The Clogging
DIRECTOR:
Eric Larson
FILM TYPE:
Short
SYNOPSIS
After clogging the only toilet at a party, a man must do everything he can to stop tensions from rising further.
DIRECTOR BIO
Eric Larson is a writer and filmmaker.
Originally from Wisconsin, he earned a degree in journalism and began his career as a reporter in New York City, writing articles and producing videos for outlets such as Mashable, BuzzFeed, and GQ.
He now works as a freelance director / creative director, where he's made commercials and documentaries for brands like Google, Casper, Nike, Amazon Fashion, and the LGBT Center of New York. His advertising work has garnered accolades from Awwwards, FWA, and D&AD, among others.
His first narrative short film, "Check the Locks" (2022), won "Best of the Fest" at the Nightmares Film Festival.
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
With "The Clogging," I wanted to create a short horror-comedy film to which (unfortunately) most everyone can relate.
Clogging a toilet can be both horrifying and hilarious, especially when it happens in the company of others, and I wanted this film to capture -- and dial up to TWELVE -- the darkly funny anxiety a moment like that can produce.
On a personal note: I’ve suffered from Crohn’s disease since I was a child, which has resulted in a lot of gastrointestinal complications and humiliating public restroom trips. I wanted to use this film as a way to express the shame and anxiety I felt in my worst moments as a child, and use both humor and horror to convey what was going through my head when I let my imagination get the best of me.
Tonally, I was inspired by Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead" films, only here I wanted to avoid obvious visual gags and instead toy with the audience through stylized implications and rich sound design. My ultimate goal was to plunge viewers head-first into one of the world's most embarrassing situations and ask: what would you do?
My team and I had a blast making this film. I hope audiences have a blast watching it!
Year:
2023
Runtime:
4:15
Language:
Country:
US
Premiere:
Pennsylvania
Director:
Eric Larson
Executive Producer:
Producer:
Jessica Hong
Writer:
Eric Larson, Brian Park
Cinematographer:
Frank Sun
Editor:
Eric Larson
Cast:
Brian Park, Angela Wong Carbone