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Your're currently running a fundraiser for your movie The R.I.P
Man - so in a few words, what's it about?
The script is heavily based on six university friends being specifically
targeted by a mysterious ghoul, who has a rare oral condition and is
hell bent on removing his victims' molars.
Do talk about your fundraiser for a bit, and about its goals and
perks! The IndieGoGo campaign is off to a flyer and has reached over 40%
initial target budget in just over a week. The goal is to eventually
obtain around the 20k mark. We are so grateful for everyone's support and
willingness to help get the project into production. Amazing backers.
www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-r-i-p-man/x/37568488#/
How did the project come into being in the first place?
I found myself channel hoping one cold night in late 2020 and found a
documentary about a rare oral condition called Anadontia. Then something
clicked in my intrgued mind: What if my antagonist was a sufferer and he
embraces it? Then my interest in combat sports brought on the idea of
him wearing a creepy personalised mouthguard. The death date text
message accompanied with the infamous tooth emoji symbol was the last
piece to the jigsaw. What were your sources of inspiration when writing The R.I.P Man?
Movies such as Scream and
A Nightmare on
Elm Street all have distinctive killers that are memorable and
diabolical with their sinister
actions. I wanted to create a villain that could potentially be an
horror icon and even create a new tooth horror genre on its own, lol. The
fact he uses both medieval and contemporary trappings,makes his
approach different. The audience will also have a good backstory
attached to his character arc. Beware the DENTES clan!
A few words about The R.I.P Man's approach to the
horror genre - and is this a genre at all personally dear to you?
We definitely sit nicely in the slasher genre, and it's safe to say there
is not any other villain similar to the R.I.P Man currently on the
market with his tooth pulling gimmick and his R.I.P personlised
mouthguard. I love all genres but I always seem to gravitate towards the
80s serial killer movies more than others. I have my mum to blame for that!
You've recently made a short, also called The R.I.P Man
- so how are the short and the feature related?
The short was a proof of concept for the feature length. The screenplay
feature novel was released earlier in the year and the plan was to film
a feature, once we have the budget in place. What can
you tell us about The R.I.P Man's director Jamie Langlands, and
what's your collaboration like so far?
Determined bloke, lol. Jamie is a well respected actor and a fantastic
director to collaborate with. His first directorial feature release
titled The Cellar will soon be hitting festivals, and it is a
masterpiece. Keep an eye out for its release date. Where do you see
the main challenges of bringing The R.I.P Man to the screen from a
producer's point of view? Budget. If we fall short of our intended budget for the full feature
shoot, then we will still make the movie, but we want to do the script
justice and shock the horror world with what we have planned. Some of
the death scenes have never been done before, and we want to execute them
as authentically as we can. Special effects in itself is a huge cost. Anything you can tell us about
The R.I.P Man's cast, and as writer/producer, how deeply were you
involved in the casting process?
Owen Llewelyn and August Porter play the roles of the R.I.P Man and
Abigail Freight, respectively. They are both very talented actors and
worked tirelessly throughout the 14 hour shoot. The mouthpiece must of
been uncomfortable for most of the duration, but Owen just got on with it
and delivered a masterful performance. August was so impressive in her
role and really nailed down her character. Some of the scenes were very
intense and demanded a lot from the cast. The whole crew deserve so much
praise for their commitment to the project. I will be forever thankful. So once the budget's
raised, what's the schedule for The R.I.P Man - and any idea when
and where it might be released yet? We aim to shoot the next scene in around a
month's time, if everything
goes according to plan. The feature release is currently unknown but
hopefully the summer of 2025. Any future projects
beyond The R.I.P Man? Funny you should ask that, my latest screenplay is like a mix between
Ted Bundy and Totally Killer. I'm trying to create another serial killer
that is unusual and one that leaves his own type of of calling card,
after he slays his victims. Might be time to create a rival final girl
for our antagonist. Watch this space. What got you into writing
in the first place, and screenwriting at that?
My mum introduced me to horror at a very young age, and I started writing
around the age of 10. I still have my very first attempt at writing a
script and who knows one day, I may revisit it. I still remember the
tagline to this day, hahaha.
What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to The R.I.P Man?
I have worked on and off in the filming industry for around 20 years
with my father. He is a rigger/electrician and has worked on numerous
blockbuster movies. I worked with him on Batman
Begins for a few days and Quantum of Solace. I wish I stole some of the props now. How
would you describe yourself as a writer? Fast and definitely an outliner. I tried pantsing once but could'nt seem
to find a rhythm. Each to their own I guess. Writers,
filmmakers, whoever else who inspire you?
Wes Craven and Stephen King are my true inspirations. Silver Bullet is
so underrated. Also Jordan Peele and a lot of the independent filmmakers. Ohhh, and don't forget to mention Jamie Langlands.
Your favourite movies? 80s slashers and anything that is character-driven. Also a good concept
is important to me. I love all horror though. The Cellar is a
masterpiece, so don't forget to check it out everyone. ... and of course, films you really deplore?
Anything too predictable. I don't tend to watch a lot of paranormal stuff
anymore. Maybe there is some good material I'm missing out on? Your/your
movie's website, fundraiser, social media, whatever else?
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Feeling lucky?
Want to
search
any of my partnershops yourself
for more, better results?
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The links below
will take you
just there!!!
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IndieGoGo link below. You can find me pretty much on all social
networks, just look out for the R.I.P Man poster profile picture, lol.
There are not many Rhys Thompsons in the world. Thankfully.
www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-r-i-p-man/x/37568488#/
Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
You're all good Michael and thanks for a terrific set of questions. I
will add one important message:
If you havent check out Michael's work, then what are you waiting for?
Help support him now or Rest.In.Pain.
Protect your molars at all times!
Thanks for the interview!
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