Film Name: The Forest through the Trees
Director: Jason Pitts
Writers: Charlie Brady, Jason Pitts
Starring: Kevin Hill, Scott Doss, James Stokes, Annie Sullivan, Ben Matias
Chloe and her stepdad, Ken, are dealing with the disappearance of Kathy, Chloe’s mother and Ken’s
wife. After a painful year, and with the help of Chloe’s friend Ava, they investigate a clue that leads
them to a terrifying demon cult.
In a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds, I got a chance to ask Director / Co-Writer Jason Pitts a few questions about his film ‘The Forest through the Trees‘, which has been selected to play at Horror-on-Sea on Friday, 16th January at 12:30hrs.
Q. Your film The Forest through the Trees has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect?
A. The Forest through the Trees is a character-driven, psychological demon cult movie with many twists and turns, perfectly suited for the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival audience. The story centres on Chloe and her stepfather, Ken, as they grapple with the mysterious disappearance of Kathy, Chloe’s mother. A year of anguish passes until a cryptic clue leads them on a collision course with a dangerous demonic cult. The cult is after Chloe because of her heterochromia (different colored eyes), which in the film’s world means the “window to her soul is open,” making it easier for a demon to possess her.
Q. You co-wrote the script with Charlie Brady. What were some of your inspirations when writing the script and what was your process for writing together?
A. I wrote the first two drafts, and then Charlie, who has an MBA in screenwriting, then took over for the third draft. His expertise was invaluable in polishing the script. He really helped tighten the dialogue, making the conversations feel more authentic and impactful. He also did a fantastic job of adding a little more conflict into certain scenes, raising the stakes and increasing the tension between characters, which really enhanced the character-driven nature of the film.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. Our influences for the look and style of The Forest through the Trees were rooted in creating a deeply atmospheric and psychologically unsettling experience. We drew inspiration from iconic films that masterfully blend a sense of dread with compelling character work.
Key cinematic influences include:
- Hereditary: We loved its ability to build an overwhelming sense of dread through meticulous production design and cinematography that makes the audience feel the weight of a morbid, unfolding destiny.
- Rosemary’s Baby: The insidious, paranoid atmosphere of this classic was a major touchstone. We wanted the horror to feel like a slow burn, where the threat is often unseen but always present in the characters’ minds and their environment.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. Yes, we did make changes from the original script during filming. It’s a common part of the production process for various reasons, including practical or logistical issues.
Specifically, we had to rewrite and condense three separate scenes into one scene due to time constraints on the day of filming. This required on-set adjustments to ensure we captured the essential plot points and character interactions efficiently, while maintaining the intended flow and tone of the story. This kind of flexibility is crucial in filmmaking, as things that work on paper sometimes need reassessment and adaptation during the actual filming process.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. One of my favourite types of moments during filming was actually when a scene didn’t feel right after the first take. There’s a unique energy that comes from recognizing a disconnect between what’s on the page and what’s unfolding on set. That’s when the real collaborative magic happens. I enjoyed working closely with the actors to pinpoint exactly where the scene was falling flat—identifying if the emotion wasn’t landing, the motivation was unclear, or the dialogue simply wasn’t authentic in that specific context.
My favourite moments were those shared creative struggles, where we all rolled up our sleeves, trusted each other, and worked together to ensure the scene had the necessary emotional impact and effectively told the story we wanted to tell. The scenes that flowed perfectly from the start were great, but the ones we truly had to work for—those were my absolute favourites. The final result always felt more earned and impactful because of that shared effort and breakthrough. These are the moments where I actually feel like a director.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
Yes, we certainly encountered some unexpected issues during filming. The most notable one involved a crucial character element: Annie Sullivan’s brown contact lens. During production, we actually lost the specific contact lens meant to change the actress’s eye colour to brown for the role of Annie Sullivan. As you know, continuity is everything in filmmaking, and this was a significant problem. In a moment of necessity, I had to call a friend who specializes in visual effects (VFX) and ask if it would be possible for them to digitally alter the actress’s eye color to brown through the entire movie in post-production. Luckily, he confirmed it could be done, which became our workaround for the rest of the shoot.
Q. What makes The Forest through the Trees stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. Ultimately, what makes the film different is its commitment to telling a meaningful story with relatable human struggles (grief, family dysfunction, etc.) while wrapping it in a genuinely creepy, well-acted demonic horror shell.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I just hope that people enjoy the film, and have a good time watching it.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. Yes, my next major project currently in the works is a mini-series titled The Trial of Margaret Stone. It’s a chilling, five-episode mini-series set in 1891 that is a blend of a historical courtroom drama and a demonic possession horror film-think Lizzie Borden meets 12 Angry Men (1957) meets The Exorcist (1973). The story follows a young woman, Margaret Stone, who is on trial for the brutal murder of her parents. As the legal proceedings unfold, it becomes increasingly clear to everyone in the courtroom that something far more sinister and supernatural is at play, as the trial descends into a battle for her soul.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Don’t wait for permission. Just do it. You learn by doing. Start small if you have to with just your phone. Always be learning how to get better.
The Forest through the Trees will be playing at Horror-on-Sea on Friday 16th January at 12:30hrs.
You can find out more about The Forest through the Trees on the website www.lucidlakepictures.com
You can find out more about Horror-on-Sea and purchase tickets the The Forest through the Trees 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!
