Film Name: Blood Craft
Director: James Cullen Bressack
Writer: James Cullen Bressack and Madeleine Wade
Starring: Madeleine Wade, Augie Duke, Michael Welch, Dave Sheridan, Mark Rolston
Two sisters who suffered abuse as children at the hands of their sadistic father decide, after his death, to use witchcraft to bring his spirit back to get revenge.
In another interview leading up to the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival, I got a chance to ask co-writer/director James Cullen Bressack a few questions about what we can expect from Blood Craft which will be playing at Horror-on-Sea on Friday 14th January at 10:00hrs.
Q. Your latest horror film Blood Craft has been selected to play at Horror-on-Sea. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
A. Blood Craft is a dark story about loss, revenge and how we deal with grief. Its surreal, violent and emotional.
Q. You co-wrote the script with Madeleine Wade. What were some of your influences when writing the script, and what was the process for you wiring the film together?
A. Madeleine wrote the original draft of the script and from there here and I developed it into the script that we used to shoot the film. I wanted to craft something that was interwoven stylistically in a visual style that matched the emotions.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. I was heavily influenced by films like The Craft (1996) and The Crow (1994). I think visually I went after a dark and gothic feel for the film.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. Film is a living and breathing thing. I always build from the script to find magic in the moment while filming. The bathtub scare scene with the reflection in the blood was not scripted, it’s something that Madeliene and I came up with on set.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. I had such a dedicated cast so working with such talented people was a highlight every day. But I loved being able to have my father do a cameo.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A: all films have their issues but this one was quite smooth.
Q. What makes Blood Craft stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. I think it’s more of a drama about loss and grief told through the lens of a horror film.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I hope people go on this dark journey with the characters.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. My film Fortress (2021) just came out, it’s an action film starring Bruce Willis.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Please go out there and do it! The only thing stopping you is you. Make something for whatever budget you know you have access to, even if that’s only a few hundred dollars.
You can follow James Cullen Bressack on Twitter
You can find out more about the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on the website: https://www.horror-on-sea.com/
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!
