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Interview With Amanda Carver Screenwriter/Producer for Krampus
What the hell is a Krampus? Officially I think I have to start any article involving a Krampus with that question and then proceed. A Krampus, for those of you not from Austria, avid readers of Terrortube news, or lucky enough to known the frightening legend: seems to be the creature parents may threaten their kids with when they’re a bit naughty. It is an Austrian goatman of about 7 feet tall with cloven hooves. This creature does his dirty work in the black forest, eating people and flicking his foot long forked tongue out and about. Sounds like a natural movie star right? When I saw that there was going to be a movie about the Krampus, I had to find the answer to the opening question of this article and then I had to find out more about the production. Who better to start the informational tour with the writer and producer: Amanda Carver. A big thanks to Amanda Carver for taking the time to indulge my curiosity and everyone should be sure to check out www.krampusthemovie.com or if you cannot pull yourself away from Myspace to do such then add them to your friends list with www.myspace.com/krampusthemovie TERRORTUBE: Why a Krampus, and are there any other films with a Krampus in it that you know of? “I decided to write a horror feature about the Krampus because he's been sort of a family friend all my life. My grandmother is from Austria (Annaburg) , the legend came over with her. We've always celebrated Krampusnaucht on December 5th. I was terrified of it as a child, then I saw how scared my own children got over it, it just hit me to write it up as a horror script. I did a little research before I wrote it, just to see what was out there. I haven't run across any film about the Krampus. I wish there was one, I'd have already ordered it.” TERROR: Where is this film being made? “We plan to shoot in Texas. Between the Germanic towns of Fredericksburg and New Braunfels and the wonderful Studios at Las Colinas in Irving, we've pretty much covered our bases. Sure, it would rock to film in Austria, but it's a logistics nightmare and I think it will just go better to do it all stateside. Also, I know about a million people here in Texas that are amazing in every aspect of film. They all need work, so if we have a paying project, I would really like to keep it in the family. Help at home first, right?” TERROR: What can we expect the Krampus to look like in the movie, scary or man in a gorilla suit? “Heh. He's a bad muther. Really! Sure, we're totally going the man-in-suit route. Camden Toy is an amazing actor. Nobody could pull it off like Camden. I'm excited to see him go at it. He's gonna freak everyone out. We have an amazing special fx company lined up, I wish I could mention them by name now, but legal stuff, yada, yada, yada. It has to wait a bit longer. We're excited about doing the Krampus head to toe. I intend to stay as far away form CGI as I can. I hate it. I think it looks dated, cheap, it's just not usually done well. Sure there are exceptions out there, but I'm not risking it on this film. We intend to take it back like Aliens, Predator, Pumpkinhead. I love a man in a scary suit. I want something that can be touched, something with a real weight to it, something that breathes. I’m just a touchy-feely kinda girl.” TERROR: How is the cast, are they friendly or do the Gomez siblings fight a lot? “The cast is amazing. So far, that's my favorite thing about the entire project. I've never met so many amazing people. Really, they just blow me away. I really do feel fortunate to be working with each one of them. We chose them all specifically not just for acting ability or their resume, but because each person brings a little something extra with them. They inspire me. I think that's a good thing. We'll see what happens on set, but I'd probably fall out if I saw the Hunter and Ashley fight! They are both so professional, kind, patient, and SO SMART! Naw, I don't see it happening. They are really amazing kids. Geez, the entire Gomez family just blows me away. I'm honored that they decided to take the roles. It's going to be so fun to be on set with them.” TERROR: Feel free to say kind words about the crew and director here. “Kind words about the crew and director? Hmmm..screw them all. NO!!!!! Just kidding! I love my crew. I love our director. We had the opportunity to go with several other "better known" directors but we were set on Christian from the first draft. It's hard to put it in words, but Christian just has a drive that most people don't have. You can actually look at him and see the wheels turning. He's amazing. I feel totally confident in his ability and can't wait to see the finished product. I know he's gonna own it. He's going to be one of the big dogs. I hope he doesn't forget us when he's famous. If he does, I’m poking him with a spork.” TERROR: As a writer would you say horror films are your genre of choice? Or do you prefer producing? “Yuck, I think producing for me at this point is more of a "have-to" instead of a "want-to". It's an evil I have to endure to keep us going. Not that I'm not enjoying it at all, but it does make me crazy. It's possibly just a confidence issue. Maybe as I've produced more, I'll feel better about it. Who knows? I will certainly produce again. Thanks God my co-producers are competent! Horror films. Oh Lord, don't get me started! I love writing horror. Hands down, it's my favorite genre. I can't imagine writing anything else. I like making people sick. I love scaring them. I love getting the reaction. Probably stems from all the lead paint I ate in the 70's, I dunno.” TERROR: Please tell us how you got involved with making movies, as well as your inspirations to have been interested in such a career. “I’ve always been interested in film, especially horror. Joe Bob Briggs practically raised me and he doesn’t even know it. Thanks, Joe Bob! I’ve always had an interest as a fan. I never imagined I would actually be involved in the making of a film, not on any level. That didn’t happen until 2005 when David Talbot wrote RISEN. I knew David and his wife, Nadia, from work and heard that they were going to be filming this zombie movie that David had written. I showed up just to witness it all and ended up doing some bit work, a little fx (and I mean LITTLE) and came on at the tail end as an Associate Producer. It’s funny looking back. I tried to just stay out of everyone’s way! I was so freaking intimidated by everyone there. I really felt out of place. A movie set for me was like the ultimate unknown. Man, I was such a dork! That’s what really started it. I watched David and Nadia see RISEN through and I thought, what the hell? Write a script. I like writing. See what happens…and here we are. It’s so bizarre. I figured movies were made in Hollywood, not Texas. The Talbot’s showed me that I was wrong and that it can be done. I love’em!” TERROR: Will Krampus be aiming to join any particular film festivals? “Nope. Krampus will be a theatrical release followed by the dvd/ppv/cable mix. While we’re not targeting the festival scene, I do know a few folks that run festivals, and it would be an honor to do a special screening here and there. Who knows? We may have to work on that.” TERROR: Do you think people from Austria familiar with the legend will be offended at all? “Offended? I hope not. The response so far from Austrians has been overwhelmingly positive. They just don’t want us to screw it up. I’ve promised each one that I’ve talked to that I’ll do my best to give merit to the legend. If we put Krampus out there and make him look cheesy or make light of the legend, then hell, I’ll be offended myself. My grandmother would probably throw a shoe at me.” TERROR: The Krampus seems to have some religious base to his creation, will there be a religious theme throughout the film, or are you religious? “No, just good old fashioned horror here. Yeah, we’ve got twists and turns, and plots, and subplots, but religion isn’t a major factor in the movie. It’s more about a non-denominational, every faith, right and wrong. Common sense rules here. Either be good or be bad, it’s up to you. If you chose the wrong path, however, prepare for an arse fonging of epic proportion.” TERROR: Is there any great movies you’ve seen lately, horror and otherwise? “Eeeehhh…that’s always so hard to answer. I’m still sighing over 300. I love it. The Reaping was pretty darned good. The Mist and Beowulf seem to be the ones pissing me off lately. I just can’t get my head around the CGI. Just a personal preference, I guess. I like older films. I’m digging E.T., Young Frankenstein, Gremlins, Tremors, Goonies, American Werewolf in London, Ghoulies, House. I’m a pretty big dork. I love Pretty in Pink. Weird Science and Aliens are my top 2 of all time.” TERROR: Is everything still bigger in Texas? “Judging the size of my ass and my electric bill, signs point to yes.” TERROR: Any planned publicity stunts, perhaps have a Krampus show up at malls and sit on Santa’s lap…okay my actual question will be, um, any distribution or release plans? When should we hope to see Krampus? “Yes, we need you to be ready at 8pm…bring your own suit! We’re shooting for a theatrical release in December 2008. One year from very galldarned soon.” TERROR: Finally, are you interested in sequels? “Wow, it’s too early to tell, honestly. I’m certainly interested in a sequel if there needs to be one. I won’t say, “Wow, we made a killing, let’s throw out a 2nd Krampus so we can make more cash.” Nope, if we do a sequel, it won’t be commercially inspired. It will be because the story needs to continue, the characters have unfinished business, or because people do turn out liking it and the fans WANT to see more and ask for it. I hate sequels that scream GIMME YOUR MONEY. *coughSawcoughJigsawcoughWouldYouLikeToPlayAGamecough*” - Wes Laurie
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