Hey Horror fans, while we are hard at work getting things in order for Sins of Man II : Vengeance I wanted to take a moment and answer some the the questions you folks send me via e-mail and social media because I think it's important to have an open line of communication between myself and you horror fans worldwide because I love talking about horror and anything really so here we go !!
QUESTION : What advice would you give to a new screenwriter ??
ANSWER : Write what you love, what you are passionate about, don't let friends, family, social media or anything other then yourself dictate what your subject matter is. show don't tell (this is something I struggle with) make sure there is enough action and movement on screen so the characters don't have to speak all the exposition etc it will bog down the movie. lastly I would say you are your audience if you like it chances are others will do be critical of yourself but don't over do it because there will be plenty of people who will do that for you and to them pay no attention because as my friend said to me "Can't never could do nothing".
ANSWER : Write what you love, what you are passionate about, don't let friends, family, social media or anything other then yourself dictate what your subject matter is. show don't tell (this is something I struggle with) make sure there is enough action and movement on screen so the characters don't have to speak all the exposition etc it will bog down the movie. lastly I would say you are your audience if you like it chances are others will do be critical of yourself but don't over do it because there will be plenty of people who will do that for you and to them pay no attention because as my friend said to me "Can't never could do nothing".
QUESTION : Do you enjoy the "Classic Slashers" of the late 70's 80' and early 90's or the newer slashers like Scream ?
ANSWER : Both to be completely honest, I love Halloween, Friday The 13th, ANOES, & Child's Play because they paved the way for films like Scream, Hatchet, Hostel etc. I have said it many times as a film maker I walk a fine line of knowing the history of the genre but also paying tribute to hit all while having an eye on the future of horror movies . I watch the classics over and over again for inspiration or as a slump buster for the block . and use horror names, places, dates, events in my scripts because that is how I honor those that came before me and during the filming of Sins of Man : Rise of Mortis I also wanted to do things differently and make a new twist for the genre.
ANSWER : Both to be completely honest, I love Halloween, Friday The 13th, ANOES, & Child's Play because they paved the way for films like Scream, Hatchet, Hostel etc. I have said it many times as a film maker I walk a fine line of knowing the history of the genre but also paying tribute to hit all while having an eye on the future of horror movies . I watch the classics over and over again for inspiration or as a slump buster for the block . and use horror names, places, dates, events in my scripts because that is how I honor those that came before me and during the filming of Sins of Man : Rise of Mortis I also wanted to do things differently and make a new twist for the genre.
QUESTION : Who is Your Favorite Slasher and Why ?
ANSWER : I could answer this a different way every time I'm asked because it's a complex answer but here it goes. My favorite slasher is Ghostface as for why because Ghostface can be ANYONE in Woodsboro it could be a teacher, a parent, a cop, a lawyer or your boyfriend and is best friend . Ghostface was a flesh and blood human much like Michael Myers (in the original Halloween) I like the idea that Scream could actually happen in real life that to me is way more scary then a killer who kills you in your dreams or a zombie chasing me around a camp or a killer dollwho wants my soul etc.
ANSWER : I could answer this a different way every time I'm asked because it's a complex answer but here it goes. My favorite slasher is Ghostface as for why because Ghostface can be ANYONE in Woodsboro it could be a teacher, a parent, a cop, a lawyer or your boyfriend and is best friend . Ghostface was a flesh and blood human much like Michael Myers (in the original Halloween) I like the idea that Scream could actually happen in real life that to me is way more scary then a killer who kills you in your dreams or a zombie chasing me around a camp or a killer dollwho wants my soul etc.
QUESTION : If you could have lunch with any scream queen who would it be and why ?
ANSWER : Another tough question but I would say Scout Compton because she seems so cool and down to earth, she plays Laurie Strode in Rob Zombie's Halloween& H2 and is currently starring on ABC's hit show Nashville. She is simply an amazing person that I would love to share a meal with and just talk with.
ANSWER : Another tough question but I would say Scout Compton because she seems so cool and down to earth, she plays Laurie Strode in Rob Zombie's Halloween& H2 and is currently starring on ABC's hit show Nashville. She is simply an amazing person that I would love to share a meal with and just talk with.
QUESTION : Was it more difficult to direct or act in your movie ?
ANSWER : way harder to act for me personally, I have a hard time speaking in public and the camera didn't help I joke on my you tube videos there is a reason I direct movies and don't act in them. Originally I was supposed to do the "Wes Craven cameo" and be in one small scene and see how many people could find me in the movie but things changed and I had to take on a bigger role in the film due to things beyond the productions control and I think I did okay with what I had to do both in front of and behind the camera keep in mind I also did makeup FX for the movie as well.
ANSWER : way harder to act for me personally, I have a hard time speaking in public and the camera didn't help I joke on my you tube videos there is a reason I direct movies and don't act in them. Originally I was supposed to do the "Wes Craven cameo" and be in one small scene and see how many people could find me in the movie but things changed and I had to take on a bigger role in the film due to things beyond the productions control and I think I did okay with what I had to do both in front of and behind the camera keep in mind I also did makeup FX for the movie as well.
QUESTION : Do you plan on directing other writers screenplays ? Why or Why not ??
ANSWER : Maybe in the future I will work from other peoples screenplays to create movies but for the foreseeable future I will be making movies from scripts that I have written and believe me there is no shortage of scripts for me to choose from, I have been in very early talks with some Maine authors to possibly make their books into movies but nothing has been finalized. I have so many scripts written that the next few years will see only movies I have written / directed and produced from Wicked Carnival Productions .
ANSWER : Maybe in the future I will work from other peoples screenplays to create movies but for the foreseeable future I will be making movies from scripts that I have written and believe me there is no shortage of scripts for me to choose from, I have been in very early talks with some Maine authors to possibly make their books into movies but nothing has been finalized. I have so many scripts written that the next few years will see only movies I have written / directed and produced from Wicked Carnival Productions .
QUESTION : Are you successful ?
ANSWER : Yes I am successful because I know where I started, how far I have come, all the things I have gone through to get to where I am right now and most importantly I know where I'm going in the future .
ANSWER : Yes I am successful because I know where I started, how far I have come, all the things I have gone through to get to where I am right now and most importantly I know where I'm going in the future .
QUESTION : What are your thoughts on "torture porn" like Saw and Hostel ?
ANSWER : There is a market for it, Saw really changed the game for horror in many ways they are all in my personal movie collection hostel I thought was good my favorite of that series was Hostel 2. I think as long as their is a market for films like the titles you mentioned then film makers will continue to make those types of films.
ANSWER : There is a market for it, Saw really changed the game for horror in many ways they are all in my personal movie collection hostel I thought was good my favorite of that series was Hostel 2. I think as long as their is a market for films like the titles you mentioned then film makers will continue to make those types of films.
QUESTION : Would you rather sign an autograph or take a picture with a fan ?
ANSWER : Both, I think the autograph is a cool thing I can give a fan but if they want a photo I will take one with them because I honestly love meeting horror fans we are some of the coolest people in the world and weather you're a fan of Leatherface,Michael, Jason, Freddy, Chucky, Ghostface, or Mortis we are ALL horror fans .
ANSWER : Both, I think the autograph is a cool thing I can give a fan but if they want a photo I will take one with them because I honestly love meeting horror fans we are some of the coolest people in the world and weather you're a fan of Leatherface,Michael, Jason, Freddy, Chucky, Ghostface, or Mortis we are ALL horror fans .
QUESTION : Do you want to make convention appearances ?
ANSWER : Yes ! I want to be able to travel allover the country (to start) and meet as many fans as I can at conventions as well as hopefully get a chance to meet some of the people who have influenced me as a writer / director .
ANSWER : Yes ! I want to be able to travel allover the country (to start) and meet as many fans as I can at conventions as well as hopefully get a chance to meet some of the people who have influenced me as a writer / director .
in closing ....
I really do love answering questions from horror fans allover the world, if you have a question, comment, suggestion about a blog post let me know :)
STAY TUNED & STAY WICKED !!
STAY TUNED & STAY WICKED !!