Exclusive Interview: Director Joshua Siegel Vs. Brian S

Director Joshua Siegel has jumped onboard the movie making scene with no looking back! Not only does he direct but he edits, produces and even throws himself in front of the camera if needed. The guy does what it takes to make a movie and he has a good one that needs to be checked out called 'Bloodwood'. As a full-on supporter of indie films I say Joshua and Arcadian Entertainment has one of the best low budget indie horror films I've seen in a while and it's a lot of fun. He knows how to make a horror movie and this is one that you shouldn't miss! Joshua was kind enough to let me ask him a few questions recently about his road to filmin making and his  new film, 'Bloodwood'.

Brian  S- Hey Joshua, you have finished up your new horror movie Bloodwood, what can you tell us about your film?

JS- It’s a fun little horror flick about a documentary film crew who go into the forest looking for Bigfoot and find a family of cannibals instead. I’ve been describing it as like “The Hills Have Eyes” with more humor. Or what would happen if the “Blair Witch” gang ran into something scarier than a pile of rocks. We started with a web series called "Hunting the Unknown", which introduces the characters of the film before we start killing them off.

Brian  S- What steps/process did you take at coming up with Bloodwood?

JS- When it came to producing my first feature, I followed the advice Robert Rodriguez gives in his book “Rebel without a Crew” – make your movie with what you have. I wrote “Bloodwood” around locations that were nearby and special effects that could be done on a low budget. The HD cameras and other video gear used by the film’s characters are the same that we used to make the movie, and most people worked double duty as both cast and crew. Casting was actually the hardest part. In Los Angeles, if you put a casting notice on Craigslist your mailbox will be filled with headshots the next day. Here in Northern California, I had to search out the local talent and beg them to be in my movie.

Brian  S- I kind of like it when I watch a movie and see that the director puts himself in the movie somewhere which you also have done. You play Dave in your film and to me you kind of steal the show in a comedic aspect and your death scene, was this your plan?

JS- Thanks! Dave was a very fun character to play. I wasn’t intending to act in the movie when I wrote the script, but it was difficult finding enough local actors to fill all the parts. So I figured I’d cast somebody who would at least show up every day… and not mind showing his ass for a laugh. Getting cut in half with a machete was just icing on the cake.

Brian  S- Where/when can we go pick up Bloodwood on DVD?

JS- The Bloodwood DVD is available now on our website http://www.BloodwoodMovie.com
You can also find a lot of videos, photos, and more there and on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bloodwoodmovie

Brian  S- For other up and coming writer/directors, what advice can you give them on getting their projects made like you did?

JS- Get out there and make movies. Start small and hone your craft one project at a time. Volunteer to help other indie filmmakers. Read everything you can about the business and find good role models to emulate. Learn all sides of movie making. Even if you don’t plan to be an actor, editor, sound designer, or VFX artist, you should know how to speak their language.

Brian  S- On your next project I'd just like to go ahead and offer myself as a bloody sacrifice!

JS- Cool. I’m always looking for fresh victims…err… collaborators. If “Bloodwood” does well, I’ve got a cool idea for the sequel. I’m also developing a sci-fi web series called “Dream Raiders”.

Brian  S- Would you like to tell all of the fans out there anything?

JS- Go buy a Bloodwood DVD. Now! Or at least download it illegally and share it with your friends. Seriously, I hope people will check out our movie and have as much fun watching it as we did making it.

Brian  S- Thanks so much Joshua and good luck with this and every project you do! I'm looking forward to your next one already and I'm going to remember you said I can be killed in the next one!

http://bloodwoodmovie.com/

http://www.facebook.com/bloodwoodmovie