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 You
started out as a comic penciller right after graduation with DC Comics,
how did you got involved into film business and film-making? |
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worked in comic books for several years, then began to study film on my
own. Initially, I planned to work as a screen-writer. But I realized
quickly that I would want to be more actively involved in telling the
story. That meant directing. As I studied and practiced, I taught myself
visual effects and changed the direction of my company (VanHook Studios)
away from print and more toward film and television. |
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Obviously
you've been always involved in the genre, what's the appeal of it in
general? And in particular about vampires, considering your first
feature was also about vampires. |
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My
first feature, "Frost: Portrait of a Vampire" was based on a comic book
I wrote and drew years ago. I've always had an attraction to vampire
stories. There's something infinitely fascinating about how primal the
creatures are. They feed off of the living, they sleep during the
day...my kind of people. |
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Recently
you used the title "Whirlwind Film-making and the Art of Making Friends
For a Living" in a written feature on your site. You also mention in an
interview the influence of your mother in you when you were young. For
you is it important to work with friends and in a friendly and familiar
environment? And when you work with someone is that what you're heading
to? |
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I
would say that I am very drawn toward keeping myself surrounded by
friends and family. My mother was a great influence, reinforcing the
fact that I could do anything I set my mind to. It's a simple thing, but
it's true. I'm a firm believer that people can achieve their goals
regardless of what they are, if they work hard and ask themselves the
right questions. More "What can I do today to make progress toward the
goal" and less "Why can't I ever get a break?" As for friendships, I
would love to consider my collaborators in film as friends. Many have
become close friends. |
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What
was the genesis of "Slayer"? How did it begin and evolve? |
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I
was asked by producers for the Sci-Fi Channel to give them a film about
vampires in the jungle. My deal with them allows us to create films that
are designed with a theatrical release in mind and whether we succeed or
not, they have television rights. I had initially pitched a story that
my partner Karen Bailey and I were working on that was set in a mental
institution with a wing dedicated to people who thought they were
vampires. The hook was that they really ARE vampires. They use the
facility as a cover. Ironically, the producers kept pushing the story
more toward one that is very similar in tone to FROST. Two men who were
best friends until one of them died. Now they're enemies. I wanted to
use this film as an example of my doing BIG action. There are 3 to 4
times as many fight scenes in this film than any of my others. And they
involve a lot more people. |
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Why
did you choose PR to shoot the film? |
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Karen
and I had scouted PR in advance. We had ideas for certain stories and we
wanted to see what all was available. When SLAYER became real, I knew
exactly where I could set the story. I was able to write around
locations. |
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What
can you tell us of the plot in general lines? What are the highlights? |
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A
group of U.S. soldiers are attacked by vampires in the South American
jungle. The deforestation of the rainforest has destroyed the habitat of
the vampires' only natural predators. With nothing to stand in their
way, the vampires are spreading out to the surrounding villages and
beyond...and their hunger is unstoppable. |
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Now, Captain "Hawk" Hawkins (Van Dien) has to hunt down and stop his
best friend, a highly trained special forces soldier who has become a
deadly vampire. |
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Starring Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers, Sleepy Hollow), Jennifer
O'Dell (The Lost World), Kevin Grievoux (Underworld, Planet of the
Apes), Tony Plana (24, Resurrection Blvd.) and Ray Park (Star Wars: The
Phantom Menace, X-Men) |
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We
know that Lynda Carter wasn't the first choice to play Colonel Weaver,
Lee Majors was... How did you come to chose Lynda? |
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We
were discussing other highly iconic actors from the 70's. Lynda was an
obvious choice. If I couldn't work with the man I wanted to be when I
was a boy, I'd see if I could work with the lady I wanted to meet! |
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Considering
the character was originally written for a man, there was any drastic
re-writing on the script? |
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Surprisingly
few. |
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Did
the role of Colonel Weaver require a lot of stunts? |
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No. |
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Did
Lynda make any contributions for the character, suggestions, etc? |
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Of
course. She brought a level of humanity to the role and the concept of
her being Laurie's God-Mother was something that came out of our early
conversations. |
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Have
you personally met Lynda before it or was it your first time? And what
was your impression of her as a person and as a professional? |
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I
spoke to her by phone when we were casting. I thought she was wonderful. |
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What
can you tell us about Colonel Weaver, the character Lynda plays?
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Colonel
Weaver is the God-Mother of Hawk's ex-wife Laurie and Hawk's Commanding
Officer. She's also a mentor and friend. |
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Based
on your experience working with Lynda, will you keep her in mind for
future projects? |
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Yes. |
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Originally
the film was supposed to be a feature film to be released in
theatres but it ended up on television for the Sci-Fi channel. What
about internationally? |
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Yes,
there are foreign sales in place. |
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You're
writer, director, co-producer and editor of the film. You also
oftenly act in some of the films. It seems you're really involved in
all of your projects. What do you like the most? |
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The
synthesis of all of them. I am a storyteller. Writing is the most
free. Directing is a joy and a compromise. Editing is a chance to
make things clearer, improve performances and fix plot holes. |
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Are
there already plans for a future DVD release or it depends on
audience response? And also regarding this do you have extra
material to include on it? |
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Anchor
Bay Entertainment will release the DVD of Slayer. There will be
extras! |
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What's
the status of the film right now? Have you finished with
post-production? |
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I
deliver at the end of May. I am in a sound-mixing studio as I tell
you this now... ? |
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Being
yourself a comic artist, you must have been familiar with Wonder
Woman. Being the title into development for a big-budget film, what
would you expect from it? If you were up to it, what would be your
approach? |
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I
haven't given it much thought, to be honest. |
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Lynda
Carter's role as Wonder Woman has been a landmark on classic
television and her portrayal has been world-wide recognized and
people is very fond it. Did you watch the series when it originally
aired? |
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Yep,
I was a kid fanboy. She had a big place in my heart. |
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Fans
have made a campaign asking Joss Whedon to consider Lynda for a role
in the movie, not just a cameo, but a role. How do you see this?
Considering the place that Lynda has in the hearts of people in
general, and if it were you, would you do it? |
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Like
any other actor, I would carefully consider the role and what
actor's appropriate for it, but I'd work with Lynda again. She's a
solid professional and a heck of a nice lady. |
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Obviously
you commit to every project as the best one. But what do you imagine
in your heart as the ultimate project in the future? |
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I
would love to tell The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazney. |
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THANKS
KEVIN!!!! |
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Sawnie
Burgos O'Brien |
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