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An Interview with Nick Gregorio, Director of Old Strangers

by Mike Haberfelner

February 2022

Films directed by Nick Gregorio on (re)Search my Trash

 

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Your new movie Old Strangers - in a few words, what is it about?

 

Old Strangers is a story about reconnecting with people from our past. Set against the backdrop of a post-pandemic world, Sarah, Michael, and Danny try to rekindle the spark of their youth only to be confronted with the harsh realities of their relationships. Just beyond their reunion, in the deep woods, there is something otherworldly growing and feeding on their pain.

 

At least to me, Old Strangers captures the sentiments of the "lockdown era" rather perfectly - so was the lockdown itself at all an inspiration or merely an afterthought when writing the script?

 

The lockdowns were a key motivating factor. It was important for me to capture the sentiment of the times. The effects of the pandemic were felt in many different ways and I wanted to highlight that. Mental health, adulthood, romantic relationships, how were these things affected by severe lockdowns.

 

(Other) sources of inspiration when writing Old Strangers?

 

I’m a fan of the sci-fi genre and I wanted to pay homage to some of my favorite films. Obviously Invasion of the Bodysnatchers, The Thing, The Shining, Alien, and horror classics like Evil Dead. There was a modern film, Deer Skin, that provided some visual and pacing inspiration.

 

Do talk about the science fiction elements in your movie, and your approach to the genre!

 

I wanted both concrete and abstract approaches to science fiction. There are elements of the movie that are experiential and there are scenes that feel very grounded and horrific.

 

We highlight nature, the cosmos, but also human beings living in a pandemic world. Technology is a part of our day to day life, and how are we dealing with that?

 

A few words about your locations, and what was it like filming there?

 

Cold. Very cold, haha. We bubbled in two cabins up in Big Bear Lake, CA. Our hero cabin is where the cast stayed, and there was a second cabin for the crew. We really wanted to make an isolated Big Bear one of the characters of the film.

 

What can you tell us about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand?

 

I love to be prepared before I get to set. I story boarded or diagrammed every scene. I collaborated with my DP, Blake Gaytan, early on in pre-production, and we had a strong idea of how the movie would look and the various setups. My co-EP and lead editor, Drew Marion, functioned as an AD on set, and he and I have worked very closely together for a long time.

 

You also appear in front of the camera in Old Strangers - so do talk about your character, and have you written him with yourself in mind from the get-go?

 

I actually didn’t write it with myself in mind. The part was supposed to be played by a few different people. Unfortunately we were in a pandemic, it’s a small role, and Big Bear was expecting snow so it made it difficult for additional actors to come up as day players.

 

Do talk about the rest of your cast, and why exactly these people?

 

I wrote the roles of Michael and Danny for Ted Evans and Colton Eschief Mastro. Ted and I have worked together on sketches as well as other projects for WB, and it was great to go on this adventure with him. Colton was in a friend’s short called 2020, a parody of 1917, that was really solid. You can check it out on YouTube. And Colton was excellent and I really wanted to work with him. The role of Sarah was more difficult to cast. I needed an actor who was willing to be out in the elements, shoot long days, and really commit to this low budget project. Kait Matlock, our HMU and  makeup FX artist who did all the practical effects for the picture, recommended Madeleine Humphries. Madz and I had a chat, she was down and I cast her. The cast was brilliant and really grounded this picture.

 

A few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?

 

This was a really intense shoot with 16 hour days. Our first official day of shooting was Sunday Feb 28, 2021. Principal photography was the first week of March and we wrapped on Friday March 5. It was long days in cold weather but it was the most positive set I’ve ever been on. Everyone was committed to the project, there were no arguments or weirdness, haha. Everyone brought their A-game.

 

Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of Old Strangers?

 

It’s been a mix… I think this movie has struck a chord with people in different ways. There’s been amazing praise and excitement around it and there’s been some harsh criticism. What I can say is that this movie was made by people who love and are passionate about the craft of filmmaking. The budget was far lower than anyone would imagine, and I do think the production value is elevated. I am also very proud of the story that was told. Everything in the movie was done intentionally.

 

Any future projects you'd like to share?

 

There is a sequel to Old Strangers called Not Like Us which further explores the themes of the movie. I’m hoping we get a chance to make that picture.

 

What got you into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject?

 

I’ve always been interested in the arts from a young age. I have a background in fine art and I liked computers, haha. I went to Drexel University in Philadelphia and studied Digital Media with a Film and Video Production minor. I graduated back in 2005, so digital media as we know it today was relatively new. Screenwriting is what really attracted me to movies. I understood the visual and direct way a script needed to be written.

 

What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Old Strangers?

 

I made my first feature in 2007, when I was 23, called Happy Birthday Harris Malden. That movie premiered at the CineVegas 08 film festival and I really thought my career would take off… it didn’t, haha. Then I made Green a few years later. Both Happy Birthday Harris Malden and Green were released on Netflix and Hulu, and I learned a lot from them. Then I began to specialize and focus on cinematography and editing. I wanted to hone those skills. I got into shorts and sketches. My most popular short is Goodplumbas, which is a mash-up of Scorsese movies and The Super Mario Bros. That led to a sketch show with Machinima called Dank/Fire. Then I produced and directed the talk show DC Daily for the DC Universe platform. Did some talk shows for Amazon and then made Old Strangers.

 

How would you describe yourself as a director?

 

My direction is visually motivated. I love the idea of key frames, almost like a comic book. Iconic framing that resonates with the audience. I move the camera when the shot calls for it but it’s not something I have to do. I love sequences and building a scene out in multiple shots, that is always a fun challenge. I love to storyboard so I show up to set prepared. When dealing with actors I try to cast the right person for the role and let them have freedom within the role. Ultimately I want my movies to be honest and authentic - more substance than spectacle… even if the message is subtextual.

 

Filmmakers who inspire you?

 

Scorcese, Tarantino, Nolan, Casevettes, Aki Kaurismäki, P.T. Anderson, Wes Anderson, and the Coens.

 

Your favourite movies?

 

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Casino. I’ve written an article about that picture. I’ve paid homage to that picture. It’s so much more than a Goodfellas clone. It’s about love, friendship, ambition, and carving a place for yourself at the table.

 

... and of course, films you really deplore?

 

The theatrical cut of Justice League, haha. It’s the worst example of modern Hollywood. Too many cooks, indeed.

 

Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?

 

@OldStrangersMovie on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And please rent or purchase Old Strangers on Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vimeo, order a DVD from Wal-mart or Amazon. Leave a review, follow the page. All the social media to-do.

 

Thanks for the interview!

 

© by Mike Haberfelner


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Thanks for watching !!!



 

 

In times of uncertainty of a possible zombie outbreak, a woman has to decide between two men - only one of them's one of the undead.

 

There's No Such Thing as Zombies
starring
Luana Ribeira, Rudy Barrow and Rami Hilmi
special appearances by
Debra Lamb and Lynn Lowry

 

directed by
Eddie Bammeke

written by
Michael Haberfelner

produced by
Michael Haberfelner, Luana Ribeira and Eddie Bammeke

 

now streaming at

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Vimeo

 

 

 

Robots and rats,
demons and potholes,
cuddly toys and
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love and death and everything in between,
Tales to Chill
Your Bones to

is all of that.

 

Tales to Chill
Your Bones to
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a collection of short stories and mini-plays
ranging from the horrific to the darkly humourous,
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the twisted mind of
screenwriter and film reviewer
Michael Haberfelner.

 

Tales to Chill
Your Bones to

the new anthology by
Michael Haberfelner

 

Out now from
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