Today we’d like to introduce you to Sienna Skinner.
Hi Sienna , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I first started film back in high school, and have been a huge fan of it since then, specifically horror films. For the past 3 years, I have been putting together & funding a short film titled Camp Carnage, inspired by the 80s horror films that I grew up on. Working with fellow Portland, Oregon creatives, we shot the short film over the course of 3 days up in Linn County Oregon. My dream is to take this film we’ve created and use it to create a feature film debut using the same concept. This project has been my heart beat for a very long time and it’s been beautiful to see it come to fruition thanks to the help of so many talented artists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been easy by any means. The idea was first conceptualized about three years ago while on a camping trip. I thought “This would be the perfect place for a horror film”. That small thread unraveled into the final product we’ve come to now. But it took years of planning, saving, and putting the project together. Saving up the finances to get the quality products & materials we would need was one of the biggest hurdles. I really couldn’t have done it, let alone to the quality of what we’ve created, without the endless support and dedication from all the other artists involved who helped me stay on track and move forward during those rough bumps.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The film is a hyper stylized faux trailer, made to fit in right with the likes of Friday the 13th, Sleepaway Camp, Madman… All those great campground slashers. Accurately depicting the great 80s boom of slashers was one of the most important aspects for me. My main goals were to tell a familiar yet exciting story, show all the blood & guts practically, and pay tribute to the art of 80s horror filmmaking. I think i’m most proud of the collaborative aspects of the project, and being lucky enough to connect with so many people who understood the vision of the film. I want people to know that this is only the beginning for Camp Carnage, we’re already putting together the pieces for our feature length adaptation of the short film. I want people to know that if this wild genre of films means something to you, I see you, I understand, and this is all for you.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think determination has been absolutely vital to seeing this project through. Filmmaking, even with a short film is such an expensive & challenging process especially when going the indie route. Every solution you find for a problem seems to create 10 new issues to worry about. If you don’t keep that final vision bright in your mind, it can be so easy to just want to throw in the towel. Every time I would feel those feelings of failure I would give myself a few minutes to feel it, and then focus back in on the goal and how closely we could make that happen.
Pricing:
- We are selling functional VHS tapes of the short film for $35 each. We will also have DVD’s available at a later date. All proceeds from this physical media run will go directly to funding our feature film. However, the film will still be available to watch online on October 31st 2026.
- The Clinton Street Theater located in Portland will be premiering the film on the big screen October 22nd 2026, along with a double feature of Death Spa (1988). Tickets are $10 and we would love to see you there. (https://cstpdx.com/event/death-spa)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @campcarnage1981
- Youtube: @finalgirling
