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# From YouTube to the Big Screen: How ‘Simon Says’ Signals the Next Evolution of Digital Filmmaking

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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt883d2f2a5438f080/6a7642d42067057c894016a1/IMG_3554.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4:5)

**Byline: Matthew Kayser**

_Kyle Godfrey and Jake Dufner are showing that the future of horror might just be streaming from a YouTube channel, not movie theaters._ 

Hollywood has traditionally played a major role in film production and distribution, while digital platforms have created new opportunities for independent creators. That change couldn’t be more evident in the world of horror, where YouTubers and filmmakers Kyle Godfrey and Jake Dufner have channeled decades of digital storytelling experience into _Simon Says_, a short film they made and directed in Toronto, Canada. The project, which originated from Godfrey’s Stromedy YouTube channel, is now available to watch on Tubi. The film is an example of what independent, creator-made cinema could look like. 

**A Horror Brand Built for the Next Generation**

If you’ve spent any time in the world of YouTube horror, you’ve almost certainly come across Stromedy. With more than 14 million subscribers and billions of accumulated views, Kyle Godfrey’s channel has built a large audience for horror and thriller content, especially amongst teens. The Stromedy universe is full of original characters, spine-tingling scenes, and the kind of content that can keep younger audiences coming back week after week. The Simon character, who is now at the center of the new film, already has a dedicated following within that storyline, meaning _Simon Says_ already has a fan base that’s excited to cheer it on.

Jake Dufner brings his own dedicated audience of over 700,000 subscribers to the project. Together, Godfrey and Dufner have spent more than a decade learning their craft, not in film school, but in the unforgiving online content creation world. Thousands of videos, billions of views, and years of refining their cinematography, editing, pacing, and visual effects have prepared them well for this moment. 

**Making Movies Without Waiting for Permission**

Making films has always been the goal. YouTube wasn’t intended to be the final destination. Rather than waiting for a studio to take a chance on them, Godfrey invested his own money, assembled his own team, and made it happen independently. That spirit of do-it-yourself runs throughout _Simon Says_, a project whose final cut was reportedly assembled using iMovie, a reminder that great storytelling matters more than the tools used to tell it. 

The film was made and directed by Godfrey and Dufner and produced by Prime Capitol Entertainment Ltd., a company focused on developing original entertainment and helping digital creators make the leap into long-form filmmaking. Entertainment company Everbloom, which invests in creators to develop media businesses, reportedly signed a seven-figure deal connected to the Stromedy brand and Simon Says.

“We see tremendous potential in Kyle and Stromedy to bridge the gap between YouTube and Hollywood with the next big Horror franchise. _Simon Says_ is just the beginning,” a representative states.

**The Ongoing Buzz**

According to the company, early adopters have responded positively to the news, with many fans already expressing interest in seeing _Simon Says_ expanded into a larger franchise. That enthusiasm tracks with the worlds Godfrey and Dufner have built in the past, filled with original horror characters and concepts meant for multi-platform storytelling. 

Production is already underway on their next project, _Luminark_, a psychological action-thriller about a mysterious underground organization that forces criminals to face the consequences of a broken justice system. 

Simon Says is available to stream on Tubi for free, with Tubi supporting and promoting the release through its platform and social channels.The creators and the brands behind the movie also maintain Instagram accounts at [@simonsaysthemovie](https://www.instagram.com/simonsaysthemovie?utm%5Fsource=qr), [@stromedy](https://www.instagram.com/stromedy?utm%5Fsource=qr), [@jakedufner](https://www.instagram.com/jakedufner), and [@everbloom](https://www.instagram.com/everbloom).

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