Interview by Geno McGahee
When it comes to horror movies, the genre’s guidance comes from the independent world and there are some indie horror filmmakers out there trying to be part of that. Michael Colburn, a filmmaker out of Texas, brings the 1970’s approach and feel to film. The 1970s was a special time for film where the drive in flick, grindhouse film, and shock value production were normal. The indie filmmaker had to be resourceful and used everything they could to bring their vision forward. With so many films being made by committee now and with today’s technology, that time has been lost, but what goes around, comes around and Colburn is hoping that this era comes back.
Colburn has created a highly-hyped “Based on Actual Events” film, THE TOYBOX, and has ventured into some very daring photography, which is another throwback to the time that he loves so much.
On top of being a very good filmmaker, Colburn is a class act with endless ambition, juggling many things at once to make his vision come to life. I know a lot of indie filmmakers and it’s hard to find one with more potential than Michael Colburn. He is a guy to watch.
GM: When was the first time that you picked up a video camera and shot something? What inspired you to do so?
I grew up fairly poor… But fortunately for me, my grandfather had a really cool 16mm that he would let me film and then we could play back on a projector. I was like 11, and what was cool, was having one of my cousins jump off of the table backwards and run backwards, then we would play it in reverse! Totally at 11 already thinking like a film maker! (Laughs) Plus we had a 2 betas, that i totally would cut back and forth commercials out of movies that we would record. I used to tape wonder woman episodes and even do full tapes of nothing but her spins! (Laughs) It was crazy!
GM: A lot of your work is horror-related. What has drawn you to that genre and do you have plans to create non-horror pieces?
My mom taking me to see JAWS at 5, I think was more attractive of the music of the film.. That really caught my attention! But seeing CARRIE at seven blew me away! The colors, split screen that DePalma brought to the screen was amazing! I remember seeing HALLOWEEN in the theatre, and by all means, it was a be all to end all for me. Following, THE FOG, I was mesmerized by John Carpenter! I personally think, he is the Greatest Film Maker of All Time! Period! But at the end of the day, I would not be who I am, as a filmmaker if it wasn’t for my mom. She created this path for me, and I love her for that! I do at some point want to do, and this is so gonna sound bad, but I totally think I could do a love story. Very, “THE NOTEBOOK”. But I’d love to do a Western as well! I think recreating a “TOMBSTONE” is so up my alley!
GM: THE TOY BOX is getting a lot of hype. Why do you think that this particular movie that you are creating is creating this buzz?
More than anything, it’s based loosely on a true story. I was fortunate enough, to work with certain individuals on this, like Shannon Lark, who made it great on set… A lot of drama and controversial scenes, I’m sure helped. The whole “Along the way process of the film” all the people you work with, and talk it up helps as well! Fangoria did a couple of articles, and a mention from another actress, it plateaued very quickly.
GM: THE TOY BOX is based on a true story. How difficult was it to create a film following actual events and how close to the truth is it?
There is 60% Truth and 40% fictitiousness to the film… It’s difficult to even talk about the struggles of making it… A lot of drama, but wouldn’t change the experience of it for a million dollars. Taught me how to not just really concentrate and film, but to weed out the bad, and find the good!
GM: You work a full time job, you have a family and obligations. How difficult has it been to juggle all of this and how do you keep your head together when the pressure is on during filming with the other unavoidable obligations in your life at the same time?
My family comes first. I have a blended family and a new born baby on the way, Gabriel Antonio. He’s a future filmmaker. He just doesn’t know it yet. My wife is my rock. I would not be able to do the projects I do, if I did not have her trust, love and support. I show her my work, ask her opinion and I value her suggestions because we are so much alike. She is equally as meticulous as I am. I know she’ll catch the mistakes I didn’t catch and see things from a female perspective that I didn’t think of. We work well together.
There are times when the chaos of kids, obligations, work and everything else become overwhelming. It’s like a circus act. You are spinning plates all the time; trying to not neglect anything and have it hit the floor. The priorities are different every day. Some days work needs my attention, the next day. It’s one of the kids that have trouble in school, or someone gets sick, etcetera. Every day presents itself differently and we try our best to adapt and communicate on what needs to be addressed at the present moment. At times the concerns of the day push the filmmaking to the evening and I am up burning the midnight oil to get my projects edited and completed. But I have a very understanding family. They know when “Pops” didn’t get any sleep and give me my space. I’m definitely not a morning person on those kinds of days.
GM: What are the most difficult aspects about being a low budget filmmaker and what are the most rewarding?
Difficult, is probably finding a location. You walk in somewhere and it’s all oh, filmmaker. Being so close to Austin, everyone’s a filmmaker! (Laughs) But I think as Marty McFly would have said, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything…” The biggest reward is seeing that you have finished it. You started point a and finished at point z.. People don’t get the amount of work we go through in making a film. So many phony’s out there, that say, “oh yeah, I’m making this vampire film.” Then 3 years later: “yeah, i didn’t have time for all that.”
Really? My dad was very against it, oh, how I will grow up poor, bleb bleh. If everyone could make films, we would all be doing it. I’m different. I wanted to stand out from the rest. The Navy, totally put that into perspective for me. Be a leader, Not a follower!
GM: How is the film scene in Texas? Do you find a lot of other horror filmmakers or just filmmakers in general in your area?
Texas is awesome! Chainsaw massacre came out of Texas, Robert Rodriguez, who i love, is out of San Antonio! But now resides in Austin, is totally trying to get the independent film alive here! I have met some of the greatest people in San Antonio! Veronica Orosco (Actress), Rene Lagunas (Cinematographer), Vanessa Ramirez (MUA), Jessica Hererra (Writer). All great people, that don’t want to just settle for the 9-5 that we kinda have that cross to bear, ya know…
GM: What do you think of the current horror scene?
It’s decent up here. I haven’t really tried to go to a meet up, I really would prefer to build a name up here and who i meet, great! If i don’t, that’s OK too.. I’m about me and creating a good cast and creating great entertainment!
GM: With the movie world changing, DVDs going away, streaming taking over and video stores extinct, how has that changed your approach for distribution and how has that affected the industry in general, in your opinion?
To me it’s a plus and a minus, plus, because you can distribute your movie a whole lot easier. Just takes some marketing on your end. If you have put the time into it, then surely you’re going to market it! But the minus is that a lot of crap is getting out into the mainstream. It’s a very clique situation for film makers now, with my friend wants to be in your movie, bleh bleb, and if you don’t, then they bad mouth you, and just a lot more drama for being a one man show when the filming is done anyways… but just because someone is a friend, doesn’t mean they can act.
So that is my only opinion on that.
GM: You have started this new project which is a throwback to the old detective magazines. Can you tell us a little about it? What prompted its start, where is it going, what can we expect from it?
I grew up reading these and seeing them. It was a totally 70’s thing! Knee high socks, short shorts, big hair, winged hair, pantyhose, all that, was a decade of looks that totally just rocks! I started it, to combine my whole horror genre… yes I’m a guy, and just about every guy that will or won’t admit it, but yea, I’m a freak. But combining, horror concepts that these magazines did, with a suspense / horror / even fetish look, is amazing to me. Right now I’m doing shoots for about 100.00 a pop… it took off big right after my 1st shoot! I’m getting emails on Model Mayhem that are like, hey we would love to do this, etcetera. And it’s finding the time to set dates, go over wardrobe, etc and do unique covers to represent me, horror and the 70’s! That’s what I’m about!
Anyone interested in booking me for a shoot, for an original piece, please feel free to email me at deimoscinema@gmail.com
GM: To get the look that you get from these shoots, there must be a lot of preparation. What does it take to get something like this together?
Most of the work is between photoshop and After Effects. The lighting and location, i have just about anything I can imagine! I’m trying to keep the green screen out of it, but ya never know what i will try next. Wardrobe is probably the biggest concern to me… I totally can look at a model and figure what will and will not work, but keeping that whole 70’s style all have key elements that you will see in my images. Everything down to the heels.. And my MUA Vanessa Ramirez, who is now doing all my shoots, is brilliant at bringing color pallets of the 70’s to the screen!
GM: What do you plan to accomplish in 2014? What will the year look like?
My biggest accomplishment will becoming a NEW DADDY! I have 2 film projects in progress for this year.
GM: Any final thoughts?
I’d like to give a shout out to a great director, Wayne Slaten, from Houston, Texas. He gave me my first IMDB credit. He’s an amazing director and friend. I would also like to thank you, Geno, for allowing me this interview. It’s always a pleasure speaking with you. I love our conversations about horror. Thank you for supporting me and what I do. It means a lot.
