Exclusive Horror-on-Sea interview with ‘Virus Detected’ Director Geoff Harmer

Film Name: Virus Detected

Director: Charlie Bond, (segment “Mic Drop“), Paul Cousins (segment “Bad Penny“), James Hamer-
Morton (segment “Mic Drop“), Geoff Harmer (segments “Shock Jock“, “The Little Ones“), Chris
Josty (segments “Shock Jock“, “Virtual Insanity”), James Morrissey (segment “The Toy“),
James Plumb (segment “The Toy“), Samuel Rush (segment “LOVETOAST“)

Writer: Lucas Eisele (segment “The Toy”), James Hamer-Morton (segment “Mic Drop“), Peter
Hearn (segments “Shock Jock“, “The Little Ones“), Pat Higgins (segment “Bad Penny“), Chris Josty
(segment “Virtual Insanity“), Samuel Rush (segment “LOVETOAST“)

Starring: Stacy Hart, Amber Doig-Thorne, Annabella Rich, Charlie Bond, Chris Mills, James Hamer-
Morton

When an electrical storm hits during a late-night talk show, a radio DJ receives persistent phone calls from a mysterious caller warning her and telling her stories of electrical appliances having been affected by the storm. Are they true, or just calls for attention.

In a new Exclusive Interview on Blazing Minds ahead of Horror-on-Sea I got a chance to ask Director Geoff Harmer a few questions about the film ‘Virus Detected‘

Virus Detected will play at Horror-on-Sea on Friday 17th January 8.00pm

Q. Your film has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect?

A. Virus Detected has been subtitled a Technology Anthology, which has been its baseline from the start. The film is set during a late night talk radio show during an electrical storm. Our DJ, played wonderfully by Stacy Hart (Dead Air, Hosticide), plays Irritable Jo who has to deal with a persistent caller ringing in with their various strange stories.

It should have something in it for everyone, there are splashes of scares, gore, folk horror, comedy, it’s all here! What I’m really excited about is that when we tested the film, everyone seemed to have a different favourite segment. This is what makes the film special.

Q. Both of your scripts were written by Peter Hearn who you have collaborated with now on several projects. DO you discuss ideas before Peter writes the scripts, or do you select the scripts which you would like to bring to life?

A. Yeah, it’s a very collaborative process, which is why it always works so well. We work together outside of the filmmaking environment, so are always throwing ideas at each other. Nothing gets made unless we are both happy with it. So, there is a lot of back and forth before we hit the Go button.

Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?

A. For the wrapper segment that we call Shock Jock, this is straight out of the same mood board as Dead Air. We loved the way that film looked, and that colour palette really worked for this film too. We also took influence from Charles Martin Smith’s Trick or Treat, and Richard Stanley’s Hardware.

The Little Ones segment was a different beast, which relies heavily on Folk Horror films such as Ben Wheatley’s Kill List, and Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man. I wanted this piece to have a serious tone, in line with the more serious moments of Hammer horror films. I really envisaged a cinematic and beautifully dark look to the film, and I think Nathan and the team nailed it.

Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?

A. Always tweaking as we go along. We don’t necessarily loose entire scenes or anything, but we certainly tweak dialogue, etc. What we also do is shoot alternative dialogue to see how things play better in the edit.

Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?

A. Every second on a shoot is a fab moment, regardless of whether it’s a high or a low moment. I genuinely couldn’t pinpoint a favourite moment, sorry that’s boring!

Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?

A. No major issues, but we almost had to rearrange shooting the forest scene for The Little Ones with Annabella Rich and Chris Mills, as the weather forecast for that day turned out to be the hottest day of the year with the temperature nearing 40c! Thankfully everyone was still up for it, we made sure there was plenty of water available, and we shot the scenes under the cover of the tree’s branches. Everyone was hot and sweaty which certainly fit the aesthetic of the scene for sure.

Q. What makes it stand out as something different in the horror genre?

A. There are a number of horror anthologies out there for sure, all doing fab work, but we’re hoping this one will excite people as it’s got something for every horror fan. It’s got a great soundtrack, lots of familiar faces, and plenty of new ones too.

Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?

A. I’m just hoping people have a good time with the film. I make films for the fun of it, and I hope people come along for the ride, and enjoy them.

Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?

A. I’m throwing myself at Frightseers at the moment, which is a spooky comedy web-series. We’ve shot 6 episodes so far, one of which is being screened at Horror-On-Sea in January. It’s been a lot of fun so far, and I’m looking forward to getting a few more episodes under my belt. I’m also doing a spot of writing, have a few ideas bubbling away, but I’m actually writing something non-horror related for a change, which is both challenging and quite exhilarating too.

Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?

A. Same advice to give to everyone. Go to festivals and network! Find as many like minded people as yourself. Go and help out on some films, get some experience, make some connections. Then when you have your clan… go see if you can make something. And finally, and most importantly, don’t be a dick.

You can find out more about Geoff Harmer on the Website and following social media BlueSky Instagram

Virus Detected will play at Horror-on-Sea on Friday 17th January 8.00pm

You can find out more about the festival and purchase tickets here

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