Unraveling the Spirit of Shelby Oaks: An In-Depth Conversation with Chris Stuckmann

Chris Stuckmann is a filmmaker and renowned film critic whose career began as a YouTube influencer, where he gained a devoted following for his insightfully comprehensive film reviews. Stuckmann has over 2 million subscribers and over 779 million views on his channel. He harnessed his comprehensive knowledge of global cinema and transitioned from film critic to filmmaker with his debut horror feature Shelby Oaks.

The story revolves around Mia, played by Kylie Rogers, an older sister convinced her seemingly deceased sister Riley Brennan, portrayed by Annabelle Kwan, is still alive. The film weaves together thematic elements of sibling bonds, emotional resilience, and the unsettling lore of abandoned places. Drawing influence from his own past and the hair-raising tales from his homeland Ohio’s ghost towns, Chris crafts a story that is both haunting, intriguing, and entertaining.

The Genesis of Shelby Oaks

In an interview with Creative Screenwriting Magazine, Chris Stuckmann sheds light on his film’s underlying themes. Recounting his own experiences as a former Jehovah’s Witness, Chris articulates the weight of terms like “spiritually dead” within such churches, a notion that strikes a deep chord within the context of the film.

“I was told my sister was spiritually dead,” Chris reflects, recalling how he was separated from a sibling due to excommunication, shunning, or disfellowshipping from the church – not from physical death. “My sister was disfellowshipped when I was twelve and I didn’t see her for over ten years,” he recalls.

Chris Stuckmann

“When you’re part of a group that prioritizes spirituality above family bonds, being considered spiritually dead feels worse than actual death,” Stuckmann notes.

This personal story plays a crucial role in Shelby Oaks, where the older sister searches for her younger sister, whom the world believes to be dead. Chris explains that this exploration stems from the same anguish he experienced in his youth. “The idea of spiritual death carries a finality that silences all discussion about the individual,” he states, while all the while knowing she was still alive.

The Connection Between Sisters

As the conversation shifts to the central characters of Riley and Mia, Chris delves into Mia’s unwavering conviction that her sister is still alive. “Mia embodies a very deep, familial bond that transcends logic,” he explains.

“I often see this phenomenon with my twin daughters. Even when they’re separated by just a room, they instinctively call out for each other. It’s a sixth sense that many siblings share,” he mentions.

Chris relates this bond to his own experiences with his own sisters, articulating a primal awareness of each other’s emotional states. “This sense can be both comforting and unsettling, especially when one knows that something may be wrong.”

Shelby Oaks: A World Shrouded in Mystery and Lore

The discussion inevitably steers toward the film’s setting — an abandoned town steeped in rich lore and haunting mythology. Chris describes his vision for Shelby Oaks as a reflection of real-life abandoned places or ghost towns that evoke mystery and intrigue. “I wanted to shoot in locations I was familiar with in Ohio,” he shares. “Abandoned towns have a unique atmosphere, and I found great inspiration in places like Helltown.”

Chris recounts how Helltown earned its chilling reputation, complete with ominous tales of government interferences that caused its decline. There was a church that sparked rumors of satanic activities. There is also a cemetery there. He also recalls visiting the now abandoned Chippewa Lake Park – a disused amusement park on Ohio that features in Shelby Oaks. “I saw a rusty roller coaster covered in vines sitting in the woods as a 10-year-old, and I thought, ‘This is amazing,'” he adds.

“Part of the reason I think it’s scary is that places that once were the home to many happy memories are sitting there in a state of decay. That’s simultaneously scary and also very sad,” Chris ponders.

Ohio’s reputation for having the most haunted locations in Amercia and ghostly encounters features prominently in Chris’s storytelling. “Growing up, I was surrounded by stories that blended folklore with the Ohio landscape,” he recalls, which provided a fertile ground for the eerie atmosphere seen to Shelby Oaks.

Crafting a Cinematic Experience: Budget and Creativity

Shelby Oaks is notably one of the most successful campaigns on Kickstarter. The project raised over a million dollars in record time. This feat caught Mike Flanagan’s eye, who boarded the project as an Executive Producer. Although, the figure is small by Hollywood standards, it was sizeable enough for production to begin. Chris Stuckmann describes it as “a dream come true.”

As interest in the project snowballed, Stuckmann pitched Shelby Oaks to investors  and other stakeholders via a series of video pitches. Using his extensive YouTuber background, he created several videos to convey the tone, genre, and mood of his film.

“I used imagery or clips from other films and I explain the the energy that I want to the audience to feel while they see the movie,” Stuckmann explains. This contrasts with the majority of pitches which tend to be verbal.

While discussing the film’s visual aesthetics, Chris highlights the significant role budget constraints played in shaping his vision. “Shooting in locations I knew I could access in Ohio was not only efficient, but also artistically appealing,” he states.

Chris emphasizes the importance of utilizing the film’s setting to heighten the suspense that is integral to its storyline. The atmosphere of these abandoned sites enhances the tension and illustrates the themes of isolation and desperation in the film.

His intial vision for Shelby Oaks was to have a group of YouTubers film material for what would become a found footage film.

“There’s a sense of decay in writing, but also a sense of suspended animation and uncovering things,” he offers.

From Found Footage to Mixed Media

Chris Stuckmann opted for a creative departure from traditional found footage films like Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield. This decision was made by design early in the development process. The filmmaker elaborates that his segue into a more traditional style of storytelling during the second act, more accurately reflects how modern day audiences source their stories. There’s YouTube, TikTok, audio books, podcasts, and television to name a few. We are living in a mixed media world, so changing narrative styles throughout Shelby Oaks was a natural reflection.

“The challenge for me was, can we make the story feel linear? Can we make it feel cohesive? Can we get from point A to point B and understand it while also presenting it structurally in a unique way?,” Stuckmann muses.

Mia (Kylie Rogers) & Riley (Annabelle Kwan) Photo courtesy of Neon.

The Intersection of Fear and Emotional Depth

As Chris unpacks the film’s thematic layers, our conversation pivots toward fear as a writing tool. He describes fear, not merely as a sensation, but as an avenue for emotional depth.

Supernatural horror taps into the vein of the dread of impeding danger. It gently undulates as it unsettles its audience. By intention, jump scares are minimized.

“I believe that horror can be a meaningful journey,” Chris asserts. “It encourages us to confront our deepest anxieties, allowing for a cathartic release in the process.” The emotional stakes in Shelby Oaks are amplified by its exploration of love during despair.

He elaborates on how the film captures the fragility of relationships and the lengths one will go to for loved ones, showcasing it through Mia’s relentless pursuit of her sister. “It’s about hope amidst hopelessness, showing that even within overwhelming fear, there exists a glimmer of faith and determination,” Chris expresses.

Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Shelby Oaks

In summarizing the essence of Shelby Oaks, Chris encapsulates the film’s exploration of love, loss, and the unseen unbreakable bonds that define our closest relationships. “I hope audiences walk away with a sense of connection to the characters and reflect on their own connections,” he concludes.

by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.