The Hillbilly Horror Show
- in a few words, what is it about? Blu:
Each volume of Hillbilly Horror Show will showcase some of the best shorts
the genre has to offer - and provide plenty of laughs (and a few beer
burps!) along the way. The fun one-hour comedy show is hosted by Bo,
Cephus and their hot kissing cousin, Lulu. Bo: Hillbilly Horror Show
is a horror anthology series, being done in one-hour volumes that
showcases short films from all over the world. While our primary focus is
live action horror shorts, we try to mix in a few that qualify in
peripherals of the genre as well, such as thriller, paranormal,
horror-comedy, and animated.
How
did the four of you first hook up, and how did the project get off the
ground? Blu: Believe it or not, the show concept came to me
two and half months ago after watching Bo Keister play Bruce in the film
The Cabining. I started thinking about all the short films I get sent from
filmmakers looking to have produced into feature length films. Being a
filmmaker, I absolutely understood the struggle and when I pitched it to
Bo and Dave Mun (director House
of Good and Evil) [David Mun
interview - click here], they loved it. Dave
made some phone calls and got the team from House
of Good and Evil together, while I reached
out to Scott Geiter (Gruesome Hertzogg). Things evolved from there and
when I reached out to film reviewers, including you and Kevin Scott,
things really came together. Thanks by the way. [You're ever so
welcome!] Bo: Blu
and I worked on his film House
of Good and Evil. We stayed in touch, and
found that we worked well together. I think we both have a similar drive
and similar goals, so we formed a partnership. We had been bouncing ideas off each other for a while, and when Blu came
up with the idea for Hillbilly Horror Show
it just felt right, so we moved on it. It just
felt right and all the pieces fell into place.
Scott and I met when I was promoting my role in the film
The Cabining. We
hit it off, and he has been a great supporter of my work. We had always
said, “Hey, we need to find something to work on together.” So, when
Blu suggested him as a co-host, it was a no-brainer.
We did a casting for the role of “Lulu” and just hadn’t gotten
anyone who blew our hair back for the role, so I reached out to an agent
friend and she suggested Rachel. From the moment we got the first picture
of her, it was pretty clear we had our “Lulu”. She’s just beautiful.
But more importantly, Rachel really got what we were going for and the
humor behind it. She was that perfect fit we’d been looking for, and
we’re thrilled to have her on board.
Rachel:
I was introduced to Bo via my agent Sheri Bias from Liquid Talent. She
contacted me to see if I was interested in auditioning for the role. I had
to giggle at first since the role was quite unlike anything I had ever
auditioned for, but I went on a whim and filmed a one-take improv self
audition and never looked back! From there Bo introduced me to Scott and
the rest of the crew. How did you come up with the concept as such ...
and why hillbilly hosts? Bo: The
concept was all Blu’s, so I’ll let him speak to that part. As for
using “hillbilly hosts”, I think it was probably the only way to have
me hosting the show and, at the same time, justify my heavy Southern
accent. LOL Blu: I'm a hillbilly as is Bo Keister, so
stick with what you know. What can you tell us about the
look and feel, and of course also the humour of the host segments? Blu:
Think about the hosted live skit shows from the 80's. Dave Mun [David
Mun interview - click here], who
executive produced this time around, really had a look he wanted, which
Sharif Salama directed. Bo: It
really reminds me of Wayne's World in a way, as far as the set and the
whole “two guys in a basement” thing, but the humor is very much like Hee
Haw. It’s full of quips and it’s sometimes a bit racy, but still
subtle, lighthearted, and fun.
That’s
really what we were aiming from the beginning; Hee Haw meets
Tales from the Crypt, and I really believe we achieved it.
Scott Geiter, Bo Keister, Rachel Faulkner |
Bo, Scott and Rachel, do talk about your characters for a bit, and what do you base
your performances on? Scott: Michael Cephus is a very
different person than Gruesome Hertzogg - I can't say much, you will
have to wait and watch - it's funny and challenging at times. Bo:
Truthfully,
I’m pretty much playing an amplified version of myself. Being loud, over
the top, and fun loving are all traits I embrace in myself. Most people
would say I’m “wide open”, and I love having that type of
personality. My name and the terms “shy” or “introverted” don’t
usually get associated with one another often. LOL
Plus, I grew up in rural Virginia, USA, around hillbilly culture, so that
part just comes naturally to me.
Rachel:
My character is Lulu, the "kissing cousin". She is fun, flirty
and stubborn. Lulu is notorious for wearing outfits that make absolutely
no sense for tasks that she partakes in... or should I say little to no
outfit! Haha. I base my performance just on experience alone from being
raised in the South as a Georgia peach.
Anything you can tell us about the
shorts you are showing yet? And how easy/hard was it to find enough shorts
for an anthology show like yours, and what are the criteria the shorts
you'll run have to fulfill? Bo: Finding
them was no issue. We put out a couple posts and just got flooded with
submissions!
As
for the shorts selected, all I will say is that these are QUALITY films.
Many, if not all, have won multiple awards. These are not, in any way,
your “friends in the back yard making a movie with a cheap video
camera” shorts. These look like they were done by full blown studios!
People are going to be stunned when they watch. It’s
a real testament to the capabilities of these filmmakers.
The $64-question of course,
when and where will the Hillbilly Horror Show
be released? Blu:
Tonight!! (March 1st 2014) - but for your fans, it's up. Bo: GO
WATCH IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha!
Any
future plans for Hillbilly Horror Show
after its first season you'd
like to share? And future plans beyond Hillbilly Horror Show? Blu:
We have 2 volumes ready and will shoot 2-3 more volumes shortly. Bo:
Well,
Volume 2 is already done and will be released on May 1st.
As
for the future, we’re already setting up for Volumes 3 & 4, and
hopefully many more to follow. We just want to keep it growing. After
the initial launch, we’ll be filtering out to more platforms, such as iTunes,
Google Play, and perhaps even traditional TV platforms.
We’re also putting together a shorts festival with some great prizes for
filmmakers, and distribution through the show for the winners in each
category.
Your/your
series' websites, Facebooks, whatever else? www.hillbillyhorrorshow.com Don’t
forget to click our YARD SALE sign on the website to pick up some Hillbilly Horror Show
merchandise too!
www.facebook.com/HillbillyHorrorShow
https://twitter.com/@HillBillHorror
Bo:
https://www.facebook.com/BoKeister
https://twitter.com/@BoKeister
Scott: www.gruesomehertzogg.com
https://www.facebook.com/voiceofhorror
|
Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned) |
The links below will take you just there!!!
|
|
|
Rachel:
You can find/follow me on Instagram and Twitter @rachel_fbabyy and view my
website at http://rachelfbabyy.4ormat.com.
My IDMb is also accessible at
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6253277/
Anything
else you are dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Blu:
We are always looking for more short horror films and thank you for
supporting indie filmmakers.
Bo: I
just want to give a shout out to our entire crew, especially David Mun [David
Mun interview - click here],
who has worked his butt off for us in post-production. Also, to Clint
Morris and the team at October Coast PR, you guys are beyond awesome!
Thank you for your tireless efforts.
We
definitely want to send out some love to all the filmmakers who have
supported this project from the beginning. It wouldn’t have been
possible without their efforts and talent.
Lastly,
to the horror fans and media folks, like yourself, we truly appreciate the
way all of you have rallied behind the show. We hope you all enjoy what
we’ve put together. Thanks
for the interview!
|