The Making of The Moonlight Man - Part 2

The Making of The Moonlight Man Part 2: Behind the scenes for the horror short film "The Moonlight Man" by Danny Donahue featuring DIY filmmaking tips and low budget tricks.

[@sunnyr9126]

You are REALLY talented. I found "The moonlight man" today and it is different from many other horror short films I have seen. To make his eyes blink was the touch that left me feeling scared when I finished watching it. You really know that everything is in the details. Great work!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you very much! That's great to hear!

[@doriswhite1348]

Mel, That's what set's Danny apart from so many other indie filmmakers -- his attention to detail. And then there's his talent . . ..

[@ellalalive4271]

Mel Películas NO

[@legomigginy4054]

The blinking part made me feel really frightened, it was so creepy

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! It definitely made it feel more alive to me, so I'm glad it struck a chord with others too!

[@legomigginy4054]

Have you won any short film comps or any awards

[@dannyfdonahue]

I was a finalist in a 15 second horror short contest a couple years back, but haven't really entered anything else. So mostly no.

[@legomigginy4054]

Man, you would smash, you should try making more

[@Notchella1]

A director, make up artist and story boarder: You're amazing sir :D

[@dannyfdonahue]

Gotta do it all when you don't have a crew! Thanks!

[@Notchella1]

I've always wanted to be a director and make my own short horror and you've really inspired me :)

[@HardHittingBass]

I would want to watch this become a full length feature that hits theaters directed by you one day, would be so awesome

[@blueflutterbyfrenzy]

The making of this was awesome. You're ideas are amazing!! Super creepy and original!!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you!

[@TheGinnerMatty]

The blinking eyes made it alive, a real living entity. It took it from a monster in fantasy to something that’d made its home in the city. Well done, I hope to see more, maybe even a full movie (30 minutes maybe?)

[@ThePoeActor]

Really good work on the monster design. Loved it! Thanks for posting this.

[@eyecomeinpeace2707]

Mr. Donahue, you are a man of many talents. Kudos to you and your actors. Your Moonlight Man shorts are actually quite scary. Who needs Slenderman, when you have a new bogey man in town. Moonlight Man.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Hey thanks!

[@markwheeler8041]

Blinking was a nice touch!

[@ayayron3278]

For horror being my #1 genre, I can pretty much tell the good from the bad almost immediately. And I thoroughly enjoyed your short film, but when I watched "the making of the moonlight man", I was kinda blown away from all the "tlc" you put into just a 3 minute video. You really do care about the details. That being said I highly respect you and your work. Don't worry, you WILL make it big one day, it's just a matter of when. I hope you see this, because I think it could actually make your day. Oh and yes, I am definitely subscribing!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you! It really means a lot to hear that! With most of the projects I've done, I'd probably do some things differently if I had to make them all over again, but for the most part I'm pretty happy with the results here and it's very encouraging when other people respond positively to the work! It takes a lot of time and effort, especially when one has to creatively out-think budgetary constraints, so I'm really happy people are enjoying the results. Thanks again for watching and subscribing and for the kind words!

[@themanhimself5650]

Blink was definitely worth the extra time. Nice work👌

[@CZsWorld]

That's so funny. I just started adding eye blinks to my logo for during the Al Dente Creepypasta videos.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Nice! A creepy little blink can go a long way on a monster!

[@BittersweetBoys]

So inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing behind the scenes.

[@vincentveryvile5051]

You inspire me a lot.

[@dannyfdonahue]

VincentVeryVile Thanks, glad to hear that!

[@thereelweebakira2960]

definitely think the blink was a great idea. Gave exactly what you thought it would. realism!.

[@NorthernDiaries]

This is really inspiring as I am a one man crew myself. Never stop posting these making videos. It made me want to get out and shoot something right away.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you -- it's a great feeling to think it might help give somebody else a push to keep shooting! There are lots of other people's videos out there that did the same for me!

[@BWill90592]

Hands down, Moonlight Man is still my fav short horror from everything I've seen. He's pretty iconic (but a nice guy really, lol)! Great acting by both actors and amazing camera work and sound. The eyeblink from Moonlight works wonders for realism and the pan back from the car after he's thrown her in/climbs in is really sinister. Love it.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thats awesome to hear that! Thanks so much! Hopefully you'll like the sequel as well : )

[@jerrythecartoonist]

Dude, I'm going to share the HELL outta your stuff, because your shorts are REALLY awesome. Especially the practical effects. You've got way too much talent for such minimum views. You've got my support, dude. I believe you'll make it. And who knows, maybe some big studio will come up to you asking permission to make a full length Moonlight Man movie.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you! That kind of support from people really means a lot. I'm working hard to make that feature transition happen -- I figure it's just a matter of time, hard work, and good luck. Glad to hear you like my stuff -- thanks for checking it out!

[@jerrythecartoonist]

No problem, man. "Real recognize real", as they say.

[@ThatAnxiousArtist]

It's so nice to get a behind the scenes view!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@gregjones7196]

You just answered what gave me the creeps about that shot when I saw the film. It was the blink. Well done!!!

[@yudhyindraaa]

you,sir should get more recognition. your movies are awesome !

[@brooklynyte]

I noticed the eye blink first time, definitely makes a difference!

[@SuperCHERISHED]

Wow! Thank you for sharing how you created this scary short film! It was suspenseful!

[@raphfelix6305]

I really want to see more of the Moonlight man. he may have some vigilante hero in him. he eats people. and would love to see more advances in the face and hands. some articulation in the fingers. this character has the makings of becoming a big time terror. more, more, I must have more!!

[@Blake_1]

Wow, enough said I'm really impressed

[@JoMarchltwd]

all your efforts and creativity are truly worth of million subscribes. I believe you'll go a long way.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks, I hope you're right!

[@aliceslakepromise]

Just today i was watching Moonlight man. Once i watched completely. Immediately i checked your channel for more content. Its really great loved everything and i really appreciate man. You deserve a lot more attention and fame. Keep on posting i pretty damn sure you will defeinetly reach where you want. Love from India❤

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you for the kind words and for checking out my work! Really glad you enjoyed it!

[@teodorafotache6398]

You are just amazing at this all the details on the moonlight man is great 👏👏👏

[@itsyogirljedamarie]

Yo you did a freaking awesome job because When I watched the video I had chills down my back.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks very much!

[@JacobBobb]

Fantastic! I was always envious of those hands and actually made a pair for myself! Thank you so much! I love the detail and passion you put into your film. Inspiring!

[@gem4250]

I like the behind the scenes because then the film wouldn't give me nightmares. Thank you

[@josephhoffman2992]

I'm making a short film and this video has helped me so much in making the face! I knew what I wanted the face to look like but I had no clue how I was going to translate my art into a mask until this so thank you so much!!!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Glad it helped!

[@Sharkfurter]

It's really bullshit how little recognition you get. :/ KZbin is flooded with just the most cringey, predictable, and awful horror short films that get millions of views, yet you're stuck under a hundred thousand with professional quality shorts.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you -- that means a lot to hear that! My hope is that my work will gain momentum in time, and that if I keep putting my best work out into the world, people will eventually gravitate towards it! In the meantime though, thanks for watching my films and for being one of the few!

[@Sharkfurter]

You're welcome! You deserve it. I'm making my own short film soon and your Making Of videos are helping me out a lot.

[@theL4Y3R]

i agree

[@jasonchilado]

Danny Donahue wow great video! I really loved the moonlight man! i'm a 14 year old currently finishing a short horror movie I directed but the problem was it was very tricky to shoot at night, can you please give me advice on lighting in future movies I make :)

[@dannyfdonahue]

+nba73 Well, it is tricky and honestly I'm no expert at lighting myself. I'm trying to get better, but I'll give you some thoughts from my recent indie-lighting experiences. You'll likely need to shoot at a higher ISO, and fast lenses make a huge difference. Often it's good to "motivate" a light source -- create blue light that looks like Moonlight from a window, or a single source that looks like a lamp (or is a lamp, as practicals can be really key in situations like this). It's a very case by case thing, and you have to get even more creative if you don't have much lighting equipment. Finding existing light sources is also helpful (like I did here for The Moonlight Man). Edge light or rim light can also be useful to bring your subjects out of the darkness. Also -- don't be afraid of darkness, if the scene is dark, let the dark parts fall off to black -- just make sure there are lighter, highlighted parts of the frame to clarify shapes and keep the imagery clear.

[@Phil4RealMusic]

You are TALENTED! I need you for my film!

[@eubruhnn]

your passion is truly heartwarming

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you!

[@wetpaintpictures9905]

Very awesome it's cool to see a break down of this to see how the film was born keep it up guys just subscribed excited for what's next.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@j.jmarlon1417]

this is creativity on a level where I don't get why you haven't done or been a part of atlas an independent film.....or have you? This is sooo awesome!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thank you! That's very encouraging. As of now I haven't directed a feature yet, independent or otherwise, although I'm working very hard to get my first one moving -- and soon. It's very difficult, and unfortunately the process tends to have a lot more to do with connections than it does with ability, but I very much appreciate the compliment! Here's to making my first feature in the near future!

[@j.jmarlon1417]

Danny Donahue I remember watching a short you did with the Johnny Cash song, further up the road. it was so weird and interesting that it kept me motivated the rest of 2016 to keep writing and filming. please keep it up!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Well that's super cool! I'm glad it helped to keep you inspired. That shoot was really difficult. We made a false floor out of some plywood to put people under so they could reach up and play "the hands", but it was really difficult for them to be trapped under there in the dark and the heat for so long and it was even harder to get a scary looking performance out of them. We were also running out of time and I barely got enough coverage to even cut the thing together. In the end I was so let down by what I ended up with that I didn't want to sound design it. So instead I cut it to the Johnny Cash song to make it a fun project for myself again, and used a bunch of reversed footage, jump cuts, even footage from before and after takes to patch it together into something useable. In the end we still got something, and if it inspired somebody else, then I'm especially glad I made it!

[@yesimjane]

I love behind the scenes videos like this

[@Usagi.moon.power.]

Hi I think you're really talented! I love your work! I'm definitely going to share your videos with my friends. Looking forward to see more!! :)

[@dannyfdonahue]

lipstickngore Thanks a lot!

[@tdogfilms1939]

Hey Danny! The breakdown of your storytelling and your personal advice has really provided a great education for low budget-indie filmmakers. I’m a really huge fan of the Moonlight Man, as well as your other work, and have been religiously watching the BTS to make a monster mask of my own. I am in the mask making process right now and am wondering what brand of liquid latex you used? There are so many brands out there and I want to make sure I get the right kind. I’m also not trying to break the bank being that I have a small budget. Thank you!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Hey! Glad the vids have been helpful. What you want is slip/casting latex. There are lots of brands that come in a couple gallon quantities etc. I've bought it from Burman Industries in the past and Motion Pictures FX in Burbank. Prices vary but there's probably many options online if you poke around.

[@gregjones7196]

You should sell that mask. It's amazing!!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Maybe someday. I might still need it if I make another Moonlight Man film down the line.

[@gregjones7196]

Oh no. I don't mean sell that one. You DEFINATELY need to make more of these Moonlight Man films. Do you know how mad people would be if you stopped making them because you sold away that mask? Not going to have them mad at me! Nooooo sir! LoL I'm saying you should make and sell them. I also think you should have or make a Master Class style DVD. I'd buy them both for sure!

[@daveyleeriot]

Mass produce the mask. People will buy it!!!!

[@penguinsrockrgr8yt216]

Danny Donahue OwOKE

[@dlmartistry2210]

Wow! Amazing work. I absolutely LOVE the mask! I just started mask making myself! Keep rocking it!

[@Rohan.S.Patne.]

Best of luck for your future films! Very inspiring ❤️

[@raphfelix6305]

There's a link to some really cool fingers for your creation. The Moonlight man needs fingers that articulate well. Will we see more of this amazing monster?

Very nice work! :D Question: How difficult was it to pull out the clay sculpture from the plaster Casting?

[@SDWorksYT]

Amazing stuff man.

[@jasonyang47]

You're so talented!!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Jason Yang Thank you!

[@nixie._.x4986]

OMG you should make Halloween masks and costumes and sell them you would make a lot of money

[@v4leriya]

It was a great horror short!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Val M Thanks!

[@awakiarmandopato3772]

really dope scary shit,you make me want to be in a scary film never consider it as an actor till I seen moonlight; very impressive work

[@Modii152]

Interesting as always, please continue doing these behind the scenes, perhaps even in more detail with how it was done in after effects etc. :)

[@silviajoni337]

great job 💖

[@branjord]

this guy is crazy talented

[@luisalfredo2722]

You really ought to do something out of this, I'd definately watch it! 5 stars so far!

[@user-cf5zr1rd8c]

Really interesting! Where did you learn creating your creatures? Any good resources?

[@dannyfdonahue]

Hey thanks! Sculpting I taught myself and many of my other creatures were created using unconventional methods that I came up with on my own (using clay and other materials). I had some minimal knowledge of creating latex makeup appliances from film school, but to figure out how to properly make latex masks, I took a class over the summer with a guy named Jordu Schell, who is a legend in the mask-making and special effects industries. His class was extremely helpful and he's got a million little tips and tricks and industry secrets that really give his students an edge. What I described here in the video is just the bare bones basic steps of how to create a latex mask, and there are lots of videos and resources online that can give you more detailed instructions. If you're really interested in making high quality masks, however, I would highly recommend Googling Jordu to see if you can take one of his classes!

[@sapoquehace5224]

That mask turned out so good

[@miguelvidal2335]

That mask is amazing

[@pauloecm]

Hey Danny! Your work is fantastic! Congratulationns!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Cuevas M Thanks!

[@alyssa7841]

it makes me less scared when i see these xD

[@JesusChrist-gz2tr]

YOU DESERVE MILLIONS OF SUBSCRIBERS!!! PEOPLE POST STUPID AND SHITTY VIDEOS AND GET MORE VIEWS, BUT THIS IS REAL ART

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Really great to hear that! Glad you like my stuff

[@JesusChrist-gz2tr]

Danny Donahue I don't like it, I love it!

[@randallrromero]

How do you design the monster sounds in all your shorts? They are great!

[@RedTitan01]

You just earned a new subscriber

[@monsooniphone]

How brilliant. Well done you.

[@sethdenton-hughes1208]

The film was amazing. My friend and I are starting to use after effects for a film on a channel called mystic films. the film is the puppet so if you are interested you can check it out when it comes out.

[@vivekthefilmmaker]

very impressive and inspiring. one of channel I am sure to follow now. keep up the work.

[@dannyfdonahue]

vivek kumar Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it!

[@vivekthefilmmaker]

Danny Donahue pleasure is mine. wishes for a glorious career for you.

[@kittyreed3105]

Very nicely done.

[@LiL-ec1xm]

Hey that's real cool making it

[@Arunsnura]

Hey danny its all amazing stories and very well filmed.. How you get the story line man its awsm.. a 3 minute horror film... good one.. expecting more from you...

[@dylanclark]

I was inspired by your work with the latex mask, I’m hoping to make my own for a short. I was just wondering what kind of clay you used to sculpt the mask? Thanks!!!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Shade Productions Thanks! It’s wed clay

[@dylanclark]

Danny Donahue awesome, thank you sooo much! Can’t wait to see what you do next :)

[@takki60622]

YOU ARE SO TALENTED.

[@dannyfdonahue]

Yu Wang Hey thanks!

[@ivansanz8728]

Please, make soon the moonlight man 3. Thanks.

[@BrianHewittfilms]

very cool, I did learn some cool things thanks man I am going to subscribe!

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks! Appreciate it

[@valley6800]

I REALY want this mask.

[@alicecarter5027]

You scared the poop out of me (I don't wanna hate but I like it!)

[@funnyfarmpictures]

Very cool!

[@StanJohanson1973]

very cool, and interesting

[@samsangeeth42]

Awesome 💞💞💞💞

[@VictorRodriguez-fo7lk]

it´s a really great short horror film

[@dannyfdonahue]

Victor Rodriguez Thanks!

[@anthonyjames.5170]

Brilliant.

[@radiocontrolegliders782]

Great work, if ur in vegas my son is a pro done pilot if you shoot a movie in vegas, see hattin praductions, love your movies, i grew up in the 80's and love the 80's horror films brother.. love your work and a im a Sag Aftra member, yours is hollywood quality work my freind..Great job...

[@paulfrick169]

Awesome movie! I was suprised that you made the mask yourself. I thougt that it is makeup or a silicone mask from immortal mask s.

[@lunanirel8466]

But the sound the creature makes keeps me up til 5am lol

[@justpyro3136]

Seeing behind the scenes makes teh original funnier

[@makenziealvarez4694]

Can you please tell in more detail how you did the after effects blinking .

[@lostsoul8408]

Omg the I'm sorry makes the monster seem like the nices man

[@dannyfdonahue]

Lost Soul He’s a nice dude!

[@HeavyPUK]

Аnother question how did you make the mask? just poured latex into the mold and that's it?

[@addisonsmith7569]

Have you seen Gerald's Game on Netflix? There's a character called "Man made of moonlight" and he looks a bit similar to this mask

[@dannyfdonahue]

Addison Smith I watched it recently. I believe he’s called the “space cowboy” in the book, although I haven’t read it myself. Personally I don’t see much visual similarity between the two.

[@christiansobremonte1423]

Could you please show us how you make the faces move during the film???

[@diamondlonnerio4931]

Was The Short Film Hard Too Make

[@isaacx6560]

What program did you use to edit it with?

[@DiraPictures]

What camera you use and What picture profiles?

[@bcbodycomp]

Freaking Awseome

[@FilmmakingMan16]

Heyy! I had one quick question. What kind of advertising did you do for The Moonlight Man to get so many views? Because I'm coming out with a horror short soon which I shot with my new professional camera and I worked really hard on it and I want it to get noticed.

[@jasonchilado]

Filmmaking Man good luck!

[@FilmmakingMan16]

nba73 Thanks!

[@DeAngelo77]

So frickin cool

[@dannyfdonahue]

Thanks!

[@DeAngelo77]

Danny Donahue No problemo

[@nandooskitchan2052]

Wow.. 😍

[@mattm5324]

That's amazing. What are the eyes made of?

[@dannyfdonahue]

They're latex, same as the rest. Different parts of the mask have different paints and finishes, but the base is all rubber.

[@Mandragara]

What's the sound the creature made

[@dannyfdonahue]

+Mandragara The sounds are actually all otter noises.

[@HeavyPUK]

!!! PLEASE HELP !!! WHAT IS THE MASK MADE OF? WHAT LIQUID??????

[@HeavyPUK]

!!! PLEASE HELP !!! WHAT IS THE MASK MADE OF? WHAT LIQUID??

[@KOKOANAPAR]

Is there any way I could purchase a copy of the mask? I like this horror character. I really think you should make a full movie out of this, I can totally see it working.

[@dannyfdonahue]

At the moment there's only the one. I have the ability to make more from the original mold, but haven't yet because it's pretty time consuming. I may in the future though -- especially if I could figure out a way to streamline the process a bit. Would be fun for people to be able to own copies of it.

[@KOKOANAPAR]

Danny Donahue I would be really interested in getting a copy to like put on display, I know the films are short but in that small time frame I think you managed to create a horror character that may be my favourite! If u ever decide to sell any copies please let me know. Your films are excellent, very impressive!

[@nomad3403]

nice video boy