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Your upcoming film Slaughter Daughter - in a few words, what is it
about?
Slaughter Daughter
is a throwback to the 70s/80s stylized films of Dario Argento and
Brian De Palma and stars Nicola Fiore and Tim Dax from Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical. Slaughter Daughter
tells the twisted story of former beauty queen Farrah (Nicola
Fiore). Agoraphobic and increasingly mentally unstable, Farrah commits an act
of heinous self-mutilation and is dragged kicking and screaming to Bellevue.
Once there, she begins writing to a serial killer on Death Row (Tim Dax).
Obsession overtakes her, thoughts of murder become her only solace and love,
blood and gore soon collide! Slaughter Daughter
is in post-production
and should be done by this fall.
You have conceived the story of Slaughter Daughter together with
your screenwriter Lauren Miller. What were your main inpsirations?
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When
I went back home to Ohio for Christmas in 2009, I embraced my feminine
side and started watching the Oxygen Channel. There was a marathon of a
show on called Snapped and I quickly became addicted. The show
tells the story of women who snap and go bat-shit crazy and end up
murdering people, usually someone in their immediate family. Anyway, I saw
an episode about this teenage couple, and the mom forbid her daughter to
date this guy, so the daughter went bat-shit crazy, under the influence of
crazy love or as the French say l'amour fou, anyway she stabbed her mom to
death, but what got me, what stuck in my mind was as the mom was dying she
kept saying “I forgive you, I forgive you.” That's fucked up. That is
nuts. So I told the idea to my screenwriting partner Lauren Miller and
came up with the title Slaughter Daughter. Lauren was taken with
the idea and wrote several versions of the script. Nicola Fiore was the
muse of the movie, so it was really cool we could tailor a part for her or
go to Nicola for ideas, not only as an actress but as co-producer. A
few words about Lauren Miller, who has also scripted your Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical? Lauren
loves to write. She's always brainstorming new ideas for scripts and
books, but the one thing I love that she has that I don't is commitment. I
suffer from butt in chair-syndrome, which means I can't sit down
long enough to revise what I have written and screenwriting is all about
revising. Lauren on the other hand, will work and work and work on a
script and revise it until the story and emotional beats are true, correct
and right, a hallmark of a great writer. That's why we work together so
well. I'm still waiting for the day when I can vomit out a first draft of
a script and it will be perfect... I'll keep dreaming.
How would you describe
your directorial approach to Slaughter Daughter?
The
hardest part about my directing approach was understanding women haha. The
script is comprised of ninety percent women, so understanding the
motivations and emotions of the female psyche was quite tasking at times!
I remember one day we were filming a scene where the main character Farrah
is masturbating on her bed, and Nicola was performing this scene on her
stomach, like almost on all fours you know, and I yelled “CUT! Women
don't do it like that!” Needless to say I was laughed at by the whole
crew (who were all women)! What the fuck did I know about the way women
pleasure themselves, that's not how they do it in porn haha! It was a
great learning experience. The story is a slow burn, so learning how to
tell a story that slowly unfolds with suspense and deception was a
challenge I enjoyed, because on my last film Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical the
characters were singing their emotions through heavy metal and beating the
crap out of each other!
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Slaughter Daughter
seems to be quite violent concerning its subject matter. How far
are you going considering violence and gore?
We
are showing a lot of gore when it comes to the violence. Like I said
before I was so taken back with the real life events that inspired this
movie where the young woman brutally stabbed her mother, I felt the
violence in Slaughter Daughter
should be as realistic and
unflinching as possible. Even the self-mutilation scene (as seen in the
teasers) where Farrah cuts off her finger is one take, we SEE the knife
slicing through her finger and then she pick it up. Showing the violence
and gore I felt was appropriate for this film, but I am also a big
proponent of letting your imagination fill in the gaps. Like in the
original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, we don't actually see the hook
go through the character of Pam when Leatherface impales her, our mind
fills in the gaps, also in Reservoir Dogs we don't actually see
Mr. Blonde cut off the ear of Nash, it's all off-screen and our mind
makes the horrific event more traumatic by letting us the viewer
perceive what an ear-severing might look like.
Nicola Fiore |
A few words
about your leading lady Nicola Fiore, who also co-produced Slaughter Daughter
according to my information?
Nicola
is great. We met filming the DVD intro for Redneck Zombies at
Lloyd Kaufman's house in 2008, and since then we had always wanted to
work together. We had ideas for movies like a horror musical called Puppet
Massacre - yes with real puppets! But that never got off the ground,
and when Lauren wrote Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical and that got made first, Nicola
was the first choice for the role of Scarlet. I think she even showed up
to a cast reading of Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical unaware of what was going on and I
handed her a script and said you're playing Scarlet but make it seem
like you're auditioning haha.
While
filming Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical we threw around ideas for Slaughter Daughter, the
script had not even been written yet. From a creative stand point it was
really cool to bounce ideas off Nicola. I mean I had two points of view
from her, one being an actor where she could give emotional input of the
character and two, being a producer, where she could give ideas from set
design or what we should for lunch! We work really well together, it's
like we're always on the same page, and if she doesn't like my direction
she'll say “NO! I'm not doing that!” which is good! As a director I
like someone who challenges me or gives input on a character that I had
not thought of before. Nicola is one of the hardest working, dedicated
actresses working in this business, she's a true actress and not a
B-Movie wannabe.
Ruby LaRocca |
Slaughter Daughter
also features the first post-accident appearance by Ruby
LaRocca. First of all, how was she doing, and how was it working with her,
also concerning her condition?
Ruby
is doing well! She had such a hunger and conviction to play the role of
Apple. She brought so much to the part that wasn't on the page. I remember
the first time I met Ruby was at my apartment where we were rehearsing,
she showed up and did her scenes and I could tell she was in a lot of pain
but she pulled through. When it came time to film, she was dedicated and
working with her was fun, she had a lot of ideas for the character and
would sit in a puddle of fake blood for hours while I was like “should
she be on the floor that long?” It was a lot of fun. A few words about the
rest of your cast?
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Leesa Rowland |
I
love working with new actors and I love lists, so not to leave anyone
out, I am going to make a list of the actors in Slaughter Daughter
and
the reasons why I love them!
Leesa
Rowland: Leesa was in Troma's
Class of Nuke Em High 2 and
starred in the TV show Conviction. Lloyd Kaufman recommended her
after our other actress dropped out of Slaughter Daughter! I was
intimidated because she had done so much stuff and this was only my
second movie. But we worked together well, Leesa had ideas about her
character that we would incorporate into the scenes and she was such a
good sport about having to be covered in blood and laying on the floor
for hours! Her portrayal of Phyllis (Farrah's Mother) is so wonderful,
it's comedic and dramatic and hits all the right notes. We had a nice
screening for Slaughter Daughter
in December that Leesa set up at
Walt Disney Studios (oh the irony, right?) in NYC and it was incredible!
I had never been to a screening like that in my life, it was so surreal
thinking this was for a movie I made. I can't thank Leesa enough for
such an incredible night.
Deborah Das |
Deborah
Das: When Deborah auditioned for the role of Reema she performed it
with a British accent, which was no surprise because on the audition
sheet it says British accent! But she did it so well I thought for the
longest time she actually was British! Then she said nope, not British
at all! That's the kind of actor I love, the one that fools you and
makes it seem like acting is so easy! I think audiences are going to be
drawn to Deb's performance and really feel for her character.
Danny
Morales: Danny nailed the role of David in the audition, I was like
yep that's it, end of story! He was such a natural on set and his
portrayal of David is so real and likeable, his performance goes way
beyond your typical “horror movie performance.” I remember on set he
had to sit in make-up for hours, he was such a good sport about that and
the full frontal nudity! I felt so awkward asking him to do it, but he
was like ok! WHISK! And the shorts came off! Slaughter Daughter
is
an equal opportunity barer of flesh! Come one, come all we have nudity
for the entire family! Haha. One last thing I will say, is Danny told me
this horror story of losing his driver's license and identity and
believe me that is worse then any horror movie! I felt so bad for him,
but that's also a sign of a good actor, they show up and do their job no
matter what!
Mike
Connell: Mike is so great, he has this monologue near the end of the
movie where he threatens Farrah (Nicola's character) and the way he did
it was so pitch perfect and creepy I got chills when we filmed it. I had
a blast with Mike on set, when things got hectic it was like ok, I'm
taking a smoke break with Mike! We would talk about acting or his son's
hockey games, it was great! Mike also gives one hell of a performance as
Willard, you have to see this man in action!
Alan
Bendich: Alan always brings such intensity to every role he has! He
plays a newscaster, but he brought such a power to the role it was
intense and hilarious! Think of Sean Hannity going nuts about America's
most vicious serial killer (Jackson Miles played by Tim Dax) and then
verbally assaulting Farrah (Nicola Fiore) through the TV! It was such a
surreal, great moment!
Kristen
Hung: When I saw Kristen's demo reel on YouTube I was blown away!
She was jumping on people, slapping them and then there would be these
great scenes of her acting. In Slaughter Daughter
she plays the
nosy neighbor and she was so great at it. Really getting in Farrah's
face, and pushing her buttons, you wouldn't want her character as your
nosy next door neighbor! Unless your a homicidal maniac!
Tim
Dax: I love working with Tim. From Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical to Slaughter Daughter
he loves to change it up as an actor. People always say
“oh he's always going to be typecast as the muscleman” but it
wasn't like that. Even he was worried about it and we discussed the role
of Jackson Miles and he played it almost in an unforgiving way but with
humanity. Tim even added a hint of hill-jack scariness to the role and
it's just fantastic! When him and Nicola are on the screen it's magic!
Tony
Enz: I've known Tony for 15 years. We were in hardcore bands
together growing up. He moved to Ohio, I met him as a teenager, we hung
out, he got into trouble moved back to NYC, I moved to NYC, met back up
with him, we recorded music he was the singing voice for Mr. Bricks and
now he plays the most ironic part of his whole life, Jimmy the
Corrections Officer! It's ironic because if you know Tony, well let's
just say he has a problem with authority! Though I will say for a first
time actor he was really great, a natural. The guy can do anything!
Lloyd
Kaufman: Lloyd is the most seasoned actor, he's been in like a
million movies and he does it for free! He loves to help out the
independent filmmaker, who else does that? Nobody. Plus he is my boss
and I am angling for a raise here, so in my opinion I think Lloyd
deserved a bigger role, perhaps even the lead, we just would have to
dress him in drag! But he's no stranger to that!
And
if I forgot anyone I'm sorry! You were all great! And I appreciate your
time and effort, I will never forget it!
From what I've heard, Slaughter Daughter's cast and crew was made up mostly of women. Why is that, and
in what way did it influence your work and the actual outcome? I
initially came up with the idea of Slaughter Daughter
and my
partner Lauren Miller took the idea and ran with it! She created this
wonderful script populated by great female characters. When it came time
to shoot the movie, she also produced it and knew the DP Kara Hearn, who
was so wonderful, Kara is one of the best shooters out there and when you
see the movie you'll know why! I also knew Lisa Forst from Troma, who did
some of the effects, like the finger amputation scene that you see in the
trailer and teaser. For me, it was different working with almost all
women. I kind of liked it, I hate to say it but women seem more organized
and crafty and just want to get shit done! Whereas when you're on a set
with 50 guys talking about the latest camera equipment or why the Star
Wars-prequels sucked ass, a lot of time can go by! With Slaughter Daughter
being a horror film - is that a genre especially
dear to you, and your genre favourites?
I
grew up on the horror genre, watching everything I could get my hands on
during the VHS era! I never thought I would actually get to make a genre
horror movie and am grateful I did. I consider Slaughter Daughter
a
“grindhouse soap opera” - see I also love the TV show Dallas
and I wanted that over-the-top melodrama mixed with the horror genre,
especially when Farrah fights with her Mother Phyllis, like Carrie meets
Dallas. Those back and forth arguments and caddy fights really
liven up the conflict of the scene, almost in a John Waters meets J.R.
Ewing (Larry Hagman from Dallas) kind of way. Plus the music score
I did really captures the feel of those 70s movies/TV shows like Carrie,
Suspiria and Dallas. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, it
was just a challenge for me to write and score something like that and I
am really proud of the results and usually the first thing people say is
“oh I really like this music!” Score (no pun intended)!
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There
is a drawback to genre-mixing though, I got nailed when Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical came out because critics and horror fans
would say “oh it's not a horror movie, or it's not an action movie,
the musical numbers aren't real metal, they're hardcore”, you know
shit like that. I think in this day and age, especially for an indy
filmmaker it's important to mix genres, make yourself stand out! Why
make another by-the-book horror romp in hopes of getting some shitty
distribution deal where you just get ripped off in the end and have no
recognition except being a mediocre filmmaker? It's better to experiment
and fail and fall flat on your ass and get your head handed to you on a
plate by critics rather than not take chances. If you don't take
chances, you're dead, don't make movies. And most importantly, don't let
anyone stop you EVER. People will try and stop you, even other
filmmakers in this so called “B Movie Community”. When Mr. Bricks: A
Heavy Metal Murder Musical came
out we were attacked by other filmmakers, even ones from Troma where I
worked! I had rose tinted glasses on thinking there was a “brotherhood
or sisterhood” of underground cinema, but quickly found most, not all,
but most people associated with this world are out for themselves and
like to sabotage other people's work. We're at the other end of the
wrung from Hollywood, but all the backstabbing still applies! I'm not
trying to sound bitter or whine, my point is never let the bullshit or
anyone stop you if you have a vision!
The $64 question of course,
when and where will the film be released?
We're
finishing the sound mix now. We hope to have it finished by Fall and hit film
festivals and see what happens. We also had the idea of just giving the movie
away for free on our website (once it's up) and then if people like it they can
buy the DVD with extras. Why mess with a distributor or middle-man at this
point? You're just going to lose out financially and probably not make your
money back. We're trying a new route, hitting conventions with the DVD and
giving it away for free, we will see what happens! We could end up flat broke,
but at least we tried. This is a new word for the indy filmmaker when it comes
to distribution, and it's called freedom. Any future
projects you'd like to talk about?
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I
am currently writing the script for Troma's upcoming
Return to the
Class of Nuke Em High that has been a blast and they start filming
in August. I will also be editing the picture. And I'm working on a
documentary about the band Type O Negative, and Lauren and I are writing
our next movie called Red Hot Mamas. The genre of the film is
based on those old 60s/70s biker movies! We're really excited to try and
bring the biker movie back and add some sort of twist to it!
Your/your
film's website, Facebook, whatever else?
Slaughter Daughter
Facebook (PLEASE JOIN!): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slaughter-Daughter/185225688173581
Slaughter Daughter
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/myslaughterdaughter
Travis
Campbell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1236524014
Travis
Campbell Website: http://www.wix.com/campfilms/tec
Anything else
you are dying to tell us that I have merely forgotten to ask?
Please
support independent film! Oh and check out this video I did for the
hardcore band Biohazard, thank you! -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUFUfUPR0nc
Thanks
for the interview!
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find Travis Campbell at adultvideouniverse.com
