Please introduce yourself to the viewers and possibly give a little background info on what you've done, so we can get to know you better?

Hello readers of Upcoming Horror Movies.com! Tim Sullivan here, and happy to be so. The FrightMaster asked me to give a little background, so here goes. I just directed my first feature, 2001 MANIACS, which I co-wrote with Chris Kobin. Before that I was the Associate Producer of DETROIT ROCK CITY. So I've worked with KISS and Freddy Krueger! Hell, yeah!.

Your start in the biz was supposedly pumping blood in the 1983 flick Deadly Spawn, I'm sure it was an interesting experience for you as a teen, but what's your opinion on the movie itself?

Yep, I've pumped blood for the best of 'em. The Deadly Spawn and Gene Simmons! Back in 1980 when I was a kid in Jersey, I knew I wanted to make monster movies. But doing so seemed as unattainable a dream as landing on the moon. Then my art teacher told me about her brother's friend, a guy named John Dods. He made animated films and dabbled in special effects and was making a movie called THE DEADLY SPAWN. I met John, which for me at the time was like meeting Steven Spielberg. He was the first guy I knew that actually made movies. He took me under his wing, and soon enough, I found myself being the official PA on the film. Those were the days when you could shoot a movie on 16mm on the weekends over the course of a year and actually get it distributed. I got to watch the entire process from production to promotion. Even helped John cart the actual rubber DEALY SPAWN and to the theater lobby in New York the day it opened. It opened the same day as EVIL DEAD, which played next door. Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell were there, and we exchanged movie posters. Their film did a little better… But DEADLY SPAWN actually became a cult classic. (In fact, we all recently reunited to do a commentary for a deluxe DVD edition coming out from Synapse Films.) Dods continued to mentor me. He made the monster for my NYU thesis film, A CHRISTMAS TREAT, which won the Fangoria audience award in 1985. Then he went on to design the make-up for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Broadway.

Another great aspect of knowing John was that he was tight with all the Starlog & Fango folk, and used to take me into the offices to meet them. I actually began a career in journalism writing for FANGO while in college. That's how I interviewed Gene Simmons in '82, which led to a lifelong relationship that led to producing DETROIT ROCK CITY which led to directing 2001 MANIACS! It's all about synchronicity and following the path your heart tells you to follow and which fate lays down before you. So, yeah, I owe it all to that slimy, mega-toothed Deadly Spawn. Okay, I admit- The film drags in between the monster sequences, but those monster sequences kick ass. Even today. There is an innocence to the film you don't see much. A film made by true fans. An attempt to make an old fashioned monster movie in an era when slasher flicks with masked guys wielding knives was in vogue. I love monster movies, and would like to see more of them made. Maybe I'll remake THE DEADLY SPAWN one day. Hmmmmm….

Maniacs is your directorial debut -- what were the challenges you encountered as a first time filmmaker?

Were you a fan of the original?

It'll obviously have a lot of gore, but I'm curious, are you a big fan of gore in movies?

HELL YES! When I was a kid, I was really into magic. I was The Great Sullivini! Even did magic shows. As a teen, my interest in magic morphed into an interest in special make-up effects. Particularly gore! This all came after seeing DAWN OF THE DEAD and learning about Tom Savini. What is Tom Savini and those like him if not a master magician? So I went from card tricks to severed heads, but it's the same thing. Misdirection and freaking out an audience. That's what I do in MANIACS. Misdirect with humor, then hit them with a bloody murder! It's all an illusion. Even the fear that is instilled in the audience is an illusion. No one is truly in danger of the monster harming them! But for 90 minutes, we have the illusion of danger, all the while safely seated munching our popcorn, clutching our date. Since the days of prehistoric shadow plays thru Greek tragedy thru Shakespeare up until MANIACS, people need that dark place to safely confront their fears and scream out loud. Gory illusions enable that release. In a post 9/11 world where violence and terror splashes across the headlines on a daily basis, we need that catharsis now more then ever.

What can you tell me about the production team?

Raw Nerve co-produced 2001 MANIACS along with Chris Tuffin and VSPTE. I was blessed to have Chris Tuffin on board, as it was he, for the last year and a half, who resurrected the project after it fell apart the first go-round. A major Hollywood producer had brought the film to near production, but fumbled the financing ball a week before what would have been the first day of filming! Tuffin picked up that ball and carried it across the finishing line helping me put together the financing (Raw Nerve & VSPTE) as well as a winning production team and amazing cast. Every single person involved brought their heart and soul to the job. It was a true collaborative effort with everybody lending their voice. Sometimes you get too wrapped up in your own vision & need someone to help you see outside the box. Tuffin was definitely that guy.

You've assembled a nice cast of relatively unknowns (with the exception of a few) -- how was it like to work with them? Were there any that stood out?

My favorite part of the filmmaking process is working with the actors. These are the people who bring your characters to life. It's like they're your children, and you become very protective. You fall in love with each and every single one of them. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between the actor and the character, especially when the actors are kicking as much ass as they did in MANIACS. It's really true. My drama teacher used to say, "There are no small parts. Just small actors." Every character in 2001 MANIACS from Buckman to the Blacksmith was equally important and equally perfect. The cast ranged from newcomers like Jay Gillespie and Marla Malcolm (who played the lead "Guests of Honor") to old pros like Matt Carey and Mushond Lee, who though young, have had a lot of screen experience. I think the "newbies" brought a freshness and energy that really pumped everybody else up. This was a tough shot. Only 22 days. Actors had to deal with a lot of uncomfortable make-up and death scenes. Every one of the eight lead Guests of Honor had to have full head casts. A lot of nakedness in ice cold weather. But everybody was game and made what could have been very grueling a helluva lot of fun. All except this one bozo who played Coffin Harry. He was very difficult to work with. A real prima donna. Kept rewriting his lines and insisting on multiple takes. Actually, I'm just kidding. I played Coffin Harry!

I know you're a fan of John Landis -- how does it feel to have him in your film as Professor Ackerman?

"I'm not worthy!" "I'm not worthy!" Let me tell you, John Landis is an American treasure. He is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. I mean, "Animal House", "Blues Brothers", "American Werewolf","Thriller". C'mon! In 1988, I worked as a production assistant in New York on "Coming to America". It was the first time I had met John. I couldn't believe I was working with him. Even though I was the lowliest man on the totem pole, John treated me with the utmost respect. Other directors I had worked with wouldn't give PA's the time of day. But John and I bonded over horror movies, "Famous Monsters" magazine and our mutual respect and fondness for its editor, Forry Ackerman. John told me if I ever made it out to LA, to look him up. Well, I made it to LA, looked him up and he was true to his word. He helped me out. Gave me advice. Ended up playing Professor Ackerman in the opening scene (along with original MANIACS producer Dave Freidman who plays Dean Lewis in homage to HG Lewis). During the shooting, I had to keep pinching myself. Here I was directing John Landis! I seem to have been very blessed that way. So many of my heroes and childhood influences have become creative collaborators, but most incredibly, they have become my friends.

I heard you were interested in bringing forth another reimagining, but this time for a little unknown 60's film called She Freak -- can you tell us more about that? Why that film?

After we wrote MANIACS, Chris Kobin and I were trying to figure out what the follow-up should be. Dave Friedman had produced a little known film in 1967 called SHE FREAK, and offered us the remake rights. Although I had never seen the film (and still haven't), the idea of a female monster set in a rock and roll sideshow appealed to me as something that could be expanded upon. I reimagined it as a female PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, an avenging angel who rids the world of evil- one man at a time! There have been so few female monsters through the years. Bride of Frankenstien, Dracula's Daughter, Species… Not much else. Time is right for something like that. We wrote a script in the same vein as MANIACS, combining horror and dark humor, using both as social commentary- in the case of SHE FREAK, commentary on male and female stereotypes, consumerism and the public's thirst for blood! Steve Nemeth just optioned the project for Rhino Films. He passed the script on to Asia Argento who read and loves it. Let's see if her schedule works out.

Are there any other projects you'd see yourself doing or plan to do in the future?

As much as I LOVE horror, there are many other types of stories within me that I want to tell. As I said earlier, I always loved the rock group KISS. But I also am a huge Doors fan. I always say KISS represents my guts, The Doors represent my soul. To that end, I have co-written a script with Ray Manzarek of The Doors called RIDERS ON THE STORM. It's a road trip movie that combines EASY RIDERS with THE SEARCHERS. Ray will direct. I will produce. Eddie Furlong, Brad Renfro and Jay Gillespie will star.

How do you think you made it to where you are now?

PASSION. In order to have a dream come true, you have to have one first. You have to believe in it, you have to live it, strive for it, never take no for an answer. You have to eat, drink and sleep your dream till it happens. Never forget your roots. Never forget those that inspired you. Never get too full of yourself that you lose the little kid inside that jumped up and down when a new issue of "Famous Monsters" came out on the newsstands. Don't be too egotistical that you're afraid to ask your heroes for an autograph, even if they happen to be your co-workers. Know you're motives. Are you in it for the limos and the parties or the joy of telling stories? Ultimately, be true to yourself and never apologize for being so.

Tell me what are your fav. horror films?

God, there so many… Let's see, THE EXORCIST is number one. Then, in no particular order: NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, HALLOWEEN, SUSPIRIA, HORROR HOTEL, WICKER MAN, THE HAUNTING (original), THE OMEN, ROSEMARY'S BABY, RETURN OF LIVING DEAD, CARNIVAL OF SOULS, POLTERGEIST, HORROR OF DRACULA… The list could go on and on.

Any last words to the viewers about anything?

Thanks for reading my ramblings. AIM HIGH.