SILVER SCREAMERS | REVIEW

Silver Screamers Poster

Everyone in the film industry starts somewhere, but most don’t start their filmmaking journey at 96 years old. However, that’s precisely the case for Audrey Cameron, one of the subjects of Sean Cisterna’s Silver Screamers. The heartwarming documentary follows writer-director Cisterna as he directs the horror short “The Rug” with a crew of senior citizens. Through pre-production to the premiere of the short, he showcases every step of the filmmaking process through the eyes of first time filmmakers. The resulting feature is wonderful. 

Cisterna humorously opens Silver Screamers with his crew of eight speaking about horror movies–they aren’t really fans. It doesn’t take long for them to warm up to the idea, though; they’re fascinated by the process, and excited for their respective crew roles. Documentaries typically live or die by the entertainment value of their subjects; this group of seniors boasts plenty of charm. 

Take Anthony Garramone, the props master, for example. His eccentric style and eager demeanor are a highlight of the film as he lights up a pre-roll—he assures the camera crew that he has a prescription—during one of his many talking heads. He humorously disregards his budget at one point, paying almost triple his budget for a rug just because he likes the look of it. 

Overpaying for a rug isn’t the only snag this production hits. Diane Buchanan, working wardrobe, is surprised to find out that the police do not lend out police uniforms to the public, and has to find another solution. At one point, Audrey forgets to hit record during a take. Someone—who is never identified in the doc—accidentally breaks a piece of antique furniture in the historic house the production is filming in. These moments are humorous, but never belittling. They’re just little mistakes that could happen on any film set—and often do, especially with first-timers. 

The snags and pitfalls are well-documented, but Silver Screamers also revels in the joy of discovery. Diane Arment, makeup artist, can’t contain her glee when picking up the prosthetic hands and feet made for the film. Special effects creator David Swift is absolutely tickled with the idea of making an evil rug “digest” someone, and steps up when he has to pivot to a different technique to make the finale of the short work. Perhaps the most charming scene comes from the post-production process, where each senior gives their respective impressions of the rug’s digestion sounds in ADR. 

For all of the joy, there’s also a bit of melancholy to some of the subjects’ stories. Arment, who lost her husband months before signing up, is ready to dive into the project in order to stay active and keep her mind busy. Cameron is the sole surviving sibling in her family, and at 96, wants to stay as active as she can. The score recorded by Gwynneth Heaton unfortunately has to be scrapped in favor of something different, in one of the saddest moments of the film. These details add to the documentary, giving the audience something deeper to connect with. 

The beauty of Silver Screamers comes in watching these eight people come together to make something they’re passionate about, and overcoming the challenges lobbed at them. Film sets can be notoriously difficult, but this crew handles the setbacks with an eagerness to learn. Bari-Lynn Butters, the assistant director, finds herself overwhelmed at the start of production, but finds her confidence as the shoot goes on. Camera operator Sonny Lauzon grows more comfortable with framing dynamic shots with the help of his cinematographer mentor. Watching the progress of each subject mastering new skills is inspiring.

By the time the film ends with the premiere of “The Rug,” it’s a rewarding payoff for everyone involved, including the viewer. Watching these seniors reap the fruits of their labor is a treat, a perfect cap to a movie about the always imperfect filmmaking process. There are countless movies (documentary and narrative) that celebrate filmmaking; few are as charming and heartfelt as Silver Screamers, a film that posits that it’s never too late to step outside one’s comfort zone and try something new.