If you cannot sell your horror movie, it does not get made.

In this episode of Directing Dread, working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair take a deep dive into the art of the pitch deck and why it is one of the most important tools a director has.

We break down what actually goes into a strong deck, why most pitch decks fail, and how to approach yours like a piece of filmmaking instead of a document.

Then we get into the shift. Using motion, AI, and modern tools to create pitch decks that feel alive. Decks that move, build tone, and pull the reader into the movie instead of just explaining it.

This is about creating a sales tool that feels like the film itself and gives producers, financiers, and collaborators a real experience of what you are trying to make.

If you want your project to stand out and actually get traction, this episode shows you how to rethink the pitch deck completely.

AI is already in the filmmaking pipeline. The question is how you use it.

In this episode of Directing Dread, working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair break down the real role of AI in filmmaking today, and where it is actually heading.

We dig into the recent deal between Ben Affleck’s company Interpositive and Netflix as a signal of how the industry is starting to adopt AI at a higher level.

From there, we get practical. How AI is being used right now inside real film pipelines. Where it actually saves time and money. Where it falls apart. And how filmmakers can use it as a tool to elevate their work, not replace it.

This is not about generating slop or shortcuts. It is about using new tools to bring your vision to life in ways that were not possible even a year ago.

If you want to understand how AI fits into modern filmmaking without the hype, this episode breaks it down.

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Welcome to the first episode of Directing Dread.

This is a podcast built for aspiring horror directors who want to stop waiting and start making films.

In this episode, working director Justin Harding and up and coming filmmaker Jacob Phair lay out the mindset that matters most at the beginning of your career. Use what you already have.

We break down how films like Paranormal Activity, Creep, and Terrifier turned limited resources into massive opportunities, and why that approach still works today. We also dig into how tone, simplicity, and execution can make something feel far bigger than its budget.

This episode is about removing excuses, thinking creatively, and making your first film with what is already in front of you.

If you have been waiting for the right moment, this is it.

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https://www.youtube.com/@DirectingDread