An Interview With Filmmaker and Crimson Screen Film Fest Director Tommy Faircloth
Who doesn’t love horror? We know we do! So when the opportunity came up to interview Tommy Faircloth, horror filmmaker and director of the Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival we knew we couldn’t refuse. We had a great time sitting down and chatting to Tommy about all things horror!
Hi Tommy, it’s a pleasure to finally get to sit down and talk to you.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and How did you get involved in filmmaking?
I got into filmmaking when I was around 20 years old. I originally wanted to be an actor and got small parts on movies and TV shows like “In The Heat of the Night” but I soon realized that I liked being behind the camera, telling stories. I was attending film school at University of SC, working on pretty big budget films like “Die Hard With A Vengeance” in the art department, when I decided to do my own movie. I shot my first feature “Crinoline Head” in 1996 and Fangoria magazine did a huge spread on it which got me a ton of attention… remember this was back when Fangoria was the only way to know what horror films were happening… there was no internet in those days.
That must have been an excellent experience getting to work on those big budget movies.
Can you tell us about your company – Horse Creek Productions?
I formed HCP while shooting Crinoline Head in 1995. I followed up CH with a feature called Generation Ax. That was sort of a “Heathers” meets “Natural Born Killers” film. After my first two features, which were shot on film back then, I took a break from filmmaking and started doing roller coaster and theme park type documentaries. I got back into horror in 2013 with my film “The Cabin”, then “Dollface” which was a sequel to Crinoline Head, which was released in North America in 2015.
Heathers meets Natural Born Killers, that sounds like an awesome combination. I am going to have to check that one out!
You recently finished your latest film ‘Family Possessions’. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
FP is a paranormal/slasher/thriller film that I have been wanting to do since the late 90s. It has a real classic horror feel and no digital effects. The film stars Jason Vail and Leah Wiseman who were both in “Dollface”. It also stars Felissa Rose, who was Angela in “Sleepaway Camp” which is my absolute favorite slasher of all time. I can’t say enough nice things about her. Also starring in FP is Mark Patton from Nightmare on Elm Street 2. Mark basically retired from horror and acting all together after Nightmare 2, so FP marks his return to horror and I am stoked it’s in my film!
It sounds like a fantastic film. We all love practical effects and it sounds like a great homage to those classic slashers from the late 70’s and 80’s.
It was partly funded through IndiGoGo. How did you find the crowdfunding experience?
I did a small campaign on Indiegogo to help pay for make-up effects on the film. I was doing all practical effects and Tony Rosen, the man who created the Annabelle doll, was doing all my kills and my villain. 80% of the films budget was already there but I needed to offset the cost of the effects, so I did Indiegogo and it worked out. It was really successful because I offered some really unique perks, like being in the film, etc. This is stuff I would have done in a second back when I was a horror fan in my teen years. Making it personal and making people feel part of the film is key.
When does ‘Family Possessions’ premiere?
The film will premiere in October.
You recently appeared at Comic Con promoting the film, how did that go?
We did have booth at a Comic Con this past weekend where we tested a scene out with attendees and everyone responded perfectly… by being scared. So I am hoping it works.
That’s very promising.
You run South Carolina’s only horror film festival – The Crimson Screen Horror Film Fest. Can you tell us how this came about?
With my film “The Cabin”, I traveled all over the states going to different horror film festivals and was getting discouraged that I could not get my film shown in my home state. I noticed how much non-genre festivals turned their noses up at horror, so my partner Robby Zobel and I, took all the experience we got from going to these fests and decided to bring one to SC. We launched Crimson in 2014 and we are going on our 4th year now. Our trophies are awesome also and Tony Rosen designed them too. Everyone wants a Crimmy!
Those trophies are extremely impressive! They look amazing.
How have you found running a film festival?
We like to make our fest feel like a family. Even as it continues to grow every year, it still feels like a big family. We see the same faces of horror fans coming year after year and some of these fans have now started to do their own films and screenplays, so it’s making an impact. Running a fest like Crimson is a ton of work, year round, planning, etc. We like to bring special guests in every year also… but we do not want to make it like a convention, where films are a side show. At Crimson, it’s all about the films and filmmakers.
The Crimson Screen Fest sounds like it has an excellent atmosphere which always make these events very special and not to be missed.
What was your highlights from this years festival?
This past year we moved to a different venue. We are in the heart of this really cool hip town with a lot of bars and restaurants within walking distance from the venue. The first two years we were in this massive 900 seat theater, on an abandoned naval base, so even with 100-200 people at a screening, it felt empty. This new theater is about 120 seats and all the screenings this year were packed. It really created more energy within the audience and the Q&A’s with the filmmakers were excellent. This past year we had films like “The Barn” and “Night of Something Strange” which were audience favorites. We also feature South Carolina filmmakers as well each year, so it’s nice to see the horror scene within the state continue to grow.
You are doing a great job helping to promote local talent. It’s good for locals to have an opportunity like this to showcase their work
The biggest highlight this year had to be our special screening of “Sleepaway Camp” with Felissa Rose in attendance. It was so much fun. People were yelling at the screen, including Felissa and it was a blast. We gave out free beer and shots to the crowd… it was amazing.
You seem like you really have something special on your hands here. No wonder everyone keeps coming back year on year.
The festival will be entering its fourth year in 2017. How has it changed over this time?
We are starting to get more submissions and the local area is now expecting us each year as we continue. This year we sold out of tickets way before the festival. So we are starting to make a name for ourselves.
That’s good advice, get your tickets early folks.
Have you got any advice for anybody looking to submit their film to the festival?
We are searching for all types of horror films. There are many genres within horror so if you do submit, and you get in, definitely plan on attending. Even if you don’t get in you should come. It’s a super networking event. For example, last year filmmaker Steve Balderson met Debbie Rochon at Crimson, and he ended up casting her in his film “Hell Town” which played and won at Crimson, but he wanted to add a horror icon to the film. It has since picked up distribution. There are a ton of stories like this of filmmakers meeting other actors, and filmmakers, etc etc.
You never know who your going to meet at Crimson!
Have you got any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
I am still finishing up post on Family Possessions, so I will start traveling to film fests and horror conventions promoting that. Dollface will be coming out on DVD in the UK in February and on Russian television later this year.
Exciting times ahead. It looks like another busy year for you.
What does the future hold for Tommy Faircloth?
More movies I hope!
We do too! Thanks for your time Tommy. We have had a great time talking to you and we wish you every success with ‘Family Possessions’ and Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival, you may even see us there next year!
For more information about the Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival visit their website HERE.
