Written & Directed by Nathan Crooker
Produced by Maya Korn & Nathan Crooker
Insecure twenty-something Beth struggles with her digital self-image until her friend Micah introduces her to a transformative filter. The digital magic boosts her online presence and attracts new admirers, but the allure comes with a dark and insidious price.
ABOUT THE FILM
#NOFILTER won Best Horror Short at the 2022 edition of our film festival. Not only did we think it was a winner, but this short hit 100+ festivals & won 50+ awards including Best Horror Short at the Phoenix International Horror and Sci-fi Film Festival, Director Award for Unique Concept and Execution at Filmquest, Best Score at Horror Haus Film Festival, and a Special Jury Mention at Shockfest. Other notable Official Selections include Flickers Rhode Island, Dances with Films, Chicago International, Screamfest LA, Crystal Palace, Unrestricted View, Boston Sci-FI, Atlanta After Dark, Horror-On-Sea, and Shivers.
It was recently released online via Omeleto.
ABOUT THE FILMmaker
NATHAN CROOKER, with roles as a Producer, Director, Writer, and Actor, transitioned from commercials and music videos to specialize in horror. His recent shorts, "Playback" and "Midnight Delivery," have achieved global acclaim, with "#Nofilter" making significant strides in the festival circuit. As a producer, he masterminded the horror anthology "Isolation" and produced "Before Someone Gets Hurt," featuring Michael Welch from "Twilight."
Behind Nathan is Ghost Gang Productions, dedicated to bold content across various platforms. Ghost Gang is passionate about diverse, disruptive narratives that echo contemporary social issues, especially in horror and dark drama. With a commitment to artistic collaborations and genre innovation, Ghost Gang's essence is about disruptive and compelling storytelling.
READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH NATHAN
Welcome back to our Short of the Week series. What have you been up to since we featured your film Midnight Delivery?
Thank you for welcoming me back to the Short of the Week series! I deeply appreciate the feature of "Midnight Delivery." That film, with the incredibly talented Danielle Guldin at its helm, holds a special place in my heart. Lately, I've been immersed in writing a few features and intensively developing projects with my production company, GhostGangProductions.com We're actively seeking scripts and building collaborations with visionary filmmakers.I'm also thrilled to share that "Isolation," an anthology film I created and co-produced with the talented James P. Gannon, at the height of lockdown is now on VOD. This anthology paints a vivid picture of a pandemic-stricken world through the lens of iconic horror directors like Larry Fessenden, Bobby Roe, Keir Sewart, Alix Austin, Andrew Kasch, and Christian Pasquariello. Lastly, I'm gearing up for my debut feature film, aiming to start shooting by year-end. It's indeed shaping up to be an exhilarating year!
Tell us about the genesis of #NoFilter. What was your inspiration and decided to put it into production?
The genesis of #NoFilter is deeply rooted in the phenomena I observed during the pandemic. As isolation became the norm, I began to notice a surge in the use of digital filters amongst friends and acquaintances. Whether it was borne out of boredom or insecurities, the filter usage increased noticeably. What began as perhaps a fun, quirky way to interact online seemed to morph into a standard. Suddenly, it wasn't just about sharing a digitally enhanced photo; the filters extended to casual family dinners and regular catch-ups. This continuous, perhaps excessive, use of filters began to concern me. It wasn't just a harmless phase unique to the pandemic's isolation anymore; it appeared to evolve into an integral aspect of self-presentation. The thought of "this isn't truly you" kept lingering. What happens when you post unfiltered content? Does your perception of self-worth hinge on the number of 'likes' a digitally enhanced version of you receives? Delving deeper into this, I stumbled upon the term "Snapchat Dysmorphia". It was alarming to discover that Snapchat had to retract certain filters due to the potential dysmorphic effects they could have. But even more startling was the growing trend in Europe and the US, where plastic surgeons, who once modeled procedures after celebrities, were now being presented with filtered selfies by clients wanting to emulate their digitally altered selves. While #NoFilter is undeniably a cautionary tale, it underscores pertinent issues that society grapples with today, issues that I believe, show no sign of fading away.
What I love about about #NoFilter is that not only is it a well crafted horror film, but it also has a lot to say. Can you talk about how you balanced the elements of social commentary with elements of horror?
Absolutely. When creating #NoFilter, it was essential for me to seamlessly blend horror with relevant social commentary. What I’ve always loved about the horror genre is it has always been a powerful medium to reflect societal fears, concerns, and critiques. So from the start story integration was key. I wanted to ensure that the social commentary was integral to the plot. Instead of just adding it as a secondary layer, it was woven into the fabric of the story. This ensured that the narrative wasn't just unnerving, but also thought-provoking. Character development was always key. Our characters are representative of various facets of society. Their experiences, reactions, and choices within the setting reflect broader societal issues, allowing the audience to both relate to them and I hope evaluate the deeper messages. I wanted incorporate subtle nuances as well. While it was tempting to be overt about our social critiques, we used subtlety to our advantage. We allowed the horror elements to serve as metaphors. I wanted to give the audience a chance to engage and interpret the film on multiple levels, depending on their own experiences and perspectives. In the filmmaking process I love sound design and the use of audio cues. The sound design done by Andrew Smetek, played a pivotal role. By juxtaposing certain sounds with key moments, we were able to accentuate the underlying themes without detracting from the suspense and terror. Ultimately you need to respect the genre. At its very essence, #NoFilter is a poignant drama about a young woman grappling with deep-seated feelings of inadequacy and pain. While the film is undeniably steeped in horror, every narrative twist and social commentary was carefully woven in to enhance the story's dramatic undertones, rather than overshadow them. My primary mission was to deliver a thrilling cinematic experience, but it was equally vital to leave the audience introspective and contemplative about the broader implications presented.The fusion of drama and horror enabled us to craft a tale that was both deeply unsettling and profoundly resonant. In the realm of horror, there's a unique potential to make viewers confront and reflect upon uncomfortable truths. With #NoFilter, our ambition was to harness this potential, using it as a vessel to spotlight critical societal concerns.
What were some of the main obstacles you experienced when making #NoFilter and how did you overcome them?
Creating #NoFilter presented a myriad of challenges, but time undoubtedly stood out as the primary one. My vision for the film encompassed an extensive range of shots, each tailored to make the cinematic world feel not just immersive, but thrillingly dynamic. I aimed for the film's pace and flow to emulate the restless energy of a doom scroller, constantly moving and capturing the audience's attention. A significant credit for this achievement goes to my director of photography, Jason Banker. His expertise was pivotal in translating my vision to the screen. It's one thing to envision a story, but another to have an exceptional cinematographer who understands the nuances of storytelling. Jason's innate ability to capture the essence of a scene, coupled with his technical prowess, added layers of depth and dynamism to #NoFilter. His collaboration was instrumental in ensuring that every frame not only looked visually stunning but also narrated a part of the story, driving the narrative forward. Jason is also a director, who’s done some two incredible horror features that are must see, the cult hit Toad Road and Felt. Back to our story, both Jason and I were keen on achieving unique shots that not only looked visually compelling but also significantly advanced the narrative. This often translated to numerous takes to capture a scene just right, leading to extended hours on set. However, the dedication of our cast played a crucial role in helping us manage time. Our lead Kelly Lamor Wilson, Misha Osherovich, and Sam Bixby were nothing short of exceptional. Their ability to consistently deliver on every take, regardless of the demands of the scene, was a incredible. Their professionalism and commitment helped us save precious hours. Another significant time challenge was the intricate makeup required for Kelly. The removal process was notably lengthier than the application, eating into our tight schedule. That said, our makeup team was absolutely stellar. Their expertise and efficiency ensured that the quality of work wasn't compromised, even under time constraints. What made a considerable difference was the foresight to conduct makeup tests before the actual shoot. This pre-emptive approach allowed us to perfect the look in advance, ensuring that no time was wasted on set making adjustments. Despite these challenges, the dedication and expertise of our fantastic crew ensured that #NoFilter was realized as envisioned, and I hope delivers a visually and narratively compelling film to the viewer.
Tell us about the journey of getting your film to audiences. Midnight Delivery and Playback both had good festival runs, but #NoFilter seems to be your biggest festival hit yet. Is that fair to say? You played over 100 festivals and won more than 50 awards. What do you think is the secret to your success?
Thank you for recognizing our journey. Indeed, the path from 'Midnight Delivery' and 'Playback' to #NoFilter has been marked with both challenges and triumphs. #NoFilter, in particular, has seen remarkable success in the festival circuit, which has been wonderful. The subject of Snapchat filters and body dysmorphia is undeniably timely. Today, with the pervasive influence of social media, the issues surrounding self-image, digital alterations, and their impact on mental health are more relevant than ever. #NoFilter sought to explore these nuances, diving deep into the psychological repercussions in a horror setting. The success of the film, I believe, lies in its resonance with the zeitgeist. Audiences could see a part of their own experiences and anxieties reflected in the narrative. Couple this with a passionate team dedicated to perfecting every detail, from story to production, and we had a film that both entertained and provoked thought. Every element, from storytelling to cinematography, was meticulously crafted. We aimed for each frame to echo the aesthetic of an Instagram feed. In post-production, tools like Neat Video were utilized to eliminate noise, rendering a crisp, saturated image, emulating that quintessential 'Insta' vibrancy. Our cast and crew's dedication was unparalleled, ensuring our vision was perfectly translated on screen. Another pivotal element to the success of #NoFilter is its compelling musical composition. I'm an avid collector of horror soundtracks on vinyl, which has cultivated in me a deep appreciation for the nuances of musical storytelling. Because of this passion, I'm especially discerning when it comes to selecting music for my films. This led me to the brilliant composer, Alexander Taylor. His grasp on musical composition is truly unparalleled. Alexander doesn't just create music; he meticulously crafts auditory experiences. He understands the intricacies of timing, ensuring that each note or chord strikes at the perfect moment to elicit the desired emotion from the audience. Beyond his technical mastery, Alexander possesses an intuitive sense for the nuances of music, enabling him to create scores that breathe life into scenes, adding layers of tension, dread, or relief as needed. Working with him was an enlightening experience, and his contributions significantly elevated the atmospheric depth of the film. Go check out Alexander Taylor’s score for the film on Spotify! I also want to add that we were fortunate to be able to incorporate a song from the gifted and up-and-coming artist Cottontail. Their track "Earworm" also on Spotify isn't just thematically in sync with our film's message, but it's also irresistibly catchy and dance-worthy. It's a testament to their versatility as an artist, to be able to produce a track that resonates on such a thematic level. It is all these nuanced elements really make this film a success.
What do you think is the biggest challenge short filmmakers face trying to break into the industry?
One of the most daunting challenges that short filmmakers face when trying to break into the industry is visibility. The film landscape is vast, and ensuring that your work gets seen by the right eyes can be an uphill task. Many talented filmmakers produce incredible shorts that unfortunately go unnoticed because they lack the right platform or avenue for exposure. That’s why I feel Kino Short Films is invaluable. Your dedication to celebrating the art of short filmmaking is commendable. What I truly appreciate about you is your genuine love for cinema and your unwavering commitment to championing filmmakers. Kino offers a much-needed spotlight, ensuring that these short films don't just get seen, but that they're appreciated by audiences and industry professionals alike. I love that you don’t just provide a platform but you cultivate a community. It helps bridge the gap between emerging filmmakers and industry insiders, granting us as creators the visibility and connections we need to make our mark in the film world. Kino helps to level the playing field, allowing talent and passion to shine through. So thank you. Also budget constraints are always a challenge. Short films typically operate on limited budgets, which can restrict the quality of equipment, locations, talent, and post-production elements available to the filmmaker. You have to call in favor and in my case put on multiple hats if you want your film to excel. A real bummer after putting all the time an money into a short is you don’t really get it back. There’s no monetary ROI. It's often harder to monetize short films compared to feature-length projects. The traditional avenues of revenue for films, such as box office and distribution deals, are not as accessible or lucrative for shorts. Yet, some of us get lucky and a deal comes our way to turn our film into a feature or we find that companies who want to buy our shorts in put them into an anthology. This has happened to me numerous times with Playback and Midnight Delivery which can be seen in the anthology feature Nightmare Radio - The Night Stalker, Strange Events and Charlotte The Return. As short filmmakers reach out to these companies with your films!
Any film recommendations that we should add to our watchlist?
There are countless films I'd recommend, but since we're focusing on shorts, I'd love to highlight a few that really stand out to me. First off, Kelsey Bollig’s “The Fourth Wall” and "Kickstart My Heart" which is a must-see. Then there's Ramone Menon’s wild works "My Scary Indian Wedding" and "The Pey." Ryan Valdez’s incomparable films, "Make It Stop" and "We Got A Dog," are both amazing. The talented twin duo, Rob and Russell Summers, have created impactful pieces with "I’ll Be Back Tomorrow" and "See You On The Other Side." The pulse pounding bangers, “Retch” by Keir Siewert and “Sucker” by by Alix Austin. “Lastly, don't miss out on Christian Bachini’s bat shit crazy film “Escalation." All these filmmakers are making waves in the industry, and I'd highly recommend following them on their social media platforms. They're rising talents are worth keeping an eye on!