Nightmares in the Making: The UWG Horror Film Race

Kaden Carr

One week. Seven days. 168 hours. This is how long aspiring filmmakers have to create their bone-chilling short film for the University of West Georgia’s third annual Horror Film Race. Open to film majors and horror enthusiasts alike, this year’s race was held on campus from Oct. 10 to Oct. 17, and was met with both excitement and fearful anticipation for all the passionate people involved.

“I had kind of let it get to me for a second. It was to a point where I had several stress related dreams about various logistical issues,” said Clay Fillers, director of his own film race team. “There’s a little bit of anticipation, there’s a little bit of fun, some mystery behind it. There is also the stress of having to write a story.”

Fillers talks of a stress that many participants shared. Before the week starts, no team has any idea of what genre their film is going to be. While they’re free to develop ideas and form general staff roles, the crew can ultimately only wait in suspense for their genre to be drawn from a hat to begin the race. These genres range from zombie, Japanese horror, possession and even comedy. No matter what genre they pull, each team only had the coming week to write, film and edit their entire short. Beyond the mounting pressure, the wealth of experience that the film race offers to students and alumni is irreplaceable.

“I think that the film race is an important vehicle for students to learn and to improve,” said Fillers. “My first set as a student here was the film race.” 

Fillers spoke in depth on how previous film races had pushed him to new heights as a filmmaker, each year imparting more and more vital hands-on experience. 

“Going into this film race, I knew that I was ready to lead,” Fillers said. “I had more of an idea of how to run a film set, how to get what I want out of my actors, and what I want out of my crew.”

Participants this year were given the unique opportunity of having their work premiere at the Rome International Film Festival, with the screening taking place at 6:15 p.m. on Oct. 31. This offers filmmakers a unique and valuable chance to network, improve and receive an audience of horror fans beyond campus grounds. UWG students will be given a later opportunity to screen the films on campus on Nov. 7. Both events are free to anyone interested in attending. 

“Do it. Straight up. You’re not gonna know if you like doing something unless you go out and do it,” Fillers said. “Even if you don’t know how to do something, you can learn. Somebody will teach you, even if you’re not a film student.” 

Filler reiterated that the Horror Film Race is an event that closes its doors to no one, no matter the skill level, major or ability. It’s a powerful avenue to meet like-minded students dedicated to the craft of filmmaking.