Dan Bell : TRAPPED AND TERRIFIED / Director’s Commentary

Summary

In this director's commentary, Dan Bell takes viewers behind the scenes of his horror video *Trapped and Terrified*. He shares insights on the inspiration for the project, its scripted nature, and the eerie abandoned locations used for filming. Dan discusses his creative process, from choosing the right props like Pennsylvania butter mints to working with long-time collaborator Prince Arabian. The video aimed to both thrill and terrify audiences, drawing on real-world fears while being crafted as a fictional narrative. Dan reflects on the challenges of acting, editing, and capturing raw reactions from the first viewers, offering a fascinating look into the making of a memorable horror experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dan Bell wanted to create a thrilling and terrifying video that would leave a lasting impression on the audience, blending urban exploration with horror elements.
• 😀 The video was inspired by urban exploration channels that document bizarre and disturbing finds in abandoned buildings, though the events in the video are scripted.
• 😀 A key challenge for Dan was finding the right location, which led him to an abandoned apartment building in East Baltimore after a chance encounter with a local bar owner.
• 😀 The first version of the video was unsatisfying, as it felt clichéd and lacked the terrifying impact Dan wanted, leading to a rework of the concept.
• 😀 The final concept revolved around the discovery of a bag of drugs, leading to a tense scenario where Dan's character hides in fear of an approaching dealer.
• 😀 Sound played a major role in creating suspense, with Dan focusing on the audio of footsteps, muffled voices, and the tension of being trapped in a bathroom.
• 😀 Prince Arabian, an actor and longtime collaborator with Dan, played a key role in bringing the dealer character to life, though the sound-driven approach made it more about tension than visual performance.
• 😀 The infamous 'green bag' filled with drugs was actually just Pennsylvania butter mints, which were crushed to look like crack cocaine, adding a humorous touch behind the scenes.
• 😀 Dan tested the final video by showing it to people who had no prior knowledge of the project, observing their genuine frightened reactions to ensure it had the desired effect.
• 😀 Dan appreciated the collaborative effort behind the video, crediting his sound designer partner Arusha and reflecting on how the experience helped shape the genre of urban exploration horror.

Q & A

What was the main goal behind creating the 'Trapped and Terrified' video?

The main goal was to create thrilling entertainment that would terrify the audience and leave a lasting impression. The creator wanted to evoke fear and make the video memorable.

Why did the creator initially feel dissatisfied with the first video version of 'Trapped and Terrified'?

The creator felt that the first version was clichéd and failed to deliver the scare factor they were aiming for. The concept seemed too predictable, and the impact wasn't as strong as desired.

How did the creator decide on the abandoned building as the location for the video?

The creator had passed by an old apartment building in East Baltimore many times but never considered exploring it. After striking up a conversation with a local, they gained access to the building and realized it was perfect for the video.

What was significant about the 'suicide room' in the apartment building?

The 'suicide room' was reportedly where someone had written a suicide note along the walls before taking their own life. The creator found this particularly creepy and used it as a setting for the video.

What idea did the creator come up with to make the video scarier after their initial attempt?

The creator decided to introduce the concept of finding a bag of drugs in the building. This led to a tense scenario where the creator had to hide in a bathroom while a drug dealer searched the building, adding a new layer of suspense and danger.

Who was the actor that played the threatening character in the video, and why was he chosen?

The actor, Prince Arabian, was chosen because of his ability to portray tough, intimidating characters. He had worked with the creator on several previous projects, and his presence was perfect for the role of the dangerous drug dealer.

What challenges did the creator face while filming the scene with the threatening character?

One major challenge was capturing the sound of Prince Arabian's dialogue, as it was originally muffled by the bathroom door. To solve this, they cut a hole in the wall to improve the audio quality.

How did the creator ensure that the reaction to the final video was genuine?

The creator showed the video to a friend’s daughter and her girlfriend, who had no prior knowledge of the video’s concept. Their genuine reactions—expressing shock and fear during the critical scenes—confirmed that the video had the desired impact.

What was the substance used in the video to represent drugs, and how was it chosen?

The substance used to represent drugs was crushed Pennsylvania butter mints. The creator tested various materials before settling on the butter mints, which looked realistic and served the intended purpose well.

What role did sound design play in enhancing the video, and who was responsible for it?

Sound design was crucial in creating the atmosphere and tension in the video. Arusha, the creator's partner in sound design, played a key role in making the audio effective and adding to the overall horror experience.