Meet Joshua Essenburg | Horror Filmmaker and Movie Critic

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Essenburg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
For me, being a horror filmmaker/movie critic has always been more than just a hobby. It’s a lifetime commitment. People often ask me why I decided to pursue a career in making films that exist solely to unnerve and terrify. It’s required me to reflect a little bit, and I believe I’ve come up with a reasonable answer. The reason I love horror films so much is because watching them allows me to face my fears in a controlled environment. Sitting through an especially terrifying film feels like an endurance test. And if I’m able to make it through, I feel as if I’ve conquered something truly monumental. In a way, it makes me feel like a stronger, more capable human being. I first discovered my passion for the horror genre at a very young age. My parents, being the practical jokers they are, used to pull fun pranks on me during the Halloween season. On one particularly spooky evening, I foolishly decided to pop in a VHS of Tom Holland’s ‘Child’s Play’, that heartwarming film about a possessed doll with an affinity for stabbing helpless folks. A knock on my bedroom door made me jump at least three feet in the air. I cautiously opened the door, only to find one of my parents’ dolls swinging in the doorway. Bear in mind, these were fun pranks meant to keep me entertained during the Halloween season. It wasn’t long until I realized that I wanted to be the one creating the scares. My parents realized how much I loved watching horror movies, so they suggested I make some of my own. They soon armed me with a camera. And, like a soldier stepping foot onto a large, unending battlefield, I set out to face the challenges of making movies. And, as many filmmakers will tell you, creating movies makes one feel powerful. Whenever I have a camera in my hand, I feel like a truly invincible person, one who has the power to scare and entertain others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a filmmaker and movie critic, having created a number of short films and YouTube videos. My channel Round the Clock Frights has a dedicated following of hardcore horror fans. I’ve met some truly awesome fans over the years, whether in person at conventions or online amidst chat forums. What makes me stand out is my work ethic. I usually try to create one video a week, whether it be a review of the latest horror release, a Top 10 list, an editorial, etc. Nothing could ever extinguish the sheer passion I have for creating content. And trust me, my friends and family can attest to just how much I adore everything horror related. However, it wasn’t always easy getting to this point. Growing up, I was often ridiculed for my interests. And, like many young artists, it took me awhile to fully embrace my interests and not dislike myself for being different. Now, I’m much more confident in myself as a person and as a filmmaker.

My filmmaking style tends to blend both horror and comedy. ‘Killer vs. Killer’, an award-winning short film I directed a couple years back, is about two quirky serial killers who fight over the same target. The twist is that they teach their “victim” how to properly seek revenge on those who have wronged her. So, there’s a bit of irony to that story. My most recent short, ‘Out of The Grid’, is about a jaded online gamer who gets invited to play a horror game…and ends up bringing something evil into the real world. So, a cruel twist of fate with a touch of humor. These are just a couple examples of my ever-growing filmography.

I have collaborated with a number of immensely talented artists here in the state of Arizona. Without their help and support, I would not be able to bring my ideas to life. Filmmaking is absolutely a team effort, so surrounding myself with such skilled artists has definitely helped me grow as a creator. Currently, I’m working on some new feature screenplays, one of which is a dark comic book satire called, ‘Super Henchmen’. I’m still creating videos for my YouTube channel, in fact I’m currently putting together a documentary about children’s horror shows people watched in their youth. I guess what I want the world to know about my brand is that I accept horror fans of all backgrounds and interests. We all possess a potent love for the genre, so we should all have each others’ backs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m always impatiently waiting for Halloween because Arizona has some truly exciting events that take place during the season. Every year, I attempt to visit the spooky haunts that are located here, whether it be Fear Farm or 13th Floor. Me and my wife also make it a point to attend the chili festival at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek. It’s a family friendly environment filled with corn mazes, BBQ stands, and hay rides. I’m utterly guilty of devouring more hot dogs than I can count.

Of course, as a film fanatic, I like to indulge myself in shopping for new Blu-ray and DVD titles. There’s a wonderful chain called Zia Records, and they sell all sorts of used movies, music, merchandise, etc. They definitely feed my physical media addiction. I love taking my fellow movie fans to Zia because they often find titles they can add to their collections as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve always recognized the importance of family, so of course I’d love to give a shout out to my wonderful parents Mike and Carol, as well as my siblings Jessica and Allison. My parents were the ones who recognized my passion for making movies at a very young age. And, without even hesitating, they encouraged me to pursue a filmmaking career. They even went as far as to help me create many of my own short films! My father often ran the camera and my mother, being the skilled designer she is, decorated the sets. If I could gift them with Academy Awards, I certainly would. I’m also lucky enough to have an incredibly supportive presence in the form of my amazing wife Rebecca, who’s never questioned why I spend countless hours watching horrifying movies like ‘The Thing’, ‘Halloween’, and a slew of Japanese thrillers. Honestly, she’s a trooper for listening to me ramble endlessly about scary stuff. Creatively, I’ve been inspired by prestigious filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Hayao Miyazaki, John Carpenter, Sam Raimi, Mike Flanagan, and Dario Argento. Few things warm my heart more than settling in on a calm, quiet evening and watching a film by one of these creative geniuses.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roundtheclockfrights/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RFrights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horrorallyear

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnvws-ybRJTIMHfNVWLp2og