Month: July 2017

An Interview with the Head of Heart, Sean C. Michael

Posted on by Scott Lake
Recently I had an email exchange with Sean C. Michael. Known now as the head of Heart Enterprises. This South African native has come back to his hometown of Capetown to be part of this fantastic show called Blood Drive. So continuing on with my series of interviews with the cast and crew of Blood Drive, I bring you Old Man Heart. Be sure to catch Blood Drive on SyFy, Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM Eastern time.

 

HMF: Our first question never changes. What is your favorite horror movie?

SM: There are so many classics like The Shining, The Exorcist and The Babadook, but The Blair Witch Project made such an impression on me when it was first released. It was so original, clever and groundbreaking at the time.
HMF: Who are your biggest influences in acting?
SM: I’m inspired and influenced by so many great writers, directors and actors, so the list is endless, but to name a few actor favorites would definitely include Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, Daniel Day-Lewis, Anthony Hopkins and Jeff Bridges. I’m pretty much obsessed with all good TV and film, and the art of great storytelling. There’s nothing more exciting than reading a brilliant screenplay for a project I’m about to start work on and figuring out what I can bring to a certain role to make it fresh, exiting, entertaining, authentic and truthful.
HMF: What was it that drew you to acting?
SM: When I was growing up, I was the youngest of three kids and quite a loner. My parents got divorced when I was seven and our lives turned upside down. As a form of escapism during those very difficult, unsettling and confusing times, I learnt to entertain myself and sort of disappear into my own little fantasy world. My parents were also involved part-time in entertainment – my mom a dancer and my dad a singer – so I was immediately drawn to the arts, performing in school drama productions and the choir.  I did my first professional theater production when I was twelve years old and I was hooked. The rest is history.
HMF: What was it like growing up and acting in South Africa?
SM: As a child in the seventies and eighties, I was blissfully unaware of the politics and social inequalities in apartheid South Africa. I knew that things were kind of weird and strange, but there was no internet, no access to information and extreme censorship in the media.  I instead followed my passion for acting and grabbed every opportunity I could to perform. After completing my schooling and compulsory conscription in the national defense force, I left my hometown of Cape Town and moved to Johannesburg to pursue acting full-time. I did soapies, TV presenting, commercials, voice-over work, script writing and completely immersed myself in the industry over three decades. Today, there are so many international TV and film productions being shot in South Africa due to lucrative tax incentives, top class film studios, experienced cast and crew and astoundingly beautiful and varied locations around the country. It’s the perfect place for a young actor wanting to learn the craft and gain experience.
HMF: What takes an actor in musical theater and pulls them into film and television?
SM: The need to pay the rent and survive. Yes, one does theater for the love of the craft, but financially it can be a struggle.  Film and TV is more lucrative with added and varied opportunities. As I got older and gained more experience, I found the medium of camera work more challenging and demanding.  It’s a very technical, fast-paced environment and to rise above those pressures and deliver a natural, unaffected honest performance for the lens is truly gratifying.
HMF: On Blood Drive you play “Old Man Heart”, the head of Heart Industries. How did you go about preparing for this role?
SM: I was already a big fan of the grindhouse genre and specifically the work of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.  After reading the script for episode 1 of Blood Drive, I was totally blown away by it.  I had not laughed so much and read something so over-the-top, insane, ridiculous and entertaining in a very long time. I immediately understood the world that James Roland had created and by reading the scripts for further episodes, figured out where Old Man Heart fit in the storyline and how his character radically affected others. Creating a believable character is quite an organic process for me. It was important for me to climb inside his somewhat demented head (Old Man Heart, that is 🙂 and really find, not only his motivation and what makes him tick, but literally his voice. I also grew my hair, beard and nails, practicing how to paint them a gorgeous bubblegum pink. It’s difficult. I dunno how the ladies do it so perfectly.
HMF: What is it that sets the role of “Old Man Heart” apart from other roles you’ve played in the past?
SM: Over the past ten years I’ve played lots of villains and baddies, but this role was, without a doubt, the most complex, multi-dimensional and challenging one to tackle.  In the first few episodes you just see his pink nail varnished hands and get a taste of who this curious mastermind behind-the-curtains might be.  Finally in episode 6, he is revealed and as the series progresses, we go even deeper.  By the time we reach the end of season one, audiences will have discovered more of Old Man Heart’s backstory and my portrayal throughout will hopefully make more sense (especially when fans re-watch the entire series).
HMF: What was it that drew you to audition for Blood Drive?
SM: I happened to be on holiday in South Africa when they were holding auditions for the show. Being a fan of the genre, it was very exciting to be considered for a role in it. I initially auditioned for the role of The Gentleman, which of course later went to the perfectly cast Andrew James Hall who did a masterful job. On my return to LA, I did a callback for the role of Old Man Heart via Skype, but I was already filming on USA’s Shooter series with Omar Epps and Ryan Phillippe, so was unavailable to them.  The producers managed to do rewrites of the first few Blood Drive episodes and wait for me to become available, so the minute I wrapped on Shooter, I jumped onto a ‘plane back to South Africa to start work on the show. It’s an amazing story and I cannot be more blessed and thankful to John Hlavin, James Roland everyone concerned for their faith in me being able to pull it off.
HMF: What has the fan reaction been like to your character?
SM: I think they hate Old Man Heart, which is perfect! He is supposed to be this wonderful antagonist, making the lives of the characters we love so dearly, especially Julian Slink, an absolute nightmare.  It means that I’ve done my job as an actor, which is truly gratifying.  I’ve been so fortunate over the years to have built up a fanbase of loyal supporters who have thoroughly enjoyed the hideous villains I’ve portrayed in shows like 24 (as UN worker, Charles Solenz), Black Sails (as Richard Guthrie) and Shooter (as Russian FSB agent Grigory Krukov). These are all despicable TV characters and as audiences, I believe there’s nothing more exciting than having a charming baddie to get our blood boiling.
HMF: Your character brings a level of reserved rage to the screen I haven’t seen in a very long time. I literally looked away for a moment during a scene and at first you were cool and calm, the next thing I see is someone else at the table having a very bad headache. What do you do to tap into that?
SM: It’s all on the page. The writing is excellent and quite specific, while we were fortunate to work with some of the top directors in the business, including Roel Reiné, Lin Oeding, Gregg Simon, David Straiton and James Roday. My job as an actor really is to focus on what energy I need to bring to each scene, whether it be that reserved rage or completely losing my shit – and if I can surprise an audience in the process, that’s an added bonus. The unpredictability of the character is what makes OMH so dangerous.
HMF: Finally, what can we expect from Mr. Heart later on in the show and what else can we expect from you after Blood Drive?
SM: Throughout the series Mr. Heart is in his boardroom, but when he finally leaves the building, well, that’s when things get really exciting.
I have a couple of action feature films and a new TV series in the pipeline filming in the UK and the States, so that’s something to look forward to. Watch this space.
HMF: Thank you again so much for taking the time. I’ve had a blast doing these interviews and each of you have been the consummate professional. It has been truly enjoyable.
SM: It was my pleasure and thank you for your support.  Fans can follow my daily ramblings on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @seancmichael
You can also find Sean online here…
Twitter/Instagram/Facebook @seancmichael
Be sure to keep tuning in to see more of this cast of characters and how they develop in this insane world that is the home of the Blood Drive!
Share with your friends

A Moment with Conrad Faraj

Posted on by Scott Lake

If you’re in the Ohio Film Scene then odds are you’ve heard of this man, Mr. Conrad Faraj. He started Conrad Studios from the town of Avon. Since then he has ventured out to LA and is still continuing his work. What follows is a great Interview with a great guy. Thank you Conrad for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with me.

HMF: As always, our first question is, what is your favorite Horror movie?

CF:  My favorite horror film is The Shining, which is also my favorite movie of all time. This is Stanley Kubrick at his best. Controlling all aspects of the story and atmosphere, and perfectly balancing psychological suspense and horror. I can never look at hotels the same way again.

HMF: For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve been in film. What was it that first attracted you to the wonderful world of film making, and how did you get your start?

CF:  Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to tell stories. I was fascinated by cinema from a very early age but it wasn’t until my teenage years that I decided to pick up a camera and make my own movies. It was the excitement of showing my work to people that kept me going. It drove me. Almost like showing a piece of art to someone. Of course, back then I was merely learning and teaching myself how everything worked. It’ll always be a learning process for me.
HMF: How long have you been making movies?
CF:  I’ve been making movies for 14 years.
HMF: What do you draw inspiration from when its time for you to sit down and write a new film?
CF:  Every film is different, and inspiration can kick in from all different sources. Sometimes its been music, art, fashion, or random bizarre ideas that pop into my head. Although lately, I’ve been drawing a lot of inspiration from films of the old masters of cinema. Auteurs like Ingmar Bergman, John Cassavetes, David Lynch, and Michelangelo Antonioni. Every time I watch one of their films it feels as if I’m entering into a dream.
HMF: Aside from Horror films, what other genres fall under the Conrad Studios banner?
CF:  Conrad Studios is known for a diverse range of genre films. Science Fiction, Drama, and Noir have been genres that we’ve been exploring lately, although we will be going back to horror in 2018 with a new series of slasher films.
HMF: What has been your favorite project to work on so far and why?
CF:  I don’t know if I have a favorite project that I’ve worked on. They’ve all been different, and special to me. I suppose the one that felt like the most “fun” was The Brave Souls Who Fought Against the Slave Vampire Women because we improvised the whole script, we shot it in a week, and everyone involved just had a blast. It felt like raw independent filmmaking, without rules or expectations.
HMF: As a director and actor, who are your biggest influences?
CF:  As a director my biggest influence will forever be Stanley Kubrick. The man was a genius storyteller, and a technical master. He understood character, story, and craft. As an actor, I’ve always had a fondness for Sir Laurence Olivier, because he was a true thespian who shined on film.
HMF: Not only are you a filmmaker, but you own your own studio named Conrad Studios. What led up to this happening?
CF:  Conrad Studios has been a part of me from my very first attempts at filmmaking. I wanted to make my films look legitimate, so in my early teens, I decided to create Conrad Studios. For a few months I changed it to Conrad Films Ltd., then went back to Conrad Studios. My dream is to be able to produce films for people, and present opportunities for filmmakers that they normally would never get on an indie film level.
HMF: Under Conrad Studios, you’ve released several great shorts and even feature length films. What’s the next step?
CF:  The next step for Conrad Studios is to generate a much larger buzz for our films. It’s almost as if our films have been lurking in the shadows, and those few who have managed to see our films, truly enjoy them. We want to branch out and hopefully within the year have a few films on Netflix and Hulu. Getting the right exposure has been the most difficult part for the studio, and that’s something that we hope to rectify within the next year.
HMF: Around the time you were getting the film Young Harvest, directed by Matthew Ward, on the festival circuit, I spoke to Mr. Ward and he mentioned a movement called New Hollywood. Is that movement still going and what is its goal?
CF: New Hollywood is “technically” still alive and kicking, although the practices of the movement are not as relevant as they were from 2010-2014. New Hollywood was basically a campaign for independent filmmakers to unite and help each other whether it’d be during the making of a film, or in the marketing/promoting of a film. The movement also called out for cheaper ticket sales during showings of our films, and quality content. It was a movement for filmmakers by filmmakers to try to revive the cinema-going experience, which has been slowly descending due to video streaming services.
HMF: Where do you see yourself and Conrad Studios 10 Years from now?
CF: 10 years from now, I’ll be somewhere over the rainbow with my fellow studio mates enjoying a cold shandy on a beach, while shining some fancy filmmaking award that may or may not be named Oscar. That’s the dream anyway! God, I hope I don’t sound too conceited!
HMF: What can we expect next from Conrad Faraj and Conrad Studios?
CF: Conrad Studios is now producing its very own Slasher Cinematic Universe, following the latest Hollywood trend to unite characters and story-lines together in multiple films. The key difference is that our content won’t have any source material. They will be 100% original films with original characters, all in the slasher genre, and with inter-connecting plots and characters. Our first one starts filming this fall in Lexington, KY titled “The Rave” directed by Matthew Ward. It’ll center around a psychotic clown-woman known as Lola. We plan to produce 6 original slasher films all the way to 2020, with one massive horror film connecting all the villains in one story. It’s a very big commitment, but I have enough faith in the stories and the filmmakers, that I think will make it all worthwhile.
If you ever have the chance to catch a film under the Conrad Studios banner, don’t pass it up. With that in mind, I know we here at HMF will be looking forward to any and everything that is released.
Share with your friends

An Interview with Model and Performer, Katie Kadaver

Posted on by Scott Lake
Share with your friends

Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

Posted on by Amanda

Cast: Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Alexa PenaVega

Director: Daryn Lynn Bousman

Synopsis:

In the future you are able to “finance parts”, body parts that is. The only problem with this, is financing is “killer.” An epidemic of organ failures breaks out in the world so GeneCo comes into play with the organ replacement. In this future, people are addicted to surgery and the drugs that kill the pain, murder is sanctioned, and a girl with a serious disease is running rampant trying to find her cure. She begins to learn about the mystery of her family and gets caught up with GeneCo. Will she get her answers and more at the famous Genetic Opera?

Review:

Director Daryn Lynn Bousman brings originality, adrenaline, and fun to the horror genre with this musical horror. With a cast full of familiar faces from all genres of movies singing their hearts out throughout the course of this movie.

When the world is wrought with organ failures, Rotti Largo (Paul Sorvino) comes up with an idea that revolutionizes the world. Organ transplants. You must finance these organs, but you must question yourself first, what happens if you don’t pay up? Repo Men come to collect and it’s not money they’re after. The Repo Man (Anthony Head) comes at night, no worries though, he’ll sing about it. Meanwhile, Shiloh (Alexa PenaVega) is beginning to rebel against her jail of a home and finds herself caught up in Rotti’s grasp. He leaves little ideas with her about her mysterious family, the possibility of a cure for her disease, and wanting to see more.

This film left me watching it several times more. The music is catchy (believe me, you’ll be singing these songs for months to come), the characters are extravagant, the scenes are beautiful, and I couldn’t take my eyes away. It was blood and gore galore, but it was also fun and left me wanting more. It’s got a perfect run time of 98 minutes, not too long, not too short (regardless of me wanting more). They explain everything perfect. I, myself, did not see any plot holes that weren’t covered. I really enjoyed the comic book style additions throughout the movie that explained back stories of the characters and did I mention how beautiful the scenes are?

The last tidbit about this movie I leave to you, is the most important person in it’s creation, the person that gave birth to the music, the movie, and my personal favorite character GraveRobber, the one and only Terrance Zdunich. He worked on this movie for almost 10 years giving birth to a creation that became so beautifully horrifying.

This movie is dark, bloody, creative, and well worth a watch. Even if it’s only once! It’s a must watch in my book!

 

Share with your friends

Playing With Dolls: Havoc – Interview w/ Rene Perez & Stormi Maya

Posted on by Stephen Ingves

Playing With Dolls: Havoc

An Interview With Rene Perez & Stormi Maya Alvarado

 

by: Stephen Ingves

 

For those out there who see the non stop reboots and retreads being churned out by Hollywood in obvious attempts at money grabs and are pretty well tired of the lack of originality, independent films can be a nice, welcomed change of pace. Yes you may not have the top billed leading actor or the multi-million dollar budgets, but many Indie films are the few remaining sources for what we are all craving from the movies, original ideas! Imagine that. Seems so long ago that kicking back with a flick that contained  an original plot and story was the norm. Now we get prequels to a  sequel of a reboot of a movie that we really didn’t care for the first time around! And it seems due to the fact that many big studios are just not willing to take the financial risks like they used to and instead take the safe route, especially in horror. Another reboot, sequel/prequel of an already successful franchise. And without that risk you are generally left with no reward.

However there are many talented filmmakers out there not named Spielberg, Cameron and Lucas who enjoy making movies because it’s their passion and first love despite facing the numerous hurdles of an independent filmmaker. It’s that passion and willingness to take risks that draw many of us at Horror Movie Freaks to enjoy and support independent films.

   In this article we not only take a brief, spoiler-free look at the fun and brutally well made Indie horror “Playing With Dolls: Havoc”, but we have the pleasure of sitting and chatting with one of the main stars of the film. Screenwriter, actor, producer, extremely successful model and at one time director of live theater shows Stormi Maya Alvarado.                            

   As well as the writer, director, editor and cinematographer of “Playing w/ Dolls: Havoc” and all around filmmaker extraordinaire Rene Perez. As a very successful filmmaker Rene has directed Danny Trejo in 2015’s “The Burning Dead” and Richard Tyson (who many will recognize from “Kindergarten Cop”, “Black Hawk Down”, “There’s Something About Mary” and “Kingpin”) in 2014’s “The Dead The Damned And The Darkness”

As many fans of horror know it’s difficult to come across a film we have yet to see. We are regularly asking each other for recommendations and I can honestly say if you are looking for a film check out “Playing With Dolls: Havoc. I had an opportunity to view it and I wish as I was taking notes that I kept count at how many times I caught myself placing my hand up to my mouth and uttering the words “Ohhh shhhit!” or a couple times it may have been “Ohhh fuckkk!”. And that was due to the old school slasher feel the film had combined with the new school gore-fest many of the kill scenes had that I and many I know love. As is the case with nearly ALL movies, especially horror, the brutality of some of the scenes may not be for everyone and that’s just fine. Movies are very much a personal thing and I honestly saw comments from people last night that said they hated the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. So to each their own but I for one love gore in my horror and if I could ask for an extra helping I would every time. I also don’t mind a little campiness or cheesiness at times in a line or a scene. It’s easy to pick apart dialogue in a film or acting in a scene but go back and re-watch some of the classics we enjoyed as kids and hold up on pedestals such as Friday the 13th and you will be amazed at what jumps out at you now that you didn’t notice when viewing it years ago.

There were also some good jump scares and a bevy of great practical effects big budget studios can take some lessons from. So there was a good mix of what I enjoy in a horror film as opposed to one of those movies that seems to focus on one of those aspects such as jump scares but has nothing else to offer. I actually have to say that I enjoyed the musical score that accompanied the film which I don’t tend to look for or even usually notice in a horror film. It just fit. And lastly I did enjoy the “killer” that was created. I never got the sense or feeling he was a direct rip-off of past films which was refreshing especially with how difficult it is to come up with fresh ideas with all that has been done in film over the past several decades.

 

With that I am privileged and thrilled to bring you Horror Movie Freaks interview with Stormi Maya and Rene Perez.

SI: Hi Stormi! Hello Rene! Thank you so much to both of you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to sit and chat about your careers and new film Playing w/ Dolls: Havoc!

RP: Thanks for having us.

SI: Of course I’m very excited to get to your new film but I’m sure fans and members of Horror Movie Freaks would love to learn a little bit about you both. Especially the beginnings of your careers and how you both got to this point. If you don’t mind I’ll start with you Stormi. From what I gathered you started your career by performing in community theater shows and at one time also wrote and directed them. Would you mind sharing a bit about your work on stage and what you enjoyed or possibly even disliked about your experience?

SMA: I love performing on stage, It gives me a rush that is incomparable to anything else. I started in theater so that I would gain more respect from the acting community. I also enjoyed spending time with the cast. You build great friendships….It’s like being in summer camp. I dislike not having proof of all our hard work.

SI: I can understand that.  How did you transition over to film? And what were the differences you noticed in the two avenues of entertainment in coming from a theater background?

SMA: I began training in film acting with mentor Shiek Mahmudbey, where I gained the confidence to audition and try film. With cuts, editing and different angles…It’s nothing like theater. Theater you get in the moment and keep going. Film breaks that moment…over and over again. “Butterfly Chasers” was my first featured film with producer Princeton Holt. Rene found me not long after on Facebook. Rene and I met in a film group on Facebook and immediately hit it off. He coincidentally was filming “Playing With Dolls” and was looking for an actress.

SI: Fantastic. Seems it was meant to be.  Hi Rene! I appreciate your patience. You really do have quite an extensive filmography that our members and fans really shouls check out. How old were you when you realized “this is what I want to do”? 

RP: I was born this way. I used to draw and write comic book stories as a child and I’d make little dramas with my G.I. Joe action figures. I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making stories. Those were just in my head of course. Not on actual movies.

SI: Were you attracted to and a fan of horror at a young age?

RP: I was a bigger fan of sci-fi and Star Wars and Star Trek were doing those genres better than ever in the 80’s when I was a kid. Although I wasn’t the biggest fan, horror was just the right playing field for me. There were (and still are) so many possibilities. I was intensely attracted to horror from a very young age.

SI: Who were your favorite filmmakers & influences growing up? And what type of horror movies were you drawn to?

RP: Growing up my favorite filmmakers were people like Lucas, Spielberg, Carpenter, Leone. Those guys are kings but I can’t say that any of them are influences on what I do. I’m just a fan of theirs. I’m probably wrong in my approach, but I don’t study film or filmmakers. I happen to be a musician and I usually get my inspiration from music. Other peoples films have no influence on me for the most part. I’m just an audience member. I’m just a fan. I would watch the original Halloween every year when I was a kid. I even liked those bad sequels. Then I got into Phantasm 2 later when I was around 11 or 12. That one was a big deal for me. Then Nightbreed. When I was a teenager I worked at haunted houses. I had no idea then that the horror genre would be the focus of my career. I’m glad it is.

SI: Well that makes two of us after seeing your film and I love the perspective of your influence coming from music. I feel that’s somewhat unique. One of my favorite aspects of “Playing w/ Dolls: Havoc” was your use of practical effects. Do you feel we are seeing somewhat of a transition back to the use of practical effects by some filmmakers after it appeared films were relying too heavily on CGI?

RP: Most big budget movies are made by marketing and research committees now. They search the internet for trends and complaints. So if they hear enough people complaining about CGI, they take note. The Force Awakens had an entire marketing campaign specifically on that topic. I on the other hand can’t afford CGI FX nor do I care to use them. Besides, the “Playing With Dolls” movies are slasher movies. I would never use anything other than practical effects in a slasher movie or any horror movie for that matter. Even if I had a big budget, I would choose to spend that money on an actual gore FX make up artists like our team from Havoc.

SI: Love it! So who was in charge of and handled the set up & execution of the practical effects? And without giving away any scenes can you share any of the materials used that helped make everything look so real?

RP: I had the easy job of dreaming up the gags and then I left it up to Oliver Muller and Marcus Koch to make it a reality so that I could film it. They’re great make up FX guys. I’m not sure what materials they used exactly but I do agree with you, it does look real.

SI: So Stormi you interned for a distribution company and have produced films yourself so you definitely seem to have a love for working in the film industry. Were you drawn to horror and do you have a love for the genre in particular?

SMA: Yes I purposefully started working on the business side of film to understand my industry better. I love horror because it makes people feel vulnerable, helps them escape reality and has them expressing one of the strongest emotions just by sitting in their seat…fear. Plus I love the loyalty of the horror community. The cult following…

SI: I couldn’t agree more when it comes to the loyalty and family like feel amongst the fans of the horror genre. It’s extremely evident at conventions as you see thousands of strangers come together and be friendly and get to know each other. Then have have those bonds continue through avenues such as social media. Do you have any favorite or “go to” horror films when you’re in the mood for a good scare?

SMA: I love the Saw franchise. It’s not so much “scary” but it makes you think, and I love horror that makes you think.

SI: For you Rene, obviously as hard working and dedicated as Stormi is, she definitely began to make her own inroads in film. But what was it that caught your attention and made you realize you wanted to work with her?

RP: She stood out visually. She has a unique look and she also has a leading lady kind of look. I see beautiful women all the time in my line of work, but women who have that specific combination are hard to find. Stormi had those two qualities and when she told me she was also a stage actor, I was in. I knew I wanted to work with her.

SI: That’s awesome and some pretty high praise for you Stormi from a successful filmmaker! What was the experience like for you when you were first contacted by Rene?

SMA: I am wary of anyone I meet online but Rene seemed so legit so I allowed him to speak with me. After seeing his past work and credibility, I was thrilled to connect with him.

SI: Rene could you share a little about where the idea for the series “Playing With Dolls” came from such as where the name originated from and just in general a little bit of the background of “Playing w/ Dolls”?

RP: My boss at the time just told me that my next assignment was a slasher movie. I was so happy. I took it as an opportunity of a lifetime. I knew I had to create a unique killer and story but place it into the established Slasher genre. And the title came from the fact that Havoc plays with his victims which are dolls/hot chicks. And when I realized there was also a song by my favorite metal band – SLAYER!!!! I said wow. This is perfect. “Playing With Dolls” it is. 

SI: That is beyond perfect! Especially with being a Slayer fan myself for about 20 years. So how many films are in the series to date and what are your plans or thoughts for the franchise overall?

RP: There are 3 so far. Havoc is the 3rd, the newest and it stands alone. This way new viewers don’t have to know anything of the other two movies as they watch this new one. And yes I want to make more but it all depends on how things work out on Havoc. We’ve had a lot of piracy on the other two older movies in this series and that destroys us. If that happens again on Havoc, that would be the end of the series. Sadly. So to all who want to support Indie horror, please rent or purchase our movie. It’s currently available right now at Amazon.com or YouTube or go to www.pwdhavoc.com. It can also be found at Vimeo.com just search “Playing With Dolls: Havoc. And I think Stormi shares my hope for no piracy, Stormi?

SMA: I can’t stand piracy, it’s a few bucks! We spend months and days & nights for these movies and people can’t spare $5 to see our hard work. It’s a slap in the face. We are Indie movie makers, not millionaires. This is to pay our bills and eat not for trips to Dubai. Please respect and support art.

SI: I agree with you both 1000% and I’m not trying to sound holier than thou but I can honestly say I have never been on those sites to stream free movies. Years ago it was more out of fear of viruses but after being a part of film groups and becoming friends with and speaking to so many Indie filmmakers, I’m aware of the immense hurdles many have to face. I know of a few that I speak to regularly and due to the difficulties many face with distribution they are literally lucky if they make a cple hundred dollars.  I swear I’m not exaggerating and they are by no means hacks. they do good work but unfortunately it’s the nature of independent filmmaking. That’s why it takes all of our support and I refuse to make a difficult job even more difficult for someone just to save $4-$5 while still enjoying the fruits of their labor. And some will say if it’s that bad then they wouldn’t continue. But these are the individuals I mentioned earlier in this piece that make films because it’s their passion. And it’s that passion and persistence that is the reason I and so many at Horror Movie Freaks stand shoulder to shoulder in support of Independent filmmakers. And it’s also the reason why HMF will not allow our members to post or share free movie streaming sites within our group. I wish people would imagine themselves trying to start a company, pour their time, heart & soul into it only to find out there’s some out there creating fakes of what they sell or somehow otherwise taking money out of their pocket that they use to feed their family with when they are just barely getting by. These filmmakers can’t absorb that type of a loss the way a large corporation may be able to. Not that stealing from a lg corp. is ok either.

SI: Sorry for the rant but let me stay with you here on this one Stormi…You are involved in the television series “Changelings” which has a supernatural “horror” flare to it as well as the horror short “Hell Of A New Year”. So I was wondering what kind of differences are there when working on a horror film compared to some of the other projects that you have been a part of?

SMA: Horror requires a lot of reaction acting, showing pure emotion in your face and body and true authentic fear in your eyes. Horror you must be completely in that moment as if it were true. Horror acting applies more pressure because your face, body and voice will all be checked for authenticity by the viewers. 

SI: Those are all excellent points Stormi! Besides starring in “Playing w/ Dolls: Havoc”, would you like to share a little about your upcoming horror film “It Hungers” along with any information you’re able to share regarding “Cattle”…your other horror film in the works?

SMA: Rene has mentored me to produce my own feature film. So I hired him to write me a movie and direct it. “It Hungers” is set in 1978 following a beautiful outlaw named Rachel. Rachel is lured into the lair of a creature that feeds on Cortisol. When people become frightened their bodies become flooded with a stress hormone called Cortisol. There is a creature that feeds on humans, but only when our bodies are ripe with fear and flooded with Cortisol. Only then does it like the taste of human flesh. Only then will it feed. Like a chef preparing his meal, the creature unleashes a phantom to terrify her. A macabre clown. Once she is terrified to be consumed, the creature will move in for the kill. But Rachel is no ordinary girl and she is ready to fight to survive.

“Cattle” is a short Sci-Fi horror film. I wanted to display my acting and producing skills in shorts as well, another challenge. “Cattle” is set in 2060. The Boras, a divine species, has been discretely ruling over humanity for centuries. With humanity coming to an end, the Bora race has given up on their experiment but their absence means no hope for earth.

SI: Wow!!! With the lack of original ideas I was speaking of in Hollywood earlier, there are two that sound pretty fascinating right there! And Rene while understanding that our goal is to bring attention to your film “Havoc” that was just released, is there anything you would like to share regarding your upcoming horror “It Hungers”?  

RP: It’s a Killer Clown movie. It’ll be extreme horror like “Havoc”. It’s more of a haunted house type of a movie as opposed to real world Slasher. The Clown looks amazing and so does Stormi. We’ve got a unique story and we’re trying our hardest to make the scariest Clown movie for the horror movie community.

SI: Well with it in yours and Stormi”s hands and after just viewing “Havoc” I’m pretty excited and I’m positive the finished product will be absolutely badass! One last question if you don”t mind Rene and then you will both be free and allowed to leave! lol  You are also known as the music composer “The Darkest Machine”? What style of music is it? Do you strictly write or play instrument as well? And can this be found easily by fans if interested because I would love to hear your work if you can point us in the direction to find it!

RP: Yeah, that’s me. I’m a music composer. I play instruments and I sing. I do almost all the music scores to my movies. I did the score to “Havoc”. I score movies the old fashioned way. I sit in front of my piano and play while I watch the movie on a monitor. Then I go and make that into a full orchestra on my electronic keyboard. I have to play each track separately. It’s very time consuming and my fingers get sore but I love it. And you can find “The Darkest Machines” on iTunes. Thanks for asking about that. I rarely get to talk about music.

SI: Wait a minute, I happened to see the film before we spoke and wrote the opening to this interview about enjoying the score before I ever knew you were responsible for it! That makes perfect sense why it fit throughout the film. To have the writer and director also be the one to write the musical score as you’re watching the action on screen would understandably explain why it felt like a complete work of art that flowed and fit together! Fantastic work by both of you! Well I feel I have held you both hostage long enough! lol I know our members and horror fans will be in for a treat and be pleasantly surprised when they see the latest installment in the series “Playing w/ Dolls: Havoc”. And if you haven’t seen the previous films…2015’s “Playing With Dolls” and 2016’s “Playing With Dolls: Bloodlust”…What are you waiting for?! lol  Almost daily I see posts in our group from members asking for recommendations of horror films they haven’t seen before and many asking for the gore factor. Well here it is and you have 3 films if you’re looking for something new you haven’t seen yet.

   We’re also looking forward to both of your upcoming horror films “It Hungers” and “Cattle”. Thank you so much Stormi and Rene once again for taking the time to talk to us at Horror Movie Freaks! You are both part of the family and you both will forever have our support! Thank you everybody and just below check out the trailer to the extreme horror film “Playing w/ Dolls: Havoc”. And please, remember to always #SupportIndieFilm….#SupportIndieHorror and as a family we stand #HorrorUnited!

RP: Thank you for supporting Indie Horror and thank you Stephen and Horror Movie Freaks! 

SI: Our pleasure and to our members and horror fans please enjoy the trailer to “Playing With Dolls: Havoc” here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4n7MffgJP8   and rent or purchase the film here  www.pwdhavoc.com

   

 

 

Share with your friends

An Interview with The Scholar, Darren Kent

Posted on by Scott Lake

The streak continues…we’ve had the pleasure of talking to James Roland, the Creator of Blood Drive and Andrew Hall, the man who plays The Gentleman. Well, now I have had the pleasure of talking to Darren Kent, who portrays The Scholar on Blood Drive. Darren is an absolutely brilliant and hard working actor, director and writer and is beyond humble.

We hope you enjoy this interview and remember to tune in to Blood Drive, Wednesdays at 10:00 PM EST. on SyFy. You don’t want to miss this show or The Scholar. Well Freaks and Bleeders on to why you’re reading this.

HMF: We start our interviews with one main question. What is your favorite Horror movie? 

DK: The Saw Collection

HMF: What actor or actress was your biggest influence to act?
DK: David Jason is my favourite Actor and my inspiration. His role as Delboy in the national treasure TV show Only Fools and Horses for me, is a master piece!
HMF: What was your first passion in film? (acting, writing etc…)
DK: I have my own Film Company Harper Brothers Productions. I Write, Direct, Produce and Act so this is a difficult one, however, to star in a Block Buster or a must see TV Show, will always be my first love.
HMF: You’ve appeared in several great horror films and shorts. How do they compare to the experience on Blood Drive?
DK: My first Film I starred in was Mirrors and it will always hold a place in my heart. But after a while, you become immune to the blood and gore and the SFX and not much surprises you. Until Blood Drive! These guys took it to a whole new level. Bodies being air lifted by a crane into the engines of a car is crazy! And this is just a tiny taste of the FX Blood Drive boasts about.
HMF: Was The Scholar your first role choice for Blood Drive?
DK: I only auditioned for This role and to be honest, it suits my look to a tea! I have not played a psychopathic  mechanical genius before or a character who is so complex. He is socially messed up and very vulnerable but extremely aware of his surroundings and needed by most racers! No-one knows cars or anything technical like The Scholar!
HMF: What was the draw of the role of The Scholar for you?
DK: I read the script and thought this show is crazy! but amongst the carnage and hell was this delicate, sensitive man who loves cars more than people. He is extremely interesting and loves to be heard and have attention. He doesn’t get it often , so when he does, its a beautiful moment for him. I have played many confident roles and loud characters so for me to be able to strip all of that away was a great test for me. I absolutely love playing The Scholar
HMF: Being a part of the duo known as The Gentleman and The Scholar, you’ve spent a lot of time with Andrew Hall. What is it like working with him?
DK: Andrew Hall is a real super star. I have seen so much of his work and was super excited to work opposite him. I learnt a great deal from him and he was so supportive and warming, I relaxed almost immediately when I met him. We would hang out on our off days and really grew a bond which helped us tremendously , especially leading up to our intimate scene in episode 2 lol
HMF: Without a doubt Blood Drive’s fan base known as the Bleeders, are an intense group of fans, to say the least. What do you think of their reaction to the show and to The Scholar?
DK: The #Bleeders are awesome. I love reading about there views and seeing them second guess the storyline and where its going! I have been so lucky to have had such lovely comments about the character and my performance. All actors love feedback and I’m so grateful to James Rowland for believing in me. I love how the #bleeders feel they can relate to The Scholar and if I can make them feel sorry for me and cheer me on to win the race, then I have done my job as an actor.
HMF: Of the aired episodes at this time, what has been your favorite scene to shoot?
DK: My favourite scene to shoot? ooh there were many. In later episodes there are so many moments I adored but my scene of the series would be with Alan (Arthur Bailey) in the diner in episode 2. I have just been dumped by The Gentleman and I’m feeling very low and hurt. The Scholar expects no one to care but when Arthur sits with him and talks softly with him, he really feels amazing and humble. Its a delicate scene with comedic moments but full of heart and sole.
HMF: What can the Bleeders expect from The Scholar moving forward?
DK: #bleeders have only seen a taster of the Scholar so far! Next week, Episode 7 is a brilliant episode for the Scholar. He will shock the #bleeders, I’m sure, as the race takes a new direction in the Blood Drive. By the end of the show, I’m hoping they will all be happy with the outcome but more importantly what happens to the Scholar and the choices he has to make.
HMF: What can Darren Kent fans expect from you coming up in the future?
DK: I have many things in the pipeline. I have just finished filming on a movie directed by Lenny Abrahamson (The Room) , The award winning Short Film Sunnyboy is being turned into a feature film later in the year too which is another incredible role for me, about a boy who allergic to the Sun! This is written and  directed by the amazing Jane Gull.
In November ill be Directing a WW1 movie to mark the end of the Great War.  (next year will be the 100th anniversary) this is starring Lee Mead and Jack Roth so I’m super excited about working with these two. I’m not sure what else could pop up but the more work the better! I love my job so much and would be happy to never have a day off from it! Although my mum may have something to say about that lol
HMF: We here at HMF thank Darren Kent for giving us such a great interview. It has been a lot of fun. There is so much more coming from The Gentleman and The Scholar and I for one cannot wait to see what happens.
Share with your friends

An Interview with The Gentleman, Andrew Hall

Posted on by Scott Lake
Share with your friends

The Red – A Film by Cameron Romero

Posted on by Scott Lake

I was recently treated to a viewing of the trailer for Cameron Romero’s latest film, The Red. Filmed on location at the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Even through the trailer of the film, you can see that Cameron has taken to the area and has captured the true atmosphere of how creepy the beauty of the Kentucky forests can be.

I couldn’t keep this one to myself so I grabbed the trailer and am putting it here for your viewing pleasure. I have a feeling that this is going to be a fantastic film. I also take it as a warning, not to venture into the forests alone.

Share with your friends