David Schmidt - Sword & Cloak
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kindtraveler.bsky.social
David Schmidt - Sword & Cloak
@kindtraveler.bsky.social
320 followers 290 following 390 posts
Filmmaker, storyteller, friend. Just trying to make the world a little better.

(And maybe a little more mysterious... )

https://www.youtube.com/@cinegeek
https://www.swordandcloak.com/
No Gen-AI ever.
Posts Replies Media Videos
kindtraveler.bsky.social
This neighborhood mansion is Gothic AF.

#andersonvillechicago
#ChicagoGothic
#ChicagoHorror
#HorrorCommunity
Against the grey glow of a clouding sky, the dark shape of a very large house looms, mostly visible only by it's brightly lit windows. It has a cone-shaped cupola, multiple peaked dormers with rounded windows. Other windows are a variety of shapes and patterns, only broken by the skeletal trees in the foreground. Even though it's walls might be yellow, it feels huge, dark, and sinister in the night.
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Working on a mask for the next episode of Beyond These Haunted Streets: BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS. Coming along nicely, I think. 🙂
#HorrorCommunity
#FolkHorror
#UrbanWyrd
#IndieHorror
#HorrorMovies
#ChicagoHorror
November 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
For BEYOND THESE HAUNTED STREETS, I wanted the Title to feel old-school, so used a fish tank as a simple form of "cloud tank", like was used in CE3K, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Ghostbusters.
#practicalFX
#BeyondTheseHauntedStreets
#indiefilmmaking
#cloudtank
November 11, 2025 at 9:29 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
The Best Horror Films of the 21st Century - I was hoping to talk about these films too:

The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)
A History of the Occult (2020)
Frailty
The Cabin in the Woods
Absentia

<1 of 2>

#BestHorrorFilmsofthe21stCentury
#IndieHorror
#HorrorMovies
#HorrorCommunity
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
New Project:
BEYOND THIS HAUNTED CITY – A Folk-Horror Anthology
Follow, Subscribe & Join us!

<1of 4>

#swordandcloakproductions
#BeyondTheseHauntedStreets
#IndieHorror
#ChicagoHorror
#RogersParkChicago
#FolkHorror
#UrbanHorror
#UrbanWeird
#CosmicHorror
#IndieFilm
October 30, 2025 at 2:25 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Arthur Mosby (DC Cathro) is pursued by an evil curse, and the darkest magic, in Sword & Cloak Productions' new short film: PRELUDE TO THE WITCH! On YouTube tomorrow, 10/20, Halloween Eve! Please Like & Share!

#IndieHorror
#IndieHorrorMovies
#ChicagoHorror
#HorrorCommunity
#HorrorMovies
#FolkHorror
Underneath an elevated train track at night, a corn-husk doll lies on the pavement. There is a scrap of colored fabric around its neck, and many dark and painful looking thorns stick out of it's body. In the background we can see the Arthur Mosby fleeing the scene. But is it too late to escape?
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Walter Mosby (DC Cathro) sees a cryptic message as he rides the train, in Sword & Clock Productions' new short film PRELUDE TO THE WITCH! Premiering on YT Thursday, 10/20, Halloween! Please Like and Share!

#IndieHorror
#IndieHorrorMovies
#ChicagoHorror
#HorrorCommunity
#HorrorMovies
#FolkHorror
October 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
In our new Short Film: PRELUDE TO THE WITCH, DC Cathro stars Walter Mosby, an academic who is forced to believe in a terrible evil. Premiering this Thursday, 10/20, Halloween Eve!

#IndieHorror
#IndieHorrorMovies
#ChicagoHorror
#HorrorCommunity
#HorrorMovies
#FolkHorror
DC Cathro as Walter Mosby, a greying academic with a grey beard stands on a shadowy subway platform talking to his phone with a worried brow.
October 27, 2025 at 8:18 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: GET OUT (2017) In Jordan Peel's directorial debut a young black man meets his white girlfriend's parents & learns a horrible secret. Ira Levin-like paranoia & sharp social commentary.
#BestHorrorFilmsofthe21stCentury
#IndieHorror
#HorrorMovies
#HorrorCommunity
In a wooded area, Daniel Kaluuya looks warily at another young black man in a straw hat in the foreground.
October 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
NEW MOVIE: PRELUDE TO THE WITCH, as well as the launch of a New Project! Coming this Thursday, 10/20, Halloween Eve! Can't wait for you see it. If you want to support, please Like & Share!

#IndieHorror
#IndieHorrorMovies
#ChicagoHorror
#HorrorCommunity
#HorrorMovies
#FolkHorror
#CosmicHorror
The shadowy and majestic front entrance to The Chicago Public Library at night, lit only by the old-style streetlamps. Above it the words "PRELUDE TO THE WITCH"!
October 27, 2025 at 2:26 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: I SAW THE TV GLOW : Jane Schoenbrun's personal existential/identity horror follows 2 troubled H. S. students who bond over a TV show that drives them to question reality & identity.

#BestHorrorFilmsofthe21stCentury
#QueerHorror
#HorrorMovies
#HorrorCommunity
On a dark lawn, an old wooden console TV gouts flames, both form it's top and from the illuminated insides through the broken tube at its center. Sinister.
October 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: THE VVITCH (2015): Robert Eggers' historical Folk Horror film follows a Puritan family who are preyed upon by an evil force in the woods. Iconic and resonate.

#BestHorrorFilmsofthe21stCentury
#FolkHorror
#HorrorMovies
#HorrorCommunity
Dressed in 17th century peasant clothing, a teenage girl and a younger boy sit in a field of dead grass and ragged tree stumps, on the edge of a dark pool of water. A dark forest looms behind them.
October 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
I love this apartment building in my neighborhood. They are totally winning at Halloween!

#halloweenchicago
#Halloween2025
#RogersParkChicago
October 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: ONE CUT OF THE DEAD (2017) - Shin'ichirō Ueda's in hilarious & heartfelt meta-horror-comedy a crew trying to film a zombie movie is attacked by real zombies, but... AVOID SPOILERS!
#Best21stcenturyhorror
#J-Horror
#IndieHorror
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
October 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: SESSION 9 (2001) Brad Anderson's psychological horror film follows an asbestos abatement crew working at an abandoned mental asylum, who experience frightening events. An indie horror fav!

#Best21stcenturyhorror
#IndieHorror
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
October 17, 2025 at 3:21 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
"For the Library Haunted House, we'd love to have a cemetery."

"What's our budget?"

"Pretty much whatever you can find around here."

"We have cardboard boxes? I'll see what I can do..."
:)
#halloweenchicago
#Halloween2025
#DIYHalloween
#loyolalibrarychicago
#RogersParkChicago
#LibrariesHalloween
A set of unpainted Gothic tombstones made of cardboard boxes, including such details as Gothic arches, crosses, and Edward Gorey-esque death's heads leaned up against a large filing cabinet.
October 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Films of 21st Century: PAN'S LABRYNTH (2006) Guillermo del Toro's horror fairytale masterpiece about a young girl given trials by magical creatures in the countryside of Franciost Spain. Must-see viewing.

#Best21stcenturyhorror
#spanishhorror
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
A young girl with short dark hair stands in the foreground, eyes closed lips parted. Behind her, with a roaring fire in the background, is a pale eyeless man with horrible dripping skin.
October 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
THE SUMMER HIKARU DIED - one of the best horror comics I've read in ages. "After his best friend returns from being lost in the forest, a a boy realizes that something otherworldly has taken his place."
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#HorrorComics
#HorrorManga
#CosmicHorror
#HorrorCommunity
October 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Films of 21st Century: BEST WISHES TO ALL (2022): Yûta Shimotsu's 1st film follows a young woman summoned home to her small family village, only to discover their terrible secrets. IMHO, best Japanese horror in ages.

#Best21stcenturyhorror
#JapaneseHorror
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
An older Japanese woman's stomach is swollen ready to birth, as she lays on the backs of two others on their hands and knees. A young man kneels between her legs, his hands extended, as if ready to catch the baby. Dark and deeply disturbing.
October 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: TRAIN TO BUSAN (2016). Yeon Sang-ho's action/horror/disaster movie follows passengers who board a train just as a zombie apocalypse breaks out, using their wits to survive.

#Best21stcenturyhorror
#Koreanhorror
#ZombieMovie
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
In the tight interior of a Korean passenger train, three men look over the camera, preparing to act. On one side, a teen baseball player with a bloody bat. To his left, a man in a white business shirt baring a make-shift shield. In from of them both, a burly man in a blue t-shirt, his forearms bound with thick fabric and duct tape. They look wary, but resolute. The car around them is spattered with blood...
October 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: GINGER SNAPS (2000) One of few great werewolf movies, about two death-obsessed sisters whose relationship is tested when one is bitten. Great performances & feminist themes.

#Best21stcenturyhorror
#canadianhorror
#Werewolf
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
In front of a suburban school, two sister confront a young man with his back to us. The taller red-haired girl in front stares at him with an expression or doubt, but also desire or hunger? Her younger, dark-haired sister lurks behind her, with an expression of doubt and fear.
October 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: THE ORPHANAGE (2007) J.A. Bayona's story of a young family that purchase the orphanage that the wife grew up in, only to have her own child go missing in it's haunted walls. Scary & moving.

#Best21stcenturyhorror
#SpanishHorror
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
Looking down a dark hallway decorated with opulent dark woodwork, greenish wallpaper, and old-fashion fixtures. The figure of a small child stands looking back. He's wearing old-style "sailor suit" kids ware. And his face is covered with the creepiest ever cloth mask, like a sack over his head and mismatched eyes and mouth sewn on.
October 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century: IT FOLLOWS (2014) - Dismissed as "STD horror", a deeper read reveals a subtext of SA trauma (the final form is always a family member), it's legacy, & the "horror of settling". Harrowing.

#Best21stcenturyhorror
#HorrorComedy
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
October 2, 2025 at 9:37 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
October means working on movies & haunted houses. The mask on the left is an old store-bought that I've painted for use in this year's Library Haunted House. The mask on the left is my own work, to be used in an upcoming short film!

#HorrorCommunity
#LibraryHalloween
#IndieHorror
#HorrorFilmmaking
Two masks on a work table. The one on the left is a plastic store-bought mask meant to portray the skull of a bat. It's been painted with dark paint to bring out all of it's creepy textures. On the Right is half-finished. It's a paper mache, in the shape of a skull with long tendrils hanging down. Spooky!
October 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM
kindtraveler.bsky.social
Best Horror Films of the 21st Century: WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (2014) - Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi's hugely popular mockumentary rings delightful laughter from traditional vampire tropes colliding with the modern world.

#Best21stcenturyhorror
#HorrorComedy
#HorrorCommunity
#horrormovies
October 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM