Return to the Shadows: How a Horror Filmmaker Found His Second Act with Insta360

When Terry first picked up Insta360 X2 in 2021—complete with the Invisible Selfie Stick—he didn't realize it would change his entire approach to filmmaking. He'd been deep into drone work for years, but once X2 entered the scene, the drones started collecting dust. This new 360 camera was faster, safer, and surprisingly perfect for his world of monsters, mayhem, and midnight shoots.

Filming Fear

Unlike most creators who use Insta360s for skiing or skydiving, Terry's work lives in the dark. He builds tension, not TikToks. Shadows, jump scares, and flickering lights are his thing.

Locked in and ready to roll during a night shoot on Harlow's Haunt. The compact Insta360 RS rig let Terry move effortlessly through the set's narrow corridors without sacrificing cinematic quality. — Locked in and ready to roll during a night shoot on *Harlow's Haunt*. The compact Insta360 RS rig let Terry move effortlessly through the set's narrow corridors without sacrificing cinematic quality.

It wasn't long before the Insta360 cam became part of his film crew. He used it to capture behind-the-scenes chaos, cinematic walkthroughs of Tampa Theatre, and create interactive fan games for The Beast Comes at Midnight. But the real breakthrough came in 2022, when he directed his own horror feature, Harlow's Haunt.

A One-Man Film Crew

On set, Terry’s rig looked modest: a Movo hand mount, a Zoom H4, an iPad, and an Insta360 RS with the 1-inch mod. This setup handled everything from tight corridors to fast tracking shots, all without the need for cranes or dollies. For anything that looked like a drone shot, X2 or X3 stepped in.

Terry L Jarrell on set with horror legend John Dugan (“Grandpa” from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), going over lines for Harlow’s Haunt. His Movo hand mount rig carries a Zoom H4, iPad Mini, and Insta360 RS with 1-Inch mod—a compact but powerful setup that let him shoot an entire award-winning feature. — Terry L Jarrell on set with horror legend John Dugan (“Grandpa” from *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*), going over lines for *Harlow’s Haunt*. His Movo hand mount rig carries a Zoom H4, iPad Mini, and Insta360 RS with 1-Inch mod—a compact but powerful setup that let him shoot an entire award-winning feature.

When Harlow's Haunt hit the festival circuit, the response was staggering. It picked up over 100 awards, multiple official selections, and global distribution through Bayview Entertainment. Every frame of it came from Insta360.

Check out the trailer for Harlow's Haunt below, shot entirely with Insta360 RS 1-Inch Edition, X2 and X3. Rated PG.

When Life Hit Pause

But in July 2023, just before the film's Halloween release, Terry suffered a stroke. Overnight, even holding a camera became a challenge.

Months passed before he felt ready to create again. When he finally reached for his Insta360 X3, it wasn’t for work—it was for recovery. That small camera helped him rebuild coordination and confidence.

Later, he added Insta360 Ace Pro to his setup. Lightweight, intuitive, and powerful, it fit perfectly into his recovery routine. Even after three more strokes in 2025, he never stopped filming.

A New Co-Star

Then came Luna, Terry's adopted German shepherd puppy who quickly became his on-screen co-star. She doesn't always take direction, but she's a natural in front of the lens. Filming her brought energy back into Terry's creative life and helped him rediscover the fun of storytelling.

Terry L Jarrell's German shepherd Luna—his constant companion since 2023—captured mid-swim with Insta360 Ace Pro. — Terry's German shepherd Luna—his constant companion since 2023—captured mid-swim with Insta360 Ace Pro. She’s not just a muse; she’s been part of his recovery and creative rebirth after four strokes.

Reinventing the Horror Genre

These days, Terry’s work has taken on a distinctive hybrid style. Through his studio, Black Dog Filmz, he's using footage from Insta360 Ace Pro, Insta360 Flow 2 Pro, and his iPhone as a foundation for his next project, Harlow's Haunt Presents: Final Signals. Those real-world images become raw material for Arcana Labs, where Terry evolves them into atmospheric AI-driven sequences that push the story into deeper, stranger territory—while still keeping the heart of the visuals rooted in the cameras that captured them.

A weathered oak knot resembling an eerie, watching eye—one of countless stills Terry L Jarrell captured with Insta360 to build his personal image library for Arcana AI filmmaking. — A weathered oak knot resembling an eerie, watching eye—one of countless stills Terry captured with Insta360 to build his personal image library for Arcana AI filmmaking.

He may never run a traditional set again, but he’s building something even more experimental—something that’s entirely his.

The Sequel He Never Expected

For Terry, the story isn't about what he lost. It's about what he found. The same cameras that helped him build a career helped him rebuild himself.

Towering live oak draped in Spanish moss, shot in ultra-crisp detail with Insta360. Images like these feed Terry's growing archive of textures and atmospheres for AI-generated cinematic worlds.

"These amazing tools have been, literally, life-changing for me... I am hoping for what comes next not only for myself, but to share with other filmmakers, as well as those who cannot manage a ‘traditional’ camera with all its complexities. [Insta360] can reignite their creative fires and give them much needed creativity."

Insta360 didn't just give him a tool. It gave him a way back to creating, and a second act that might be his best work yet.

This article was submitted to Insta360 Community Stories by Terry L Jarrell (Black Dog Filmz / Harlow's Haunt). Got a story to share? Email yours to communitystories@insta360.com and win up to US$50! Learn more here.

Keen to keep up to date on Insta360 stories? Keep an eye on our blog and sign up for our mailing list. Got a story to share? Email yours to communitystories@insta360.com and win up to US$50.