Shelby Oaks

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Shelby Oaks
Shelby Oaks poster.png
Teaser poster
Directed by Chris Stuckmann
Screenplay byChris Stuckmann
Story by
  • Chris Stuckmann
  • Samantha Elizabeth
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAndrew Scott Baird
Edited byPatrick Lawrence
Music byJames Burkholder The Newton Brothers
Production
companies
Distributed by Neon
Release dates
  • July 20, 2024 (2024-07-20)(Fantasia)
  • 2025 (2025)(United States)
Running time
102 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.4 million [2] [3]

Shelby Oaks is a 2024 American supernatural horror mystery film written, directed, and produced by Chris Stuckmann in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Camille Sullivan, Brendan Sexton III, Michael Beach, Robin Bartlett, Keith David, Charlie Talbert, Emily Bennett, and Sarah Durn. The film is also produced by Aaron B. Koontz, Cameron Burns, and Ashleigh Snead.

Contents

Shelby Oaks had its world premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 20, 2024, and is scheduled to be released in the United States by Neon sometime in 2025.

Premise

Mia frantically searches for her sister Riley, after Riley ominously disappeared in the last taping of a show by a group of paranormal investigators called the Paranormal Paranoids. As Mia's obsession grows, she begins to suspect that the imaginary demon from Riley's childhood may be real. [4]

Cast

Production

Development

Writer, director and producer Chris Stuckmann Chris Stuckmann 2015.jpg
Writer, director and producer Chris Stuckmann

In July 2021, YouTuber and film critic Chris Stuckmann signed on to write and direct a supernatural horror mystery film titled Shelby Oaks for Paper Street Pictures. [5] The film is based on an online marketing campaign depicting a series of found footage videos about a fictional paranormal investigative team named The Paranormal Paranoids. [6] The film was produced by Stuckmann, Aaron B. Koontz, Cameron Burns, and Ashleigh Snead. [7]

Initially, the production was set to begin in late 2021, [7] but was delayed due to insufficient funds and a potential strike between the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). [8]

Funding for the film was achieved via a Kickstarter campaign that began on March 1, 2022. On March 21, Shelby Oaks became the most-funded horror film project on Kickstarter after raising $650,000. [9] The campaign crossed the $1 million mark from 11,200 backers by March 25. [10] During the Cannes Film Festival in May 2022, Camille Sullivan, Brendan Sexton III, Michael Beach, Robin Bartlett, Keith David, Charlie Talbert, Emily Bennett, and Sarah Durn were revealed as the cast. [4] Stuckmann and his wife Samantha Elizabeth co-wrote the story, while Andrew Scott Baird served as cinematographer. [11] [12]

Filming

Principal photography commenced on May 9, 2022, [13] and concluded on June 5. [14] [4] Filming took place at various locations in Ohio, [9] including Greenwood Farm, Ohio State Reformatory, Chippewa Lake Park, and Cleveland Public Library. [12] [15]

Post-production

By August 2023, post-production was suspended due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [16] The film's producer Koontz stated that the film was "in the final stages of post-production, including the all-important automated dialogue replacement, when actors re-record their lines. We need the actors in, but we are not a priority project because we are not in production, but we're trying to finish this film in the next month". [16] In January 2024, Stuckmann announced that post-production was finished and that he and the studio were searching for film festivals to screen the film. [17]

Mike Flanagan, Trevor Macy and Melinda Nishioka served as executive producers on the film, under their production company Intrepid Pictures. [18] On joining the project, Flanagan said: "I was impressed with Chris' work ethic, his intellect, his talent and his determination ... I watched his Kickstarter campaign for 'Shelby' with great interest as it really took off ... There was so much about Chris' experience and story that reminded me of what I went through early in my career, he's on a really exciting path, and it has been a pleasure to share a few small steps with him on his way." [3] Flanagan provided Stuckmann with notes and feedback from the script stage to post-production as well as offering additional industry connections. [3] The film was composed by The Newton Brothers, a frequent collaborator of Flanagan. [19]

Release

Shelby Oaks had its world premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 20, 2024, where it competed as part of the "New Flesh 2024 Competition Titles". [20] [1] [21] It is set to screen at the 25th FrightFest film festival on August 23, 2024 [22] and the 57th Sitges Film Festival in October 2024. [23] The film is set to have screenings in Austin, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; Los Angeles, California; and New York City, New York. [24] [25]

In July 2024, Neon acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film. [26]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 60% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.8/10. [27]

BJ Colangelo of /Film gave the film a 8/10 rating, writing that "with Sullivan's phenomenal performance and Stuckmann's keen eye, Shelby Oaks allows us to witness the start of one of the most promising new voices in horror." [28] Alison Foreman of IndieWire gave the film a "B-", saying that the film "was obviously written by a critic, one with a near-legendary knowledge of the pop culture archives, and it's directed with a palpable confidence that could lead to better things." [29] Michael Gingold of Rue Morgue gave a positive review, praising "the doomy atmosphere Stuckmann elicits through both the accumulating detail in the found-footage material and the eerie visuals he and Baird conjure up as Mia gets closer to the town's heart of darkness." [30]

In a more mixed review, Julian Malandruccolo of High on Films summarized that "Chris Stuckmann clearly loves movies—horror movies in particular—but little in Shelby Oaks strikes as the work of someone who felt compelled to bring a new dimension to the conversation, but rather someone who wanted to enthusiastically join in on the existing discussion. As a result, Mia's search for Riley becomes Stuckmann's search for motivation—with some time and the same care exerted here, that search may someday pay off." [31] Joe Lipsett of Bloody Disgusting also gave a mixed review, writing "Even if the film's closing moments are something of a fumble, the scenes set in the spooky cabin, as well as the film's strong first hour, confirm that Stuckmann is one to watch, particularly when the first time writer/director sets out on his own path." [32] Katie Rife of IGN gave the film an "okay" rating of 6/10, commenting that "the first half of Shelby Oaks creates an intrigue that the second half just can't sustain." [33]

C.J. Prince of The Film Stage gave the film a "C-", writing "at the very least, Stuckmann's earnestness as a horror fan is apparent throughout Shelby Oaks, even though his admiration doesn't translate effectively to his filmmaking." [34] Chris Bumbray of JoBlo.com gave the film a 5/10 rating, saying that "In the end, Shelby Oaks is certainly not a trainwreck and decent enough that Stuckmann may indeed have a solid career ahead of him as a filmmaker. But it's far from the brilliant debut one might expect, given that Neon is giving it a major release it doesn't really deserve—or at least not in this critic's opinion." [35]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Shelby Oaks". Fantasia International Film Festival . Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  2. ↑ Colangelo, BJ (July 19, 2024). "The Incredible True Story Of How The Most Successful Horror Movie In Kickstarter History Landed A Theatrical Release". /Film . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Earl, William (July 20, 2024). "How Chris Stuckmann Went From YouTube Film Critic to Making His Own Horror Movie — Courting Neon and Mike Flanagan in the Process". Variety . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Wiseman, Andreas (May 20, 2022). "Chris Stuckmann's Kickstarter Horror Record-Breaker Shelby Oaks Begins Production, Reveals Cast — Cannes". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ Millican, Josh (July 6, 2021). "Upcoming Horror Movie Shelby Oaks Will Explore the Unknown Fate of "The Paranormal Paranoids"". Dread Central . Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  6. ↑ Squires, John (July 6, 2021). "Popular YouTube Critic Chris Stuckmann Directing Horror Movie 'Shelby Oaks'". Bloody Disgusting . Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Wiseman, Andreas (July 6, 2021). "YouTuber Chris Stuckmann To Make Horror Movie 'Shelby Oaks' About Missing Paranormal Investigators". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  8. ↑ Stuckmann, Chris (February 12, 2022). We Can't Do This Without You . Retrieved February 12, 2022– via YouTube.
  9. 1 2 Wiseman, Andreas (March 21, 2022). "Chris Stuckmann Found-Footage Project Shelby Oaks Breaks Kickstarter Record For A Horror Movie". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  10. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (March 25, 2022). "Chris Stuckmann Horror Project Shelby Oaks Flies Past $1M On Kickstarter, Studios Come Calling". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  11. ↑ Shelby Oaks Movie Website
  12. 1 2 Stuckmann, Chris (May 14, 2022). Shelby Oaks: Episode 1 - Pre-Production . Retrieved May 14, 2022– via YouTube.
  13. ↑ @Chris_Stuckmann (May 9, 2022). "Day 1" (Tweet). Retrieved May 24, 2022– via Twitter.
  14. ↑ @Chris_Stuckmann (June 5, 2022). "Still processing the life-changing month I've just had, but #ShelbyOaks is wrapped! I was gifted my very first director's chair on the last day. Our hardworking cast and crew made this shoot an experience I'll never forget. I'm going to miss everyone. Time to start editing!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 8, 2022– via Twitter.
  15. ↑ Stuckmann, Chris (September 7, 2022). Shelby Oaks: Episode 4 - On Location . Retrieved September 8, 2022– via YouTube.
  16. 1 2 Whittaker, Richard (August 11, 2023). "What the Screen Actors and Writers Strikes Mean for Austin". The Austin Chronicle . Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  17. ↑ Stuckmann, Chris (January 15, 2024). "Most Anticipated Movies of 2024" . Retrieved January 28, 2024– via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (May 1, 2024). "Chris Stuckmann's Horror Movie 'Shelby Oaks' Adds Genre Specialist Mike Flanagan To Team". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  19. ↑ "The Newton Brothers Scoring Chris Stuckmann's 'Shelby Oaks'". FilmMusicReporter. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Fantasia's 28th Edition Awards Filmmaker Mike Flanagan, Closes with the World Premiere of André Forcier's Ababouiné". Fantasia International Film Festival . Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  21. ↑ Navarro, Meagan (May 9, 2024). "Fantasia 2024 First Wave of Programming Includes Found Footage 'Shelby Oaks', 'Witchboard' Remake, and More". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Shelby Oaks". FrightFest . Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Announcing the First Film Titles and Confirming More Guest Stars of Sitges2024". Sitges Film Festival . July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  24. ↑ Shelby Oaks Hosted Preorders
  25. ↑ Navarro, Meagan (January 4, 2023). "The Year Ahead: 35 Horror Movies We Can't Wait to See in 2023!". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  26. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (July 16, 2024). "Neon Takes Worldwide Rights To Chris Stuckmann's Horror Film 'Shelby Oaks'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Shelby Oaks". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  28. ↑ Colangelo, BJ (July 21, 2024). "Shelby Oaks Review: A Stellar Supernatural Mystery That Reframes Found Footage Horror [Fantasia Fest 2024]". /Film . Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  29. ↑ Foreman, Alison (July 21, 2024). "'Shelby Oaks' Review: Neon's Hodgepodge Horror Lets Chris Stuckmann Take His First Stab at Haunting". IndieWire . Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  30. ↑ Gingold, Michael (July 22, 2024). "Fantasia '24 Movie Review: "Shelby Oaks" is an Unnerving Place to Visit". Rue Morgue . Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  31. ↑ Malandruccolo, Julian (July 21, 2024). "Shelby Oaks (2024) 'Fantasia' Movie Review: Chris Stuckmann's Passion Lies Buried Beneath the Weight of His Influences". High on Films. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  32. ↑ Lipsett, Joe (July 22, 2024). "'Shelby Oaks' Review – Chris Stuckmann's Debut Wears Its Horror Influences On Its Sleeve". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  33. ↑ Rife, Katie (July 22, 2024). "Shelby Oaks Review". IGN . Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  34. ↑ Prince, C.J. (July 22, 2024). "Fantasia Review: Chris Stuckmann's Shelby Oaks is an Uninspired Horror Mishmash". The Film Stage. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  35. ↑ Bumbray, Chris (July 22, 2024). "Shelby Oaks (Fantasia) Review". JoBlo.com . Retrieved July 22, 2024.
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