"Something Like A Phenomenon" An Interview with Jonathan Chance by @Zeiton_7

Anyone who has been following the surge in popularity of Independently

made films will have heard of Jonathan Chance, or if not him

personally then certainly some of the projects hes been involved with. The Timeslip, part of the Chance Encounters Film productions, won the

Best Sci Fi award in 2011 at the Geek Independent Film Festival. It is perhaps his work with this very successful group that brought him to a

position where he was able to start work on "Something Like A Phenomenon". "Phenomenon" is a labour of love for Jonathan and I was

keen to find out why from the man himself.

Hi Jonathan, thanks for taking the time to speak to me while you are

over in the UK. You have been referred to as a "Guerrilla Film-maker" but I sense I great deal of affection for the growing Indie Film

business. What are your opinions on this oft overlooked area of film making at the moment?

Hi Daniel, nice to finally sit down and chat with you!  I admire anyone that can do it. A lot of respect for anyone that tries, it really isn’t given the respect it deserves especially if you can make something great with little or no resources. I really feel guerrilla film making is the heart of original independent film, definitely. You can’t get any more hands on than doing it all yourself. It’s easy to critique someone’s work but go out and make a movie? It’s tougher than it looks. After one feature film and four shorts all self-funded - anyone who tries to wear the many hats of the film making process know it can be tough. Now, there’s b) the other end of the spectrum - people who work up from runners to AD’s then eventually to direct films, which can be a long arduous journey in itself. By this point those people must be crying out to do/show their own ability and vision to what they want to produce. I feel lucky to be in the former - the guerrilla filmmaker can do anything to their hearts desire (within budget or no budget but again that’s where the real artist in you gets creative!) find their staple of originality all the while getting the experience to be an Indie Director – not necessarily a big studio Director perhaps, but Richard and I (the other half of Chance Encounters) didn’t have to wait to see what we could do and be capable of with so little at hand. The Timeslip we still used the same work ethic as before with a slightly better camera and the result was our most successful film to date. It only gets me more excited for the future - by what we could do when we’re not held back by always funding our own projects – with the same sensibilities we hold so dear in always keeping the films ‘real’ despite if the film is in the realm of horror or fantasy.

It seems, at least to me, that things can only improve from here on in thanks to the development of films financed and promoted using social

network, especially twitter, is there still an issue with getting the large multi plexs to screen films?

Oh yes! Always is for the little guy. I agree it is easier now more than ever to get your work seen – but the competition is higher than ever because everyone is having a go at it. It just forces you to be better, try to stand out and always think differently and make what is distinctly one of our films – so people will want to come and see a Chance Encounters film whether it be solely a Jonathan Chance film or Richard Chance film or a Chance Brothers film. A guy by himself or small Indie group simply cannot get his film in a multiplex without moneyed help of a PR company or simply knowing people. Paranormal Activity would not have been as popular were it not for Screamfest and the mega advertising campaign everywhere – most people can’t afford things like that. To be taken seriously essentially you still have to try and get your foot in the door like the old days but Twitter (like how I met you!) and other social networks and websites definitely help get the word out and the responses we hear completely encourage and support us to want to continue knowing there is an audience wanting the same thing we want - we always appreciate it.

So, moving on to "Something Like A Phenomenon" Can you tell me a

little about how you came to hear the story of "the most haunted house in Britain" and how you came to be involved in making the film about

it?

I was nine years old and a friend and I read about it in old ghost books and heard stories from locals. Just knowing there was this scary story literally on our doorstep fascinated me more than anything and I wanted to know more. The story of a real haunted house and this rather eccentric, but essentially pioneering first ghost hunter in Harry Price was so interesting! When I was in my teen’s friends and I went along to the existing spot to record phenomena of our own and I totally see the fascination in the unknown, it’s always interested me. So combined with my love of horror movies and finding my passion in film making after a few films around 2008 I started writing scenes for Phenomenon - reading up on people in Harry Price’s life; friends, enemies and all about his work and I knew that one day I would make a film about it. Or at least if one of my films took off and I could finally be at a stage of making a financed work this would be my dream film to make. Knowing now that there is a plethora of supernatural films – my intention was never to jump on a band wagon but rather make a true ghost story to end the - and let’s start at the beginning. Or at the very least offer my take before someone else makes a film about Borley Rectory in some awful untrue modern setting and state it was ‘based on a true story’.  My story is one of truth blended with the spirit of an innovative time for science and the supernatural. And it’s by someone who knows the legend well. I want my script transcend to screen to make a classic horror film that will stand the test of time – like the films I grew up on. I don’t want it turned into another implausible CGI ridden mess. The legend, myth and truth essentially hangs in the balance. This is a big one for me and what’s more I’m proud of my local history. I want to bring what the late great Michael Reeves brought to Essex with The Witchfinder General four decades ago – a unflinching, pulsating nerve inducing horror film based on a real legend – he is a perfect example of where we are steering onward and upward from guerrilla film making to our next step up in evolution and progression. I hope it will be our timeless ‘Witchfinder’ of today for Essex, England a place steeped in haunted history!

Michele Mulkey has recently announced that she is working on the

lovers of fantastic quality special effects. Does this mean you are moving towards "old school scares" rather than CGI driven effects?

Absolutely!  In horror CGI should aide not ‘make’ the scene if used at all. I want to get back to the feel of believability again. Speaking of believability brings me to my secret weapon; SFX artist Michele Mulkey! I am completely over blown, happy and very blessed to have someone of her standard and calibre to want to work on the film and - become head SFX artist for it. She has wanted to work on something like this for quite a while and I’m happy it’s my film. Her unwavering passion to see this get made from the very start means so much. With her on board the better this film will be, we can make a great movie – I already know it will be of higher quality when we finally get to production and trust me… this is not one I want to cut back on – it has to be done right! In FX whether it’s our own self-financed indie films where we’re making the FX ourselves down to classic horror films – how you build a scene or cut it or film it chances are it still holds up better than a CGI horror film from five years ago – I am and always have been for the classic scares. A great horror film will always have suspense, build etc. It’s more believable, tangible. CGI has its best merits in supporting SCI-FI fantasy/ horror - there it is jumping bounds and always improving – you only have to look to say Battlestar Galactica or  The Avengers they look fantastic. But in the horror genre until I’m not questioning whether or not something is fake – real SFX will always make a better horror film. Great SFX you never ask was that CGI? You never question its legitimacy. All my favourite horror films are traditionally made.

Have you been a fan of Michelle's work for long? How did you get

involved with working with her before this project?

Oh yes! She has produced and contributed her unique original style over so many genres and of course my favorite’s horror and sci-fi (of course). I don’t doubt the standard of quality she will bring to Something Like a Phenomenon. I met her on line through projects she was talking about on Twitter and simultaneously I was tweeting about my own films namely The Timeslip doing the film circuit, The Veil: Unmasked Edition (their first film recut and packaged now streaming) and a sci-fi collaborative project anyone can get involved in Richard is working on called The Last War. We were on friendly terms for a time then many tweets later Phenomenon came up and Michele must have seen something in my proposal article that resonated and she jumped to come on board. I couldn’t believe it! So many people high in the industry don’t get in touch – but the fact she saw my screenplay proposal and wanted to get in touch with doing the effects and concept drawings, I was ecstatic. With her support I can see this might be the ‘one’ that breaks through. Always on the outside looking in after so many years in the Indie film rat race trying to prove ourselves with our own films it goes to show with enough effort, experience and building exposure and accolades you too can meet someone as cool as Michele and raise awareness of someone in the industry if your work has well… something.

How far into pre production are you? The big question being are you

actually going to film in Borley Rectory itself if not the grounds?

Slowly wins the race for sure. This has to be done right. Having said that - as quickly as Michele coming on board happened beginning the journey from script to screen, a don’t doubt if there is interest for a really real ghost story the ball will get rolling even quicker soon, so keep watching this space!

I'm interested about the pitch for this project? Did you approach many studios?

In the process of it currently, looking around – we have a balls to the wall approach – no holding back. Whichever studio is with us on this we’ll be ready to go. The ‘found footage’ thing is done – it’s amateurish and predictable. We don’t want it to be bogged down in a sea of similar looking films that come out every year it seems. We want to bring something new, as said before my aesthetic is guerrilla style, maybe even documentary slightly – but it has classic ghost story written all over it. An air of grandiose even – but only on surface – underneath it’s an indie with a black hearted underbelly.

"Phenomenon" has already been awarded the position of Semi Finalist

for the Shriekfest 2012 awards, an impressive award, does this help when it comes to casting?

I really hope so! Denise Gossett and the team at Shriekfest are wonderful. They are very supportive of independent filmmakers and screenwriters. I was really proud to have become a semi-finalist in such a prestigious festival – and I’ve seen where former finalists and winners have picked up from afterwards. I already have a ‘wish list’ of casting I would love for the film. Who I have in mind – if I can just get one or two would bring considerable weight to the production. I am well aware today a lot of teens have a short attention span and this would be a traditional horror that will suit the niche (who are crying out for a real, gritty proper horror film from yesteryear) but in the story set around the one year Harry Price has a lease to the most haunted house in England all walks of life take part in the experiment of living in the house within the year and some of the important characters are youngsters who carry out the experiments the house (which I’m sure kids will relate to). Meanwhile, Price and his cohorts - the main adult characters need to have great screen presence that bring different generations of cinema-goers together and has to hold the screen. I know the perfect actors in mind that can bring the perfect balance of lending weight to the film and compliment it but not upstage the film itself. The house and its goings on is probably in all essence the biggest character in the story.

I'm assuming that working with Dennis Wheatley on the film short wont

do you to much harm, how did that come about?

 Dennis Wheatley was a novelist of some of the best horror stories of the twentieth century some of which were made into film – spectacularly by Hammer studios. In my studies I found that Wheatley knew Harry Price very well and were friends – it’s one of those stranger than fiction accounts that made me even more fascinated to want to make this into a film. Take two very interesting people; one larger than life Ghosthunter, the other; a weaver of horror stories not too far from what Price was really uncovered in reality. More over there’s more people you would have never known were in the same circles – but you will have to wait and see to find out! Playing Wheatley for a moment was fun. I played him on a short trailer spec I put together one evening solely to get some attention at Shriekfest film festival for my screenplay– the actors were great and did a wonderful job I would recommend them for another one else to work with! Also the marvellously quaint Victorian house we used is actually a museum called the Howe-Waffle house, comes highly recommended as well.

Finally, have you any idea at this stage of timescales for production?

How can readers follow developments with the films production?

Indeed! Just like Michele coming on board things could just take off - so watch this space! The website will be up very shortly it will be under: http://somethingphenomenon.wix.com/movie

meanwhile currently our Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/WhoIsHarryPrice

Also mine or Michele’s twitter handles will always keep people current on what’s developing – and of course people talking about it and getting the word out really will help us move into production faster too J

Thanks very much Jonathan, I'd like to keep up to date with your work on this fascinating and chilling project. Speak to you again soon

49 Wonderful Years of Time Travelling @zeiton_7

On the 23rd of November 1963, this was seen for the first time on BBC television.


49 years on and 11 Regenerations later its hard to imagine life without The Doctor and his adventures. Indeed William Hartnell himself was quoted as saying that he felt the series had potential to run past his own turn as the renegade Time Lord. It is amazing to think that, despite numerous rests or hiatus from our view, Doctor Who is the longest running sci fi tv series in history. It has never needed a 'reboot' or a reinvention and, to this day, remains as fresh and as healthy as it was back when it started.

In my view, the attraction to Doctor Who has always been that it remains a family show, able to appeal to young and old alike. The most recent run, starting with Eccleston as the 9th Doctor has introduced a whole new, younger audience to the show. Some of these younger fans will not remember or have any experience of the shows fantastic 49 year history. Yet, through the release of many of the older stories, they too can marvel at how the show has evolved through the years.

A show that can change both its titular and main characters actors without effecting the ratings or the feel of the show is worthy of praise. Actually, I believe this is core to Doctor Who's success as allowing this to happen maintains a freshness and allows each regeneration to show a different dimension to The Doctor. In addition to this, boasting villains and monsters that are as famous as The Doctor himself has given Doctor Who a considerable edge over other Sci Fi shows.

Doctor Who is not without its lighter moments. Throughout the shows history we have witnessed many  laugh out loud scenes which have earnt a place in many fans memories. For me, watching The Doctor wade through a corridor fall of foam (The Second Doctor, The Seeds of Death) is a stand out one. The banter and rapport between The Brigadier and The Second Doctor in the anniversary story The Five Doctors being just another example.

 Few would admit it now, but in the late 90's and into the turn of a new millennium it seemed that Doctor Who would never return. Yet here we are now about to move into The BIG FIFTY and its back with Matt Smith and looks like it could run for another fifty!

In closing I would just like to pay a fond and tearful "five rounds rapid" to all of the Doctor Who actors and actresses who are sadly not with us anymore. The Doctor Who fan base across the world mourns their loss but, at the same time, celebrates the part they have played in making Doctor Who the program it is today.

 Here's to the next Fifty One years!

Interview with Michele Mulkey- Special Effects Legend

As long time supporter of AD Lanes twitter funded project "Invasion of the Not Quite Dead" I was absolutely delighted that Michele Mulkey had agreed to head up the SFX Department. Anyone that is a fan of horror or sci fi will be familiar with her work. As well as working on Firefly she has provided effects and makeup for some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Here she talks about her new project "Something Like a Phenomenon" and her excitement about working in the UK for the first time. 


Hello Michele and thanks for taking the time from your really busyschedule to talk to me! Your experience and CV, spanning over 12years, is impressive. You have worked with so many great actors and FXCompanies. What are some of your highlights?

There are so many!  I really liked working on Charmed since they were all such amazing makeup's.  And I loved Firefly.  Hands down one of the coolest sets I've ever had the pleasure of working on.  Chronicles of Riddick was amazing, but I think one of my favourite movies was Petunia.  It just had such a great cast and everyone had such a great sense of humour, especially Thora Birch and Eddie Kay Thomas.  It made the long days of filming go by so much faster.

Can you tell me a little about your background and how you decided towork within the FX Industry?

I actually started while I was in college earning a degree in the Performing Arts/Theatre.   I realised I wanted to become a makeup artist after doing make up for several productions my first year.  Once I graduated, I moved out to Los Angeles and attended a professional makeup school where I learned all the basics I needed.  And soon after , I started working in some of the Special Effects shops in the Los Angeles area.

Are you looking forward to spending time in the UK next year?

Absolutely!  I've never been to England so just going there next year will be exciting.  And it's going to be even better since I will be there working on such an amazing film like AD Lane's Invasion of the Not Quite Dead.  I've really come to admire AD so much.  He truly is an inspiration to every Indie Film Maker out there and he has stayed so true to his vision of the film.  Just such a respect for him.  And I've had the chance to travel all over the United States and Canada for work, but never overseas, so I'm really looking forward to it. 

Moving on to "Something Like A Phenomenon", It's a fascinating project. How did you come to be involved with it?

 It really is!  Jonathan Chance ( of Chance Encounters Films) and I have been friends for awhile now, and when he sent me the breakdown for the script and movie, I was just fascinated by it.  It's based on actual events that took place in  what is known as "the most haunted house in England" and is a huge part of British local legend.  I've never had a chance to work on a true ghost film before, so I jumped at the chance to head up the SFX for the film.  As well as having a chance to finally work with John on a film.  There is actually a very detailed storyline on the history of the film on the "Something Like A Phenomenon" Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WhoIsHarryPrice

Can you give me any hints as to what we can expect from you for the project?

Well, without giving too much away about the film, I can say that there will be several truly terrifying ghosts as well as some very, very gruesome possessions.  So a lot in the way of SFX in this movie! 

Aside from this and Ad's film "Invasion of the Not Quite Dead" what else have you got planned for 2013?

Once I'm done with Invasion, I will be filming a movie called Cryptids.  I've already started on some pre-production on the film even though it's not scheduled to shoot until fall of 2013.  There are several creatures in the film and the suits will take quite awhile to make, so production green-lighted me to start now.  

When you aren't creating awesome special effects what do you like to do if you find some spare time?

Spare time...What's that?  Ha...I'm kidding.  Actually one thing I really enjoy doing is fishing.  I love fishing, especially salt water fishing.  It's something my Father taught me when I was growing up and to this day it's something he and I do as often as we can together.  And of course there is always a game going on between us...Who can catch the biggest fish! 

One final question, have you any tips for aspiring fx artistes that want to start working in the industry (apart from ordering their supplies from Michele Mulkey FX Studio)

 I would say that the best advice I can give is to just get out there and do it.  Have confidence in yourself and try to work on as many films as you can.  99.99% of what I know today I learned from working with other amazing SFXMUA's while on set or working in house at an FX Studio. 

Thanks for the fantastic answers Michele, I look forward to meeting you next year.For more information on Michele's work and effects please check out her company website here. http://www.michelemulkeyfx.com/Also check out the official facebook page for all information about "Something Like A Phenomenon" https://www.facebook.com/WhoIsHarryPrice