The local independent horror film “Drive Back” was released to streaming services like Apple TV and Amazon on Friday. It was produced by Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing of Fresno-based Tremendum Pictures, the filmmakers that made the successful independent horror title “The Gallows” filmed in the Central Valley. Debuting in the director’s chair is Clovis resident Cody Ashford.

The synopsis: “Comic artist Reid and his pregnant fiancée, Olivia, celebrate their new engagement at a remote cabin. But after a near car accident leaves them lost in the woods, they find themselves trapped on a hidden shortcut. Facing violent visions, lost memories, and a troubled hitchhiker, they discover a terrifying killer is hunting them and that the shortcut is darker and more personal than they realized.” (Dark Sky Films)

Related Story: Local Film ‘Camp Terror’ Hits the Streaming Services

A Central Valley Production

It’s completely a Central Valley film shot in Bass Lake and Clovis with a crew of locals. Ashford is a teacher of media and performing arts in Madera Unified.

“I’ve been writing ever since college, that’s what I went to school for. I love directing actors and working with performers,” said Ashford. “I fell into getting to know Chris and Travis and I started working on scripts for them. When this project came up, they thought it would be a great fit for the types of stuff I like. They threw it my way to see if I wanted to try directing for the first time.”

Initially the film wasn’t meant to be made in the Valley. When the filmmakers read the script and saw that it primarily took place in a forest and on a road, they all felt that no other place was better to shoot it than here.

Low Budget, High Impact

The film was made on a low budget, a method that remains true to Cluff and Lofing.

“We always think how can we make this work in the Valley so we can get the magic and fun of filmmaking brought here to include the Valley and people of the community. It’s been a great thing to be able to do that,” said Cluff.

“All of our films have been low budget. We’ve had several people who’ve seen this film and say it looks like a multi-million-dollar movie, which it’s not, it’s far from it,” said Lofing. “That component of what the Central Valley and our team can deliver, making people believe it was a big production when it was a bunch of scrappy filmmakers getting together to make a movie doing the best they can blows my mind.”

Lofing and Cluff usually direct the majority of projects they’re credited on. This time, they decided to step away from the camera and give the reins to Ashford.

It could’ve been a complicated production being in the position that Ashford was in. Being a first-time filmmaker on a set with veterans and guiding them without having equal experience could’ve brought problems.

“Making a movie is crazy. I’m so thankful and privileged that I was able to surround myself by people who knew so much more than I did. I really felt supported as a first-time filmmaker,” said Ashford.

“It’s been a real fun opportunity to work with Cody (Ashford) to see him grow into this position and direct the heck out of this film. It’s great to see the spark in him and see the passion he has for making films,” said Cluff. “For us to sit back and produce and see him capture his vision is pretty awesome.”

Festival Success and Local Premiere

Buzz has been generating around the film as it’s been making the rounds on the horror festival circuit. It was an official selection for Screamfest, Frightfest, Nightmare in the Ozarks, and Popcorn Frights.

Regal Fresno Riverpark hosted two screenings of the movie on Thursday night. Family, friends, film buffs, and some of Ashford’s students came out to support the film. The 7 p.m. showing was sold out and another strong crowd attended the 7:30 p.m. showing. There was a Q&A after each screening.

It was a surreal moment for Ashford. A theatre he went to growing up that sparked his love for cinema was now the place to premiere his first picture as a director. “Getting to come back here and see people so excited about this movie, getting the posters, taking photos in front of it, and seeing my students here tonight is a cool experience,” said Ashford.

The film is very atmospheric, and the cinematography stood out. It had all the criteria of what defines a horror movie with a forest, road, being lost, a killer, and lots of blood. There was some effective jump scares and a twist that shook the audience.

It isn’t a conventional scary movie. There’s a sci-fi element and it’s a love story with suspense. At times it was more of a thriller than an old-fashioned scare fest. It also had genuine emotion which was ambitious for the filmmakers to pull off.

For those wanting to see a road thriller with surprises, I recommend this film.

More Valley-based films are on the horizon. Ashford has several scripts in the works and Tremendum’s next project is a studio film they’ll write and direct.

“Drive Back” stars Zack Gold and Whit Kunslick and is distributed by Illinois-based Dark Sky Films.

Check Out The Trailer