Shelby Oaksjust received rave reviews at the Sitges festival, is much more than an original horror film. It is also a far-reaching viral phenomenon that has made its director, writer and producer the high point of an increasingly frequent phenomenon. One of YouTubers become part of the cinematic world. But the film also demonstrates the power of new media to achieve cinematic fame. In particular, using the power of the Internet to become a means of attracting talent. and the skill of a whole generation of young creators.
But the case of Chris Stuckman is even more telling. The content creator and film critic has been one of the most popular personalities on the platform for fifteen years now. In fact, it had a decisive influence on the popularity of short film reviews, which later evolved into traditional on-camera reviews. Step by step, what began as a hobby became for Stuckmann in a way that builds her own trajectory as a niche celebrity.
Much more, paving the way for many more film and new media enthusiasts around the world. It was a decisive contribution at a time (the mid-first decade of the 2000s) when film criticism was still online It wasn’t very popular. More than a decade later, Chris Stuckmann has shown that his contributions to popular culture can reach new levels. So, in 2020 it all started with a project which will culminate in not only a worldwide viral event, but also the premiere of his first film.
A cinematic history that marks a milestone
Chris Stuckmann was born in Ohio (USA) in 1988, so his youth was in the early years of the Internet. In fact, much of the impact of his YouTube classic content comes from innovation in every way. His channel, which is still active, tested the possibilities of new platforms and, in particular, ways to interact with a new type of audience. By 2009, there were few video movie reviews, unpopular and aimed at a very specific audience.
But Chris Stuckmann changed the formula. He not only popularized the format – and he is one of the people responsible for its current importance – but also showed that it could be profitable. Reviews of contemporary films were followed by reviews of video games and TV series. Thus, by 2016, the YouTuber’s work had created its own space in the world of cinema. Pioneer in cinemaAs a result, I turned my hobby into a profession.
In 2016 he published Movie Buff List: 50 2000s Movies You Should Watch Before You Diefollowed by The Influence of Anime: The Movies and Shows That Changed the World of Japanese Animation in 2018. Meanwhile, he made two short films: Audience 6 in 2017 and Melanie’s Notes in 2019. But it will be in 2016, when a project will begin that will last more than five years and culminate in a film. Write a story that could make it into Hollywood movies.
An idea that became successful
Chris Stuckmann has begun writing the script. Shelby Oaks with his wife Samantha Elizabeth, without even knowing how he could finance it. By 2017, the project had at least two projects underway, and the couple began looking for funding. What happened when the production company finally Paper Street Pictures He became interested in the project in 2019. Despite this, the film continued to be a project full of obstacles.
The company’s funding was barely enough to cover basic expenses. Their numbers continued to grow, and it soon became clear that they would need much more support than first appeared. Things got a little worse when the actors’ and writers’ strike brought any project to a complete standstill. So Chris Stuckmann began planning an alternative plan to avoid future production failure. Something that involved fundraising through crowdfunding public among his followers.
By that time, the content creator’s YouTube channel had over a million subscribers. So reaching the original goal of $250,000 seemed realistic. But this was achieved in no less than 24 hours: it immediately became obvious that Stuckmann’s fame as an Internet celebrity could be converted into full endorsement. Four days later, future filming began Shelby Oaks reached a whopping $650,000, making it the most successful horror project financed in Kickstarter.
But the phenomenon never stopped growing: it soon surpassed a million dollars and a record 11,200 sponsors. By the end of the fundraiser, Shelby Oakes had raised $1,390,845 and attracted 14,720 backers. A success that made it the fifth most funded film in history, only after Veronica Mars in 2014, I wish I was here also from the same year, Blue Mountain State (2016) and The newest and hottest Spike Lee (2013).
A success that became an important milestone in cinema.
Halfway between traditional feature film and experiment found footageThe film surprises with its skillful mixing of horror film genres. To that end, the script follows Mia (Camille Sullivan) as she undertakes a long and increasingly convoluted investigation to find her sister Riley (Sarah Dern). This last one the leader of a team investigating paranormal phenomena that disappeared without a trace twelve years ago.
Gradually, what begins as a creepy Blair Witch-style disappearance story evolves into something more complex. The director and screenwriter manage to combine their undeniable knowledge of horror films to create a chilling story in which nothing is as it seems. In addition, he accompanied the filming, which he documented step by step on his channel, with an intrigue that showed the disappearance of the investigative team. A strategy that almost immediately went viral and increased the film’s popularity.
But real success came when Melinda Nishioka, Trevor Macy and Mike Flanagan from Fearless picturesdecided to sponsor the project. Including Flanagan’s experienced hand at the editing table and reshoots. For the premiere of the film in International Film Festival “Fantasy” in July 2024 and FrightFest in August 2024, Shelby Oaks It has become one of the most sought after and popular productions. This culminated in the sale of the film to production company NEON. which ensured its national and then global spread.
So the film, which will be released on October 24, is already a phenomenon that has its place in the horror genre. Moreover, it demonstrated the value of new digital media in supporting innovative and ambitious projects. An important step not only for genre cinema, but also for talent outside of Hollywood and its system. The fundamental moment that leaves behind an experience Shelby Oaks in full.
Source: Hiper Textual
