Film Name: Advent
Director: Airell Anthony Hayles
Writer: Airell Anthony Hayles
Starring: Mark Arnold, Nicholas Vince, Cory Peterson, Marina Lazaris, Cian Lorcan
When a young girl with a love of urban Legends comes across what is said to be a cursed advent calendar, she seeks to find out if the dark stories behind it are true as she opens a door each day in the build up to Christmas. Behind each door is a challenge that she has to carry out, and as these challenges grow more disturbing she starts lose sight of who she is. As realities collapse, it seems she may have also brought her mother back from the dead… Inspired by the terrifying true story of the blue whale game, and adding a supernatural twist, this is a new kind of Christmas ghost story…
In a new Exclusive Interview on Blazing Minds ahead of Horror-on-Sea I got a chance to ask Writer/Director Airell Anthony Hayles a few questions about the film ‘Advent‘
Advent will play at Horror-on-Sea on Sunday 19th January 3.00pm
Q. Your film has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect?
A. It’s always fun to have a movie play at Horror-on-Sea and I’m delighted to say this is the fifth movie I’ve been a part of that will play here. We screened the short Blue Moon, and features They’re Outside, Midnight Peepshow, Punch and Werewolf Santa. We always expect the unexpected here! The festival has a great party spirit and each year grows in reputation.
Q. What were some of your influences when writing the script?
A. My influences writing the Advent script were the now famous TV show Ghost Watch from 1992 as the script goes to very dark places. I found a copy online written of course by the brilliant Stephen Volk. The way Parkinson plays his role with a devilish energy inspired the role of our narrator and I think that Nicholas Vince of Hellraiser fame really captures that spirit. Another influence was the now old old BBC ghost stories for Christmas that still chill you to the bone many years on- I wanted to create a new type of Christmas ghost story. Finally in Paranormal Activity I always thought the scariest habit was when she stands at the bed watching her boyfriend sleep without him knowing. No special effects needed- it was just a scary idea. We wanted to create creepy moments like that which we hope stay with you.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. In terms of the influences for the look and style of the film it was classic Christmas movies colours that we wanted to subvert by using those warm colours in a colder and nastier story. It’s part found footage but also has a documentary feel and I like many others am always inspired the style of that very scary film Lake Mungo. It sort of just creeps up on you and scares you in a very unique way.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. As to whether we made changes to the script during film the answer is yes and loads. The spine of the story was strong enough conceit wise to divert from it all times when scarier or freakier ideas presented themselves. Or if we had budget issues and couldn’t get the scripts original ideas out. But in the edit is where things really change a lot. It’s the third and final draft of the movie and it’s fun to take big risks at that stage in the telling- as if they don’t work you can always go back to what you had before.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. As to what some of my favourite moments in filming were it was for sure when we tried things that hadn’t been on the page and found they were visually or tonally more exciting. We had time to play a bit so that was fun. Also it’s always the best part of film making to see the actors bring the lines and story to life. They are the heart beat of the film and will almost entirely influence the audience response to what’s unfolding as we need to believe it and see it through the actors eyes. I was lucky to work with a very talented team at every level and it’s a reminder of how film is a collaborative process. That’s it’s super power as a medium when you have the right team!
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. As to if I experienced any issues during filming the answer would be ‘yes- each five minutes’ Everything is an issue, a race against the clock as you see if you can translate what you had in your head onto the screen. At least the bare bones of that as the mood of the piece really all comes together in post production. You do what you can. To the best of your and your teams ability. Creating scares abs creepy moments is hard as you have to get the very tight timings right with camera movement etc.
Q. What makes it stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. As to what makes it stand out as something new in the horror genre I think the way we examined the real like social horror story that is ‘the blue whale game’ and gave it a supernatural twist and fused those ideas into a cursed advent calendar- is something fresh. We had to believe the actors to believe this story and I think we do. Our leading lady had to balance a lot of tough emotions and she did a great job of taking us from one state of mind at the start of the film to a certain mindlessness at the end…
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. As to what I hope people will take away from the film it’s that moments from the film come back to haunt them and play on their minds. We don’t tie everything up in the film, and there will be questions about what was happening in some key moments. I really hope people simply just turn off the film feeling slightly freaked out.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. As to other projects I’m working on we have a fun slate of things, one of which is a wedding themed thriller that aims to emulate nineties thrillers like Single White Female and The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. A few other Christmas themed horror movies in the works too- I love this sub genre so much!
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Advice I would give to someone looking to write and direct their own movie is learn screenwriting properly as it will be the foundation of your success. Do something new in the genre. Read and re read the Save the Cat books etc. Don’t work on the script till it’s ready, or you’ll be re writing a lot in pre production and even on set! And don’t just direct the script- add a look and feel that wasn’t in the script or was only hinted out. Make the directing even better than the script if possible. Horror is a directors medium but you need to aim for a great story and a great telling of it.
You can follow Writer/Director Airell Anthony Hayles on Instagram
Advent will play at Horror-on-Sea on Sunday 19th January 3.00pm
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!
