Movie Still - Courtesy of "The Hurt Movie"
We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Kevin Stevenson about his film The Hurt. It premieres tonight at the FirstGlance Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.
Hi, Kevin! Thank you for granting the interview. Congrats on your new feature The Hurt. Tell us what inspired the script.
Our feature film The Hurt was written by Brandon Trask. His inspiration for the script is a dark and lonely road that he can only truly talk about. I know for me, we wanted to express the need and desire for human connection. Even if the connection brings our downfall. I believe people like to live on the edge, and that’s what this movie is about, a young woman who is fed up with her current life and she will reach out to the person who has nothing to offer but the instant gratification of drugs and sex. So, the idea that anyone can fall off the deep end with the right circumstances is the inspiration behind our film The Hurt. We used movies like Thirteen, Pariah, and Neon Demon to inspire the tone and the look of the film.
What sets it apart from other featuress?
This feature film is 92-minutes long, and it’s uniquely different from any other movie I’ve ever seen. It has an intimate look into the several troublesome days for a youth finding her peace after the death of her father. The lighting is contrasted with neon lights from Diablo’s dungeon, and the stark touch of realism from the family home. These difference make the movie feel like two different films, which we wanted to emphasize because the character, Cody Fields, has an out-of-body experience when she meets Diablo.
The performances set it apart as well. The intimate and steamy relationship between the two lovers, Cody and Diablo, jump off the screen. It’s visual hard candy for the audience.
Have you considered making it a full-length film?
This is our 2nd feature film and we are in post-production for our 3rd film. We have lost the desire to make feature films, and have focused all of our attention on making low-budget feature films that are rooted in the underbelly of society.
Is it a challenge to produce a feature film?
Producing a short film or feature is very difficult. A lot of things will fall through, and it’s my job as a director to find a solution to the problems that will inevitably arise. Locations and scheduling are the biggest setbacks for me. So I always have a backup plan.
How has the production exceeded your expectations?
We shot this in 10-days, and I’m surprised we didn’t come across any continuity error because we were shooting so fast, it was impossible to keep track of everything. We shot this like a documentary, but we were able to maintain the look of a well-polished narrative because our Gaffer was always next to the monitor adjusting light and shadows up to the moment we said action. We utilized every little time we had to keep the neon noir look we set out from the pre-production references. And for that, I’m really happy about our finished product.
Tell us about what a typical day on the set is like.
We started each day at 2 PM, and we wrapped at 2 AM. We had the luxury of leaving our gear at the location, so we got the most out of our 12 hour days. So, first thing, we get pictures up and find a tentative frame. Then, we would block the scenes, giving the actors the freedom to move around as they choose to. We encourage ideas from everyone, and this was the chance to chime in. Once we agree on the blocking in the scene, the actors would go for makeup, and we would rig the lights to the walls and ceiling so we didn’t have unforeseen light stands in the shots because we were shooting it like a documentary and shooting 180-360 degree shots. And most takes were long taken, we didn’t have the luxury of multiple takes. So, it was important for the actors to know exactly how to begin and end each scene because we didn’t do a lot of cuts. We would say action, go through the scene, then we would reposition the camera without cutting. I don’t like to work this way, but it saved time and it allowed us to make the days.
What is going to surprise people about the film?
The performances of Catt Bellamy and Every Heart are going to blow people away. It’s so steamy at parts, that we had to cut away to keep the R-rating. They did a great job of bringing the characters to life in a way that surpassed the script’s direction. They went above and beyond and anyone who is a cinema lover will appreciate the lengths they went to, to tell this heartbreaking and erotic story.
Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite scene and why?
My favorite scene is the rooftop scenes. There’s something magical about shooting on rooftops. Plus it gave us some reprieve from the dingy and seedy location inside Diablo’s dungeon. [haha]
When looking back on the production, what resonated with you the most and why?
I really love the breath of fresh air the train scenes gave the picture. It was crucial for the story and the audience, because the content is so raw and intense, that it gives the viewer a chance to breathe before going back into the deep end. And plus anytime I see a movie that takes place on a train, it adds a level of realism to it.
In your opinion, what scene in the series is going to blow people away and why?
The scenes were the girls burn themselves and cut themselves are going to make the audience cringe. It gets pretty intense at times and I hope the audience is ready for the pain that this movie will bring.
What did you enjoy most about the production?
I specifically enjoyed the rehearsals and production days. The collaboration process is exhilarating.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about The Hurt?
We are screening this Friday, March 15 at the FirstGlance film festival. Tickets are available at the Laemmle Noho 7 theatre and FirstGlanceFilms.com.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about your career?
We are always looking to read original screenplays, so feel free to send your concepts our way.
Thank you for chatting with us about The Hurt. I hope we can catch up in the future for another interview.
Follow us @TheHurtMovie and www.TheHurtMovie.com.
The Hurt – The Plot
The Hurt follows the downward spiral of grief-stricken 18-year old Cody, shortly after losing her father to suicide. In a haze of anger and grief, Cody finds herself drawn into the erotic, dangerous world of drugs and porn as a way to cope, by her mysterious new friend, Diablo. Over the course of four days, Diablo takes Cody into a whole new tawdry world, filled with sex, drugs, and sado-masochism. Fearful of her daughter becoming lost in a world of seductive eroticism, Cody’s mother, Jennifer, and best friend, Willis, fight to free Cody from her own self-destruction.
DIRECTOR
Kevin Stevenson
STARRING
Sara Catt Bellamy, Every Heart, Nathan DeLaTorre, Kristin Feinfield, Danny Hansen
RUNNING TIME
92 mins
PREMIERE STATUS
World Premiere
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