There’s an uncomfortable symbiosis between film critic and filmmaker, a contentious push and pull that’s existed from the dawn of the art form. They need each other to survive, but they’re destined to be at odds: one ostensibly for the people, and the other infamously above it all. Critics are oft-painted as implacable snobs, punching down on the populace and those brave enough to put themselves out there creatively. It makes the idea of crossing from one medium to another one of the rarest career pivots in the industry. So what happens when the critic decides to get up and try their hand at making a movie?
The answer — for Chris Stuckmann, at least — is something of a Cinderella story. Stuckmann carved out a niche as a reputable, beloved vlogger in the early days of YouTube, and he’s spent the past decade cementing his status as one of the most popular film critics on the platform. His feature debut, Shelby Oaks, came to life partially thanks to that platform: with over $1 million in backing from fans and supporters, and the support of horror vets like Mike Flanagan and Aaron B. Koontz, Stuckmann finally had the tools to realize a long-gestating dream.
