Chris Rodriguez - Home Before Midnight

H o m e B e f o r e M i d n i g h t | 2 0 2 1

This student film pays homage to the beloved slasher genre of the 80s. In staying true to the genre's signature aesthetic, director Jacob Piller was determined to have the title of the film be done practically and in-camera. To achieve this, I looked to the master of practical horror himself, John Carpenter, and his iconic film The Thing (1982), which served as a guiding "light" for the creative process. The end result is a tribute to a genre that has thrilled and terrified audiences for decades, bringing a nostalgic thrill to viewers with an appreciation for the classics.

P R O C E S S

As I mentioned, the final effect was crafted using inspiration from two iconic films - The Thing (1982) and The Thing from Another World (1951) - both known for their signature aesthetic achieved by shining a bright light through a stencil enveloped in thick fog. To recreate this effect, the title was laser-cut onto a sturdy sheet of paper and positioned in none other than my dorm room shower, serving as a makeshift studio. Unlike the original films that used burning plastic to create a tearing effect, I opted to pass the light across the back of the stencil, avoiding the harsh fumes but also evoking the appearance of eerie headlights in the dark of night - leading directly into the film's opening scene.

C R E D I T S