Your new movie Big Brood
- in a few words, what is it about?
Big Brood's
story's centered around Adam's heartfelt intention to propose to his
girlfriend, Allie. However, his romantic plans take an unexpected turn
when a body-snatching alien crash-lands, disrupting his plans. The story
unfolds with Adam navigating the challenges of not only gaining the
approval of Allie's stern father but also dealing with the otherworldly
presence that sets its sights on the family in search of the ideal host.
What were your
sources of inspiration when thinking up the story for Big
Brood? The inspiration for Big Brood
stemmed from a desire to explore the
intersection of family dynamics and an extraterrestrial presence, building
on the experience gained from our previous project Barely Coping.
Having previously delved into family-driven romantic comedy within the
confines of a cabin in the woods, we were intrigued by the idea of
introducing an external force, specifically an alien creature, into a
similar familial setting. The notion of blending the warmth and complexity
of family relationships with the unexpected intrusion of an otherworldly
entity sparked our creative imagination, giving rise to the engaging
narrative that unfolds in Big Brood. What can you tell us about Big
Brood's screenwriter Dylan Patrick Morley, and what was your
collaboration like?
Working with screenwriter Dylan Patrick Morley on Big Brood
was an immensely rewarding experience. This collaboration marked our first venture
together, and from the outset, it was clear that Dylan possesses a truly
creative mind and an exceptional knack for storytelling and character
development. Taking my initial outline and scene concepts, Dylan expertly
shaped them into a compelling and seamless script, laying the foundation
for the film. His ability to craft the perfect narrative for the screen became evident as we
progressed from script development into the film shoot. The collaboration
extended beyond the written word, as we seamlessly integrated our ideas to
bring the story to life. Dylan's contribution played a crucial role in the
success of Big Brood, and the collaborative synergy we shared throughout
the process undoubtedly enhanced the overall quality of the film.
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With Big
Brood being an alien invasion movie, is that a subgenre especially
dear to you, and some of your genre favourites? And what do you think
makes your film stick out of the crowd?
I've always held a fondness for alien invasion movies, with a personal favorite
being The Stuff, even though it doesn't strictly fit the alien genre.
The desire to pay homage to these films inspired the creation of Big Brood.
What sets our film apart is its focus on the intimate and relatable
aspects of life amidst an otherworldly event. Rather than presenting a grand-scale alien invasion,
Big Brood
takes a unique
approach by honing in on the day-to-day lives of a single family thrust
into the chaos. The film prioritizes the intricacies of family dynamics
and the depth of its characters, offering a more intimate and nuanced
perspective on the alien invasion subgenre. It's this emphasis on the
human experience in the face of extraordinary circumstances that
distinguishes Big Brood
and, we believe, makes it stand out from the crowd
of traditional alien invasion narratives.
Do talk about
the creature effects in Big
Brood for a bit!
When conceptualizing the alien creature effects for Big Brood, we were mindful
of making a significant impact while working within the constraints of our
budget. Collaborating with writer Dylan Patrick Morley, we devised a
creative solution: A body suit constructed from a blend of oats and flex
seal, enhanced with paint and glitter to achieve an otherworldly
appearance reminiscent of outer space. This inventive approach not only
added a unique visual flair to the creature but also allowed us to
maximize the impact while staying mindful of budget limitations.
A stroke of good fortune came our way when makeup artist Anthony Clark
Pierce joined the project at the last minute. Anthony's expertise and
skill were instrumental in crafting the intricate prosthetics and makeup
for the alien's face, elevating the visual authenticity of our
extraterrestrial character.
Special recognition goes to the talented actress behind the alien creature,
Hillary Schmatolla-Brooks. Her dedication and artistry breathed life into
the creature through eerie movements and haunting sounds. The combined
efforts of the entire team, from the creative vision to the meticulous
execution, resulted in a memorable and visually impactful alien creature
in Big Brood.
Since Big
Brood is also an at times wildly funny movie, a few word about
your movie's brand of humour?
In crafting the humor for Big Brood, our intention was to inject levity into
the horror elements, recognizing that comedy can be a powerful tool,
especially when working with a modest budget. We strategically
incorporated humor to enhance the pacing and provide moments of relief
amidst the tension, allowing the audience to connect with the characters
on a more relatable level.
The characters in Big Brood
were intentionally designed to possess comedic
qualities, shaping their reactions and responses to the unfolding horrors.
By infusing humor into their personalities, we aimed to create a dynamic
where laughter becomes a coping mechanism for the characters as they
grapple with the extraordinary challenges before them. This blend of humor
and horror not only adds an entertaining dimension to the film but also
serves to engage the audience in a unique and memorable way.
What can you tell us about
your overall directorial approach to your story at hand?
My directorial approach to Big Brood
was centered around the aspiration to
construct a believable narrative that offers a glimpse into a small, yet
crucial, part of a larger alien invasion story. The key focus was on
creating characters that are either highly likable or intensely disliked,
while ensuring that they remain consistently entertaining throughout the
film. The primary objective was to deliver an engaging and enjoyable
cinematic experience for the audience.
To enhance the realism and immersive quality of the film, I opted for
practical effects whenever possible. This decision aimed to provide a
tangible and authentic feel to the horror elements of the story,
contributing to the overall impact and effectiveness of the film. The
fusion of practical effects with the narrative intricacies served to
heighten the sense of horror we sought to convey, resulting in a film that
captures both the imagination and emotions of the audience.
Do talk about Big Brood's
cast, and why exactly these people?
The casting process for Big Brood
was a pivotal aspect of bringing the story
to life authentically. Our aim was to assemble a cast that could embody
their roles with believability and connect with the audience. The
cornerstone of this effort was finding the perfect actor for the lead role
of Adam, which we discovered in the talented Lucas DeNies. Lucas brought a
unique blend of strength and awkward charm to the character, establishing
him as the unlikely hero that audiences could rally behind. His ability to
convey the complexities of facing an alien threat while maintaining
relatability made him the ideal choice for the role.
Another critical casting decision was selecting the actress to portray Agent
Owens, the hero alien hunter with essential knowledge for the characters.
Stephanie Ward emerged as the standout choice, bringing a larger-than-life
personality packaged with a formidable on-screen presence. Stephanie's
remarkable combination of badassery and impeccable comedic timing added
the dynamic energy that the film needed. Together, the cast of Big Brood
was carefully chosen to deliver performances that not only resonated with
the essence of their characters but also contributed to the overall
success of the film.
A few words about
the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?
The entire shoot of Big Brood
was an absolute joy from start to finish.
Working with a team of dedicated and highly skilled professionals who were
committed to giving their best made the experience incredibly rewarding.
The on-set atmosphere was one of positivity and creative collaboration,
fostering an environment where everyone's talents could shine. The camaraderie among the cast and crew was instrumental in turning long
nights on set into an enjoyable and productive process. The collective
spirit remained high as we embarked on the journey of creating something
truly special. The positive energy and commitment to excellence from every
teammember contributed to the seamless execution of the film, making the
shoot of Big Brood a memorable and fulfilling experience for all involved.
The $64-question of course, where can Big
Brood be seen? The film is currently available on
Blu-ray through our official website,
www.madangelfilms.com.
Additionally, copies can be obtained from www.makeflix.com and
www.srscinemastore.com.
If you prefer the convenience of streaming, Big Brood
will be making its debut on popular platforms such as Amazon and Tubi starting January. Anything you can tell us about
audience and critical reception of Big
Brood?
Big Brood has received an overwhelmingly positive response both from review
sites and audiences alike, which is incredibly gratifying. The premiere of
the film was a great success, and the reception has continued to be
favorable as the movie reaches diverse audiences. It's particularly
rewarding to see that viewers not only understand the essence of the film
but also come away thoroughly entertained. Any future projects you'd like to share?
We're thrilled to share that our current endeavor is the filming of Graveyard
Shark, a creature feature sharksploitation movie that promises a
thrilling blend of horror and comedy. The story revolves around a humanoid
shark creature using a graveyard as its hunting grounds, promising a
unique and entertaining cinematic experience. We're currently at 85
percent completion in filming and are actively engaged in an IndieGoGo
campaign to raise additional funds for the special effects needed to bring
the movie's climax to life. If anyone is interested in supporting the project or simply want to learn
more about Graveyard Shark, you can find additional details and
contribute through our IndieGoGo campaign at the following link:
https://igg.me/at/graveyardshark.
We're aiming to wrap up filming this spring and are excited to release the movie
to audiences in July.
Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?
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The links below will take you just there!!!
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For more information about our films and the latest updates, you can visit our
official website at www.madangelfilms.com.
Connect with us on social media for behind-the-scenes content,
announcements, and more. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter under
the username Mad Angel Films. Anything
else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the
incredible cast and crew of Big Brood. Their dedication, hard work, and
passion have played an integral role in bringing this project to life, and
I'm truly thankful for their contributions to our filmmaking community.
A big thank you to our fans and everyone who takes the time to explore and
support our work. Your enthusiasm fuels our creativity, and we appreciate
the opportunity to entertain you. We look forward to continuing to bring
you exciting and engaging stories, and we're grateful for the ongoing
support from our audience. Thank you, and stay tuned for more adventures
in the world of Mad Angel
Films!
Thanks for the interview!
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