Film Name: The Monster Mash
Director: Kevin Losani and Richard Terrasi
Writer: Kevin Losani and Richard Terrasi
Starring: Michael Gentile, William Kozy, Cherry Fu, Justina Valentine, Monica Wednesday Sharma
The Days of Creature Features Are Back.
In a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds leading up to the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival, I got a chance to ask Co-Writer/Directors Kevin Losania and Richard Terrasi few questions about her film ‘The Monster Mash’.
‘The Monster Mash’ has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on Friday 12th January at 10 am.
Q. Your film The Monster Mash has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
A. First, we would like to express how happy and honoured we are to have The Monster Mash to be a part of the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival! The Monster Mash is an homage and my love letter to the glorious days of Creatures Features that I grew up with on TV when I was a kid. Mad Scientist Dr. Freudstein hosts “The Monster Mash Triple Feature Show” which showcases (3) short films: Whispering Hollow Road, The House and Homebound Horror. The Monster Mash is a fun-filled anthology, full of very good acting from a talented cast, blood, guts & monsters! I think people will enjoy this little epic monster flick!
Q. What were some of your influences when writing the script for The Monster Mash?
A. My love for monster movies and horror! Also my guilty pleasure of some so bad that they’re good
low-budget B movies! A lot of my influences are mostly obscure horror grindhouse films from the 1970s & 1980s like: Horror High (1973), Shriek of the Mutilated (1974), Eraserhead (1978), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Eaten Alive, Zombie (1979), Maniac (1980), The Beyond (1983), My Bloody Valentine (1981), Xtro (1983) and the list can go on forever! Most importantly, Creepshow (1982) Which I consider to be the best anthology feature ever!
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. The same films I answered for the previous question. I wanted to give it that grindhouse feel and make the film look like as if it could be a product of the 1970’s and early 1980’s. The colour palette for each story had to look different from one another. A lot of my lighting choices were definitely influenced from the films of Mario Bava and Dario Argento.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. I must say that we pretty much shot everything that was in the script. Although, I did scrap one story
from the script. Originally The Monster Mash was supposed to showcase (4) stories, but I had to scrap it
because of budget limitations. I would have loved to have included it for the last story being that it was
about some sort of demonic apocalypse going on and this man’s family being possessed by demons and
him trying to fight them off but has trouble doing so because it is his family (Pre-Evil Dead Rise (2023)). Who knows… Maybe I’ll do this story if there’s a demand for The Monster Mash 2, which I already have ideas and concept for a potential sequel. Lastly, I had to cut corners with the werewolf scenes in the 2nd story The House. The scenes between the werewolf and Paul (Kevin Losani) was supposed to be longer, more brutal and bloodier. But, it boiled down to not having enough time and unfortunately, we didn’t shoot those scenes.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. I loved working with and directing the great, late Michael Gentile. Michael was a blast being around
on set, was a pro and didn’t need much direction and was always well prepared. Working with him on
the sets of Whispering Hollow Road and Homebound Horror was a lot of fun. Michael will definitely be
missed.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. There are always obstacles and setbacks in filmmaking, but one of the few notorious issues are
weather and lighting around exterior night scenes.
Q. What makes The Monster Mash stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. I tried to make each story different and unique from one another and different from all other films
that have been done over and over. Even though there are creatures in the film that are familiar to the
typical horror fan, each story has a unique twist I believe, to throw the viewer off until it comes into full
circle.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I don’t know, but I just hope they will enjoy and appreciate for what the movie is and that is the love
for monsters and pure cinema fun!
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. YES! I’m currently writing a new script titled “Shadow Reaper” and it will hopefully go in production
either April or May of 2024. I also have a script I wrote back in 2008 titled “Dog Day Sunrise” which is an
ultra violent homage to spaghetti westerns which I would love to hopefully one day get funding for to
make it. I also have a treatment for a possible Monster Mash 2 which would feature (3) more stories
and be even more bloodier and better than the first one. I have so many ideas, my head will explode,
lol!
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Keep making movies and don’t give up! Each film will get better and better and you will find your way
and style of doing things. Don’t let fear stop you, just do it!
‘The Monster Mash’ has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on Friday 12th January at 10am.
You can find out more about the festival and purchase tickets 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!
