Film Name: Horror-Scopes Volume One
Directors: Tony Sands, Maria Lee Metheringham, Dani Thompson, Davin Jeayes, Alexander Churchyard, Pablo Raybould, Anna Dixon, Luna Wolf, Martin W. Payne, Richard Elson, John Foxen, Annie Knox, Mj Dixon
Writers: Alexander Churchyard, Mj Dixon, Davin Jeayes, Annie Knox, Martin W. Payne, Pablo Raybould, Tony Sands, Dani Thompson, Luna Wolf, Anna Dixon, Eve Oliver
Starring: Pauline Peart, Stacy Hart, Jack Glanville, Peter Tilley, Claire Louise Amias
Horror-Scopes aims to bring 12 of Indie Horrors’ brightest talents together to tell 12 star-crossed tales of Horror Scope-based horror.
In a new interview leading up to the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival, I got a chance to ask writer-director Dani Thompson a few questions about what we can expect from her segment of Horror-Scopes Volume One.
Horror-Scopes Volume One will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 8pm on Friday 13th January.
Q. Your film Horror-Scopes Volume One has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film and your segment Gemini?
Yes, well the theme Gemini lends itself straight away to something involving twins, but these are twins with a difference to the norm.
Q. How did you get involved in the horror anthology and what attracted you to the film?
I think it was Anna who messaged me and said that Mycho was putting together an anthology and would I like to do one of the segments and although I’d written and produced before, I hadn’t directed so I thought a short piece was a great way to try my hand at directing.
I love the theme, I’ve always been interested in astrology and although I don’t take star signs too seriously, I do have all the characteristics of mine.
Q. What were some of your influences when writing the script for your segment?
I actually really struggled with the concept of a short, I’m used to writing features where you have 90 minutes to tell a story and I really struggled to come up with something that was only 5-7. I watched ABC’s of death to get into the mind frame of shorts and then it was while reading my Mum’s Fate of Fortune magazine, I read a story about a girl who found out she was a chimera, basically she’d absorbed her twin in the womb. I’d never heard of chimerism before that, and I thought that would make a great concept for Gemini, so I then researched chimerism and the concept grew from there.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
Oooh that’s a tough question, I don’t think so, do you think it looks like I was influenced by anyone?
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
We had to cut one scene from the schedule which was a restaurant scene. We’d secured an incredible vegan place called The Oak Tree in Leigh on Sea but logistically it was going to be a nightmare to squeeze it in the time we had which was a shame, but I don’t think the film is lacking because of it.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
It was a fun shoot, it’s hard to pick favourite moments, we had a small cast and crew and I think we all enjoyed ourselves.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
We actually didn’t – other than me trying to put contact lenses in, I don’t know how people do it!
Q. What makes Gemini stand out as something different in the horror genre?
I think it’s an original piece, I hope people like it. MJ said he loved it so as long as the producer is happy with it then I’m happy.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
I hope people are inspired to step out of their comfort zone and push themselves to try something they haven’t before.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
Well, I ‘ve been asked to do Horrorscopes Vol 2 which is Chinese horrorscopes.
We had a live picking where names were selected from a hat, and I’ve been given the theme of Dragon and I have no clue where I’m going to go with it yet. I’m done some brainstorming, but nothing is filling me with excitement yet so I’m hoping I get some inspiration from all of the horror talent at Horror on Sea.
I was in exactly the same position this time last year with Gemini So I’m sure it will all work out fine, I have faith.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
Go do it and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.
A silly ex once told me I couldn’t direct because I’m an actress not a director, my reply at the time was, well nobody is a director until they’ve directed something, anyway that’s showed him…
Horror-Scopes Volume One will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 3pm 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!
