Shudder – Content Curator Colin Geddes Answers Your Questions
Steve Barton
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Recently we had a chance to ask content curator Colin Geddes about his latest endeavor with AMC entitled Shudder, a new streaming service catering exclusively to horror fans. Read on for the skinny!
Q: What makes your content different (if it is) from another service like Netflix?
A: I like to use the phrase “all killer and no filler.” In assembling the Collections for Shudder, we’ve actively gone after classics of the genre as well as great newer titles, regardless of year of production or country of origin. The difference between what Shudder does and what other services can offer is the simple act of curation. We’re looking for definitive titles in the horror genre. To start the process of selecting the films for Shudder, we compiled a list of what we thought were the top 150 horror films of all time. Securing online streaming rights is a complicated process that the average viewer probably doesn’t understand when they ask “why isn’t ‘X’ film available,” but we have been working hard to make sure that as many films from our list as possible are on the service, while also going after fresh, new titles, obscure gems, and cult hits.
Q: Is the content unedited? Are there any bonus features, interviews, extra content?
A: We’re trying to acquire unedited versions from the rights holders whenever we can. We obviously don’t want to put films on the service that have all the fun bits cut out! However, the acquisition process for a streaming service is pretty different than putting out a film on DVD so the rights to show bonus features or extra content can be difficult to acquire. However, we are working on spicing up our offerings with our own “bonuses” and goodies down the road. We’re still in beta right now, but we’re definitely hoping to expand what Shudder offers to more than just the movies.
Q: How often will the content change, and will users be notified ahead of time in any way of new content coming out?
A: We will be putting new titles on the service on a regular basis – we hope to keep the service constantly fresh and exciting by ensuring there’s a consistent influx of new content. We’ll be spotlighting newly added programming on the site and mentioning them in a membership bulletin and on Facebook.
Q: What do you look for in choosing content? What makes the cut?
A: Of course, taste is a very subjective thing, but I’d like to say that quality is the most important criterion. We look for films that are great examples of their genre – whether it be a side-splittingly funny horror comedy or a terrifying slasher, we want it to be great at whatever it’s trying to be. We’re not interested in “so bad it’s good” at Shudder. We want films that are so good, they’re great! As we all know, horror fans have to sift through a lot of content of questionable quality in order to get to the good stuff, and we do our best to sift through it all so that the cream can rise to the top.
Shudder is available now for desktop, iOS, Android mobile devices, Roku players, and Roku TV models. The company promises to be available on Chromecast soon as well. The service is available for a 14-day free trial with a monthly cost of $4.99, or $49.99 yearly, after the trial ends.
Visit Shudder to learn more about the service, browse the collection, or to start your free trial today.
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