John Harrison [Interview]

October 28, 2019 by Leave a comment

Welcome to Day 28 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

 

It’s Day 28, Folks! Halloween is damn near upon us, and we are still rolling with some incredible interviews. Today’s interview subject is a man who has done some legendary work in the world of horror in the past, and right up to this very day! It’s John Harrison, Everyone! John has done so much incredible work as a filmmaker and composer on so many incredible projects, including the acclaimed Romero 1985 follow up film Day of the Dead, the television adaptation of Dune, 1982’s incredible Romero/Stephen King collab Creepshow, and more recently directing a handful of episodes of the reboot of the aforementioned Creepshow that is available now on Shudder and is getting some damn good reviews for damn good reasons.

John is also an executive producer behind yet another television adaptation of the the legendary tale of Dune that is slated to release next year, and we could not be any more excited about it. He has done some incredible work within the world of horror and beyond, and we are so excited to share his words with you all today. So Folks, please enjoy some beautiful words from the brilliant John Harrison!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of filmmaking? was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

I’ve always loved movies and theater. When I was in middle school, our classes were taken to the symphony and theater as part of our ‘cultural education’. At the time, the American Conservatory Theater was in residence in Pittsburgh where I grew up. A fantastic theater company (in residence since the 60’s in San Francisco), doing all kinds of unbelievable work. Everything from Shakespeare, to Pirandello, to Albee and Pinter. I was blown away. I’d never seen anything so good. The experience made me want to be in that world somehow. So I studied theater in boston, then film and TV later in Pittsburgh. My partners and I then put a small production company together, which led to meeting George Romero. The rest is history.

What was your first paid gig in the world of filmmaking? and were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

I had an internship for a while at WQED in Pittsburgh, and there were small films we did for that PBS station. But my first professional paid gig came through our small production company my partners and I had. It was a documentary about drug addiction for a local foundation. Relatively low budget. great experience, trying to produce a half hour film, soup to nuts, and deliver on budget and schedule. That kind of indie production was what it was all about in Pittsburgh back in the day, and the skills we developed have always stayed with me.

In 1985 you worked on the now legendary film Day of the Dead. It remains to this day as one of my favorite horror films of all time. I am curious to know how your experience was working on this amazing project?

It was my second time working with George Romero as his assistant director and composer. (the first was Creepshow). It was a difficult shoot. Weeks and weeks in an old limestone mine in the middle of winter. But it was great fun. we were young, and george had a way of making everyone on the crew feel important. Of course, I had the luxury of being next to him the entire time, from prep, to shoot, to post. The best film school I could have ever wished for.

 

 

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? what sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

The brilliance of the best horror is that it deals with the human condition and all of its rawness in an archtypal and primal way. Horror has existed as a medium for as long as we’ve told each other stories, in all art forms, from Euripides to Dante to Goya to Shelley, Stoker, Poe, and of course, the founders and staples of 20th and 21st century horror – Lovecraft, Cronenberg, King, Rice, Barker, Craven, Romero etc. The fact that it remains a genre used by these artists throughout history speaks for itself.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Too many to list. But one that had a profound effect on me as a kid was Robert Wise’s interpretation of the Shirley Jackson novel, The Haunting Of Hill House. It was a great influence on me. and it’s still scary as hell.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? Any fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

Since I just directed episodes of the new Creepshow series (on Shudder TV now) I’m going to spend Halloween at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights where they’re doing a Creepshow homage.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

Obviously, I’d love everyone to tune in the new Creepshow, executive produced by my pal, Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead). We tried very hard to honor George and Steve King’s original style, and I think we were successful. it’s going to be a really good show.

A paranormal thriller I wrote is off to publishers at the moment, and we’re hoping it’s out next year. while I wait to find out if Creepshow gets picked up, I’m finishing another novel, this one a supernatural psychological thriller. (i get bored easily, in case you hadn’t guessed).

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

The nightmare I had last night. I really can’t remember it much, but I remember finally realizing it was a dream and had one hell of a time waking myself up. At least I think I did.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Waking up. I think.

 

 

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Robert Zappia [Interview]

October 27, 2019 by Leave a comment

 

Welcome to Day 27 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

Hello Folks! Welcome to the final week of our Month of Horror series! It’s hard to believe that it is almost all over…for this year. Today we have some incredible words from an absolutely amazing writer with an incredible story to tell. It’s Robert Zappia, Everyone! Robert is not only a legendary figure in the world of horror, he is also an accomplished television writer and screenwriter outside of the genre as well. As he will discuss below, he was a wonderful driving force behind the writing of one of our most beloved sitcoms, Home Improvement, featuring our near and dear friend Patricia Richardson, and so much more.

In the world of horror, Robert is the man who would bring us the return of Jamie Lee Curtis to the Halloween franchise with Halloween: H2O, which is a personal favorite of mine, as it came out right around the perfect age for me to begin enjoying horror films, and seeing an addition to this legendary franchise in theaters was an incredible event to my 13 year old self. I am forever grateful for this film. It featured 100% more LL Cool J than the original film, and for that it was worth the price of admission and more.

We are so excited to have Robert grace our digital pages and share some words with you all today. So Folks, please enjoy some incredible words and beautiful stories from the brilliant Robert Zappia!

What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment and filmmaking? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

My father was an Emmy award winning editor. So I guess you could say I grew up around the industry. He edited all the Norman Lear shows (e.g. All in the Family, Maude, Jeffersons, etc…), in the nineties he edited shows like Roseanne, Boy Meets World, Home Improvement and on and on. He helped develop the Avid multi-camera hardware/software, as well. From an early age I saw literally how a story was put together visually. How it could be changed by changing the order in which you placed scenes or cut scenes and so forth.

But I think the real moment that I saw myself getting into the world of entertainment was when I saw Star Wars at the ripe ol’ age of eight. That was a seminal moment for me. I saw it at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. I still get goosebumps when I think of that opening shot of the seamlessly endless Star Destroyer flying overhead.

Initially, I thought I would be a director. Even through my years at U.S.C. I thought that’s where I’d find myself. But for various reasons, I came to the realization that what I enjoyed the most was taking an idea from inception to completion on the page. After that, it seemed just seemed like labor to take it from the page to the screen.

What was your first paid gig for writing? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

My very first paid gig was an episode of Home Improvement. I was 23 and my first script was writing for the number one show on television. No pressure there. Lol. Let me back up a bit…well, a lot…

When I graduated from U.S.C. I expected there to be a line of studio execs with scripts in hand clamoring for the my talents. Not so much. Not one studio. Not one script. Not one job offer. Well, one…a production assistant gig on a new television show on NBC called Carol & Company. And I think the main reason I was offered the job was because I had a car phone – an absolute rarity in 1986. Carol Burnett was making her return to prime time with a new series created by Matt Williams (who had written for The Cosby Show, A Different World and created the hit sitcom Roseanne). Having no other options that didn’t involve flipping something on a grill, I took the job with a smile. And boy am I glad I did….

I’m not saying being a production assistant was fun. It wasn’t. You’re basically an errand boy with a title that sounds kind of cool to people who don’t really know any better. My first spec I wrote was a half-hour Carol & Company that was 72 pages long (they’re supposed to be about half that – and no, I wasn’t going for a two-parter). I would come in to work after the writers finished working on that week’s script (typically around 3-4 AM to make copies for the cast and crew). So in I come at 4 AM with my 72 page “half-hour” script. I go right into Matt William’s office – who had probably been up for 48 plus hours straight at that point – and I asked, “Matt, I just wrote this spec Carol & Company. Would you read it?” And God bless the man, without skipping a beat, he said, “DId you really? That’s great. I ‘d love to read it.” He asked that I be patient with him because his schedule was pretty heavy (gee, you think?) and that he would definitely read it and get back to me. And that’s exactly what he did – maybe three weeks later he called me into his office…

He spent close to an hour with me going through the script, giving me notes, etc… It was fantastic. I was getting paid to learn from one of the most talented creative forces I’ve worked with in my career. It suddenly made making a writers’ room full of cappucinos (no Starbucks in those days, kids) worth every froth job gone bad. Matt told me what books to read (The Art of Dramatic Writing, Write That Play, Screenplay by Syd Field, etc…). I read them all. Twice. Then wrote another script, then another and another. Each time giving them to Matt to read and getting his notes. I remember on one of my scripts Matt telling me to rewrite it without the jokes. I remember thinking, “Huh? It’s a sitcom – situation-COMEDY. No jokes?” Matt’s point was that I was writing to the joke rather than letting the character and situation create the humor. That was such a great exercise and a valuable lesson that I’ve never forgotten when writing comedy.

Matt was about to create a new show and he told me he wanted to promote me to a writer’s assistant so I would be in the room with the other writers and could learn even more seeing the “inner workings” of the writing process. That new show was Home Improvement. What an incredible experience it was seeing that show created from the ground up. Being in the writers’ room was an invaluable experience for me. It was my job to take notes as the writers pitched out the show. It was great to get into their minds and see how the process worked…how they broke a story…how they rewrote an episode…etc… It really demystified the process for me.

I continued to write specs and turn them in to Matt. At the end of the first season Matt told me he felt I was ready to tackle a script for the show. My own episode! That was definitely one of the high points in my career.

In 1998, you left your mark in the extremely popular and beloved Halloween franchise with the wonderful Halloween H20. I am curious to know how it feels to be a part of this legacy? And what made you want to become a part of this world?

I’d say being a part of the Halloween legacy was a dream come true, but truthfully, I never even thought it was a possibility. The original Halloween was one of the first horror films I ever saw. I had seen the original as a teen and it scared the wits out of me. I couldn’t look out a window without imagining the Shape standing there in the yard. And the iconic theme song was one of the first I learned to play on the piano. The thought of one day actually writing an installment of the franchise just hadn’t entered my mind. The job actually came about in a circuitous way…

I was working in television at the time writing for sitcoms. I had written for Home Improvement and had finished work on a short-lived sitcom starring David Chapelle called Buddies. During that hiatus, I wrote a spec sci-fi feature called Population Zero. Writing feature films was always my ultimate goal, so every hiatus I would write a new spec with hopes of selling it. And while Population Zero didn’t sell, it did catch the attention of an executive at Dimension Films named Richard Potter.

My agent arranged for a general interview with Richard. We talked about the spec script and such. I clicked with Richard from the minute we started chatting. Just a really good, down-to- earth exec. Richard said they’d really like to work with me but the only writing assignment they had open was a direct-to-home video release of Halloween 7, would I be interested? WOULD I BE INTERESTED?! Uh, yes….yes, I would.

ANY chance to be a part of the Halloween franchise was such an exciting thought (whether it was released theatrically or not)! But as you know, once Jamie Lee Curtis signed on it became a whole other level of awesome.

 

 

Beyond the world of horror, you also wrote for a number of years on a brilliant television series, which features our dear friend Patricia Richardson, entitled Home Improvement. So how was your experience working on this legendary show?

In a word…AMAZING.

In a few words…the cast and crew were like family. It really was a special group of people; many of whom I’m still close friends with today.

In quite a few more words…

My first spec I ever wrote was when I was production assistant on a half-hour show called Carol & Company (starring Carol Burnett). The show was created by Matt Williams (at the time he had just come off the hit show Roseanne that he created). The spec for the show I wrote was 72 pages long (they’re supposed to be about half that – and no, I wasn’t going for a two-parter). I would come in to work after the writers finished working on that week’s script (typically around 3-4 AM to make copies for the cast and crew). So in I come at 4 AM with my 72 page “half- hour” script. I go right into Matt William’s office – who had probably been up for 48 plus hours straight at that point – and I asked, “Matt, I just wrote this spec Carol & Company. Would you read it?” And God bless the man, without skipping a beat, he said, “DId you really? That’s great. I ‘d love to read it.” He asked that I be patient with him because his schedule was pretty heavy (gee, you think?) and that he would definitely read it and get back to me. And that’s exactly what he did – maybe three weeks later he called me into his office…

He spent close to an hour with me going through the script, giving me notes, etc… It was fantastic. I was getting paid to learn from one of the most talented creative forces I’ve worked

with in my career. It suddenly made making a writers’ room full of cappuccinos (no Starbucks in those days, kids) worth every froth job gone bad. Matt told me what books to read (The Art of Dramatic Writing, Write That Play, Screenplay by Syd Field, etc…). I read them all. Twice. Then wrote another script, then another and another. Each time giving them to Matt to read and getting his notes. I remember on one of my scripts Matt telling me to rewrite it without the jokes. I remember thinking, “Huh? It’s a sitcom – situation-COMEDY. No jokes?” Matt’s point was that I was writing to the joke rather than letting the character and situation create the humor. That was such a great exercise and a valuable lesson that I’ve never forgotten when writing comedy.

Matt was about to create a new show and he told me he wanted to promote me to a writer’s assistant so I would be in the room with the other writers and could learn even more seeing the “inner workings” of the writing process. That new show was Home Improvement. What an incredible experience it was seeing that show created from the ground up. Being in the writers’ room was an invaluable experience for me. It was my job to take notes as the writers pitched out the show. It was great to get into their minds and see how the process worked…how they broke a story…how they rewrote an episode…etc… It really demystified the process for me.

I continued to write specs and turn them in to Matt. At the end of the first season Matt told me he felt I was ready to tackle a script for the show. My own episode! That was definitely one of the high points in my career. What a thrill it was to be 23 years old and writing for the #1 show on television viewed by more than 20 million people each week. It was surreal and I’ll be forever grateful to Matt for the opportunity.

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

For me, fear is such a primal human emotion. The whole “fight or flight” response that’s been baked into our DNA. The horror genre taps into that fear. And if done well, can generate that same adrenaline rush we feel from a terrifying experience – all from the safety of a darkened movie theater. There’s no other genre that can emulate that adrenaline like horror. That’s what makes it special to me.

You have an absolutely massive body of work, according to IMDb, in just about every job available in the world of film! So with that, what would you say is your favorite part of the filmmaking process? If you were strapped to only work in one gig, which would it be?

I have a love-hate relationship with writing. I LOVE having written. It’s the writing part, that can be torture at times. From FADE IN to FADE OUT it’s a constant wrestling match – wrestling with words, wrestling with characters, wrestling with story…and on and on. With that said, there’s NOTHING like taking a blank page and filling it with characters and story.

So, when you ask if I were strapped to only work in one gig, it’d be writing. Creating something from nothing. It’s intoxicating (and probably speaks to my need for “control”). And if I could ONLY write in one genre, it would definitely be the thriller/horror genre. I love films where the stakes are high. And there are no bigger stakes than life and death.

What is your favorite scary movie?

If I had to pick one favorite I’d say Halloween. And If I had to pick the scariest scary movie, I’d say The Exorcist.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

Now that our kids are grown, our Halloween tradition has changed from taking them from door-to-door collecting candy to staying home and handing out candy. Of course, I always sit down an

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

We’re slated to start filming a supernatural thriller I wrote called The Devil’s Flame early next year. I’ve been sworn to secrecy, but am excited for the fans of the genre to see this one. Here’s the logline: Based on true events. In response to this “astonishing” increase in demand for exorcisms, the Vatican opens a secret exorcism training academy where a young, gifted nun defies the church leadership to join her colleagues in the battle of good versus ultimate evil. If you’re a fan of exorcism films, I believe this is going to deliver the goods (and the evil)!

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

My son’s college tuition statement.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Typing FADE OUT. Makes me smile Every. Single. Damn. Time.

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Anastasia Baranova [Interview]

October 26, 2019 by Leave a comment

Welcome to Day 26 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

 

It’s so hard to believe we just 5 days away from completing another Month of Horror series. It has been so great to share these incredible interviews and features with you all. And yet, we still have so much more to share! Today we are featuring one hell of an actress, who appeared in the best zombie tale of the 21st century. No, I’m not talking about The Walking Dead. and quite honestly, FUCK The Walking Dead. But, that’s just getting personal. No, I am talking about the SyFy original series, Z Nation. It’s so damn good, and 1,000 times better than that aforementioned melodramatic bullshit of a show. It’s so great, and our guest is one of the incredible leads of the program. It’s Anastasia Baranova!

Anastasia has done some incredible work on screen both in the horror world and beyond. She has worked on such classic TV hits like Sons of Anarchy and Malcom in the Middle. She is also an accomplished voice over performer working on such projects as A Good Day To Die Hard and one of my personal favorite video games, Evolve. Just so much great work from such an amazing talent. We are so excited to hear what she has to say about her time spent in the world of horror, Z Nation, Veronica Mars, and beyond!

So Folks! Please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant Anastasia Baranova!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

 Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard. That was the defining movie of my childhood. I wanted to be Whitney.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

I think my first paid gig was being a hand stand-in for someone on The Guardian, and that’s how I got into the Union. My first on camera part was a tiny spot on Lizzie McGuire. I remember watching Hilary Duff be really sweet and work really hard and started to understand then the responsibility of the lead cast in setting and maintaining a good energy on set. She was a pro even then.

I’ve really enjoyed your work on the SyFy Original series Z Nation. I find it to be a truly original program. So what was it that drew you work on this show that looks like just so much fun to work on? Is it as much fun to work on as it is for us to watch?

It was definitely as much fun to make as it is to watch, in my opinion. I do think it’s a very unique show, and I think that’s what was interesting about it from the beginning to everyone.  

Beyond the world of horror, you made some appearances on a show that is currently my 14 year old daughter’s new favorite show, so it behooves me to ask you about it. That show was the beloved Veronica Mars. So how was your experience working on this now legendary program? Any fun memories from working on this project?

 Veronica Mars was such a cool gig!! Another example of watching a strong, female lead in action. Originally it was only one episode and then they called me back in during season 2. That was the first (and so far only!) time that’s happened, and it was so cool! I loved seeing it get a revival because of the fans- I think it’s a reflection of how well the material connected with the audience, which is what we experienced with Z Nation as well.

 

 

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

Horror fascinates me, though I keep a distance, just because I get scared so easily. I think it makes people feel alive. We’ve evolved so far past hunting and gathering but I think our nervous system is still designed for those high stakes moments- the power of filmmaking takes people there.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Hocus Pocus. (You read that correctly. I am scared and don’t watch horror, and SJP as a witch is as far as I’ll go. However! This year a cinephile friend made me watch Psycho and Rosemary’s Baby, so I now of course understand the brilliance. But I kid you not, I get scared walking the short hallway to my bathroom with no lights on because I just imagine him charging me with a knife.)

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

Halloween is my favorite time of year!!!!! Candy and costumes and decorations!!!! I start my autumnal decorations on September 1st, so the pumpkins are out as I write this.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers? 

I’ve got a quick guest spot on NCIS this year, though I’m not sure when it airs, but look out for that! Otherwise, not sure yet what’s on the horizon.  Feel free to invite your readers to start a petition for me to play someone! Twitter magic and stuff!

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

 This “administration.”

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My middle school friend Noah and his partner Dave, and their work with @classroomofcompassion. They create vigils and memorial art installations in cities and towns of mass shootings, honoring the lives taken by gun violence. Their hashtag is #ihopeyouknowhowlovedyouare and they are a shining example of what’s available in humanity.

Filed under Interviews

Scotty Mullen [Interview]

October 25, 2019 by 1 Comment

 

Welcome to Day 25 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

Hello Folks! It’s coming down to the wire here at Trainwreck’d Society! It has been a fabulous Month of Horror, if I do say so myself. But it would honestly feel incomplete if we didn’t have an appearance from one of our most favorite franchises that isn’t exactly horror per-say, but has managed to make its way into or MoH world several times over in the years we have been doing it, as well as into our regular interviews as well. And that franchise would be the Sharknado series! And hot damn if we don’t have a brilliant exclusive for you all today! It’s the great Scotty Mullen! Scotty has been working on the franchise  since the third installment, and has written and directed in this absolutely incredible franchise beyond that. Thus, it is a real honor to have him join our ranks at TWS and to be a part of our Month of Horror series. He’s also done some other incredible work, which we will discuss below.

I am very excited to have Scotty grace our digital pages today, I just know that you are going to love it. So please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant writer/director, the one and only, Scotty Mullen!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment and filmmaking? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

When I was in the second grade, my teacher introduced me to creative writing and we could read a story to the class every Friday. I loved creating wild adventures that I would put my friends into – I was even writing in “cameos” at that age. Getting my friends to laugh with the stories I told them got me hooked. I’ve loved telling stories ever since.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

My first paid writing assignment was for The Coed and the Zombie Stoner – a wacky sex-comedy where everyone (and I mean everyone!) gets naked. I learned the importance of being able to to revise your screenplay for the director and the budget involved. I have yet to get a movie made 100% as I’ve seen it writing on the page – you are always adapting for the director, actors, producers… But that’s also the fun in it. It’s a fun wild game to make the movie as good as possible, while still staying true to the story you want to tell.

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

Everyone can relate with being scared. There’s a crazy euphoria you get from a good scare that I think many people secretly crave. And what scares people usually crosses all cultural boundaries which is why a good horror film can play all over the world. Scream and the world screams with you!

For the 5th, and eventually 6th as well, installments of the absolutely wonderful Sharknado franchise, you were able to throw “writer” on your resume. What made you want to jump in on this franchise? Obviously you have been around it for a while, but what made you want to get in on the storytelling part of the franchise?

I starting casting the Sharknado movies starting with the third one, but I was also writing movies at the same time. A film I wrote called Zoombies – about zombie zoo animals – became very popular. For the 5th movie, they were looking for a new writer to take over the franchise. The producers really believed in me, pitched me to the network, and BOOM! Suddenly I was writing for Olivia Newton-John in Sharknado 5, which is one of my favorite films I’ve ever been a part of. Sharknado 5: Global Swarming will always have a special place in my heart simply because it brought so many of my childhood heroes (including Fabio) into my orbit.

What is your favorite scary movie?

That is a very difficult question. I love Aliens and Carrie. But it would have to be a toss-up between the original Candyman and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2. Those movies are so bat-shit crazy and executed with such brilliance by the actors. Because they believe what’s happening, so do we. I find myself watching those again and again and always discovering something new about them.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

I live in West Hollywood so the West Hollywood Halloween Parade on Santa Monica Blvd is such a fun time. But a lot of my friends now have kids so I like to spend a lot of time going tricking or treating with them and doing a group costume together (like Alice in Wonderland.) This year, my best friend wanted to go as Colonial Marines and dress his little girl up as Newt…but then we just realized that she would most likely just look like a homeless kid being carried off by military forces. And in this current political climate, we’d probably look more like ICE agents than Colonial Marines. So I think we’ll end up doing something else instead.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers? 

This December, you’ll get to see my first holiday romantic comedy hit the TV screens (follow my Twitter for more details.) No sharks. No zombies. It’s a brave new world I’m entering. But I do have an original horror movie under my belt I just finished that I’m currently shopping around that I pray every night gets made. So good – and scary! – things are definitely in store!

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

Earlier this week, I was on the set of the Christmas movie I wrote and was absolutely terrified all the lead actors were going to fall into the swimming pool and ruin their wedding outfits before the director and camera called action. I saw the entire shoot day crumbing apart before my eyes. Talk about mind-numbing horror! I couldn’t watch.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

The fact that you asked me to be a part of this. I’m beyond elated that I get to write stories that get made into real, produced movies people around the world can watch. Seeing the story that was once only in my mind get made into something real is something I will never stop smiling about!

 

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Chandra West [Interview]

October 24, 2019 by Leave a comment

Welcome to Day 24 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

 

Hello Folks! We have an absolutely wonderful interview to share with you all today. We have yet another legend of the screen in the world of horror, from one of our most celebrated horror franchises here at Trainwreck’d Society. For those who have been following along over the years, I could only be talking about the Puppet Master franchise. We have spoken with the person who created the entire thing, as well as several folks who have appeared in the franchise or wrote and directed some variation of it throughout the plethora of sequels that have been graciously given to the world. And today is no exception! Today we have the great Chandra West! Puppet Master fans will instantly recognize her as the lead actress in the brilliant 4th and 5th installments of the franchise, in which she plays Susie, and is absolutely fantastic within them.

While the world of horror is not Chandra’s primary focus, her impact to the world of horror is absolutely undeniable, and insanely positive. Beyond the world of horror, West has appeared in just about every TV show you know and love, as well as a smattering of wonderful films. She is an absolute star and we are so excited that she was able to make time to grace our digital pages today in our 24th installment of this year’s Month of Horror series. So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant Chandra West!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

I’m the youngest of nine and was subjected to a lot of ‘advanced’ movies at a very young age- for better or worse 😉 Clockwork Orange at ten may have been a bit more than my young brain could process but at the same time it exposed me to a lot of great films that definitely had a huge impact on inspiring me to get into this business. At the same time I was pretty heavily involved in ballet which sparked the performance aspect.

 

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

My first real paid gig was a movie set in the 50’s called True Confections. It was my first time on location- with perdiem- and to say I made the most of it would be putting it mildly. It was a young cast and we were going out every night, having fun, and then I’d go back to my room and order room service. I think I gained about 10 pounds in a month. My period costume was definitely getting a bit tight by the end of the shoot. So I suppose my takeaway would be that it’s probably not a good idea to hunker down in your hotel room before bed with chocolate milk and fries…

You gave wonderful performances in two installments of one of our favorite horror franchises known as Puppet Master. You came around for the 4th and 5th installments. So what was it that drew you to this franchise? Were you a fan of the franchise going into it?

I actually wasn’t aware of the franchise when I auditioned for it. It was my first job when I moved to LA and I was just happy to be working. Pretty sure I had no idea what I was doing but we had a great time shooting them.

 

 

Beyond the world of horror, you also had a reoccurring role on a TV series that shamefully didn’t get its chance to flourish, in my personal opinion. The series also featured our friend and past guest Matt Mauer, and it was John from Cincinnati. I remember being devastated when the series wasn’t renewed. But, as a season alone, I thought it was wonderful. So how was your experience working on this series? Did you enjoy your time on the project while it lasted?

I loved working on John From Cincinnati. It was an incredible experience. It was an amazing cast and of course working with David Milch was an experience I’ll always cherish.  I also had a particular fondness for my character Tina- so that always enriches an experience. I wish HBO had given it another season. Who knows where it would’ve gone… but I think it could’ve been interesting.

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

I think what sets it apart is that it’s very visceral. Everybody wants to feel something and never is that more true than going to a horror movie. It’s a different challenge as an actor because often you’re working things that aren’t there. It’s the ultimate suspension of disbelief.

What is your favorite scary movie?

I would have to say probably The Exorcist, though Psycho would be a close second. Carrie also terrified me and also The Changeling with George C. Scott which I always thought was very underrated.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

No big traditions but it’s always fun to watch a scary movie and eat popcorn. It’s also the best time of the year with the change of seasons.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

A horror movie called Z directed by Brandon Christensen (Still Born) and a thriller called Spiral which just premiered at FrightFest directed by Kurt David Harder. Both are produced by Colin Minihan (Grave Encounters and What Keeps You Alive).

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

Would have to be a Trump Halloween mask that my friend snuck onto the couch next to  me when I left the room.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Looking through the window at the Doggie Day Care down the street from me and all those happy wagging tails.

 

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Mark McCracken [Interview]

October 23, 2019 by Leave a comment

 

Welcome to Day 23 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

 

I can’t even lie to you Folks, I am VERY excited about this interview we have for you today. We have spoken at length about and with folks from the beloved Pumpkinhead franchise quite a bit over the years. But, there has been one person we haven’t been able to get a hold of, until now. Pumpkinhead himself! That’s right folks, we have the brilliant actor and creature creator himself, Mark McCracken gracing our digital pages today! Mark worked on the creatures for, and portrayed the titular character himself, in Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings.

Yes, Mark has helped create and perform some of the finest characters we have come to know in the world of horror, and we are so excited to have him with us today! He’s an absolutely delight human being who has some wonderful stories to tell about his experience working in the world of film and television, as well as his latest gig with Universal theme parks, which sounds absolutely fascinating!

So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant Michael McCracken!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment and filmmaking? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

I was a class clown from 1st grade. Loved it. As long as I got good grades, the teachers didn’t mind. Which I did. Was always into pretending/playing characters. Doing everything from Superman (George Reeves) to any movie monster I’d seen. Godzilla, Kong, The Thing. As I got older I knew I wanted to act. So I went to New York. Started there. From there to Miami. Where I started improvising and cut my teeth on film and TV. Then LA. Where I met Rick and the guys at KNB, et al. And the die was cast.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

First creature gig was Mant in Matinee. Loved the crew. Rick Baker was terrific. Jim McPherson is a genius. And super talented. I guess the take away – other than the mind blowing experience of who I was working with – was I had gone from doing what I was doing as kid, pretending in my yard, to actually being a creature, myself, in a film.

 

 

In 1993 you appeared in the second installment of the beloved Pumpkinhead franchise, as the titular character themselves! So how was this experience? And what drew you to the world of Pumpkinhead?

 It was the best. KNB is top drawer. Greg, Howard, Bob and crew. Amazing. They made everything from the life cast to long night shoots a breeze. Plus, in addition to being crazy talented, they are all bent and twisted and funny as hell. And we were all cracking each other up between takes. Which made the shoot all the more tolerable. What drew me to the world of P’head was a call from Howard Berger offering me the job. I couldn’t say no.

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

Horror is our fears, our nightmares, our most secret, personal discomforts brought to life. Which we would never want to happen. Film makes this a reality. And no matter how much we try to divorce ourselves from the story, saying it’s just a movie, that’s make-up, we know how that’s done, some greater part of our psyche still makes us believe. Plus, everybody loves being frightened. A great scare beats anything. Except maybe a great laugh. And when in life are you ever going to be in these situations and come out okay? The stories have us in the pocket of the protagonist, living the terror thru them.

What is your favorite scary movie?

My first memory of a movie that really bent me was the original House on Haunted Hill. I’ve always wondered why it wasn’t Haunted House On a Hill. Because the house was the problem. Anyway, the creepy old lady floating down the hall ruined me. I was a wreck after seeing that. For years. We lived in a big, old, dark house. And that made it worse. The Exorcist came later. And to this day, even though I know how the effects were done and things were shot, it still messes me up. I have a very hard time with it. But I LOVE it. That would be the one I still have to kind of cover my eyes with my hands and peek thru my fingers at.

 

 

 

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

No plans. I do enough dressing up and performing throughout the year that Halloween could be redundant. When my daughter was little I used to love taking her out and mingling with the monsters. It is my favorite holiday. I kind of wish I could take advantage of some of the great costumes that are out there for the kids now. I used to love making my own costumes and doing my own make up. I love Halloween.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

I’m currently performing several improvised characters at the Universal theme park. Which is a whole other iteration of the biz I stumbled into. Teaching a lot. Getting gigs for whatever they’re crazy enough to pay me to do. It’s a fun life. Getting paid to do what you love. Just keep your radars up. I’ll probably show up somewhere.

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

Seeing myself in the mirror naked. I think there ought to be a law against such things.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

On a bulletin board on my desk I have a great picture of me holding my daughter when she was a baby. We are facing the camera and have the biggest smiles on our faces. It never fails to give me a grin.

 

 

 

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Tuesday Knight [Interview]

October 22, 2019 by 4 Comments

Welcome to Day 22 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

 

Hello Folks! I truly cannot convey within written text how excited I am for this interview we have for you all today. This is one that I have been hoping to have on the site since the first day I started this site that you know in love. Folks, it’s Tuesday Knight! Die hard horror fans need know introduction to who this truly incredible actress happens to be. Tuesday is an absolute legend. Her role in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise is absolutely iconic, and beloved by all for obvious reasons.

Tuesday Knight is also a very well known & accomplished musician. It’s basically a family tradition! Her music appeared within her installments of the Nightmare franchise, but her love for making music has continued to this very day, and she has no sign of slowing down.

She’s an amazing actress with so much coming up that you will not be disappointed. And of course, she’s working on her own self expression through music each and every single day, so there is more to come from this field as well. So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the absolute legend herself, Tuesday Knight!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of performance? Was it an aspiration you have had since you were very young? Or did you just happen to find yourself in this world one day?

I don’t think I really had a chance of escaping this world of acting and music! My dad is a very famous composer who wrote songs for Ricky Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Elvis Presley, to name a few! So I’ve always been around music and acting.  It felt natural for me… I couldn’t see myself doing anything else except for one other passion which is animals.  I’m a crazy dog fan! I’d love to work with animals if I wasn’t an actress and singer, I still find a lot of time to spend with my three doggies!! It’s heaven on earth!  

What was your very first paid gig in the world of entertainment, in any form? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that you still use in your work today?

I guess that would have to be Fame.  That was my first real job as an adult.  I had done some acting when I was younger but I wasn’t really serious until I got Fame.  I learned from a great director, Robert Greenwald, he worked with me on my part in Fame and I’ll never forget that.  I learned that acting is a craft that you must practice. It’s like a muscle you have to work it just like a dancer must dance. It’s no easy thing! It takes hard work to be able to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances. Ala Sandy Meisner.

In 1988 you appeared in one of my favorite film franchises of all time, appearing in The Dream Master of the A Nightmare on Elm Street series. And appeared again, this time as yourself, in Wes Craven’s New Nightmare in 1994. I am curious to know what is it like to a part of such a legendary franchise? How have the fan interactions been after the series as ben re-introduced to multiple generations?

It’s so amazing and I’m so grateful. The fans we have are so awesome! They are the most devoted fans in the world. I love to do conventions which is also a blessing because I get to actually meet these wonderful people. What can say we are all shocked when we actually saw how well received A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 was.

And we are still surprised eveyday! It’s amazing how many generations are fans!! It blows my mind because it hits every age.  It’s incredible to be a part of this franchise. New Nightmare was a total surprise! My agent called and told me that Wes wanted me to be in it. I was thrilled to work with him.  He was very charismatic and very magical. It was a great experience and I also got to know Heather which was a real gift.

 

 

While not exclusive, you do manage to do some amazing work in the horror genre. We LOVE the world of genre. So much so that we dedicate an entire month to it every year! Anyway, I am curious to know what your opinion is on the world of horror? What do you believe it is that makes it special and separates itself from other genres?

Horror is just so contagious and wonderful.  It’s like a roller coaster it takes you on a thrilling ride, and sometimes it scared the hell out of you! It’s just different, especially films from the 80s! It’s exhilarating.

Beyond the world of film and television, you are also an accomplished musician! I was recently privy to your 2017 album, Uncovered, and truly love it! It is a wonderful batch of songs, and I am curious to know what sort of personal place these songs came from? What made you want to tell these stories over music?

All of my music is personal.  I write about my life and my experiences.  Everything is from the heart.  That’s the only way I know to write.  Even “My Sweet Girl” on Uncovered is about the best relationship in my life. It was about my dog that I had to let go. It was the hardest thing to do and this song helped me through it. Songwriting is therapy for me, it frees me from the pain.  It’s amazing to have a creative outlet like this. Thanks Dad…

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

I’m working on several projects, films and music. I have a film coming out next year called The Bloody Man which I’m very proud of.  The director Daniel Benedict is just a prize to work with and he’s also a great personal friend. I wrote 4 songs for that film. One being the theme song which I wrote with my partner, singer/songwriter and producer David Leon. I’ll be able to mention more projects a bit later!

What was the last thing that made you smile?

The last thing that made me smile was a beautiful pair of greyhounds on my street! Trapper and Jackson. Just amazing animals!

 

 

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Joshua Malkin [Interview]

October 21, 2019 by Leave a comment

 

Welcome to Day 21 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

 

Some of our most beloved folks in the world of horror are most definitely the storytellers. While we love those who work on screen and give their heart and soul to the roles they play, for me personally as somebody with zero knowledge or ability as an actor, I love the writers. I love anyone who is able to conjure up a thought, and in this case a very bizarre and horrifying thought, and put it out into the world in such a way that it will entertain the masses. It’s an absolute personal dream of mine to do the same, but for now I am very happy with hearing and showcasing some of the fine Folks who have done it themselves.

And 10 years ago, or wonderful guest Joshua Malkin did just that with one of my absolute favorite horror sequels in recent history, Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever. Malkin personally saw to it that the world initially created by Eli Roth remained a strong force to be reckoned with in the world of horror by creating a story that is just as compelling as the original. And in the final product that would be the film still as the perfect amount of Rider Strong in it as well! Which is always a good thing, in my opinion.

We were fortunate enough to steal a few words from Mr. Malkin, to ask not only about CF2, but about his experience overall in the world of entertainment. He has worked in just about every outlet available in the vein of art creation, to include writing a graphic novel that will hit stands this fall! He’s done some pretty amazing work, and we are so excited to have him with us here today. So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the great Joshua Malkin!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

Very specifically: the movie Poltergeist. I first saw it at a friend’s slumber party – I vividly remember the other boys peeling off one by one… scared, bored, whatever. By the end, I was the only one left – it was the middle of the night – so I rewound the VHS and started it over from the beginning. It was in that moment I recognized: “Whoa. Might’ve just found ‘my thing.’”

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

I was an Art Department PA on a low-budget alien invasion movie of which I’ll never-ever reveal the title. At any rate, it was a hectic, over-ambitious endeavor with ridiculously long days. Towards the end of shoot, the producers not-so-subtly began pitting the PA’s against one another. The assumed reward was more work… and we were all young, hungry, an inexperienced enough to let that gambit work. We pretty much stopped sleeping, breaking for meals, constantly on the ready.  On the the next to last day, I fell asleep while driving and crashed the production van into a wall. I pretty much discovered the importance of personal boundaries and limits right then and there.

In 2009 you helped bring the world the absolutely brilliant horror sequel, Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever. So what drew you to work in this franchise, and how did you enjoy what would be the final version of the film?

I was – and remain – close friends with Lauren Moews who produced both the original and the sequel. I wrote multiple different versions, with multiple different tones/characters/filmmakers/settings. Of them all, what emerged was certainly the most outlandish.  I mean, that scene in the bathroom stall…

 

 

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

The element of unpredictability, the sense that things won’t necessarily “work out for everyone in the end.” Horror is all about throwing the audience off balance.

What is your favorite scary movie? 

An American Werewolf in London will always have a special place in my heart.  It was the first horror film to scare the piss out of me… make me laugh hysterically… and that truly awed me all at the same time.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

I try to seek out at least one or two amateur haunts every season. The professional ones are great too – especially in a city like Los Angeles – but for me, nothing quite says “Halloween!” like an elaborately (or grotesquely) decorated front yard.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers? 

Like most in this peculiar business, I’m in the superstitious habit of never “counting chickens before they’ve hatched.”  That said, I’m working on two “True Story” horror screenplays for some amazing filmmakers that I’m very excited about. Plus: my graphic novel (co-written with filmmaker Don Handfield) – called The Source – hits stands in late Fall!

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

I had a tarot reading done by a renowned psychic. In fact, went in with a formidable chip of skepticism on my shoulder. By the time he was sharing names of distant relatives, I had started to sweat. When he described details about a chilling encounter I had in a “haunted” hotel as a kid… I nearly fainted.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I smile a lot. I’m actually smiling right now.

 

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Julie Maddalena [Interview]

October 19, 2019 by Leave a comment

Welcome to Day 19 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

 

Believe it or not Folks, we are entering our final days of our Month of Horror! I know we still have 12 days to go before the big night of Halloween, but this essentially means that we are already breaking out all of the proverbial big guns, and even having to forgo our usual Splatterday Special because we were so fortunate to receive so many wonderful interviews with some of the best in the business of scaring the shit out of you! Thus, here we are, on a Saturday, with some wonderful words from the absolutely legendary scream queen herself, the incredible Julie Maddalena!

Julie made her debut in the world of film, horror specifically, in the classic adaptation of Stephen King’s Children of the Corn some 35 years ago. And she has not let up since. She has had a brilliant career on screen both in and out of the horror world. And beyond the world of on screen performances, she is an accomplished voice actor as well, appearing in a plethora of animated films, TV, and video games. In the later she has especially done some amazing work in the Dynasty Warrior franchise, which is exceptionally fantastic.

Yes, Maddalena is an absolute gem of a human being who has done some incredible work, and we are so happy that she agreed to be a part of our Month of Horror series. So Folks, pleas enjoy some great words from the brilliant Julie Maddalena!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day? 

I started out as a dancer at the age of seven and I used to weep after watching performances because I wanted to do it so badly. I never wanted to watch- I just wanted to get up and do it myself! I even dug through the family history to see if there were other performers- just my mom who performed adagio with her brother but was painfully shy so she never wanted to pursue it. I did find a great uncle who tried to act but never heard anything more about him! So it was all me! 

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today? 

I got a McDonald’s commercial celebrating the 50th anniversary of the double cheeseburger! I got to dance, 50’s style for the commercial! It was a blast!! 

In 1984 you appeared in the now legendary film in the world of horror, one of the greatest of all time, Children of the Corn. When you were working on the project back then, was there any indication as how insanely popular this film and the franchise as a whole would become? And how have the fan interactions been over the years? 

We had NO IDEA! The fans, the enthusiasm and the support over the years has heartwarming! When they re-wrote the ending during the shoot to include my character Rachel popping up in the back of the car, attempting to kill Peter Horton’s character, we were super hopeful for a sequel- especially cause Rachel was pregnant! We would joke about potential titles: “Son of Children of the Corn” “Grandchildren of the Corn”, etc. 

 

CHILDREN OF THE CORN, Peter Horton, Julie Maddalena, John Philbin, 1984.©New World Pictures

 

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in? 

I believe that when people are terrified, they are vulnerable and they bond through the common experience. The actors and the people they saw the movie with, even the historical moment in time, leave a sort of imprint on the soul. It is easier to walk away from other genres with no residue on the soul. The emotions may be moved from comedies or dramas, but unless something traumatic is happening onscreen, it is easy to shake it off and walk away relatively “unscathed”. 

We have spoken with several people who have worked extensively in the voice over world. And I am always curious to know what it is like to work on this craft? How do you personalize characters using just your voice? 

Well, I combine the skills I learned as an actress, singer, dancer, mime and improvisational performer. I take elements from each and apply them to help me discover and develop a new character. Theater and dance help me to be comfortable with the physicality of the characters. Improv helps me to play and be comfortable with the (sometimes) awkward discovery process as different sounds come out of my body. Mime and dance helped me to connect with my body and so it is a more facile tool to support new voices. My theater and acting training taught me how to break down scripts, create characters and access emotions. And my singing training taught me breath control, range and vocal mastery over my personal scale. 

What is your favorite scary movie? 

Well, to be honest I prefer psychological thrillers to horror films these days but –if I must answer- I must say I am forever biased towards Children of the Corn! 

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year? 

Well, every year we do something different! But, honestly, nothing beats handing out candy and treats to the adorable children who dress up and trick or treat in our neighborhood each year. 

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

Well, by now the most recent show I’ve directed is out: The Rising of the Shield Hero! 

Soon to be followed by an adorable children’s original animation show where I voice three different characters: Deer Run. Both are a blast!! 

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

Honestly-I can’t remember being scared like that in a long time!!! 

What was the last thing that made you smile? 

Having family around this summer! My kids make me laugh all the time! I love them and my heart is full when we are together! My grandbabies are not near so we Facetime to stay connected. When my son tells her to say “I love you grandma” and she doesn’t want to stop playing to come talk to me she gets very frustrated and yells, “I LUH YOU!!” It is a riot!! 

 

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Jon Keeyes [Interview]

October 18, 2019 by Leave a comment

 

Welcome to Day 18 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 6 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

 

Hello Folks! We have an absolutely wonderful interview to share with you all today! During the time in between last year’s Month of Horror and this one, I have become aware of and become a big fan of this man’s work. It’s Jon Keeyes, Everyone! Over the last year we have been fortunate enough to cover two of his latest films that we absolutely loved! These two specific projects are in fact, The Harrowing and Doom Room. Which both happen to feature our dear friend from last year’s MoH, the great Debbie Rochon. It always comes around full circle, doesn’t it Folks?

Jon has had an incredible career and has put out some of the finest work in the world of horror and beyond. And with that, we are so excited to have him as a part of our beloved series here at Trainwreck’d Society. He’s a lovely human being, and you are definitely going to love! So please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant Jon Keeyes!

 

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

It was almost an accident in how I got into filmmaking. I grew up near Hollywood in a family of movie fanatics. My grandfather had been a bit player in the early 40’s so we grew up loving movies but writing is what I always wanted to do. I had become an entertainment journalist and thought I might take a crack at writing a screenplay, which I eventually directed called American Nightmare. I had always been a huge fan of horror. Alfred Hitchcock’s ability to tell a story and build suspense always left me in awe. I was also a big fan of early slasher flicks like Halloween and Friday the 13th. I loved these movies and always found it fascinating how they could manipulate your emotions with something like a movie. When I wrote American Nightmare, I was inspired by suspense and horror and wanted to go down that road. 

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

It depends on how you look at it. I did freelance entertainment journalism for years so that was how I saw my first paid gig, but in terms of filmmaking, it would have been my third movie Hallow’s End when I got paid for the first time. My first two movies were so low budget that I didn’t want to take money. I wanted it to go on the screen. But with that third one, I finally paid myself. I guess this isn’t the usual answer in this regard, but I think learning to pay yourself is actually a very important lesson for filmmakers. Yes, we love making movies and I’d do anything to keep making them over and over. But I found that there is a mental and emotional component to getting paid or paying yourself. It first solidifies you as a professional. Rewarding yourself for the work you do is important. And in paying yourself, there is another level of responsibility that you didn’t realize was there. It takes on a whole new level of responsibility to the make a great and successful movie for the people that have entrusted you with their money. 

I absolutely LOVED your film Doom Room, which features our dear friend Debbie Rochon. It was a delightfully bizarre experience to watch. I am curious to know where the idea for this film came from? What made you want to tell this tale?

Anytime I get to work with Debbie, it’s a dream come true. In a way, Debbie is my screenwriting muse. She and I have a bond where I think I give her characters that really bring out the best in her as an actress, and she gives me the trust to let herself go and fully immerse herself into fully bringing my whacked characters to life in a grounded and real way, which makes them even scarier. The Doom Room script goes all the way back to when I first started making movies. Somewhere in the first two or three years, I had the idea of making an experimental movie in which the lead actor didn’t know the script and the story would be unveiled to them as the movie as filmed. Without giving away the truth of Doom Room, I had been inspired by some true life stories that become the inspiration for our story. Over many years, that script evolved and grew until we shot it in England as a straight forward filmmaking experience. I love psychological horror, and I particularly love movies that keep you guessing and trying to figure out what is actually going on, and more than any of my others movies, Doom Room is exactly that so it was always a dream to make a movie about Alice falling down the rabbit hole.

 

 

Another film of yours, which I remember seeing around the same time, was The Harrowing. This one was really bizarre as well, in all the best ways. So same question basically? Where do these crazy ideas come from within your mind? 

Kind of like Doom Room, I keep exploring tales of psychological horror. The darkness within in, and what drives people to do violent things, has always fascinated me. And then I heard this metaphor about demons being a manifestation of our own inner darkness and I wanted to explore that. I a big fan of movies like Jacob’s Ladder, Angel Heart, and Shutter Island where you’re never quite sure what is the truth, and you’re asking yourself if the lead character is insane or not. Those become inspirations for what ultimately became this story. 

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

For me, it’s a strange combination of things. There’s definitely the adage that horror is a way for us to confront our personal fears in a safe environment. I think that’s absolutely true. But there’s also the fantasy component. We love to watch things that we’re likely never going to experience and horror is one of the few genres that gives us that completely immerse fantasy world. For some fans, like myself, it’s also that rush of seeing something that really gets under your skin and screws with your mind. It’s almost like a drug and I’m constantly chasing the high that a really good horror movie can do to you. And last but not least, for a lot of hardcore fans, they’re just fun… special effects make-up is something so many of the fans love so it’s always partly about going in to see what wild and crazy thing someone else has come up with. 

What is your favorite scary movie? 

It’s funny what scares me. The things that truly scare are things that are so very real. There’s a scene in the movie Training Day when Ethan Hawke is left in a room with some gang bangers and he slowly realizes he’s been set up and they’re going to kill him. Because of things in my past, it really struck close to home and is one of the most terrifying movie moments ever, for me… because it’s real to me. But, when it comes to straight up horror movies, John Carpenter’s Halloween is my all time favorite. It’s the daddy of slasher films, it’s a simple story that is hugely effective, and in a strange way, it’s really nostalgic for the way Halloween used to be when you thought it was safe to go out unaware that the boogeyman was truly lurking in the shadows.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

My wife and I’s anniversary is on Halloween so we always try to come up with something festive and fun to do as long as I’m home and not away working. I grew up in a family of Halloween nuts so anything we can do that is festive, we’re game. 

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

We’ve got lots and lots of stuff coming up. I’m a co-producer on William Brent Bell’s Separation, which should be hitting theaters early next year. I’ve been producing a lot more recently so lots of movies that will be rolling out. Right now I’m co-producing Becky, a really great and violent horror movie starring Kevin James, Lulu Wilson and Joel McHale – from the directors of the indie hit Bushwick. And I have about half a dozen scripts I’m focused on to be directing again this coming year. 

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

I’m working in Toronto and there was a shooting last night at a restaurant that left the manager dead. I ended up at a dinner nowhere near it at 3 a.m. and found myself particularly on edge as the night’s drifters came in and out. It’s real life that scares me. 

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Standing on set last night making a movie. 

 

 

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