Tales of Halloween Interview Spotlight: Lucky McKee
Horror hits like V/H/S and The ABCs of Death have proven that the anthology film format has been revived, and so a new omnibus is afoot for 2015 – assembling the likes of Neil Marshall (The Descent), Darren Bousman (The Devil’s Carnival), and Lucky McKee (The Call) behind their collective cameras.
Epic Pictures Group financed and produced Tales of Halloween, which brings together ten segments from different directors into one unified series of stories, all set in an Anytown, USA, suburb terrorized by ghouls, ghosts, and slashers on one, er, epic Halloween night.
We had a chance to chat with Lucky McKee and get the lowdown on his segment, which was the very last one to be filmed (right before Christmas!).
Dread Central: What’s the name of your story, and who is in it?
Lucky McKee: It’s called “Ding Dong.” I wrote it for a couple of my favorite actors: Pollyanna McIntosh and Marc Senter.
DC: How were you approached to do this project, and what about it appealed most?
LM: I have been friends with Axelle for a long time. She called me up when I was in the middle of a road trip about a month ago. I liked that Axelle and Mike were producing. I also liked the idea of contributing a story alongside so many filmmakers I respect and admire. Of course creative control is always a big selling point with me. All of those factors contributed to making it a no-brainier decision for me.
DC: What were some of the guidelines given to you by producers? What was the most challenging thing about it?
LM: Create an original story that takes place on Halloween night in a suburban community was really the only parameter. For me, the difficult part was that I was the last one brought on board so I have had to work very fast. It’s been a good challenge, and I hope I am able to do something unique but also hope it fits within the overall tapestry in a way that makes the creators of the project happy.
DC: Delve into your segment a little bit, and tell us what we can expect and what about the story you think will be the most fun for the audience?
LM: If you like what I do, it will probably be up your alley. I always write from a personal place and don’t really think about twists and things too much. I am more interested in how to make a story unfold in an engaging way. From beginning to end. Movies that hang on one major twist usually don’t hold up too well on repeat viewings, so I try to pack as much emotion as I can into every frame.
DC: What are some of the upsides of an anthology, as opposed to a feature length one-plot film?
LM: It’s fun to see all these stories side by side and how they energize each other. Every filmmaker is truly unique so it makes for a smorgasbord-like experience! There will be something for everyone in this one.
DC: What’s your favorite Halloween movie?
LM: Geesh. That’s actually a tough question. Maybe The Doors? Feels like a bunch of people playing dress up to me. Hard to tell if that one was a trick or a treat.
DC: What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid? And do you still dress up as an adult?
LM: I made myself a pretty bitchin’ Batman costume with paper and magic markers one time when I was a kid. I was convinced it was perfection at the time. Photos prove otherwise. But I haven’t dressed up for a long time. Guess I have become an old fuddy-duddy. Maybe next year when this film is released I’ll step back up to the plate!
Tales of Halloween will showcase the following ten short stories:
- “TRICK” Directed by Adam Gierasch
- “BAD SEED” Directed by Neil Marshall
- “GRIMM GRINNING GHOST” Directed by Axelle Carolyn
- “THE WEAK AND THE WICKED” Directed by Paul Solet
- “FRIDAY THE 31st” Directed by Mike Mendez
- “THE RANSOM OF RUSTY REX” Directed by Ryan Schifrin
- “THIS MEANS WAR” Directed by Andrew Kasch and John Skipp
- “THE NIGHT BILLY RAISED HELL” Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman
- “SWEET TOOTH” Directed by Dave Parker
- “DING DONG” Directed by Lucky McKee
The film has an ensemble cast including Pat Healy, Barry Bostwick, Noah Segan, Booboo Stewart, Greg Grunberg, Clare Kramer, Alex Essoe, Lin Shaye, Dana Gould, James Duval, Elissa Dowling, Grace Phipps, Pollyana McIntosh, Marc Senter, Tiffany Shepis, John F. Beach, Trent Haaga, Casey Ruggieri, Kristina Klebe, Cerina Vincent, John Savage, Keir Gilchrist, Nick Principe, Amanda Moyer, Jennifer Wenger, Sam Witwer, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Ben Woolf, Caroline Williams, Robert Rusler, Cameron Easton, Austin Falk, Madison Iseman, Daniel Dimaggio, Natalie Castillo, Ben Stillwell, and Hunter Smit.
Cameos include Joe Dante, John Landis, Adam Green, Adam Pascal, Adrianne Curry, Mick Garris, Lombardo Boyer, Graham Skipper, Stuart Gordon, Greg Mclean, Spooky Dan Walker, and Adrienne Barbeau.
Axelle Carolyn created the concept and brought the filmmakers together for this unique production. Tales of Halloween is being produced by Patrick Ewald and Shaked Berenson of Epic Pictures Group along with Mike Mendez and Axelle Carolyn. Composers Frank Ilfman (Big Bad Wolves) and Joseph Bishara (The Conjuring) are both attached to the project.
Synopsis:
Ten stories are woven together by their shared theme of Halloween night in an American suburb, where ghouls, imps, aliens, and axe murderers appear for one night only to terrorize unsuspecting residents.
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