Funny Horror Comedy Short Film SPECIAL DELIVERY – RAISE YOUR HELL

Here is a fun horror comedy short film to watch titled Special Delivery: Unleash your hell. In the film, “a young couple’s carefree life ends with the delivery of a horror package. Are they ready to unleash their hell?”

The film comes from writer and director Andrew Melzer and I’ve included an interview with him which you can read below.

This short film is shared in collaboration with the FilmQuest Film Festival, where we are looking to showcase some of the radical independent genre films and shorts that filmmakers are creating.

What was the inspiration for your film? How did the idea come to you?

I read a book on how to write a horror film and it recommended “making a list of your fears.” The only thing on my list was “Have kids.” I thought it was pretty stupid, so I tried to explore that feeling with the film. I think it’s pretty relatable because most 30-year-olds I know are constantly asked if they want kids.

Tell us about yourself. What is your background? How long have you been a director? \

A lifelong movie and comedy nerd, I’d been filming since I was 8 or 10. I used to have my friends act in my SNL that I filmed weekly when I was a kid. Then I went to film school at SCAD and moved to Chicago to make comedies and independent films with friends.

What inspires you to work in genre cinema and tell these types of stories?

Because it’s more fun! Most of my writing is parodies of the comedy genre, and film-wise, I got good at filmmaking while making punk music videos for Victory Records, so I’m just drawn to more stylized looks.

What was your favorite part of the filmmaking process for this project?

Easily making the puppet. What I liked least was the puppet.

What are you most proud of about this film?

I really enjoy having people with kids come up to me and say “you made it.” I figured those people would hate me for doing this.

What is a favorite story or moment from the making of the film that you would like to share?

When the chest burst it really worked. That was probably the best moment.

What was the most challenging moment or experience you had while making your film?

I always advise independent filmmakers to “do everything you can physically do yourself” with these no-budget projects. The first day was 12 hours of night shooting that we had to do that morning to set up the house and then demolish it. I did all the set-up and teardown myself, and I felt like I was dead going into the next day’s shoot. But this is just independent cinema

If so, how did your film change or differ from the original concept during pre-production, production, and/or post-production? How has it changed the way you approach future projects?

It changed enormously from script to filming. Originally this didn’t have a trailer convention and was a more traditional film. It became obvious that we couldn’t afford more than three days. So I rewrote it just to include all the best moments and I really think cutting it down like this made the movie better.

Who were some of your collaborators and actors in the film? How did you start working together?

Oh man, I could go on and on about how incredibly talented everyone involved in this is, but only for a few people I know really well. Producer Matthew Giordano has been friends since high school.

He actually showed me how to edit and we haven’t stopped making things since. Bryan Duff, the thirty-year-old male in the film, is my sketch partner in the Rich Parents group and we always do stupid things forever. Kyle Niemer was the DP.

He’s the coolest guy on the planet and that’s why the movie looks amazing. He also introduced us to Megan Barbour who designed the puppet. Which let’s all admit made the entire movie. So thank you Megan Barbour!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received as a filmmaker and what would you like to say to new filmmakers?

I think the best advice I’ve received is to simply not let trying to “make it” get in the way of enjoying making films. I think all the bullshit associated with the business and making it totally ruins one of the most fun things you can do, which is make independent films.

What are your plans for your career and what do you hope this film does for that? What kinds of stories would you like to tell moving forward?

Well, I’d like to continue making weird comedies for people trapped in a state of arrested development. I hope the movie makes people laugh and be excited to check out my next one.

What’s your next project and when can we expect to see it?

I’m making a spiritual sequel to Special Delivery, an action thriller about one of life’s scariest decisions…whether or not…to move to the suburbs.

Where can we find more of your work and where can interested people contact you? Do you have a website or YouTube/Vimeo channel? Social media handles?

@mtmelzer for social media and YouTube, but I also posted sketches on Parents_Rich on YouTube

Bonus question no. 1: What is your favorite movie of all time?

ONLY ONE!?!?! Probably Galaxy Quest. For me it’s perfect. I watch it like twice a year

Bonus question no. 2: What is the film that most inspired you to become a director and/or had the greatest influence on your work?

Well, the behind-the-scenes featurette on the Clerks DVD definitely convinced me that I needed to make independent films, but I would say that Edgar Wright’s show Spaced had a huge influence on my filmmaking style.