Writer/Director of “A Christmas Miracle”
segment in Deathcember

Vivienne grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in rural South Dakota, where her parents taught at a local tribal university. She was raised in a small farmhouse heated only with a wood-burning stove. 

Being an only child in such a remote area, Vivienne found entertainment in raiding her parents’ book collection. Her burgeoning love of story inspired her to move to move to the big city to pursue a developing passion for film when she got older. She attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts for film and television production and graduated in 2014. 

She has written and directed several short films. Her short SATANICA is currently on the festival circuit and has played in over 25 festivals to date. Most recently, she wrote and directed a segment of the Christmas horror anthology film, DEATHCEMBER.

Vivienne resides in Los Angeles, California, with her black cat, Jinx. She works as a writer's assistant.

Vivienne will join us for a post-film Q&A after the screening of Deathcember.

Composer, Deathcember

Los Angeles composer Andrew Scott Bell has been writing original music for film, TV, and commercial media since 2009. His music has brought life to over three dozen productions, and has premiered in nine different countries across the world.

In addition to composing, Andrew has enjoyed an eclectic career performing a wide variety of genres from Opera to Alternative and Popular music, and has traveled in several national and international touring groups.

Moving to Los Angeles in 2015, Andrew interned with composer Joseph Trapanese during his work on THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT. Soon after, Andrew wrote the original score to ROCKET winning a Student Academy Award in 2016.

Besides DEATHCEMBER, Andrew’s recent works include WITNESS INFECTION, THE SPRINGFIELD THREE, and Playstation’s TWO ROADS. Andrew is represented by veteran music executive Mike Rosen at Megatrend Management.

Andrew will join us for a post-film Q&A after the screening of Deathcember.

Co-writer/Co-director of “They Used to Laugh & Call Him Names”
segment in Deathcember

Co-writer, Labrys
screening as part of Shocking! Spooky! Saturday Shorts

Zach Shildwachter is the co-writer and co-director of POWERBOMB alongside business partner BJ Colangelo. Together BJ and Zach co-founded the Cleveland based production company Sickening Pictures. POWERBOMB marks their first feature film under their company’s banner, produced alongside 1984 Productions and TurnStyle Films. Zach is also one of the directors and writers for the upcoming international horror anthology DEATHCEMBER. Zach had been working in film & television production for 15+ years. Zach also teaches as an instructor for Ohio Media School.

Zach will join us for post-film Q&As after the Shocking! Spooky! Saturday Shorts program, and after the screening of Deathcember.

Writer, VFW

Matthew McArdle grew up outside Boston but spent most of his time inside. While local kids were running amok in his suburban neighborhood, McArdle preferred to sit in the basement watching Back to the Future on repeat. He was gifted editing equipment at the age of 9 and soon began making his own movies. A lifelong love affair had begun.

After studying film at Ithaca College in New York, McArdle spent 10 years in Los Angeles working on the production side of television, commercials and feature films, including Transformers, Live Free or Die Hard, Knight and Day and Get Smart. McArdle’s love for low-budget horror films led to his role as second assistant director on Séance and Lure, and as editor on Dessert of Blood. In 2010, McArdle wrote, directed and edited Where Is Amy Pressman?

McArdle penned VFW with his childhood friend, Max Brallier, who also stars in many of McArdle’s earliest films. He lives in Amesbury, Massachusetts with his wife Alyssa, daughter Lucy and dog George. He still watches Back to the Future regularly.

Matthew will join us for a post-film Q&A after the screening of VFW. 

Writer/Director, Stari Grad (Old Town)
screening as part of Shocking! Spooky! Saturday Shorts

Jack is an Associate Professor and Co-Chair of the School of Film & Animation at RIT. His films & videos have collectively garnered 300+ screenings in festivals, galleries, theatres, universities, tours, and TV. STARI GRAD has screened in 29 countries to date.

Jack will join us for a post-film Q&A after the Shocking! Spooky! Saturday Shorts program.

Editor, Night of the Living Shred
screening before Extra Ordinary

A Rochester native, Mark has been a professional editor in the area for many years working on commercials, short films, wedding videos, and everything in between. When he’s not working he’s playing guitar, at the movies, or trying to play a good game of jeopardy. You can find more of his work at vimeo.com/markdistefano

Mark will join us to introduce Night of the Living Shred, before Extra Ordinary.