Justin Harding

Directing Dread: A Horror Filmmaking Podcast

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Directing Dread is a horror filmmaking podcast hosted by working director Justin Harding and up-and-coming filmmaker Jacob Phair. Each episode blends real-world experience with fresh perspective—breaking down how to actually build a career directing horror, from first projects to professional sets. They cover directing actors, crafting tension, practical effects, low-budget execution, and the realities of making a living in the genre you love. If you're an aspiring horror filmmaker looking for both inspiration and practical insight, this is your playbook.

Author

Justin Harding

Episodes

06 - The New Scream Kings of Hollywood 05.06.2026 46:35

Something is stalking Hollywood. For years, studios searched film festivals, film schools, and agency rosters looking for the next generation of directors. Now they're lurking somewhere else entirely. YouTube. The breakout success of The Backrooms and Obsession has sent a shockwave through the industry and proven that a filmmaker with a killer idea and an internet connection can compete with t...

05 - Sick, Twisted, and Maybe Brilliant: Breaking Down Jacob Phair’s short horror script 07.05.2026 52:43

After our deep dive into short films in Episode 4, things get real. In this episode of Directing Dread , Jacob and Justin discuss Jacob’s horror short screenplay and his idea of turning it into an actual project for the podcast. What follows is an honest breakdown of the script, the good, the bad, the problems, the potential, and the reality of developing a film as a team. Working director Justin...

04 - Short Films That Hit: Festivals, Strategy, and Standing Out 28.04.2026 50:00

Short films are one of the fastest ways to get noticed, if you approach them the right way. In this episode of Directing Dread , working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair break down how to actually make a short film that gets programmed, gets seen, and moves your career forward. We cover festival strategy, where to premiere, when to go online, and how to position your...

03 - The Pitch Deck From the Future: Selling Your Horror Film Before It Exists 20.04.2026 46:54

If you cannot sell your horror movie, it does not get made. In this episode of Directing Dread , working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair take a deep dive into the art of the pitch deck and why it is one of the most important tools a director has. We break down what actually goes into a strong deck, why most pitch decks fail, and how to approach yours like a piece of...

02 - AI Isn’t the Problem, Your Budget Is 11.04.2026 55:52

AI is already in the filmmaking pipeline. The question is how you use it. In this episode of Directing Dread , working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair break down the real role of AI in filmmaking today, and where it is actually heading. We dig into the recent deal between Ben Affleck’s company Interpositive and Netflix as a signal of how the industry is starting to...

01 -YOUR FIRST KILL: Making Horror with What You Already Have 11.04.2026 55:52

Welcome to the first episode of Directing Dread . This is a podcast built for aspiring horror directors who want to stop waiting and start making films. In this episode, working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair lay out the mindset that matters most at the beginning of your career. Use what you already have. We break down how films like Paranormal Activity, Creep, and...