FILMING BEGINS THIS SUMMER IN NEW MEXICO
SLASH, a SAG feature film starring Maria Olsen (Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Para-normal Activity 3, American Horror Story), Todd Farmer (Jason X, My Bloody Valentine, Drive Angry), Gibby Haynes (lead singer of Butthole Surfers) and including several cameos by A-List actors, will be filming in New Mexico for four weeks.
Seven years ago on Halloween a young girl disappeared, now seven years later young women are being kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. The only link between them all is that they belonged to the same babysitter club as the missing girl. Who could be doing this and can they be stopped?
Henrique Couto (the man in the middle), a individual and Renaissance Man if I have ever met one has birthed something I could never have seen coming. His recent release Babysitter Massacre is a violent and suspenseful blood-fest. This film is what a good massacre flick should be. When questioned about why he chose the massacre theme this time Couto replied Since I was very young I loved the “Massacre” films like Slumber Party Massacre, Sorority Massacre, etc. I had always wanted to create something along those lines. I had also been seeing a lot of slasher movies come and go that weren’t trying to be scary, they weren’t trying to be suspenseful, they were just basically being referential. I didn’t seek out to make a big homage to other films like it, I sought to make a flick that could sit on the shelf next to them.
The storyline follows the reemergence of a masked man who captured and killed a local teen (who with her friends formed a babysitters club) from Ray Falls, Ohio seven years prior to present date. It’s now Halloween night, Bianca (Marylee Osborne) believes the killer is back to pursue the remaining members of the babysitter’s club, and she is right! Between shots of torture, boobies and photos sent to a cell we learn the killer is back for blood and lives are in jeopardy. Underneath the gore is separate and blonder storyline where Arlene (Tara Clark) and her friends – well, you’ll have to watch to see…
Because I felt the characters were very strong and that the casting of say, Osborne playing Bianca was really well chosen I asked Couto how he came up with the characters and if he wrote for specific actors/actresses, and responded thusly, “I try to come up with a few characters that I can connect with, they need to have something about them that is very human. I usually aim for a flaw, something that makes them less than perfect that can allow you to identify with them. I often pull from loved ones for characteristics to make it believable then I just try to hammer out why they would do the things I need them to do to benefit the story.When able to write for a specific actor it helps speed things up a lot, the key to getting the writing going is having a strong visualization going. Even if you don’t get the people you were originally writing for it will work out just fine.”
The FX in Babysitter Massacre are well done and admittedly I cringed during the first shot of torture in this movie. The effects seemed well thought out and came across with just the right amount of realism. The gore was not hidden either, in the editing room Couto took his time allowing for the majourity of painful shots to last long enough for the viewer to actually see, where many films give quick glimpses to imply suffering but not actually give the effort to pull through with it. Pyrotechnics were also employed in the Babysitter Massacre which was unexpected, I totally loved it.
I want to point out how well done the background music was. Every song fit like a puzzle to what was happening on-screen. For me, when the melody is off the entire film is off. Coutoes to Couto for getting that done right. Sadly, and possibly vainly, the only real thing that kept bothering me throughout the film was the ill-fitting brassières. It bothered me and looked uncomfortable. Always measure and never trust what people say are their measurements!!! 
As for where Babysitter Massacre can be bought, Couto says, “Babysitter Massacre is being distributed by Alternative Cinema, we don’t have a date but before the end of the year it will be everywhere you buy DVDs online and on many many video on demand platforms.”
Babysitter Massacre is a film I will come back to many times. Fully enjoyable for all the horror senses! Click here to view the official trailer: Official Babysitter Massacre Trailer. Don’t forget to Like Babysitter Massacre on Facebook: Babysitter Massacre.
Below are more questions and answers with writer, director Henrique Couto:
Watching the film, are there any parts you wish you could go back and change, or do you feel you conveyed yourself in a way that represents what you had in mind for this feature
- “Seeing them alive on the screen is an interesting experience, at that point you’ve spent so many hours writing, so many hours shooting, so many hours editing, and then so many hours fixing sound. It starts to feel like it is just a jumble of material, but when it all comes together and you are able to appreciate it that is a big pay off to making films.”
Are there things you would have liked to have in Babysitter Massacre that you just ended up unpractical and had to be cut? What is that like for the writer in you?
- “There are always things you have to cut out on movies that are made for this cheap. One of the reasons I like to write for myself is that I can keep all of those things in mind and not have to disappoint myself a lot. So sure, there would be lots of things I’d love to have in the film, but I’d say out of the script I only cut one or two things due to budget and schedule.”
If you had to choose one role for your next film, would you rather write or direct?
- “I would rather direct, writing is interesting and it lets your brain muscle really get a chance to flex, but directing is where I am most passionate. I love being on set, working with actors, getting the camera where I want it. I even love the thrill of staying on schedule.”
What are you working on now that Babysitter Massacre is finished?
- “I’m actually just a few weeks from rolling camera on my first foray into family comedy with A Bulldog for Christmas, which I hope people really get a kick out of. It has most of the cast and crew of Babysitter Massacre on board and I think it will give us all a chance to show we are diverse in our skill set.”
Thank you to Couto for taking the time to answer my questions and I will be looking for a sequel to Babysitter Massacre!
Rich and Benny are having trouble with the ladies, until they befriend a demon named Az. It’s a non-stop party until a soul hungry beast leaps through an open portal from the underworld and starts terrorizing the town. It’s up to Az and the boys to send the creature back to the depths where it came from, and look good, while doing it in Cool As Hell.
Beginning with a great intro song by and some quirky violence Cool As Hell; is cool as hell. James Balsamo, with a strong will throws down the sword on this flick. …and I like it. I now fully believe that any movie that has the line “…this is a sausage fest” within the first ten minutes is going to kick ass.
Taking a new avenue with Cool As Hell, Balsamo wrote the film as a story told to the audience from the perspective of Rich, a samurai sword wielding zombie slayer creatively acted out by Balsamo, who again in this feature took on every job he could producing, writing, directing, acting and FX.
Rich is comic book lovin’ – mama’s boy who strikes out with the ladies on a regular basis. His live-in best friend Benny (Dan E. Danger, killed his performance – that’s good) is the type of socially challenged and coy character you would expect to see passing through Clerks. The two fit well playing off of one another and following along in their adventure against zombies, demons and a beast from hell is a bloody good time.
Balsamo takes the time in Cool As Hell to give the characters stronger personalities than I have seen in earlier films and it`s appreciated. Rich and Benny come across as true friends and having a sense that the characters have known each other for years does well for the flick. By doing so it opens up the opportunity for the audience to build their own feelings towards them, thus caring if they live or die a horrible painful bloody death.
This is built up early on in the Strip club where the two characters are comfortable to carry on a conversation while basically ignoring the fact one of them is getting a lap dance. 
That’s bro-mance at it’s finest. While on the subject of the club, I was admittedly surprised and delighted to see a range of women working and not the typical Rose McGowan/Sheri Moon body type. Unsure if this was actually thought through or if it just is what it is, but as a woman with curves I totally dug it, and the stripper in me felt represented.
As the story moves forward a slick green demon named Az (Billy Walsh,who no doubt had a lot of fun shooting the film also gave an energetic and stimulating performance) is introduced into the movie. Walsh does a great job conveying the stylized demon even with the restrictions of the makeup and uber-fangs. The look of Az says a lot about his personality and is well put together.
The girl of Rich’s dreams, Ashley (Lauren Adamkiewicz, super loveable in the role and seemed very much real) who is involved with his nemesis Sal (Frank Mullen, bitchin’ job as a total dick-wad) comes into his life and solves the puzzle of why Az is around leading to an epic fight of good vs. evil.
Balsamo‘s directing in Cool As Hell seemed to mature since I Spill Your Guts (Interview – Review here). The cinematography, the pauses and voice-overs and the subtle look to the camera during one of many zesty sex scenes made for an enjoyable watch. I love that a character in the flick is wearing a The Taint and another an I Spill Your Guts t-shirt, it was a nice nod. Known for fitting in a number of cameos in his work, I felt Balsamo got it right this time really giving each actor/actress a full opportunity to express their skills in solid performances. Talking about solid performances Balsamo kills it in a quick riff on the guitar which was surprisingly good as I was unaware he could jam. While on the topic of melodies, one issue I had with I Spill Your Guts was the transition between scenes and the choice of tunes used, this was not an issue in Cool As Hell, everything blended and is well designed.
Balsamo is known for working in a number of cameos into his films. In Cool As Hell he features Tom Savini, Andrew W. K., Frank Mullen, Tommy Dreamer, Scott Levy (Raven), Carmine Capobianco, David Naughton, Laurence R. Harvey, Caleb Emerson among a number of bands. Everyone did a great job and it was really fun seeing who Rich was going to run into next.
Being the nice guy he is, Balsamo agreed to answer some question about Cool As Hell and the process of making the movie.
How do you find your directing and writing styles have changed throughout your films from Hack Job to Cool As Hell?
Well, I would have to say things most things get better with practice and I have have been doing a lot of practicing in the sense of filming since my first feature Hack Job. I would say I have become more efficient on set. For example, I’m currently in production for my fourth feature film Mystery Meat. While filming a cameo with Debbie Rochon other day we filmed four scripted pages in 45 mins. Now to an average person that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but a film maker knows that is madness. Since Cool As Hell we have been doing double camera shoots and it cuts the time in half. More or less I’m still the same wacky director mentality as when I started. My end goal is to make an entertaining film, filled with gratuitous nudity and monsters. Only now, all that film waxing on and off has taught me to kick ass and take names on set.
What directors inspired and influenced you to create the stylish fast-paced directing you are becoming known for?
I like to say that as a film maker, I was created like Freddy Krueger, in the sense that I’m the bastard son of a hundred maniac film makers. It would be hard to only name a few, when so many of the film makers have inspired me to become the director I am today. If someone was holding a blow torch to my balls, and asked that same question I would have to say Lloyd Kaufman, Charles Band, Stuart Gordon, and Dennis Dugan.
Your films are synonymous for having cameos of iconic horror actors, musicians, etc. In Cool As Hell, who was the most exciting cameo for you to film? Can you share any stories about the many cameos in your films?
I’ve worked with so many great people over the years. I’m really lucky to work with so many artists that I’m honestly a great fan of Tom Savini was the big cameo for me in Cool As Hell. He was my inspiration in make up and FX, So it was such a great honor to work with him.
All of your films have a strong connection with music – where does that meshing originate for you? How do you decide on what bands to feature in your genre movies?
Well, I’m not sure if a lot of people know this, but I’m a musician myself. In my first film Hack Job there is a scene where I’m singing and playing bass…that’s all me. I was in a bunch of bands for many years before I was making films. In fact, I got my start directing by doing music videos for a band that I played in. I plan on releasing a solo album by the end of the year. As far as the bands I use in my films, I just use the bands I actually listen to. It just kind of worked out that most of them happen to love horror films. Over the years my friendships have developed in the music industry and they actually wanted to work with me.
Being hands on you also took the role of Special Make up FX in Cool As Hell, how do you feel about the end result of the film? Who in the industry do you look up to as far as special effects go?
I did a lot of FX on Cool As Hell, that I’m really proud of. There was a life casted severed zombie torso that laid on top of the actor, so they could twitch their real legs. There was the fake skull shell of the girl who gets her face punched through the back of her head, and my favorite, the Boo-Gar puppet. Oh and I almost forgot I had to consistently paint Billy Walsh green every time he was on screen…Except for that one scene where he plays a bull fighter. I had great time making the demon at the end. I feel like the film doesn’t do it justice. You don’t really get how tall it really is. I stand about 6 ft tall, and in the fight scene the beast is about three feet taller then me. Sadly it doesn’t look like a 9 ft creature, but it is! Here’s a Cool As Hell secret. We had the actor on stilts. I can’t take all the credit though, I have to thank Steve Siegelbaum from GutRot FX and Church Haley for an amazing job they did on the zombies. Also Tom Misfit did brilliant work on Az’s demon fangs. I’m a big geek when it comes to make up FX I’m probably one of the few people that stick around during the credits at the movies to see who did the make up. As far as idols, I’m really inspired by every effect I see. I think that you can take something away from every practical effect. If I had to name names though I would say Tom Savini, Rick Baker, and Dick Smith.
Az, the demon genie is a great character. How was the concept for his design chosen?
I guess most people reflect on their childhood idols for inspiration. I really wanted to make a character homage to Maurice from Little Monsters and Beetlejuice from the film of the same name. Except I wanted the character to be more raunchy. I think I managed to do that with the pot smoking, skirt lifting rabble rosier that is Az. That handsome green demon, even has a soft-core sex scene with a naked red demon. That was an interesting shoot. Red green demons dry humping each other, left their bodies yellow and Billy‘s balls blue.
Zombies, having recently become a staple in pop-culture are excellent monsters as each director/writer has control over the type of zombie they portray – how do you feel your zombies in Cool As Hell stood up against other films?
Well the zombies aren’t really a major highlight in the film. They are more like bacon bits just thrown in there because I love zombies. So, when the gates of hell are left open, how could you not have zombies in there. I have an old school mentality, so I really didn’t want them to be the ninja fast running back flipping gymnast zombies of today. I wanted them to walk slow and look gruesome. Zombie films are a dime a dozen now a days. Today, a lot of the make up is just white grease paint and black circles around the eyes. I can’t say I didn’t make short films like that, back when I started, but I have come along way. I think our zombies looked damn good.
Watching Cool As Hell now, what fond memories of the making of the film do you have and do you have and is there a favourite scene from the film?
Cool As Hell was a labor of love…a painful labor. It was the fastest I ever finished a feature film. Our entire shoot spanned three months from start to finish. The scene that really pulled it together for me was the Boo-Gar/super bong scene. I had to lay on the floor with my hand covered in slime to make the puppet work and it was a blast. It’s really hard to pick one scene. My crew and I traveled a lot to get some of the cameos we had in the film. We had some awesome adventures all along the way doing it. Right now what was done in “Hell” stays in “Hell”. However, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, one day I will write a book. Making independent films is a crazy journey, with some great stories.
Can you tell us a little about what you are working on next?
As I said earlier Acid Bath Productions is currently in production on our fourth feature film Mystery Meat here is the synopsis:Blake is struggling through his fiance’s perfect wedding plans. Not to mention his problems running a downward spiraling restaurant, that he shares with his brother Tony. When alien eggs from a meteor crash, end up in their latest food delivery, all hell breaks loose. Then, to make matters worse, the eggs hatch into devilish fast growing space varmints. One of the little monsters swallows Blake’s wedding ring. Now, Tony and Blake have to find the creature with the ingested ring, before Blake’s bridezilla to be, causes more damage then any space varmint could. The boys really bit off more then they could chew in this crazy horror/comedy titled Mystery Meat! The film is currently slated for a September release, and features cameos from Debbie Rochon, Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, Irwin Keyes, Johnny Legend, Frank Mullen, Carmine Capobianco, and Theodous Crane from AMC’s “The Walking Dead”. The film will be filled with the same nudity, humor, gore, and awesome soundtracks that our fans have come to know and love.
“TOKE! TOKE! TOKE! TOKE! TOKE!…”
With extras including a blooper reel, deleted scenes, Dream Beaver music video, trailers and promotions it’s a fully packed and well put together package. This is definitely a flick you want to own and watch over and over.
FILMING BEGINS THIS SUMMER IN NEW MEXICO
SLASH, a SAG feature film starring Maria Olsen (Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Para-normal Activity 3, American Horror Story), Todd Farmer (Jason X, My Bloody Valentine, Drive Angry), Gibby Haynes (lead singer of Butthole Surfers) and including several cameos by A-List actors, will be filming in New Mexico for four weeks.
SLASH is a story about young people who see their friends butchered around them. They must deal with each other’s violent fantasies and face their own demons…or die trying!
The writer/director/producer Rycke Foreman and producer/actress Maria Olsen (of MOnsterworks66) are us-ing Sheryl Roberts to do the Principal Casting. A casting call will be held in New Mexico in April and the produc-tion will begin in late June. The film will employ a crew of at least 85, a cast of 25 to 30 speaking roles, and ap-proximately 350 background players. A vast majority of both will be New Mexico hires.
Currently, the attached crew consists of such notables as Rich E. Cordobes (Special FX: Lord of the Rings trilogy, Transformers), Steve R. Moore (Visual FX: Avatar, Titanic) and Peter Devaney Flanagan (Editor: Scream, Hellboy 2). More crew members are needed to fill production requirements. The film will employ a crew of a minimum of 85. For more information on being considered for the crew, please get in touch with Lora Carlson, producer, at lora@slashflick.com.
Rycke Foreman has worked in virtually all aspects of independent film, television and theatre for more than fifteen years around the Four Corners area. In 2009, he optioned a horror spoof to a small production company in Hollywood, and was part of the writing/producing team behind the multi-award winning short film “Auto Care,” shot later that year for the National Film Challenge. Another award-winning short he co-produced was “Locked Away”, winning the Remi award at Houston WorldFest. He has published short fiction since the early 90s, appearing in dozens of publications such as Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Fantasy Magazine and 69 Flavors of Paranoia, which he edits.
Best known for her appearances as Mrs. Dodds/The Fury in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, as well as Paranormal Activity 3, American Horror Story and Rob Zombie’s Lords of Salem, Maria Olsen has worked on more than 40 feature films and over 70 shorts since 2005. She has also won four awards (including awards for both acting and directing), had two short films appear at the 2009 Cannes Short Film Program, one at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, plus others at Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors and HorrorFest. Olsen also owns MOnsterworks66, producer of features such as Brandon Scullion’s Live in Fear, Randal Kamradt Jr’s Fara-way, Eric Michael Kochmer’s Way Down In Chinatown, Bert Havird’s Reunion and Michael LaPointe’s LoveTouchHate.
To learn more about this feature film, investor opportunities or product placement advertising, please visit the website www.slashflick.com. In order to contribute to the making of the film, the public is en-couraged to support the crowd funding efforts on the Slash IndieGoGo campaign.
APPROVED BY:
Geeker.
WELCOME TO HORROR GEEKS, A PLACE FOR ALL LIKE MINDED HORROR FANS TO BULLSHIT AND SHARE HORROR NEWS.
Please feel free to join my genre group and talk about our interests:
- ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO ASK OR FRIEND THE ADMINISTRATORS ARE: EL GEEKER TISDALE (iamgeeker), GARY FRAZEE, & LISA KICKASS HAMILTON.
- MESSAGE EL GEEKER TISDALE WITH YOUR PHOTOS OF YOUR HORROR CLOTHING, COLLECTABLES AND ARTWORK TO BE ADDED TO THE ALBUMS.
The Skin is an atmospheric and visceral horror/suspense short.
Not too long ago I was intrigued by a trailer called THE SKIN put together by Seth Adam. It was really friggin’ good. Something I would absolutely watch and wished that this was more than just a teaser. Here the thing, Seth Adam‘s and his crew are going through KickStarter to make the trailer into a short film. Of course I am all behind this, selfishly so that I can view the final product. For those unaware, please view the Trailer and information below and click any of the links to direct you to the KickStarter page for THE SKIN Sublimation Sinema’s First Horror Short and lay down some coins for a potentially excellent short!
Synopsis: After receiving a phone call while on her evening jog, a woman begins to experience something strange. Soon her excitement turns to terror. What seem to be blemishes begin to spread. In haste to remove and conceal the infected area, she frantically peels away more than expected.
The cause is best described in Seth Adam‘s own words here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Rq6pEeITMnI
BELOW ARE ALL DIRECT LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION:
Kickstarter: http://kck.st/YvlraN
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/SublimationSinema
Teaser Trailer: http://youtu.be/o8_sC8rdCL4
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/SublimationSinema
Let’s all take the time to look into this, as I said I was quite impressed with the teaser trailer and really feel Sublimation Sinema has something special hidden in THE SKIN.
“When it comes to your town, no one can run, no one can hide, EVERYONE MUST DIE! A pattern of similar killings occurs, leaving small towns aghast with grief and suspicion. When the massacre left Kyle’s sister in the coroner’s office, he vowed to solve the mystery behind the gruesome pattern of slaughter and find out where this seemingly death-proof killer will strike next. Join us as this tale of gore spreads from town to town, person to person, and blade to blade, leaving nobody safe, because, after all… EVERYONE MUST DIE!“ -Steve Rudzinski
It is few and far between that I find a genre-comedy that I honestly enjoy. When I was approached by Steve Rudzinski to view EVERYONE MUST DIE! I was naturally weary. It even took me a few days to watch the film as admittedly there was an air of arrogance surrounding me, I just knew this would not be what I would find interesting. I was wrong.
EVERYONE MUST DIE! is a fun film with a range of characters all with their own quirks and personalities. Writer, director, actor Stephen Rudzinski put himself in the role of Pete, a neurotic and always championing for himself type of man. Rudzinski’s performance out of the group appeared to have the most effort and pep behind it, maybe that is because Rudzinski wrote the film and knew exactly what he wanted, or maybe it’s because the multi-talented mogul who stands out in a crowd. Either way Pete by far was my favourite character in the film. Other cast seemed to play off of Rudzinski, and, not all appeared to understand who their characters were. The role of John acted out by Derek Rothermund was done well and his love for golf was a fun side note as it played well into the characters development. The delightfully bitter Wanda was mildly underplayed by actress Aleen Isley, with her acting background it seems like more could have been brought to Wendy’s personality than what was given. Someone who did stand out as a very promising comedic actor was Clifford Lynch and I expect we will hear much more from him in the future. Nicole Beattie, Seth Gontkovic, Rebecca Campbell and Ben Dietels all heldd their own EVERYONE MUST DIE!. The cast was well rounded and each character had his or her own personal style, as an audience member I appreciate that.
The opening scene in everyone must die was a highlight for me. Jumped straight into some action with great special effects and an over the top killing. By the time the title sequence for EVERYONE MUST DIE! showed up it felt like I was in for something special. Nick LaMantia was a lot of fun to watch was Kyle, whose sister has been murdered and swears to find justice.
Without giving too much of the plot away, Kyle follow the trail of his sister’s killer and ends up in another city merging the two stories together. This gives way for a number of delightfully hilarious situations that you will want to follow through to the end. Everyone Must Die! is full of intriguing characters, murder, sex and laughter.
In my opinion, Rudzinski is the true star of the film. This character Pete was by far the most solid and believable as an irritating self promoting man. If anything this film really displays the abilities that Rudzinski has in film making and acting. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for more features written, directed and hopefully acted by the ever talented Rudzinski.
After watching the feature I contacted Rudzinski for an interview on Everyone Must Die! and what his plans are in the future:
-Where did the storyline concept for Everyone Must Die! come from? Also, what is your process for writing a script?
EMD came to me a few different ways. The original concept of “who cares who the killer is?” came from an older film of mine, Basic Slaughter (which was not a good movie). Most slasher films have back stories for the killers and I wanted to do one film that is practically from the perspective of random victims, the concept of “Why is he doing this? WHO CARES WE’LL FIGURE THAT OUT LATER.” So since the original film didn’t turn out well, I wanted to revisit the concept in a better made film (which this definitely is). The title I came up with while at work one day with nothing better to do, thought it would be a great title, and realized since nobody made it yet I had to. Finally, I also recalled the revenge character from Friday the 13th Part 4. A man hunting Jason down for vengeance, I always dug the concept and wondered what that movie would be like from HIS perspective.
Writing the film with Derek Rothermund was a great experience. Early on we knew we wanted the film to be as funny as possible whenever anyone wasn’t dying, akin to Friday the 13th 6. Where everything is tongue in cheek but Jason (or for EMD, the Killer) isn’t in on the joke. We did this because most slasher films take themselves too seriously and just end up NOT being fun until the killing starts, which is often too little too late. We also decided to not force on people what characters to like or dislike, choosing to give every character equal screen time and let the AUDIENCE dictate who they loved and hated.
We basically came up with about 30 characters and decided who would appear in EMD, then worked on the outline, then kicked out the first draft of the script in about a month.
-Having written and directed 5 films (some shorts) do you find your style has changed much from Legends to Everyone Must Die! ?
My filming style itself has definitely evolved since I started a decade ago with making movies. Writing has improved greatly, knowing how and when to filter out crummy ideas. But story style has, aside from getting better, stayed about the same. My films have always had a level of humor and self-awareness that is basically my signature. And whenever I make a genre based movie it seems to have also become my signature to take whatever cliches exist and turn them on their heads. My goal with making a movie has always been “make sure it’s fun,” everything else comes second.
-How do you find carrying so many roles in a production of a feature? Writing, directing and acting is a lot for anyone to take on. What aspect of film making is your favourite?
It’s hard. Writing and directing is easy since the time is so far apart, though most directors that also write have the problem of falling in love with their scripts so much that they HAVE to make it exact (a problem I fortunately do not have). But acting and directing is always so difficult, because while I know I can act well, I have to trust whoever is behind the camera that everything looks great. Originally I wasn’t even supposed to act in EMD, I wanted to focus on directing. But due to budget restraints, Derek and I taking on roles helped us save $500 (which is a lot on the budget we had). I was still able to direct well and so many people have named me as their favorite actor in the film, so I suppose it was for the best.
As for a favorite that’s a difficult question. I love directing and shaping a film from start to end, but it’s painfully a lot of work. Acting, especially when it’s not my own film, is fun and crazy easy. Writing can range from being the smoothest to the most difficult aspect, as it’s the one time you’re working from nothing at all. So I can’t pick a favorite. If it were up to me though, I’d direct one feature a year and ONLY act in one feature a year.
-Is there a scene in Everyone Must Die! that you favor? Or perhaps a scene that you would like to have had the chance to work further on?
I have two favorite scenes in EMD. The first is the opening of the film, it worked out just so wonderfully thanks to everyone involved and if you ask me, it stands up as one of the best first two minutes of any slasher movie. It’s quick, insane, bloody, and hilarious. Tied with that is the “sex” scene between Wanda (Aleen Isley) and Pete (ME~). Writing the scene I knew it was one of my favorite parts of the film, the dialog and build up to everything was just so fun and crazy. Not to mention that both Wanda and Pete are my favorite characters with Aleen Isley doing SUCH a great job bringing Wanda to life. So that scene really nailed the tone of the film.
The two scenes I wish I could spend more time on is the final battle scene, which turned out just fine by all means. But an extra day would have given us a lot more coverage to work with and let us do a few more cool angles to several shots. Also the main dialog scene between all the kids at the party inside the house was a rush job by every meaning of the word. We kicked through about 20 pages of dialog in only one day of shooting. We did it, it works shockingly great in the film, but more time to at least go at a smoother pace probably would make the scene even better.
-Who as a director and writer do you find influential, and how does that influence affect your projects?
Old-school Sam Raimi is definitely a big influence, though his newer films seem out of touch with what made him great that it’s hard to name him as my current go-to writer/director as a muse. But old Sam always had such a fun way to tell stories; regardless of how serious the story was he always told it in a way that made it a good time. Robert Rodriguez, similarly, has a very over the top/comic book feel to his films that really resonates with me. Even his worst films (ex, Shark Boy and Lava Girl) aren’t totally painful to watch.
-What geared your life towards film making in the first place?
I’ve always wanted to create stories, it just evolved how over the years. When I was very young, I wanted to write comic books. Then I wanted to write video game scripts. But finally, when I was 12 years old I saw Army of Darkness on the Sci-Fi channel and my fate was forever sealed to making films.
-Do you have plans for future works? If so can you please share any information?
I’m currently in pre-production of two projects. One is my version of a Super Sentai story, I have a plot for an entire feature but I just want to make a five minute concept to see how the world reacts to it (if enough people like it and I can get money together, I’ll make it a feature). The other is a project being Produced by and has its story by Zoltan Zilai (who played Guy in EMD) called “Captain Z vs. The Hillbilly Zombies.” I’m ironing out the plot outline we worked on to streamline it, but as soon as we get a script together we should be shooting it this year.
-Where can people buy the Blu-ray/DVD Everyone Must Die!?
The DVD and Blu-Ray are currently on sale at www.everyone-must-die.com and all purchases are free to ship. For anyone in America, EMD was picked up for distribution and you’ll see copies in major stores nationwide on June 18th (date subject to change). So get a blu-ray while you can!
Don’t forget to LIKE Everyone Must Die! on Facebook and show your support!
So, Everyone Must Die! surprised me a lot. It shamed me into being less arrogant towards genre-comedies, thus opening up a fantastic subgenre for me to delve into. Thanks Rudzinski!!
