What's Locked Behind That Door?, 4min., USA
Directed by John Gardner
In the visually arresting music video for Lunavox’s “What’s Locked Behind That Door?”, a series of metaphorical doors open onto the full spectrum of human emotion, drawing viewers into a surreal journey through fear, desire, and obsession. These portals also frame the chilling descent of a scientist whose relentless experiments lead him into darkness. Guided by the song’s pulsing rhythm, the two narratives intertwine as human vulnerability and scientific ambition collapse into a single vision of corruption and revelation.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

After two decades of producing brand driven work, where every decision passes through layers of approval, I needed a creative challenge without corporate oversight, something that let me explore my own ideas and push them as far as they could go. I wanted a project that followed instinct instead of consensus.

So I set out to make something that drew on everything I know: music composition, animation, editing, directing, sound design, and post production. As the creator of the post rock project Lunavox, this music video became that outlet. It was a chance to bring all those skills together into one cohesive vision, the kind of challenge I had been missing.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The project took about eight months from the first concept to the final render. The process involved combining 2D and 3D animation in After Effects and Blender, generating thousands of AI door variations, and compositing, rotoscoping, and match moving them into archival footage. Sourcing and reviewing public domain material was another demanding phase, as finding moments that carried emotional weight and felt cohesive took time and patience. The hardest part, though, was not technical but narrative, shaping a story arc that felt whole. There were many false starts before it finally came together.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Psychologically haunting

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle was staying accountable to myself, setting clear goals, and following through. Without external deadlines or feedback loops, I had to keep pushing forward even when ideas fell apart. In hindsight, each failed attempt became a way to discover something stronger and more intentional.

5. There are 5 Stages of Filmmaking: 1) Development. 2) Pre-Production. 3) Production. 4) Post-Production. 5) Distribution. What is your favorite stage of the process and why?

Post production! It is the stage where everything comes together - sound design, color grading, and visual effects merging into the final emotional experience. This is also where all the spontaneity happened, as ideas evolved and unexpected moments came to life.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Even though I didn't realize it at the time, it probably started when I was a teenager. One summer, my brother-in-law and I put together a ridiculous home video movie inspired by "The Terminator," which we called "Tarpinator." The following summer, it grew into a series of silly films with some close friends, centered around a character called "Little Jimmy," with fake commercials sprinkled throughout. We were using consumer grade equipment, so we only had one chance to get each take right, and that limitation led to some truly hysterical and absurd moments. I also spent a lot of time making flipbook style animations in my schoolbooks, so in hindsight, all the signs were there pretty early on.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Probably Dr. Strangelove. I have seen it more times than I can count, and each viewing still reveals something new, whether it is a line of dialogue, a visual detail, or a subtle bit of absurd humor.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

The most valuable outcome would be connections leading to collaborative opportunities or commercial work that allows for creative experimentation.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

FilmFreeway has been exceptional. The platform is intuitive, easy to navigate, and makes submitting and managing festival entries straightforward and stress free.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Greek-Lebanese is by far my favorite type of meal!