When did you first know you wanted to make monster movies?
I didn’t consider filmmaking as a career until after highschool because it was just something I did. I made my first monster movie around age 8 with my cat, called ‘It Came from the Backyard’.
What is the best decade for horror and why?
I think the obvious answer is the 80’s, but I strongly believe we’re currently in a horror renaissance. The Substance, Weapons, When Evil Lurks, Talk to Me, Terrifer 2 & 3… So many incredible new voices are in the genre right now and I’m so excited to put in my two cents.
What lessons did you learn from making Dirty Jersey?
Big directors are always saying that the best way to learn how to make a film is to go do it. It pains me to admit that this is indeed the case. I learned everything from how to stretch money, how to effectively communicate with the crew and actors, and most importantly, how to improvise.
What makes Wildwood the perfect setting for your next film?
Wildwood is especially interesting to me because of the 50’s doo-wap aesthetic of the town. A setting with a lot of character and production value is essential.
A Sea Creature Terrorizing the Jersey Shore sounds like a throwback to better times. Where do you draw your inspiration?
Inspiration comes from everywhere, if you let it. From movies, comics, novels or simply interactions you see out in the world. I also find long walks and meditation to be helpful when it comes to matters of creativity.
Is this going to be a practical effects creature?
I think the most convincing creatures come from a seamless marriage of practical and CG. The monsters in ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ come to mind as a good example of this. CGI has become kind of a dirty word and I don’t think that’s fair to those artists. It works best as an extension of something tangible. That being said, expect more practical effects than anything else. I enjoy getting my hands dirty.
How far along are you in development?
I am on what amounts to the 12th draft of the script. The story has evolved into something really special and insane… It really lives up to its name. We expect to be filming early next year.
What can you tell us about the behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the making of the film?
I can say you’ll get a great, unfiltered look at what goes into making an indie film. It’s not always a pretty process, but it’s very rewarding.
If you could tell HNN one thing about this project that no one knows, what might you say?
While I expect principal photography to take place in Wildwood, the setting will be an amalgamation of several New Jersey beach towns. We will take the best aspects of each and combine them to create the fictional “Neptune’s Gate”.