Man Finds Tape: How Paul Gandersman Used Premiere Pro to Shape a Mixed Media Horror Story
The upcoming horror-thriller Man Finds Tape follows Lucas Page, a viral YouTuber famous for his creepy video series, and his sister Lynn, as they investigate a murder in their hometown of Larkin, Texas. What begins as a true-crime curiosity soon spirals into a decades-old supernatural mystery involving the townspeople and a charismatic reverend.
Behind the eerie narrative is director and editor Paul Gandersman, who relied heavily on Adobe Premiere Pro to craft the film’s unique mixed media style. Combining lo-fi security cameras, glitch effects, photos, graphics, subtitles, and layered audio, the film demanded a highly organized post-production workflow.
Building a Mixed Media Horror Aesthetic
Gandersman explained that every single clip in the film has at least one effect applied, from intentional glitches to interface overlays. With nearly 20 stacked video tracks in Premiere Pro, organization became critical. Using labeled sequences and the software’s intuitive track layout, the team managed complex elements like on-screen text, security feeds, VFX, and subtitles without losing clarity.
Key Editing Decisions
One of Gandersman’s favorite editing moments came late in the process, when co-director Peter suggested moving a pivotal emotional scene from the ending to midway through the film. Though hesitant at first, Gandersman admitted the change strengthened the story and created “heavy domino effects” that elevated the entire narrative.
Adobe Tools at Work
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Premiere Pro served as the project’s core hub for video, graphics, and even sound degradation.
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After Effects handled the film’s VFX sequences, complementing the lo-fi aesthetic.
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Credits, on-screen text, and much of the security camera look were fully built inside Premiere.
Gandersman emphasized that choosing Premiere Pro from the start ensured industry-standard compatibility across teams in sound design, VFX, and color grading.
Career Lessons and Advice
Reflecting on his journey, Gandersman admitted reaching this milestone at age 40 took longer than expected, but the years of producing and editing smaller projects provided essential growth. “I shudder to think what our films would have looked like if we had made them in our twenties,” he noted. His biggest tip for aspiring editors? Organization is everything—from bin structure to logical track setups.
With its layered visuals and chilling narrative, Man Finds Tape showcases how technical precision and creative storytelling can merge seamlessly in modern independent filmmaking.
