Christian Ackerman’s 2013 horror short, The Summoners, is one that slipped under our radar when it was released three years ago, but as it’s a short film worthy of our recognition, especially due to its three talented actresses, and also since we’re now in the Halloween season; here we are. Written by Ackerman and Chuck Foster, and starring Trista Robinson, Wendy McColm, and Erin McIntosh, this film has won multiple awards for its cast and crew, and rightfully so.
The story opens with the three girls sitting on the floor of what looks like a vacant warehouse, gathered to summon the spirit of a dead (maybe executed) child killer named William Stoddard. They use a rock stained with the killer’s blood to do the trick, and the one who’s holding the rock will be temporarily possessed by Stoddard’s spirit. It’s unclear whether the killer’s spirit really enters Josette and Seneca (played by Trista and Wendy, respectively) or they are just acting in order to scare their seemingly naïve and subordinate friend, Thalia. Act or not, when Thalia insists on holding the rock for a third summoning of Stoddard’s ghost, things get real and the ending leaves a good premise for a future full-length feature.
Of the three ladies, Trista (and yes, that’s her real voice) has stuck closest to the horror genre. Her recent credits includes a notable role in Ace Jordan’s Silent Retreat. Wendy leans more toward comedy, as evident from her acting and writing credits, as well as her weekly Youtube vlog entries. Erin, who’s also a writer, can be seen on the comdey/drama TV series LAdies and at her official website.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
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