Dominic Brunt is one of the most exciting creatives around. His love of the horror genre is reflected in his directorail work and his latest movie, Wolf Manor is having its channel premiere on the 20th at 9pm. We decided to chat to Dom about this superb creature feature and what the future holds for him.
NYX: How did Wolf Manor come together?
DB: Wolf Manor was already well on it’s way by the time myself and my wife Joanne Mitchell were hired as director and producer respectively. Pete Wild and Joel Ferrari had the script, the budget and the location together. I think they’d had problems getting the script understood by other directors in terms of its horror ‘purity’ but that was the element which stuck for us. That and the hands off approach offered by the exec, who trusted us to bring in the film on budget and on time without interference. That trust was returned with gratitude and hard work.
NYX: It’s totally different to your other movies, was that key in you taking on the director’s role?
DB: Definitely! Pete and Joel stated that it was a dumb horror with a death toll of 10/11 characters racked up in order. The secret ingredient being that the film knew it was dumb, and constantly referenced itself and other horror films throughout. The script knew what most people thought about horror/slasher films and played with that pre-conception. We also had fun poking fun at certain positions and credits taken in the making of independent horror films. I personally felt we could have gone further with this. Possibly crueller. Then there’s the gore..
NYX: The movie was shot at an incredible location, did you have long there?
DB: Yes! One single location over nearly three weeks of night shoots. We had Vince Knight as DOP who is a beast of the night. We’d be falling over exhausted and he’d be shouting for two more hours. Proper trooper. He’s also a genius with, night shooting, shadows and mist. I’m glad we got him while he was still affordable.
NYX: Was the movie already cast when you came on board, or did you have some input?
DB: It was 1/3 cast and again Pete Wild trusted us to bring in people we had worked with before in positive terms. We have gathered a rolling gang along the way since our debut as Mitchell-Brunt Films and ‘Before Dawn’. I have to say Pete had the genius idea of casting James Fleet.
NYX: Did they have much time to rehearse?
DB: We had all night!! I always send an email through before any filming, as a director, asking for the lines to be learned and any suggested changes sent well before filming. My theory is that if you get the casting right, you only have to set the scene, rehearse to suit, then record. It’s the actors which make the film, ultimately, you just have to capture it. The ideas (with the correct actors) flow in abundance. If the actors feel safe and know someone is in control they are comfortable enough to start showing off...sorry..performing. I’m absolutely not a dictator but I let it be known that I’ve already edited the film in my head and have a shot list and camera plan for every scene. I tend to over plan everything.
NYX: How hard is it to balance comedy and horror?
DB: I hate the term ‘Comedy Horror’. It makes me not want to watch a film. With Wolf Manor we tried to kill any acknowledgment of something silly or funny happening. It’s for the audience to find. Having said that, trying to stifle laughs while James Fleet is in full flow is almost impossible.
NYX: Did you have many night shoots?
DB: Three weeks! One thing which I noticed was the need for the cast and crew to build a social life together after filming, which meant we were cracking open the beers, G&T’s and wine after wrap. The only difference was, we were all doing that at 6am as the sun rose and mostly staggering to bed at 9am.
NYX: Who designed the creature as it looks pretty cool?
DB: Shaune Harrison and Paula Anne Booker, the greatest FX couple on this earth! They had already agreed the design with Pete Wild and stayed on set with the gang throughout the shoot. Very, very cool people indeed.
NYX: Talking of effects, are they all practical?
DB: 90% practical which is sometimes a pain in the arse but always worth it. I can tell which ones are ‘comped in’ but only because I was in the edit. Neale Myers (Future Proof Media) is a post production FX wonderboy. He’s been there from the start and we’re very loyal towards each other. He’s saved us from so many sticking points to say the least. A true talent.
NYX: Will there be a return to Wolf Manor?
DB: Ask Pete Wild and Joel Ferrari. There was nearly a zombie film set at a wedding reception which was an utterly fantastic set up. So clever. So... maybe...
NYX: Have you been inspired by any other directors in your work?
DB: Brian Forbes always. A non-horror director who I admire to the point t of obsession.
NYX: Do you have a favourite werewolf movie?
DB: Can anyone really stand up and say there was a better Werewolf film than American Werewolf in London? Neil Marshall had a ridiculously good go at it with Dog Soldiers.
NYX: You’re an actor, writer, and director, do you have one job you prefer?
DB: I feel that as long as I’m in the lucky position of creating stories then I’m happy. I’m from Accrington with a low reading age and worked on the markets selling towels and on the fruit stalls, when I left school I was in engineering as a welder and sheet metal worker for years, this is all still a dream come true for me.
NYX: So, what are you working on at the moment?
DB: I’m always working with my partner Joanne Mitchell to get things made. We are very good at picking each other up when all looks bleak or frightening or simply just not worth the hassle. We’re totally independent and it’s not easy. There are so many unexpected obstacles to stop you moving forward. It takes 50 odd people to make an independent, low budget film, and none of them could be made without the positive contribution of each professional person you pick up along the way. Choose your team wisely. Each film feels like the last but then…there’s a phone call…
NYX: Dominic Brunt, thank you very much.
