Your debut feature is called Family
Property. In a few words, what's that film about?
Well, it's about Derek Jones keeping his promise to his father and kiilng
anyone who steps on their Family Property!!
Was the film inspired by any real life events, and what were your
(other) sources of inspiration?
No, it wasn't inspired by
real events but they could've been! The inspiration for the film actually
came about when me and my long time friend Nathan were going over ideas
we'd like to do. Actually, I did this film to show him I could handle
doing a feature. We had thought up together another idea that led me to
this one. I wrote the script and went to work. However over half the film
was dreamed up while shooting and then completely ad-libbed by
the cast. So really, I can credit the film to them. Yeah, I directed it
but without the cast it'd been nowhere.
Let's talk about the
film's score for a bit: What can you tell us about the recurring and
haunting title song by Etcetera?
I wrote all the lyrics. I
sent them to one of the actors' father, who was at that time Etcetera's
manager. His name is Anthony D. Thomas. He got the band working on it and
in three days they had wrote the music and recorded the song.
Your killer in the film
has his own theme melody that's as simple as effective. A few words about
that piece?
It was done by a great composer Randy Gilbert.
He saw my blog on myspace looking for music for the film and sent me a
message. He then agreed I could use anything from his library. I found
this, loved it, and edited it to fit the scenes.
Lloyd Kaufman
Your film does not only feature a cameo
appearance by the ubiquitous Lloyd Kaufman, he is also credited as
assistant director. How did that come into being?
Well, he
saw the pic run teaser I'd put together of the film. He wrote me and asked
if there was a role he could play. So, of course I made him one. We agreed
that since he directed his shoot and got his crew to shoot the footage
he'd also be credited as assistant director of the film.
John Birmingham
One of
the key roles in the film is played by John Birmingham, whose Vampires
of Zanzibar you associate-produce [John
Birmingham interview - click here]. What can you tell us about
him?
He's a great filmmaker and actor. He's true and has a
passion that's hard to find. I met him when he was just starting V.O.Z.
as
we all call it. I liked the script so much I started helping in all
aspects. In him I have made a life long friend.
And since we're at the subject, a few words about Vampires
of Zanzibar?
It's a film that not only is fun but has a
lot of messages within. If you love crazy rides you have to check it out.
It isn't being released yet but when it is hold on tight.
What can you tell us about the rest of
your cast and crew?
All of them have done a lot of work in
the industry. You can find alot of the cast on IMDb. There are a few
newcomers to film. One character is played by my cousin. He came to help
with sound and one actor didn't show so there he is. I also included my
wife and a lot friends from Vampires of Zanzibar. I even put in a couple
friends from my work place at FUD's and John Birmingham's son and wife.
With your film's washed-out colours,
choppy editing, uneven on-screen sound and even use of music, you seem to
be hell-bent on recreating the look and feel of obscure 1970's grindhouse
and drive-in flicks. Why is that, and a few of your favourite films from
that era?
Well, it didn't start that way. However, when I noticed we had sound issues while shooting I was editing footage from day
1. I shot the bulk of the film in 3 days and edited during the break in
days. Once I found these problems I decided to make the film this way and
that is how I shot the rest of the film.
As
mentioned above, Family
Property is your debut film as a director. What made you
become a director, and what were your cinematic experiences prior to the
movie?
I love acting but wanted to be the one behind the
movie. Before, this I had done a lot of shorts with my friends and acted in
four films. I picked up what I learned from doing those things and then
taught myself to edit.
Any future projects you'd like to talk about?
Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)
Well,
first I am in the works with an idea that'll be my friend Nathan's debut
film as a director. We'll start shooting it in the next moth. Second I
am working on an idea now that will blow people away when it's done. The
thing I'm lacking is funding so if anyone wants to invest in it they can
talk to me about what the idea is. I can't give away any hints as the film
is in the script process as of now.
Directors
who inspire you?
Well, there is a few. Lloyd Kaufman,
Quentin Tarantino, Wes Craven and Peter Jackson.
Your all-time favourite movies?
Would
have to be anything Troma,
Bad Taste by Peter Jackson, and anything with
David Hess in it.
And
of course, some films you have really deplored?
Basically,
all of these crappy remakes of the greatest films ever.
Anything
else you are dying to mention I have merely forgotten to ask?
Only
thing I need to say is Thank You to anyone who gives Family
Property a chance and I hope to see you in the movies!!!
Robots and rats,
demons and potholes, cuddly toys and shopping mall Santas,
love and death and everything in between, Tales to Chill Your Bones to is all of that.
Tales to Chill Your Bones to -
a collection of short stories and mini-plays ranging from the horrific to the darkly humourous,
from the post-apocalyptic to the weirdly romantic,
tales that will give you a chill and maybe a chuckle,
all thought up by the twisted mind of screenwriter and film reviewer Michael Haberfelner.
Tales to Chill Your Bones to
the new anthology by Michael Haberfelner
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
amazon.de
eThaiCD.com
