ANGLER
Wrote and directed Angler, a horror-thriller that brings its monster to life through fully practical special effects, emphasizing handcrafted gore and creature design. Spearheaded the film’s creative vision while collaborating with a diverse team of filmmakers, including SFX artists, cinematographers, production designers, and costumers, to achieve a high level of realism and craftsmanship. Navigated the challenges of independent filmmaking by maximizing resources and ingenuity to deliver a visually striking and immersive story on a tight $700 budget.
PROJECT BRIEF
In Spring 2024, I took a class dedicated to working with a RED Komodo camera and special lighting equipment, with a final project looming over the class. After some time experimenting with the equipment, I was inspired to make an official directorial debut with where the lighting would play a large factor in the story. With some ideation on color, psychology and the thriller genre, I developed the idea for Angler.
THE MONSTER
To develop the key aspect of my idea, I gathered a concept art and development team to ideate and fabricate our monster. Clancy Weaver, our concept artist, developed and rendered what our creature would look like, creating a hybrid of an anglerfish and humanoid silloutette. Lilian Brownlee then took these designs and fabricated them into a costume. To see more of the monster costume and Lilian’s work, click here.
PRACTICAL EFFECTS
For this production, my priority was to make everything practical, with little to no visual effects in post. I wanted everything appearing on screen to feel tactile and real, a feeling that can only be created by dedicated craftsmanship and creativity.
Support the Film
Want some Angler stickers? Check out my store to directly support our festival run!
COLLABORATORS
STARRING
Christina Martin
AND
Chuck Sams
2ND ASSISTANT CAMERA
REESE COSTA
CO-WRITTEN BY
Brady SCott
2ND ASSISTANT CAMERA
REESE COSTA
1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
SOFIA WALSH
COSTUME DESIGNER/THE ANGLER
Lilian Brownlee
GAFFER
NATHAN GLERUM
SFX MAKEUP ARTIST
OWEN ZIGRINO
CREATURE CONCEPT ARTIST
CLANCY WEAVER
KEY GRIP
AMANDA MULLINS
1ST ASSISTANT CAMERA
GRAYCYN BENNETT
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
BARBIE ESCOBEDO
PRODUCER
Jacob Kojder
WITH