Zach Zeman’s 18-minute comedy horror film follows Mason Taylor as John (AKA Slate Crackbone), a man on the hunt for monsters, in a production filmed within the popular technique of found-footage, adding an exciting twist to the traditional mockumentary genre.
While Mason Taylor’s enthusiastic performance is compelling, the film seems to lack the horror element that it tries to achieve. The search for monsters also loses its intrigue and come off as a little too predictable rather than nothing eerie or sinister would happen. The film, however, still manages to retain a good sense of humour throughout its narrative.
Zach Zeman’s filmmaking techniques are brilliant, utilising the found-footage trend, the camera becomes an overwhelming entity, helping elevate the pace, intensity, and tension in the course of the most intense shots.
Overall, Zach Zeman’s short film is a playful and light-hearted mockumentary of life as a monster hunter, thanks to great supporting performances and inimitable production values established throughout, creating intensity and facial expressions that will woo viewers’ attention. Irrespective of its falling short horror style, found footage remains a compelling vehicle of skill and fascination from Zach Zeman’s team taking full advantage and running with it.
