Found Footage, Real Fear: Justin Sulham & Em Genovese on Making "Stockings: Songbird"

<p>Welcome back to the Midnight Horror Picture Show! This week we welcome back returning guest Justin Sulham, writer/director of the found-footage home invasion thriller &quot;Stockings: Songbird&quot;, joined by his lead actor, Em Genovese, who plays victim-turned-survivor Marissa opposite Sulham&#39;s chilling performance as &quot;Jimmy,&quot; the maintenance man who isn&#39;t what he seems.</p><p>In this deep, spoiler-conscious conversation, Justin and Em pull back the curtain on everything that went into making this visceral indie found-footage horror film — from the real-life &quot;maintenance guy knocking on the door&quot; moments that sparked the story, to the practical FX tricks (yes, you can build a blood-shooting rig from Home Depot tubing for under $15), to the emotional toll of playing predator and prey while staying safe on a two-person set.</p><p>You&#39;ll hear how Em&#39;s theater background shaped a performance built on trust, muscle memory, and knowing your &quot;track&quot; even without a dedicated continuity crew member; how Justin used phone-camera gimmicks to sneak cinematic close-ups into a &quot;static&quot; found-footage format; and why the fawn response — not just fight or flight — became the emotional engine of Marissa&#39;s survival instinct. </p><p>This episode is essential listening for horror fans, indie filmmakers, actors, and true horror-craft nerds who want to know what really happens behind the camera on a low-budget horror set — the good, the bloody, and the &quot;I refused pain meds because I needed Jimmy to be in pain&quot; kind of dedication.</p><p>🎬 Stockings: Songbird is available now on Blu-ray and VHS — physical media only, slashvillestudios.com</p><p>Chapters:</p><p>(0:00) Cold open &amp; guest introductions — Justin Salem &amp; MJ</p><p>(1:53) Welcome back to the show</p><p>(2:25) The pitch: why Justin chose home invasion over paranormal found footage</p><p>(3:49) What drew MJ to the script and the character of Marissa</p><p>(5:12) Casting Marissa: how Justin knew MJ was right for the role</p><p>(7:53) On-set process: swinging between mundane and high-intensity scenes</p><p>(8:38) MJ&#39;s theater roots and how stage training shapes film acting</p><p>(12:22) Found-footage camera strategy: blending static &quot;home cam&quot; and phone POV shots</p><p>(15:34) Justin on directing himself as villain &quot;Jimmy&quot; while acting opposite MJ</p><p>(19:10) Carrying 80% of the film: MJ&#39;s approach to rising action and emotional pacing</p><p>(21:33) Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn — building a realistic female survival response</p><p>(24:05) Justin unpacks Jimmy&#39;s psychology, backstory, and &quot;disarming act&quot;</p><p>(27:43) The physicality of the shoot and how stunts were choreographed safely</p><p>(29:57) On-set safety advice for actors — and calling out toxic &quot;auteur&quot; directors</p><p>(32:20) Boundaries, consent, and unscripted moments during intense scenes</p><p>(35:11) The scariest moments MJ didn&#39;t see coming — including a very ticklish scene</p><p>(37:11) Shooting the film&#39;s climactic blood scene in a single take</p><p>(40:16) DIY practical effects tutorial: building a blood-squib rig for under $15</p><p>(43:00) Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, urban legends, and real-life creepy-crawly stories</p><p>(46:28) Designing Jimmy&#39;s disarming &quot;maintenance guy&quot; disguise</p><p>(49:27) Is there a future for the Stockings universe? Sequel plans and a possible franchise</p><p>(52:18) What&#39;s next for MJ: Going Postal, short films, and upcoming roles</p><p>(53:32) Where to follow Justin and MJ (plus MJ&#39;s baking side hustle)</p><p>(57:12) Justin&#39;s real on-set injury: filming through a shoulder emergency</p><p>(1:00:26) Wrap-up: where to find Justin&#39;s studio, podcast, and more</p><p>(1:02:22) MHPS news: Sideshow series launch, horror book club, and next episode preview</p><p><br></p><p>Follow the guests:</p><p>Justin Sulham</p><p>Instagr