Deep Dark Well

In Part Two of our conversation with Jonathan Martin (founder of FilmQuest), we get into the part filmmakers usually don’t want to hear:Your festival strategy starts before you make your film.Listen to Jonathan break down how to actually prepare for the festival circuit, from choosing the right project and understanding your audience, to avoiding the common mistakes that can sink a film before it ever gets submitted. Jonathan shares practical, no-BS advice on how programmers think, what festivals are really looking for, and how filmmakers can give themselves a real shot instead of just hoping for the best.If you’re planning a film and thinking “we’ll figure out festivals later", this episode might save you a lot of time, money, and heartbreak.Come for the strategy. Stay because you’re realizing you might need to rethink everything.Follow FilmQuest:https://www.instagram.com/filmquest/https://www.facebook.com/FilmQuestFesthttp://www.filmquestfest.com/Submit to FilmQuest:https://filmfreeway.com/FilmQuestSubscribe to HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: ‪@HeebieJeebiesPictures‬ ‬#heebiejeebiespictures #heebiejeebies #horror #shortfilm #shorthorrorfilmConnect with Heebie-Jeebies!IG: https://www.instagram.com/heebiejeebiespictures/FB: https://www.facebook.com/heebiejeebiespictures About HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/ © 2026 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

In this episode of Deep Dark Well, we sit down with Jonathan Martin, founder and festival director of FilmQuest, and a filmmaker who cut his teeth on the festival circuit just like the rest of us.This is Part One of a longer conversation, and we start at the beginning: how Jonathan got into filmmaking, what it was like navigating festivals with his own work, and how those experiences eventually led to the creation of FilmQuest, now one of the most respected genre festivals out there.It’s part origin story, part festival insight, and part “how did this become one of the best genre fests in the world?”Follow FilmQuest:  / filmquest    / filmquestfest  http://www.filmquestfest.com/Submit to FilmQuest:https://filmfreeway.com/FilmQuestSubscribe to HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: ‪@HeebieJeebiesPictures‬ ‬#heebiejeebiespictures #heebiejeebies #horror #shortfilm #shorthorrorfilmConnect with Heebie-Jeebies!IG:   / heebiejeebiespictures  FB:   / heebiejeebiespictures   About HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/ © 2026 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

In Episode 10 of Deep Dark Well, the guys sit down with cinematographer Tom Festo for a convo about collaboration, craft, and the long road of filmmaking.They discuss how they first connected on the film festival circuit (thanks FilmQuest!), what it’s like building creative partnerships over time, and the challenges we’ve faced working together (pfft, there weren't any!) From shooting TAPESTRY to the dream of tackling the demands of one-shot filmmaking, this episode dives into the balance between preparation and chaos on set.Tom also shares his journey into cinematography and how his approach to visual storytelling has evolved. Along the way, they'll get into the importance of teamwork, staying adaptable, and keeping a sense of perspective in an industry that rarely goes according to plan.Follow Tom Festo at these links: https://www.instagram.com/framesbytom/https://www.instagram.com/birdmountainmedia/https://www.tomfesto.com/Connect with Heebie-Jeebies!IG: https://www.instagram.com/heebiejeebiespictures/FB: https://www.facebook.com/heebiejeebiespictures About HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/ © 2026 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

In Episode 9 of DEEP DARK WELL, the guys chat with David Taylor, our neighbor to the north and festival director of the Vancouver Horror Show — or if you're "cool" like these guys think you are: VHS.They discuss their experiences screening at VHS (at least the ones that got accepted...), how the festival got its start, and what actually goes into programming a horror film festival. David breaks down what festivals are really looking for when selecting films, and what filmmakers often misunderstand about the submission process.If you’re a filmmaker navigating the festival circuit, this episode is packed with practical advice: how to stand out, how to avoid common mistakes, and why you shouldn't ghost a fest.It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes look at film festivals, from both the programming side of the table and the "hey, watch my film!" side.Follow the Vancouver Horror Show!IG: https://www.instagram.com/vancouverhorrorshow/Submit Your Film: https://filmfreeway.com/VancouverHorrorShowWebsite: https://www.vancouverhorrorshow.com/Connect with Heebie-Jeebies!IG: https://www.instagram.com/heebiejeebiespictures/FB: https://www.facebook.com/heebiejeebiespictures About HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/ © 2026 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

In this episode of Deep Dark Well, we sit down with musicians and composers Tessa Rose Jackson and Darius Timmer, longtime collaborators who have worked closely with Heebie-Jeebies across multiple projects.We talk about the differences between composing for indie films and writing original music, how storytelling changes the way they approach sound, and what it’s like translating a visual story into a score.Follow Tessa Rose Jackson Band: https://www.instagram.com/tessarosejackson/Follow Tessa Rose Jackson: https://www.instagram.com/tessarosejacksoncomposer/Follow Darius Timmer: https://www.instagram.com/daritimm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1GkgfQAfu2FBxcmwKAOOiJ?si=EvsCiiHVTcyFIWvfRn_HBgWebsite: http://tessarosejackson.com/Subscribe to HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: ‪@HeebieJeebiesPictures‬ ‬#heebiejeebiespictures #heebiejeebies #horror #shortfilm #shorthorrorfilmConnect with Heebie-Jeebies!IG: https://www.instagram.com/heebiejeebiespictures/FB: https://www.facebook.com/heebiejeebiespictures About HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/ © 2026 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

In this episode of Deep Dark Well, the gang sits down with one of our oldest collaborators and fellow SCAD survivor, Luke McMahon.Luke is the co-founder of Bird Mountain Media and has been in the Heebie-Jeebies trenches since the very beginning—going all the way back to our first film in 2018, Little Dreamer. We talk about the reality of work/life balance (lolz), the real struggles of freelancing, and what it takes to build a production company from scratch.It’s an honest, funny conversation about filmmaking, friendship, and surviving the long road from film school to the real world.

In this episode of DEEP DARK WELL, we sit down with actress Erin Ownbey (Ozark, Marvel's Echo, The Hunting Wives), someone who has worked on nearly every Heebie-Jeebies horror and sci-fi short film, and is still somehow friends with us.Listen in as Erin talks about her journey as an actor, the real differences between working on studio projects vs indie films, and what actually keeps her coming back to this deeply strange profession. We delve into the creative highs, the chaos, and the compromises, all over a nice glass of wine and some Old Fashioneds.She also shares honest, practical advice for actors trying to build a sustainable career without losing their minds (or their love for the work).If you’re an actor, filmmaker, or someone wondering why people willingly do this for a living, this one’s for you.About HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/ © 2026 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

It's 2026, y'all! And we're back strong with a great episode featuring writer, director, and all-around good guy Dylan Clark!If you enjoy watching horror shorts on YouTube (and if you're listening to us, then there is a very good chance that's exactly how you choose to spend your free time), then you really don't need an introduction to Dylan. But we're gonna give him one anyway.Dylan is the writer and director of some incredible short films, including Home Movies, Storytime, and the one that got him a pretty big boost in his career, Portrait of God, which has over 8 million views on YouTube and was recently acquired by Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures and Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions for the feature film treatment.So join us down in the well to discuss Dylan's path from YouTube short filmmaker to working with two of the biggest legends in horror. Still with us? Nice! Check out these links to learn more about Dylan and his film:Dylan's YouTubeDylan's IGDeadline Article Bloody Disgusting ArticleSubscribe to HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: ‪@HeebieJeebiesPictures‬ ‬Connect with Heebie-Jeebies!Instagram & Facebook About HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/ © 2026 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

On this episode of DEEP DARK WELL, we drag horror filmmaker and freshly crowned Screambox Director of Programming and Original Productions, Tony Wash, down into the pit with us. We talk early horror obsessions, love of physical media—all hail VHS—surviving the Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program, and how he ended up curating some of today's best horror films for one of the biggest terror-streamers out there.Tony also spills his guts on "Better Luck Than Chuck", his new horror trivia game show he developed with his wife Meredith, and drops some brutally honest, actually-useful advice for indie filmmakers trying to land distribution.If you love horror, make horror films, or just want to hear from someone who’s done the damn work, this episode is for you.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/© 2025 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

Actor Brett Brooks joins us in the DEEP DARK WELL for an episode packed with friendship origin stories, film-set chaos, and the kind of wild audition stories that only happen when the universe takes a nap and lets the kids run wild.Brett Brooks is an illustrator, actor, and writer who has worked on nearly every Heebie-Jeebies Pictures project there is. Heck, Brett’s been making films with this team before this team even knew each other existed. He’s kinda like the prequel no one asked for, but then it turns out to be kinda important.So come, join us, and learn a bit more about Brett, his journey into acting, and how he somehow keeps getting roped into our movies. We dig into what it’s like working together, how those early collaborations shaped all of us, and why Brett keeps saying “yes” to roles that involve chaos, makeup, or questionable life choices.Dive in, laugh a bit, and get to know the man who’s been part of the Heebie-Jeebies DNA since day one.https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/ © 2025 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

On this episode of DEEP DARK WELL, the Heebie-Jeebies crew gets a little personal. No, not that, get your head out of the gutter. The team digs into the making of their feature films — THE GREAT JOURNEY, a documentary by Joshua David Matthews, and PATIENT, a horror film written and directed by Jason Sheedy and produced by Kyle Steinike.From behind-the-scenes disasters to unexpected wins, they share the stories, lessons, and laughs that came out of bringing these movies to life.If you’ve ever wondered what really happens when indie dreams meet real-world production (spoiler: it involves shattered dreams and new beginnings), then this episode is for you.Welcome back to the DEEP DARK WELL.Subscribe to HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES: https://youtube.com/@HeebieJeebiesPictures#heebiejeebiespictures #heebiejeebies #horror #shortfilm #shorthorrorfilm Connect with Heebie-Jeebies! https://instagram.com/heebiejeebiespictureshttps://facebook.com/heebiejeebiespicturesAbout HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES:Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams. https://www.heebiejeebiespictures.com/© 2025 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

Well, here we are. Our very first podcast episode. We're sorry.But before we start dragging other filmmakers into the Deep Dark Well, we’re starting at the top — with us. Jason Sheedy, Joshua David Matthews, and Kyle Steinike spill the guts on how we met, fell into filmmaking, and somehow built this monster called Heebie-Jeebies Pictures.It’s part therapy session, part trip down memory lane, and all the chaos you’d expect from three people who thought, “Yeah, making movies sounds fun and profitable.”So grab a flashlight and join us. The descent begins here.Subscribe to HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES on YouTube⁠https://youtube.com/@HeebieJeebiesPictures⁠Connect with Heebie-Jeebies!IG: ⁠@heebiejeebiespictures⁠FB: ⁠heebiejeebiespictures⁠About HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES:Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams. ⁠heebiejeebiespictures.com⁠© 2025 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC

What's this now? The guys have a podcast?! Well, this can only go extremely well, and not at all off the rails.Tune in this Halloween (which happens to be our first anniversary, so don't forget the gift!) for the first episode of DEEP DARK WELL!They plan to be on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, but let's see if they can figure out how to use the schedule tool, so if you're seeing this, they might just be okay.Subscribe to HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/@HeebieJeebiesPicturesConnect with Heebie-Jeebies!IG: @heebiejeebiespicturesFB: heebiejeebiespicturesAbout HEEBIE-JEEBIES PICTURES:Based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Heebie-Jeebies Pictures is dedicated to crafting spine-chilling tales that explore the hidden depths of the soul. Heebie-Jeebies serves up terrifying horror, side-splitting comedy, thought-provoking science-fiction, and eerie dark fantasy films that will haunt your dreams. heebiejeebiespictures.com© 2025 Heebie-Jeebies Pictures, LLC