The Making of Frostbite

The Making of Frostbite: Behind the scenes for the horror short film "Frostbite" by Danny Donahue featuring DIY filmmaking tips and low budget tricks.
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[@ryangodoy]

Dude, your storyboard sketches are so sick. Love this BTS. Lots of good info.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks man!

[@toweypat]

Amazing. Now "Frostbite" is doubly impressive considering the hurdles you needed to cross.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Took a lot of work to make it into something I liked!

[@jacksrectum9572]

The videos you make are incredible, you definitely deserve more recognition for the movies you make.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you!

[@Notchella1]

This is the kinda man i'd wanna see in Hollywood film production! If it's not too much trouble do you think you could eventually make a short tutorial on how you use Photoshop to create the effects?

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Yeah I may be able to get more in depth about that aspect of it in the future. Not sure if the next film will require that kind of work or not, but if so I'll try to touch on it further

[@Notchella1]

Thanks :) Me and my friends are going to make a short horror soon and you've really inspired us

[@Tinyindie]

You are very inspiring, thanks for the awesome content. Looking forward for more.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks a lot! More on the way

[@MrBiswas123]

So much better and original than what's happening in Hollywood now .

[@dannyfdonahue]

Rudra Biswas Thank you!

[@alexmeza3594]

This is one of my favorites

[@dannyfdonahue]

Alex Meza Cool! Making this film was a lot of fun so I'm glad you enjoyed it. Would love to do more western related stuff when I get the chance

[@jeremiah11111111]

Outstanding Videos! 6k subscribers?? Highly underrated channel! Thanks for not only a great short film, but also for taking the time to explain the making of the film: The process, the ideas, the setbacks, etc... I am one of your biggest fans. cheers

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks a bunch! Really appreciate it!

[@Mislav24]

Really interesting and inspirational video. Keep up the great work, I will definitely watch more of your movies.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found it inspiring!

[@macewinduhugs3036]

I've been looking forward to this one.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Cool to hear that!

[@VincentJaugan]

Hey saw your MyAnnabelleCreation, it was awesome!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Cool, thanks! Hopefully they like it too

[@yesimjane]

Your advice at the end of the video for new filmmakers is very reassuring and much appreciated. I'm so glad to see such an abundance of creative short films like yours.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Jane Archer Thank you - glad you found this helpful and enjoyed my work!

[@TheCalmdown28]

Your films are sick. Can't wait to see what you make next!!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying them!

[@CZsWorld]

I kind of want to see the original idea too.

[@Titan52berg]

Some real weird, horror-inducing masks and atmospheres in all of your videos! Love all of your films, Dan!

[@1Wolf2BLoved]

I just came across your horror shorts a few days ago and thoroughly enjoyed each one. For "low budget" videos, these are excellent! Also enjoyed your behind the scenes making of "Frostbite" and it is amazing that you were able to achieve this level of filmmaking "by the seat of your pants," when your original idea could not be realized! Great work - I subscribed to your channel...

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks so much! Glad you're enjoying my films!

[@adriannaj1711]

wowww. I'm kind of blown away at how talented you are. even your storyboard sketches look awesome! it's comforting to know that you can be a pretty much solo filmmaker and create some amazing stuff even though you can be missing some resources. it's very inspiring! the end especially got to me. I have a few things that I started shooting by myself and I abandoned them because I thought they sucked (and they probably do). But maybe I should finish shooting and then just...edit and put them up anyway? even if they suck.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks a bunch - that's really nice to hear! Yeah, depending on what you're trying to make, it can be quite a bit more difficult flying solo, but most of us are probably capable of a lot more than we think too. Sometimes you can get surprising results when you put your mind to it and out-think the obstacles. Glad it was inspiring to you!

[@brutus072]

I love your short films. really good job you are doing.

[@marciekauffman4704]

very good short I always love period films horror or not

[@dannyfdonahue]

marcie Kauffman Thank you!

[@riyagoel1623]

Very nice making 👏👏👏👏

[@d0ncm0mes41]

I found your channel today but you have already won me over

[@tiltedroom]

I only recently discovered your work and have to say you are awesome sir! Extremely inspiring and talented!

[@noahpinntfilms]

This is very inspirational to me. I am a huge horror fanatic and I am currently finishing up my first horror film! After seeing this it really makes me happy and opens my eyes on the possibilities. Thank you

[@bliiblaablue]

That storyboard makes so much more sense! :D

[@83shadow3]

It may not have gone as planned. But it turned out good to me. Keep up the good work.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@zacharypena9385]

Another great film as always!👍 great job Danny

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you!

[@zacharypena9385]

Danny Donahue you're welcome

[@zacharypena9385]

Danny Donahue you're welcome

[@BenNoah]

I just started making some horror shorts on my channel, I really wish I could make the same effects.

[@bengreene8795]

love your films!!!!!!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you!

[@collincook9833]

Another great one man! You really are helpful man and I appreciate it.

[@monsooniphone]

I love all you’re work, it’s amazing.

[@grandrioentertainment7280]

Inspiring thanks!

[@bensamara3404]

absolute proof that you're the best

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks man!

[@bensamara3404]

Danny Donahue anytime my friend

[@doriswhite1348]

He certainly is the best.

[@AntonyMovies]

Badass mask and concept art. I can't believe the bird was a lie the whole time though. You should totally use that werewolf yeti thing at some point. Looking forward to more films!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you! More stuff on the way!

[@officialkevinrosa3155]

This is one of My favorite shorts that you have made,next to the Moon Light Man.👍

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! It's one of my favorites too!

[@officialkevinrosa3155]

Danny Donahue Thanks, I have a Question,Who is Rio,is he the Horse 🐎 or someone else.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Official Kevin Rosa yep Rio is the horse

[@officialkevinrosa3155]

Danny Donahue Thank You, he is a very cute horse. Acted Really well!

[@teleandtwin65]

Thanks for sharing, well done.

[@luxbrumalis823]

Wow it really came together despite all those challenges.But I would love to see a version of your original idea for the film. It sounded like a cool idea that could be tweaked to make a completely separate story

[@jasonchilado]

great as always!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks!

[@rRichmoo7]

Super Awesome.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Rich Piedra Thanks!

[@monsooniphone]

Those eyes in the snow scared me.

[@jmommy881]

Man u r such an inspiration!!!! Thank u

[@jiretox21]

Well done. Especialy the monster part. Buen tutorial.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you!

[@weirdguy4948]

So Guillermo del toro style, amazing!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Jeronimo Vazquez Thank you!

[@Darrenmcinnes70]

Good stuff, man.

[@lailanilising7671]

super scary your creative short films story....

[@legomigginy4054]

Very amazing, it makes me think that with the right motivation you can just make a film but how did you animate the crow so well!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Patience and lots of trial and error

[@ECHenry]

Great video, and super helpful! I'm curious how you acquired the horse, and how it was shooting with one. I'm planning a film with horses, and there are virtually no resources online for going about using them in film.

[@dannyfdonahue]

EC Henry Hey! The horse is my dad’s and he trained it. It was super easy to shoot with on account of my dad being an excellent horseman and having great control of the animal. Could have been a different story if that weren’t the case. Advice for filming with horses is to have someone who is very experienced with them in charge of them. Keep anyone who isn’t needed nearby away from them, keep the noise levels down, and be careful not to spook them with flags and other film equipment. Basically proper respect and consideration for the animal needs to be taken along with proper safety precautions.

[@ECHenry]

Thanks for the reply! So you, as somebody who knows "horse culture", how receptive do you think the average rancher would be to being approached about using their horses in a project? Is this the kind of thing that's completely unrealistic to pursue? Or maybe I need to make inroads and network with the community for a while beforehand? That's all a really ignorant-sounding line of questions, but I really do want to make this work.

[@dannyfdonahue]

EC Henry I think it’s really individual. If you can pay them for their time that may open up possibilities, but if that’s not an option you still might be able to find someone who would be interested in helping you out if you and your project sound interesting. It couldn’t hurt to explain your project and ask what might be possible and see if they might want to contribute.

[@ECHenry]

Thanks for the advice! You've got a great channel - I love your behind the scenes videos particularly, and I hope you keep making more content!

[@dannyfdonahue]

EC Henry Thanks a lot for checking my stuff out! Good luck with your project!

[@JetSetDiva]

I tell people all the time that filmmaking is all about problem solving. I get a lot of funny looks on set, but it's true.

[@timbrowder704]

I liked it alot excellent

[@dannyfdonahue]

Tim Browder Thanks!

[@selenascocacola]

great !!

[@ronakamin131]

I'm big fan of yours ,, from India ,, you motivated me ,, soon i will make a video and upload it 😃

[@aobryan6169]

Hey fam, I enjoy your short films 💯🔥 keep it up . Also making short films near the future so any tips or advice for a beginner would be much appreciative

[@dannyfdonahue]

Probably my number 1 piece of advice for a beginner would be to keep it simple and keep it short! Come up with a unique idea and really focus on making it sharp and streamlined.

[@aobryan6169]

I appreciate it

[@alicecarter5027]

You scared me when I watched frostbite...but I don't mean to hate cause I like the video I love it the way you scared me was funny! I love it because I did wanted to get scared. I threw me phone and screamed. But I still love it. Oh and don't forget keep on dreaming and make it become real!

[@nxtmonday948]

so cool can you make a video how to make this mask step by step?

[@TheDeldiz]

It seems like for a lot of these shots, you would have to get them right in one take because of the hoof prints in the snow. Is that correct?

[@dannyfdonahue]

Yeah, that's definitely true to a degree. For shots where we needed multiple takes, I would sometimes move each new take maybe 10 feet away from where we shot the previous one so we could keep doing the action in fresh snow. There are a few shots where there are still visible tracks, but I figured it wasn't a big deal because they could easily be deer tracks...or maybe monster tracks! But yes, I tried to do stuff in as few takes as possible to keep the snow intact.

[@TheDeldiz]

The monster was fantastic, BTW. It reminds me of a wendigo.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you! It was definitely inspired in part by the wendigo!

[@TheDeldiz]

Thought so! :D Hey if you're thinking of ideas for new projects, have you considered looking at some Japanese folklore? Lots of terrifying and wonderfully weird creatures to inspire.

[@dannyfdonahue]

+TheDeldiz Sounds cool! I'll have to check it out

[@tomhunks612]

very informative

[@j.jmarlon1417]

Thank you for this video Danny. I went through a sort of similar situation, but it was with weather and actors. I had to do everything on the fly and do a whole new concept . And I hated what I did, but like you said, I did learn how to make better decisions and be more creative . I hope to work with you one day man. And I actually had a question. I tend to have export issues with my quality in Adobe premiere. Do you shoot 1080p and then export 720p?

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! And sorry to hear about your production troubles -- we all have them at times! I generally shoot in 1080p and export in 1080p.

[@legomigginy4054]

Thats exactly what Im gonna go do, film some stuff

[@duckboy4556]

By far my favorite looking monster of yours, my one question on it is, what is after effects and how much does it cost?

[@dannyfdonahue]

After Effects is a visual effects program made by Adobe. Not sure about cost because I have the creative suite which includes several other pieces of software bundled together, but you can get info about it on Adobe's site. Thanks for watching!

[@youtubeii434]

Hello Danny, where can i find your email ? I'd like to talk to you about the sound design in your shorts. I think i can help you get a more organic and realistic sound. Quick example : the way you muffled the sound for the segment under the snow was cool but the reverberation of the roar and the frequency you cut weren't realistic at all and that can break the immersion quite quickly. I'm not trying to sound pretentious at all, i just think i could help you greatly with that aspect of your movies.

[@imiy]

Why won't you make a film with your original idea, according to that storyboard?

[@hungryorphan7711]

lol it still sounded like an elk

[@sumersingh1039]

I don't want to sound too mean...but last few shorts of yours have kind of same plot...like, A man gear some noises and then suddenly finding the monster and dying...don't get me wrong the films are good but they are kind of getting repetitive...just an opinion...otherwise I love your work

[@realistic7847]

寡人喜欢，哈哈！

[@rockyllpiper3786]

WENDIGO

[@DeCabbageCollector]

First comment

[@dannyfdonahue]

Damnit! I wanted the first comment!

[@DeCabbageCollector]

Danny Donahue Plz Make a vid on How to make simple Creatures in Aftereffects