On a train station stairway, an academic looking man in a tweed coat and a bright red scarf stares at a corn doll poppet in his hand. Around the neck of the doll is fabric matching his red scar. His face is wrought with alarm...

It was a joy and a privilege to be filming with DC Cathro and Elise Lovella, as they brought their wonderful talents to a new tale of The Thorn Witch. Looking forward to more!

#FolkHorror #IndieHorror #ChicagoHorror #HorrorCommunity #TheThornWitch

He is watching.

#TheThornWitch
#HandOfThorns
#FolkHorror
#UrbanWyrd
#IndieHorror
#IndieFilm
#ChicagoHorror
#RogersParkChicago

What do you think? I built this model of a Pepper's Ghost effect for our upcoming feature film, Hand of Thorns.

#HandOfThorns #TheThornWitch
#practicalFX
#IndieHorror
#IndieFilm
#ChicagoHorror

She is waiting...

#TheThornWitch #folkhorror #UrbanWyrd #IndieHorror #IndieFilm

A faded 70s photo of a scarecrow-like witch effigy against trees and power lines.

In the 70's in Chicago and nearby suburbs there was a Halloween tradition of burning witch effigies on a big public bonfire before a large crowd. Harmless community fun, or whispers of darker forces like Mary Worth or The Thorn Witch? #FolkHorror #UrbanWyrd #TheThornWitch #IndieHorror #ChicagoGothic

Witchcraft in Chicago’s Stockyards The strange case of Mary Vogel and Augusta Wilke is a fascinating glimpse into a WW1-era Chicago neighborhood. At the turn of the twentieth century, Chicago was known as a hub for the meat packing …

Today, the Windy City is home to plenty of benevolent practicing Witches. But in 1919, belief in darker forces was very much alive in Chicago. Unjust slander? Misunderstood magick practices? Or dark sorcery that still lingers beneath the city's surface?

#TheThornWitch #FolkHorror #UrbanWyrd

Toy figures in a cardboard room with transparent figure between them.

Two toy figures in a cardboard room.

Overhead view of two cardboard rooms at a 90 degree angle to each other. Theres a plastic CD case lid angled between the openings.

I love classic stage/cinema effects. For a upcoming feature film I need a model of a Pepper's Ghost effect. Here's the 1st mockup.

#HandOfThorns #ClassicFX #IndieHorror #IndieHorrorFilm #TheThornWitch
#SwordAndCloakProductions

Photo of busy Chicago street circa 1909 with text quote: "More people believe in Witches in Chicago than ever believed in them in Salem." from Chicago Daily Tribune, August 23rd 1903

Some beliefs never fade.

#FolkHorror #UrbanWyrd #TheThornWItch #ChicagoHistory #ChicagoHorror #IndieHorror #SwordAndCloakProductions

Looking down a dark apartment hallway bathed in blue light. At the end of the hall in the dark is a warm flickering light.

What is that flickering light at the end of the hall? Are those voices? Who islaughing?

#UrbanWyrd #FolkHorror #IndieHorror #TheThornWitch #SwordAndCloakProductions

The building is abandoned. There's no power. It's four floors down. Is that a light in the sub-basement?

#UrbanWyrd #FolkHorror #TheThornWitch #IndieHorror #SwordAndCloakProductions

Fear The Thorn Witch! I wrote & directed this urban/folk horror short, and am currently working toward a feature film with this character. Enjoy!

#TheThornWitch #SwordAndCloakProductions #FolkHorror #IndieHorror #IndieFilm #RogersParkChicago #ChicagoHorror #ChicagoGothic

Tattered and decaying leather bound books on a library shelf.

Ever feel like there's something forbidden lurking at your Library? So many voices, fresh inked to ancient. Does one contain a curse poised to be triggered? Or an trapped spirit awaiting gasping release?

#folkhorror #swordandcloakproductions #thethornwitch

A street corner distorted through glass covered in water droplets.

Our view of the world is subjective. Sometimes we see things that shouldn't be there. Often at the edge of our vision. Are they being lurking at the edge of reality? Or at the edge of the collective unconscious?

#FolkHorror #IndieHorror #TheThornWitch #ChicagoHorror #SwordAndCloakProductions

Before the city rose, immigrants worked the land. They brought old beliefs, old superstitions, old gods... Some legends will not fade.

#thethornwitch #handofthornsmovie #swordandcloakproductions #folkhorror #rogersparkchicago