Shudder are set to releaseHost, their first full length feature shot entirely inlockdown, via their streaming platform. The project came about after director Rob Savage went viral with his Zoom-based prank.
Savage directed the cast remotely with the actors operating their own cameras, lighting and even practical effects. The script, written by Savage with Gemma Hurley and Jed Shepherd, sees six friends and a hired medium holding a séance over Zoom but things quickly go wrong when they contact an evil spirit.
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Rob Savage went viral around the start of lockdown by tweeting a Zoom prank where he investigates a strange noise coming from his attic. The short video racked up over 165,000 views and got the attention of Shudder’s general manager Craig Engler who reached out to Savage about a possible full length feature. The final result “exceeded their expectations.”
Rob Savage has directed several horror shorts, includingSaltstarringPrevengecreator Alice Lowe andDawn of the Deaf. Hostis his first feature lengthhorrorstarring Caroline Ward (Stalling It), Edward Linard (The Rebels), Emma Louise Webb (The Crown), Haley Bishop (Deep State), Jemma Moore (Doom: Annihilation) and Radina Drandova (Dawn of the Deaf). According to the press release, “Due to social distancing precautions, Savage never set foot in the same room as his actors at any point during production and instead directed them remotely.”
Talking to Deadline, Savage said “I’m a certifiedShudderobsessive. When lockdown began, I spent weeks bingeing everything on Shudder, so to find myself premiering a new film on the platform only a few months later is incredible. Shudder understood the potential of this mad little film from day one and totally supported us making it in our own way. It was such a rewarding process and the final product is something we’re all so proud of. I hope this is the first of many collaborations.”
