LIFE THROUGH A LENS.

Ryan Mackfall. British Writer/Director & Producer. Co-founder of genre Film & TV production company MYSKATONIC & music promo / commercial / documentary production company CRASHBURN. Welcome to my award winning blog which is a showcase of the finer details of my filmmaking life. For contact information or my showreel visit my website. Social media links are below. Submit any general questions at this link. All work enquires to be submitted through my website contact form.

[thatfilmduderyan]

Frightfest Exclusive - Poster Variant for The Birdwatcher and further details on the world premiere

Here's an exclusive look at the Frightfest poster variant for The Birdwatcher! The film will have its world premiere at 1pm on Saturday March 8th 2025 at Glasgow Film Festival as a part of the legendary Frightfest Short-Film Showcase, which is coming to Glasgow for the first time as a part of the Frightfest segment of the well established film festival.

Glasgow Film Festival's website had this to say:

'For the first time in Glasgow, FrightFest presents its renowned Short Film Showcase strand. It will shine the spotlight on the creative imaginations of seven up-and-coming directors from the UK and Ireland. All the directors and various cast members will be at the event to introduce their films.'

The poster has an easter egg hidden in it... So for those attending the screening and beyond, it might provide some more questions or answers.

Add The Birdwatcher to your Letterboxd watchlist, by clicking here.

Check out The Birdwatcher as a part of the full line-up for Glasgow Film Festival on the official Letterbox list, by clicking here.

[thatfilmduderyan]

The Birdwatcher World Premiere Announcement - FRIGHTFEST 2025!

Today it was announced that The Birdwatcher will have its world premiere at the home of horror this March - the incredible FRIGHTFEST!

To say I'm over the moon about this would be an understatement. Ever since the early stages of conception on the film I had a feeling Frightfest would be the right place for the film to begin its festival journey, and it turns out that the universe has decided the same course of action.

It stars Craig Russell (Queen Cleopatra, Canaries, Protein), Mary Woodvine (Bait, Enys Men) and Rimca Karmakar. It's produced by Kingsley Marshall, shot by Howard Mills, production designed by Lee Evans and the original score is by Neil Halstead of Slowdive. The film is written by Lachlan Marks (based on an idea by me) and directed by yours truly.

See you in Glasgow? I hope so! Listing information can be found HERE. Tickets go on sale this Friday January 17th via the Frightfest website

Rx

[thatfilmduderyan]

News will land on 15.01.25 @ 14:00 about my new short film 'The Birdwatcher'. To get all the goss, then follow/visit any of the Myskatonic socials (they're the people putting it out).

Instagram / BlueSky / Facebook

[thatfilmduderyan]

Train - Live @ The Royal Albert Hall

Back in spring 2024 I directed what can only be described as one of the greatest opportunities in my career. Ask any British person what they think of when they hear the name 'The Royal Albert Hall' and you'll be greeted with a whole range of different concerns, events and conventions. It's arguably the country's most beautiful and well respected venue. So when Train got in touch, 6 months previous, to see if I would be up for directing a multicam live show film, I naturally jumped at the opportunity.

The venue has been filmed at thousands of times, but I wanted to try and bring my own flair to our project, so we made some camera position choices that others wouldn't necessarily have picked. There was also a lot of restriction due to the fact there was no photo pit and we were strictly forbidden to block any audience seated positions from seeing the show. It was a moment which therefore showed me the power of the 'front of house stage shot' opposed to relying on a mixture of photo pit and FOH cameras. Never underestimate what focal distance and lens choices to for the cinematic feel of something!

Thanks again to my amazing Crashburn crew and everyone who contributed to the project being such a wild success. You know you've hit the nail on the head squarely when management see the final piece and go 'wow, that is incredible!'. Below are some photos from the day (taken by Brian Robinson) along with a video clip for one of the band's major hits 'Drops of Jupiter'.

Watch the full show on VEEPS now!

[thatfilmduderyan]

Green Day @ Wembley Stadium

Back in summer 2024 I got a call off of a recently new collaborator... Green Day.

We'd shot together once before in Summer 2022 at the Olympic Stadium for a different project, but this time the band wanted me to direct a full multi-cam live performance capture of their sold out show at Wembley Stadium!

I can't reveal where or how the results will appear, but the experience was an incredible one to say the least. It marked a milestone in my career and the biggest ever multi-camera live show film I've directed and produced. I couldn't be prouder of the Crashburn team and what we've done in 2024, including crafting the mighty 'Train - Live at the Royal Albert Hall' which is available now on veeps and all major streaming platforms (another post coming about that soon).

Out of all the disciplines filmmaking/directing has, live show films are what I have the most experience in. They were ground zero, where I cut my teeth after film school and learned (sometimes through hard lessons) the best way to collaborate and create with people around events that had high energy and big crowd participation. There was a bit of poetic justice therefore on the day we rocked up to Wembley and I walked out onto the stage before doors opened and 75,000 converged on the legendary venue. It felt like coming home and the closing of a circle which has brought me so many wonderful experiences over the last 19 years. Next year remarkably, I will have been creating work under Crashburn for 20 years. Only now do I truly feel like I've arrived at a place where I can be the filmmaker I've always wanted to be, and the work is just beginning.

A big thank you to Brendan Walter and Chris Dugan for bringing this project to me and being two of the best people I've ever collaborated with. Endless gratitude.

Photos by our BTS man Brian Robinson.

[thatfilmduderyan]

'The Birdwatcher' has arrived.

Finally after 4 long years, production for my new short 'The Birdwatcher' has completed.

This film was written by Lachlan Marks, based off an idea I came up with after a serious of conversations with my friend and collaborator Craig Russell (who also happens to be the leading role in the film). The concept then morphed even further over time thanks to a number of exchanges of ideas with another friend, Hugo Helene-Deeg, who asked some tough questions about the concept of the story and its meaning. Essentially this film is a weird tale that could (on reflection) fit into the cosmic horror world, or perhaps even Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror series.

I won't give too much away but the process has taken so long due to us battling with the Covid19 pandemic, and a small budget which myself and my producer, Kingsley Marshall, pushed to breaking point. Thanks to a sponsorship from ARRI Rental and London cine-hire giants Shoot Blue, and many of my HODs kindly agreeing on token fees, we got it over the line. Short films are indeed made on the good will and faith of their crews, and my team is nothing short of phenomenal when it comes to that.

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We're currently in the film festival submission process, waiting to see what events confirm the film for 2025, but a trailer will be surfacing in the new year. Our IMDB story summary reads as thus:

"Investigators approach a bird watching hut deep in the forest following the disappearance of a grieving man. As they piece together his final moments, the evidence they gather becomes increasingly unnerving and hard to explain."

Click here to visit the film on letterboxd where you can add it to your watchlists.

It stars Craig Russell (Queen Cleopatra, Canaries, Protein), Mary Woodvine (Bait, Enys Men) and Rimca Karmakar. The film was shot on location in Cornwall, UK, and will be released via Myskatonic in collaboration with the Sound Image Cinema Lab.

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For now I'll leave you with our poster for the film designed by my good friend and collaborator Angela Annesley. Watch this space for further announcements and some behind the scenes photos.

[thatfilmduderyan]

December 2024 Update!

It's been a while, again...

Regular posting seems to be a thing of the past on here, but that is actually something I want to change. I've been reflecting on my use of other social media sites and feel that they're not as constructive as this place. 'Why' is probably the most popular question in response to that, so let me respond.

Social media seems to be transforming into a highly toxic and manipulative place no matter what accounts or people you interact with. Extreme amounts of discipline are required to navigate its depths effectively without yourself being sucked into one of millions of 'attention span black holes'. Then there's the thread of emotional deregulation - being thrown into fight or flight by various things whether they be fictional or actual reality. It's important to remain connected and grounded to our reality, to be aware of injustice, and to be aware of the great things achieved, but this is a cup that has to be sipped in moderation. I've noticed when I step back from platforms like instagram my capacity to read increases, and from this comes better ideas and more excitement for my career. So if you're reading this and you've been feeling a bit all over the place then might I recommend some time off... I would also recommend downloading and installing the app 'opal' which effectively blocks social media apps on your phone at specific times.

So with myself musing over this, I happened to log back into tumblr the other night and realised that I have over 12,000 people following me on here. I was reminded of the posts I used to share and things I would discuss, but in a way where it was not focused on engagement and increasing numbers but just giving an honest take on everything I've experienced and gone through in this calling of mine. Therefore I feel like it's time to put more attention back into the blog so I can get back to discussing the finer points of my filmmaking journey and share some weekly inspirations. Even if it only helps a few of you then I figure it's worth it, and it feels a cleaner and more focused way to keep people updated through my world.

As ever, I've got my instagram, but my twitter is no longer active due to the increasing hatred and right wing nature of the platform. I've turned over to bluesky instead which will largely be my 'twitter replacement'. I do have a threads account but it doesn't feel quite right! You can also find me on letterboxd, where I log and sometimes leave short reviews for films that compel me to do so.

With xmas approaching I'm thinking of taking a bit of a break from instagram again, especially now my new short film 'The Birdwatcher' has had it's cast and crew screening (more on that in my next post). I have my annual Xmas sabbatical from filmmaking approaching (2 weeks haha), and in that space I watch films, read books, eat food, chill out and just see what comes in my brain. In that space I might find myself writing on here or sharing stuff... We shall see!

But until then I wanted to share my intention to post more on here and commit to honest discussion of how things are developing in my career as a writer/director. I hope everyone's well, and if you've got any requests or want to ask a question then please do do and I'll do my best to get back to you.

Much love, Rx

[thatfilmduderyan]

Caspian UK Weekender - August 2022

A few snaps from my long weekend with the fellas. More profound words over on my instagram.

[thatfilmduderyan]

BEN NEVIS - A NEW DOCUMENTARY

Hello my friends. It’s been a while again but I wanted to let you know that in May two great things happened. The first was that I shot my next short film ‘The Birdwatcher’ which I will post about soon, and the other was I climbed Ben Nevis! 

I was accompanying the charity ‘Man Down’ following them complete a challenge of 8 men carrying a 82kg log to the top to help raise awareness for the 82 men a week that take their own life in suicide within the UK. Men’s mental health is a super important topic to me so it was an honour to be a part of this. We will be shooting interviews this September with a view to release the documentary this Christmas. If you’re after a more poetic insight along with some information on a couple things that happened on the way up and down, then head over to my instagram and read on! I’ll be doing a longer post at some point when the project has moved along a little more, but for now here are some photos I shot on the way up and down the mountain face. 

More soon

Rx

Click here for my instagram

Click here to follow Man Down and get further information on the mental health charity

[thatfilmduderyan]

Hi folks!

Well, it’s been a while hasn’t it? And yes we’ve all been through this horrible pandemic which has caused so much pain for so many. Work kinda dropped off for a lot of us filmmakers and that’s been a tough one to contemplate. I should maybe write something about all that soon, but for now I wanted to drop an early secret with you all (shhhh). 

Finally Backwoods (my HP Lovecraft short) is going to be online, for free. The fine people at Directors Notes will be releasing it along with an article about myself and its writer Neil Fox. This will happen next Thursday (February 10th 2022). The film has done better than I ever expected, including a recent release on the Severin films ‘All The Haunts Be Ours’ blu-ray boxset, plus it being featured on the award winning folk horror documentary ‘Woodlands Dark, Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror’. Again, I should write more about this, and will soon.

For now though I am at home recovering from Covid. I’m out of my isolation tomorrow, but it’s been a strange one. I’m lucky to have fought it off for the most part with minor sickness but the isolation definitely is something which has been tough at times. Please take care out there all of you! In the mean time prepare for Backwoods and if you like it (or don’t like it) then share a review on letterboxd! Feedback is always welcome. 

I recommend you also visit www.directorsnotes.com to check out some other great films, but I’ll be sure to post relevant links next week to our one.

That’s all for now. Much love!

Rx

[thatfilmduderyan]

10 YEARS OF CRASHBURN AS A REGISTERED BUSINESS

Happy birthday Crashburn; you’ve been a proper business for 10 years this week. I remember the day that I decided to start my own media company. I’d finished film school and the desire to be a film director was very much a new burning fire inside but it seemed so far away. I had no in roads and knew that it wouldn’t be an easy task. I’d watched my parents work their asses off their entire life at their own business so I already had an education in the pitfalls and triumphs. At the time music was such a huge part of my life and the hardcore music world was expanding my tastes and awareness. It was a place that felt like home and I wanted to contribute to it. Somehow the idea of using it as a practise ground for directing just felt right because of the open mindedness of people. Bands that had inspired me in all walks deserved to have something back from me (an attitude I still adopt often). There were no real mid-level independent production companies working in the music industry at the time apart from a couple who were themselves taking strides in their own direction (one was @sitcomsoldiers, Ben I will never forget all the advice you gave me man, I love you and the boys like fam). I knew that there would be no money at the start of this career choice and the chances of finding clients would be lengthy and slim. Never the less something inside told me it was the right thing and I’ve always been one to follow my heart. So it began with borrowing cameras from the university and filming live shows at Princess Pavilions in Falmouth. Then my dad one night said ‘Ryan I’m gonna invest in you and buy you a couple of cameras’. I never looked back. I’ll never forget us being sat in a Chinese eating and my dad just telling me across the table. I could’ve cried. But before I knew it I was driving to shows all over the southwest in my tiny Peugeot 106. I’d turn up at venues, sneak in, find the band and ask them to film. A few crazy individuals joined me on that quest and it was hilarious. I’d told people I was going to use social media to publish my work and again they laughed. “Social media what’s that shit ever going to amount to” (the rest is history). Word began to spread…. Youtube appeared. 

Then one band gave me a chance; you know them as Enter Shikari. Shortly after aritst extraordinaire Richey Beckett gave me a chance to go on tour with his hardcore band Shaped By Fate and make a DVD. We learned as we went and a couple of early disasters burned me hard but made me determined to be the best. Then I emailed @fouryearstrongmusic who agreed to take my on a bus tour and through them I met Crime In Stereo (which lead to the I Am Everything I Am Not video). Then before we knew it we were at Brixton Academy filming Mastodon for a live DVD. There was no instagram and bands just didn’t take video or photo people on tour unless they had bank. Shortly after this I started riding the US Wave scene and @defeaterhc came into my life. I’ve been filming them since 2011 for a career defining hardcore documentary and through them I met Caspian who again have become hugely important people in my world. I worked multiple times with Funeral For A Friend over the years and got to know the guys pretty well (thank you Matt, our friendship of recent years means toe world to me). There just are so many bands and they’re listed on the image above. Over the years so many people have joined me on this journey and it’s quite frankly been insane. It has tested me many times; moments sat on my own feeling lost, times when the bank called me asking why I direct debits were bouncing etc etc. You’ve heard these stories from many other people who dare to go after something. But the value of this all was made so apparent at times when I’ve been heartbroken or depressed over something, and the only thing that has cured it has been my creativity (this morning Ethan Hawke reminded me of this through his ted talk video). 

My creativity overall has given me more joy than I can explain; it’s allowed me to discover who I really am and to value myself as an artist. It’s made me feel strong as a human being and not be afraid to share my work/ideals. I found my voice and style as a director through this journey and my documentary work came alive. It taught me to tell stories in 3 or 4 minutes which Stanley Kubrick once said was the best way to practise being a director. And then eventually bands like Slayer and Trivium arrived telling me that I was their chosen man. Those bands’ trust and support recently made me feel like I’d levelled up. It made me feel stronger than I ever have before. Crashburn is an invisible brother to me. I cannot thank the people enough who have been part of the team over the years. Thank you to my family and friends; as you all know you mean everything to me. When people said ‘no’ I quite literally laughed and said ‘yes’ (and this was before Instagram filled up with sales people using that sentiment to sell you shit you don’t need). Crashburn I love you. You will never die because you are a part of my soul. Now I find myself looking back filled with joy, but ironically while we exist together, established, I now also begin back at the start again. Myskatonic is your baby brother; a new company. What’s the plan? Do it all over again but with feature films. I’m going to employ new people not just from the film world but from bands too. They’ll be a part of my feature film team. Sounds crazy right? No, it’s already happening and we’ve made 2 films. Now we begin a 3rd and also my first feature. The road is still uncertain but it’s worth the squeeze. I’m older and a little wiser but once again where people are saying ‘no’ I am saying ‘yes’. In the middle of a pandemic my heart feels sore and hollow some days, but most of the time it’s saying ‘let’s go, fuck all these fools that are being irresponsible assholes’. It’s time. 

Once again thank you to everyone who is a part of my life and supports me. You all keep me going in those times where I’m sat on my own wondering how the fuck a 36 year old man should live. The funny thing is I know my answer, now to put that into motion. And to you the reader; I hope something I do inspires you a bit. I hope my work makes you feel a little more human, a little more raw, and a little more empathic to others. Remember that without our connections to others we are nothing, and nothing could be more true when it comes to Crashburn. The CBFU is a family. 

Rx

[thatfilmduderyan]

Letterboxd

I’ve joined Letterboxd! Please drop me a follow if you’d like to see what I’m watching/reviewing!

[dethscum]

More biting commentary. USE IT: https://bit.ly/3gLCzXQ

[thatfilmduderyan]

I’ve joined Letterboxd

It seemed like a good place to share thoughts on the box of films I have to work through over the coming months. Please drop me a follow if you’re on there!

https://letterboxd.com/TheRyanMackfall/

[thatfilmduderyan]

Quick Update!

Damn! 2020 is here and I’ve literally not even stopped to post or get some content in here. Since my last post on Backwoods the film has had 2 other amazing screenings at other festivals and there’s more to come.

I’m currently sat working on pre-production for a new music video that we shoot this Thursday. I’ve also got a few things on the horizon Slayer related (who I’ve been working with for the last year). 

I’m taking a break from instagram at the moment but as ever this leads to me thinking about posting better content on this site (because this is one of the most important to me). 

Anyways, just a quick note to update. I’ve also added a ‘buy me a coffee’ link in my bio which I thought was a pretty good thing to add to here. I do most of my posting in the morning as the rest of my day is often taken up with duties towards my filmmaking. So if you want to fuel some content then it will be gratefully received!

If you feel like buying me a coffee now visit this link: buymeacoff.ee/ryancrashburn

More soon!

Rx

[thatfilmduderyan]

BACKWOODS WORLD PREMIERE CONFIRMED - OCTOBER 2019

I’m pleased to announce that my H.P. Lovecraft film adaptation of ‘The Picture In The House’ (called Backwoods) will premiere at the H.P. Lovecraft film festival in Portland, Oregon, USA in early October 2019. Considering the subject matter of our film it’s the highest of honours to be selected for this festival and both the producers and myself can think of no better place.

On Wednesday we did a pre-screener at Folk Horror Conference 2019 at Falmouth University and conference organiser and renowned Folk Horror scholar Dawn Keetley commented that the film was “one of the best Lovecraft adaptations she’s seen, as a Lovecraft fan”. 

Further release information at other festivals to come soon!

You can view the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/307522810

[thatfilmduderyan]

David Lynch: ‘It’s important to go out and feel the so-called reality’

The cult director of Blue Velvet is soon to bring his creative vision to Manchester international festival. But how does he get his ideas?

"I haven’t been over to England recently, but I can feel this Brexit thing, I can feel the torment. It’s a deeply strange situation. Nobody really thought you’d want to exit [the EU]. It is a terrible disaster. Totally nuts."

Lynch on Brexit, echoing how many filmmakers feel.