A group of friends make a day around going to an 'Escape Room', but they soon find, there is no escape.

Interview with Writer/Director/Editor Ella McKeon

Watch The Butcher Shop here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I've always loved horror films and began experimenting with special effects Make-up early on, but it wasn't until after going to Milikan Middle School's Phantom Film festival, that I knew I wanted to make my own horror film.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Escape Rooms are really popular right now. You go to them for that adrenaline rush, but know you're in a safe environment. I like to think that this film feels very realistic, but takes away the "safe environment".

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

People got to see horror films to escape reality and be scared. I tried to tie The Butcher Shop back into middle school reality as much as possible. I even used all the actors' real names just to make it feel like this might even be a documentary.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Initially, I thought the whole movie would be shot by either the main character's iPhone in the scene or surveillance cameras. After the first rough cut, I realized I would need a few other more traditional shots to make you feel closer to the action.

Behind the scenes of The Butcher Shop - Talent selfie

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been very positive! It recently won the Best Middle School Film Award at the Teen Indie Awards. I had two films nominated in this category last year, but this is my first win there.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It's definitely been a surprise that people are liking it since I don't think it's changed my point of view, if anything I want to continue in this genre. There's nothing like playing your movie in a theater and hearing everyone shriek at the exact moment you were hoping they would shriek.

Behind the scenes of The Bitcher Shop - Ella shows her excited cast playback.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I'm hoping more people have a good time with my film and hopefully, it will create opportunities for me to make more!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I hope audiences believe the characters and I hope they are scared at the appropriate times.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I've just sat down to start writing another horror story about an end of the school year party, held at an Airbnb. Most house rentals have one room that is locked to guests because it usually contains the owner's stuff, but behind the door in this film lurks a lot more ...

Interview: November 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

The Butcher Shop

A group of friends make a day around going to an 'Escape Room', but they soon find, there is no escape.

Length: 5:29

Director: Ella McKeon

Producer: Ella McKeon

Writer: Ella McKeon

About the writer, director and producer:

ELLA MCKEON is 13-years-old, and over the past two years, she has written & directed 8 short films. In each, she's tried to express the challenges of her generation, but for The Butcher Shop, she just wanted to create a classic, jump-scare horror film in a setting her peers would find thrilling. Last Month, The Butcher Shop won the best Middle School Film Award at the Teen Indie Awards in New York and her film Butterfly was nominated at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) for best Experimental film. She made Butterfly when she was eleven. The next youngest nominee in her category was in their twenties. The past two years have been quite the whirlwind for Ella. Her films have also won 65 Official Selection Laurels, 12 Best Film Awards, and 3 scholarships, including on to attend the prestigious Prodigy Film Camp. Other noteworthy awards include: Best New Talent Award - NFFTY 2018 - The Mom Plan; Best Horror Film, Chicago CineYouth Festival - Butterfly; Best International Student Film - Adelaide Festival/Australia - Mime Doesn’t Pay; Special Jury Award for Excellence - Horrible Imaginings Festival - Butterfly.

Key cast: Elton-Elton McCrudden, Harper-Harper Secor, Brixton-Brixton Berry, Kenna-Kenna Lynch, Uber Driver-Peter McKeon, new Uber customer-Julia Isaacs

Looking for: journalists

Instagram: @ella_gr4ce

Hashtags used: #thebutchershop

Funders: Mom & Dad

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? The Butcher Shop will be screening Sunday, November 24 @ 12 PM at The Sherman Oaks International Film Festival.