Chris Vander Kaay
Comment: See WP:Articles for deletion/Chris Vander Kaay in Julu 2024 and note most of the sources are prior to that date (and retrieved in 2023). Sources used are the same poor sources used before (blogs, fan sites, editorials, interviews, etc.). I also note the prior socking. As in 2024, there is nothing to suggest this can meet the notability criteria. S0091 (talk) 19:37, 6 September 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: I don't think this person is notable enough to qualify for a page. Of course, if you find sources from major outlets which proove their notablity another reviewer might disagree, but currently their notability is not shown.I would recommend having a look at WP:BASIC on basic notability guidelines.I don't think that Chris Vander Kaay qualifies for WP:CREATIVE. Equivalent-Text2598 (talk) 09:07, 31 August 2026 (UTC)
| Chris Vander Kaay | |
|---|---|
 .ask_Missing_Poster.jpg Vander Kaay as Pictured in a Promotional Poster for .ask | |
| Born | Chris Vander Kaay March 17, 1978 |
| 🏳️ Citizenship | American |
| 💼 Occupation |
|
| Notable work | .ask |
Chris Vander Kaay (born March 17, 1978) is a director, screenwriter, and author primarily known for his work in the horror genre broadly and the found footage subgenre specifically.[1]
His directorial debut was the 2024 found footage film “.ask,” which he also wrote, starred in, and co-produced; Vander Kaay shot the entire film on an iPhone while traveling the United States. The film debuted to generally positive critical reviews.[2] Vander Kaay additionally created, directed, and hosted Found Footage Finds, a docuseries exploring subgenres of found footage media.[3]
With his wife Kathleen Fernandez-Vander Kaay he co-authored the 2018 book Indie Science Fiction Cinema Today: Conversations with 21st Century Filmmakers, about 21st century science fiction cinema. From 2016 to 2018, he was a contributing writer for Bloody Disgusting.[4]
Career
Vander Kaay began his career with the screenplay for the Hallmark Channel western film The Redemption of Henry Myers in 2014. He later became a columnist for Bloody Disgusting, and in 2020 published a humor book (with Steven Espinoza and Kathleen Killian Fernandez) called "Spoiler Alert," analyzing various popular tropes in filmmaking.[5][6] The book received favorable reviews, including a highlight in Paste.[7]
Vander Kaay's first film as a director was the Found footage movie .ask, which he wrote, directed, and shot entirely on an iPhone while traveling the United States as an executive coach.[8] Produced by Mary Beth McAndrews and Preston Fassel while the former was editor-in-chief of Dread Central, the film had a roadshow-style run at independent movie theaters, with Vander Kaay Zooming in for Q&A sessions with audiences following screenings. It received a generally positive critical reception before moving to streaming.[9][10] As part of its run, it was occasionally booked on a double bill with Noroi: The Curse.[2][11][12]
Concurrently, Vander Kaay wrote, directed, and produced three seasons of a streaming series called ‘’Hammer’s Law’’ for Darryl Isaacs, exploring strange and comical legal cases. Vander Kaay also hosted the second season, during which the series was temporarily rebranded as ‘’Weirdly Legal.’’ Vander Kaay had previously co-authored a book with Isaacs about law firm practice management.[13]
Following the release of .ask, Vander Kaay created and hosted Found Footage Finds, a docuseries exploring various subgenres of found footage.[14][14] The series, which featured Grady Hendrix, Ghostwatch director Lesley Manning, and Richard Raaphorst, premiered weekly through the month of June 2025 on streaming service Found TV.[15][16]
Vander Kaay's follow up feature, Go to Sleep, was shot entirely in an Airbnb. Go to Sleep was acquired by streaming service Found TV for release as a "Found TV Original" ahead of its festival run, based on the success of .ask.[17][18][19] Concurrently, Vander Kaay co-wrote, produced (again with McAndrews), and co-starred in the screenlife movie "Peak Form," co-written and directed by .ask co-star Dan Scully.
Bibliography
Novels
- Life After Death (2020)[20]
Nonfiction
With Kathleen Fernandez
- The Anatomy of Fear: Conversations with Cult Horror and Science Fiction Filmmakers (2014)[21] [22] [23] [24]
- Horror Films by Subgenre: A Viewer’s Guide (2016)
- Indie Science Fiction Cinema Today: Conversations with 21st Century Filmmakers (2018)
- Spoiler Alert! The Badass Book of Movie Plots (2020; co-written with Steven Espinoza)[25] [26]
With Darryl Isaacs
- Build Your Billion-Dollar Law Firm: I Did It, and You Can, Too! (2023)
Filmography
Feature films
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | The Redemption of Henry Myers | No | No | Yes | No | Writer only |
| 2024 | .ask | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Feature Directorial Debut |
| 2026 | Go to Sleep | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2026 | Peak Form | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Co-writer with Dan Scully |
Streaming series
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Hammer’s Law | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Writer 14 episodes; Director 4 episodes; Season 2 Host |
| 2025 | Found Footage Finds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Host; Also Creator |
References
- ↑ Barkan, Jonathan (January 22, 2019). "Horror Experts On Their Favorite Genre Performances That No One Talks About".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Anderson, Derek (April 11, 2025). "Q&A: Writer/Director Chris Vander Kaay Discusses the Passion, Big Ideas, and DIY Approach to His New Found Footage Film .ask".
- ↑ "Found Footage Finds – A New Found Footage Series". May 11, 2025.
- ↑ "Chris Vander Kaay".
- ↑ Liu, Jonathan H. (June 29, 2020). "Stack Overflow: Movie Magic".
- ↑ Kaay, Chris Vander (April 27, 2020). "I've binged on clichéd films — Raiders of the Lost Ark might be the most guilty".
- ↑ "Spoiler Alert! Illustrates the Formula for Every Fantasy and Zombie Movie".
- ↑ "Filmmaker Chris Vanderkaay Talks About Wish Fulfillment and Found Footage In ".ASK" (INTERVIEW)". Macabre Daily. November 4, 2020.
- ↑ "".ASK" (2024) Is A Sinister Story About Wish Fulfillment In The Age Of The Influencer (REVIEW)". Macabre Daily. November 4, 2020.
- ↑ Delores, Bee (December 10, 2024). "How New Found Footage Captures Our Desperation To Be Liked Online".
- ↑ McAndrews, Mary Beth (October 2, 2025). "Dread Central and Circle Cinema Present a Found Footage Double Feature".
- ↑ "Found Footage Film ".ASK" Brings 'A Monkey's Paw' to the World of YouTube - RUE MORGUE". November 1, 2024.
- ↑ "121 - Telling Your Story with Chris Vander Kaay - Spotlight Marketing + Branding".
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 James, Jonathan (May 6, 2025). "Horror Highlights: THE RITUAL, FOUND FOOTAGE FINDS, DOLLAR $TORE KILLERS".
- ↑ McAndrews, Mary Beth (May 23, 2025). "'Found Footage Finds' Exclusive Clip Chronicles The History of Zombie Found Footage Horror".
- ↑ Brooks, Summer (June 22, 2025). ""Found Footage Finds" filmmaker Chris Vander Kaay".
- ↑ "Exclusive trailer: FOUND TV Original "GO TO SLEEP" keeps you up at night - RUE MORGUE". May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "FOUND TV Acquires New Original Film Go to Sleep Ahead of Festival Premiere and Global Streaming Launch". May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Delores, Bee (June 12, 2026). "Review: 'Go to Sleep' proves sleepwalking will never not be terrifying".
- ↑ Traveller, The Quiet (October 28, 2020). "One Missed Pod 020: ONE CUT OF THE DEAD (2017) with guest Chris Vander Kaay – Scriptophobic".
- ↑ "The Castle Of Horror Podcast Presents: A Special Interview With Anatomy Of Fear Author Chris Vander Kaay". Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ↑ "The Anatomy of Fear: Conversations with Cult Horror and Science-Fiction Filmmakers". Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ↑ "Exclusive Book Excerpt: "Anatomy of Fear" uncovers the inspiration behind "Tremors"". Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ↑ "The Story Behind the Missing Scenes in the 'Black Christmas' Remake". Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ↑ "Looking at Movie Cliches with the man who Wrote the Book". Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ↑ "Stack Overflow: Movie Magic". Retrieved September 21, 2023.
Category:Living people
Category:21st-century American novelists
Category: American horror film directors
Category:1978 births
Category:American horror novelists
Category:Novelists from Maryland
Category:Writers from Maryland
Category:21st-century American male writers
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