Director: Chris Schwab
Co-Writers: Chris Schwab, Bram Stoker
Starring: Eric Toms, Marlene Mc’Cohen, Spencer Weitzel, Raelan Mackiewicz, Brenton Jones
Synopsis: In this modern reimagining, Dr. John Seward regains his hope for humanity through a bond with Mina and her young daughter Lucy. However, his regained faith is systemically destroyed by an ancient evil.
In a new exclusive interview for Blazing Minds, ahead of this year’s Dead and Sudburied Horror Festival, I had the opportunity to ask Director/Co-Writer Chris Schwab about his latest film, Dracula: The Night Around Us, which will screen at the festival on Friday 23 October at 12:50pm.
Q. Your film Dracula: The Night Around Us has been selected for Dead and Sudburied. Can you tell us a bit about what audiences can expect from the film?
A. This is a completely new interpretation of the classic story from Bram Stoker, stripped down to the bone and filled with dread. I wanted to create a film that would feel fresh and new yet familiar to audiences well versed in Stoker’s novel and the many film adaptations that have been made.
Q. For anyone who doesn’t know your work yet, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first got into filmmaking?
A. I was always interested in storytelling from a young age but didn’t know how to channel that creative energy until I discovered filmmaking in high school. Ever since then I have been making shorts and feature films completely self financed. Another interest of mine is visual effects and I was able to work my way up in the post business to become a VFX artist for television, both network and streaming.
Q. How did the idea for the film come about?
A. I had a dream that basically encompasses the first 10 minutes of the film and from there I conceived of the rest of the story very quickly. The main hurdle was figuring out how to accomplish it on a very small budget. That took a couple years to figure out.
Q. You have credit Bram Stoker as co-writer, which I assume is due to his original book, how much of that has been incorporated into the script, or is it based on the concept of?
A. The film is a very loose adaptation of the Stoker’s novel but there are scenes that I filmed that I feel are more faithful to his novel than has ever been put to film.
Q. What were the biggest advantages and challenges of directing a script you had written?
A. The main advantage is that I am tailoring the script to be filmed in a way that matches the budget I will have. The challenge to that is to push myself to come up with ideas and scenes that will not be easy to film. I find it very satisfying from a creative standpoint to battle those two instincts.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. European silent films were a massive influence in the direct look of the film. The grain texture and the deep shadows were something I strived to accomplish in this film. Also every single Dracula adaptation out there, but especially the 1933 Universal film, Jess Franco’s Count Dracula, and the 1977 BBC adaptation.
Q. Did the script structure of the film change from the original concept during filming?
A. There were 2 added scenes that I conceived of during production, but other than that everything else was filmed as written.
Q. How did you go about casting the film, and did they bring anything different to how you and your co-writer envisaged the characters in the original script?
A. I am very lucky to have many good friends who are also fantastic actors. I wrote the characters with these people in mind. The one thing that surprised me in the performance was the deepening relationship between Mina and John that Marlene Mc’Cohen and Eric Toms brought on the day of filming. A classic example of staying out of the actor’s way when they are in the middle of doing something brilliant.
Q. What are some of your favourite memories from making the film?
A. Our first weekend was not only fun but I felt was some of the best work I had ever done. That was a really amazing moment to know immediately that the film was going to work out.
Q. What were the biggest challenges you faced during the shoot, and how did you overcome them?
A. There is an extensive sequence that takes place in the sewer tunnels underneath Los Angeles. I had a lot of trouble trying to figure out how to film that sequence. Do I build a short section of tunnel? Do I get a permit of some sort. Could I even get a permit? We solved this by just trespassing on county property and simply gaining inside a really sewer tunnel. We got away with it
luckily.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. I’m currently developing 2 more classic gothic tales for feature films.
Q. If someone was looking to get into filmmaking, what advice would you give them?
A. You need to learn everything because you do not want to be in a position to have to count on anyone to help you. Your film will never be someone else’s top priority. Also low budget filmmaking has no room for egos.
Q. Where can people follow you and keep up to date with the film?
A.My Instagram is @chrisschwab601 or you can find updated news atallmylinks.com/christopherjschwab
Dracula: The Night Around Us will screen at the festival on Friday 23rd October at 12:40pm. You can find out more about the festival and purchase tickets for the festival here.
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!