Q: What is your background as a filmmaker and actor? How did you arrive at where you are now?
Its a long, sordid tale. I started out as an actor, mostly doing theatre in Ottawa, Canada. I was in over 20 plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest, The Woman in Black, A Midsummer Night's Dream and others. There was very little film work at the time so I decided to make my own movies to increase my visibility as it turns out- I am now better known for my directing than for my acting. Funny how life goes sometimes.
Q: What top five horror movies have influenced you the most?
Hmm- let me think. I know as a kid the movie Dead of Night with Micheal Redgrave was a biggie- it freaked me out. Also Dr. Terror's House of Horrors with Peter Cushing. I used to watch the late show with my father and I loved the old horror flicks. Also the Lugosi Dracula and Karloff's Frankenstein. Lastly I suppose I'd have to say Evil Dead 2.
Q: PREY FOR THE BEAST is a throwback to those monster movies of the 50’s and 60’s...with a really weird creature. How did the idea for doing afull fledged "Monster Movie" come about?
You hit the nail on the head. The movie was influenced by the monster movies of the 50's and 60's with a little 80's horror thrown in for good measure. There are so many movies that rely on CGI that I wanted to try one that was a good old fashioned monster suit movie. That being said. I'm thrilled with how our monster looks.
Q: How long did it take to make the movie?
We shot over 9 days in 2007 and it took almost a year to finish the sound mix and video post.
Q: You not only direct the movies, you also act in them. Do you prefer this rather than just acting in someone else’s movie?
Actually, funny you should ask, I'm trying to act less and less in my own flicks and I'm hoping to start acting more for other directors. Its really tough to act and direct at the same time. Especially now as my movies are getting bigger each time . I often get asked why I act and direct at the same time- the answer is twofold; first, I'm trained as an actor so-why not? Secondly- sometimes actors aren't the most reliable, so I always know I'll be there on set and not call in sick. Also- its one less mouth to feed, which-for movies on a budget, can be a big help.
Q: How do you go about getting your other actors?
I audition actors for every movie. Even people who have been in more than one of my movies have auditioned every time. I want to make sure I have people who are legitimately interested- so I insist on auditions.
Q: You also have a wide variety of genre movies, THE BONESETTER, THE FERAL MAN, FINAL CURTAIN, SPACEMEN and MY DEAD GIRLFRIEND. What were the most interesting aspects of working on those movies?
So many stories. Each one is an adventure and a testament to busting ones hump in order to get things done. I guess the most interesting thing is looking back and saying to myself "Wow- I guess I made that story come to life". Its fun to pull a rabbit out of a hat- so to speak.
Q: You're making a pirate movie, PIRATES: QUEST FOR SNAKE ISLAND. How are you going to pull that off?
Ha ha- I already have. The movie is wrapped and is almost completed post-production. It came out really good. It was very tough, though. By doing a period movie- you have to clothe EVERYBODY, it was pricey and logistically very difficult but it’s a fun movie.
Q: How can people find the movies?
Folks can find them on amazon or at brettkelly.net. Most of my films are easy enough to find via the Internet. I hope your readers give them a try and enjoy.