Shooting a micro-budget horror film with a crew of seniors
- Sean Cisterna
- Oct 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 16
Sean Cisterna - originally published for Unison
Sep 8, 2025
As someone who has worked across a range of budgets in film and television, I know that constraints often lead to the most creative solutions. But The Rug - a short horror film made with a crew of inexperienced senior citizens - pushed that idea to the limit in the most delightful way. Our documentary, Silver Screamers, chronicles the behind-the-scenes journey of the making of The Rug. It is a testament to the unexpected power of simplicity, storytelling, and a little chaos – and it will be making its Alberta premiere at the Calgary International Film Festival, which runs from September 18-28, 2025.
Let’s start with the budget. We had no traditional infrastructure. Our gear fit in the back of a panel van. We used LED lights and battery-powered sound recorders. Props were sourced from thrift stores. Lunches came from local diners. And our police officer uniform? Well, one of our seniors tried to get that from a local police station, but they turned her down. "Apparently they don't give out police uniforms," 80-year-old wardrobe artist Diane Buchanan said.
But what we lacked in resources, we made up for in passion. Every crew member—from our septuagenarian camera assistant to our nonagenarian sound recordist —brought a sense of play and determination that transformed a low-budget horror set into something far more meaningful. Jayne Eastwood, our iconic 78-year-old lead actress, brought star power and gravitas, but even she would tell you the seniors behind the scenes stole the show. “The seniors were amazing,” said Eastwood, “and I marveled at just how fast they acclimatized. They looked like they’ve always been on a film set, quite frankly.”
Silver Screamers captures all of it—the green screen suit mishaps, the blood-stained fingers, the unintentional afternoon naps, and the desperate hope that the community shows up for opening night. But it also captures the joy: the giddy moment our monster rug finally moved convincingly, the laughter over botched takes, the hugs at wrap. It captures the real essence of filmmaking—collaboration, community, and believing in the impossible.
This is not just a story about making a movie. It’s about challenging the very foundation of ageism in our industry. Seniors aren’t a novelty; they’re a powerhouse of perspective, work ethic, and sometimes - comedic timing. The Rug has already screened at genre film festivals across North America. And as we prepare for the festival debut of Silver Screamers, I hope other filmmakers take note: creativity isn’t confined to youth. Sometimes, the most visionary crew you’ll ever work with is already retired.
Silver Screamers debuts at film festivals internationally this fall and will later be released theatrically across Canada. Follow the film on Facebook and Instagram @silverscreamersdoc
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