In 2013, we embarked on a bold mission: to carve a path into the international horror market. The strategy was straightforward but ambitious—create a low-budget slasher film with mass appeal, secure distribution, and open doors to future investment. With a modest budget of £30,000, we backed the project ourselves, driven by the belief that our savvy approach would unlock opportunities in the booming direct-to-DVD and VOD markets.
What began as a small indie production quickly defied expectations. Our film became a sleeper hit in the independent horror scene, landing major distribution deals with platforms like Redbox and Hulu and earning acclaim at international festivals.
Fast forward to 2019, we faced an exciting new chapter: producing a sequel with a significantly expanded $250,000 budget. This time, we brought Hollywood scream queen Danielle Harris to Scotland for another thrilling splatterfest. This sequel marked the beginning of our collaboration with L.A.-based producers and experienced U.S. crews, providing invaluable opportunities for local Scottish talent to gain firsthand experience alongside industry veterans.
The result, Redwood Massacre: Annihilation, premiered at the prestigious FrightFest in London and has since cultivated a loyal global following, solidifying its place in the slasher genre and showcasing our commitment to delivering high-quality, internationally acclaimed horror films.
REDWOOD MASSACRE:
ANNIHILATION
DIRECTED BY: David Ryan Keith
WRITTEN BY: David Ryan Keith
PRODUCED BY: Stephen Durham HemDee Kiwanuka Lorraine Keith
MUSIC BY: Drew Denton
STARRING: Danielle Harris Damien Puckler Gary Kasper
REALEASE DATE: March 2020
DISTRIBUTOR: Uncork'd Entertainment
The hunters become the hunted after a stranger obsessed with the Redwood Farm murders convinces bereaved family members to venture into the wilderness in hope of proving the existence of the notorious burlap masked maniac.
HE'S STILL OUT THERE
The blood and gore in Redwood Massacre: Annihilation might be fake, but the struggle to make this film was very real. We faced freezing underground bunkers, broken cameras, unpredictable Scottish weather, and chest infections—plus a shooting schedule that would give any aspiring director grey hairs. Those were just a few of the hurdles we had to overcome to bring this movie to life. Now, throw in a group of crazy actors and producers from L.A. and a world-famous Scream Queen, and you get eighteen days of madness I won’t forget anytime soon.
From day one, it felt like a fight to the bloody death. We had an overly ambitious script and barely any pre-production time, which collided in a perfect storm when our wonderful cast stepped off the plane in Scotland. Looking back, it’s incredible how the producers kept everything moving forward. Every single day brought obstacles that could have shut down most films. The fact that we finished on time—and “nearly” on budget—is a real testament to the dedication of the cast and crew who stuck with us.
At the time, it felt like a living hell, but reflecting on the experience, I realize it was also a lot of fun. When your camera breaks down on Day 1, Scene 1, Take 1, you know it’s going to be one hell of a bumpy ride. I remember thinking, “What else could possibly go wrong?” Little did I know, the Scottish weather was waiting with an evil grin.
BEHIND THE SCENES
HOLLYWOOD COMES TO SCOTLAND
1. Your film Redwood Massacre: Annihilation is an old-school slasher. Which films or directors influence you in your work?
I grew up watching horror films in the late '80s and early '90s, and I think those classic movies have been permanently ingrained in my mind. Directors like John Carpenter and Sam Raimi have definitely been significant inspirations to me over the years. Before working with Danielle Harris, I hadn’t seen the Hatchet films, but after watching them, I revisited all the classic slasher films from my childhood and fell back in love with the genre. Deep down, every horror fan loves a good old-fashioned slasher.
2. You wrote the script yourself. Does that make it easier to bring your vision to life, or would it be similar with another writer's script?
Writing a direct-to-DVD/VOD film is an incredibly challenging experience. You have to consider budget constraints and a tight shooting schedule before filming a single frame. Writing the script myself allows me to control expectations and tailor the story to make production as smooth as possible. It’s easy to let your imagination run wild while writing at home, but when it comes to the practicalities of making a low-budget film, you need to know your limitations. On the flip side, working within these restrictions can be fun, pushing you to find creative solutions that sometimes improve the final product.
3. Were there any particular difficulties or incidents during the shooting of Redwood Massacre: Annihilation?
The Scottish weather is notoriously unpredictable, even in summer, which made it a constant challenge for our producers to keep the production on track. We had a grueling 18-day shoot with no room for setbacks. It was fast-paced and exhausting for everyone involved. To make matters worse, Danielle Harris developed a terrible chest infection, making her last nine days in a freezing underground bunker extremely uncomfortable. One standout incident was when our camera broke down on the very first day (Scene 1, Take 1)—not the ideal way to kick off production! It’s probably the reason I have more grey hairs now.
4. You were nominated for and won several film awards. What impact did that have on the sequel? Did you feel pressured by these honors, or did you approach it in a relaxed way?
I don’t think audiences care much about awards—I know I don’t. The original film was a small independent sleeper hit. Our main goal for the sequel was to address the criticisms of the first film and create something different. It’s incredibly hard to get a movie off the ground, and I’m grateful to have people supporting the films I want to make. As a horror fan, I also wanted to deliver a film that the horror community would enjoy.
5. So far, you’ve focused on the horror genre. Are there any other genres you'd like to explore?
Our next project is a sci-fi/action film with lots of guns and martial arts. While I love horror, it feels like the right time to try something new, especially while our producers and investors are still backing us. Low-budget horror has its own unique challenges, but I’m looking forward to the creative freedom that comes with bigger productions. Extra resources open up so many possibilities, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve with more time and budget.
6. Imagine if budget wasn’t a concern. Is there a dream project you’d love to bring to life?
During the pandemic, I wrote a script without worrying about budget constraints. It was the first time I allowed myself to write without limitations, including expensive set pieces like futuristic bike chases and drone attacks. Surprisingly, the producers loved the script, and it’s now in pre-production. The challenge now is to scale it down from a $100 million concept to a more realistic $2 million budget—but it’s been a liberating experience.
7. What does Redwood Massacre: Annihilation mean to you personally?
The original 2014 Redwood Massacre was a self-financed independent film that seemed destined to disappear among the countless horror releases. Fast forward five years and four films later, and we were filming with Scream Queen Danielle Harris, a crew from L.A., and supportive producers. It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, but the Redwood Massacre films opened doors to exciting new projects. For that, I’ll always be grateful to our crazed burlap-masked killer.
BLU RAY - MEDIA BOOK INTERVIEW
