CONDUCTED BY: FrighT MasteR
EDITED BY: FrighT MasteR
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON: 8/26/06

What makes Simon Says stand out compared to other films in the genre?

"Simon Says" is different from most horror films in that the "monster" is the star. Freddy K. was the closest to this, but Simon and Stanley take the personalizing of abject horror to new heights, or should I say lows. Many lines are crossed and the innocent, often funny victims fall prey to some of the most uniquely macabre deaths to splash across the red, once silver screen.

How exactly did the idea for the movie come about?

I was offered a horror movie to do but the script just didn't have what was needed to satisfy today's sophisticated genre audiences. I always try to think from the audience when directing and writing movies. That's where the fun is, that's the best. Watching and being engulfed in that magical journey that only a film can take you on. That's what movies are about.

So I wrote a horror movie I felt would deliver what the audience expected and didn't expect. It was a chance to put something up on the screen that would put the viewer in the middle of a living nightmare. Outrageous, irreverent, funny and very disturbing, all coming at you in a twisted and unexpected way.

When the initial financing for the film fell out, I optioned my own project back and with the help of my son Oliver who ultimately became the second unit director, as well as production designer and unfortunate victim, and thru my producer and long time friend, Ernie Lively, found an investor, paid off the option and with "Simon Says" free and clear, and Ernie's ability to put together a stellar cast, proceeded to make my film the way it was intended.

Have you always wanted to work with horror?

I wouldn't say I've always wanted to work in horror, but as a filmmaker, I have always had a fascination with the horror genre pictures that scared me. Fear is a powerful thing and using for entertainment, whether it's a roller-coaster ride or a movie experience makes the person a part of what's happening to them at the time. And that can be frightening because you don't have a choice. It's happening and like it or not, you're a part of it. Unfortunately people outside the world of entertainment are willing to use fear in far more diabolical ways, but that's a horror story all its own.

I also found that in writing "Simon Says" that building up to a terrifying scare is much the same road taken in building up to a comedic moment, except you end up being drenched in blood with body parts and indefinable bits of nasty dripping down your face. Funny how that works.

For the gore-hounds out there -- how is the film in terms of blood and gore?

Gore hounds rejoice! I promise you will see things you have never seen before. "Death by Doobie", "Best way to stop a speeding Van “, ” Locust-like wave of Pick-axes". And the ultimate treat when “Simon puts his foot down".

So who really is this Simon character?

Simon is a very confused person who finds the peace or abject horror he craves by giving in to the inner demons who haunt his past with nightmarish memories of murder, rejection and unspeakable acts... or is that his brother Stanley?

Talk to me about the young cast and how you got Crispin on board.

Crispin actually found us. We received a call from his agent that he had become aware of our film and was interested in reading the script. We had already been auditioning actors for the part, but Crispin's interest eclipsed our previous efforts... and when he read it and said he would like to play the role, the rest was just his people hammering out a deal with Ernie Lively, our Producer.

I had worked with Crispin's dad, Bruce, a number of years ago and when Crispin came on board, I asked him what he thought of his Dad playing the part of his Father in the film. He was thrilled and we are very fortunate to have them both in "Simon Says'.

The young cast was put together by Ernie. He has an eye for talent, an awareness of who's out there and the ability to get them into the casting sessions. We actually had to pass on some great people, but maybe that's what sequels are for? The film lives because of the great cast we have.

Margo Harshman, (Kate) a former Disney alumni is like a Catholic High School girl at a "kegger"... she gets to really show just how mature she is and use her amazing acting talent in ways earlier not available to her before. She can soon be seen in Ghost House Pictures "Rise"

Kelly Vitz is an actor to be watched. She has a mesmerizing screen presence and a totally natural acting style. Innocent and sensual. You can't take you eyes off her. She's a real Doll.

Greg Cipes delivers a breakout performance as the Stoner with a heart as big as his stash... OK, maybe not that big. His sings one of his own songs in the film, yet another layer in a character who will surprise the viewer when the stakes get high, sharp and bloody.

Carrie Finklea, is a party trapped inside a character that on the surface says, "Hey, there's a party inside!"

Artie Baxter, is the muscle, the power, the protector. He's the "quarterback" and with him they can't lose. Unfortunately, he's about as sharp as a dull pick ax.

Who's handling the effects for the film?

Sota EFX did our on-set effects, with Mark Villalobos and his Hench crew, Ron Knyrim and Heather Mages handling the squirts and grizzle. The visual EFX were handled by Godspeed Studios, home of Super Guy and OddEFX, a new company that not only put the final, sometimes disturbing touches on what I promise you are never before seen images, they also created the opening title sequence.

Drew Struzan, a good friend who saw the film and offered up his unique magic by creating a piece of art that is simple but menacing, much like Simon. He is the premiere movie poster artist in the world and just having him on board is a testament to the quality and creative integrity we have fought to maintain in this film.

Are there any other projects on your slate at the moment?

I am currently writing another horror movie and will follow that with either the Simon sequel or yet another horror piece. "Simon Says" opened up this whole new door and as long as I'm intrigued by what comes out in my writing, I'll keep exploring this genre.

I am just finishing directing a baseball movie for 20th Century Fox and hopefully will be starting on "Stanley's Cup", a wonderfully dark and irreverent comedy about kids, hockey and dreams, later this fall. Just after shooting "Simon", I did a golf comedy with Kevin Dillon called "The Foursome" ...so you might say I'm doing 4 sports movies in a row. If you consider what Simon, "I like this game!" does ...a sport.

Speaking of the Simon sequel, I heard the film was part of a planned trilogy, can you talk a bit about that?

A sequel is in the works, with a definite opening for more to come. Although it is not formally structured as a trilogy, the end of "Simon Says" (#1) only hints at what's to come when Simon's "evil seeds" are planted and more than promises that there will be more parts, more blood and more surprises

I'm dying to see the movie, so what's going on with distribution right now? Is it still too early to tell?

Distribution and all that that entails to deliver the picture we want out there is moving forward. We've got something no one has ever seen before and we've done it on our own and are determined to stay true to the goal of DarkMoon Pictures by having "Simon Says" make a splash in more ways than one.

When do you suppose we can expect to see the website go live or maybe finally get a chance to view the trailer?

Website soon, trailer soon,.. Keep checking www.simonsaysthemovie.com www.myspace.com/simonsaysthemovie www.DarkMoonPictures.com

What's the current status of the film at the moment?

The current status of "Simon Says" is that it will have it's World Premiere at Ain't It Cool News's Fantastic Fest in Austin Texas along with a revival showing of a very early (horror?) film of mine called "Northville Cemetery Massacre". We are actively searching out the distributor who "gets" what we have here, both in "Simon Says" and the commitment of Dark Moon Pictures to deliver quality motion pictures that cross lines, kick ass and take our viewers to that "magic" place and beyond.

Care to share any last words for all the readers out there?

Movies seen in movie theaters are one of the easiest ways to become part of an interactive experience in a dark space with an anonymous group of people gathered together to emotionally and viscerally share the magic of cinema. A magic that sweeps you away, sucks you in and allows you to be a part of a world beyond the reach of reality. That's the kind of films I want to make, those that deliver on that promise, whether it's comedy or blood spattering entrails akimbo, One of my greatest senses of accomplishment is taking you to that place you could not otherwise get to. Support the theater experience or we'll all be missing and may even lose the "magic". King Kong on an I-pod... No fucking way!