Last week I reached out to Downey and Elliot to find out exactly what a "psyche-saga" is and just to find out a little bit more about their film. First up is my interview with Elliot. Check back tomorrow to find out what Downey had to say.
Christopher Coffel: How did It's in the Blood come about? Where did the idea come from?
Sean Elliot: The basic structure of the script, at least to a very large degree, arose out of necessity. As independent filmmakers always are, we were tasked with delivering a product that has the highest production value to cost ratio. Knowing that our budget was going to be low at best, we made a very lengthy assessment of how we could get the most bang for our buck (What genera? What environment? How large a cast? Etc.) What we ended up with, after some ten drafts or so, was essentially the movie that you see on the screen. The story itself came about through much difficulty and turmoil. In our naiveté, we delved into subject matter that was far darker than anything in our lives could have prepared us for. I think to a very large degree, we were interested in exploring the nature of guilt. However, seeking a resolution to guilt proved to be far more difficult.
CC: You co-wrote the script with Scooter Downey. What is the writing process like between you two?
SE: Scooter and I have pretty much been best friends since kindergarten. There really isn’t anything we can say that hasn’t already been said at some point in the last 20 years. There is no ego between us. Our primary concern, when it comes to writing together, is always striving to create a safe environment, free of judgment, where all ideas can be heard, and all flashes of inspiration explored.
CC: Can you tell us a little bit about your character and what you did to prepare for the role?
SE: As I mentioned earlier, nothing in my life could have prepared me for what I was going to experience as an actor in this film. It became apparent very early on that the only way this film was going to work is if the cast fully committed to really going “there”. Acting was not really an option, only true expression/experience. My character, October, is a lost soul, condemned by his guilt to walk the desolate wasteland of his life like a ghost. Events in his past have scarred him so deeply that he is stuck in a loop, trapped in an emotional purgatory. Throughout the course of the film he is forced to face the horrors of his past, confront his demons, and either choose to overcome them, or fall victim to their torment.
CC: You were able to work with the legendary Lanceh Henriksen. How did that all come about and what was that like?
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| Lance Henriksen in Its in the Blood |
SE: Working with Lance has been one of the central pleasures of my life. We became very close, and I am proud to call him friend. Never having worked with an actor of his caliber, I can honestly say neither Scooter nor I had the slightest clue of what to expect. But when we were in the trenches together, Lance really proved his strength of character. We put him through hell on this shoot and not once did he ever say no. He is an incredible actor, but an even more incredible human being.
As far as getting Lance signed on with the project is concerned, we went about it through the standard pathways. Once our financing was secured, we sent the script to his agent. However, we didn’t audition Lance for the project, he auditioned us. Separately, Scooter and I each received a phone call from him where he picked our brains, systematically testing us so as to determine if we were not only serious about making the movie we had written, but also to see if we were even capable of doing so. I guess we passed the test.
CC: What is your favorite Lance Henriksen role/movie?
SE: Powder. I prefer him as Lance the man, not the machine.
CC: Do you already have your eyes on your next project or are you just focused on pushing It's in the Blood at the moment?
SE: Both. We are simultaneously marketing our film and seeking distribution while also developing a number of scripts, each in different price brackets, so that as soon as we sell It’s In The Blood, regardless of what level of success it achieves, we can immediately start making another. I have also been putting quite a bit of time and effort into establishing Monomyth Films, the production company through which we hope to produce all of our future projects together.
Attendees at this year's Phoenix Film Festival will have two opportunities to see It's in the Blood. Elliot, Downey and Henricksen will all be in attendance in support of the film. For more information and tickets please visit the official Phoenix Film Festival website.
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