Laura Madsen [Interview]

Welcome to Day 23 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Today’s interviewee is a person who is simply a damn delightful person! I have had the distinct honor of getting to digitally know Laura Madsen over the last few months, and found myself lucky to get to showcase her amazing work during our Month of Horror series, which came as a total surprise. You see, Laura Madsen is one of these people who simply DOES IT ALL!! I actually first came into contact with Laura through her gig as a publicist, in which she has represented some amazing clients and worked on some even more amazing projects. For example, the recently released Shooting Clerks, directed by our old pal Christopher Downie! And through these conversations, I learned that Laura is not only a bad ass publicist, she is an actress. And a model. And a writer. And the list goes on and on. She is a real chameleon, and we are so excited she was able to take some time out of her insanely hectic schedule to tell us a bit about herself!

So please enjoy some amazing words from the brilliant Laura Madsen!

When did you first realize you were a creative person, and needed to live in a creative world? Would were some of your earliest inspirations growing up in Jersey?

I was in elementary school when I found that I enjoyed writing, creatively, or about what was on my mind, or even about things I had opinions on.  My writing has been the catalyst for everything that has happened in my career.  Happy people inspire me.  I am always drawn to those who find success in their lives in ways that make them personally happy and who follow their dreams.  There are many success stories for people from New Jersey – Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, David Copperfield, Kevin Smith, Meryl Streep, Ice-T… the list goes on.  I think there’s something in the water.  If they can be successful, then it allows me to believe that so can I.

You wear so many hats in the world of art and entertainment. Including publicity (how I met you!), to writing, to acting, and on and on. With that being said, what guides you? Is there one gig you would consider your primary job? Or do you just sort of take things as they come along?

The next thing I’m passionate about that comes my way in life will guide me.  I have always felt that most people can do more than one thing with their life; have more than one job; more than one passion.  I never felt personally satisfied doing just one thing or being called one thing.  My first and most important job in life is being a mom to my daughter, Manda.  Outside of that, I always look forward to what’s coming next.  I think God has a plan for everyone, and I’m enjoying watching my plan unfold as I take the pre-destined course that’s waiting for me.  I’ve been referred to as a “chameleon”; ever-changing and adapting, doing a multitude of things.  I write, I model, I act, I love being on radio, and I enjoy working with celebrities in all facets of their careers so more light can shine on their talents.  My latest addition to my world has been appearing at comic-cons as a featured guest, and I love it!  It gives me a chance to meet fans who have only met me through online contact.  Who knows what’s next?  I hope I never have just one primary gig.  I don’t have a single primary job right now, and I would never want only one.  I like changing things up so I’m never bored, and my hope is that I continue to adapt to the times and appeal to multiple generations, just like Madonna.  I like to keep changing it up and surprising people.  You never know what I’ll do next! I love the thrill of keeping people on their toes!

In your PR bubble, can you tell us a bit about how it has been to work on and see our new friend Christopher Downie’s Shooting Clerks come to live? As a girl from Jersey, is there a bit of a personal touch to watching all of this magic happen?

I met Christopher Downie in November of 2016 when I was hosting the Q&A for a screening of a previous version of the Kevin Smith biopic film he wrote and directed, Shooting Clerks. I was immediately impressed by his talent, vision, and the star quality of the cast and crew working with him.  I usually work with individual celebrity clients, and I don’t take on too many film production companies or films as clients, but there was something magical about all involved with this movie that motivated me to want to help them instantly.  They have the “it” factor on screen, and off.  Plus, I genuinely like everyone involved in the production, and have always loved the movie Clerks.   I am absolutely exhilarated to see the success of the film for everyone involved.  It’s “Jersey pride”; since I am a Jersey girl, but also, I consider the cast and crew to be my friends, and I love watching my friends succeed.  They have all put their blood, sweat, and tears into this movie, and I’m proud to stand behind them and give them my support.  Watching how the actors portrayed the younger versions of the original Clerks cast with meticulous precision, knowing that Christopher Downie had to recreate the entire interior of the Quick Stop in Scotland for filming, and the care put into the Jersey authenticity, of course appealed to a place in my Jersey heart that I’ve had for a long time.  Working with them has been a match made in – well – Jersey.  Who better to represent a Jersey film than a girl from Jersey?  I never treat anyone I work with impersonally.  If I’m working with someone, I’m working with them with my entire mind and caring presence.

I am excited to have heard about your upcoming performance in  Anadellia Rises. What can you tell us about this project, without giving too much away? What should our readers by excited about?

Anadellia Rises is a tale of good versus evil, and possession.  I’m excited to play a demon, in this film.  I’m usually portrayed as a “good girl”, or a slightly seductive “girl next door” type of character and I can’t wait to show a bit of a bad side that kicks ass (figuratively and literally).  So if anyone wants to see me step out of my usual type cast, this will be a fun movie to watch.

What is it about the horror genre specifically that has made you want join this world?

I’ve only done one film so far in the horror genre, Death at a Barbecue, directed by Larry Rosen.  It wasn’t so much the horror genre that attracted me to the film, but it was the talent and kind of person who Larry is.  I respect him very much as a director.  That said, it was a casual and comfortable environment on set, and that was very enjoyable.  Larry is open to expansion on dialogue and ad-libbing, which makes an actor feel like s/he can personalize the character they become many times.  I also like playing characters that are very different from how I am in real life, that I can sink my teeth into, because of the emotion that I can express on camera.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Horror movies completely scare me – so I don’t watch many, at least not voluntarily.  In years past I was convinced to watch a few due to peer pressure, but the experience has always haunted me and left me with several sleepless nights.  One of my most memorable experiences watching a horror movie was when I saw Nightmare on Elm Street as a teen.  I was sleeping over at a friend’s house and her parents weren’t home.  Right after the movie finished, her phone rang, and both of us were afraid to pick  it up because we thought Freddie Kruger would jump out of the phone, as he did in the movie.  I’d say that probably had a lot to do with me never watching horror movies as a regular rule of thumb, because I don’t like to be scared.  Paying money to watch something that scares me defies my inner logic somewhat; but I don’t mind acting in a horror film.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? Any traditions you try to uphold each year?

I’ll probably take my 12 years old daughter, Manda, trick-or-treating in our neighborhood this year, as we do every year.  We also enjoy giving candy out to kids at the door.  We have a tradition of carving pumpkins together and roasting pumpkin seeds, too.

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

I’m excited to be one of the “Chiller Chicks” at Chiller Theatre, a comiccon in New Jersey this October!  There will be three of us working as guests of the comic-con, greeting show-goers as they walk in, taking photos with fans, and signing autographs.  The idea is that we will be very visible, approachable, (and sexy) representatives of Chiller who people can come up to for a meet & greet and get reliable answers to their questions, and information about where to find other celebrities at the show.  I’m so happy to be chosen as one of the pinpoint poster girls for the event.  (Tickets and info:  http://chillertheatre.com/ )

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My puppy, Brisk, falling asleep in my lap.

Robert Rothbard [Interview]

Welcome to Day 20 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Today’s interview subject is a man who has been working in the world of film and television in several different realms, and has been behind some pretty incredible projects if I do say so myself. He has worked as a production manager for shows like The Office, CSI: Miami, and Suburgatory. But his greatest work may very well be a film I recently discovered, 2015’s The Painting: The Art of Slaying. The concept of this film alone is something to marvel at, and the film itself fits in just perfectly with the films we have been showcasing this month during our Month of Horror series.

We were fortunate enough to be able to steal a few words from this iconic writer, director, producer, and so much more! So without further rambling, please enjoy some words from the brilliant Robert Rothbard!

When did you first decide you wanted to join the world of film? When did you realize that this was the world you wanted to make your living in?

I was a film Student at Temple University School of Communications and Theatre and when I graduated I went to work on features as well as making my own short films before I ventured into writing and directing features. I’ve never done anything else.  Feel fortunate to be able to say that.

You have worked in just about every aspect of the world of film behind the lens. One gig you have found yourself in a lot would be that of Production Manager. For those of us who consistently on the outside looking in, and aren’t afraid to be honest, what exactly does being a Production Manager entail? And what do you enjoy about this line of work?

A UPM or PM is  essentially the DGA version of a producer.  You make or approve the budget and schedule, hire crew, and oversee the day to day making of the show.  You participate in pretty much every aspect of the show you’re working on, although  it can be less creative than I would like, and I have since moved more towards directing/writing my own projects both in TV and film.

With your 2015 film The Painting: The Art of Slaying, you dug a bit into the world of horror, mixed with comedy (which the best is!). You’ve also working on a few other thriller/suspense/horror projects as well. So what is it about this genre specifically that you enjoy? What sets the world of scaring the shit out of people apart from films that bring out other emotions?

For me emotions are all the same.  Making people feel is my goal. Laughter and fear make good bedfellows. If I get a rise out of the audience, I guess I did my job.  Even in The Painting, I like to always leave the audience with something more.  A message that gives hope — a faith that there’s something bigger and greater out there then just happenstance or evil.  A Grand Creator who is in charge of all cause and effect. I have to work in the direction of the greater good.  I can’t just make any movie.  What would be the point?  It’s got leave you with something.  I will always slip in a redeeming quality in the film.  Sometimes it’s rather heavy handed, sometimes it’s a light touch. Call it a weakness or an asset — nothing I can do about it — it’s who I am.

What is your favorite scary movie? 

My favorite is The Exorcist.  I couldn’t sleep for a month.

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

I used to throw eggs at peoples houses and soap up car windows.  These days I put all my energy  into writing good scripts.  Yes even on Halloween….

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

I’ve had two paranormal experiences that I am weaving into a supernatural thriller/horror movie as we speak.  It gets into the future visiting the present and some pretty gruesome stuff.  For the time being my Producing/Writing partner Sally Lamb are calling it Portal.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Good question.  Seeing a good friend at lunch and finding out his daughter is studying to be a film composer. That made me smile!

Debbie Sherman [Interview]

Welcome to Day 19 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

We have a wonderful interview for you Horror fiends today! Today’s interviewee is a woman who will surely be on everyone’s radar very soon, as she is an actress with a raw talent that is being brought out on some pretty amazing projects lately. While her acting credibility goes beyond the measures of the world of horror, she has already managed to make a name for herself in this specific genre. And giving that this is our Month of Horror showcase, we are damned excited that she has.

Debbie Sherman can be seen in the recently released James Franco led psychological thriller entitled The Vault, which is a god damned gem of a film. She can also be found in 2 time Oscar nominee Roland Joffé’s latest film The Forgiven, featuring Forest Whitaker and Eric Bana. And if that isn’t impressive enough, Debbie will have a starring role in the latest addition to the “of the Dead” franchise in Day of the Dead: Bloodline. She is a brilliant working actress who is destined to be a household name before we know it.

So with that in mind, please enjoy some amazing words from the brilliant Debbie Sherman!

When did you first discover your passion for acting? And when did you know that you wanted to play pretend for a living and bring joy into people’s lives?

I have been a drama queen since the age of 0. I think I was even dramatic in my mother’s womb. I love playing pretend and I especially enjoy getting to know a storyline and it’s background. Learning about different characters and really diving into what makes that person tick is such a rush for me. I enjoy getting to transform into someone else for a time. It is exhilarating. When I have the opportunity to tell meaningful stories and play characters that are parts of narratives that need to be told, well, that’s one of my favorite things.

I have been hearing some good buzz about The Vault, which was released on September 1st. Can you tell us a bit about this project, and what drew you to work on it?

The Vault is a mash of horror and thriller. It is full of twists and turns. It starts out as a bank robbery, but it ends up being so much more than that. It stars James Franco, Taryn Manning, Francesca Eastwood and Jeff Gum. This was was my first role in a film and it was such a fun set to work on!

What should our readers be most excited about seeing in The Vault?

The audience should expect surprises. This film is constantly sending the audience into a state of shock.

What is it about working in the world of horror specifically that you enjoy? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

Horror takes us away from our reality and moves us into a place of the unknown. That is my favorite part of the genre and why I so enjoy working on horror films. There is never a dull moment on horror sets and there is always something to scare you around the corner.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Night of the Living Dead from 1968. Gorge A. Romero pretty much invented all thing zombies in the film industry. Without him and his films, there would be no Day of the Dead, which I filmed last year and will be released soon!

What are your plans for this Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

Trick-or-Treating of course! I have two little girls and I wouldn’t miss taking them trick-or-treating around the block. Check out my social media on Halloween to see what we dress up as this year!

What does the future hold for you? Anything in the works you can tell our readers about?

I have a huge project I am getting ready to film. It is my biggest role yet and I am beyond excited. Stay tuned, I will be releasing details soon!

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My daughters. They are the light of my life and while sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out, they always give me the most joy and the biggest smile. This morning while dropping them off at school, they both gave each other a big kiss and hug and said, “I love you. Have a good day”. I love their sisterly bond and this was the last thing that made me smile.

Wesley O’Mary [Interview]

Welcome to Day 18 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Hello Folks! Today’s interviewee for our Month of Horror is a brilliant one to say the least. Wesley C. O’Mary is a lifelong actor. He has been in the business for longer than he can probably entirely remember. And in that time he has  done some incredible work that is incredibly admirable and impressive.

Wesley has also been a major player in what we are calling the “Steve Sessions Universe”. Like our previous interview subject Eric Spudic, Wesley has worked on some wonderful films from the legendary mind of our old friend Steve Sessions. He has appeared in the brilliant films Shriek of the Sasquatch and Aberrations. And he did a damn fine and memorable job in both of them.

As an added bonus, he also happened to have worked as a visual effects artist on a brilliant independent film that actually kicked off this whole event know as Demons! A small world, isn’t it? So ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy some amazing words from the brilliant and talented Wesley C. O’Mary!

You began your career as an actor at a very young age. What made you decide you wanted to play pretend for a living?

Brent Hanley [Interview]

Welcome to Day 15 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

We have another great writer to showcase in our Month of Horror for you lucky fools! Today’s interview subject is the brilliant screenwriter Brent Hanley, who brought us one of the most frightening and disturbing tales to us all in 2002 (Not 2001, we will discuss later) with Frailty, directed by the dearly departed Bill Paxton, who also starred in the film in what I consider to be the greatest performance of his career (feel free to argue if you’d like, he was that damn good).

And Brent was kind enough to share a few words about Frailty and its impact it has had on the world of horror and film in general, as well as some other truly fascinating work from this equally fascinating human being. So I am going to simply shut up, and let you all begin enjoying this amazing interview with the legendary writer Mr. Brent Hanley!

When did you first realize you wanted to write for a living? And has screenwriting always been a main focus for you, or are there other avenues of writing that you are more passionate about?

I wrote my first short story, which was basically a rip-off of Ray Bradbury’s The Veldt, at the age of 12.  I have been writing ever since, but it wasn’t until I was about 23 that I realized that my writing style best fit cinema, and that I actually might be able to make a living at it. I love all forms of writing, and have recently been working on a novel of my own, but to me, screenwriting is the most challenging and difficult form of creative writing. You simply have an extremely limited amount of words and pages to not only engage the reader, but create characters and a whole world that the reader truly believes and invests in from start to finish.  And it has to do those things so convincingly that the reader(s) commit millions and millions of dollars to making it and distributing it.

2001’s Frailty still remains one of my favorite films of all time. I am dying to know how you came up with such an insane concept. Where did your inspiration come to write this disturbingly beautiful film?

First of all, I’d like to correct something that has bugged me for years. Frailty was actually released in 2002.  It was listed on IMDB as 2001 because it screened at the Deep Ellum Film Festival in November of 2001. Granted the film was actually shot in late 2000 and 2001, and was planned for release in October 2001, but 9/11 happened and it got pushed to April of 2002.  But to answer your actual question, artistically Frailty was inspired by several things such as Leonard Cohen’s song “The Story of Issac”, the films of Alfred Hitchcock, the film Night of the Hunter, the television show The Twilight Zone, as well as the works of Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe, and of course the Old Testament of the Bible.

And when did the late Bill Paxton become involved in Frailty? How did the idea for Paxton, primarily an actor, to direct the film come into play?

The producers had sent the script to Bill for him to consider playing Dad. When he read it, he became convinced that not only should he play the part, but that he should direct it as well  He came in and blew everyone away with his research and visual knowledge and was hired.  It made total sense to me since Night of the Hunter was a huge influence on the film and it was directed by actor, Charles Laughton. And Bill did such an amazing job both as an actor and as a director, and that is not an easy feat.  He really was such a huge talent.  He was taken from us way too early.

I am a huge fan of Mick Garris’s amazing series Masters of Horror, which you happened to have a stunning addition to with your story, Family. What inspired you to create yet another strange tale, although a bit light hearted this time around? And was it originally intended for MoH? 

I am really proud to have been a part of that series, and to have worked with the great John Landis. They had approached me the first season, but I was booked at the time. I am and will always be a huge Landis fan, and so I seized the opportunity to work him on the second season. And it turned out John was a fan of mine, and had even read Frailty and had wanted to direct it back in the day. So I pitched John an idea from an old unpublished short story I had written back in my twenties, and we tweaked it a bit, and then I wrote the screenplay. We tweaked it here and there per John’s direction, and then he went and shot it. It is one of the easiest and best experiences I’ve ever had with development so far.

I always love to ask writers this simple yet sometimes very complicated question: How do you know when you are done? Basically, when do you realize that you have a story put down entirely to ink that you know is ready to go? Or do you ever really know?

You’re never really finished with a screenplay until it is made into a film, or you get replaced on it.  And you usually write many drafts for producers, actors, directors, the financing, someone’s cousin. But I get what you mean, so I would say when I write a draft of the screenplay, I know I’m finished when the structure is fully in place, and each scene, each word of action and each word of dialogue all service the story and move it along to it’s conclusion. There should be no wasted words in a script. Every single one should be there for a reason, to serve the intent of the characters and narrative.

What is your favorite scary movie?

It’s always tough to pick just one, but I’ll go with Rosemary’s Baby.  I remember when I was like 6 or 7 years old and I saw a commercial for it because it was going to show on tv, I think for the first time, and I remember being terrified just from seeing the commercial. I was literally convinced that the devil himself had made that movie and if I saw it the devil would get me and drag me to hell, so I spent my childhood years avoiding that movie. Then when I was about 12 or so, I figured that was just childish bullshit so I watched it, and the devil didn’t get me, but I was thoroughly terrified.  I remember having bad dreams for months after seeing it. And of course, I’ve loved it ever since.

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

Not sure what exactly we’ll do this year, but we’ll do something.  It’s always been my favorite holiday.  When I was a kid my mom always decorated the house, and would dress us up and take us trick or treating. My wife and I have kept up the tradition.  We always decorate, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little, but always something.  And we love giving out candy to trick or treaters. And we always get the good stuff so we do!’t get egged or tp-ed  .

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

Got a few irons in the fire.  I recently adapted the James Ross Novel, They Don’t Dance Much, a down and dirty chicken-fried noir, and am currently working on a television pilot called Thin Blue Smoke based on the novel by Doug Worgul.

Also, Bill Paxton’s final directorial project, The Bottoms, is going into production this fall.  I adapted it for him years ago from the Joe Lansdale novel. And he finally had it set up to go into production this year.  It is so fucking heart-breaking to make it without him, but we are making it for him, to honor him.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My 11 year old lab, Rita, dancing with me and my wife earlier tonight.

Michael J. Epstein [Interview]

Welcome to Day 15 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

I seriously can not tell you just how excited I am to have Michael J. Epstein join the list of interviewees here at Trainwreck’d Society. Regular readers will recognize him, and probably won’t believe we actually haven’t done so yet. But, it is true. The man who has been mentioned on this site more times than I can count and has even been one of our beloved Guest Wreckers has not actually had a formal interview…until now. And what better time to include this artistic genius than during our Month of Horror? Seeing as he is part of the creative force behind such masterpieces as TEN, Magnetic, and Blood of the Tribades, which are cinematic table pieces here at Trainwreck’d Society, I would say he is a perfect fit!

Surprisingly enough we still had a lot of good stuff to learn about Mr. Epstein! He has a great new book out that every DIY artist should know about, and has shared his numerous involvements in the world we know and love known as Troma Entertainment. That and so much more in this amazing interview with the brilliant Michael J. Epstein! Enjoy!

We have talked about your work in film and in music on TWS quite a bit over the years, as you are just a non-stop creative human being! So when did you first decide you wanted to work in the creative world? When did the passion begin?

This is kind of a hard question to answer exactly, but I’ve always been interested in making things. In my youngest years, I didn’t really quite get into art, but I was a tinkerer. I was building electronics projects and writing adventure games on my VIC-20 in gradeschool. I was always interested in problem solving and got excited when I learned new things or figured out how to do something that had previously stumped me. I made comic books with my friends in elementary school. I was never very good at drawing or painting, but I loved writing, even as a young child. By the time I got to high school, my whole life started to revolve around music and I got a guitar for my 15th birthday and immediately started writing songs. As far as film, my friends and I got hold of a VHS camera in high school and we’d make little weird movies, cutting shots together using two VCRs. I stuck with music for quite a few years until film technology became accessible and affordable enough to revisit it. I also started seeing a lot of commonality between all of this creative work and my more formal training in electrical engineering as my creative skills advanced.

I understand you have added author to your laundry list of things that you do extremely well, and it is about crowd funding, another thing you have had a lot of success in! So what compelled you to write this guide book? And can you give us some details of what a reader should expect to learn?

My book, Crowdfunding Basics In 30 Minutes: How to use Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and other crowdfunding platforms to support your entrepreneurial and creative dreams, came out earlier this year (http://crowdfunding.in30minutes.com/) as part of the excellent In 30 Minutes series. I had become familiar with the series in general and ended up in a conversation with the editor, who invited me to pitch some ideas for books. There were a few topics that I felt I could write about to provide useful insight on for beginners and crowdfunding stood out as the right choice at the time. I had run several of my own campaigns and consulted on many others, and had learned a lot of what to do, and more importantly, what not to do, through that work. I had already written a series of blog posts on crowdfunding-related topics, so I had a foundation for the book already.

I made this short video outlining some of the topics included in the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_to78_SbhvQ

Essentially, I wanted to both encourage people to dive into the world of crowdfunding, but also to understand the large quantity of work and the deep commitment necessary to have a successful campaign. There are a lot of misconceptions about what crowdfunding is, how it works, who you might expect to contribute, and the written and unwritten agreements made when creating a campaign. I hope the book, which is very concise, gives someone interested in crowdfunding everything they need to know to decide whether and how to run a campaign, and things like which platform to choose, how to set up reward tiers, what backers will expect, and what the real economic results might look like.

I really just hope it helps people get what they need to bring new ideas into the world.

You have worked with the world famous Troma Studios in the past, including having Lloyd Kaufman do some voice work in your amazing 2014 film Ten (which I still watch quite often!). So how is it working with a team like Troma? What sets their processes apart form others?

I’ve never actually worked on a Troma-produced film directly, so I’ve never seen how they operate on the pre-production or production end of things. As far as I know, they actually produce very few films directly these days.

That said, I have worked on several films that were picked up by Troma for distribution including Honky Holocaust, Grindsploitation, and Grindsploitation 2.

It was an amazing honor for us to get Lloyd to work with us on TEN, as I had grown up on what we can probably call an uncomfortably rich diet of Troma films. Lloyd is hilarious and wonderful, and although I wasn’t on set with him for most of the films, I think I have production and/or acting credits in around 10 films with him now. It’s surreal to be there right next to the guy whose Toxic Avenger and other films spun 1000’s of miles of tape through my VCR as a kid. I couldn’t have asked for something cooler.

I’ve also had the absolute joy of working on films with other Troma regulars like Debbie Rochon (Tromeo and Juliet) and Bill Weeden (Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.). In fact, it’s looking like my partner Sophia Cacciola and I will be working with Bill and an excellent filmmaker named Adrian Esposito on a new project next year (the title hasn’t been formally announced yet), so stay tuned!

In the film world, you have worked on several different genres in several different gigs. But, since this is the Month of Horror, I am intrigued to ask you what it is specifically about the world of horror that has made you want to delve into it and create cinema magic?

I have really never been interested in drama or realism in film. With horror, I love that there are very few rules about what tools you can use to tell stories. The fantastic nature of the genre gives an opportunity to tackle the deepest, darkest, most complex ideas and fears that we face in our bizarre existence. And horror movies are fun and can be accessible for creators and fans without needing big budgets or highly trained actors. Some of the best horror movies of all time were made with the fewest resources. They really allow the artists to shape and create worlds and stories.

What is your favorite scary movie? 

I don’t generally find narrative films scary per se, but I love films that explore complex questions about life and death. I’m a big fan of the whole Phantasm series. I think it tries to ask big questions about how we approach and process death. We had the amazing opportunity to make this mini-doc about it:

If you want scary, I think the scariest film I’ve ever seen is the documentary, I Think We’re Alone Now, which explores the lives of two of pop-singer Tiffany’s stalkers.

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

I don’t know why, but I haven’t been into Halloween lately. I guess maybe I dress up and do weird things and live a fantasy-infused creative life so many days of the year that I’ve never felt compelled to really get involved in celebrating it on the particular holiday.

Now that said, my favorite tradition (that I no longer partake in) was what my best friend in high school and I called a “bah humbug” party. As the name might imply, we started it with Christmas. We, and our other Jewish friends would get together on Christmas to host a “bah humbug” all-day movie marathon (and our non-Jewish friends begged their families to let them join us). We’d go to the video store and rent the oddest, most compelling movies we could find and just watch them until our eyes fell out of the sockets. We had so much fun doing this on Christmas that we started expanding it to other holidays – July 4th Bah Humbug, Memorial Day Bah Humbug, Labor Day Bah Humbug, Valentine’s Day Bah Humbug, and, of course, Halloween Bah Humbug!

We always leaned heavily toward horror with these events anyway, but Halloween was really special one because we just scoured the video store for the grossest, most disturbing films we could find to watch. I think maybe it’s time to reinstate that tradition!

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

We’re developing four feature films currently. I wish I knew which would get into production first, but it is all a matter of where the money and resources land. I think we’ll have at least one shot by the end of 2017, and I expect that we’ll make at least two features in 2018. In the meantime, we’re also working crew for other people (hire us!) and acting in a variety of projects. Basically, whatever adventure comes our way!

We’re also looking at finishing up some music releases and starting a new band. Nothing specific to announce yet, but again, stay tuned!

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I just got to watch a very worn 35-mm print of Scanners at The New Beverly Theater on a Saturday at midnight. It was perfect.

 

Jay Lee [Interview]

Welcome to Day 13 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Today’s interview subject is a cat who brings a whole new bit of light into our observations into the world of horror. While probably best being known for his work as the director of the incredible Robert England and Jenna Jameson fronted horror/comedy Zombie Strippers, Mr. Jay Lee is also a renowned editor in the world of horror. And I have personally believed that editing is very important factor in the world of horror. Sort of like the music, or the lack of music. It is all one collective puzzle with intricate pieces that all have to fit together. And once that puzzle is made, it is the editor’s job to proverbial slap the Elmer’s atop of it and make it all stick together to make a work of hard that is presentable for your grandmother’s wall. Okay, may the this is a very specific metaphor, but I think you get the point. The editor’s job is one that is often greatly over looked, until it goes horribly wrong. This could very well be a reason that Jay Lee is better known for his work in directing horror films, yet has achieved amazing success as an editor as well.

So with that, we were very excited that Jay could make time for us to talk about the incredible film Zombie Strippers and more, as well telling us a bit about what it means to edit a horror piece. So with that, please enjoy some amazing words from the extremely talented and multi-faceted human being, the brilliant Jay Lee!

When did you discover you had a passion for the world of film? What got you into this business?

I remember my mother taking me to see Fantasia when I was a kid.  I might have been 6 years old.  Growing up in Los Angeles there has always opportunities to see classic films (and even not-so-classic) in a movie theater.  She took me to Fantasia for the dinosaurs, but I remember being changed by the experience, not just seeing living breathing dinosaurs, but also the total immersion of experiences, the music, the artistry, the dancing hippos and giant demons – who would have ever thought there was something better than dinosaurs!  My uncle had a Super 8 movie camera, so every time there’d be a family holiday I’d grab his camera and make a little 3 minute movie.  When I was in my early teens my older sister used one of her credit cards and helped me get my own Super 8 camera and I’d mow lawns around the neighborhood for the price of film and developing. I rode my bike to every movie theater in the West San Fernando Valley to see anything and everything out there, a couple of the theaters even let me into the R-rated movies.  There was a revival house theater somewhat close by, it was a good bike-ride away, but worth it.  They played all the classics back in a day when none of it was available on VHS or wasn’t edited down or censored for TV.  So when most people I knew were watching Three’s Company and Brady Bunch reruns I was immersing myself in John Ford and Buster Keaton and Fellini and Kurosawa and Bergman and Orson Welles to name but a few, not to mention current releases that had a huge impact on me – Alien, An American Werewolf in London, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Conan, Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan, The Thing, Bo Derek’s Tarzan.  I had one goal, USC Film School.  I applied only there.  I got in.  One semester taught me there was no way I could afford USC Film School.  So I got a job as a production assistant with a company that made movies of the week.  I was 19.  From then on I worked in as many areas of film production that I could so I could do one thing and one thing only – make movies.

You have worked in just about every job there is behind the camera! From writer/director to cinematographer to location manager. You have proven to be a very multi-faceted person in the film world to say the least. But, overall, what would you consider to be your favorite part of the film world? What brings you the most joy in the business?

I truly believe that in the past 100 years movies have made this world a better place.  And I have contributed to that, granted it’s a very small part, but still, I played a part.  I am very proud to have left a patch or two in the social fabric of popular culture.  And not just in the abstract, the “big picture” of modern society, but in a personal way, too.  I’ll share a bittersweet story.  Robert Englund told me this.  There was a 13 year old boy who was in hospice, dying of cancer.  His favorite movie was Zombie Strippers.  There was a news story about this because the hospital wasn’t going to let him watch an R-rated movie, him being only 13.  So when Robert heard about this he went to visit this kid, gave him his official cast and crew Zombie Strippers T-shirt even.  This made bigger news, thanks to Robert, and so the hospital gave in and let this kid watch his favorite movie for the rest of his tragically short life.  Don’t get me wrong, by no means did I make Zombie Strippers with a goal of helping children with cancer, but here is an instance where something I created happened to make someone’s life better, something that actually made a difference.  Movies can do this and I’m very happy to be part of it.  But also there was Robert.  When he told me that story there was aura about him, he held himself in a way that I could only call noble.  Maybe I helped make his world a little better, too.

I feel as though an editor’s job in horror film is extremely important, and severely underrated. As previously mentioned, you have done just about job in the business. But when it comes to editing specifically, what do you believe is the most important aspect of editing a horror film? What has to be done to make the film transition smoothly?

The editor has two really difficult jobs in a horror film.  One is to make some otherwise dreadful performances into somewhat passable performances.  Let’s face it, sometimes the girl that will take her top off and run through the woods screaming might not be Meryl Streep, but she’ll take her top off, so she gets the part.  A lot can be salvaged from either an inexperienced or outright bad actor’s footage if sifted through with a fine tooth comb and a magician’s touch of misdirection.  The other challenge for an editor is to go unnoticed for a good portion of the film.  It’s the same concept of hiding around a corner waiting to leap out and scare someone – the second you draw attention to yourself the scare is blown.  So the editing has to try and be as sleek and effortless as possible until the time when it really counts.

What is it about the horror world specifically that you enjoy, and makes you want to keep working in it?

Horror fans can be very hard to please.  I think they’re also some of the smartest film-goers out there.  They need to be CHALLENGED.  That right there pushes me as a filmmaker, challenges me to be better.  There is no real format to a horror movie.  You can do anything.  The ending is always an experiment in shocking your audience.  It’s truly the freest form of story telling.  It’s also the best genre for subtext, for metaphor and allegory, entertaining your audience and all the while slipping your message in, like a knife blade.  It’s also a genre where your creativity can run wild, it can also be extremely cathartic as you butcher all those characters (aka you father, your ex, members of congress) and on top of all of that it can truly be one of the best times on a set you’ll ever have.  It’s hard, hard work.  But I like hard work.

What is your favorite scary movie?

My favorite scary movie I think is still the first Alien.  I find it the perfect storm of story, artistry, monster and technical proficiency.  The monster design and development, the sets, the characters, the lighting and cinematography, the performances, the direction and writing after many, many viewings still manages to inspire me, dazzle me, awe me.  I find it one of the most sophisticated horror movies too.  I still remember being really young (probably too young) and seeing it in a movie theater way back when.  Back then the movie ticket was a little stiff-papered chit they tore in half, like at a carnival ride.  I had that ticket stub in my hand the whole movie and by the end my palms had sweated so much that stub had completely dissolved in my hand, leaving a wet red pulpy smear.

What are your plans for this upcoming Halloween? Do you have any sort of traditions that you try to uphold each year?

Halloween for me was a big deal when I was a kid, when I’d turn our place into a house of horrors.  Then for a while it was more of a scramble getting films ready for film festivals, or the disappointment of not getting in any.  Recently its been more just hoping to get invited to a party where pretty girls dress up in those sexy costumes.

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

Yes.  I’ve been working with the same special effects make-up artist for over ten years, Patrick Magee.  Patrick just directed his first feature film which I helped him with, I wrote the script with Patrick, shot it and edited it.  It’s called Primal Rage.  It’s a bigfoot movie with some the the best practical make-up effects I’ve ever seen – think Harry and the Hendersons meets Predator.  Distribution is in the works, there’s a trailer on YouTube.  Primal Rage – the best bigfoot movie ever.  No joke.

Here’s a YouTube link to the teaser Primal Rage trailer (this is our own we did before distribution, so I’m sure the distribution company will be doing another at some point):

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Pictures of baby elephants in the new National Geographic.

Tracey Birdsall [Interview]

Welcome to Day 12 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

We have a brilliant addition to our Month of Horror showcase today folks! Today we have some lovely answers from the even more lovely actress Tracey Birdsall. Tracey recently appeared on the sci-fi thriller Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter. And while the film may not be strictly identified as a “horror” film, it is a truly frightening depiction of what may happen when we let technology go too damn far. And honestly, that is about as scary is it gets for me! Tracey is amazing is this film, which also features our dear friend Marilyn Ghigliotti in a prominent role. I went into viewing this film for Marilyn, and came out a huge Tracey fan as well.

So let’s just dive it her answers, shall we? Please enjoy some amazing words from the brilliant Tracey Birdsall!

Tell us about your latest film, Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter?

Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter, is a sci-fi/drama/character-driven action film that came out in June of this year.

And on the VOD channels, what category would you suggest it be placed under?

Sci-fi, action, and drama.

Though I assume everyone was a pleasure, is there anyone on the cast and crew you particularly enjoyed working with?

William Kircher, Daz Crawford, Stephen Manley – they were all such a pleasure to work with. Marilyn Ghiglioti was charming too.

What are you most proud of about the movie?

It’s a labor of love, you know?! You put your all into something for a couple of years, and then people enjoy it – it’s memorializing. I’m proud of the hard work and the long hours – the bruises and scars, but it’s the final product that makes me most proud.

Was there ever a moment on the film when it became ‘work’ to you – or is it always fun? Maybe a bit of both?

Don’t get me wrong… it’s always work, but I love what I do… Sometimes it’s frustrating, sometimes it’s brutal, sometimes (oftentimes) it’s really hard, but it’s rewarding to say the least.

We’re about to enter the ‘scariest’ month of the year – are you into spooky movies?

Aw! I love them. Halloween is always my favorite “holiday” of the year…

Who might your favorite horror monster icon be?

I don’t have one! I love the scary movies and the villains as much as the next guy/girl, but I don’t have a favorite as they “serve a purpose.”

What does Halloween mean to you?

Halloween is the one-day of the year where everyone else does what I do all year – use his or her imagination and be free. In this world we are all so caught up in what we are and what we should be, but Halloween is the one-day where everyone has fun and doesn’t care how the outside world perceives them. Inner lives are revealed, outer pretences are cast aside, fears are embraced…

Did you ever participate in dress-ups? Remember who you dressed as?

Omg, as a young child I even was David Cassidy… the list is endless…

Have you a go-to movie around Halloween?

Not really, I like a good scare, but sometimes it’s the classic Halloween movies that make a comeback every year. Life is scary enough… I just roll with what everyone else wants to do/watch!

Do you think your movie works for Halloween, too?

Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter is only scary if you find the up-coming overtaking of humanity by artificial intelligence scary… it’s scary stuff in an intelligent way. The next film however, The Time War, has some definite horror elements…

What was the last thing that made you smile?

The marshmallow I just roasted over an open fire! (After filming a scene for The Time War)!!!

Check out this trailer for Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter, available now on VOD:

Gabrielle Stone [Interview]

Welcome to Day 11 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

We have yet another great actress to talk with and about for our Month of Horror showcase! Today we have some words from the wonderful  actress Gabriel Stone. Stone has actually worked with 3 previous Trainwreck’d Society interviewees….at the same time! Long time readers will remember that last December we spoke with the amazing  co-writer of the equally film Rock Paper Dead, Kerry Fleming. And in those words, you may remember a bit of talk of the film’s director being one Tom Holland, and the other co-writer being brought out of retirement to help on the project, one Victor Miller. All of which have been so kind to grace our digital pages. And now, we have Gabriel, who happens to be one of the brightest stars in Rock Paper Dead. I tell ya folks, it really does all come back around.

Of course, RPD is far from Stone’s only work. Gabriel has been putting in great work for a good amount of time. She has appeared in other classic horror projects like Zombie Killers: Elephant Graveyard and Speak No Evil. Outside of the horror realm, she can be seen in films like A Place Called Hollywood and Ava’s Impossible Things. She is a fine talent for the modern world of cinema, and we are so happy that she was able to share some brilliant words with us here today! So ladies and gentlemen, the brilliant Gabriel Stone!

When did you decide that you wanted to play pretend for a living? What drew you to the world of acting?

Both of my parents were in the industry while I was growing up. I spent lots of my childhood on set with them, so it’s always been something I thought I wanted to do. It wasn’t till I shot my first project where I remember walking off set and saying “Oh, I never want to do anything else again.”

Recently you appeared in the brilliant film Rock Paper Dead, which was written by our dear friends Kerry Fleming and Victor Miller, as well as directed by the legendary Tom Holland (all of which have appeared on these digital pages!). So with that, how was your experience making this film, and working under the guise of some of the biggest names in the world of horror? Was there anything that made working on this film a unique experience for you?

I had such a blast on this film. Luke McFarlane is such a wonderful person and tremendous actor. It’s definitely a new fresh take on the serial killer story. I think the horror fans are really going to love it… And you can’t go wrong with Tom Holland! I had some pretty intense facial prosthetics and shooting in them was definitely challenging.

You also recently moved behind the camera a bit to team up with legendary horror filmmaker, Roze, to write, direct, produce, and appear in the dramatic short entitled It Happened Again Last Night. What compelled you to tell this story? What made you want to jump in the (co-) director’s chair and tell this harrowing tale?

I’ve always been told I should take a stab at directing. My first time I definitely wanted to co-direct to learn the inns and outs especially when I had to be in front of the camera as well. We wanted to tell a story about a human who wasn’t necessarily categorized as ‘gay’ or ‘straight’ but just a human who happened to fall in love with another human. I also think domestic violence isn’t portrayed in a very real way enough in cinema. We wanted to bring that to the screen.

While your roles have been especially varied over the years, you have done some amazing work in the world of horror. And seeing as this is our Month of Horror special, I am compelled to ask what it is about the horror genre specifically that you enjoy? What keeps you wanting to work in this world?

Horror fans are some of the best fans out there. Their love for the genre and the work we do in it is really special. And who doesn’t love getting bloody on set! As long as there is a solid story I will always be open to a good horror flick.

What is your favorite scary movie?

That’s tough. I loved The Strangers. To me anything that can really happen is what is most terrifying.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? Any traditions you try to uphold each year, or are you trying anything new?

Not yet, I don’t even know what my plans are for next week. I don’t have any traditions for Halloween but always love to celebrate and do something fun.

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

Besides Rock Paper Dead I have a romantic comedy releasing later this year called The Competition directed by Harvey Lowry starring Chris Klein and Thora Birch. I play a stripper, it was a blast. I also have a festival drama called Swell that will be making the festival rounds. It’s one of my most proud works to date, directed by Justin Lee. I can’t wait for people to see it.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I saw Hamilton last night. It made me laugh, cry, smile, and remember how incredible art is.

Shawn Papazain [Interview]

Welcome to Day 11 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

For regular readers of Trainwreck’d Society, you will remember that last years Week of Horror showcase featured a legend of the modern horror world, Mr. Daniel Myrick. The man who brought you The Blair Witch Project, Rest Stop, Sublime, and more. Well today we are going to talk with a cat that is also partially responsible for the success of Myrick’s post Blair success. I’m talking about the amazing producer and director Shawn Papazain (if the title of this piece didn’t give it away).

Shawn has had some tremendous success in the world of film over of the years, including a terrific splattering of films with Myrick’s Raw Feed Films. This dude produced and directed within the Rest Stop franchise, which is an incredible group of films that everyone should enjoy. He also produced one of the most underrated and creepy as shit horror films, Myrick’s Believers. Seriously, watch that one. It would change you!

So with that, please enjoy some amazing words from the even more amazing Shawn Papazian!

When did you decide you wanted to join the world of filmmaking? Was it an early aspiration or did you just sort of land in it?

When I was 5 years old I knew what I wanted to be: A Producer. Since my father was a Producer at that time (and has been for the better part of the last 50+yrs), I wanted to be one as well—I had no clue what a “Producer” was or what he/she did. I was very fortunate to have grown up on tv and movie sets throughout my young years so that by the time I was 18 and going off to college I had a sense of what being a ‘producer’ entailed.

You’ve worked alongside our old friend Daniel Myrick on such great projects like Rest Stop and Sublime in the past. How did you your relationship with Myrick begin? This seems like such a dream team for the horror world!

Hahaha… Dan is great to work with. He and I met on the films you mentioned and have been working together ever since then.  We see story and characters in the same way. We like to bring empathy and sympathy to the characters we create so the audience has a sense of both what the antagonist is/has gone through as well as what he protagonist is/has gone through. In addition, we like the element of scare tactics but try best to enhance those moments so that they would hopefully resonate within the audience in a way that makes one take things personal level by referring to something that happened to them in a similar way. Intimate!

What was it like to jump into the full blown director’s seat on the follow up to Rest Stop?

AMAZING! I did all the 2nd unit directing on all three Raw Feed Films as well as produced them. Fortunate for me, the 2nd unit directing I did was more than the standard assumed pick ups one would go off and shoot. So, the guys (Tony Krantz, John Shiban, and Dan Myrick) realized my eye and fully supported me when the studio wanted to develop and produce the sequel. WB was beyond supportive of the idea as well since I produced the first Rest Stop and they knew I was very close with John Shiban’s vision of the characters and their circumstances as well as having the insight with how best to notch it up visually. What were your intentions going into filming, and do you feel like you got most of what you wanted to see on screen? Why or why not] My intention was to give someone a ride while tell a story. Based on budget, I got a good amount of what I wanted to achieve.

What is it about the horror genre specifically that makes you enjoy working within it?

I enjoy scaring people as a comedian would enjoy making folks laugh.

What is your favorite scary movie?

The Strangers… its stillness as you sat through it was eerie. The camera work was seamless. And the editing was perfect in timing and storytelling.

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any traditions you try to stick to each year? 

To take my young daughter trick or treating! And hope to watch sum ol’ school horror flicks that will be on TV—we love to channel surf and jump around to those classics on Halloween. Of course, once my sugar crazed little one has crashed for the night. 😉

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

Yes! Dan and I are currently writing the sequel to our TV film Under The Bed that aired on Lifetime earlier this year. We’re working with Lifetime/AE network on the sequel and are loving every second of it! I’m also producing an Independent film with Scott Eastwood that’s currently titled House of the Holy that we are aiming to start production in early 2018.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My two kids stoke on their faces while we were vacationing in Hawaii a couple weeks ago.