For my Creative Critical Reflection (CCR), I wanted to do something different—something that felt natural, engaging, and fun to watch. Instead of just sitting in front of a camera and answering questions, I decided to present my CCR as a talk show.
Script:
[INTRO MUSIC PLAYS]
HOST: Welcome back to The Late Night Filmmaker! Tonight, we have a special guest—Simona, the creative mind behind an unsettling and thought-provoking psychological horror film. Welcome to the show!
SIMONA: Thanks for having me! I’m excited to be here.
HOST: Your psychological horror film opening is gripping and eerie. How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?
SIMONA: Great question! My film sticks to some psychological horror conventions but also flips a few on their head. Typically, horror films rely on loud scares, sudden jumps, and gory imagery. But I wanted to create fear through quiet tension. Instead of showing a violent murder, I focus on the eerie calm afterward—small, unsettling details like the way Christina moves, the methodical way she cleans up.
Another way I challenge conventions is by making the audience put the pieces together. You never actually see the crime happen—you just see the aftermath: a shovel, a wedding ring, a body wrapped in plastic. It forces the viewer to engage with the story, piecing things together rather than just watching events unfold.
HOST: That’s a really unique way of building suspense. But your film isn’t just about scares—it also touches on some deep issues.
SIMONA: Exactly. One of the biggest themes is mental health, especially how it can go unnoticed or misunderstood. Christina isn’t just a villain—she’s struggling with something even she doesn’t fully understand. Her paranoia, anger, and emotional shifts are all caused by an undiagnosed brain tumor.
This highlights a real issue: how serious medical conditions can impact mental health and how often they go unnoticed or misdiagnosed. It also connects to a larger conversation about how women’s health concerns are sometimes dismissed. Luke, her partner, cares about her, but even he doesn’t realize how much she’s struggling. The healthcare system fails her by not catching the tumor earlier, and by the time she gets help, she’s already lost herself.
HOST: That’s such a powerful way to mix horror with real-life issues.
HOST: Now, let’s talk about your audience. How does your film engage viewers, and how would you distribute it if it were a real media product?
SIMONA: The main way I hook the audience is through atmosphere. My film is shot at golden hour, which gives it a dreamy but eerie tone. Right from the start, I want the audience to feel uneasy, almost like they’re waiting for something to jump out at them. This suspense is what keeps them engaged.
Fans of psychological horror will connect with the slow-building tension and the mystery that unfolds. The film doesn’t rely on big scares but instead keeps viewers guessing. That sense of anticipation makes them feel like they’re part of the story.
HOST: And how would you get it out into the world?
SIMONA: I started by submitting it to film festivals like Sundance and SXSW. These festivals focus on indie films and often feature horror and thriller genres. It’s a great way to get noticed and attract an audience that loves unique psychological horror films.
After that, I released it on YouTube and Vimeo, making it accessible to a wider audience. Of course, social media would play a huge role—I shared teasers and behind-the-scenes clips and interacted with viewers to build hype.
HOST: That’s a solid strategy—festivals for credibility, online platforms for accessibility, and social media for engagement.
Closing
HOST: Well, Simona, this has been such a fascinating discussion. Your approach to psychological horror is fresh, chilling, and thought-provoking. Thanks for joining us!
SIMONA: Thanks for having me!
HOST: And to our audience—stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights from filmmakers like Simona. Good night, everyone!
[OUTRO MUSIC FADES OUT]
The Tonight Show inspired this decision: