An Interview with Filmmaker Scott Frazelle
Scott Frazelle tells us about Moggy Creatures, the creature feature he plans to make in 2017.
Hi Scott, It’s great to meet you.
How is it to be working on your own films now, as opposed to working on others?
It is exhilarating to be making the leap.
Why did you decide to start producing and crafting your own films?
I started off with the intention of writing, solely, but working on a film set for the first time changed that. It happens with almost everyone that works on a set, its hard work but there’s a seduction to being part of the magic. Plus, many films become something other than what they are intended as written; its a mix of good and bad and all sorts of creativity. I found myself wanting to be sure that this story was what I intended it to be.
It sounds like you were really invested in the project.
Was Moggy Creatures the first script you planned to do under your own umbrella?
No, actually, I have adapted an erotic thriller, The Need, to a horror screenplay. That was the first intended project and I dare say a bit more ambitious in some ways that this one. In reality, I produced a very indie horror first, and that gave me a learning path to walk along and grow into Moggy Creatures.
What did you learn working on previous films than you applied to Moggy Creatures?
So much! Working in the biz is the best form of film school. But some examples are; knowing when less is more; understanding that chemistry truly shows on screen; recognizing when you’re beating a dead horse; knowing if it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage (or screen); and not being afraid of a good idea just because it didn’t come from you.
We have to agree, nothing beats first hand experience in filmmaking, no matter what level it is at.
Now is the film a straight-up horror movie or does it have comedic elements?
Straight-up horror. I’m making a creature feature intended to open up your imagination and use it against you. Take my hand, I’ll take you to where the dark things are.
And you’ve already designed the ‘creatures’, is that correct?
Yes, you get a glimpse of them in the trailer at MoggyCreatues.com. I wanted to take an ordinary house cat and make bigger, powerful, and visually scary, far enough from an ordinary cat that they seem unreal yet with enough similarities they seem plausible. Nobody wants to tangle with a rabid cat, they can do some serious damage. Now imagine if they were bigger… and you were trapped in a room with half a dozen.
It sounds like a really interesting concept and the trailer looks great.
Is the story inspired by any actual events?
Fortunately, no. I’ve never been attacked by mutated cats (fingers crossed). But I have been fascinated by the appearance of hairless cats, how much more monstrous they look simply by the absence of hair.
We agree, they most definitely do!
Tell us about some of the people you had supporting your vision?
My support has come from people all over the industry; Anthony Pearce is an excellent Writer and has work waiting to break out, he encouraged me to go down this path of a story that sounds preposterous to some but alluring to others. Mark Fenlason is a Production Designer and sci-fi/creature enthusiast and absolutely understands what makes things like monsters work in a story, and on camera. Julian Ledger is a sculptor and creature creator and has worked on some of the biggest FX films, he assured me nothing was impossible and helped turn my imagination into a physical thing we can see on camera. I couldn’t have done it without them and I hope they can continue to contribute as we move forward.
Why do you think you gravitate towards making horror?
I think horror films, most specifically the creature features shot in black and white, where some of the first films I watched outside of Disney classics. While the monsters captured my imagination, the ones with good strong scripts and good execution taught me how to tell good stories. When I watch a horror film today, I’m already primed to suspend disbelief and step into that world.
Thanks for talking to us Scott it has been a blast. We will be eagerly await more news on Moggy Creatures, good luck with the project.
