I’ve always enjoyed Ryan Hendrick‘s work so having the chance to chat with him about his new movie Mercy Falls and about filmmaking was the ideal opportunity, after bringing you news of the trailer and a review, to bring you this exclusive interview with the man behind the new horror thriller
What is your process for directing a film?
I think it’s important to be as collaborative as possible with those around you. The secret to making a good film is understanding that it takes more than just a director. So I try to bring the most talented and collaborative people that I can find to a project. It’s imperative that as a Director I try to do everything I can beforehand to convey as much as you can about the film you are trying to create tonally, that often starts with the script and when I’m one of the writers, I try to put as much about tone into the script as I can.
What are your favourite movies and why?
That’s an incredibly different question to answer. My tastes are eclectic, to say the least. I love character-driven stories across multiple genres. Films that are emotive, visually striking and have a solid narrative at the centre. I’ll give you my top 5 in no particular order;
- Wild (2014)
- Heat (1995)
- Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
- Insomnia (2002)
- Local Hero (1982)
How do you work with actors to create the best performances?
Every actor is different in how they approach their craft. As someone who trained as an actor, I understand that everyone is different, but everyone is unique and individual and you have to allow them to bring their unique individuality to their performance. I don’t act out or try to tell actors how to act. I suppose I am an advocate of the “Ridley Scott approach to directing actors.” Find the best, most talented actors who bring their A-Game to the set. I know going in that there will never be enough time to really spend on developing characters when on set, so I try to spend as much time as I can in prep to talk with the actors about the intentions behind the script and how I see these characters. If the actors are on the level prior to the cameras rolling then it makes my job a lot more straightforward. They arrive in the right ballpark and only sometimes require me to make minor tweaks to bring a level of cohesion.
What was your vision for this project and how did it compare to your previous films?
I get asked this a lot, probably because my last film was a Christmas RomCom. I suppose what I’m interested in is making contemplative genre films. I like to take a populist genre like Christmas Rom Com or a Slasher in the Woods horror, understand the building blocks and rules of the genre, but whilst operating within those rules structurally, I like to subvert them and take the stories into more cerebral and contemplative areas. I feel strongly about conveying emotional truth no matter what the genre or subject matter is. I try to add an air of realism to a character’s reaction to a scenario or subject matter, even when that involves characters making some very bad, life-changing or indeed life-ending choices.
What techniques do you use to ensure a film is cohesive and flows well throughout the story?
Filmmaking is an ever-changing and evolving process, so it’s really all in the planning with those around you and from me involves keeping a keen eye on everything happening on screen whilst we’re shooting. It’s very much instinctual, you can do all the preparation in the world but if you aren’t there in the thick of it reacting to everything as it happens around you then all bets are off.
What shots and camera angles do you prefer for particular scenes and why?
I believe screen acting is all in the eyes, the audience needs to believe in a character’s eye, their intentions and emotions, so I like close-ups, the intensity they create. I’m not a fan of the camera being still. I always try to ensure there is an element of momentum in the camera design.
How do you tackle projects with very tight timelines or challenging locations?
Every film feels like it comes with tight timelines, no matter the time you are allocated, it’s always challenging.
For Mercy Falls, we had 22 days and 90% of the film is set in the rural outdoors. We were filming in March and some of our locations were very remote or had limited access. So it’s challenging to work out how to get everyone and everything you need out to these locations and still have time to film the scenes you need to cover that day. One particular location involved getting everything and everyone set up in a farmer’s field by the side of Loch Tay, then transporting all the equipment 100ft up a steep hill to a cave on the back of quad bikes and tractors. It was like a military operation.
How has technology changed filmmaking in recent years, and in what ways have you adopted new methods in your productions?
I’d probably say the advancement of wireless equipment is the biggest change I’ve noticed in recent years. You used to need miles and miles of cabling for literally everything. Don’t get me wrong you still need a load of cabling, but you now have wireless monitors and even lights that you can walk around with. I remember on the first day of my last film Lost At Christmas, I was handed a wireless monitor with a leather strap to go around my neck so I could see the shot from wherever I happened to be on the set.
What tips would you give aspiring filmmakers who are just starting their careers?
Don’t wait for permission. You’ve got to just get out there and make something with whatever and whoever you have access to. Hone your skill set and make the mistakes as you go. There is no better training as a filmmaker than on-the-job training. Just go do it.
Mercy Falls is in cinemas now and on digital from 6 November.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
