Short: The Raven
From a production standpoint, $5k and a two day shoot gets you a lot more than it used to. Shot on a RED ONE.
[via Filmmaker IQ]
Why Playing It Safe Will Ruin Your Movie: Blumhouse Hit Director Christopher Landon on 'Drop'
"Failure is the greatest teacher."
Apr 11, 2025
In this episode of the No Film School podcast, writer-director Christopher Landon joins No Film School’s GG Hawkins to discuss his newest film Drop, a sharp, suspenseful thriller starring Meghann Fahy. Known for genre-bending films like Happy Death Day, Freaky, and We Have a Ghost, Landon dives deep into his evolution as a filmmaker, how he overcame early failures, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and the meticulous craft behind building tension. Landon also opens up about creating a supportive environment on set, casting with intuition, and how trusting his gut has shaped his career.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Christopher Landon discuss:
- How Christopher Landon’s love of horror movies began as a kid
- Early career failures and how they became pivotal learning moments
- Writing and selling Disturbia and joining the Paranormal Activity franchise
- The "feel-good horror" tone he discovered with Happy Death Day
- How Drop evolved from script to final film
- Shooting in sequence to elevate performances
- The importance of a supportive, no-asshole policy set
- How trusting his gut guides casting, shooting, and script decisions
- Advice for emerging filmmakers working within the studio system
Guests:
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This episode of The No Film School Podcast was produced by GG Hawkins.
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