(re)search my Trash

<body> <div align="left"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="800" cellpadding="0" height="100%"> <tr> <td width="100" rowspan="3" background="../stylepix/square.gif" valign="top">  </td> <td width="4" rowspan="3"></td> <td width="592" height="1%" valign="top"> <p align="center">  <a href="../research/resultdirlinks.shtml?Erik Soulliard">For films directed by <b>Erik Soulliard</b><br> on (re)Search my Trash<br> click here!</a> <p align="center">   </td> <td width="4" rowspan="3"></td> <td width="100" rowspan="3" background="../stylepix/squareright.gif" valign="top">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="592" valign="top" height="99%">  <p><b>Tell us a bit about your latest film, <i><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></i>?</b> <p>  <p><b><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></b> is my first feature film. It is an ultra low budget independent film. We took all the resources we had and put them into equipment and lighting and crew. The film suffers from some of the many low budget issues but we tried to make as a professional looking film as possible. In that sense I feel <b><i><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></i></b> is a huge success.<p> <p><b>A few words about your cast and crew?</b><p> <p>We had a terrific cast and crew on the film. Everyone was extremely excited to be a part of the project. We had some experienced crew and some newcomers. The same can be said for the actors. Each and everyone gave 110%.<p> <p>Everyone worked Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights for 6 weeks. Almost everyone had day jobs which meant Thursday everyone came from work straight to the set and then worked all night as well.<p>  <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="205"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/soulliard1.jpg"></p> <p align="center"><i>Erik Soulliard</i></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>What inspired you to make the film?</b> <p>  <p>I have been doing acting in the NYC metro area for the past nine years and I have worked on a lot of independent projects that never get completed. I do freelance non-linear editing and I also write so I decided to make my own project so that I could see it through to completion. I now understand why so many projects never get finished and never get out into the marketplace. It is a very long road.<p>  <p><b>You have written, directed and produced <i><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></i>, and you also do some acting in it. Which aspect of filmmaking do you enjoy the most?</b><p> <p>That’s difficult to answer. Acting has always been my main focus but I really enjoyed directing and cutting this project as well. I honestly love all the aspects of creating a film.<p>  <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="405"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/creekcast.jpg"> <p align="center"><i>The cast of <b>The Creek</b></i></td> </tr> </table> <p><b><i><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></i> was shot in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Why there, and how easy/difficult is it to get a proper cast and crew and make a genre movie in Pennsylvania?</b> <p>  <p>I am originally from PA and therefore had a lot of great friends and family who were very supportive. Our garage locations were donated by Bonalle Auto Sales and Stahley’s Automotive. The cabin was given to us to use by Bob and Mark Stahley. This support was invaluable. <p>  <p>Getting talent to PA is rather easy. We had two actresses from NYC and they had no problem traveling there. Our location was only 2.5 hours from the city so it’s really not too bad.<p> <p><b><i><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></i> was your debut feature as a director. What can you tell us about your on-set experiences?</b> <p> <p>I have to say that my onset experiences as a director were fantastic. I was actually annoyed on nights when I had to act a lot because it took away from the fun I was having behind the camera. This was exasperated by the fact that I was also producing and we didn’t have a line producer or set manager to take care of all the little things that needed dealt with. So, if someone wanted to know where a spatula was for catering, I was the only one to ask. I now realize how integral it is to have someone on set to put out all the small fires and I’m definitely going to have someone else filling that position on our next feature <b> 12 Bells</b>. I’m also planning to act in <b> 12 Bells</b> but the role I'm playing has far less screen time and therefore I can enjoy both acting and directing more.<p> <p><b>What did you do before <i><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></i> and how did you get into the film business in the first place?</b><p> <p>As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been acting in the NYC metro area for 9 years and before that I did as much as I could in PA. I earned a BS in Broadcasting at Millersville University in PA and then moved to NYC to pursue film and acting. I wanted to pursue film because I love movies, writing scripts, editing, the whole process. Film is extremely collaborative and that’s something I enjoy as well. It’s great to work with talented and creative people and just let them show you what they can do. We stuck very close to my storyboards on <b><i><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></i></b> but there were a lot of times when my DP Jason Contino would call me over and say, “Hey, I know this isn’t exactly what you had down but what do you think?” Jason has a great eye for framing and how it translates into the overall storytelling process. We have some really incredible shots because of his talent. This situation was the same with many people on our crew. Everyone surprised me at one point or another by going the extra mile and not just doing what they <i>had</i> to do.<p> <p><b>Do you have any formal training as director, or how did you learn the craft?</b><p> <p>The only training I had directing was from the large amount of projects I did as an actor and as crew. I learned as much as possible from these directors. Some were experienced and some were not. I learned what NOT to do from most of them. I'm a very visual person so the storyboarding process was fairly easy and because I’m an editor I knew what I needed to make a scene cut together.<p>  <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="205"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/12bells.jpg"></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>A few words about your upcoming <i>12 Bells</i>?</b> <p>  <p>Ahhhhh you only want “a few” words huh? You are a smart man. <b> 12 Bells</b> (<a href="http://www.12bellsmovie.com" target="_blank"><b>www.12bellsmovie.com</b></a>) is going to be a huge step up for us in a lot of ways. First and foremost, we are going to be shooting on the RED ONE camera. We already shot the trailer on this camera with a great DP named Bill Simone (<a href="http://www.billsimone-dp.com" target="_blank"><b>www.billsimone-dp.com</b></a>). Also, we’re going to be getting name talent for the key roles and the script is extremely unique. This is going to be a very fast paced horror/thriller that keeps you guessing up until the end. It also has some amazing characters in it that I don’t think you’ve seen before. We definitely stepped away from <b><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml"> The Creek</a></b>’s <i> 6 white kids getting killed in the woods</i>-territory.<p> <p><b>Both <i><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml">The Creek</a></i> and <i>12 Bells</i> are horror movies. Is horror a genre especially dear to you?</b><p> <p>I love horror but it’s funny because I’m not considered horror enough by most of the people I worked with on <b><a href="../movies/creek(2007).shtml"> The Creek</a></b>. Most of the crew were die-hard horror fans who can name the most obscure horror movies ever made. I am sorry to say that I’m not quite on their level. What I like most about horror is that you really have a lot of latitude to create a fun story. You can step out of the box more with horror. If you’re doing a drama you NEED to stay inside certain conventions or storylines that are acceptable to your situation. With horror you can stretch those boundaries more by bringing in a sci-fi element or putting people in an impossible situation that in any other genre wouldn’t play.<p> <p><b>What can you tell us about your production company <i><a href="../research/resultprodinks.shtml?Annubis Productions">Annubis Productions</a></i>?</b><p> <p><i><a href="../research/resultprodinks.shtml?Annubis Productions">Annubis Productions</a></i> was formed because I was doing freelance editing and web design. I then decided to do the film under that banner as well. Since the film I’m no longer doing web work for anyone and we’re focusing on film and video production. We shot a great HD piece for the band <i> Shift Seven</i> (<a href="http://www.shiftseven.com" target="_blank"><b>www.shiftseven.com</b></a>) back in November. We have a couple other projects lined up now but we’re focusing on the next feature <b> 12 Bells</b>.<p>   <p><b>Your website, MySpace, whatever else?</b><p> <p> <a href="http://www.12bellsmovie.com" target="_blank"><b>www.12bellsmovie.com</b></a><p> <a href="http://www.thecreekmovie.com" target="_blank"> <b> www.thecreekmovie.com</b></a><p> <a href="http://www.annubisproductions.com" target="_blank"> <b> www.annubisproductions.com</b></a><p> <a href="http://www.eriksoulliard.com" target="_blank"> <b> www.eriksoulliard.com</b></a><p> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/annubisproductions" target="_blank"> <b> www.myspace.com/annubisproductions</b></a><p> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AnnubisProd" target="_blank"> <b> www.twitter.com/AnnubisProd</b></a><p> <p>We have a fan page on facebook as well:<p> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Creek/47253089718" target="_blank"> <b> www.facebook.com/pages/The-Creek/47253089718</b></a><p>  <p><b>Any future projects you'd like to talk about?</b><p> <p><b>12 Bells</b> is the big one. We’ve also been approached by the <i> Mental Health Association of Lebanon County</i> to work with them on a project directed toward suicide prevention. It’s a great cause and we’re looking forward to that. We’re also planning another collaboration with Bill Simone (<a href="http://www.billsimone-dp.com" target="_blank"><b>www.billsimone-dp.com</b></a>) on a short film and of course we’re always looking for music videos and other interesting projects.<p> <p><b>Directors who have inspired you?</b><p> <p>I always feel bad with this question because nothing I’ve done even shows a glimmer of comparison to my answer but I have to say Tim Burton has such an amazing eye. The look of his films are just incredible. Alfred Hitchcock on the other hand could tell a story like no one else since him.<p> <p><b>Your favourite movies, both recent and all-time favourites?</b><p> <p>I can’t even begin to work on a whole list. I’ll be here forever. I will throw out a few random movies I find amazing. <p><b>Arizona Dream</b> <p><b>Where the Day Takes You</b> <p><b>Ed Wood</b> <p><b>State of Grace</b> <p><b><a href="../movies/alien(1979).shtml">Alien</a></b> <p><b>The Shining</b> <p><b>The Sixth Sense</b> <p><b>Rounders</b> <p>  <p><b>And of course, some movies you really deplored?</b><p> <p>Awww that’s just mean because I’m sure my movie would make this list for a lot of people.<p>  <p> REMAKES!!!! I am sick and tired of remakes. I just want to see something ORIGINAL!!!! Anything with Mario Van Peebles (I have a personal rule against his movies).<p> <p><b>Anything else you are dying to tell us and I've simply forgotten to ask?</b><p> <p>Nope. I’m good!<p> <p><b>Thanks for the interview!</b> <p> <p>Thank you for your interest in our little independent film. <p>   </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="592" valign="top" height="1%">  <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> currentyear = "2009"; </SCRIPT> <SCRIPT language="JavaScript" src="../scripts/endcreditsart.js"></SCRIPT> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> dosworsdonn(); </SCRIPT> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </body>