Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Limitations breed creativity. Independent filmmaking allows for decisions that wouldn't be possible on larger projects, such as shooting in black and white due to resource constraints.
- Character drives story. Even in satirical or high-concept films, it's the human element that sustains audience interest.
- Housing crisis as horror. Halfway Haunted uses the haunted house trope to comment on the real-life dread of housing insecurity.
In a world where supernatural chills meet the very real dread of housing insecurity, Sam Rudykoff brings us Halfway Haunted, a film set to screen at this year's HollyShorts Film Festival. With a talented team including producer Mark Delottinville , cinematographer Peter Schnobb , and composer Erica Procunier, the film explores the unsettling choice between a spectral roommate and a predatory real estate developer.
Q&A Interview
What inspired you to tell this story?
The housing crisis and broader cost-of-living issues have been worsening, and that fills me with a lot more dread than anything supernatural. In many haunted house stories, the ghosts don't pose any real danger; they just spook people until they go nuts. A bad landlord can inflict much more anguish, which is bleak but also funny to imagine choosing between them.
What was the biggest surprise during production?
Scoring the film challenged me to reconcile the mix of tones and genres. Music often shifts things away from realism, and I had to decide when to lean into that. I'm not naturally a musical person, so this was a big learning curve.
Is there a moment in the film that feels uniquely yours?
I hope there's a moment that feels like only I could have made it. I'm particularly proud of the possession sequence; it's something I've never seen in a horror film before.
What creative decision was the hardest to make?
The hardest decisions came during scripting, especially determining Jess's relationship with the ghost.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
I hope the film makes the housing issues more accessible and helps break through some of the apathy surrounding them.
How has this project influenced your future storytelling?
This film taught me that character must come first. Even in satirical or high-concept works, having a human element is crucial for momentum and investment.
"Stories should be about people first, and everything else second."
What tool or technique significantly aided your production?
Cadrage, an app introduced by our cinematographer Peter Schnobb, simulates different cameras and lenses. It's a great tool for setting up shots in preproduction.
"Working with fewer resources means you have to make the most of what you have. That's the independent part."
What does having your film at HollyShorts mean to you?
HollyShorts is a fantastic showcase for short-form storytelling, and it's a great platform that hopefully indicates the film achieved its goals.
"At the core of all my work is a desire to get people to care about the things I care about, but make sure they're having too much fun to notice."
Main Cast and Crew
- Written by: Bryn Pottie
- Editor: John Mcgovarin
- Production Designer: Logan Graham Greene
- Assistant Director: Logan Sutherland
- Gaffer: Ibrahim Issa
- Key Grip: TJ Richardson
- Makeup: Renee Tobin
- Wardrobe: Fredsonn Silva
- Sound Recordist: Nicholas Koscik
- Sound Mixer: Marcel Ramagnano
For more information on Sam Rudykoff and Halfway Haunted, follow the team on their social media platforms.
