We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with director and producer Brad Douglas, Check out the interview below.
Tell us about your background, Brad.
I worked in an advertising agency in the ’90s as a producer and voice talent. I produced a lot of TV commercials, but I always wanted to work in film. Took me a few years, but I finally made it happen.
How would you say making films differs from previous jobs you’ve had?
Well, all the other jobs were easy ha. Even the hard ones. Film making is for sure the most challenging, but rewarding thing I’ve ever been a part of.
When did you first get into filmmaking and why?
I finally got around to shooting my first short in central Oregon about 11 years ago. I followed it up with a second short a few years later and then decided to move on to features. At some point you need to at least hope there’s a chance to be commercially successful. Bigger risk but possibly a bigger reward. Not only financially, but also reaching a larger audience.
And where did you learn to make movies? School? On the job?
Definitely not from school. I grew up in a small Oregon town without many opportunities. Once I spent a few years in commercial TV production you kind of get your legs under you when it comes to the basics of film making. My first short (30 min.) was definitely on the job. I learned a lot. Mostly what I did wrong. Expensive lessons but that’s what shorts are for. I still make mistakes but they’re a little harder to see now, I hope lol.
How did this film come to be?
After BESETMENT released I knew I had to get back to work. Following up means a lot in this biz. So I found this script and loved the story. Cast the leads, hired my crew, put the money together and away we went. I was used to shooting in Oregon so I had to find a place with a cabin in Northern California. Found the perfect place with 3 cabins in Nevada City, CA about 60 miles out of Sacramento. Held all the cast and crew in one location. It was perfect. It was almost like shooting up north.
How long did it take to make?
Principal was about 4 weeks with days off. Some of the scenes were re-shot up near Portland so that added about 4 extra shooting days. It was such a limited location script we knocked a lot of pages out each day. As far as post-production? Well, that’s always the devil. Probably 7 months. Around a year from pre to finish.
And for those wondering how it compares to the Wrong Turn franchise?
That wasn’t the intention however I can see the contrast. What I liked about the story is that there are 2 monsters involved. One internal and the other external. I compare it loosely to, The Edge. There are several forces against them. Dual antagonists if you will. I’m not sure if it prints but if you watch closely you will see it. This is for sure a movie you have to watch if you want to really understand it.
Anything you wanted to cover in it, but didn’t?
Oh jeez. Yeah, there’s always more you would like to cover. Budgets and restraints don’t always allow you to do that. But then that’s the challenge of making movies with small budgets. You have to be creative with what you have. Just get as much coverage as you can because you’d be surprised how much it comes in handy in post.
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the industry?
It’s the family of people you develop along the journey. Over my last 2 films, I have met some of my best and dearest friends. I love them very much. When you ask people to work for very little and they give it there all you can’t help but have a deep appreciation for them. There’s this magic that happens when you put 25 people together for 25 days. Good and bad, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
How should folks take down a feral cannibal if they ever run across one?
String a piano wire between two trees and get them to chase you through it. Works every time!
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