YouTuber Chris Stuckmann's 'Shelby Oaks' journey: From YouTube movie buff to filmmaker

YouTuber and film critic Chris Stuckmann discusses his journey to make his first feature film, Shelby Oaks.

Chris Stuckmann, renowned YouTube movie critic, embarked on a remarkable journey from reviewing films to creating his own feature film, "Shelby Oaks." In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stuckmann shared his decade-long aspiration to make movies and the fateful encounter with producer Aaron B. Koontz at Fantastic Fest that ignited the project.

Despite initial setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic and budget constraints, Stuckmann's unwavering determination led him to crowdfund the film through Kickstarter, setting a record for horror films with nearly $1.4 million raised. With the support of his dedicated fan base, Stuckmann shot the film in Ohio and enlisted the expertise of horror maestro Mike Flanagan, who offered invaluable guidance during post-production.

Stuckmann's film caught the attention of Neon, a renowned distributor known for championing unique visions. This unexpected partnership proved to be a dream come true for Stuckmann, solidifying his transition from film critic to filmmaker.

In addition to sharing his filmmaking journey, Stuckmann also opened up about his personal life, revealing the challenges he and his wife faced while starting a family and how it loosely influenced the central couple in "Shelby Oaks." He also discussed the film's faux-documentary style and the decision to only review films he appreciates on his YouTube channel.