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Your new movie Beyond
the Shadows - in a few words, what is it about?
Beyond
the Shadows
is a
horror dramedy that touches on Native American genocide. The
movie follows a team of ghost hunters that film for a fake TV show.
They decide to do a live show in a haunted lodge with an invite to a
team of scientific debunkers, super fans, and a medium. Chaos
ensues when the ghost hunters become the hunted.
With
Beyond the Shadows
revolving about a paranormal TV show, what are your personal views on such
shows, and on the paranormal as such?
Oh, I'm a believer.
And love paranormal shows and movies. Other sources of
inspiration when writing Beyond
the Shadows? I definitely wanted to
have a Clue-meets-slasher feel to the movie. Of all the colourful characters in Beyond
the Shadows, who could you actually identify the most with, and
why? I think I identify a
tiny bit with every character. Some roles I wrote specifically for
certain actors and actresses. If I had to choose which I identify
most with is Bryan. I'm pretty laid back and don't want to be in
front of the camera. What can you tell us about Beyond
the Shadows' approach to horror? I wanted to do
something a little different, maybe because of inexperience with the
genre. I wanted to get some Native American genocide info into the
movie. And then have their spirits start picking people off.
But all the while I wanted to have that great chaotic, nonsense that
somehow comes together feel of Clue throughout. You of course
also have to talk about Beyond
the Shadows' brand of humour! It's easy to be this
funny when I have so many really talented actors and actresses on our
team. What I find amazing is that they can just seamlessly
transition from a dramatic scene right into a comedy scene.
What can you tell
us about the house Beyond
the Shadows was filmed at, and what was it like shooting there? My sister and
producer/editor at Great Gus Productions spent a lot of time researching
a big house out in the middle of nowhere that we could use not only for
shooting, but also to house most of the actors and actresses. And
I think she found a great location. It was big, spooky, secluded,
and some great views. A
few words about your directorial approach to your story at hand? With one movie under my
belt, I really felt more confidence with the second. And it helps
to be working with some of the same cast as High Note. They have
great questions to get to know their characters and even some great
ideas with subtle changes. It seems, in both movies I've directed,
that the actors and actresses become so involved in their characters and
the backstory. And it really helps that these actors and actresses
trusted me and the script to bring out the best in the movie. Do
talk about Beyond the
Shadows' cast, and why exactly these people?
Let's start with our
lead, Tyler Roy Roberts. He was in High Note. I wrote this
role for him. This guy is just pure talent. Funny, prepared.
He also writes and directs his own stuff. It seemed like the rest
of the cast just fed off his energy and professionalism. It was
pretty easy working with Tyler in both movies and I hope I can snag him
for another one or two in the future.
Then
we have Sam Olive and Weston Hedin and Derrick Woodrin rounding out the
ghost crew. They just nailed the roles. They never wanted
any short cuts. Always looking for perfection. And I think
you see it in the movie, they all were given moments to shine and just
excelled. I worked with Sam and Weston on High Note
and wrote
these roles for them. Derrick was awesome. That early
monologue was one of my favorite scenes. These 3 are just getting
started.
Our
groupies were the center love story of the movie. Ella was great
and had some good ideas for her character. She found the lead
sound technician, Alexzandyr Biernat, who was very good and thorough.
And the always delightful and delicious Lindsay Gustafson, my wonderful
wife, was just amazing as Eve. She was also in High Note
and I
wrote this role just for her. And if you watch both movies I think
you can see her range and how diverse she is as an actress. Just
delicious.
The
debunkers were also just really damn good. Cameron Lee Price came
on late and just did so good. He really got the character and the
delivery and is doing a lot of acting. Also very diverse.
And might I add, he just killed it in that powder blue suit.
Stevie Mae is the best. I worked with her on High Note
and wrote
the role for her. She is so funny and can deliver a line whether
dramatic or comedic. And Alex McIntire, the camera man, is my
oldest son. He's been acting most of his life and it's always
seemed very effortless. Plus he's a good looking kid with a great
smile. I think he was super excited to use bad language on camera.
He was also in High Note
and I wrote this role for him.
The
super fans are great. Tyler Ryan is absolutely hilarious. I
wrote this role for him after working together on High Note. And I
joke that I'm always giving him the eccentric redneck roles. Not
on purpose. It just works out that way. Apostolos Gliarmis
and Brianna Paige Dague were also excellent. Paul is another cast
member that is very versatile and has acting and behind the scenes work
on his resume. He really did so good moving from the comedic intro
to the drama and gentle performance in the spirit talking scene.
Bri is another actress that did really well and she was committed to her
clingy stalker girl role. For that outside scene in the rain,
there was zero hesitation, and in that cold, I don't think I could have
done it.
Monty, Monty, Monty. Ty Boice. I worked with Ty on High Note. He is a stage actor, film actor, comedian, etc, etc.
Very talented. Very committed to the character. The
character and the performance help make the movie what it is. I
wanted a Tim-Curry-from-Clue-meets-Igor feel to the role.
And wow, since the first rehearsal. He really gets my writing and
it makes it so easy when it's time to shoot.
Gabrielle Malate was a last minute addition. We hadn't quite found
the right Phantasma yet. All the actresses that auditioned had
strengths and what we were looking for for certain things and were a
little off in others. But Gabrielle really just nailed her
audition and kept that same creepy, loner vibe thru the whole shoot.
Thanks to both my sisters, Amy and Jenny for helping with the casting.
Amy was also co-editor.
And
thanks to my brother Jake, who was the producer and co-editor and camera
man.
And
thank you to our make up lead, Hannah Krutsinger, who did an amazing job
with the death scenes and make up. Very talented and the cast
loved her.
What can
you tell us about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? Thankfully, most of the
cast knew each other. And with every one staying in the same
house, it kind of had a slumber party feel while shooting. Plus,
if it wasn't their scene, cast would sometimes come around and check out
the others performances. Lots of fun. Chaos. But fun. The
$64-question of course, where can Beyond
the Shadows be seen?
YouTube: https://youtu.be/HXZwlom_PFI
We
also have it submitted to some festivals. Anything you can tell us
about audience and critical reception of Beyond
the Shadows yet? Well, as you know, I
like to write weird movies. So they aren't for everyone. But
those who have liked it, have really liked it. Any future projects you'd like
to share?
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We have 2 low budget
scripts ready to go. The most likely next is based on the Highway
of Tears murders in Canada. Hopefully sooner than later, but with
all the craziness in the world we'll see how easy it is to get funding. Your/your movie's website, social media,
whatever else?
https://www.greatgusproductions.com/blog -
come
check us out. We make weird movies.
https://www.facebook.com/greatgusproductions/
https://www.instagram.com/greatgusproductions/ Anything else you're dying to mention and
I have merely forgotten to ask? Thank you to our
wonderful, talented cast and crew. Thank you to my family.
And thank you to my amazing wife and kids. I hope you enjoy the
movie. Also, High Note is available on
TubiTv.com. Thanks,
Mike.
Thanks for the
interview!
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