Film Name: The Suicide Shift
Director: Paul Laight
Writer: Paul Laight
Starring: Julia Florimo, Myles Horgan, Felicia Kaspar
Banished to the ‘Suicide Shift’ for breaking spirit call centre rules, Carmilla Ferry now guides the most tortured souls crossing from this world to the next. After a brutal dressing-down from her manager, Russell, she endures a night of heart-crushing calls from the dying—until she faces the most horrifying call of all.
In a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds, I got a chance to ask Writer-Director Paul Laight a few questions about his film ‘The Suicide Shift’ which will have its World Premiere at Horror-on-Sea on Sunday 25th January at 17:30hrs.
Q. Your film The Suicide Shift has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you
tell us what we can expect?
A. The festival audience can expect a highly emotional horror film experience that combines themes relating to suicide, the afterlife and a protagonist trapped in an horrific work environment.
Q. What were your inspirations when writing the script?
A. The Suicide Shift further develops themes of hell, work and being trapped, previously explored in short films, Hell Is . . . (2013) and Inferis (2024). I was inspired to write the film which dealt with suicide. Mainly due to my own personal experience of losing two close friends who took their own life. I am using the film to highlight the tragedy of people who take their life and meditate on the possible reasons such events take place.
I also love horror films so set the film in the genre of psychological, supernatural horror as the genre allows filmmakers to explore deep themes, create emotion and suspense while offering escape and entertainment. So, the main inspiration was to explore thought-provoking concepts in the horror genre while creating a sense of dread and powerfully emotional journey.
Q. Did you have any of the cast in mind for the characters when writing the script?
A. I had worked with Julia (Carmilla) and Myles (Russell) previously on a number of short film productions, so I did indeed write the script with these great actors in mind. Myles recommended the amazingly talented Felicia Kaspar (Lucy), so that was really fortunate. The remaining voice-cast actors were cast via an online casting process.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. Petros Gioumpasis, the very talented cinematographer, discussed the look and style of the film and we decided on that as the main character was effectively banished and trapped to the one workspace, we would shoot a lot of close-ups throughout. We wanted to create a claustrophobic feeling and the sense that Carmilla’s character was chained to the desk by the phone and the need to answer the phone to get the souls to hit company targets. As the film is set over one night it made sense to use a horror/noir lighting palette with shadows and light which also pins the character to that main space. Petros also made excellent choice of lenses to enhance the style of the shots too.
With the scenes involving Russell, as he is lit by the screen he watches Carmilla on, I asked if we could possibly get a Blade Runner (1982) style-look and Petros achieved that on very low budget. Lastly, the bathroom scene with Lucy has this otherworldly and eerie feel that blurs the outside of the screen, really enhancing the emotional impact of the scene.
Sound is incredibly important too, so I was very keen to ensure that the sound design and score were dealt with much care and attention. Thankfully, I was so lucky Ali Kivanc, the sound designer, and Ben Randall, the composer, delivered such amazing work on the film too.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. The main change was the scene with Lucy, Carmilla’s daughter. Originally she was going to appear as a ghost behind Carmilla, but I couldn’t think of an effective way of making this happen. So, Petros and I discussed it and decided to film her character in the location in which she was dying. Thankfully, we filmed in the property I live so was easily able to shoot the scene with Lucy in the bathroom.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. I enjoyed the whole process from beginning to end. Collaborating with such talented actors and crew made the whole process so positive. The actors and I rehearsed the script ahead of the filming dates and I really love reading and rehearsing the script with the actors beforehand. I consider this vital to any film production on a low budget. This is because we can pull the script and characters apart and ensure we are all on the same page when it comes to the shoot day. If I had to say though, my favourite moment of the filming was Julia’s incredible performance as Carmilla when she is taking a particularly emotional call. Her acting went beyond what I expected of what I had written. It was a truly moving scene made so real by Julia’s brilliant acting.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. I try to be extremely organised and plan everything ahead of time throughout the production, to offset any issues that may arise. Thanks to the amazing professionalism of the cast and crew we thankfully had no major issues during the filming. The only thing that took longer than anticipated was the post-production, but that was due to budgetary matters and crew availability.
Q. What makes The Suicide Shift stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. I would say it leans more into psychological and emotional horror, rather than going for gore and blood on the screen. I mean I love those kind of slasher and body horror films, however, I chose to use horror which relies heavily on performance, reaction, dialogue, silence, and sound effects to try and get in the audience’s heads and hearts.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. As it deals with themes of mental health and suicide, if I can raise awareness of such human matters then that would be good. But I hope mostly people are moved emotionally and entertained by the film. As a filmmaker I just hope that the audience connect with the story and it has a lasting impact on them.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. I am working on a number of projects for 2026. I am writing three feature films, Sister Superior – an exploitation/revenge thriller; Induction – an office-based horror and The Dogs of Battersea – a personal drama. I will also be working on short film projects, mainly comedy and horror too.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Good question. Obviously, if you have money then you can go down the route of hiring cast and crew to collaborate with. If you are a film student you can use the facilities and talent there.
However, if you have no money then try doing it yourself! Check out film production courses at places like Raindance and also online courses YouTube sites which offer excellent guidance for budding filmmakers.
Keep things simple! Shoot a short film in one location, with one or two actors, that’s one-two minutes long! If you cannot access equipment then use your phone. No actors then use your friends or yourself. Learn from doing!
Work with what you have! Make a film based on what you have access to: a car, an office, a park, your acting buddies, your bedroom, your children, your pets, or anything you can think of that is FREE! Write a script that is achievable. Strong ideas can be more powerful than a big budget!
Be prepared! For your production shoot is it most important to organise, structure, storyboard and rehearse. Have everything prepared for your shooting day or days. If you lack money, then keeping the script simple and shooting in a day makes total sense. Make shot lists, storyboards, and a filming order for the day. Rehearse with the actors before the shoot date. If you cannot afford to pay the cast and crew at least offer expenses and most importantly food!
Enjoy it! During the production don’t forget to breathe. Enjoy the experience, collaboration, have fun, and most of all good luck!
The Suicide Shift will play at The Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on Sunday 25th January at 17:30hrs.
You can find out more about The Suicide Shift and purchase tickets for the film here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
