Brian Avenet-Bradley
2018-11-01 12:00
SHRIEKFEST INTERVIEW
Brian Avenet-Bradley
Filmmaker
2005 Best Horror Feature Film, 2013 Official Selection, and 2018 Best Supernatural Horror Feature Film
What is your name, company name, and URL?
Brian Avenet-Bradley, www.echoesoffear.com
What is your specialty: filmmaking or screenwriting? If filmmaking, which aspects?
Well, so far, filmmaking and screenwriting have all gone together as one. Along with my wife and filmmaking partner Laurence (Lo) Avenet-Bradley, I've taken our horror ideas from inception, through the script phase through filming and post. So it's all flowed together. When I'm writing, I'm thinking about how we're going to shoot it. During the production process, my primary focus is on directing, but that definitely involves rewriting to make the most of the locations and actors. It really all comes down to the best way to build the mood, atmosphere and suspense to heighten the scare.
What are you currently working on?
Laurence and I have just finished our fifth feature together, the supernatural horror film Echoes of Fear. It's the first one that we've co-directed. Since debuting in October, the film has won three Best Horror Feature awards at festivals, including Best Supernatural Feature at its World Premiere at Shriekfest. We've been really stoked by the strong reaction from horror audiences in a theater, so we're now looking for the right distributor who can harness that excitement in releasing the film.
It's a great film! Congrats! Who do you consider your mentor and why?
Not one particular person for either Lo or I. But we do know a lot of people in Los Angeles who have been very helpful at times with advice and guidance. So I wouldn't want to name just one person, but I'd say that both Lo and I have been been fortunate to run into some generous Los Angeles horror filmmakers and other people in the industry who have helped us along our journey. There are good people out here, and if you look hard enough, you'll find the ones who are pretty open about helping out.
So true! Why do you think the horror/sci-fi genres have such a large following?
I think the best horror and science fiction genres hold a mirror up to a dark and frightening world and allegorically/metaphorically show that world in an entertaining way. It's the spoonful full of sugar that makes it possible to swallow this bitter world. And I think audiences really respond to that. Horror films especially are a cathartic way of dealing with terror. It's a scary thrill ride that can help purge the real horror of the world. It's fun to yell, scream and laugh in the dark with fellow movie goers. The darker the world gets, the greater the need I think for horror films.
What do you love most about this business?
Lo and I love just about everything about telling scary stories visually to an audience. The best moment is always watching and hearing an audience that loves the film-- hearing what scared them the most or creeped them out or captivated them visually. For us, it's all about that audience response, the collective reaction of people freaked out together in the dark.
That is so very true! What do you dislike most about this business?
The painful process of finding the right distributor who will embrace the film and help it reach its audience. Runner up, would be securing the financing or finding the right production partner who will enable the film to be made. Nothing is more frustrating than having a great script that you know horror audiences will love-- but also knowing that without money it will never be made and they will never see it.
What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
Lo and I completing our latest film Echoes of Fear and sharing it with horror audiences. Hearing and seeing their strong reaction to the film has been the highlight of my career so far. Nothing is better than when hard core horror fans tell you that you've scared them.
So awesome! Any advice you'd like to give to newbies?
Tell the stories you're passionately compelled to tell and find a way to tell them-- someway, somehow. And don't wait too long to start!
Great advice! Anything else you'd like to say?
Be on the look out for another festival screening of Echoes of Fear.
Yes!!! Thank you It was great chatting!