A surprise houseguest arrives and the air goes thin. When Jeff never considers consulting his fiancée Emilia before inviting her in, boundaries begin to blur. 

Jealousy is the wrong word. Survival is closer.

Julie Ann Dawson

Caitlin Zoz

Damien Chinappi

Paul Melluzzo

Erica Joseph Hunter

Kevin Shea

David Jedziniak

Vasilios Sfinarolakis

Bryan Capri

Matteo Guastamacchio

Susan Barrett

Tammy Gibbens

Lindsey Interrante

Jim Canty

Patrick Quinn Hines

Greg Nutcher

Mark Kaminski

Malcolm Cameron

FlavorLab

The Roommate Wanted casting call was hosted at the Connecticut Reserve bar/night club which also starred in one of the scenes in the short.  

For people who couldn't make it in, we also accepted Google Meet (then Hangouts).

The lovely and talented Ben Chester from Spiral Horn FX created a cast of Damien's head for the final practical FX shot of the short.  After the cast was created, Ben sculpted the fine details in and added hair.  

I still have that head in my closet...can't bear to let it go. 

Realistic prop head with fake blood, used in horror film production, beside a mold on a work surface.

Close-up of a pink face mold on a work surface, showcasing intricate details and surrounding materials.

A man molds a pink casting material over a head model in a creative workshop.

Creative workspace with sketches, masks, and tools on a wooden table showcasing art and design elements.

A person applying a thick, purple mold to a head form, with supplies nearby.

Two men in a workshop working on special effects makeup and prosthetics with various tools around them.

Two men in a workshop creating costumes, one using a smartphone and the other working on a headpiece.

A man lying on a towel, preparing for a process involving a bucket, in a workshop setting.

I opted for a simple brand on this short film.  SteelTongs was used for the font choice and blood/smoke elements added some texture to the static graphics and title animations.

Roommate Wanted poster by Absent Logic Media, featuring bold text on a black background.

Roommate Wanted poster by Absent Logic Media with bold text on a dark background

Three people collaborating in a bright kitchen with a laptop, coffee, and a cozy atmosphere.

Behind-the-scenes of a vibrant music video shoot with colorful lights and crew preparing for recording.

Realistic dummy head with fake blood, tools, and a mold on a messy surface.

Artist applying a bald cap in a creative workshop with tools and props in the background.

Paul Melluzzo and Colin Theys having a serious conversation in a kitchen setting.

Actors in a restaurant scene with a waiter serving pasta, capturing a film or dinner setting.

Young filmmaker holds a clapperboard on a film set, capturing the scene for a project titled 'Roommate Wanted.'

Couple enjoying a romantic dinner at a cozy restaurant, with wine and flowers on the table.

A woman with glasses in a restaurant, looking thoughtful, with a floral table setting in the background.

Paul Melluzzo and Julie Dawson engaged in conversation on a film set, one appears thoughtful while the other is surprised.

Film crew setting up equipment outside a house for a shooting scene with various filming tools.

Cinematographer Vasilios Sfinarolakis focuses on camera setup in a red-lit studio during a film shoot.

Group of five people engaged in a discussion around a table with food and beverages.

Two women in a kitchen sharing an intimate moment, one wearing glasses and the other in a beanie.

Julie Dawson in black coat standing at home entrance with a dog stepping out at dusk.

Dark portrait of a woman peering through a door, conveying mystery and suspense in monochrome tones.

Close-up of a woman’s eye reflected in a circular mirror, showcasing intricate details and vivid colors.

A man in a gray hoodie discusses while a woman in a blue top observes, in a film set environment.

A woman with glasses looks thoughtfully while sitting at a restaurant table, surrounded by flowers and guests.

Romantic dinner scene with a couple engaged in conversation at an intimate restaurant table.

Filmmaker holding a clapperboard for 'Roommate Wanted' on set, preparing for a take.

Actors dining in a restaurant scene with a waiter serving pasta during a film shoot.

Two men in glasses sitting in a kitchen, one looking pensive while the other observes intently.

Behind-the-scenes filming with crew, colorful lights, and a monitor displaying the scene setup.

Three people in a kitchen meeting: one working on a laptop, two conversing over coffee.

Artist applying a bald cap on a model in a creative workshop setting, surrounded by tools and props.

Realistic prop head with simulated blood, casting mold, and heat gun on a messy workspace.

Woman with curly hair in a black coat stands at the door with a dog exiting the house.

Two women interacting warmly in a kitchen setting, showcasing friendship and connection.

Filmmaker operating a professional camera with vibrant lighting on a set.

Group discussion around a table with snacks and drinks, under a chandelier, in a casual setting.

Filming crew set up equipment outside a house for a video shoot on a sunny day.

A dark, moody artwork of a woman peeking from behind a door, conveying mystery and suspense.

A couple enjoying an intimate dinner with wine and candlelight in an elegant restaurant setting.

Woman cleaning a bathroom floor with yellow gloves in a bright, airy home environment.

A woman in a red dress singing into a microphone under vibrant stage lights.

Two young adults engaged in conversation in a cozy indoor setting, both wearing casual striped clothing.

Woman with curly hair and glasses at a keyboard, flowers in a vase, artistic workspace background.

Woman peeking from behind a door, featuring long hair and a thoughtful expression.

Two women engaged in conversation at a vibrant bar, holding drinks and enjoying their night out.

Two figures share an intimate moment indoors, emphasizing emotions and connection.

Young woman in pink hoodie focused on laptop in ambient red lighting

Close-up of a woman with curly hair and dramatic makeup, showcasing her intense expression and earrings.

Woman reading from a script in a dimly lit space, focused on her performance.

Portrait of a woman with long blonde hair and pink lipstick, dressed in black, in a cozy indoor setting.

Person sitting with paper in hand, illuminated backdrop featuring beer advertisement.

Smiling woman with wavy red hair, wearing a floral dress, in a bright indoor setting.

Young man in striped hoodie speaking animatedly in a casual indoor setting.

Woman with long hair in a black top sitting, looking pensively to the side against a neutral background.

Woman with long brown hair smiling while speaking, with a creative workspace in the background.

Smiling person with long blonde hair wearing a blue hoodie, sitting against a white background.

A woman with curly hair stands in a dimly lit bar holding a blank sheet of paper.

Woman with long blonde hair standing in bar, holding papers, with warm lighting and dark interior.

Young man in a navy shirt sitting against a plain background, looking thoughtfully off-camera.

Woman reading papers in a dark venue, spotlighted with background advertising Heineken.

Man sitting on a chair, deep in thought, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans in a dimly lit bar.

Man lying down with towel, preparing for a process involving a bucket of material.

Two men working in a costume shop, one taking a selfie while the other prepares a wig cap.

Man applying a silicone skull cap on another man in a creative workshop filled with tools.

Hands applying pink material to a mold, showcasing creative art techniques and sculpting skills.

Creative workspace featuring skulls, concept art, and sci-fi props on a cluttered workbench.

Artist applying mold material on a sculpted head in a workshop, showcasing creative process.

Silicone mold of a face with details captured, resting on a workbench.

Roommate wanted ad by Absent Logic Media on a dark background

Roommate wanted announcement by Absent Logic Media with bold lettering.

An unexpected houseguest unsettles a couple’s home in Roommate Wanted, an independent horror short written and directed by Paul Melluzzo.

Roommate Wanted — Horror Short Film

Independent horror short

I wrote and directed this horror short about Emilia, whose fiancé offers an old friend a place to stay. As Maggie makes herself at home, Emilia begins to wonder why she came.

Roommate Wanted

The Story

The Project

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