Interview by Chris Summerfield
Here at Scared Stiff, we try to deliver reviews for indie movies to the latest releases, even dipping in to yesteryear films; also we managed to deliver interviews and this being my first interview, in a new series called, Under the Spotlight. I am proud to say my first special guest is the movie maker from Massachusetts, USA, the great Geno McGahee…
CS: So where did it all begin? Was the original plan to just write scripts or direct as well? And also when was you inspired to chase a career in the movie business?
It all began when I was 12-years-old and my parents bought a camcorder. I was always writing stories and thought that it would be an interesting medium to tell them. I began creating skits on a weekly basis…mostly ad-libbed stupid humor with some horror elements mixed in. They say that you don’t pick your destiny, your destiny picks you. So, I had no inclination to make feature films. I didn’t think that getting films out there was possible. I was content with making skits with my pals and keeping it a hobby and creative outlet. Then, a few things happened.
In 1996, we made a 45-minute skit called “AN EVIL AWAKENING,” and, remarkably, it got around locally and people liked it. In 2001, we were making a sequel to it and I had read an article in a magazine that said that low budget horror was in high demand and I elected to write a feature and basically forget the original skit and created “EVIL AWAKENING.” From that point on, the ball began to roll and my journey was officially on.
CS: You have also done some acting as well, would you like to do anymore or is your focus solely upon writing and directing?
I would not punish any more viewers with my acting. I wanted to stop acting after EVIL AWAKENING in 2001, but when I made RISE OF THE SCARECROWS in 2003, I had an actor drop out and had to fill the role myself. I want to be behind the camera. I was recently “acting” in a film called “SILENCED,” but I played the “Sleeping middle-aged guy.” I had no issue with that, outside of the middle-aged part.
CS: I imagine it can be a stressful business, with the creative side of writing the scripts, then assembling the chosen cast and translating scripts on to film, how do you cope with the stress and could you please give us a breakdown of that process, such as how long it takes and many edits with scripts and how you assemble the cast and editing films?
I’m a compulsive writer. It is my best talent, in my estimation. There’s not a day that goes by that I am not writing about something. When I write a feature, it usually takes 3 days to a week at most. If I don’t get it complete in a week, I have a hard time going back to it and completing it in a fashion that I consider quality work. The writing is the easy part. Finding locations, the budget to produce, the cast that can do the job and a crew is difficult. Stressful is not the word for it. You have to be crazy to be a filmmaker. When you make a film, everything and anything can go wrong. I usually say that I’m done filmmaking at the completion of every film…my addiction proves too strong in the end and I return to it.
CS: Now from the beginning, EVIL AWAKENING to your latest SCARY TALES: LAST STOP, where do you see yourself on your journey within the film industry and how do you feel your career as developed from the beginning to where you are now?
In the beginning, I was lost. I didn’t know anything about lighting, camerawork, editing…I knew nothing. All I knew was that I wanted to make a movie and to make it as good as I could with the resources that I had available. In the end, EVIL AWAKENING is like a child to me…one of those children that always messes up but you love them dearly. The same goes for my second film RISE OF THE SCARECROWS. I did those from 2001 to 2003 and then took six years off before approaching film again, but I had matured and had a different mindset as I headed into FAMILY SECRET. I think my development is moving in the right direction. I’m an indie guy. I’m funding my own productions. I have limited resources, but I think that with SICKLE and SCARY TALES: LAST STOP, my two new ones…I think that I’ve made a strong case that I’ve improved greatly and that I make entertaining films.
CS: What has been the lowest point within your career so far and how did you handle the situation?
Tough question. I’m a different person than I was when RISE OF THE SCARECROWS was released in 2008. I was getting emails daily from people that were just very negative and it weighed on me. I look back at that time and now, none of it would bother me. You’re going to have people that like your work and those that hate it. I enjoy the fact that people now look back at RISE OF THE SCARECROWS with not as much hatred. It’s now looked at like the “best worst” sort of film. It’s so bad it’s good. Now, I really don’t look at anything as a low point. I get disappointed at times, but I try to look at the positive in everything, even in a defeat.
CS: What really annoys me is some of the reviews that are created on the marketing sites in which DVD’s can be purchased especially destructive negative ones that just attack low budget movies, as they fail to grasp the fact they have limited finance however many being well plotted but this being overlooked through ignorance, how does this make you feel?
I think they bother me less than the indie guys that have their friends go up there and post reviews, giving their films a 10/10 and sing how they have redefined film. There is a standard that the micro-budget and low budget must be held to. It’s not fair to watch DARK KNIGHT RISES and then a film made on 10gs and compare them evenly. When you get a film that is made on pennies, you must focus on the story and how they did with what they had. It’s easy for me to say that my films are overlooked wrongly by the mainstream, but the market is so oversaturated with titles that it’s tough to get away from the pack without a heavyweight marketing group behind you.
CS: Now as regards positives, SCARY TALES, sure rocked at the Southend Horror festival over in England, it must be quite an achievement when your work is acknowledged at international festivals, how does that make you feel?
It felt great. I have considered SCARY TALES my red-headed stepchild in my collection. I didn’t expect a great deal from it. I was focusing more on FAMILY SECRET and SICKLE and entered it into that festival sort of spur of the moment. The fact that the film has gone over so well and has done well with reviewers that hated my other work makes me happy. The idea of people on the other side of the world get to sit down and watch my film is quite interesting.
CS: And on that note what has been the highlight of your career so far?
I guess the night of the SICKLE/SCARY TALES: LAST STOP double premiere. We had a packed house and people laughed and jumped and had a great time. They gave me a great ovation and it was a moment that I will not forget. That was a big thing for me. Another big thing was my screenplay HEAD HUNTER coming into the finals of every screenplay competition it has been in. It is a very special screenplay for me and the fact that it’s done so well has been meaningful.
CS: Now getting back to your movies, which actor or actors have been the most interesting and fun to work with?
The most interesting actor has to be “Crazy” Carl Robinson. He’s been in a lot of low budget horror like DEMON SUMMER and MIDNIGHT SKATER and I was so pleased to get him into FAMILY SECRET. He is an incredibly funny guy.
CS: Any funny or embarrassing moments within your career so far in which you would share with our readers?
The only one that I can think of when I sort of flipped out. I pride myself in keeping my cool and being a reserved person, but we were on the last week of shooting FAMILY SECRET, the most difficult shoot I’ve ever done, and we were at the six month point and the rain began to fall. An actress couldn’t stop laughing during the takes and I ended up yelling some profanity or another. It was not my best moment.
CS: So what are your next plans regarding movies, anything you are working on at the moment or plan to?
I am happy to say that I am preparing to work with Filmmakers John Reign and Michael Colburn on a collective project in the very near future. I’m looking to produce another film in 2016 and I’m getting SICKLE and SCARY TALES: LAST STOP ready for distribution as they finish up the festival circuit.
CS: And I must ask during your time within the movie industry who has been the most supportive?
The filmmaking journey is such a tough one and one that you must travel alone. Support is difficult to get at times because some people don’t understand what you’re doing. I will say that I’ve got a world of support now that I cherish and that is continuing to grow. My biggest supporter and my most cherished one is my 10-year-old son, Munch. He can tell you every movie that I made and the year that it was made as well. He’s also coming up with ideas for other movies for me to make.
CS: Now just a little about Geno himself. What is your all-time favorite horror movies? Let’s say five of your favorites?
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974), BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974), RACE WITH THE DEVIL, THE COMEBACK and CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS. I also want to add THE STEPFORD WIVES…the original. I love that one as well.
CS: Which Horror movie was the first to ever frighten you?
I watched THE CHILDREN when I was very young. Watching the kids with the black fingernails burn people alive was very scary to me. I used to watch SPINE-TINGLERS, a Saturday spot where they showed a horror movie at noon every week. I watched all sorts of cool films on this series, including THE CHILDREN.
CS: Do you have a favorite Actor or Director?
It’s tough to point to any one actor, but I like Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson. I’m also a big fan of Nicolas Cage. For director, I am a huge John Carpenter fan. He has done some amazing things with film.
CS: And one last final question. What advice would you give to any potential script writers or directors that are deciding upon going in to the business?
My best advice is to produce. Good or bad, get something done because if you’re waiting for it to be perfect, you’re going to be waiting forever. Know this too. We live in a society that does not do a lot of free thinking. So, when you elect to do something outside of the box, expect many to tell you why you shouldn’t. You must ignore that and follow your instincts. If your instincts are telling you to do something, there’s a reason for it. Follow them.
Thank you Geno for your time and let’s hope we can catch up again very soon, take care now. If you’re a movie director, actor or writer and would like to be, Under the Spotlight, drop me an email and it could be you being interviewed next.
Contact Chris @ christopher.a.s@hotmail.co.uk
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