We are shooting a 1987 neon-slasher adaptation of Dracula using 100% Practical Effects (Zero CGI). Here is a BTS look at how we're building the proof-of-concept.
Hey fellow filmmakers,
I’m an indie writer/director currently in the trenches of pre-production for a project my production company is putting together called Dracula '87 (specifically focusing on our proof-of-concept short, Lucy's Slumber Party).
We are taking Bram Stoker’s classic lore and dropping it into an arcade-era, neon-drenched 1987 setting.
With all the conversations happening right now about AI and digital shortcuts, we wanted to go in the exact opposite direction. Our biggest mandate for this shoot: 100% in-camera practical effects. No CGI blood, no digital fangs.
Here is how we are tackling the production design on an indie budget:
• The Lighting: Our DP (Matt) is heavily relying on high-contrast lighting setups—deep blacks, harsh neon pinks, and cyans—to create that authentic "80s ooze" and hide the seams of our practical monsters.
• The Monsters: Our SFX maestro (Sean) is sculpting traditional, old-school rubber werewolf suits and building massive blood-fountain gags for our garden maze climax.
• The Wardrobe: Instead of trying to thrift a massive cast, we actually secured a partnership with 80sTees to ensure the period-accurate socio-economic looks for characters like Mina and Lucy are completely authentic.
I recently cut together a behind-the-scenes director's featurette that includes our 1-minute microshort and some camera/lighting tests to prove out the visual language before our Seed&Spark campaign launches on May 26th.
I’d love for the community here to take a look at the BTS footage and let me know your thoughts on the lighting and our practical FX approach!
https://youtu.be/M-yZ9UWRyhY?si=RtaASWQib8KS00gm
Let me know if you have any questions about how we secured the brand partnerships or how we are prepping the practical gags!