Recently, we had the chance to review the indie short “Nite Nite,” which was written and directed by Chad Meisenheimer, an independent filmmaker and actor living in Los Angeles. The film, a clear homage to the ’80s horror genre, played with our emotions as it explored the ‘monster in the closet’ that all kids are afraid of—except this time it’s for real.
With only a length of three minutes, Meisenheimer was able to imbue feelings of horror and throwback camaraderie that are hard to come by in this day in age. The protagonist’s relationship with his babysitter was more akin to Carpenter’s mesmerizing “Halloween” than new millennium pop culture usually allows. A love of the genre runs through Meisenheimer’s piece, and that’s something to proud of.
The Movie Buff recently had the chance to talk to Chad about his filmmaking, his roles, life in L.A., and his hopes for the future.
Hi, can you please introduce yourself for our readers?
CM: Hello, I’m Chad Meisenheimer. I’m an award winning Los Angeles based Actor-Comedian/Content Creator originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. I was born in the ‘80s, but grew up in the ‘90s.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself? How did you get into acting/directing?
Tommie Vegas and Brady Bond in a scene from Meisenheimer’s “Nite Nite.”
CM: I knew I wanted to make movies since six years old. I grew up watching a lot of the classic movies when visiting my grandparents house when they put on ‘American Movie Classics’ (when they actually played movies) or ‘Turner Classic Movies.’ So I was a fan of films of John Wayne, James Stewart, Gary Cooper, the Three Stooges, Laurel and Hardy to name a few. Never liked kid movies or Disney films as a child for some reason.
Around the age of twelve I realized I didn’t have any real Hollywood connections or had the money to go to a really big film school. So I decided acting had to be my path into directing. I didn’t make my first short film until after graduating high school when I was fifteen (back in 2000) and started attending Solano Community College double majoring in Film/TV Production and Acting.
What have been some of your favorite films you’ve created so far?
CM: Some of favorite films I have created have been “Broke” (2008) which was a neo-noir crime drama about mobsters, crooked cops, and a shady accountant, which “Film Threat” called me a second rate Tarantino/Carnahan. Which I take as a compliment. Also my comedy short film “Netflix & Chill” (2016) starring Shaun Weiss of “The Mighty Ducks Movies,” [with]Jenna Colamartino and myself about a date night going wrong when the roommate is home.
In addition to acting, you’ve also stated you’re into comedy. Can you tell us a bit about this? What kind of success have you had?
CM: I started doing stand-up comedy back in 2010 after moving back to Northern California after my first stint In L.A. (2008-2009). Life threw me some curveballs and [I] was burnt out making films. I just spent 2010-2013 just doing stand-up, hosting and producing comedy shows up in Sacramento, CA. Surprisingly I was financially good at it.
What is your favorite genre of film and why?
CM: I think my favorite genre is comedy which is my bread and butter, followed by horror and neo-noir crime drama.
You hail from the Los Angeles area. What are some of the benefits and challenges of working in L.A.?
Promotional cover for Meisenheimer’s directorial/writing project “Netflix & Chill.”
CM: This is my second time living in L.A. and I’ve been here for five years now. Personally being from the San Francisco Bay Area I dislike LA with a passion, but it does have it perks. The benefits of living in L.A. are good weather and being closer to the business. But you don’t have to live in Los Angeles to be a professional filmmaker or make a living. Los Angeles is overpriced, overpopulated, and oversaturated.
We liked your film “Nite Nite.” We found it a unique throwback. Can you tell us your inspiration for the film?
CM: I love my short film “Nite Nite,” probably one of the only shorts I’ve made that even came close to how I visualized it. I wanted to try something different at the time. I’m a big fan of John Carpenter (“Halloween”), Tom Holland (“Fright Night,” “Child Play”), and Joe Dante (“Gremlins”). I also liked the idea of nostalgia about a little boy afraid of a monster under his bed.
Do you prefer directing full length films or shorts better. Why?
CM: I haven’t directed a full length film yet. I was originally hired to direct my first horror feature early 2018 but left the project due to creative differences on the budget. I’ve produced a few feature films, and based on that I love making short films more. I find it challenging to tell a three act story in a short amount of time and to keep the audience’s attention. I’ve made about eighteen short films so far (not including my student films).
Some of favorite films I have created have been “Broke” (2008) which was a neo-noir crime drama about mobsters, crooked cops, and a shady accountant, which “Film Threat” called me a second rate Tarantino/Carnahan.chad meisenheimer
What are some of your hopes for the future?
CM: I’m about to be 34 and my future hopes are to create a TV series by 35 and to direct my first feature by 36. Lofty goals I know. (Laughs).
Do you have any advice for aspiring filmmakers?
CM: My advice to newer filmmaker: make as many short films as you can then build up to bigger projects. Also, don’t move to L.A. right away. So many people do and they get stuck in a rut.
You can follow Chad with the following links:
Twitter: @ChadMeise
Instagram: @TheChadMeise
Vimeo: Chad Meisenheimer
