Born In Blood

Co-Writer | Producer

2026

Project Overview

Born in Blood is a short horror film that follows three young men who become victims of a cult ritual and are hunted through the woods by a cannibalistic predator, exploring themes of survival, fear, and the dehumanising effects of violence. The story places the audience in a tense and immersive position, balancing moments of suspense with visceral horror to create a cinematic experience that is both engaging and unsettling.

About the Project

The project was an independent summer initiative designed to develop practical filmmaking skills outside of a formal college environment, inspired by a striking visual of a goose mask that became the central motif for the narrative. The story was structured to emphasise running and chase sequences, allowing us to work with volunteers rather than trained actors, and gave the team the opportunity to experiment with cinematography, sound design, and editing techniques to heighten tension and panic. Locations were chosen carefully to enhance the sense of isolation and danger, with woodland and farm areas providing a believable and atmospheric backdrop for the horror elements.

My Roles

I led the project from concept to completion, taking responsibility as producer, director, writer, cinematographer, sound recordist, and editor, which involved coordinating the crew and cast, managing schedules, locations, and resources, guiding performances and motivating a largely inexperienced team, selecting camera setups, lenses, and lighting for every scene, capturing high-quality audio, designing the soundscape, and editing the footage to build tension, clarity, and narrative coherence. My role required balancing creative vision with practical constraints, problem-solving in unpredictable conditions, and maintaining consistency across both the visual and audio elements of the film, ultimately ensuring that the story was realised as intended.

Production Process

The production of Born in Blood was spread over several shoots between August and October, which required adaptability to changing weather conditions, cast and crew availability, and the logistical challenges of shooting in remote outdoor locations. Pre-production involved developing the narrative and script, scouting and securing locations, conducting risk assessments for the running and chase sequences, and planning transport, camping, and equipment logistics, which allowed the team to operate efficiently despite the demanding setting. Cinematography was executed primarily using a Sony A7 III, with supplementary coverage from a Nikon DSLR, and shoulder rigs were used to stabilise handheld shots while preserving the raw and immersive feeling of the sequences. Lighting relied largely on natural sources, enhanced where necessary to maintain visibility while preserving the ominous, desaturated atmosphere, and close attention was paid to framing and camera movement to amplify the feeling of vulnerability and tension. Audio was recorded using budget lavalier microphones in addition to ADR captured on a Zoom H5, and the sound design incorporated layered footsteps, breathing, environmental ambience, and original music from Finley Dawes to intensify the suspense and sense of physical exhaustion. Colour grading was applied to give the film a muted and desaturated palette that reinforced the cold, hopeless tone of the story while enhancing the cinematic quality of the final edit. Each stage of production required careful problem-solving and creative decision-making, ensuring that the story’s tension and horror were effectively realised from concept to screen.

Technical Setup & Locations

For the production of Born in Blood, we carefully selected locations that would enhance the tension and horror of the narrative, choosing wooded areas and farm landscapes that conveyed isolation, danger, and a sense of foreboding while also providing practical space for running sequences and camera coverage. The cinematography relied primarily on a Sony A7 III as the main camera, with additional shots captured on a Nikon D3300 DSLR, and handheld shoulder rigs were used to achieve immersive, dynamic movement that placed the audience directly in the action. Lighting was largely natural, with minimal artificial augmentation, allowing the environment itself to create shadows and atmosphere while still ensuring the performers remained visible and the sequences readable on camera. Audio was recorded using lavalier microphones during filming, complemented by ADR captured on a Zoom H5, which allowed us to maintain clarity while layering environmental sounds such as footsteps, breathing, and rustling foliage to heighten suspense. The combination of location, camera setup, and sound design worked together to reinforce the narrative’s intensity, and careful planning and scouting ensured that each area could be utilised safely and effectively to support both the practical and visual needs of the production.

Reflection

Born in Blood demonstrates my ability to oversee and execute a complex production independently, showcasing my skills in project management, directing, cinematography, sound design, and editing under real-world conditions. The project allowed me to refine my problem-solving abilities, develop creative solutions to logistical challenges, and improve my capacity to work with volunteers and manage a team, while also strengthening my understanding of pacing, tension, and visual storytelling within the horror genre.

Feedback

Although Born in Blood was an independent project, the feedback from collaborators and participants highlighted the professionalism, creativity, and organisation throughout the production. Volunteers noted that clear direction and planning made working on a challenging horror shoot manageable and enjoyable, while the producer and concept collaborators praised the way the visual and audio elements were executed cohesively to support the tension and narrative of the film. The immersive cinematography, careful lighting choices, and layered sound design were recognised as effectively bringing the horror concept to life, and the overall project was regarded as a strong demonstration of skill, problem-solving, and creative vision in a low-budget, independent environment.

Behind The Scenes

During the three days we camped on location for Born in Blood, the evenings were a chance for the team to relax and enjoy each other’s company around the campfire, cooking meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner over the fire, sharing stories, and reflecting on the day’s work while looking through the footage together to see how the shots had turned out, which created a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere that balanced the intensity of the daytime shoots.

Meet The Team

Bradley Crawt

Co-Writer | Producer

Responsible for translating the director and producer’s vision onto the screen. Managed all camera setups, lighting design, and shot composition to capture cinematic and dynamic visuals that support the story and mood of the music video. Executed shots across multiple cameras, gimbal movement, and creative lens choices while maintaining technical and artistic consistency.

Ryan Hughes

Co-Writer | Producer

Oversaw the production workflow, coordinated equipment and schedules, and ensured all technical and logistical aspects of the shoot ran smoothly. Supported camera operation, lighting setup, and collaboration with the director and DP to keep the shoot efficient while maintaining the creative vision.

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