| Home > Horror News > Interviews > Interview with Director Rob Schmidt |
| Rated: 5.00/5 | Votes: 2 | Views: 105 |Submitted: 01/01/09 |
|
Interview with Director Rob Schmidt
By Heather Wixson Rob Schmidt is comfortable being considered a different breed of director. Rather than stick to one type of genre, Schmidt likes to explore different directions every time he steps behind the camera. In 2003, he unleashed the crazy cannibal hillbillies of WRONG TURN on audiences. For his 2007 “Masters of Horror” episode Right to Die, Schmidt explored the nightmarish themes of body and revenge-oriented horror. And now, in his upcoming Anchor Bay release THE ALPHABET KILLER, Schmidt delves into the psychological thriller realm with a story based on the real-life Alphabet Killer that terrorized Rochester, New York in the 1970s. “Switching genres has never been odd to me,” remarked Schmidt. “I definitely think there are different types of horror out there, and I think making something with a different flavor can only make you a better storyteller." THE ALPHABET KILLER teams Schmidt up again with Eliza Dushku (WRONG TURN, BRING IT ON) who plays Officer Megan Paige who suffers and mental and physical breakdown due to her obsession with solving the Alphabet Killer case. And although the movie is based on many factual instances, there was a supernatural aspect added into the film for dramatic purposes. “I absolutely love working with Eliza,” said Schmidt. “She’s just such a role model amongst actresses her age. I felt like this role really gave her a chance to show off her acting chops and take on a more mature role than she might generally be known for.” Dushku’s role as Megan presented her the chance to not only play an older role but a woman whose mental state deteriorates due to her obsessive nature and the fact that she is being haunted by the ghosts of the Alphabet Killer’s young victims. Megan also develops a case of akathasia due to her mental state. Akathasia is when someone has an onset of twitches or “restless limbs and Schmidt decided to bring a doctor on set to consult with Dushku as she worked hard to have her character’s neck, wrist, and body twitches accurately depict the syndrome. Dushku is just one of the many talented cast members featured in THE ALPHABET KILLER. The movie also features performances by Cary Elwes (SAW, THE PRINCESS BRIDE), Timothy Hutton (PLAYING GOD, REAR WINDOW), Michael Ironside (STARSHIP TROOPERS, TOP GUN), Bill Moseley (THE DEVIL’S REJECTS, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2), and Tom Malloy, who also scripted the film. THE ALPHABET KILLER ended up being more than just a fictional movie for many, including Schmidt. Not only did the officer who the character of Megan is loosely based on have a cameo in the film, the movie itself had an interesting result. “The actual case of the Alphabet Killer was closed after a local fireman was unofficially charged with the heinous acts but died before anything could be determined,” explained Schmidt. “For so long, it was considered a cold case but I think making the movie helped gain interest in the case. They exhumed the fireman’s body and DNA tests proved that he was indeed innocent.” “It was nice that the people in his life, who had been so affected by the suspicions against him, could get some closure,” added Schmidt. Schmidt also discussed how a priest at a local Rochester church had been a possible suspect as well (the church was attended by all three victims and after suspicions arose, the Church had the files on the suspected priest sealed). “It was quite an experience to film at the very church where those young girls went to and to just be in that ‘place,’” said Schmidt. Although THE ALPHABET KILLER is considered a thriller, the premise is still scary to Schmidt, who admits that horror movies can still have a really powerful effect on him. “If I care about a character and they are in a situation where I can be scared for them, or concerned, that ends up being far scarier for me than just a monster or whatever,” Schmidt discussed. “I can also be affected greatly if there is some sort of physical aspect to what a character is going through. To me, it’s like I can feel what that person is going through and it’s a very uncomfortable feeling for me.” Schmidt is also getting ready to start production up again on BAD MEAT, which had been halted earlier this year due to a financing problem. BAD MEAT, true to Schmidt form, is a complete 180 from THE ALPHABET KILLER. Schmidt described it as a “gross-out horror comedy about a group of people subjected to some very bad meat and what happens to them after they consume it. It’s got everything- gore, humor, vomiting, strange sexual situations and a very interesting S&M scene.” THE ALPHABET KILLER hits DVD shelves on January 6th, 2009. For more on the movie, click here. |
Search | Search the website
Use our search facility to trawl our wide range of content
Contest
Top Members
Username: ArsonCuff
Posts: 332
Username: misterhorror
Posts: 243
Username: terrortu
Posts: 228
Username: heatherwixson
Posts: 135
Username: DavidAsdkl
Posts: 71