BETTER SAFE THAN SONNY
Credits
Cast
Sonia - Charlotte Wittmann
Sonny - Freddie Maas
The Landlady - Bettina Skye
Produced by
The Cremer Brothers & Grace Soriano
Written & Directed by
Grace Soriano
Director of Photography
Joe Cremer
Boom Operator
Herb Cremer
Music by
Chris Christiana
Additional casting provided by Breakdown Services
The filmmakers would like to thank Melissa Malone
A late night encounter with a stranger is not what is seems.
Trailer
Director's Statement (Grace Soriano)
The second in a trilogy of short films, Better Safe Than Sonny was my second venture into writing/directing. I
wanted to tell a horror story where the suspected antagonist appeared threatening, but was genuinely benign. My intent for the audience was for them to groan in disappointment at the end when Sonny did not in fact kill anyone.
Many challenges arose during production. The film was supposed to be shot in the summer prior to my college classes resuming, but a schedule could not be worked out. It was then filmed during my semester, forcing us to only shoot on weekends. The initial filming location fell through and we had to scramble to get a new location. As a result, we had to recast the role of Sonia. In order to save time, many shots were combined into long, tracking shots. The entire production had to be rushed in order to meet our deadline.
There was a minor, but memorable incident where the neighbor called the police on us while filming and there was a long back and forth between us and the homeowner confirming we did have permission to film at that location. The police car light interrupted filming, but we were able to carry on without incident.
The film turned out differently than the screenplay due to the limitations that presented themselves during the production. This was my first professional short film outside of college projects so the experience I gained from this film was invaluable.
Screenings & Official Selections
Awards & Nominations
Production Information
Year of Production
Duration
Genre
Camera
Ratio
Language
Budget
Filming Locations
2019
5:00
Horror
Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro
2:35:1
English
$795.40
Vernon, NJ, USA
Warwick, NY, USA
Photo Gallery
Freddie Maas (Sonny) with Bettina Skye (Landlady) during the first night of shooting.
Freddie Maas (Sonny) with Bettina Skye (Landlady) during the first night of shooting.
The book that Sonia is reading in the film. It was designed by writer/director, Grace Soriano.
One of the signs hanging up in the location where the film was shot.
Freddie Maas (Sonny) and Charlotte Whittmann (Sonia) before the final night of shooting.
Freddie Maas during the final night of shooting.
The official poster.
Poster for the 2020 Hudson Valley Film Fest.
Promotional poster for the 2020 Hudson Valley Film Fest.
Promotional poster for the 2020 Hudson Valley Film Fest.
Promo for Death's Parade Film Fest Presents April Screams.
Grace Soriano (writer/director) accepting her third place plaque at the 2021 International Horror Hotel.
Promo for the 2021 New Jersey Horror Con & Film Festival.
Promo for the 2021 New Jersey Horror Con & Film Festival.
Promo for the 2021 New Jersey Horror Con & Film Festival.
The Q&A with Grace Soriano (writer/director) at the 2021 Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest.
The Q&A with Grace Soriano (writer/director) at the 2021 Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest.
Grace Soriano (writer/director) with The Cremer Brothers (Producers) on the red carpet at the 2021 Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest.
Grace Soriano (writer/director) with The Cremer Brothers (Producers) on the red carpet at the 2021 Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest.
Facts
The first day of filming took place on August 31, 2019. The second and final day of filming was on September 14, 2019, wrapping just after 1:00AM on September 15, 2019.
Bettina Skye reprised her role as the Landlady from A Tall Drink of Walter.
The novel that Sonia is reading is the science-fiction thriller, The Plutonian Conspiracy written by the rap artist Ludacris. The book is entirely made up and based on a dream that writer/director, Grace Soriano, had.