The award-winning filmmaker, James Cullen Bressack, began his career in 2011 at the age of 18, debuting with a horror feature, My Pure Joy. He followed up with the controversial, ultra-violent Hate Crime, about a brutal home invasion through found footage format that was portrayed as a real life snuff film. The BBFC soon banned it for its vicious content and anti-Semitic focal point.
So where else do you go after scandalous movie making at such a young age? James decided to begin the “Jennifer” series by shooting the first installment (To Jennifer) entirely on his iPhone 5. The follow up Jennifer films were all produced by James, consistently in similar stylish layout.
Keeping up the momentum, he went on to complete a wide variety of films including Pernicious, Bethany, Restoration, Blood Lake, Bloodcraft and more. He turned to producing countless movies for Lionsgate and Cinedigm, becoming a member of SAG/AFTRA and PGA, and working with respectable names such as Shannen Doherty, Zack Ward, DMX, and Christopher Lloyd.
His next feature, Survive the Game, features Bruce Willis and Chad Michael Murray - an action-packed ride into a brutal standoff between cops and a thrill-killing drug mob.
I had the opportunity to interview James Cullen Bressack and learn more about his thought-provoking body of work alongside his continuation at pushing buttons of contentious subject matter.
You’ve been a filmmaker for over a decade now, mostly focused on the horror genre. Survive the Game is a departure from that formula…so what attracted you to this script?
I really like the throwback 90’s action movies. I grew up on 80s horror and it was a total throwback that was similar to Joel Silver action movies. So, this was my focus - It doesn’t take itself too seriously especially with added comedy. I thought, this is the type of movie I’d want to watch so it’s the type of movie I should make it.
I know you’ve worked with some amazing talent like Shannen Doherty, Christopher Lloyd and Dominique Swain, but what was it like working with the legendary Bruce Willis?
Bruce is awesome, man. He came up with the improv one liners, he likes to laugh and be very involved – I had a great time with him!
Swen Tremmel is incredible in Survive the Game, it was as if “Cal” was written specifically for him. Would you consider working with him again?
I would totally work with him again – me and him hit it off immediately, he grew up in LA, we have similar friends in common, he is so cool to hang out with and he puts his all into his work.
Chad Michael Murray’s character is of a broken and traumatized veteran, Eric. Again, very different from his days on One Tree Hill! How did you bring out these convincing traits?
Chad is an unbelievably talented and versatile actor and he got into that character well. Super wonderful to work with – we’ve done 2 movies together so far and I couldn’t say more nice things about Chad.
How did you get your start in film? Did it come from your parents’ involvement in entertainment?
My dad did animation, and he was a writer; my mom did voices; I grew up around it. They had a big influence - my dad influenced my life and film career.
You are one of the first filmmakers to ever shoot an entire full feature using an iPhone (To Jennifer). What made you think of trying out this format and were you pleased with the outcome?
That was just 100% out of doing something new and I didn’t have a budget to do anything. I was like, this is how I want to make this movie. So, with $500 and an iPhone, that’s what you saw! I didn’t like the guy who played Steven (me) – that guy SUCKED! *laughter*
Hate Crime was the first Bressack film I ever saw, and it still haunts me (which is a plus!) I read that the BBFC banned it from VOD release due to its severity. Were you shocked that it became a controversial piece and are you interested in pushing the boundaries when it comes to extreme content?
I knew it was going to be banned before it happened, so it wasn’t shocking. I had trouble getting it picked up. I think it’s odd that who’s to say who can watch (adults) and not watch these movies. I was 19 at the time. A movie by a teenager had them all like, “no one of any age can watch this”. This is actually kind of cool – I felt like, this is an honor! I would hunt out movies that were banned, so I could check them out. I love extreme content - it’s super cool as a producer. It’s not where I’m at anymore as a filmmaker – it’s not the message I’m trying to say. It’s not where my head’s at now.
Your next film, Fortress, also stars the heavy hitters Willis, Murray, Doherty and now Jesse Metcalfe - will this be another action thriller? Are you taking a departure from extreme cinema?
Personally speaking, sadly I said after Bloodcraft and Bethany, I don’t see myself doing horror for a long time. I’m focused on action now. That’s the genre I’m more focused on. I don’t really see going back into horror for a while.
What are some of your favorite films?
Oldboy, Sin City, Kill Bill and Shawshank Redemption My favorite horror movie is Brain Damage!
It was such a pleasure and honor to finally speak with you about your work. I will continue to be a huge fan and follow your journey as you continue to produce such outstanding movies. Thank you for taking this time to talk with me!
Survive The Game will be available in Select Theaters, on Apple TV and Everywhere You Rent Movies on October 8th! Available on Blu-ray and DVD on October 12th!
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The award-winning filmmaker, James Cullen Bressack, began his career in 2011 at the age of 18, debuting with a horror feature, My Pure Joy. He followed up with the controversial, ultra-violent Hate Crime, about a brutal home invasion through found footage format that was portrayed as a real life snuff film. The BBFC soon banned it for its vicious content and anti-Semitic focal point.
So where else do you go after scandalous movie making at such a young age? James decided to begin the “Jennifer” series by shooting the first installment (To Jennifer) entirely on his iPhone 5. The follow up Jennifer films were all produced by James, consistently in similar stylish layout.
Keeping up the momentum, he went on to complete a wide variety of films including Pernicious, Bethany, Restoration, Blood Lake, Bloodcraft and more. He turned to producing countless movies for Lionsgate and Cinedigm, becoming a member of SAG/AFTRA and PGA, and working with respectable names such as Shannen Doherty, Zack Ward, DMX, and Christopher Lloyd.
His next feature, Survive the Game, features Bruce Willis and Chad Michael Murray - an action-packed ride into a brutal standoff between cops and a thrill-killing drug mob.
I had the opportunity to interview James Cullen Bressack and learn more about his thought-provoking body of work alongside his continuation at pushing buttons of contentious subject matter.
You’ve been a filmmaker for over a decade now, mostly focused on the horror genre. Survive the Game is a departure from that formula…so what attracted you to this script?
I really like the throwback 90’s action movies. I grew up on 80s horror and it was a total throwback that was similar to Joel Silver action movies. So, this was my focus - It doesn’t take itself too seriously especially with added comedy. I thought, this is the type of movie I’d want to watch so it’s the type of movie I should make it.
I know you’ve worked with some amazing talent like Shannen Doherty, Christopher Lloyd and Dominique Swain, but what was it like working with the legendary Bruce Willis?
Bruce is awesome, man. He came up with the improv one liners, he likes to laugh and be very involved – I had a great time with him!
Swen Tremmel is incredible in Survive the Game, it was as if “Cal” was written specifically for him. Would you consider working with him again?
I would totally work with him again – me and him hit it off immediately, he grew up in LA, we have similar friends in common, he is so cool to hang out with and he puts his all into his work.
Chad Michael Murray’s character is of a broken and traumatized veteran, Eric. Again, very different from his days on One Tree Hill! How did you bring out these convincing traits?
Chad is an unbelievably talented and versatile actor and he got into that character well. Super wonderful to work with – we’ve done 2 movies together so far and I couldn’t say more nice things about Chad.
How did you get your start in film? Did it come from your parents’ involvement in entertainment?
My dad did animation, and he was a writer; my mom did voices; I grew up around it. They had a big influence - my dad influenced my life and film career.
You are one of the first filmmakers to ever shoot an entire full feature using an iPhone (To Jennifer). What made you think of trying out this format and were you pleased with the outcome?
That was just 100% out of doing something new and I didn’t have a budget to do anything. I was like, this is how I want to make this movie. So, with $500 and an iPhone, that’s what you saw! I didn’t like the guy who played Steven (me) – that guy SUCKED! *laughter*
Hate Crime was the first Bressack film I ever saw, and it still haunts me (which is a plus!) I read that the BBFC banned it from VOD release due to its severity. Were you shocked that it became a controversial piece and are you interested in pushing the boundaries when it comes to extreme content?
I knew it was going to be banned before it happened, so it wasn’t shocking. I had trouble getting it picked up. I think it’s odd that who’s to say who can watch (adults) and not watch these movies. I was 19 at the time. A movie by a teenager had them all like, “no one of any age can watch this”. This is actually kind of cool – I felt like, this is an honor! I would hunt out movies that were banned, so I could check them out. I love extreme content - it’s super cool as a producer. It’s not where I’m at anymore as a filmmaker – it’s not the message I’m trying to say. It’s not where my head’s at now.
Your next film, Fortress, also stars the heavy hitters Willis, Murray, Doherty and now Jesse Metcalfe - will this be another action thriller? Are you taking a departure from extreme cinema?
Personally speaking, sadly I said after Bloodcraft and Bethany, I don’t see myself doing horror for a long time. I’m focused on action now. That’s the genre I’m more focused on. I don’t really see going back into horror for a while.
What are some of your favorite films?
Oldboy, Sin City, Kill Bill and Shawshank Redemption My favorite horror movie is Brain Damage!
It was such a pleasure and honor to finally speak with you about your work. I will continue to be a huge fan and follow your journey as you continue to produce such outstanding movies. Thank you for taking this time to talk with me!
Survive The Game will be available in Select Theaters, on Apple TV and Everywhere You Rent Movies on October 8th! Available on Blu-ray and DVD on October 12th!