Inspired by my experience as a young woman in the food service industry, and my own desperation to leave home after high school,“NIGHT SHIFT” is about feeling lost and ultimately finding the power to change it. Production for this film will be led by a diverse, majority femme cast & crew.

A teenage waitress harnesses the power to bite back against misogyny in her conservative 1980s town.

Watch our full-length PROOF OF CONCEPT on Vimeo NOW!

NIGHT SHIFT ⚡︎ Proof of Concept ⚡︎ Horror Short Film from Karlee Boon on Vimeo.

In the summer of 1985, best friends Cheryl & Darcy waste the days after high school graduation waitressing at the only diner in their middle-of-nowhere town: Myrtlewood, Oregon. Suffocated by the hypocrisy of small-town conservatism and their own reputations, the girls fantasize about the day that they can finally ditch it all for good.  But after a mysterious late-night animal attack, Cheryl undergoes a strange physical transformation that may empower both girls to take charge of their futures once & for all.

Meet our Protagonists...

NIGHT SHIFT is a neon-soaked amalgamation of modern feminist horror, '80s werewolf flicks and coming-of-age teen comedies a la Amy Heckerling & John Hughes.

Think GINGER SNAPS (2000) meets FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)...

NIGHT SHIFT follows protagonist Cheryl as she fights to overcome rampant sexism and workplace harassment, all while navigating that mortifying in-between of young adulthood. Inspired by my own experience as a highschool graduate desperate to leave my hometown - and as a woman in the service industry - NIGHT SHIFT is a personal film about feeling lost and finding the power to change it. 

My biggest goal with this production is to empower other women and underrepresented groups to truly bite back against the status-quo, even when it feels impossible. In furthering this mission, the team behind NIGHT SHIFT is composed of primarily women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

With this film, I hope to provide a safe, accepting and inclusive space where fellow young creatives can challenge their skills and create meaningful (& gruesome) art together.

- "NIGHT SHIFT" Director/Co-Writer KARLEE BOON

NOSTALGIA WITH TEETH - THE '80S WOLF GIRL 

The horror genre is a visceral story-telling medium that allows filmmakers to explore an array of social issues in a digestible, entertaining and cathartic way. NIGHT SHIFT is not only the story of female friendship and empowerment, but also works as a criticism of misogyny, sexual harassment, and small-town conservatism.

The '80s also just so happened to be the Golden Age of Werewolf Movies - blessing us with classics like American Werewolf in London, Silver Bullet & The Howling. NIGHT SHIFT takes inspiration from horror films of the past while simultaneously challenging the sexism and hyper-feminization of women on-screen that was all too common for media at the time.

In this way, the true horror within the film is not the monstrous transformation experienced by Cheryl, but rather the lack of male accountability and the persecution she experiences. While set nearly 40 years in the past, Cheryl’s struggles throughout the film speak upon many of the issues & inequalities young women still face today - because no matter what decade it is, every girl can relate to that feeling of wanting to bite someone's head off.

"Watching [wolf girls on screen] exist as the antithesis to traditional femininity struck something in me. These girls were wild and feral, but simultaneously vulnerable. There was depth to their predatory nature. For the first time in media, I could see myself in the way these girls were able to reconstruct femininity in their own special image."

- Marlowe Lee (Cheryl "Feral Cheryl" Bennett)

This Seed & Spark campaign will help fund our film’s 6 days of production beginning Fall 2022 in Portland, Oregon.

Our film's current funding is sourced from the director's personal savings and a grant awarded by the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). 

We already have a strong vision and a talented, passionate lead cast & crew dedicated to creating this film, but we still need support from community members like you to make NIGHT SHIFT come to life!

Your contribution will help us compensate our cast & crew, pay for equipment rentals, and purchase insurance to help keep our production secure and running smoothly.

NIGHT SHIFT is also a horror period piece, and we are dedicated to bringing the ‘80s into the modern era. This means vintage costumes, authentic retro production design and -of course- fully practical SFX including facial prosthetics, custom claws and fangs!

When you contribute to our campaign, you’re also supporting a film that: 

☆ Uplifts female & queer voices in horror

☆ Promotes diversity and inclusivity in film

☆ Raises awareness on women's issues like sexual harassment 

JOIN THE PACK!

Follow our campaign on Seed & Spark. It’s free, helps us grow our audience, could unlock tons of S&S perks and even get us on the main page! Following also helps you stay up-to-date with our campaign’s progress and pre-production.

Stay connected. Follow us on Instagram (@night.shift.short) & Facebook (@night.shift.pdx) for exciting announcements throughout the campaign!

Spread the word. Share our social media posts on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter! 

Share this campaign with a friend. Text, email, DM - anything you can do to get eyes on our film. #JoinThePack at @night.shift.short on Instagram, we’ll do it together!

Not sure what to say? We’ve got you covered!

I'm so excited to see the upcoming horror short NIGHT SHIFT (@night.shift.short/@night.shift.pdx) directed by Karlee Boon! Support the film on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/night-shift-pdx

Support filmmaker Karlee Boon by making a contribution towards her upcoming horror short NIGHT SHIFT (@night.shift.short/@night.shift.pdx). The film follows teen waitress, Cheryl Bennett, who harnesses the power to bite back against misogyny in her conservative ‘80s town... Pledge here! www.seedandspark.com/fund/night-shift-pdx

Horror & film fans! This Portland-made coming-of-age horror short (@night.shift.short/@night.shift.pdx) is currently seeking funding! Support independent cinema & visit their @seedandspark page HERE: www.seedandspark.com/fund/night-shift-pdx

#NightShiftPDX #FeralCheryl

FOLLOW us here on SEED & SPARK, and check back for updates! THANK YOU for the support.  

We cannot wait to make the ‘80s horror flick of our nightmares and share it with all of you!