The No Film School Podcast

Why Playing It Safe Will Ruin Your Movie — Blumhouse Hit Director Christopher Landon on Drop

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Writer-director Christopher Landon joins No Film School’s GG Hawkins to discuss his newest film Drop, a sharp, suspenseful thriller starring Meghann Fahy. Known for genre-bending films like Happy Death Day, Freaky, and We Have a Ghost, Landon dives deep into his evolution as a filmmaker, how he overcame early failures, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and the meticulous craft behind building tension. Landon also opens up about creating a supportive environment on set, casting with intuition, and how trusting his gut has shaped his career.


In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and guest Christopher Landon discuss:

  • How Christopher Landon’s love of horror movies began as a kid
  • Early career failures and how they became pivotal learning moments
  • Writing and selling Disturbia and joining the Paranormal Activity franchise
  • The "feel-good horror" tone he discovered with Happy Death Day
  • How Drop evolved from script to final film
  • Shooting in sequence to elevate performances
  • The importance of a supportive, no-asshole policy set
  • How trusting his gut guides casting, shooting, and script decisions
  • Advice for emerging filmmakers working within the studio system


    • Memorable Quotes:

    • "Failure is the greatest teacher."
    • "If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage."
    • "Casting is the one thing where I tune everybody out. I have to know it in my marrow."
    • "Hollywood is seductive — don't chase the shiny things."


      • Guest:

      • Christopher Landon


      Resources:

      • The 7 Best Plot Twists of All Time


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