “Ghostbusters” at a very early age and partly because of a few strange sightings and experiences from childhood. Smith’s curiosity of the unknown has led him to continually read, watch, and research whatever paranormal material he can get his hands on. The majority of his short films have contained a supernatural slant, be it ghosts, possessions, hauntings, or a fanciful take on the afterlife. His paranormal suspense short, “Shadows”, is even based on events that happened to Smith and his wife, co-producer and actress Erin Lilley, in their townhouse apartment.

This encounter, while frightening, didn’t sway their interest in the paranormal, nor did it cause them to abandon the supernatural themes in their films. However, the filmmakers decided to focus on incorporating the supernatural with more benevolent themes, and move away from the darker corners of the genre. Their short film “The Night Shift” encapsulates that outlook, and the feature film version of this exciting story builds upon that tone with color, whimsy, and good-natured humor.
Returning from the short to reprise their roles of Rue Morgan, Claire Rennfield and Herbie West are Khristian Fulmer, Erin Lilley and Soren Odom, respectively. New additions to the cast include Andrew Crider as Adramalech, the villainous vengeance demon with an affinity for western wear, Jordan Woodall as Curly and Jonathan Pruitt as the mysterious Captain Roderick Blake. The film, currently in pre-production, is expected to begin shooting in May 2010.

For more information on Fighting Owl Films (They have a lot of cool films – You have to check out their site!), “The Night Shift” and to view the original short film, visit them online atwww.fightingowlfilms.com and www.thenightshiftmovie.com.

The Night Shift
by FightingOwlFilms