February 14, 2025

THE DEAD THING Director, Elric Kane

49 minutes

I’m very excited because today, we’re joined by Elric Kane—filmmaker, podcaster, household name in horror and one of the most knowledgeable voices in genre cinema. Elric is the co-host of the ‘Colors of the Dark’ Podcast which I listen to religiously as well as & The New Beverly Cinemas ‘Pure Cinema’ Podcast.

Elric’s new feature ‘The Dead Thing’ launches on Shudder today! I got to see it at an advanced screening and I urge you to check it out on Shudder because it’s excellent and beautifully crafted.

In today’s episode, Elric and I dive deep into the making of the Dead Thing including his innovative financing strategy, the challenges of directing an indie, the importance of casting, and navigating post-production hurdles. Please give it up for Elric Kane.

Key TakeawaysBudget Wisely & Plan for Post & Deliverables

A common and generally positive ethic of filmmaking is to put every dollar on screen but many indie filmmakers make the mistake of spending their entire budget on the shoot, only to realize too late that post can be just as expensive and time-consuming. Elric stresses that without a proper plan for editing, sound design, color correction, and deliverables, filmmakers risk delaying their release or running out of money before the film is finished. Furthermore deliverables—like legal clearances, contracts, paperwork and permissions—can take months to finalize and often cost more than expected. Budget accordingly.

Cast Well, Direct Less

According to Elric, a director’s best tool is strong casting. No amount of great cinematography, effects, or editing can save a film thats been miscast. Elric emphasizes that the best performances come from actors who already embody the role, rather than ones who need to be excessively directed. The right actors make directing easier and more organic, allowing the filmmaker to focus on the bigger picture.

Elric hired casting director and friend of the show, David Guglielmo, who not only found great actors but also helped with industry connections and even stepped into somewhat of a producer role. A strong cast carries the movie, and a good casting director can open doors you can’t and they are worth every penny.

Consider Network Financing

Instead of relying on crowdfunding platforms or searching for a few large investors, Elric took a different approach—he asked multiple people in his network for smaller investments, typically in $5,000 increments. This approach helped him and his team raise nearly the entire budget in two months.

His advice for anyone hesitant to ask for money is to start by asking the person you least want to ask. Once you’ve crossed that mental hurdle, every ask after that becomes easier. $5,000 investments can add up very quickly - and it’s not that you need to replicate this exact strategy but it’s important to think creatively about how to finance your movie.

Be Relentless About What Matters Most

Filmmaking requires a lot of sacrifices, but not all of them are created equal. Elric believes that certain scenes are non-negotiable because they define the essence of the film. Throughout the production of The Dead Thing, he had to fight to keep crucial moments in the film, even when time constraints forced other compromises. His philosophy is to figure out what the life force of the film itself is and make sure you get it in the can. Knowing what is essential and protecting it at all costs is what separates great directors from those who let production pressures dilute their film. Elric quoted the Cohen brothers who called the director the immune system of the movie. They said everything's coming in to fuck it up and destroy you, but you are the immune system keeping all the good stuff and the bad stuff out.

Show NotesMovies Discussed