PopHorror Let's Get Scared
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
It’s a simple enough question, one we’ve all undoubtedly been asked at least once in our lifetimes. It probably shouldn’t be an elusive answer, although for myself personally, I still feel it’s a question that’s gone unanswered. I never really thought or planned for a future. I didn’t expected to have one, or at least one of any significance. At 37-years-old, I still honestly have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. That’s why I’m always super impressed by young people that not only have a plan, but that are actively living it, not hesitating to chase their dreams, no matter what their age. Viva Tolar is one such young person. Her love and passion for all things film lead to her directing her first ever short film, Killer Kids, a bloody yet fun homage to the slashers of the ’70s and ’80s. This is a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that she’s only 10 years of age.
Viva has been actively pursuing her dreams for a number of years now. Filmmaking certainly runs in the family genes: her mother, Dayna Noffke, is one the most talented and hard-working directors in the recently erupting Atlanta film scene. Some of Viva’s earliest memories of horror were around age 4 while watching The Mummy and the other classic Universal Monster movies with her mom. Her love of horror continued to grow from there. She began experimenting with gore and makeup effects at the age of 5, and has been honing her craft ever since. She has already worked with and studied under Shane Morton (Frankenstein Created Bikers, Spring Break Zombie Massacre), one of the finest effects and makeup wizards in the world. You can follow her makeup and FX exploits over on Instagram, where she is known as The Littlest Monstermaker.
She’s also done some acting, appearing in a handful of her mother’s short films: Picnic (2012), Under the Bed (2015), and most recently, Dayna’s contribution to the Soska Sisters’ 2018 Women in Horror Month Massive Blood Drive collection of films, the breathtakingly beautiful black and white Sanguino (you can read our review of the short here), starring opposite Atlanta superstar actress Madeline Brumby. But Killer Kids most definitely proves that Viva has the chops to dive into directing herself – if she so chooses to do so – and she would have a blindingly bright future ahead of her if she does.
The premise of Killer Kids is fairly simple and straightforward. A vicious serial killer has recently moved into the area, and he’s been picking off the local children, one by one. But his days of terrorizing the neighborhood are numbered, as the kids band together to fight back with some bloody vengeance. This film is definitely a love letter to the classic slashers of the ’70s and ’80s. I picked up on some of Carpenter’s Halloween influence, especially in the blessed minimalistic simplicity of the filmmaking. While the musical score isn’t exactly the synth-heavy retro stylings of Carpenter, it does have that repetitive, almost hypnotic vibe he was so masterful at. I also detect a little Texas Chain Saw Massacre influence in the look and aesthetic, assuredly not as grainy or dirty as TCM, but the feel is still very much there.
Clocking in at only 5 minutes and 44 seconds, it’s a short piece, moving at a brisk and bloody pace. There’s no dialogue, but that doesn’t hinder or slow things down. I did find the aforementioned music maybe a smidge overwhelming, maybe even a bit distracting. When there’s no dialogue, the music jumps to the fore, and while the score certainly seems aimed at accentuating the on-screen action, and generally did so. However, I found it a tad grating. But that’s a very minor gripe for a film that otherwise left me massively impressed. It manages to be tense, but also retains a certain sense of childlike fun. Because of Viva’s love for practical effects, it’s no surprise that there’s some generous gore for its short runtime.
Killer Kids might not be a total game-changer, but it’s an impressive directorial debut from a youngster with absolutely limitless potential. The fact that she is this damn good at only 10-years-old is nothing short of extraordinary. And having the good fortune of growing up in the blossoming breeding ground of the rich Atlanta film scene can only work in her favor. Viva Tolar, The Littlest Monstermaker, or however you know her, she is someone you should definitely pay close attention to, because she and others like her are the bright shining future of horror, and it’s in extremely capable hands.
Viva is currently shopping Killer Kids around to various film festivals, and I imagine because of her age, finding interested festivals could prove challenging. But I cannot stress enough to any festivals reading that this film is definitely more than worth a consideration. If you ever get the opportunity to see Killer Kids for yourself, don’t miss out! Additionally, be sure to follow Viva on Instagram @thelittlestmonstermaker, as a lot of her makeup and FS work is on display there, as well as some other fun happenings. Viva la horror! Keep killing it, Ms. Tolar!
