Your new movie Mutantis - in a few words, what is it about?
Mark Colegrove
(producer) - It's a good old fashioned monster-movie throwback, complete
with all the bad wigs, bad dubbing, and cheap fart jokes that we're known
for at Dire Wit
Films.
Kelly
Fitzgerald (director/editor) - It pays homage to unsung classics like
the 80's film Night of the Demon (not to be confused with the 1988
film Night of the Demons), but with more rape.
How
did the project get off the ground to begin with, and what were the
inspirations behind it? Mark - I think after we completed
Isle of the Damned (which Kelly assistant directed) everyone BUT me was
pretty eager to immediately follow it up with another film. Having
just spent the last 3 years of my life on
Isle of the Damned, I decided to take a step
back. I can tell you though that it initially started with a script by
Mark Leake called Soldiers of Sodom, or Isle of the
Damned 2 (which essentially spoofed the fact that distributors often
changed the name of old Italian titles to make them appear as if they were
sequels to movies they had nothing to do with) and it was set on a
cannibal island, but also involved Nazis and Dinosaurs. I think the
production team realized pretty quickly it was a hard script to pull off
on a low budget.
Stylistically, the movie is a
hommage to/parody of grindhouse cinema of the 1970's and 80's - what do
you find so appealing about that style of filmmaking that you return to it
time and again?
Mark - We all grew up with those films, so
nostalgia is a big factor. I also think that those films were a
little more adventurous both in terms of style and content than what we're
typically served up in the horror genre these days, and so it's fun for us
to play around with the elements that made those movies so fun to watch. Do talk about your movie's over-the-top
humour for a bit! Kelly - I think the
over the top humour balances out the ridiculous number of rape scens
we have. I think its good to have some cheese with the sleaze. As far as I know, Mutantis
does
get quite violent at times - so what can you tell us about the gore
effects in your movie, and was there ever a line you refused to cross
regarding that?
Kelly - A lot of the effects were made by
Mark Leake, as was the Mutatnis-suit. He is very creative and did a
lot with a little. As far as crossing lines my opinion is there is no
line. I am a big fan of Herschell Gordon Lewis [Herschell
Gordon Lewis bio - click here] and his style of filmmaking, I agree in horror boundaires should alway be pushed. You of course also have to talk about
your movie's monster for a bit, and how was it conceived? Kelly
- Mutantis you see, was created in the sick and twisted mind of Mark
Leake. He is quite a lusty one and Mutantis is pretty randy himself. What
can you tell us about your cast, and why exactly these people? Kelly
- We had an awesome cast. Very down-to-earth people who
had as much fun making it as I hope you all will have watching it. If
it wasn't for them this film could have never been made, they didn't only act
in this film but they were also the crew. Despite the lack of funds
and the 100 degree weather no one ever complained and they kept a postive
and fun attitude throughout the making of this movie.
As
far as I know, you're currently raising finishing funds, right? So what
can you tell us about your fundraising campaign? Mark - In
actuality, the film is just about finished, we're just tightening up the
music and sound effects as we speak. Our fundraising campaign will
actually help cover the costs of pressing the film on DVD (so it's
essentially a pre-order for a product that will be available VERY soon),
as well as an opportunity to press some new T-shirt designs, limited VHS
runs of our films, and a few more collectables. So ultimately the
funds we're raising help cover all that fun stuff. http://igg.me/at/DireWitFilms/x/7374832
Any
idea when and where the film will be released yet? Mark -
We'll be doing some screenings in Baltimore and LA this summer, and it'll
be on DVD shortly thereafter. We'll probably have it up on some
digital outlets by the fall as well. Any
future projects you'd like to share?
Mark - We're
gearing up for a busy year here. I'm directing a feature-length
comedy called Driven to Succeed about a crappy driver's ed school, and
Jason Koch (7th Day) is gearing up for his 2nd feature as well called
Humani Generis, which promises to be a dark and bloody descent along the
lines of Jodorowski. Another partner of ours, Clint Kelly who
previously helped get the Severin Films re-release of Sledgehammer off the
ground, is gearing up for his first feature, the Watcher in the Woods.
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Kelly - I
am in the beginning proceses of writing a rape revenge film that I hope I
can start production on in 2015.
Your/your movie's
website, Facebook, IndieGoGo, whatever else?
IndieGoGo: http://igg.me/at/DireWitFilms/x/7374832
Main Site: http://www.direwitfilms.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pagesDire-Wit-Films
Anything
else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
Mark -
I'm wearing brown underwear. Just in case I have an accident.
There... I think I've said all I need to.
Kelly - I would
love to share more but I just remembered I have to return some video
tapes.
Thanks
for the interview!
Mark - Thank
you for all your support over the years Mike - and all you've done for
underground cinema!
Kelly - Thank
you for the support Mike.
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