Interview by Kevin Scott
MoreHorror.com
I had the privilege recently to talk with the very talented director James Cullen Bressack. He’s becoming the Cameron Crowe of Horror directors by being a wunderkind and showing mind blowing talent as a writer and director even before he could buy his own beer. I was grateful to get some insight from him, find out what inspired him, and see what’s next. Special thanks to actor/producer/writer Zack Ward for joining in on the interview.
KS: I know that you get this a lot, but you are a really young guy. You seem so close to the golden age of VHS, with a love for such classics as “Basket Case” and the William Lustig films, yet you are a generation removed. How did you discover them?
JCB: I got really into watching VHS stuff. My Dad had “Hellraiser” on VHS. I just always had a love for horror and a desire to see more and more crazy stuff. I just gravitated to the films of the 1980’s. Then my uncle suggested “Basket Case” to me and told me that I would like it. It ended up being one of those films that changed my perception. I just love really violent stuff, the grosser the better. I have an Elite Hunting tattoo from “Hostel” on my chest.
KS: Did you grow up in California, I know that your parents worked in the entertainment industry?
JCB: Yeah, I grew up in Los Angeles.
KS: I know you love the original “Maniac”. I thought the Lustig and Aja produced remake was pretty solid. Did you like it?
JCB: I love the first person POV stuff.
KS: Did you go to film school?
JCB: For a week, and then I ended up dropping out. I often say that “My Pure Joy” was my film school.
KS: You made your first film “My Pure Joy” when you were 18. It’s about a teen who is influenced by Horror films to start committing violent acts. That’s a simple explanation, does that accurately describe it?
JCB: Yeah, that’s exactly what it’s about. It’s about a teenage serial killer.
KS: What was significant about “My Pure Joy” to make it your very first feature. I’m sure you had other ideas as well.
JCB: I kind of wanted to do a movie about myself as if I was a serial killer. I thought that I could pay an homage to all the many things about my favorite horror films all at once.
KS: Since it was your first film, was it difficult to get made as far as getting it financed because it could be controversial?
JCB: Yes and no. I did have trouble getting it distribution. As far as financing, I reached out to private investors, and made the film on a budget of seven thousand dollars.
KS: As is the case, with emerging filmmakers, are you your own director of photography and editor? Because of a limited budget, it’s often necessary to wear more than one hat.
JCB: I did do everything until I could hire an editor and a director of photography, so now I don’t do those things because I never saw myself as being a good DP or an editor. Before, I didn’t have a choice. I had to do them out of necessity.
KS: Your second film “Hate Crime” was even more controversial. It was about a brutal home invasion.
JCB: Yeah it was. “Hate Crime” was really the film that started opening doors for me. “My Pure Joy” put me on the Amazon best sellers list, and I got a lot of press, and people starting paying attention a little but it didn’t help me get financing for other things or hired for other projects.
KS: Where did the idea come from?
JCB: My producer, Jarret Cohen and I were on our way to a film festival and ran into some neo Nazis. After that, I wanted to shock people into being more aware of how much prejudice still exists. “Hate Crime” is a nasty film, but a nasty film with a message.
KS: This really lends to the established fact that Horror filmmakers who make the most violent, blood soaked movies are usually the nicest and most empathetic.
JCB: Absolutely! Usually horror people are the nicest in the world because it like a catharsis. You can put those emotions on screen and not experience them anymore. Even people that watch horror movies are obviously not bad people. More comedies are made every year than horror movies, and I don’t see the world getting any funnier.
KS: I’d like to talk about your film “To Jennifer”. Even those that have seen the film may not realize that it was filmed exclusively on an iPhone. This was your third film. The iPhone thing sounds more like something to try on your first film because you have no money. Why do it on this one?
JCB: What made me do it was that I would be talking to aspiring filmmakers and they would ask me “How do you go out make your first movie”. I would say to them “Just go out there and make one.” I would get responses about not having a camera or a budget. I realized that I had to live this philosophy that I preach. With that said, I used the most accessible camera to anyone. I had a budget of five hundred dollars, and the belief that a good story and good performances are what really matters. Also even though “Hate Crime” had done well on the festival circuit, it has a scene where a little boy is shot in the face. This was right around when the Sandy Hook tragedy occurred. Because of that, “Hate Crime” lost some momentum. With that said, I needed to make another film, and I had limited resources. Surprisingly, “To Jennifer” is the film that got me a ton of work after that.
KS: Is “To Jennifer” a horror film?
JCB: It’s got elements of a buddy comedy. I want people to see it before I spoil it. The viewer will understand what’s going on as they take the ride. It’s something different.
KS: You were one of the leads in “To Jennifer”. Did you enjoy your acting stint?
JCB: I will never do it again! I am not an actor! I’m sitting next to a talented actor, my business partner, Zack Ward. (Yes this is THE Zack Ward from “A Christmas Story”, “Freddy vs. Jason”, and countless other cool genre films!)
ZW: I will confirm that James Cullen Bressack is not an actor!
KS: This is a perfect opportunity to talk to both of you. Zack, I’m a fan from way back!
ZW: When you say way back are you gonna say uncle! Is it that far back?
KS: Yes!
JCB: Zack and I started this new production company, and we can’t tell you anything about what we are doing yet, but I can say that it’s called Grit Filmworks, and it’s gonna be very exciting.
KS: Zack was in your film “Blood Lake”. Is that where you met?
JCB: That was just someone that looked like Zack Ward! The real Zack Ward would never be in “Blood Lake” (laughing). No, we actually were good friends before that. That’s how I tricked him into doing “Blood Lake”
ZW: He was like “Come on Zack, it’s gonna be fun. You get to meet Christopher Lloyd!”
JCB: I actually met Zack randomly at a Sushi Bar. He was doing a funny voice because he had just come from an audition for “Mr. Peabody and Sherman”. Having two parents that worked in cartoons, I take notice when I hear a funny voice! I complimented him on the voice, and we chatted a bit. We ended up going to the bar next to the sushi place and talked some more. I looked Zack up and realized that he was Nicholai from “Resident Evil Apocalypse”. I was getting ready to film “Pernicious” and the character of Colin was going to be called “Nicholai” initially in honor of Zack’s performance of that character before I ever knew him.
KS: Zack, I know you well, as does everyone else as Scut Farkus, but you have been able to distance yourself a bit, while embracing the nostalgia factor. You have an impressive resume of films.
ZW: Thank you! I enjoy working, the challenge of blending into the role, and turning myself into what is needed to make the movie click. No matter what the magnitude of the film, I like the process. I love filmmaking. I guess James and I hit it off because neither one of us are interested in the red carpet or the accolades, but for the challenge of pushing ourselves to accomplish things that we never thought we could. That’s why we started Grit Filmworks, because it takes grit to get stuff done.
JCB: You were talking about what an impressive resume that Zack has. I just wanted to bring up that he is one of only three people to technically be “Freddy Krueger in a Freddy movie.
KS: That’s right! Yes he was! He was right up there with the hall pass girl from the first film!
ZW: Yeah, it really was a cool experience! Robert Englund, if you ever get the chance to meet him is a lovely guy. He spent some time with me teaching me how to move like him and walk like him, and to learn how to do it from a master, it was a pretty incredible experience!
JCB: Yeah, a lot of people don’t know that he’s a classically trained actor.
KS: James and Zack, I did want to ask you one thing in particular. Both of you seem to be about the journey instead of the destination. You both seem to appreciate every experience. You have made some films for The Asylum. I like to think that the next generation’s filmmakers are going to be inspired by Asylum films as the great nouveau B flicks that they are. What’s your take on it?
JCB: They gave me my first film with a real budget, and “Blood Lake” that was going to be shown on network tv, when I really didn’t have the credentials at the time. I look at Asylum like what Corman was back in the day. Like Corman did, it gives you a place to hone your craft and grow. They have been very good to me. Even now with this film I’m working on, they have a giant prop warehouse that I can have full access to.
ZW: It’s funny, James is the one that brought me into the Asylum world for better or worse (laughing). All jokes aside, they are very nice people. There is a collegial attitude towards the filmmaking process, they are very inclusive, and when you say you have a dream and I want to work for it, they nod their head and say “Maybe we can help.” I think that there is a kindness and generosity there that is rare for the business.
KS: I totally agree with the Corman comparison. You guys may scoff right now, but maybe one day a brilliant young filmmaker will say that “Blood Lake” inspired them!
JCB: That’s awesome if it does inspire people. As filmmakers, we have a responsibility to make films that inspire others to want to do it. I watched movies that inspired me to make movies. Actually, some of the movies that I watched that did inspire me were so terrible that I thought that I could maybe do it better. If this film got released, I can make something that gets released. I think every movie can inspire if you want it to.
KS: We haven’t talked about your newest film James, “Pernicious”. It seems so focused yet is moving in so many different directions. What that the plan you had when you wrote it?
JCB: Yeah, I wanted to make an intricate story about pain and loss, and put it up against the amazing backdrop of Thailand. It’s based on a real Thai black magic process. On a high concept level it has elements of “Hostel” and “The Ring” in it as well.
KS: “Pernicious” was a tough film to write a review for. I never want to give too much away. My main goal is to peak the reader’s interest in what the film is about, but take them no further. I try to build the anticipation of seeing the film for the first time by knowing just enough to feel the need to be satiated by watching it. “Pernicious” has such a wonderful complex plot, but it’s an all or nothing experience, and as little background information as possible, the better. This film is beautiful, was this the biggest budget you ever worked with?
JCB: Very glad you liked it! This film is not the biggest budget I had. There were a lot of resources available in Thailand, and I had more time to make it. More time equals a better product. I was really trying to make a film that is flipped on its head, and everything changes in the middle, and the viewer has no clue where it’s headed.
KS: I read that you think this is your best film to date. Is that true?
JCB: I do think that it is. Then again, my next film is going to the best one. I hope they get better and better.
My most sincere thanks to James and Zack for their time!
SOURCE: More Horror – Read entire story here.