Animated horror is a passion of mine. I love how the animation medium can accentuate stylized storytelling and create whimsical environments.Β
I first saw “Catch and Exterminate” at Screamfest Horror Film Festival in 2024. It screened as part of their student shorts block. It is a delightful short that could certainly be expanded upon someday to tell a larger story. The character designs and sets are unique and highly stylized, creating a memorable film in just over three minutes.
Cocky pest control employee Elliot receives a call from a high-strung homeowner about a “bat,” but upon arrival she finds herself in over her head, and in contact with a paranormal being with a nasty bite.
“Catch and Exterminate” is written and directed by Summer Purks. Fascinated by the weird and bizarre, Summer developed her craft for character creation and storytelling at Florida State Universityβs College of Motion Picture Arts where she received a Bachelorβs degree in animation and digital arts. Although her roots are in stop motion, itβs CG animation where she found she could fully bring her worlds to life.
According to the About page on her website, “Summer continues to work her CG muscles as a freelance generalist, under the LLC βWitching Hour Animation,β because itβs the closest she could get to being Victor Frankenstein. She aims to create stories that illicit the same feelings she had while playing with her Monster High dolls as a girl.”
As of 2026 she is working on a new short entitled “Heartbreak” with Witching Hour Animation LLC partner Katie Limentato. The premise: After having her heart ripped out of her, undead βBlue Girlβ haunts her own halls. Retelling old horror stories of deceased love, driving herself to be blinded by her emotions and fueled by getting revenge on the one who took her heart.Β
Concept art and test shots on the projects Kickstarter campaign indicate it will be full of Purks’ signature whimsical style.Β I can’t wait to see the next work from this talented up-and-coming animated horror filmmaker.Β
Looking for more horror shorts? Try these chilling films:
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Welcome to my home of all things horror & Halloween! The Horror of Being Emily showcases resources, creative projects, small businesses, and more related to my weird and wonderful Halloween & horror obsession.
