I am a big fan of independent horror films, so much that I was honored to be a judge at the 2012 Shriekfest Horror Film Festival in Los Angeles. While there, I was introduced to a feature film, An American Ghost Story, and the 2ManProductions team of Derek Cole, Stephen Twardokus and Jon Gale.
An American Ghost Story still is one of my favorite paranormal films in recent years. The simplistic yet effective feel of the film evokes real feelings of fear and it is this simplistic theme that flows through the two shorts screened at the 2014 Shriekfest in October and led to a win for one.
The first film, Let Me See Your Eyes, was written by Jack Nathan Harding and directed by Derek Cole. Let Me See Your Eyes takes place three years after an event that has changed most of the human population into killers. A lone man named R.J. (Harding) rescues a stranger (Stephen Twardokus) and offers him a bit of hospitality during these dark times. During tea and conversation, it becomes apparent that R.J. may have let someone into his secure hideout who is every bit as dangerous as what he has been trying to keep out. Let Me See Your Eyes was the winner of “Best Horror Short” at Shriekfest and was an official selection at Thriller Chiller Film Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The second film, Within Hindsight, was written by Derek Cole and Stephen Twardokus and directed by Derek Cole. Two detectives (Jon Gale and Wendy Haines) are at loss when it comes to leads on a serial killer. One detective (Haines) turns to a psychic named Source (Twardokus), much to the amusement and disgust of her partner Detective Greg (Gale). While at the scene, Source is able to witness the murder and provide additional clues, impressing even a highly skeptical Greg. However, the killer leaves a message that surprises everyone, even the psychic. For me, this short left me wanting more and in a good way. I can see this film easily being expanded to a feature and I sincerely hope that they do so.
I believe that we will continue to see great horror from 2manproduction. Their simple style where the story is allowed to be told and shown without any gimmicks or over the top CGI is so rarely found in films today. As a director, Derek Cole focuses on the story and allows the actors to tell it. There are no cheap scares, shaky camera tricks or over the top theatrics because they are not needed. Cole keeps it simple, clean and ultimately scary…and that is what all good horror should strive to be.
For more information on Let Me See Your Eyes click here.
For more information on 2ManProductions click here.
And for more on director Derek Cole click here.
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