Your upcoming movie Pitching the Tent - in a few words,
what's it going to be about?
Pitching the Tent is an upcoming low budget, independent Halloween
slasher movie. The story synopsis is “Six friends decide to camp out on
Halloween night after a party. Little do they know, someone or something
has taken the "fright night" a little too far.” With Pitching the Tent
being a slasher movie, is that a genre at all dear to you, and some of
your genre favourites? Oh
yes, I love slasher movies. I grew up on them and watch them to this day.
Not only slashers, but all sorts of
horror movies, such as supernatural and the classic monster movies. Other sources of inspiration when
dreaming up Pitching the Tent? Being
a fan of the horror genre and working on a writing project, Pitching
the Tent started off as a short story I was working on for an anthology.
As the story progressed, the thought came into my head, that it would make
a great movie. So I started working on a screenplay. It was originally
different than where the story ends up today, but I am completely happy
with it. What can you tell
us about your co-writer Jason Harlow [Jason
Harlow interview - click here], and what was your collaboration
like? Jason is great and
very creative. His feedback has been so helpful. We are still currently
working on the aspect of the script, fine tuning, if you will. We are
constantly in touch with each other on everything from the story to the
planning of the effects. You are going to see some great things from
Jason.
What can you tell us about your movie's approach
to horror (as in suspense vs sudden shocks, atmosphere vs all-out gore and
the like)? There will be
some suspense and sudden shocks, with all the creepiness of the woods and
taking place during the Halloween season. We (the cast and crew)
definitely think that it will be a movie to remember. We are taking the
likes of slashers from the 80's and giving it a modern technique. Slasher movies demand their fair share of
violent killings almost by definition - so how far do you plan in that
direction, and anything you can tell us about your planned gore scenes
yet? In the words of the
Saw franchise, “There will be blood.” I think the killings will be
violent. I have been working very close with our special effects
supervisor, Lynn Grabowski to make the most out of all the scenes, from
the violence to the gore effects. Do talk about the film's intended look and feel for
a bit! Well, in a way, I
kinda want the feel of the old Friday the 13th
meets the Halloween series
of movies, but more modern. There will be some other surprises as well,
but you'll have to stay tuned. I don't want to give away too many secrets
just yet.
Luc Bernier |
What can you tell us about your key cast, and why
exactly these people?
Liane Langford |
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Timothy O'Hearn |
We
are still in the casting process now, but the ones that we have so far are
great. They each fit their characters very well. It has been a hard choice
to make. We have Luc Bernier [Luc
Bernier interview - click here], who will be playing Gordon Drake. If anyone
can pull off this character, it will be Luc. He has the exact look and
feel that agrees to the character. I can't wait to see what he does with
Gordon. Michael Seragon will be playing Bobby, the principal lead. Michael
has come a long way in the field and we are excited to have him be a part
of this. Aaron Taylor Morrow will be playing Andrew, this character
definitely fits in with Aaron. Cheyenne King is playing Sam. We will also
see Liane Langford [Liane
Langford interview - click here] and Timothy O'Hearn playing Carrie and John, a husband
and wife team who learn a few surprises. I am excited to work with all of
them, and I know they will bring these characters to life in the best way
I could have ever pictured. We will be having more casting announcements
soon, so please keep up with us. As far as I know, Pitching the
Tent is currently still in its fundraising stages - so what can you
tell us about your fundraising efforts? Yes,
we are still currently in the crowdfunding stage. We (the cast and crew)
have been working hard to promote the film and the IndieGoGo campaign. We
want to raise the amount that will not only help make the movie, but make
it better. We have been sharing the information all across social
networking, such as Facebook and Twitter. We want to get as many people
interested in our film as possible. We even released a teaser trailer a
few weeks back to help them get interested in the feel.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pitching-the-tent-halloween-slasher-film/x/10223004#/story Once the money's
in place, what's the schedule, and even if it's waaay too early to ask,
any idea when and where the movie might be released yet? The
movie will be made, just how big and awesome it is will depend on the
funding. We are still scouting locations. I am hoping that we can start
filming the 1st
or 2nd
week of October. If things go well, I think we will release Pitching the Tent
next year. Any
future projects beyond Pitching the Tent? I
hope so, I have stories upon stories stuck in my head I would love to get
out one way or another. After this film, I hope to start on writing the
next.
What
got you into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal
training on the subject? Films
and filmaking has always been a passion of mine. This is my first trip
around the “cutting block”. I have not had any formal training, but I
am working with a great crew, from our cinematographer and editor to our
special effects and sound person. We all work really hard and enjoy what
we do. How would
you describe yourself as a director? Well,
this is my first try in the chair, it will be a learning experience, but a
well worthy one. As stated, I do have an awesome crew, some of which have
been behind the camera. I want the cast to be creative as well, and if
they have input, I want to hear it. It is just as much their movie as it
is mine. Filmmakers who
inspire you? Oh geeze,
there are so many. James
Wan and Leigh Whannell come to mind first. George A. Romero is one of my
huge influences. I remember watching his movies over and over again when I
was younger, and to this day, I still do. I am really big into independent
movies, and each person that tries inspires me. A movie came out years
ago, called Hallow's End (directed by Jon Keeyes [Jon
Keeyes interview - click here]), it is one of my
favorite independent film. Your favourite movies? MJ
Dixon's Slasher House
[MJ Dixon interview - click here]
is a new one I just discovered and really enjoy
(looking forward to more of his work). Of course, the Dead movies,
Jaws, Friday the 13th
and A Nightmare on Elm Street helped shape me.
It's hard to pick
favorites, there are so many out there that make my list. ...
and of course, films you really deplore? Films
that use way to much CGI. I think they ruin it for me. Your/your
movie's website, Facebook, IndieGoGo, whatever else?
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Our Facebook page is
https://www.facebook.com/Pitchingthetentmovie
Our IndieGoGo campaign is
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pitching-the-tent-halloween-slasher-film/x/10223004#/story
And follow us on Twitter: @Pitching_tent
Our teaser trailer is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkSfrOmr1eQ
Anything
else you are dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? We
really want to say thank you to the fans of horror and our supporters.
Without them, we would have no reason to make this film. Thanks
for the interview!
Thank you so much for
taking the time to interview me.
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