Then the lights come up.

Now what?

In this episode of Directing Dread, Justin Harding and Jacob Phair unpack Jacob's world premiere of his debut feature film, Chimera, and the reality of what happens after you've achieved the milestone you've been chasing for years.

We dive into the highs, the surprises, and the hard truths of the festival experience. Is a world premiere really a career-changing moment? What should filmmakers actually expect from a festival run? And what lessons only become obvious once you're sitting in the audience watching your own film for the very first time?

From Q&As and networking to managing expectations and figuring out what comes next, this is an honest conversation about one of the biggest moments in a filmmaker's career.

Because getting your film into a festival isn't the finish line.

It's just the opening scene.

For years, studios searched film festivals, film schools, and agency rosters looking for the next generation of directors. Now they're lurking somewhere else entirely.

YouTube.

The breakout success of The Backrooms and Obsession has sent a shockwave through the industry and proven that a filmmaker with a killer idea and an internet connection can compete with the traditional system.

In this episode of Directing Dread, Justin Harding and Jacob Phair dissect the horror gold rush currently unfolding in Hollywood. Why are studios suddenly obsessed with indie horror? Why are executives spending more time watching YouTube than festival screeners? And what does this mean for aspiring filmmakers trying to break into the genre?

We explore how horror continues to be the proving ground for new talent, why the rules of breaking in are changing, and how today's unknown creators are becoming tomorrow's studio directors.

The call is coming from YouTube. And Hollywood is finally picking up.

In this episode of Directing Dread, Jacob and Justin discuss Jacob’s horror short screenplay and his idea of turning it into an actual project for the podcast. What follows is an honest breakdown of the script, the good, the bad, the problems, the potential, and the reality of developing a film as a team.

Working director Justin Harding gives raw feedback on what is working, what is not, and how filmmakers should think when developing a short film that can actually stand out.

This episode is less about theory and more about process. Collaboration, criticism, rewriting, strategy, and the uncomfortable but necessary conversations that happen when trying to make something great.

If you have ever written a short film or wondered what development actually sounds like behind closed doors, this episode pulls back the curtain.

In this episode of Directing Dread, working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair break down how to actually make a short film that gets programmed, gets seen, and moves your career forward.

We cover festival strategy, where to premiere, when to go online, and how to position your short depending on your goals. Proof of concept or standalone film. Festival run or YouTube launch. What actually makes sense and what is a waste of time.

We also pull from our own films and some of our favorite shorts to break down what works, why certain ideas land, and how to build something memorable in a short format.

You can check out Justin's Short films here:

Kookie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTshCCwo5Tw

Latched - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flW_alXzCXU

Point of View - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arn9e83Ojc0

Carved - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0BvhGhkuvI

And Jacob's short film here:

Lure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClBA_sWTE9w

Other Films Discussed include:

Meat Puppet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3oLGASdXYE

The Robbery - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gdiPSnfVgk

Lights Out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUQhNGEu2KA

Vicious - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d0ggz0aibg

Panic Attack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dadPWhEhVk

Mama - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcrM74s7tm4

If you are trying to make a short film that does more than just sit on a hard drive, this episode gives you a clear path forward.

In this episode of Directing Dread, working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair take a deep dive into the art of the pitch deck and why it is one of the most important tools a director has.

We break down what actually goes into a strong deck, why most pitch decks fail, and how to approach yours like a piece of filmmaking instead of a document.

Then we get into the shift. Using motion, AI, and modern tools to create pitch decks that feel alive. Decks that move, build tone, and pull the reader into the movie instead of just explaining it.

This is about creating a sales tool that feels like the film itself and gives producers, financiers, and collaborators a real experience of what you are trying to make.

If you want your project to stand out and actually get traction, this episode shows you how to rethink the pitch deck completely.

This is a podcast built for aspiring horror directors who want to stop waiting and start making films.

In this episode, working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair lay out the mindset that matters most at the beginning of your career. Use what you already have.

We break down how films like Paranormal Activity, Creep, and Terrifier turned limited resources into massive opportunities, and why that approach still works today. We also dig into how tone, simplicity, and execution can make something feel far bigger than its budget.

This episode is about removing excuses, thinking creatively, and making your first film with what is already in front of you.

If you have been waiting for the right moment, this is it.

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