Fire, bad.
Interview with Ryan Bellgardt, good!
For this interview for the 2014 deadCENTER Film Festival, I speak with Ryan Bellgardt about Army of Frankensteins.
First off, tell me a bit about yourself and your role in the movie.
My name is Ryan Bellgardt and I’m the Director/Producer of the movie. I helped conceive the story with Josh McKamie and Andy Swanson and wrote the screenplay. I’ve worked in broadcasting and advertising in OKC as a producer and director and on-air talent for about 15 years.
How would you describe Army of Frankensteins to people?
I would describe Army of Frankensteins as a fun and exciting adventure/horror movie about a guy who accidentally ruptures space and time and winds up fighting in the civil war with an army of Frankenstein monsters from parallel universes.
Why should one see it?
I think people often think that the movie is going to be schlock or cheesy just because of the premise and title. Most people are surprised to see an exciting story with fun gory old-school special effects where the characters never wink at the camera. It’s played very straight. Our goal was to take a ridiculous situation and have our characters react as if it was completely plausible.
What was the most challenging aspect you had in the production?
It was very challenging to make one Frankenstein become an Army. We had to use camera tricks and some digital effects to “clone” Eric Gesecus, the actor who played Frankenstein. We would have him do 20 or 30 different actions that would all be complied into one finished 5 second shot.
What was the best part about filming in Oklahoma?
I think the best thing about filming in Oklahoma is how friendly and willing to help everyone is. There are also so many talented people who live here from actors to artists, musicians and filmmakers. It’s a great place to make a movie!
What scenes were fun for everyone to film?
There’s a scene in the movie were a human sized mutated cat attacks the heroes. That scene was the most fun for me because it was in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere, and we had our lead make up artist Nate Bright running around in the most awesomely terrifying mutated cat makeup. It took him and make up artist Jenna Green 7 hours to apply his makeup and 5 hours to get it off. They essentially glued fur all over his body one tuft at a time. It was painstaking, but the end result is a scene that gets the biggest reaction of any in the movie.
What are your thoughts on the deadCENTER Film Festival?
“The festival means a lot to me, because it gives people like myself an opportunity to share their movies and stories with anyone and everyone.”I’ve been to deadCENTER many times as a fan and as a media partner. I’ve got to admit that when I would watch a feature and see the director up in front of the screen screen answering questions, I would say to myself, “I really want to be that person!” The festival means a lot to me, because it gives people like myself an opportunity to share their movies and stories with anyone and everyone and every year inspires young people to pick up a video camera and start shooting.
When and where can people see your movie?
Army of Frankensteins is screening Friday, June 13th at 9:30pm at the Devon Auditorium and Sunday June 15th at 6:00pm at Harkins Bricktown.
Anything else you wish to add?
We’re excited for the Army of Frankensteins to invade deadCENTER! Hope to see you there!
For more information on the deadCENTER Film Festival, read Uncovering the 2014 deadCENTER Film Festival and for more filmmaker interviews, check out the deadCENTER tag.
