Troy Dennison's Blog, page 2

The House of Screaming Death

In September 2012, a group of slightly crazy people were putting the finishing touches to the award winning “Checking In” and talking about what to do next. From that came the anthology horror film “The House of Screaming Death” featuring four tales of terror related to a group of very special guests by a collector of the macabre known only as The Architect.

This is how we began our indie film, with a teaser trailer before our crowdfunding campaign – youtu.be/XcBwYa5JVVE just a little something for the curious. A tiny tidbit to whet your appetites for the scares that were yet to come…

Then we introduced special teasers for the stories from the film begining with “The Lady in Grey” – youtu.be/blLzGG42HOg

“The Witch in the Mirror” came next and gave us our first glimpse of the dark menace of the Necromancers – https://youtu.be/euvud9Rc3bA

A doomed attempt to track “The Vampyre” followed and the earth ran red with the blood of his victims – https://youtu.be/XblQFTZmEGo

A summoning of dark forces in “The Diabolique” teaser may open the gateway to the destruction of everything you know and love – https://youtu.be/aImCAy2t5Oo

In August 2015 an intensive shoot was undertaken using a variety of stunning locations and featuring some fantastic actors. The first full trailer gave us a taste of what was yet to come – https://youtu.be/OiUdB_BpbEQ in our little anthology ‪and begins to show the wonderful locations, high production values and amazing cast.

A week of pick-ups and additional scenes followed in February 2016 and then the film was turned over to the editors – the footage is spectacular! Tomorrow will see the release of a brand new trailer which finally reveals the identity of the film’s lead actor, something we’ve been keeping to ourselves for long months now (most of the cast and some crew have no idea yet who he is!). I’m pretty sure the internet will explode at 2pm on saturday and I’m looking forward to seeing how people react to our little film.

 

 

Checking In – Looking back (a behind the scenes special)

Almost a year ago an ambitious independent film project was screened for the first time to an enthusiastic audience. Checking In has gone on to be featured in film festivals across the world and won Best British Film at the London Film Awards 2014. The movie is now available on VOD for the first time and in celebration of its continued success we’re going to be visiting some of the cast and reflecting upon the film in a series of special blogs.

This particular post is a little different as we take a peek behind the scenes of what goes into making an independent movie in a real life hotel on a shoestring budget.

Director Leah Green talks to actor Michelle Cox (Sally) and musician Adrian Harvey prior to filming a scene for story #2 Sally & Tim.

Director Troy Dennison with DOP Ben Thompson preparing to film Nici Preston (Radka) in a scene from story #1 Ted & Mary.

Director Mark Adams talks to Laura Evenson (Jenessa) between scenes.

Katey Wilkins (Lady of the Night) in make-up during the filming of story #4 Ren & Kalpna.

Actors Conner McKenzy (Pete) and Tony Gibbons (Aaron) rehears one of the intense scenes for stoy #5 Pete & Aaron.

All of our amazing extras (and a couple of the directors) line up after shooting the intricate wedding scene for story #4.

Once filming is completed the long and arduous process of editing takes place.

Phil Stanley (Ren), Reynah Rita Oppal (Kalpna) and Katie Wilkins (the lady of negotiable affection) at the films’ premier at the Lighthouse cinema.

Some of the team gathered outside the hotel for a newspaper photoshoot.

Tony Gibbons (Aaron) being interviewed by Satnam Rana for BBC Midlands Today.

Rebecca Harris-Smith, Roger David Francis and Troy Dennison being interviewed by Carl Jones for Bigcentre TV.

A Q&A session with the audience following one if the films’ special screenings.

Click the image below to see the film’s trailer –

Checking in is now currently available on VOD at the following sites –

Vimeo Link (click image)

VHX Link (click image)

The Lighthouse

The light always burned.

There were other rules, but that was really the only one that counted. The light burned and everything we did was dedicated to that end. There was a time when I was a boy that the light only burned at night. It was a warning, keeping ships away from the vicious rocks that surrounded The Point. For almost two hundred years the lighthouse had been a signal warding off vessels. That changed as all things do and now the lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope; a last glimmer of salvation in the heart of the all consuming darkness.

The Point was connected by a thin causeway to Shandau Island and it sat like a finger pointing out into the deep grey waters of the Atlantic. The road was poorly maintained and it was only passable at low tide when the weather was favourable. I remember an entire fortnight when I was ten years old where the provisions ran perilously low because the weather was so bad that there was no way to reach us. We persevered; we always do out at The Point.

Sometimes I look back on my childhood and I barely recognise the boy I once was. He is a stranger to me, separated by the distance of far too much time. He had bright blue eyes and the curliest blonde hair. My hair is grey, my eyes dimmed by age and sadness. I seem to recall his unending thirst for answers to even the most trivial of questions and an absolute exuberance that only youth may hold. I miss those days, that innocence and the promise of limitless tomorrows.

My father was the keeper back then and it was his job to maintain the light and keep it running. He was good at what he did and I learned well under his tutelage. I remember his gravel filled voice and hands that seemed the size of shovels but were capable of the most delicate of electrical work. My father’s personality filled the rooms of the lighthouse and his spirit and enthusiasm carried us through the darkest nights.

For some I think the solitude of The Point would have been too much, but my father loved it here and I developed similar feelings over the years. I never resented not having others around because I never knew another life. The views from The Point were always breathtaking come fair weather or foul. And it was never quiet here; there was always the percussive rumble of the waves beating a rhythm against the bedrock we stood upon.

I can reach out my hand to touch the cold concrete wall and feel the vibrations from the swell of the ocean. I have always imagined that this background noise is what people in the city felt. Of course I have no way of really knowing because I never had cause to visit a city when I was young and now, well things are different. The waves are percussion, the cry of the gulls are strings; there is exquisite music here if you know how to listen.

After my father passed I stayed at The Point, maintaining the light and tending the radio. Supplies came across the causeway twice a week (weather permitting) and my life was a simple, fulfilling one. I helped to save lives each and every day and that feeling of duty carried me through dark days and bleak winters. Even with my father gone I never truly felt alone, or perhaps I just became used to the solitude, hardened to the isolation.

After The Collapse everything changed. The dark dust clouds took away the sun, and the electromagnetic storms destroyed just about every form of communication we had. The electricity stopped flowing and eventually the fuel reservoir ran empty. The light went out and in the absolute darkness that wrapped itself around me I almost lost all hope; almost.

I remember as a child I would hold my hand up towards the sun and feel its warmth upon my skin. I used to marvel at how far that heat had travelled; ninety three million miles. I could vaguely grasp the incredible distance but I struggled with just how hot it would feel to be closer to the sun than I was. We took the sun for granted, and why not? After all it had always been a constant in our world. We had worshipped it, sacrificed to it and loved and feared it in equal measure. We could barely imagine an existence without it and when that world arrived we were unprepared.

I nearly died in the Fimbulwinter that followed The Collapse, countless millions more did perish. I fear that the afterlife or Heaven or whatever else awaits us beyond this world was ill prepared for such multitudes of souls. My food ran out days after my fuel and I braved the causeway in the depths of a howling storm. I remember the dust and the darkness and the journey to Shandau that seemed to take an eternity. My lungs burned, my legs ached, my exposed skin was savaged by the dust storm, but somehow I made my way to land.

I was crawling on my knees, sobbing with agony when hands drew me from despair into warmth and light once more. I was half blind and delirious with pain but I still remember how sweet and fresh the sips of water I was given tasted. The commune on Shandau had been mocked for years. They were called hippies and dropouts, their quest for alternative power and naturally produced food was only met with derision. They were our salvation.

The towering wind farm provided power to the small community and now that the wind never ceased the power was constant. It generated light and heat and sustained the insulated tunnels that the crops grew in. The commune had everything it needed to survive The Collapse; almost everything. The only thing the community truly lacked was people. I would have joined them but I am too old and set in my ways and far too used to being alone. Even though I was grateful to them I did not wish to join them. But there was something that I could do and I could do it far better than anyone else.

It took some time as such things do, but we restored power to the lighthouse and I returned home. Now though, instead of shining only at night The Point was ablaze with light all the time. My home became a shimmering beacon of hope in the vast darkness that threatened to swallow our world. I showed the way and people came. There are seventeen families at the commune now, and even though I still live alone I am part of their community.

It feels good to be surrounded by warmth and light, conversation and companionship. I like belonging and I still have my duty to perform, and while I am isolated I am never truly alone. The storm endures, but so does the lighthouse at The Point. Even in the darkness of Fimbulwinter my heart is as light as the beacon I tend. We may never see the sun again, but we have our own ray of hope; the human spirit will endure, and that light will never be extinguished.

T. Dennison 14/06/2015

Inspired by the work of Andy Simon – Darkslide Photography

Checking In – Looking back with Aaron #8 in a limited series

Almost a year ago an ambitious independent film project was screened for the first time to an enthusiastic audience. Checking In has gone on to be featured in film festivals across the world and won Best British Film at the London Film Awards 2014. The movie is now available on VOD for the first time and in celebration of its continued success we’re going to be visiting some of the cast and reflecting upon the film in a series of special blogs.

In this continuing series of interviews we have the extraordinary Tony Gibbons.

Tony being interviewed by Satnam Rana for BBC Midlands Today

Can you tell us a little bit about your character in Checking In?

My character Aaron is a young gay man who on first appearance seems to be totally happy in his skin, and much more comfortable with his lifestyle than Pete, who is still struggling with his sexuality. As the story plays out though we see that it hasn’t always been that way for Aaron, that he had to deal with bullying and other problems that come with being ‘different’, and although he appears outwardly happy meeting men for a bit of fun here and there, what he’s really searching for is a place, and a person, to belong.

What aspects of your character did you enjoy portraying most?

Although I am a straight man myself, I have a good number of friends who are gay, and so I am all too familiar with some of the issues they have to deal with from ignorant individuals. What I liked about Aaron was the mix of emotions, and the fact that as the story progressed I got to let his mask slip and reveal more than what first meets the eye.

What sort of preparation did you have to do for this role?

I generally just try to find and play the truth in a text, and live in those circumstances as if they were real. I thought the story was so well written that that made it an easy job!

What was it like working in a real life hotel?

It definitely added a sense of realism to the imagined circumstances.

What type of movie do you enjoy watching and why?

It depends! On my mood, my company… I like any genre as long as its well done… I actually really like a well done rom-com with some drama to them – indie romance… something like the film ‘Jesse and Celeste Forever’. And then there’s always those nights where a good (or REALLY bad!) action film is needed!

What was the most challenging aspect of the production for you?

I love my sleep and we shot through the night… depriving me of my beloved sleep. It was worth it though!

Click the image below to see the film’s trailer –

Checking in is now currently available on VOD at the following sites –

Vimeo Link (click image)

VHX Link (click image)

Check back soon for another interview with the cast of Checking In.

Checking In – Looking back with Sally #7 in a limited series

Almost a year ago an ambitious independent film project was screened for the first time to an enthusiastic audience. Checking In has gone on to be featured in film festivals across the world and won Best British Film at the London Film Awards 2014. The movie is now available on VOD for the first time and in celebration of its continued success we’re going to be visiting some of the cast and reflecting upon the film in a series of special blogs.

In this continuing series of interviews we have the girl with a guitar Michelle Cox.

Can you tell us a little bit about your character in Checking In?

I play a young girl called Sally who has been a struggling musician for many years and is starting to feel overcome with the negative effects that brings. Her agent has just got her this hotel gig, and by the end of it she is ready to throw the towel in.

What aspects of your character did you enjoy portraying most?

I really connected with Sally because, like her, I have been a struggling singer for many years, having to deal with the rejection and hardships. It was a beautiful story that I really could identify with and I hope others will take away a little of her renewed inspiration at the end of the story.

What sort of preparation did you have to do for this role?

Well actually I had to learn guitar. Funny story, in the audition I was asked if I could play guitar, and I said yes. Having never picked one up before, and me being a cellist, I thought how hard could it be? So after getting cast, I had two weeks to learn enough to look like I knew what I was doing!

What was it like working in a real life hotel?

I worked for Hilton hotels and I could definitely see how events that unfold in a hotel could make very entertaining stories on film. It’s a great, sociable job to have.

What type of movie do you enjoy watching and why?

Tough one. I like a good musical movie, with me being a singer as well as an actress. Things like Phantom of the Opera or Evita. Movies that make you feel something!

On set with writer/director Leah Green

What was the most challenging aspect of the production for you?

Playing guitar convincingly? No, I guess singing the song live was challenging. We literally did it in one take. What you hear on screen is live as its being shot. No studio production, just that.

Click the image below to see the film’s trailer –

Checking in is now currently available on VOD at the following sites –

Vimeo Link (click image)

VHX Link (click image)

Check back soon for another interview with the cast of Checking In.

Checking In – Looking back with Kalpna #6 in a limited series

Almost a year ago an ambitious independent film project was screened for the first time to an enthusiastic audience. Checking In has gone on to be featured in film festivals across the world and won Best British Film at the London Film Awards 2014. The movie is now available on VOD for the first time and in celebration of its continued success we’re going to be visiting some of the cast and reflecting upon the film in a series of special blogs.

In this continuing series of interviews we have our resident runaway bride Reynah Rita Oppal.

Can you tell us a little bit about your character in Checking In?

Kalpna is led by her heart and has to remain true to it- this can be mistaken for her being immature and slightly rebellious.

What aspects of your character did you enjoy portraying most?

I loved playing the parts where she came across as rebellious, running from the wedding and then hiding in the hotel!

What sort of preparation did you have to do for this role?

I thought back to times in my own life when I needed to undo a mistake I had made and felt desperate, I remembered that feeling and responded in a way that Kalpna would and not me.

What was it like working in a real life hotel?

It was fun being in a hotel and made it real for us!

What type of movie do you enjoy watching and why?

I’m an indie film lover. They tend to push a lot more boundaries and challenge me as a film lover. And I also find the acting is better too and with a lot of unknown names it makes the story more believable. The stranger the film the better!

What was the most challenging aspect of the production for you?

For me it was the wedding reception scene. That scene is a personal nightmare of mine so I had to keep focus that Kalpna wanted this so she must enjoy herself! It helped having supporting cast and crew in those moments!

Click the image below to see the film’s trailer –

Checking in is now currently available on VOD at the following sites –

Vimeo Link (click image)

VHX Link (click image)

Check back soon for another interview with the cast of Checking In.

Checking In – Looking back with Janessa #5 in a limited series

Almost a year ago an ambitious independent film project was screened for the first time to an enthusiastic audience. Checking In has gone on to be featured in film festivals across the world and won Best British Film at the London Film Awards 2014. The movie is now available on VOD for the first time and in celebration of its continued success we’re going to be visiting some of the cast and reflecting upon the film in a series of special blogs.

In this continuing series of interviews we have the excelent Laura Jayne Evenson.

Can you tell u s a little bit about your character in Checking In?

I would describe my character (Janessa) as a geek but she’s happy and confident with who she is. She knows what she enjoys and so she doesn’t care what other people think about it or what they think of her.

What aspects of your character did you enjoy portraying most?

I enjoyed portraying the relationship that grew between Janessa and Ed throughout the film. Janessa really helps Ed grow in confidence and makes him more comfortable with who he is. The most challenging aspect of the production was wearing that annoying wig; it made my head itch like crazy!

What was it like working in a real life hotel?

It was strange filming in a real hotel as their were still real guest staying and using all the facilities but it was fun all at the same time and easier to get into character and make the story feel real.

What type of movie do you enjoy watching and why?

I don’t watch many films unfortunately, as I struggle to find the time but when I do I watch a variety of different films depending on what mood I’m in. The last film I watched was Paddington on my flight to LA.

Click the image below to see the film’s trailer –

Checking in is now currently available on VOD at the following sites –

Vimeo Link (click image)

VHX Link (click image)

Check back soon for another interview with the cast of Checking In.

The House of Screaming Death – the terror begins

From the group of award-winning filmmakers that created Checking In, The House of Screaming Death is a very special horror anthology that celebrates the bloody best of British horror films.

This anthology film features four stories of heart-shredding terror, related to a very select group of guests by an enigmatic collector of the macabre – The Architect.

The core creative team are all massive horror fans, and because of that they know just what ingredients are required to produced a truly scary story; great characters, smart dialogue, wonderful locations, sumptuous costumes and of course some memorable and very bloody deaths.

Filming will commence in August at an exceptional location; the Manor House in West Bromwich – a 13th century, grade 1 listed building with its very own haunted history.

Pre-production is currently underway, but today marks the next big step in the quest top make this independent film as epic as it can possibly be – the Indiegogo  crowd funding campaign.

Four very special teaser trailers have already been produced utilising some of the shooting locations and serve to introduce you to each of the stories that will feature in the final film. Here are four eyecatch teases to whet your appetite for the full prequel trailers:

The Lady in Grey -Written & Directed by Troy Dennison

The Witch in the Mirror – Written by Mark Lees & Directed by Rebecca Harris-Smith

The Vampyre -Written & Directed by Dave Hastings

The Diabolique – Written & Directed by Alex Bourne

The final sequence of the film featuring the mysterious Architect will be Directed by Kaushy Patel.

Please,

Tell the world about the film! Pester everyone and anyone you know about the project.
Share the Indiegogo page; it shows you’re cool and your support is appreciated.
Like and share the Facebook and Twitter pages.
Check out the website.

Everything you do to spread the word about this film helps raise awareness of the project and could not only help these film makers reach their ambitious goal, but perhaps even surpass it.

http://igg.me/at/ScreamingDeath

http://www.facebook.com/HouseOfScreamingDeath

https://twitter.com/Screamin_Death

http://www.screamingdeath.co.uk/

Spread the word, let the nightmare begin.

Checking In – Looking back with Tim #4 in a limited series

Almost a year ago an ambitious independent film project was screened for the first time to an enthusiastic audience. Checking In has gone on to be featured in film festivals across the world and won Best British Film at the London Film Awards 2014. The movie is now available on VOD for the first time and in celebration of its continued success we’re going to be visiting some of the cast and reflecting upon the film in a series of special blogs.

In this continuing series of interviews we have the talented David Claridge.

David Claridge on set.

Can you tell us a little bit about your character in Checking In?

As a character, Tim is a pretty selfish kind of person; only really interested in anything that may improve his own bank balance and image. He sees Sally as a bit of an inconvenience – he’d really rather be somewhere other than having to chaperone her at the hotel. His only concern is making a quick buck and he completely misses Sally’s talent. However, even if he did spot her potential he probably wouldn’t know what to do with it or how best to promote her. Tim is the archetypal small time agent.

What aspects of your character did you enjoy portraying most?

It’s always great fun to play the ‘baddie’ and mess around with that part of our psyche as an actor. Maybe this is because it’s so far away from our natural (or conditioned?) inclination.

What sort of preparation did you have to do for this role?

To prepare for the role I did a lot of reading about bad experiences that new artists have had with agents. Many people have felt bullied by their agents into jobs that they were uncomfortable with and been left with a small payment after the agent’s cut. I really tried to channel this bullying element (which, thankfully I’ve never experienced myself).

What was it like working in a real life hotel?

Filming in a real hotel rather than a studio set gave a real authenticity to the situation. It was quite quiet at the time of filming so there were not many clients around.

What type of movie do you enjoy watching and why?

As a father of two boys, comic based action films have become the norm in our house over recent years!

What was the most challenging aspect of the production for you?

Possibly the hardest part of any shoot, especially a short one (I was only on set for one day), is walking into a room of faces you’ve not seen before or only met briefly, working out who does what and functioning as a team from the off. Everyone on Checking In, both crew and my fellow actor Michelle made this aspect easy -it was as if we were a well oiled machine of creativity.

Click the image below to see the film’s trailer –

Checking in is now currently available on VOD at the following sites –

Vimeo Link (click image)

VHX Link (click image)

Check back soon for another interview with the cast of Checking In.

Checking In – Looking back with Ted #3 in a limited series

Almost a year ago an ambitious independent film project was screened for the first time to an enthusiastic audience. Checking In has gone on to be featured in film festivals across the world and won Best British Film at the London Film Awards 2014. The movie is now available on VOD for the first time and in celebration of its continued success we’re going to be visiting some of the cast and reflecting upon the film in a series of special blogs.

In this, the third in a series of interviews we have the wonderful Ernest Vernon.

Can you tell us a little bit about your character in Checking In?

Ted is the classic henpecked husband who likes nothing more than to fight back with his quick witted, razor sharp retorts and unkindly put downs, in his feeble attempts to keep his sharp tongued wife in check… after all, at his age, and after fighting off any potential mid-life crisis, and enduring such a long suffering nagging relationship, he has had to put up with this situation for years.

He never quite gets the feeling of satisfaction of gaining the upper hand in his relationship, because in his mind, that inconsiderate dragon of a woman keeps coming back for more… and the frustrating, bare faced cheek of it all is she will not be told! How can he ever have the last word, if she keeps coming back for more?

Although feeling somewhat plagued with a wife that can nag for England, and often having devious thoughts of either acquiring ear muffs for him or a gag for her… he still could never imagine his life without her.

Deep down, although he would never admit it, he quite likes her antics and quite likes the challenge… after all, how can you have a meaningful fight, without a sparring partner. Even better if it is a partner that can give as good as she gets.

Sometimes, heated arguments and the trading of insults may be all you need to keep a romance going, a way of life to match no other. Ted certainly thinks so, and where would he be without all this irritation and discomfort in his life… keep the insults coming is his motto, there’s plenty more sharp retorts where the last one came from!

What aspects of your character did you enjoy portraying most?

Ernest Vernon as Ted with Suzanne Kendal-Morgan as Mary

To play the character of Ted, a certain amount of comic timing needed to be taken into consideration, although the overriding intention was for the situation to be comical more so than the character. Ted needed to be a real life character in a bickering and desperate situation that fought back with quick witted, sometimes amusing replies… but never a comedian, and some thought needed to be put into that. I enjoyed the challenge of creating a character that could be seen to be a long suffering victim, by the viewer, while at the same time showing him to be resourceful at fighting back.

I enjoyed the challenge of portraying a character that was being absorbed into an antagonising barrage of insults and put downs, with only his sharp wits and retorts as a mechanism of retaliation… still trying to keep his cool, possibly a bit on the sarcastic side at times, but hopefully never too nasty. It was important to maintain a coolness about the character, as the challenge was to keep him more as a henpecked likeable character than a nasty villainous overbearing one.

I suppose the most enjoyable aspect of the character of Ted, was portraying his sharp wit and amusing quick retorts to fend off any potential failings or criticisms that may be thrown at him.

What sort of preparation did you have to do for this role?

To prepare for the role I had to think of ways of observing and studying typical couples bickering with each other in similar situations. I figured that I could do this by either observing situations already acted out on film by actors or even take in real life situations, as normal life goes on around us. I immediately likened the situation to George and Mildred, certainly for the comedy, where Mildred portrays the ideal type of wife that constantly puts down her partner with scathing and sarcastic remarks. She easily could be Mary, but without the kleptomaniac tendencies. Ted, however, is not as under the thumb as George, and perhaps more quick witted and able to fight his corner. So already, with a bit of manipulation for Ted, here was a situation that could be taken into consideration when preparing Ted for his nagging wife, certainly in a comedic way. Elements of Basil Fawlty and Sybil also sprang to mind, typically a henpecked husband partnered with a domineering woman, competing as to who wears the trousers.

I found that even going on a trip to the local supermarket, can at times throw up an amusing situation with couples having a disagreement on what goes into the trolley. They don’t intend to be amusing and probably do not even realise they are bickering in public, but nevertheless this is good observational material to character build and think… hmmm, I wonder how Ted would react.

Reading through the script, the character of Ted seemed to immediately jump out to me and as the bickering, tit for tat dialogue was revealed I could already see traits and mannerisms for him. I suppose in a way the preparation for the character, in the mind, had started already. I felt I was Ted from the first script read through.

What was it like working in a real life hotel?

The location organisers have to take great credit for securing the Barons Court Hotel as a film location. Many films can have scenes shot or part shot in a studio with mock designs for all types of situations, or even make do with a similar surrounding to the real one intended, but you can never get a better feeling to act out a scene than at an authentic, real location, fit for purpose.

The scenes that I was involved in required an en-suite bedroom, a corridor, a restaurant, a reception area and a car park, so to be in an actual hotel to shoot those scenes was perfect. Everything not only looked authentic and believable from a buildings and location point of view, but also acting out the scenes was also helped by feeling that you were resident at an actual hotel.

Props were also cut down to a minimum, as required elements for filming were already in situ. It was a good feeling to know that from the bedroom scene at the beginning of filming, right through to the breakfast scene and car park scene at the end of filming, everything was readily available and just seemed to fall into place.

What type of movie do you enjoy watching and why?

I like most genres of film and will watch most things within reason.

However, I do particularly enjoy horror, supernatural, science fiction, thriller and suspense movies. I think the reason for this is because I grew up with them. I seemed to enjoy the feeling of being scared of what might happen next and the suspense of how it all might end.

As a boy, my imagination would always run wild with the likes of monsters, ghouls and ghosts after watching scary films or dramas, and although for a while I might have been afraid to go to bed, I would always eventually realise that it wasn’t real… (or was it?) after trying to put my mind to other, less scary things.

I suppose the it’s the early stuff that gave me the bug, things like Doctor Who, Quatermass, The Outer Limits, The Invaders, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Hammer Horror and so on, and the scariest ones I can remember as a youngster that certainly had a frightening effect on me was The Skull, The Pendulum and The Pit, and The Beast With Five Fingers. I think another reason I liked these types of film, and why they made an impression on me from an early age, was how the characters were portrayed by the actors of the day, like William Hartnell, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff .There are many more, of course, but they all had a part to play in hooking me to the horror movie and the macabre. They were so believable and watchable to me at the time.

Then following on from Halloween and Friday 13th, through countless horror movies and franchises, onwards to the present day, I would like to thank all those talented horror and supernatural writers, producers and directors that keep us on the edge of our seats, and if you are like me, unable to resist the temptation of watching the latest offerings to tingle the spine. Insidious Chapter 3 is coming up!!

As filming techniques and technology has progressed the horror and suspense movies have become even more impressive to watch… but never forget, the older ones are still good ‘uns!

What was the most challenging aspect of the production for you?

Well, learning lines is always a challenge to me. As the dialogue between Ted and Mary was sometimes quick-fire with plenty of back and forth bickering, I was constantly aware that the lines needed to be as close to the script as possible, to keep the quips meaningful and flowing. The timing was crucial from a comedic point of view, because by contrast some of the lines needed pauses, as the character needed relevant reflection time, before delivery of the next line. This was my first major attempt at a comedy role and having been given the chance, I so desperately wanted things to work and to try and raise a smile in the right places… to me this was a challenge, but one I wanted to grasp.

I think this challenging aspect just about rises above the copious applications of shaving foam, the endless bowl of honey nut loops at the breakfast scene ( I think the bowl was bottomless, and I now prefer crunchy nut cornflakes).

Click the image below to see the film’s trailer –

Checking in is now currently available on VOD at the following sites –

Vimeo Link (click image)

VHX Link (click image)

Check back soon for another interview with the cast of Checking In.