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No Skinny Iguanas!

Anyone who knows me will attest that, among my many and varied interests, Godzilla and other Japanese sci-fi icons (sci-ficons? Did I just invent a geek-culture term, ala Forry Ackerman?) occupy a lofty space. I’ve been a fan of the The Big G, as we “Otaku” (nerds) affectionately call him, since I was around five, and that interest has never left. It was because of Godzilla, I would say, that I came to be obsessed with Asian culture/martial arts (a Godzilla/Green Hornet double feature introduced me to Bruce Lee), weird cinema (doesn’t get much weirder than Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster) cryptozoology, and hell, probably heavy metal, if one were to make the connection between that Blue Oyster Cult song and the musical genre that grew up around BOC, Sabbath, etc.


If you haven’t heard, Legendary Pictures and Warner Brothers, with some help from Roy Lee, who has brokered deals leading to remakes of several Japanese properties, including The Ring, Dark Water, The Grudge, etcetera, have secured the rights to create a big budget Hollywood film featuring Godzilla, directed by Gareth Edwards of the indie hit Monsters, to star (you’ll always be Malcolm’s dad Hal to me, Bry), Ken Watanabe, Juliette Binoche and even Akira Takarada–star of the very first Godzilla film, way back in 1954.

We’ve been down this road before of course; former tent pole movie flavors-of-the-month Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich produced their own take on the famous monster for Tri-star back in 1997, and while it can be considered a financial success, most Godzilla fans, casual and fanatical alike, were severely disappointed. as there was no real sense of it being anything other than  a generic giant monster movie. Certainly, it was not a Godzilla movie. The beast himself was represented as an awkward lizard mutation with an expressionless, blocky head sitting atop a lithe and raptor-like iguana body; pretty much the opposite of the Godzilla we’d all come to know. Worse, it (no gender can be assigned, as the monster was said to be asexual, in yet another deviation from the mythology) ran from the military, whereas the Japanese Godzilla, the real Godzilla, would never run from a fight–that’s part of who he is after all, and why we love him.

Last week, the annual big-ass nerd orgy known as Comic-Con came to San Diego, and while it’s doubtful that any virginities were endangered, there was much to be seen from Legendary regarding their stab at the franchise. An exhibit called Godzilla Encounter treated attendees to the experience of evacuating an elaborate noodle shop-turned-attack site, including a dramatization of G walking past an office set–then turning back, having detected the hapless evacuees.

At a panel presentation promoting the upcoming film (which finished shooting a mere day prior), a teaser was shown, giving con-goers a glimpse of our hero’s feet and body–but not the head. Several early design concepts were on display, including maquettes, a bust and some drawings; accompanied by the disclaimer that none of these represented the final product.

Footage of the encounter has found its way to the internet of course, and been subsequently removed, thanks to legal action from Legendary. It’s not too hard to find grainy stills, and artist Bob Eggleton, who has created countless comic book covers and posters of Godzilla, even penciled a sketch based on the footage. 

Still, Legendary/Warner remain coy with the final design of the iconic monster; a move whose reasons can only be conjectured, in light of the massive wave of disappointment that erupted from fans when Tri-star finally revealed their misbegotten makeover. They admittedly want to avoid the mistakes of the past–yet here we the fans are, scanning poor res, clandestinely shot phone footage for the barest glimpse of the new design.Throughout his near-sixty year film career under the auspices of Toho Studios, Godzilla’s appearance changed often and at times significantly, from terrifying, to friendly to downright goofy. Still, Godzilla’s fans accepted him, as long as he maintained a handful of basic recognizable attributes.

Thick, trunk-like legs to support his massive weight, a rough, scaly, dark grey (only rarely green!) hide, short but powerful arms held forward like a wrestler, a thick neck, a reptilian head with hints of ape-like expressiveness, and of course, three rows of roughly-leaf shaped dorsal fins along his spine were the physical attributes. But Godzilla has a certain personality as well, a steadfastness, a savage destructive drive that raises goosebumps when set in motion. Yet there is something melancholy about his isolation, his status as, more or less, the only one of his kind. Godzilla is Frankenstein writ large, a thing made by men as a mere side effect of a greater experiment, that has grown out of control and become the target of man’s own destructive instincts.

I’ll go out on a limb and say that if Legendary nails this, fans will accept virtually any reasonable variation of the basic design. No skinny iguanas, no bold new interpretations for the digital age–give us a monster king that looks like a guy could wear that suit, if need be, and make sure there’s some other beast, the ass of which Godzilla is pre-ordained to kick, and I think we’ll all see eye to menacing eye.

Here’s my favorite of many versions of Blue Oyster Cult’s masterpiece, a ballsy stoner rock rendition from Fu Manchu

Finders Keepers FREE

Free on Amazon 7/25 and 7/26

Beast of Boggy Creek sighted in Ghoultown!

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Lyle Blackburn of Fouke Monster and Ghoultown fame!

Lyle Blackburn

Lyle Blackburn is a frequent contributor and cryptozoology advisor to Rue Morgue magazine, one of the leading horror media publications in print today. Lyle’s Monstro Bizarro blog is featured on Rue Morgue’s website and his “Monstro Bizarro Presents” news column appears monthly in the print magazine. He has also contributed to websites such as Cryptomundo.com, and has been a featured speaker at paranormal conferences and horror conventions around the country.

Growing up in Texas, Lyle has always been fascinated with legends, lore and sighting reports of real-life “monsters.” He has studied the phenomenon in legend, fact and film, and is the author of The Beast of Boggy Creek: The True Story of the Fouke Monster.

Lyle is also the founder and frontman for the Texas-based rock band, Ghoultown. Since 1998, Ghoultown has released eight albums, toured extensively in both the U.S. and Europe, and has appeared on several horror movie soundtracks. Most recently, Lyle and his band collaborated with legendary television horror hostess, Elvira – Mistress of the Dark, to create her new theme song, which was also turned into an extended music video. The video was featured on Elvira’s Movie Macabre television show, which is syndicated throughout the U.S. on local stations.

Your book The Beast of Boggy Creek: The True Story of The Fouke Monster has been selling consistently well and receiving great reviews. It even has a Video Promo. How long did you spend putting it together?

From the time I started researching and writing, it took one year.  Of course I had prior knowledge and experiences that went into the book, but as far as from the time I drove up to Fouke with the intention of book research to the date I finished and got a publishing deal, it was almost one year exactly.  During that year I went to Arkansas many times to conduct interviews, visit the Texarkana libraries, and even go into the swamps and woods myself so I could investigate some of the sighting locations.

Word is there’s a follow up in the works. Can you tell us anything about it yet?

One of these days I plan to write a follow-up to Boggy Creek, but it’ll be awhile before I start.  Since releasing the book, I’ve already investigated several new Fouke Monster sightings, found out about some more old ones, and also dug up some more interesting facts that will make for a great book.  But it still needs time to develop more before starting that.  There’s still stuff coming in so I don’t wanna jump the gun.  In other words, I don’t wanna throw out some sequel just because the first book was popular.  It needs to be worthwhile for myself and the reader.  In the meantime, I have a list of other cryptid books I plan to write, not to mention I just finished a new book that will be out this fall.

When did you start hunting monsters? Was it something you always wanted to do?

I was always interested in strange creatures like bigfoot, yeti, and lake monsters, but never really considered going out to look for them until much later in life.  After seeing The Legend of Boggy Creek as a kid, I did look over my shoulder when we hunted or went camping in Arkansas, but my interest was mostly confined to reading other people’s accounts in books.  Then after years of playing in bands, which pretty much confined me to the jungles of nightclubs and music venues, I decided to cut that off and start getting back to my love of the outdoors and monsters.  I started with bigfoot research, which led to the book, which has now led to most of my time being spent researching cryptids both in a scholarly way and in the field.

The Legend of Boggy Creek was a major inspiration for my novel Progeny as well. You’ve amassed a comprehensive list of Bigfoot flicks. What are some of your favorites?

My favorite, of course, is The Legend of Boggy Creek.  For me it not only satisfies my craving for scary bigfoot tales, but also reminds me so much of my childhood going through small towns like Fouke on the way to bow hunt with my dad.  There was always something creepy about old towns, as if they held monstrous secrets that outsiders could never know.  Such is the basis for many other horror films, I suppose.

Some of my other favorite classic bigfoot films are Creature From Black Lake, Sasquatch: The Legend of Bigfoot, and Snow Beast.  As far as new films, I like Savage and one that was never widely released called Paper Dolls.  But the best of the new crop, and my favorite besides Boggy Creek, is Bobcat Goldthwait’s Willow Creek.  It’s not released yet, but I had a chance to see a special screening of it last month.  It’s simply amazing. Something that people probably won’t expect from Bobcat, but certainly one of the best bigfoot films – if not one of the best horror films – I’ve seen in awhile.

Ever had any weird incidents when you were out in the field doing your research? 

I’ve a had a few.  The most notable was when myself and a friend were canoeing in an Arkansas bayou late one night.  We heard six evenly spaced howls that sent chills up our spines.  We’ve heard all kinds of animals in the woods over the years, but this was something altogether different.  It was a large animal that sounded very unique.  Luckily we got one of the howls recorded.  Back at home I listened to numerous sound clips of animals common to the area, but couldn’t find any matches.  To this day, I’m not sure what we heard.

In previous interviews you’ve stated that you are more inclined to the theory that sasquatch and its variants are flesh and blood creatures, rather than interdimensional travelers with supernatural powers. Does this extend to other strange topics, such as UFOs and ghosts? In other words, have you pretty well ruled out validity of paranormal phenomena?  

Not necessarily.  I think it depends on how we define paranormal.  By definition, unidentified flying objects undoubtedly exist.  People do see strange lights and crafts in the sky.  The question is, are they driven by an extraterrestrial force?  Nobody can conclusively prove that one way or the other, so it certainly falls into the category of paranormal until we have more concrete evidence to go on.  Ghosts too.  I think that people are seeing, hearing, and experiencing things that can’t be easily explained.  The question is, are these the immaterial forms of a dead people?  Again, nobody can say at this point, so that too falls into the category of paranormal.

If you somehow obtained indisputable proof of the existence of one of these creatures, what do you think you would do with it?

I would probably consult a few of my closest and most well-respected friends in the bigfoot research community so that we might be able to thoroughly document the evidence before going public.  Then I would probably hold a press conference or something so that no one could dispute that we had something before the government or some other major scientific organization moves in.  I think it would be an earth-shattering discovery to find something that is so human-like as bigfoot appears to be, so it shouldn’t be something taken lightly or made public in a haphazard way.

Like everything else, Bigfoot and his cousins have found their way to reality television and its ilk. Do you find this to be a positive or negative development for the science of cryptozoology?

It’s both good and bad, I guess.  It’s good, in that it makes people feel like they won’t be called crazy if they do report a sighting.  But bad, since reality television is not the same as thorough science or research.  People may draw conclusions about cryptozoology based on the approach of these shows, or even the cast members, when it may not necessarily represent what truly goes on in the field.

That being said, I personally don’t get all stressed out about these shows.  I understand that it’s entertainment television and I choose to enjoy the shows, or not.  I’ve even been on some of them.  Some of them are fun and some are kinda worthless, but overall I think it’s gotten the public fired up about the subject of mystery monsters, and to me, that’s not a bad thing.  So I just don’t spend much energy worrying about things I can’t really control.  I just try to write good books and present good lectures.  That’s the part I can control, so I focus my energies there.

What other anomalous phenomena interest you?

I’ve always been a fan of ghost stories and sightings.  I love creepy stuff, so anything like that is cool.  I just got the In Search Of… DVD set, so it’s fun to watch all the different episodes which cover so many weird things.  The world is always a better place when there’s a bit of mystery involved.

Onto music. Your band Ghoultown has been together since 98 which is a pretty long run for a band. How do you guys maintain the magic?

I think the secret to our longevity is that we don’t take it too seriously.  The music business can really kick you in the ass, so at the end of the day you just have to try and have fun doing what you do.  We’re also good friends, so that helps too.

On the Ghoultown website, the band bio concludes with the statement to the effect that you are not a part of any genre, trend or musical scene. Why do you feel it’s important to make this disclaimer–if that’s what it is?

I guess you could call it a statement of independence.  But really it’s just something that popped into my head as I was writing up the new bio.  It sounded cool, so that was that.

There’s no doubt that Ghoultown is a unique melding of genres. Who are some of your influences and favorites?

Spaghetti westerns and horror movies are the main influence for the band.  Most of the bands I listen to have no influence or relation to what I do in Ghoultown, so there’s not very much influence coming in from other music.

Of your own songs, which mean the most to you for whatever reason?

“Return of the Living Dead” is my favorite because I think technically, it’s the best song I’ve written.  Some of my other favorites are “Under the Phantom Moon,” Walking Through the Desert With a Crow” and “The Worm.”  I hardly ever go back and listen to our music once it’s been recorded and released, but these are songs I listen to and say ‘wow, did I really write that?’

Anybody ever tell you you look like that dude from Monster Magnet?

Yes.  The clerks at the big retail guitar store give me discount because they think I’m in Monster Magnet.  I just roll with it.

You’re secret’s safe with me bro–but I can’t vouch for the freakos who read this blog.

OH YES it’s FREE!

FREE ALL WEEKEND July 12-14 Progeny by Patrick C. Greene – From Hobbes End Publishing. Great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Action/Adventure, Coming-of-Age, “Monsters portrayed with realism and thoughtfulness. – “Not your typical horror.”  You can also enter for a chance to win a free autographed paperback copy of Progeny when you join the Facebook event on the Progeny page HERE Thanks and Happy reading!

The Super Returning of…PCG’S Quirky Queue!

MOVIE REVIEWS by Patrick C. Greene

TOURIST TRAP: Right before the slasher craze of the eighties, a double fistful of more surreal entries found their way to cinemas, including this gem. of all people, shows up to make your skin crawl, in a story that does a good job of capturing that elusive “dream logic” feel that can make a film seem like a nightmare.

THE FUNHOUSE: Very similar in tone and look to the above entry, but not quite as effective. Still, there are eighties-style shocks galore and some of the usual oddballery. I liked it.

THE RAID: REDEMPTION: The action spectacle I’d read raves about found its way to my DVD player, and delivered as promised. Simple enough siege story with from MERANTAU kicking asses from one and of a criminal-infested apartment building to the other. The intricate fight scenes will fill the bill for action junkies.

CREATURE OF DARKNESS: Few films have actually ever filled me with rage because of nothing more than the incompetence and utter lack of care that went into making them. This POS is on that short list. I will award kudos to the designers of the titular creature–but other than that, I hereby forbid anyone in my family or circle of friends from ever again mentioning this egregious mess.

DRAGON (WU-XIA): It’s a shame this recent Chinese release has such a generic title; it’s sure to get lost in the shuffle of martial arts films–and it deserves much better. The always excellent in another dynamic role (also working as fight choreographer, though there are only a handful of fights) opposite Takeshi Kaneshiro in a what can only be described as a historical action mystery akin to a Chinese period version of A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. Excellent on all levels.

A FORCE OF ONE: One of Chuck Norris’ earlier vehicles. So hopelessly dated there’s no way to recommend it, especially if you’re a martial arts fan. The fight scenes here are Norris’ worst without exception (yes, that includes “Yellow Faced Tiger”) but that’s mostly owing to utterly clueless and careless camerawork. Interestingly, the “helicopter kick” that Jean Claude Van Damme claimed to have invented is performed here by Eric Laneuville, years before JCVD’s advent.

2 DAYS: plays an actor who drafts a film crew to document the twenty four hours leading up to his planned suicide. Less depressing and edgy than it sounds, this low budget comedy, lensed on 16mm, is worth a look.

THE ABC’s OF DEATH: An anthology film with each entry based on a letter from the alphabet is a mediocre idea at best. After about C or D, the law of diminishing returns kicked in, with each entry becoming worse. Part of the problem is that most of the stories are more comedy than horror, and not very funny at that. A shame, because there are some true talents credited here. Full disclosure: I stopped watching after about H or I, when a torture scenario that involved child rape, among other things, suddenly drained away the last scrap of enjoyment. I get being edgy, but don’t go cheap, boys and girls.

UNDERTAKER: THE STREAK. I’ve long since given up on professional wrestling, but it’s nice to relive some of the highlights of my old favorites. Mark Callas, a.k.a. The Undertaker, is one of the most imposing and talented performers in the business, and his morbid gimmick strikes a chord with a horror fanatic like me. Really only of interest to like-minded folks.

 SPLICED: After a long string of disappointing horror viewings, I somehow managed upon this enjoyable 2002 ode to teen slashers. Drew Lachey, who I believe was in a boy band or perhaps an MTV “program,” leads a cast of good-looking high schoolers in the tale of a horror movie icon seemingly come to life. It’s like a tribute to with elements of both SCREAM and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET coming into play, and handled fairly well at that. (Editor’s Note: Drew Lachey is brother to Nick Lachey, who was indeed in a boy band.)

11-11-11: Dripping with creepy atmosphere and a sense of dread, as well as some fine performances and nice direction by SAW vet Darren Lynn Bousman. So why did it seem to lie so flat to me? Maybe it’s the now-cliched twist ending.

Stay tuned for future installments from PCG’s Quirky Queue!

Horror Reviews by PCG

VICIOUS by BRYAN W. ALASPA

<<<< PROGENY and Bryan Alaspa’s deadly dog opus VICIOUS both came out around the same time a few months back, and I was immediately intrigued to see how another author might handle a similar set up, that of a small group trapped inside a cabin while angry beasts stalked them from without.

 

 

It’s not a new premise; basically it’s the Alamo. But as often as we might see it in horror films and fiction, a truly great writer will manage to draw suspense and surprises from the recipe. Bryan Alaspa has done so; in spades.

 

Those surprises you will have to experience for yourself; no spoilers or even hints here. I will say, you might need to take a break every few pages and catch your breath. The suspense, the scares and yes, the heartache is all very palpably there. Characters you care about in a plausible scenario conveyed via deft prose that keeps you in the story. One really cannot ask more from a writer.

 

A note about the alternate ending: I haven’t read it; at least not yet. The original ending was perfect for the story; not an easy out for anybody. Soon, curiosity will have me back at this book, discovering what “might have been,” so to speak. Meanwhile, Bryan has an impressive output under his belt, which I’ll have to investigate.

MARK PARKER’S LUCKY YOU >>>>>

 

A few hundred years ago, I worked the door at one of A-Town’s more popular nightspots, a joint called Encore. It was there, I’m pretty sure, that I cemented a nascent and healthy misanthropy, perhaps even a dash of misogyny, which took me many years and tough life lessons to shed. It’s not too difficult to spot remnants of this nihilistic philosophy in my writing, as I’ve mostly learned to channel it purely in that direction.

 

Mark Parker must have some degree of experience with this realm himself; he’s painted an accurate picture of the “types”-bouncers and the women around them- that populate the fringes of the world of nightclubbing. Mark’s lead character “Declan” is one such bouncer, for whom mindless, no-strings, after hours sex is just a fact of life. Without giving away too much, Declan discovers a new twist that brings much needed novelty to his overtaxed libido.

 

Parker’s not afraid of details; not in the sex and not in the horror. His prose is perfectly descriptive; not too much, not too little. His knack for phrase-turning is enviable; there were plenty of lines that had me nodding in appreciation.

 

Mark’s oeuvre contains some vampire and witch tales, to which I now greatly look forward. “Lucky You” is significantly different from those and other traditional horror tropes, and that’s a sign of promise. “Lucky You” comes Highly recommended.

The Summer of Zombies Blog Tour 2013: Todd Brown

 

Welcome all you ZOMBIE FREAKS! Today we are hosting Author Todd Brown.

When I first got into writing, I wanted to be a “serious” author. I never set out to be an author of zombie fiction. Of course, a very good teacher at the college level saw something in a zombie short that I wrote for her class and the rest is history so to speak.

Most of you who know me will know me because of the Zomblog series or the DEAD series. Believe me when I say this…I am so grateful for each reader. But what does a writer do when he is known primarily for scary monsters, “every-man” heroes, and sinister bad guys who roam the post-apocalyptic landscape of his (masculine pronoun being appropriate here since we are talking about me) mind? How does he carve out a new niche that will keep his core base of readers and hopefully appeal to more? After all, a writer’s goal should be to have his (or her…I can be sexually generic here since I am including all of us “writer” types) work read by the masses. Right?

When I sat down to write That Ghoul Ava, it was initially as a way to thank one of my first readers and fans.  The woman I wrote this for used ‘ThatGhoulAva’ as her Twitter handle. Since she enjoys sarcastic humor and has quite the acerbic nature, I wanted Ava to be a character that she would relate to. However, I really enjoyed writing the short. As it developed in my mind, I was pretty certain that I had the makings of a very fun series if I pursued it.

Fast forward a few years and I finally decided to give Ava the time she deserved. The thing is, I am pretty sure that this series has the potential to be very successful. I made my living early in my radio days writing comedy bits for morning shows. My newest release, That Ghoul Ava & The Queen of the Zombies, is what I am billing as a horror comedy.

Comedy, while subjective, is much more “mainstream” than horror. Don’t get me wrong, I will never be able to turn my back on the walking dead. That would be like if I were the lead singer of Flock of Seagulls and tried to disown the song “I ran” or something silly like that. However, I do believe that more of you zombie loving types will enjoy Ava. Whereas, if Ava becomes a commercial success, I don’t see as many Ava fans loving my DEAD or Zomblog books.

I guess that brings me to the point of this little semi-self-promotional missive. Can the people who love Mark Tufo’s Zombie Fallout series be okay when he strays off the path he has beaten so well and offers you Callis Rose (a winner for me, but I have seen mixed reviews from his fan base)? I love Brian Keene’s The Rising and City of the Dead, but I have read some of his other stuff and not been as impressed. David Wellington gave us Monster Island, Nation, and Planet. Then he went on to produce his 13 Bullets tale. I thought it was mediocre, and when he came back to zombies and wrote Plague Zone, it almost felt like he was doing it begrudgingly. It lacked the punch of his previous work…he lost his zombie mojo. I have said that Armand Rosamilia’s Miami Spy Games: Russian Zombie Gun is one of my favorites. But I know he has toyed with Cthulu-themed Lovecraftian horror. I worry about reading it based on the fact that I so love his zombie stuff.

I liken this to music. Some bands reach a zenith and break in to mainstream popularity. After they “hit the big time” it almost seems like the people who loved them when nobody else did feel slighted by anything they produce after they have their first hit. (Metallica…anybody else with me on that one? Did Enter Sandman ruin one of the best bands of my generation?)

With writers who shift to something other than what they have become “known” for, can their readers accept that change? Or is there a sense of betrayal?

As loyal readers, I do look forward to seeing what you think about this…especially since I am about to embark on just such a journey. And is it a feeling of betrayal? Abandonment? Do you think the writer is getting too big for his britches? Do you look forward to seeing if they can turn you on to something new, but in the style that you have come to love? Or…do you wait for them to come crawling back with a story that fits the mold of what you came to love about them in the first place?

Re-Post: APRIL SHOWERS BRING DEAD FLOWERS

Read the Blog here:   April Showers Bring Dead Flowers

A MAN POSSESSED – a film by SaintSinner Entertainment

Amel Figueroa of SaintSinner Entertainment is a true renaissance man, balancing his time between writing, directing/producing and coaching MMA fighters using catch wrestling as a base. Oh, he’s a dad too, to a cute little guy named Sebastiaan and a teenage son named Alessandro.

I first connected with Amel a few years back when he gave me a call to discuss my script SERAPHIM, which I had submitted to his company, the then fledgling SaintSinner Entertainment. While many producers had shied away from SERAPHIM because of its intensity, Amel enthusiastically embraced its content. Since that time, Amel and partner Brandon Brooks have been the driving force behind a handful of thrillers including THE QUIET ONES, THE BRIEFCASE, THE SICKNESS and the currently lensing A MAN POSSESSED.

Filmmakers Amel J. Figueroa & Brandon E. Brooks

Amel and Brandon make movies like the true indie film pioneers they are, putting every penny and every ounce of their considerable love for the art form right on the screen where it belongs.

Having come on board A MAN POSSESSED as a producer, I cornered Amel to learn more about the project, and how film fans can get involved in its completion.

Q: What is A MAN POSSESSED about?

A: A MAN POSSESSED answers a question we have all seen in film whether it be Death Sentence, Death Wish, or Drive, and the question truly is what would a person go through mentally and physically to regain a love lost let alone what would they do to have revenge? Who would get hurt in a path of someone seemingly obsessed with wanting to hurt the monster that took everything away from them? What would their mental state be like?

Actor Ricardo Sergarra

A: I wanted to make a project that would appeal to a small group of movie watchers, this project barely has any dialogue and that’s why I felt it can go beyond just the USA. People can understand love and loss in any language.

Q: There’s an interesting story behind the writing of the screenplay; can you share that?

A: Honestly, the screenplay is about those dark emotions one feels with loss. I lost my best friend a little over a year ago. That best friend was my mother. In an interview you did with me years ago I mentioned her and her influence over me with horror films and just film in general. I was devastated with her loss. I felt lost and I was angry with everyone and I was angry with myself. Many people will get to see how I felt by watching the film and maybe it will be similar for some or maybe not. Everyone is different obviously. I had a lot of bad thoughts and emotions going through me and I needed to exorcise those thoughts. I started writing and this was what came of it.

Actress Gina Martino

Q: You have an interesting method of crowd funding for this project. Tell us a little.

A: I wish it was more successful, I did the best I could and got a few people to donate. I figured making some posters and doing a teaser video would help. And it did to some extent. I’m grateful for what I managed to raise and grateful for the people who did contribute. It means they believe and though I didn’t reach my goal I am still determined to show people what we could do for next to nothing.

Q: Many film fans would love to be a part of the filmmaking process. Tell them how AMP can make that happen for them.

A: Passion, a dream, and an education. And I don’t mean necessarily going to film school. I think everyone feels they can do it. They don’t bother reading up on technical aspects of cameras, or sound, or lighting, and many don’t bother reading on cinematography or listening to director’s commentary while watching a film and understanding what makes a scene a scene. Some though are very talented and can naturally understand things but still need to find a way to educate themselves. And above everything else, apply it. Shoot a video on your phone, or camera, or whatever means you have and just go out and do it. I’m an open book, ask me a question and I will answer to the best of my ability. AMP is what I’ve learned on a small level. And anyone who wants to be involved should just go ahead and contact me. I can still use contributions to finish the film and I’ll gladly trade some perks for that. You can be a part of it.

Q: You have a knack for great casting, including Reggie Banister and Courtney Gains in 2010′s THE QUIET ONES. The cast you’ve assembled for A MAN POSSESSED looks impressive as well, including hardcore wrestling legend Tommy Dreamer. How do you go about your casting process?

A: Casting calls all the way. I am not afraid to go out to a big name and work my way down to the people who are on their way up. I like taking chances too. Always been a risk taker when casting and I hope it pays off. So far, the cast has been very impressive and the chemistry has been great. Always good to see a lot of people and then choose two per character, one your definite and the other the alternate in case the definite has scheduling issues.

Actor/Professional Wrestler Tommy Dreamer

Q: Speaking of wrestling, you train in catch wrestling, as I do, which diehard MMA fans will recognize as the base style behind some of the most successful fighters in the history of the sport. How did you find your way into this relatively unknown sport?

A: Hm. I would have to say it was back in 1998 when I was introduced to Sensei Erik Paulson from Combat Submission Wrestling. The man was a Shooto champion and just had amazing submissions unlike anything I had experienced at the time. I trained from then on as much as I could and traveling in the process. I travelled to California to train with Frank Shamrock who had trained with Minoru Suzuki and spent sometime in Gresham, Oregon training with Team Quest. Had so many people I met on that journey. Then I was told about Scientific Wrestling from an actor friend of mine, who just so happens to play the villain in AMP. This was back in 2007. From there I decided to go visit the OC and train with Jake Shannon and Billy Robinson and did their audit. It was an amazing experience. Billy Robinson is a legend with so much knowledge and so much strength and technique. Everything I’ve learned I managed to apply to the fighter I was training and I feel it has helped. I’m a shooter and a hooker for life.

Q: Coaching fighters and filmmaking are too very disparate, yet equally intense pursuits. How would you draw comparisons between the two?

A: I approach the two with the same mentality. You have to know when to take charge, you have to know what you are talking about, you have to be humble in all of it, but most important of all is to have fun. Once you stop having fun then it becomes work and when it becomes work then it is no longer fun.

Q: I bring a lot of the philosophy behind catch and other martial arts training to my writing and acting, as I’m sure you do. In what ways do you see that manifesting?

A: I think anything you approach should have your life lessons in it. I’ve lived and have experienced a lot. I have very few regrets. Life is not terrible like most think it is. It is about living and living the best way you know how and staying strong through adversity and positive through the sea of negativity. Knowing when to walk away when something becomes personal and approaching it from a new perspective when met again. Life is a great coach and I try to include that in my writing. Probably my best attribute when writing is taking everything about me and splitting it up between the characters. They are all a part of me and they all say something I have said or have felt something I have felt. It helps convey my message across. I did it with The Quiet Ones and the Isabel character. She was the voice of things I have said when it comes to faith and religion. Someone will either dislike it or agree with it. If it starts a debate then I have done my job.

Q: Do you ever sneak up and slap Brandon in submission holds when he’s not ready? I totally would.

A: (laughs) I don’t think I have ever done that. Don’t think I have ever done that to any of my friends. I gladly would teach a woman to do that and hell if she wanted to end up with me they have to be able to make me tap.

Q: You’ve taken a guerilla approach to filmmaking, finding a way where some would say there is none. What’s behind this passionate drive?

A: I think the drive came from my mother. She always believed in me. Never wanted me to quit though God knows I’ve wanted to several times. She pushed me and influenced me. Back in high school she got me my first camera. An SVHS RCA camera. I shot my first movie with that. It was a martial arts comedy called The Battle and it was a dysfunctional version of Mortal Kombat. I can’t say quit. I have to push forward. Would I like to be successful in this career? Yes! Would I be happy making indies the rest of my life with next to no budget? Yes. Though not as enthused. (laughing) Ultimate goal though would be to work for Disney. Whether directing a Pixar movie, A Star Wars film, or even a Marvel Studios film, that would be me living the dream.

Q: You’re involved in nearly every aspect of film process, from writing all the way through to editing and marketing. Is this by necessity, or is it just that you like maintaining that creative control?

A: I like maintaining creative control. I don’t feel I had as much creative control on The Quiet Ones and even producing a few projects I would see things at times and there was nothing I can do. With A Man Possessed, this is me. People will either love it or hate it. But it is me.

I don’t feel it is a necessity, I enjoy editing and I enjoy writing but I am looking forward to directing projects not written by me. And I know we are capable of marketing in a unique way. Which I hope can bring more towards the future projects. This is the business card for the future. And I look forward to the challenges and the merits that it will bring.

I want to thank you Patrick for being awesome and glad to have you on board as a producer, I want to thank my business partner Brandon, though stressed at times as a producer he knows how to get the job done. I want to thank the lovely Fallon Maressa for also being an awesome producer and helping this project work for us. I want to thank associate producer Anthony Barricade Pizarro and Annie Nguyen from Barricade Studios. My cameraman Isa Walker, and I want to thank the cast who I will name Ricardo Segarra, you sir are my ambassador of kwan. Gina Martino, a magnificent actress who belongs in the big leagues. Tommy Dreamer for being the awesome detective he can be. Cyrus Samson, one of the best character actors the world will know. Alex Russo, for being understanding and amazing, beautiful and stunning. Gary Gustin for his ingenuity and character charisma. Elizabeth Saint for taking the highway to the Danger Zone with us. And I want to thank the rest of the cast Michael Kelberg, Lee Grimanis, Caitlyn Fletcher, Nicole Beer, Troy Latham, Lamar Bumbrey, Charlie Salmon, Anthony Pizarro, Harlow Maressa, and everyone else. Thank you so much!

I also want to thank you again Patrick, Art Maurizio, Nicole Agostino, Ruchama Bilenky, Nicholas Gaboda, Brian Cavalaro, Chad Schultz, and everyone else who contributed that wanted to remain anonymous. If not for you I would not have been able to get started on this project. So I sincerely thank you.

Thanks to Amel for taking time from shooting to do this interview. Look for future collaborations between Saint/Sinner and yours truly in the future! Meanwhile, impress your friends by contributing to the film; there’s still a need for finishing funds! You can contribute through paypal using Amel’s e-mail address usmcafs@gmail.com.