HNN Filmmaker Spotlight: CHRISTOPHER ERIC OUTRIDGE (Teddy Cuddles, Slumber Party)

Mike Joy 06/03/2024 News

Christopher Eric Outridge (CEO), embarked on his journey as a storyteller at the tender age of 12. Alongside his fellow siblings, Chris delved into the realms of fiction through immersive role-playing games and horror movies, embodying and performing his favorite comic book characters, wrestlers and horror characters. These games would last for hours, where Chris and his siblings would take on multiple roles and act out entire storylines / episodes in a single afternoon! This early passion for performance ignited his imagination, leading him to explore various avenues of creative expression.

Driven by an insatiable desire to create, Chris ventured into poetry and screenwriting, weaving intricate tales populated by the characters from his vivid imagination. With each word penned, he discovered a love for the art of storytelling, fueling his ambition to explore the vast landscape of the entertainment industry.

His first introduction to the entertainment industry was working as an extra and featured extra on set of films and TV shows such as SLEEPERS, RANDSOM, NEW YORK UNDERCOVER and LAW AND ORDER. As a matter of fact, Chris became SAG actor before he even knew what SAG was, after his first ever 3 days on set for SLEEPERS. Working on set and watching the crew in action only further inspired Chris to get behind the camera and bring his written works to life!

During his college years, Chris pursued a degree in Film Production, honing his skills in directing and editing. For him, filmmaking was more than a career path—it was a gateway to bring the world living in his imagination to life on the silver screen. With each project, he sought to immerse his audience in the rich tapestry of his narratives, inviting them to experience the joys and struggles of his characters as if they were part of his own family

Beyond writing, Chris made his mark as a multifaceted filmmaker, serving as head editor for independent films such as “Cross The Line” and “Katie’s Wish,” and gaining widespread acclaim for his TAPE ME Horror Short Film Series, which he wrote, directed and produced. His work caught the attention of FANGORIA Magazine, solidifying his status as a rising star in the horror genre.
Growing even further as a filmmaker and producer, and seeing the redundancies and constant rebooting in mainstream cinema, Chris felt a strong need to push the envelope and give birth to a new brand for storytelling and characterization to the industry. Through his work in the horror genre and unafraid to tackle controversial themes, Chris imbued his stories with raw realism, unapologetically portraying the terrors of the human experience, with a dedication to using practical effects for heighten realism!

From 2023 and beyond, Chris’ work in horror is taking the independent horror film festival world by storm.
His short horror film MEAT is a 2 x Award Winner for Best Kill and Best Gore in the Severed Limbs Film Festival and The Independent Horror Movie Awards. FUN FACT… The gore in this film is all 100% cooked and seasoned meat, prepared by his producing partner Amanda Ruiz! Once again, this proves a dedication to practical effects and realism that is second to none!
Chris made the bold move of self-financing his first feature horror anthology film SLUMBER PARTY, and the powerful journey is paying off! He has won Best Director for his short film NIGHTMARE, one of the six shorts in the horror anthology feature. NIGHTMARE itself is a multi-award-winning short film as well, for Best Editing, Best Music and Sound, Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress.

His short horror / comedy script Teddy Cuddles has taken home 10x Awards from some of the world’s leading horror film festivals including, Best Short Screenplay – Shockfest Film Festival 2023, Best Original Screenplay – Hollywood Blood Horror Festival 2023, Best Short Screenplay, 2nd Runner Up for Best Short Screenplay – A Night Of Horror International Film Festival 2024, Finalist – Best Villain – Frights! Camera! Action! Horror Screenplay Contest 2024, The Silver Award for Best Short Screenplay – Kraken International Film Festival in Milan, Italy 2024.

As he continues to push the boundaries of storytelling, Christopher Eric Outridge remains committed to sharing his vision with the world. With each project, he raises the bar for excellence, proving that with passion and determination, anything is possible in the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2282461/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2