Me:
First off, let me say thanks for agreeing to do this. I also owe thanks to Vicki Vanderkolk.
Douglas:
It's my pleasure Brandon
Me:
Tell me a little about your film The Rain.
Douglas:
The Rain follows three generations of a cursed farming community as they are forced to sacrifice children to a supernatural rain that plagues the land and people. It's really a dark drama infused with elements of horror.
Me:
The idea that the film involves children is what sparked my attention. It's so rare that horror films use them in the main subject, in the horror if you will.
Douglas:
I agree but horror is such a great genre to work in because it allows you to push boundaries. And the subject matter is a bit taboo or controversial but that's good, it's edgy.
Me:
Exactly. Did you have an issue casting the children due to the nature of the subject?
Douglas:
All the parents of the child actors were highly supportive as they saw an engaging moral premise within the framework of a horror film. There's a good lesson at the end of the film. If we keep pawning off our mistakes on the next generation our children will suffer the consequences.
Me:
That is a great lesson really. It’s something that we can all learn from.
Douglas:
The trick is weaving it into a commercially viable product. It’s always a balancing act
Me:
Trying not to be pushy?
Douglas:
Yeah exactly
Me:
So that it becomes a James Cameron Avatar kind of thing?
Douglas:
Bingo. Keep it fun or creepy.
Me:
That is something I think is missing from horror films. Creepy.
Douglas:
I soooooo agree
Me:
Was that something you wanted to initially bring out in the script?
Douglas:
YES! There are many kinds of horror films, and sadly the industry seems stuck on celebrating a limited few that cater to a select audience. I believe that intelligent people like to be entertained by a good horror film too.
Me:
Very well put. And it is such a diverse genre. Even a war film could be considered horror. It's all in the subject matter.
Douglas:
Very true. It all comes back to the story. There's a tendency to drift to exploitation these days. aka torture porn. I don't see those films having the same lasting impact as say Alien or the Exorcist or the first Halloween, but there's a place for all types.
Me:
I think exploitation films worked in the 50, 60's and even early 70's because they were so rare. There were so few film makers putting out that kind of film.
Douglas:
And those were great date movies.
What I mean is they were more about entertainment. Today there is a dark undercurrent to some films that kind of harkens to the kind of cinema you'd see in Germany during the days of Calagari German Expressionism. It spoke to a troubled culture. I think our culture is troubled too after all artists hold a mirror up to society.
Me:
I've always thought it would be interesting to see a revival of that sort of film. Something that worked more on what is going on ON screen, that the dialogue. Actors truly having to act to relay the message of the film.
Douglas:
Interesting point. A bit neorealism
Me:
Exactly.
Getting back to The Rain, I have to ask... how did you get David Carradine involved?
Douglas:
I always wanted to work with him, I think he's brilliant.
We had more traditional horror names tossed at us, but I felt David was the ideal choice to play the troubled parent who helps promote the curse in the first tale set in the 1800's. He's got that western era look. Anyway, we approached him and he was scheduled to do a film in Taiwan and asked us to wait until after that. But we wanted to seize the opportunity to work with him so we got him right before he left for that other film that he never finished. I believe the Rain is his last full starring role.
Me:
Wow. That's quite an honor for you then. Plus some truly great luck.
Douglas:
Yeah something was telling us not to wait, it’s very strange.
Me:
How was he to work with? And how long did you have him?
Douglas:
We had David for a week. He was great. His knowledge of film acting and the process is amazing. A real naturalist as opposed to a method actor. He was a riot when we weren't filming: telling stories of working withQuinten on Kill Bill. and the days of Kung Fu that led to his drug addiction.
Me:
I can imagine he would have so much to tell, and to bring with him. Did he improvise at all? Or stick straight to the script?
Douglas:
You'd think he'd do some improve, but he stuck to the letter. But made each letter so much more
Me:
I would imagine as the writer, that's a great feeling.
Douglas:
Cowriter. Kurt Mayry had a big hand in writing the Rain with me
Me:
Have you worked with Kurt in the past? Or is this your first?
Douglas:
We've been working together since the civil war era. (laughs) Since the late 80's when we met in college
Me:
That is a long damn time. (laughs)
Douglas:
20 some years
Me:
So he's worked on your previous films as well?
Douglas:
As producer and writer. He also dabbles in cinematography. I think that was his main interest when we first started working together
Me:
What can you say you have learned from your past films? Any knowledge that you brought into The Rain?
Douglas:
I've done a few features. Our first made it to HBO/Cinemax and our second made a killing for our distributor via Blockbuster Video. But this is the first feature I really like and am proud of. I've learned everything from making mistakes. There's so much you learn from doing a feature: the pace of the actor and staging scenes. You need to try and experiment before you can find your own style. Some filmmakers are lucky they hit with their first film and presto their style is defined for life. While other filmmakers need to search and explore before they hit their stride. That's what I've learned.
Me
So it truly is a learning experience each time. Do you find that with each film you have found a different audience as well? And what has the reaction to your past films been?
Douglas:
Yeah I think each film is meant for a different audience. For instance the Rain is really an adult horror film
meant for a mature crowd, while our upcoming film is specifically meant for a younger audience.
And the reactions are usually positive. The Rain has been getting some awesome reviews Via Collider.com and its yet to be released. (laughs) It will be out later this year as we're readying to sign a deal for domestic.
What are the plans for The Rain right now? Is it hitting the festival circuits?
Douglas:
We did that a bit with the Hollywood Film Fest which was a big fest for us.
Then the film premiered in Spain at the 10th annual Estepona Horror Film Fest. It was awesome.
Me:
I can imagine. How did it do there? What was the reception like?
Douglas:
It was very well received in Spain. A once in a lifetime experience for us, they treated us like royalty
Me:
Was there any hesitation to take the film there?
Douglas:
Not at all
We might return to SITGES this year also in Spain.
That's terrific! How did that opportunity come about?
Douglas:
We've been very fortunate. The Rain has been invited to screen at each of the festivals it has played in
meaning we were contacted and invited to screen. The Spain festival was made possible via a fan who wrote us and was a part of the festival. Also a big fan of one of our actors Richard Lynch.
So no real work on your part then.
Lots of work in the making of the Rain. A three year production done in phases from three different centuries, as the film tells three tales.
So the film took you three years to finish? Would you say that helped in taking off some of the stress?
In some ways, but there was always the pressure of will we be able to complete it
As it was uber ambitious for an indie film.
Me:
Was there ever a point you thought you might not be able to finish it? Any problems with funding?
Or with keeping cast and crew?
Douglas:
Well we made certain to film only when we could do a complete tale. There are 3 tales interwoven within the Rain, and we'd film one at a time then take time off. So never a real concern with cast.
Thankfully. Even with David Carradine passing
Me:
Is the film brought together by a fourth segment? In a Cryptkeeper kind of way?
Douglas:
No it’s more like the film The Hours. We open in the 1800's and then we juxtapose the three tales. There are thematic and visual similarities that help us merge or segue way from one tale to the next. Its rather unique, but highly entertaining. Or so we've been told. (laughs)
Me:
It sounds like it. For so many other anthology type films rely on something extra to pull it all together, not so much just the film itself. Letting it stand alone.
Douglas:
Yeah hence the notion that the film. It’s designed for a mature audience that likes to think a bit, while being entertained.
Me:
I've got to say, I cannot wait to check out the film. It sounds like you have something special on your hands.
Douglas:
We think so Brandon. But we also know that a film like this needs help finding its audience. So the promotion aspect is vital to the film having an impact. So we greatly appreciate the support
Me:
The trailer alone brought me to chills, and I cannot remember the last film that did that to me.
Horror films have lost the 'Scary' aspect
Douglas:
I'm blushing. (laughs)Thanks! I agree completely
Me:
You are more than welcome.(laughs)
Douglas:
I think your blog forum is awesome
Me:
Thank you as well. I'm having a great time working on this. People have been so supportive.
What would you say you have learned from making this film?
Douglas:
I've learned that story is everything. It’s the building block for the director
Me:
Do you have any advice for anyone out there interested in getting into film making?
Douglas:
Yes! Learn your craft before embarking on a feature. As the journey is a lengthy one and you want to get it right. So you can do it again and again. Getting a proper film education is important.
And check out www.mpifilm.com. Michigan's oldest and most reputable film trade school that I run.
Me:
I think it was Tarantino who once said: go out a few days a week, film something, spend the weekend editing it, then take a day and show it to your friends. Do this over and over, and learn from what they have to say.
Douglas:
I agree with what he's saying in so much that experience is needed, but mentoring
is equally important. Being able to show your work to educators who can help guide and mold your work
and being around a peer group that can later become your producing team. That stuff happens in film school. The good ones anyway. There are plenty of bad ones
Me:
Oh I would wholly agree with you there. In a world where anyone can make their own film it pays to have someone who can help guide you.
Douglas:
There are those who are so independent and self motivated that they may succeed on their own, but education is important.
Me:
It's the difference in making a movie and a film. Something you can truly be proud of.
Douglas:
Exactly
Me:
Do you have any last words for our readers?
Douglas:
Look for our film THE RAIN later this year (it might be renamed the Rain Chronicles)
Me:
Where can they find more info about you and The Rain?
Douglas:
The official website is www.rainmovie.com. We'll have a facebook page for it soon.
Me:
Sounds great! Thank you so much Doug. It has been a pleasure.
Douglas:
Same hear. And thanks so much for the support Brandon.
