Well hello Alan, I'm glad that you are doing well. I take it you are still working on "Bloodshed" Why don't you tell me a little about the film?
Thanks for having me Denise!
"The Blood Shed" was one of those happy accidents. It was originally intended to be a 35-minute short for a horror anthology film called "HUNG BY A THREAD" which I am collaborating on with filmmakers Michael T. Schneider (Opening the Mind) and Tyler Tharpe (Return to Red). But it just grew too big and we had no choice but to make it a feature! It was the best time I ever had on a set.
The Blood Shed is a simple story about your sweet average inbred cannibal hillbilly family living in the woods of Northern NJ and how they cope with the day to day annoyances of encroaching suburbia.
The Blood Shed is now in post production and will be complete by September.
So now I'm now gearing up to complete my 35-minute piece for the "HUNG BY A THREAD" anthology this August.
My piece will be called "A FAR CRY FROM HOME". It's a disturbing little vignette about a gay couple (myself and Aussie hunk Kane Manera) who are traveling through the Pennsylvania countryside when they discover an odd little mystical antique shop. Unfortunately for them it is owned by a group of murderous homophobic religious fanatics that terrorize them and hunt them down in the rural wilderness. It should definitely raise a few eyebrows (I hope!) - I haven't really seen this issue covered yet in a horror piece.
What kind of characters did you cast?
For "The Blood Shed" I simply cast the best damn actors in the horror indie business today! My good luck granted me Joshua Nelson, Terry M. West, Mike Lane and Susan Adriensen - all who play my family.
And returning from my first film are Jerry Murdock, Zoe Daelman Chlanda and the great Katherine O'Sullivan, three of the best talents I know.
Also cast are some great newcomers like Kane Manera, Sasha Friendenberg, Brian Juergens, Sandra Schaller, Victoria Bensen, Stephanie Marracho and a terrific cameo by Fangoria's Michael Gingold.
For "FAR CRY FROM HOME " I'll play opposite Kane Manera (our 5th film together!) and killers Katherine O'Sullivan, Jerry Murdock, Terry M. West and Benzy a fresh new talent out of Pittsburgh.
What qualities do you look for in an actor/actress?
Total submission to me! (LOL!) Only kidding.
Since I've now become an actor myself, I only want to work with talented people who have a love for the genre. I'm not interested in actors who are slumming it and looking for a job or just want to look pretty. If you don't have that passion and the chops to commit to a good horror movie then your audience will never believe you. Neither will I.
Who is your inspiration for filmmaking?
Roger Corman, John Llewellyn Moxey, Curtis Harrington and all the Italian greats.
Yeah, Italians are great! I'm half one.
Tell me about you past films for instance, "I'll Bury You Tomorrow" what was the film based on?
It is my first film and foray into the indie filmmaking business. I wanted to make an homage to all the great films and giallos of the 70's and early 80's of my teen years, so I thought horror and drama in a small town funeral home the perfect combination. Since I came from a small town very similar to Port Oram in IBYT, I simply wrote about what I knew and grew up with.
I never thought then that I'd have the great fortune of seeing my film in every store across the states and rented in almost every available venue. That's a real thrill to know it will be around for a long time! (I even saw it at Kim's Video down in the village the other day that was the big moment for me!)
How about acting, I see that you had a role in "Dead Serious" (great film!) besides that film are there other acting roles that have you done or plan to do?
"I'll Bury You Tomorrow" has opened a lot of doors for me.
Since then I've appeared in Michael T. Schneider's "OPENING THE MIND" (For 2007), Moodude Film's "DEAD SERIOUS", Jeremiah Kipp's "THE POD" and now "THE BLOOD SHED"and "HUNG BY A THREAD". I'll also be appearing in a piece by film auteur Anthony Sumner this July and Bart Mastronardi's "VINDICATION" this August.
When will "Bloodshed" be released?
It should be ready for some screenings by mid-September and I'll do a few months on the festival and convention circuit first to create some buzz before settling down to distribution.
Who would you consider to be you favorite actor?
Usually whomever I'm working with at the time is my favorite actor!
Otherwise I'm an old time purist Bette Davis, Gregory Peck, Barbara Stanwyck, Jimmy Cagney, Joan Crawford, Ava Gardner the list doesn't stop!
One last question, what is one of your favorite films?
Too many to even mention probably "THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE" (ORIGINAL please!) - always in my top ten, which evolves constantly!
I would like to thank Alan for taking the the time to talk with me. Keep up the great work.
My pleasure Denise! Anytime!
Also are there any new web sites in the makings?
There's 3 websites in the making right now
http://alanrowekelly.net/
http://thebloodshed.net/
http://www.hungbythread.com/
By the way, where is my copy of "I'll bury you tomorrow" lol ....you forgot me. AHHH!
I had one set aside for you at the Mingle Mangle Babe, but you didn't show up! LOL!
Send your address and I'll have Heretic Films send you a fresh copy to view!
I know, I know. I tried to make it to the Mingle Mangle, but couldn't. I'll see you at the next one.
