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Building Her Own Empire | Filmmaker Friday: Michelle Iannantuono

Writer's picture: Misfit ParadeMisfit Parade

Michelle Iannantuono is exactly the kind of filmmaker who gives us hope for the future of cinema. Not just because she’s wicked talented (she is), but because she’s doing it her way—building a career on her own terms while delivering wildly unique, deeply personal work. When we first met her at Genreblast in 2023, where her film Livescreamers made its festival debut, we were blown away! Livescreamers is a "let's play" livestream gamer horror movie.


Michelle’s work blends gaming culture, horror, and cutting-edge tech like Unreal Engine to create films that feel like nothing else out there. As we dove into the details of her creative process on our Messed Up Movies Podcast, we couldn’t help but fall in love with her approach to storytelling and her insanely ambitious projects.



From Fandom to Filmmaking


Michelle’s career has always been fueled by her passions. Whether it’s her love for gaming, fanfiction, or crafting characters who feel painfully real, she’s never shied away from diving into her obsessions and turning them into art. Her journey started with short films made for next to nothing, but those early projects lit a fire that’s only grown bigger. Fast forward to now, and she’s running Octopunk Media, self-distributing her films, and creating a platform for indie content that’s as innovative as her movies.


The "Haunted" Game That Plays You


For those who haven’t seen Livescreamers yet (what are you even doing?), the movie is part found footage, part video game nightmare. Picture this: nine performers each on their own webcam, custom Unreal Engine gameplay, and the chilling twist that if you die in the game, you die in real life. Oh, and the gameplay itself? Built entirely by Michelle over the course of a year. No big deal.


The real magic of Livescreamers lies in its ensemble cast and the way Michelle uses the gameplay to unravel their darkest secrets. As the story unfolds, it becomes less about surviving the game and more about surviving each other. It’s equal parts scary, heartbreaking, and completely messed up—in the best way possible.



Building a Sandbox for Chaos


Michelle’s obsession with character dynamics shines in Livescreamers. She didn’t just give her actors backstories; she gave them nine relationships to navigate for each character (that’s 81 in total, math nerds). And because the movie was shot with all nine actors in the room at the same time, there’s this electric, stage-play energy that makes every scene feel alive. The actors fed off each other’s performances, creating moments of tension and heartbreak that hit hard.


Oh, and the main monster, The Siren, was custom-designed from scratch. Michelle didn’t just want a stock asset; she wanted a monster that was as terrifying as it was… well, let’s just say “magnetically unsettling.” Mission accomplished.


Why Michelle’s Work Matters


What makes Michelle’s work so inspiring is her ability to pull from every corner of her life and her fandoms to create something new. She’s proof that you don’t have to follow Hollywood’s rules to make an impact. Instead of chasing trends or studio approval, she’s building her own empire—one haunted video game at a time. And honestly, isn’t that the dream?


Whether she’s talking about her dream to make a Godzilla movie or her plans for a Nine Inch Nails opera (yes, really), Michelle embodies the kind of creativity and determination that indie filmmakers need to survive in this industry. Her advice for aspiring creators? Start small, embrace your obsessions, and don’t be afraid to bring your unique perspective to the table.


What’s Next for Michelle?


Michelle’s not slowing down anytime soon. With Octopunk Media’s streaming platform launching this year and a remastered version of her original film Livescream on the way, she’s doubling down on her mission to bring bold, boundary-pushing indie content to audiences everywhere. And if her current projects are any indication, we’re in for some truly messed-up movie magic.



Go check out Livescreamers on Amazon or Vimeo and keep an eye on Octopunk Media’s upcoming releases. Trust us—you don’t want to miss what Michelle does next.


Find more episodes of the Messed Up Movies Podcast and enjoy our entire January curation: New Year, New You.

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