THE OUTWATERS Director, Robbie Banfitch [Episode 107]

Welcome to the Nick Taylor Horror Show! As always, each episode of The Nick Taylor Horror Show explores how today's horror filmmakers are getting their movies made while deconstructing their methods and career strategies into practical insights that you can use on your own horror filmmaking journey. This includes their creative processes, funding resources, favorite books & tools, key life lessons, and much, much more.

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome the innovative, resourceful, and determined filmmaker Robbie Banfitch. Robbie recently made an impressive debut with his first feature, 'The Outwaters.'

'The Outwaters'  is a unique blend of survival horror and found footage with a touch of quantum horror. The film takes its audience on a terrifying journey into the heart of the Mojave Desert and straight to hell from there. Here, four travelers set up camp, initially to shoot a music video, but soon find themselves plunged into a harrowing, reality-bending nightmare. What begins as unexplained sounds, odd vibrations, and strange animal behavior soon morphs into a terrifying ordeal that challenges the very nature of their reality.

Not only did Robbie direct this film, but he also wrote it, starred in it, and financed it while working full-time for Greenpeace. All of this was achieved on a meager budget of just $7,000, proving that creativity and drive can outshine even the tightest of budgets.

The film premiered at the New Jersey Film Festival in 2022 and is now streaming on Screambox.

Without further ado, please enjoy this conversation with Robbie Banfitch. 

Reflecting on our conversation with Robbie Banfitch, only one key takeaway stands out: if you want to be a filmmaker, there is simply no excuse not to make your movie.

Robbie's journey with 'The Outwaters' showcases this in its purest form. With a limited budget, he managed to create a feature film that didn't feel restricted by its financial constraints but instead used them to inform its very intentional style and narrative.

Horror is not just the most profitable genre—it's also the most adaptable. We've witnessed an explosion of creativity, with filmmakers exploiting simple technology to craft stories through Zoom calls, screen shares, and beyond. You're truly only limited by your imagination.

Our guests consistently reiterate this advice which is: look at what you have and just start filming. We're in an era where excuses are obsolete. And Robbie is a shining example of this spirit. He's not only made Outwaters but has gone on to shoot two more features. Regardless of what he has access to, he's a relentless creative force who actualizes his projects, offering a pretty serious lesson for all of us.

Robbie's journey reminds us to seize any and all opportunities and to start creating, regardless of our circumstances. As Robbie demonstrated, all it takes is a little ingenuity, tenacity, and a budget as low as $7,000. As I reflect on this conversation, it's clear that it's time I take this advice to heart myself, and I hope you listeners do too.

Until next time, stay spooky and keep creating.

Show notes

Movies Mentioned:

• Willow Creek

• Knight of Cups 

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