Photo Credit: Marc Hall - Filmmaker Headshot
Evan Kidd is a feature filmmaker based in Raleigh, NC. The first is a feature film Son of Clowns, which was shot in North Carolina, and also has Ryan Thompson in a role. Home Remedy is Evan’s most recent work, a TV series for Amazon Prime. It was filmed last year in Baton Rouge, LA.
We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Evan about his latest projects. Check out the interview below.
Hi, Evan! You have two amazing films releasing soon, to add to your impressive resume, and we can’t wait to speak to you about them! Let’s start with Sons of Clowns. Tell us more.
Son of Clowns was my first feature-length production. I started writing it a month after graduating from film school in 2014. Come summer of 2015 we were in production with an all-volunteer cast and crew in my hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. That was major for me, doing something for my city. The film follows fictional minor TV star Hudson Cash. Hudson loses his show, and his family’s backyard circus is floundering. After returning home to live with his parents, he finds adjusting to life back in North Carolina his most challenging role yet.
Independently writing, directing, producing, and then editing that film took the better part of two years and from start to finish. It was one of the most influential and difficult artistic endeavors I’ve ever taken part in. The budget came out of our pockets, and we didn’t have big financers backing us. If we failed or succeeded at the end of the day… it was all on us. All artists should make at least one big project this way, it forces you to create with absolute intention in everything you place on screen. There wasn’t time to second guess anything.
Do you feel your film will raise more awareness of losing something, but gaining a lot in return? It’s a heart-warming movie.
That’s the goal. Without spoiling the plot of the film, this one cuts deep. We wrestle pretty serious themes in Son of Clowns, and hopefully, the audience walks away a little changed after viewing it. However, in making the film we wrapped a lot of these serious themes in a comedic blanket. Life is sort of funny like that. When something bad happens, life continues on. You still spill your coffee the next day, or your friend tells you a funny story about that dude who cut them off in traffic and ended up being their fourth-grade teacher who stole their lawn mower in 2003. I dunno. Something real and balanced. That’s what we attempted in Son of Clowns.
The trailer is phenomenal; well done. Any plans for a premiere?
Thanks. I highly recommend checking out the artist who provided the song that I cut that trailer, too. His name is Jackson Honeycutt, and the song is from his album Dog Ears And Twilight Hours. He’s a North Carolina boy too.
As for Son of Clowns, we actually spent the entirety of 2016 touring the film on the festival circuit, screening all over. From the UK to Los Angeles, and even bringing it full circle back in North Carolina with a final screening at the Cucalorus Film Festival, before releasing the film on Amazon Prime Video. That’s where you can watch the film now! If you have Amazon Prime, even just for the shipping you can actually watch it for free.
Let’s talk Home Remedy. This is a good twist! Damon is nearly divorced, unemployed, and an unlicensed therapist. With his life in disarray, he ponders if he’s doing the right thing. What inspired the script?
After I shot Son of Clowns in 2015, I moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was such a departure from everything I’d come to know in Raleigh, North Carolina in the best possible way. I grew so much as an artist in the time I spent down in Louisiana. One of several projects I made while living in Baton Rouge was Home Remedy, a five-episode narrative TV series for Amazon Prime Video. You can watch it there now!
As you mentioned it’s about a non-traditional therapist just trying to make a buck. Damon dropped out of school before getting his degree, so he’s an unlicensed and unqualified therapist who really shouldn’t be helping anyone. But he does. I just found the concept interesting and wanted to flesh out the concept of a “bad person” who wants to help people worth exploring and writing about.
Home Remedy is a relatable story. What are your expectations for the series?
It’s actually been my best performing work to date. Amazon Prime Video is actually a great platform for independent filmmakers like myself because they actually let you see the infographics of viewership on your projects. I’m not sure if it’s the concept or the fact that episodic content is hot now. (We are after all in the golden age of television.) However I’m thankful people are finding the show, and connecting with it.
Is there a particular reason you have chosen independent production?
Because it’s really hard. Honestly. I love the challenge. No one does an independent film for the fun after the first project or two. It’s too damn difficult. You have to love something aside from just having fun. Independent productions have a beating heart that relies on your cast and crew in a way you’ll never find on a “safe set”. (Something like a big blockbuster.) Who knows if your independent film will find an audience? So y’all better work that much harder on set to make it pop off. So when people finally do see it they have to talk about it and share. I dunno, that kind of spirit is contagious to me on set.
You’re an avid writer and filmmaker, who continuously hones his craft. What keeps you inspired?
People who need their stories told. When people don’t talk about something important, I want to ask why. I want to shine a light on stories worth telling. I’ll make a TV show about a depressed therapist, or a documentary about a couple caught in a 500-year flood event, while still making a blues album despite their situation. These stories inspire me. I’ll keep doing that. Someone else can make “Superhero Summer Blockbuster 10”.
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the industry?
Finding myself surrounded by people who have volunteered their time and talents to be on one of my film sets. It’s humbling to see folks give so much. It happened to Son of Clowns and Home Remedy. I’ll be lucky and blessed anytime people believe in a project like that.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
I’d just encourage your audience to check out Son of Clowns and Home Remedy on Amazon Prime Video. I hope they’ll find something inspirational or funny in either of those. Aside from that, I’ve got a music video for Jackson Honeycutt called “Tiring” coming out soon which we shot in New Orleans last year. Additionally, I actually do have that documentary about a couple caught in a 500-year flood event, while still making a blues album despite their situation. It’s called “We Lived the Blues”. It’s touring the country on the film festival circuit this year. You can keep up with it along with all my work on my website, RockSet Productions, and Twitter.
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would do ___________.
Exactly what I’m doing now. Perhaps with a winning lottery ticket in hand so the works can be better funded.
Son of Clowns:
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/185975048
Website: https://sonofclowns.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/
Home Remedy:
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Website: https://www.amazon.com/gp/
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