Film Name: Hi-Fear
Directors: Anthony Catanese, Tim Ritter, Todd Sheets, Brad Sykes
Writers: Anthony Catanese, Tim Ritter, Todd Sheets, Brad Sykes, Josephina Sykes
Starring: Leila Jean Davis, Sheila Brandon Allen, Raven Black, P.J. Brescia, Brandon E. Brooks
What’s your greatest fear? That’s the question posed to ambitious young illustrator Natalie, who is forced to create four of the most terrifying stories imaginable for the new comic book “Hi-Fear”. In “Losing it at the Devil’s Whorehouse”, some unlucky lads out for a night of fun run afoul of a den of sin that just might cost them their lives. A cop and a televangelist commit the perfect murder in “When Shadows Come Alive” only to find themselves stranded in the woods with a family of cannibals.” “The Streets are Watching” follows a homeless youth through an all-night urban odyssey as she tries to escape from a demon-possessed madman. Finally, “Day out of Days” concerns three isolated film crew members who find themselves at the center of an apocalyptic invasion. With each tale more twisted than the last, “Hi-Fear” is a frightening finale to the “Hi-8” trilogy.
In a new interview leading up to the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival, I got a chance to ask writer-director Anthony Catanese a few questions about what we can expect from his segment of the film Hi-Fear.
Hi-Fear will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 12:30pm on Friday 13th January
Q. Your film Hi-Fear has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
A. You can expect a rightful time! You’re gonna see things you’ve never seen in a horror movie before! Some stories will have you laughing, jumping for fright, or needing to take a bath!
Q. What were some of your influences when writing the script for your segment “The Streets are Watching”?
A. My main influence was a guy from my neighbourhood. He is always running around the streets screaming to himself, fighting the air, and throwing bricks at people and buildings. Everyone has a story about him and how or why he acts that way. I actually got to know him and figured out he’s nothing like the way he as perceived by others. It got me thinking about how people will make their own narratives to other peoples lives, and how we really don’t know someone’s story until we ask. I figured every neighbourhood in a city has a character like this, so I thought people you’d relate.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. Their were two main films I showed the cast/crew before filming. The first was Streetwise, a 1984 documentary about homeless teens. I wanted the homeless teens in my film to act and feel real. I wanted it to feel almost like a documentary. The second was City of God. I really liked the flow of that film and how the camera moved and really portrayed the story. Again this film hasa documentary feel to it.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. As with any movie, time and budget sometimes doesn’t allow you to do the things you set out to do with the script, but I think we got ninety five percent of what I was looking for.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. I think my favorite moments during filming was when we were out shooting on the streets with Crazy Karl, and seeing actual people on the street respond to him. It’s not the craziest stuff that’s happen on those streets but it was still entertaining to see they’re reaching. In the same vein, when Chad is walking down the street covered head to toe in blood at 2pm on a Sunday morning was fun too! People kept stopping the actress to see if she needed help.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. For the most part it was a smooth shoot. We shot the whole film in two days, and not too much went wrong. I’d have to say the biggest issue with filming was the weather. It was the coldest weekend we’d seen yet, and people were freezing to the bone. They were all troopers though. It’s not easy to be out side in the middle of the coldest winter in years for 12 hours with out warmth or shelter.
Q. What makes Hi-Fear stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. I think what makes this project stand out is all the different point of views and visions from the various directors. Also all the different states we shot in give it a grander scale, then say a movie that’s filmed in just on location.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I just hope they have a few frights, a few scares, and walk from the film thinking about it. I hope the movie really stays with people.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. I currently have a golf comedy/horror film coming later this year. My production company is currently in preproduction of two horror films. One is a shark film and a darker more serious thriller. We also have a bunch of music videos coming in the next few months. You can keep up with us at diwhyfilms.com
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Pick up a camera, phone, camcorder and just goo out and do it. Theirs really no excuse people can have for not filming a movie nowadays. Everyone has a full production studio right there in their pockets! Just write a story you know you can film and film it. You’ll probably fail, but don’t be afraid of that, that’s how you learn.
You can find out more and follow Hi-Fear on Facebook here
Hi-Fear will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 12:30pm on Friday 13th January. You can purchase tickets and merchandise for the festival on the website here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
