Imagine you’re a YouTube creator and budding filmmaker. You launch a Kickstarter campaign for your new horror project, a feature film combining elements of found footage and traditional filmmaking techniques, and you manage to raise an astounding $1.39M in the process (doubling the record for “the most-funded horror project” in Kickstarter history). Then (yes, there’s more!), none other than Mike Flanagan and his Intrepid Pictures associates Trevor Macy and Melinda Nishioka board the project as executive producers.
That’s what’s happened to Chris Stuckmann, who we imagine spends a good portion of each day pinching himself. His film, Shelby Oaks, has been on our radar for some time given the astounding success of its 2022 Kickstarter campaign, and today Deadline revealed the news that Flanagan and company were coming onboard the film.
Here’s how Deadline’s describing the film:
“A combination of documentary, found footage, and traditional film footage styles, Shelby Oaks centers on Mia’s (Camille Sullivan) frantic search for her sister, Riley, (Sarah Durn) who ominously disappeared in the last tape of her “Paranormal Paranoids” investigative series. As Mia’s obsession grows, she begins to suspect that the imaginary demon from Riley’s childhood may have been real.
Cast also includes Brendan Sexton III, Michael Beach, Robin Bartlett and Keith David. There’s no word yet on a release plan.”
Brendan Sexton III! Stuckmann’s even got a Session 9 alum involved with this thing! And Keith David! Folks, there are Kickstarter success stories, and then there are Kickstarter Success Stories.
Mike Flanagan is, of course, the filmmaker behind a ton of the best horror projects of the best decade, including two Stephen King adaptations (Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game; his next King adaptation, Life of Chuck, will hopefully be along in the none-too-distant future), Ouija: Origin of Evil, and a slew of top-shelf Netflix series, including The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and last year’s excellent Fall of the House of Usher.
Here’s what Flanagan had to say about Shelby Oaks:
“It’s been inspiring to watch Chris working toward his dreams over the past few years, and the tenacity and DIY spirit he displayed while bringing Shelby Oaks to life reminded me so much of my own journey over a decade ago. It’s been an honor to walk a few steps with him on his path, and to offer support for Chris’ vision for his ambitious, unique movie. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.”
Nothing further to report on Shelby Oaks at this time, but rest assured we’ll be keeping a close eye on this project as it works its way through production and into our eyeballs. Stay tuned for updates as they roll in, folks!
