Here is a fun horror comedy short film for you to watch called Special Delivery – Build your own hell. In the film, “A young couple’s carefree life ends when a bundle of horrors arrives. Are they ready to make their own hell?”
The film comes from writer-director Andrew Meltzer, and I’ve included an interview with him that you can read below.
This short is shared in partnership with FilmQuest Film Festival, where we hope to shine a light on some of the radical independent genre films and shorts filmmakers are creating.
What was the inspiration for your film? How did you come up with this idea?
I read a book on how to write a horror movie, and it suggested “listing your fears.” The only thing on my list was “to have a baby,” which I thought was silly, so I tried to explore that feeling through film. I think this is relatable because most people I know who are in their 30s are constantly asked if they want kids.
Tell us about yourself. What is your background? How long have you been a filmmaker? \
Lifelong movie and comedy fan who has been making movies since I was 8 or 10 years old. I then completed film school at SCAD and then moved to Chicago to make comedies and independent films with friends.
What inspires you to work in genre films and tell these kinds of stories?
Because it’s more fun this way! Most of my work has been parodies in the comedy genre, and in terms of filmmaking, I was good at it while working on punk music videos for Victory Records, so I was just drawn to a more stylized look.
What was your favorite part of the filmmaking process on this project?
Make puppets easily. My least favorite thing is puppeteering.
What are you most proud of about this film?
I really love it when people who have kids come to me and are like, “You made it.” I felt like those people were going to hate me for doing this.
What’s your favorite story or moment from the making of the film that you’d like to share?
That’s when the chest blast really comes into its own. That was probably the coolest moment.
What was the most challenging moment or experience you had while making the film?
I always advise independent filmmakers to “do what they can” on these no-budget projects. The first day was a 12-hour night shoot where we had to set up the house in the morning and then tear it down. I did all the setup and teardown myself and the second day of shooting felt like death. But this is just independent filmmaking
If so, how did your film change or differ from the original concept during pre-production, production, and/or post-production? How does this impact the way you approach future projects?
It changed dramatically from script to filming. Initially the film had no trailer convention and was a more traditional film. It was obvious we couldn’t afford more than three days. So I rewrote it just to include all the best moments, and I really thought stripping it back that way would make the movie better.
Who are your collaborators and actors in this film? How did you start working together?
Gosh, I could go on and on about how insanely talented everyone involved is, but just talking about some of the people I know very well. Producer Matthew Giordano has been a friend since high school.
He actually showed me how to edit and we’ve been making stuff ever since. Bryan Duff, the 30-something man in the movie, was my sketch partner in the Rich Parents group and we were always doing stupid things. Kyle Niemer served as director of photography.
He’s the coolest guy on the planet, which is why this movie looks great. He also introduced us to the puppet’s designer, Megan Barbour. We all agree that this made the entire movie. Thank you Megan Barber!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received as a filmmaker?
I think the best advice I’ve ever received is to not let trying to “succeed” get in the way of the fun of making a movie. I think all the crap associated with the business and making it totally screws up one of the most fun things you can do, which is making independent films.
What are your plans for your career? What stories would you like to tell in the future?
Well, I’d love to keep making weird comedy for people stuck in arrested development. I hope this film makes people laugh and get excited to watch my next one.
What’s your next project?
I’m working on the spiritual sequel to “Express Delivery,” an action thriller about one of the scariest decisions in life… whether or not… moving to the suburbs.
Where can we find more of your work? Do you have a website or YouTube/Vimeo channel? Social media handle?
@mtmelzer for social and YouTube, but I also post sketches on YouTube at Parent_Rich
Bonus Question #1: What is your favorite movie?
There is only one! Probably Galaxy Quest. This works perfect for me. I watch it twice a year
Bonus Question #2: Which film inspired you the most as a filmmaker and/or influenced your work the most?
Well, the behind-the-scenes footage on the Clerk DVD convinced me that I needed to make independent films, but I would say Edgarette’s series Spaced had a huge influence on my directing style.
