Scott Beck and Bryan Woods Talk Nightlight
For years, the Covington forest has been shrouded in mystery with a dark past as a final destination for troubled youths. It’s a beacon for those contemplating suicide. Undeterred by the news of a classmate who recently took his life in those woods, five teens journey into the forest for an evening of games and ghost stories. But their plans go awry when the party is crashed a demonic presence.
Shot on location at night and lit only by a flashlight, Nightlight is one of the few new experimental horror films out there. We had a chance to catch up with the directors, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, and here’s what they had to say about the making of the movie and what we can expect on the DVD.
Dread Central: What has the reaction been to Nightlight, now that it’s been “out there?” Any surprises or unexpected reactions?
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods: We’ve been really surprised by how far the film has traveled. People from different corners of the country have reached out to let us know their favorite scenes or characters from the film. We always thought the film would be a bit divisive, but what’s gratifying is that the fans who love Nightlight really love it, and because of social media they have been able to reach out and connect with us. Our biggest fear before the movie came out was that Nightlight would become emblematic of everything people have come to dislike about the sub-genre of found footage. We feel grateful that people have appreciated that we were trying to do something different in a very saturated space.
DC: I remember you guys telling us that shooting the movie was like being vampires – since it’s pretty much all exteriors at night, you couldn’t cheat it – is it an experience you would care to do again, should there be a sequel? If not, what is your ideal next project?
SB and BW: We’re laughing right now because on some level, no director should ever have to direct a movie from the point of view of a flashlight! It’s incredibly limiting from a storytelling standpoint. Not only is it challenging to convey things like character, plot, and emotion through such a specific perspective, but it also removes a lot of cinematic tools that are common grammar in movies – tools like music, shot coverage, and cross cutting. So to think of doing another movie like Nightlight is certainly intimidating. But surely the experimental nature of the film was part of the fun as well. And we have plenty of sequel ideas if there is enough demand for one!
DC: Name some of your favorite horror films that take place over the course of one night. What are the challenges – and the rewards – of writing a screenplay like that?
SB and BW: We adore movies that take place over one night. Specifically in the horror genre: Night of the Living Dead, Halloween (1978), and The Mist. Panic Room is another brilliant “one-nighter” that isn’t a traditional horror film but definitely touches upon the terror of a home invasion. One of the main challenges in telling a story over the course of a single night is that the time compression limits your ability to develop characters over a longer period so it’s a delicate balance to build a satisfying arc for your heroes. But we love the approach because it’s akin to riding a rollercoaster: there’s going to be ups, downs, and excitement the entire time, and you can’t get off until it’s over.
DC: Who are some of the directors that influenced you both?
SB and BW: Certainly Alfred Hitchcock, specifically Vertigo, Psycho, and The Birds. He was a director who knew exactly how to provoke an audience and anticipate their reaction, and we’re constantly trying to emulate that skill. As far as contemporaries, David Fincher is one of our favorites; we love all of his work, but SE7EN and Zodiac are standouts. His control of the frame is unparalleled by all but Kubrick, and his instincts are so spot-on, from his visuals to his direction in crafting a performance. And then one of our original influencers is M. Night Shyamalan, specifically his early work. Those stories are such solid high-concept ideas but executed with art house taste, which is a blend that we always gravitate towards.
DC: Your movie is out on DVD on May 26 – so, tell us what the “extras” are. Commentary? Behind the scenes? How involved were you guys allowed to be on the packaging and content of the DVD, and is this something you thought about while shooting the feature?
SB and BW: We’re avid consumers of special features and commentary – and consider it as educational as film school – so while shooting the film, we made sure to have a behind-the-scenes camera rolling in anticipation of the DVD. The disc uses some of that footage, and then we did a full-length commentary with our producer, Darren Brandl, who shepherded Nightlight since the very early script stage. There’s a couple deleted and alternate scenes on this disc as well, which were sequences that we really loved and wanted to share. Those scenes contain commentary as well to provide some context as to why they were lost.
Nightlight Release Details:
Five friends venture into the woods for a night of flashlight games, only to awaken a demonic presence in Nightlight, casting its shadow on DVD (plus Digital) and Digital HD May 26th from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The film is currently available via On Demand.
Featuring performances from a stellar ensemble of up-and-coming young talent including Shelby Young (The Social Network, Wild Child), Chloe Bridges (Family Weekend, TV’s “The Carrie Diaries”), and Carter Jenkins (Valentine’s Day, TV’s “The Following”) along with newcomers Mitch Hewer and Taylor Murphy, Nightlight is told from a singular point of view and employs a groundbreaking storytelling device as a means of heightening suspense, while turning the found footage genre on its head.
Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (The Bride Wore Blood), the Nightlight DVD and Digital HD includes a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, and an alternate ending with optional commentary. A feature-length audio commentary with the writers/directors and producer is available exclusively on the DVD. The Nightlight DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.98.
Special Features:
- “Nightlight Behind the Scenes” featurette
- Deleted Scenes and Alternate Ending with Optional Commentary from Writers/Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
- Audio Commentary with Writers/Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and Producer Darren Brandl
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