In the 2016 film "Late Shift," a young woman in dire straits turns to the classified ads in a local newspaper in search of employment. However, her pursuit leads her to a peculiar establishment known as the vintage relic museum, where she encounters an unsettling curator. As the night progresses, she finds herself trapped inside the museum and soon realizes that the neon-lit shop holds dark secrets and horrors beyond her imagination. Written and directed by John W. Carr, who has since worked on features like Top Gun: Maverick and Terminator: Dark Fate, this captivating short film draws inspiration from the horror genre of the 1980s, resulting in a unique and immersive experience. With a runtime of just under 12 minutes, the film expertly captures the essence of that era while offering its own distinct narrative and visual style. We were fortunate to collaborate with the renowned Director of Photography, David C. Weldon Jr., whose extensive background in sports television and commercial cinematography brought a wealth of expertise to the project. With a career spanning regional sports programming for prestigious leagues like the NHL, NFL, NCAA, and MLB, David seamlessly transitioned into the realm of cinematography, capturing the essence of renowned brands such as Rolls Royce, Pepsi, Nike, and Hallmark in his visually stunning commercials. David has used his artistic prowess in recent years in the world of music videos, collaborating with top artists like DJ Khalid, Post Malone, Ava Max, Sting, Shaggy, Imagine Dragons, Ciara, SZA, and Bebe Rexha. With David's exceptional eye for detail and knack for capturing captivating visuals, he played an instrumental role in bringing the vision of Late Shift to life.
FILM PRODUCTION
The main body of the film was skillfully shot on location at Valley Relics in the San Fernando Valley, in Los Angeles, a treasure trove of historical artifacts related to the region. This vibrant collection encompasses a wide range of items, including rare documents, photographs, vintage neon signs, postcards, yearbooks, clothing, art, automobiles, and even BMX bikes from The Valley's past. Utilizing this rich backdrop, we were able to create an immersive set that would have been prohibitively expensive to build from scratch. To enhance the atmosphere, we made the creative decision to turn off the lights and accentuate the neon elements of the museum. The result was a visually stunning mise-en-scène that accentuated the story's skewed reality and dreamlike quality. In addition to the captivating visuals, we had the privilege of collaborating with Lars Deutsch, a two-time Emmy award-winning composer, on this project. Lars masterfully composed an incredible score inspired by the works of John Carpenter, combining the distinctive sounds of 80s synthesizers with gritty and playful elements. The result was a mesmerizing and somewhat sinister soundtrack that perfectly complemented the film's tone and narrative.
Cast:
Lisa – Elizabeth Schmidt
Trudy – Jeanette O’Connor
Alice – Lindy Ariff
Black Cat – Dixie Lane
Crew:
Writer and Director - Jon Carr
Producer - Benjamin Ariff
Co-Producer - Anthony Gelinas
Director of Photography - David C. Weldon Jr.
Camera Operators – Damon Mosley & Cooper James
1st AC – Matt Eidenbock
2nd AC – Megan Pham
Gaffer – Larry Pinto
Grip – Lucas Wyatt
Electric – Rapha Bola
Location Supervisor – Anthony Gelinas
Location Audio – Will Miller
Hair and Makeup – Maria Pulas
Script Supervisor – Annie Carr
Production Design and BTS – Danyell Ellis
2nd UNIT
Camera Operator – Justin Hamilton
1st AC – Anthony Gelinas
POST
Editor and VFX – Jon Carr
BTS – Alex Ivany
Digital Intermediate Supervisor – Tims Johnson
Digital Intermediate Colorist – Narbeh Tatoussian
Digital Intermediate Editor – Justin Williams
Music Composer and Audio Mix – Lars Deutsch
We couldn't have pulled this off without the support of Valley Relics, Blacklist Digital, and Revolution Cinema Rentals.
We invite you behind the scenes of Late Shift to witness the process of bringing this short film to life. Explore the intricacies and details that shaped every aspect of its creation, from the initial concept to the final execution. Discover the creative decisions, technical expertise, and collaborative efforts that went into crafting this unique cinematic experience. Join us as we unveil the magic that unfolds behind the camera, giving you a deeper appreciation for the artistry and dedication involved in the making of Late Shift.