DO NOT OPEN - A Short Film by Samuel T. McNally Shot on Super 8mm
Outline: Three friends drive out to a lonely countryside house for a big weekend away, only to realize far too late that the house has a fourth guest stalking them throughout their trip—a creature that can only be seen when it wants to be. Sam McNally explores the relationship of found footage horror with perspective and character in this thriller horror short.
Credits:
Written & Directed by: Samuel T. McNally
Produced by: Freddie Wride
Director of Photography: Trace Robbins
Cast:
Richard: Adam Deary
David: Josh Sinclair Evans
Lauren: Leah Rogers
Shooting Format: Super 8mm
Synopsis: In his debut short fiction film, Sam McNally delves into the realms of voyeurism, friendship, and queerness through both character dynamics and camera work. Collaborating closely with DoP Trace Robbins, McNally pushed the limits of the super 8 camera to balance storytelling, found footage aesthetics, and beautiful shots. The creature's presence, hand-animated on super 8 film, enhances the eerie, physical medium feel, adding to the found footage authenticity.
DO NOT OPEN showcases McNally's unique approach, featuring hand-animated monster effects achieved by scratching celluloid with a knife and magnifying glass. This film marks McNally's transition from directing short films, music videos, and adverts, fueled by O2 Think Big project funding, to making high-quality short films and preparing for his first feature film.
