The Demon Car Of Proctor Valley Road
William Bay’s Directorial Debut
My first foray into film making is a short film I wrote and directed. It explores the South San Diego urban legend of the Proctor Valley Monster. Many stories exist about Proctor Valley and the monster that haunts this valley. And I wanted to create my own take on the folklore as my directorial debut.
The film is currently in post-production, and slated for a private premiere in May 2025, followed by a festival run and then a wide release on YouTube. I will update this page with additional details as they’re available.
In the meantime, enjoy some still photos taken during the production. Special thanks to Daniel Sphar for the still photos.
Day 1
Erica’s House Location
William Bay working with Michael Joseph Pierce. | ©Daniel Sphar DP, Jose Jimenez setting up for the push in. Lily Gebauer and Jacob Alatriste in the background. | ©Daniel Sphar Jose Jimenez and Lily Gebauer. | ©Daniel Sphar 1st AD Krstover Luay and Gaffer Frank Farooq | ©Daniel Sphar Director William Bay, Michael Joseph Pierce and Josh Stone. | ©Daniel Sphar Crew and cast getting ready to shoot the living room scene. | ©Daniel Sphar Getting the light juuuust right. | ©Daniel Sphar Josh Stone ready for his scene. | ©Daniel Sphar Director Willam Bay. | ©Daniel Sphar Cinematographer Jose Jimenez, Gaffer Frank Farooq, and 1st AC Elenore Cannon Joseph Michael Pierce going inward for his scene. | ©Daniel Sphar Israel Rosenfeld with sound speeding. | ©Daniel Sphar
Kiss Scene – Proctor Valley Road, End Of Pavement
1st AD Krstover Luuay and Gaffer Frank Farooq. | ©Daniel Sphar Lighting the Ford Falcon. | ©Daniel Sphar Clapping our scene. | ©Daniel Sphar Carol Benitez playing Erica. | ©Daniel Sphar Josh Stone playing Brett. | ©Daniel Sphar Director William Bay and DP Jose Jimenez. | ©Daniel Sphar William Bay and Carol Benitez. | ©Daniel Sphar 1st AD Krstover Luuay. | ©Daniel Sphar Preparing for a take. | ©Daniel Sphar Discussing the shot. | ©Daniel Sphar Getting the kiss shot. | ©Daniel Sphar Getting the kiss shot. | ©Daniel Sphar ©Daniel Sphar It’s a wrap on day 1. | ©Daniel Sphar Wait, one more shot. | ©Daniel Sphar End of a loooong day. | ©Daniel Sphar
Day 2
Death Scene – Proctor Valley Road
1st AD Krstover Luay adjusting the demon skull mask. | ©Daniel Sphar Jose Jimenez with the gimbal setup. | ©Daniel Sphar The Proctor Valley Monster! | ©Daniel Sphar William Bay directing the Proctor Valley Monster on how to act like a monster. | ©Daniel Sphar Jose Jimenez getting the shot. | ©Daniel Sphar Getting ready to kill Brett. | ©Daniel Sphar The Proctor Valley Monster played by Michael Joseph Pierce standing over his most recent victim. | ©Daniel Sphar Michael Joseph Pierce and Josh Stone. | ©Daniel Sphar Prepping the gimbal shot. | ©Daniel Sphar Carol Benitez and Josh Stone. | ©Daniel Sphar Carole Benitez. | ©Daniel Sphar Carole Benitez in action. | ©Daniel Sphar So much fake blood! | ©Daniel Sphar Josh Stone… dead as a stone. | ©Daniel Sphar Director William Bay, and cast. | ©Daniel Sphar Carole Benitez taking direction. | ©Daniel Sphar Rehearsing the big twist. | ©Daniel Sphar 1st AD Krstover Luay and cast. Wrap on Day 2. | ©Daniel Sphar
Day 3
Demon Car – Proctor Valley Road
The Demon Car! | ©Daniel Sphar The lighting setup for the Demon Car reveal. | ©Daniel Sphar Gaffer Frank Farooq dimming the headlights on the demon car. | ©Daniel Sphar Jim Flemming in his rat rod about to drive. | ©Daniel Sphar Getting all the details on the Demon Car. | ©Daniel Sphar Prepping for the chase. | ©Daniel Sphar The Demon Car in all its glory. | ©Daniel Sphar
Day 4
Pick Up Shoots – 3rd Ave Chula Vista
Sound Mixer, Israel Rosenfeld stepping in to clap the scene. | ©Daniel Sphar Director William Bay and Cinematographer Jose Jimenez discussing shots. | ©Daniel Sphar Sound Mixer Israel Rosenfeld. | ©Daniel Sphar Actors josh Stone and Carol Benitez enjoying their ice creams. | ©Daniel Sphar William Bay, Jose Jimenez, and Israel Rosenfeld setting up the shot. | ©Daniel Sphar Hurry up and wait. | ©Daniel Sphar William Bay distracted mid-take. | ©Daniel Sphar
Pick Up Shoots – Wueste Road
DP Jose Jimenez figuring out the car rig. | ©Daniel Sphar Hoping it doesn’t fall off while filming. | ©Daniel Sphar Getting ready for the driving scenes. | ©Daniel Sphar Pre-scene nerves. | ©Daniel Sphar William Bay going over last minute details for the scene. | ©Daniel Sphar William Bay, backseat Director. | ©Daniel Sphar
