Written & Directed by Nathan Crooker
Produced by Nathan Crooker, Jake Silbermann, Mayumi Tatsuta
Conjured from the imaginative mind behind the award-winning viral horror short, PLAYBACK, Nathan Crooker's latest supernatural thriller, MIDNIGHT DELIVERY, is sure to leave you second guessing that knock at your door. MIDNIGHT DELIVERY begins when a mysterious gift is delivered to an unsuspecting woman’s door at the stroke of midnight. The woman’s morbid fascination entices her to examine the gift, unleashing a sinister evil from within.
READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH NATHAN
Tell us a bit about yourself and your filmmaking background.
I started as an actor when I moved to NYC. After some time, I became a cameraman on documentaries that were shot in extremely dangerous places around the world. I really enjoyed helping tell these thought-provoking stories. Then I got lucky to make my way into commercials and music videos. Here I could experiment and work with all types of cameras and equipment. After some time, I began making short films and producing features. I really love film, especially the horror genre. It is a unique genre in that we not only get to have fun with these wild, crazy scary stories but also build stories with an underlying social commentary that makes us think and provoke conversation long after the movie ends.
Tell us about the genesis of Midnight Delivery? How did the project come about?
I have always loved 80's monster movies for their camp factor, unique monsters, and jump scares. So I wanted to make a film that would pay homage to these movies I grew up with as a kid. But I needed a monster. So one day, while I was lying in bed, I found it. It had been staring at me for years. On the coffee table, I saw a headdress I had been given many years ago while traveling abroad. Everything about it screamed, "horror movie." I knew it would be a great piece to center the story around. The headpiece in the film is an exact foam replica of the wooden one I owned.
What obstacles did you overcome while in the making of this film?
The biggest obstacle was shooting this film in two days because I had such an ambitious shot list in my tiny apartment in NYC with a four-person crew. Thankfully, we had Danielle Guldin as our lead actress, and she was consistently delivering gold on each take. This allowed me to spend time crafting camera moves that would enhance each scene's dread and scare factor.
Tell us about the journey of getting your film to audiences.
It is always hard to get a short film to audiences. Midnight Delivery did the festival run, and it was very successful, winning awards and screening in film festivals worldwide. But, when the festival run is over, shorts lose their heartbeat. I appreciate Kino shorts for always supporting filmmakers and helping us get our films seen!
What filmmaking tools are most useful to deliver a genuine scare?
I feel it is a combination of a few things. It starts with creating a real sense of dread with your camera movement and using little-to-no music. Then you work in a few misdirects before hitting your audience with the "scare" propelled with strong sound design. James Wan is the master at this.
Words of wisdom. What advice would you give to other filmmakers?
Stay true to your voice. If you're scared to make something, you should make it. Dont' be afraid to fail.
What are you working on now?
I have been lucky enough to sell a TV show this year to a major studio, and we are working on getting it out by the middle of 2023. I am currenlty in pre-production for my feature film Play With Me, which will shoot in February of 2023. I am also working on the feature length script based on my newest short #Nofiter.
Any film recommendations that we should add to our watchlist?
I have so many. Anything in the French Extremist category, especially, Calvaire. I also recommend Naked, Love Is The Devil, Man Bites Dog, Possession, Eden Lake, and Felt.