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Logline

Mitchell (Lamorne Morris) races full speed into the desert in his 77′ Lincoln Town Car with his best friend Steve (Kyle Shevrin) riding shotgun, a leather-bound book of the dead at their feet and a trunk full of problems.

Synopsis

It’s 1978, and best friends Mitchell and Steve are tearing through the desert. Disturbing banging is coming from the trunk. Judging by the pair’s heated conversation, they are the ones who put whatever it is in there.

A mysterious tome of witchcraft, bound in human skin, lies in the front seat. Mitchell asks Steve to read it, but freaked out, he throws it into the back seat among sporting equipment and a shovel.

As a monstrous voice from the trunk transforms into desperate cries, a chilling truth unfolds: the captive is Mitchell’s ex-girlfriend, Janine. She delved too deeply into witchcraft and used the cursed book to conjure something she certainly shouldn’t have.

Mitchell is clearly still hung up on his ex, despite Steve’s advice to move on. Even though Janine pleads for her life, Mitchell sees no alternative but to hit the gas and continue on the mission.

On top of all of this, Steve is unhappy with his BFF. He’s been feeling under-appreciated by Mitchell for some time, and this whole situation is bringing it to the fore.

Pulling to the side of the road, Mitchell and Steve arm themselves with makeshift gear. On three they open the trunk, releasing the most hideous demon, who flees into the desert. Mitchell opens his eyes just in time to see it go. Steve, eyes closed and ears covered, shouts his bottled-up grievances. Mitchell taps his shoulder to signal the creature is gone.

As the sun sets they bury the book.

Back on the road the relieved old friends bond over the harrowing experience, making amends with one another. In that heartfelt moment … SHRIEEK! Demon Janine is back! As their screams echo through the desert, the car stereo plays a cheerful 70’s tune, culminating in screeching tires and a thunderous crash.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Craig Blair – Writer/Director
Born and raised in NY, Craig started his career in NYC guided by his love of comedy, writing, directing & performing live sketch comedy shows and creating comedy videos. He was a founding member of the NY sketch group Wilt Chamberlain’s Kids which performed for over five years in venues such as Caroline’s on Broadway, The Comedy Cellar and the Laugh Factory.

He produced award-winning indie feature The Crimson Mask, voiced 22 characters for the Pokémon animated series & movies, and lent his voice to multiple video games – Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Grand Theft Auto IV and Super Smash Brothers Brawl before switching coasts.

Residing now in Los Angeles, Craig has produced three highly acclaimed sports documentary projects for LeBron James’ Uninterrupted: Top Class: The Life & Times of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers, 40 Days: Canelo vs Kovalev & Heart of Surprise. Craig Produced & 1st Assistant Directed Devil’s Fruit, three award-winning TV pilots Hit Man: Secrets of Lies (Richard Kind), Distemper & Shoot Me Nicely (Linda Hamilton), and two award-winning horror shorts: Nagual: The Sin Eater and Rancour winner of several practical creature effects awards, filmed in Australia and distributed by Alter & CryptTV.
Craig was a Consulting Producer on Mid-Century (Steven Lang & Bruce Dern) and other 1st AD credits include: Lost & Found In Cleveland (Martin Sheen & Stacy Keach), Everything Beautiful is Far Away (Julia Garner), Stoker Hills (Tony Todd), Duplass Brothers Produced Rainbow Time (Melanie Lynskey), Full Dress (Christopher Abbott) TV series Swedish Dicks (Keanu Reeves & Peter Stormare).

Fiona Hardingham – Producer
A 2023 Film Independent Producing Lab Fellow and recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Producer Grant, Fiona recently produced Fireline for Rising Voices 2024. Supported by Hillman Grad, 271 Films, and Indeed, premiering at Tribeca 2024. As a 2021 Project Involve Fellow, she produced award-winning shorts: The Mason Ring, which won HBO Max’s ‘Best Short’ at the MVAAFF, and All I Ever Wanted, winner of ‘Best Comedy’ at HollyShorts. Was the 2nd Unit Production Manager for Netflix’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and Series Associate Producer on the IDA-nominated My Love: Six Stories of True Love for Netflix.

Lamorne Morris – Lead Actor
Lamorne Morris, the dynamic Chicago-born actor and comedian is best known for his iconic role as Winston Bishop in Fox sitcom New Girl (2011–2018), his lead role in Hulu’s comedy Woke (2020–2022).

His versatility is evident in supporting roles in blockbuster films such as Barbershop: The Next Cut, Game Night, Jumanji: The Next Level, and Yesterday. Morris and Craig Blair collaborated on the Webby award-winning comedic short Crossover: The Story of Laurence Moses Bryant.

Most recently, Morris appeared as Witt Farr in Season 5 of the acclaimed FX series Fargo and is currently filming SNL 1975, playing legend Garrett Morris.

John Orphan – Cinematographer
John Orphan is an award winning director and cinematographer with over fifteen years of experience in the motion picture industry. His credits include, feature films (Paper Heart, When The Beat Drops, Stoker Hills, Stillwater, and the soon to be released, The Black String starring Frankie Muniz) national commercials (Sprint, Lexus, Lincoln, RVCA and many more).

Dane Hallett – Creature & Production Designer
Dane Hallett is currently one of the most sought after creature & concept designers working in film today. Dane’s designs can be seen in Alien: Covenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, Thor: Love and Thunder, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as well as the upcoming Alien: Romulus and Mad Max 2: Furiosa.

Ronald “Jukebox” Jackson – Composer
Los Angeles-born Ronald “Jukebox” Jackson is a renowned music producer who began his illustrious career at the age of 13 with his first placement, syncing a track he produced for a blockbuster commercial campaign. By 17, he was working with Will Smith on his final album, “Lost and Found.” His talent quickly catapulted him to fame as he produced and co-wrote the four time platinum-selling hit “Whip My Hair” for Willow Smith. Jukebox’s impressive portfolio includes producing two singles, “Underdog” and “Love Looks Better,” for Alicia Keys’ Grammy-winning album “ALICIA.” He has also collaborated with industry giants such as Swizz Beatz, Zendaya, Snoop Dogg, and Omarion, and has made significant contributions as a music supervisor and composer for television shows on Fox, Oxygen, and more. Currently, Jukebox serves as A&R for 10 Summers Records, where he oversees the music projects of emerging and established artists, as well as various television and film projects. His keen ear for talent and innovative production skills continue to shape the music landscape, making him a pivotal figure in the industry.

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Contact

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