On Saturday morning, I had not only the pleasure of hanging out at the lovely Driskill Hotel (a perk of AFF), but also the pleasure of interviewing writer Signe Olynyk and producer Bob Schultz of BELOW ZERO. I really enjoyed discussing the creative process Signe went through to produce this script as well as the joys and pleasures of producing a low budget indie film in a small town. Bob and I also had to compliment each other on our T-shirts; his a red SHAUN OF THE DEAD tee and mine a black Darth Vader one.
Mark: What is the main inspiration for this film?
Signe: I wanted to produce a low budget thriller with limitations. I had a short screenplay, but suffered writer's block, so I locked myself in a meat locker for 5 days and left with this script.
Bob: You could call that method writing.
Mark: (To Signe) Tell about that experience.
Signe: By writing films within a restrictive space, characters help. It wasn't as bad as most people think. It was in an abandoned slaughterhouse in the middle of nowhere. The freezer was not working, but it was the middle of winter, so it was still very cold. I did have a heater.
Mark: Have you placed yourself in other extreme situations to inspire creativity?
Signe: I strapped myself to a chair once to write.
Mark: Where was the film shot?
Signe: It was shot in the same very same freezer where I wrote the screenplay in Edson, Alberta Canada. We had a great experience shooting in the small town. The folk were excited and supportive. We had a year and a half of volunteering from the community.
Mark: What is Edward Furlong like?
Signe: Extraordinarily talented and committed. He's a team player and really related to the character.
Mark: And Michael Berryman?
Bob: He is the kindest soul. He enjoyed talking to his fans. He enjoyed talking to the town volunteers who would sit spellbound as he spoke about his movies. My mother is a hospice chaplain and it only took me one phone call to get him to speak to a dying fan. He is such a kind, giving soul
Signe and Bob's production company is called "Me, Myself and Bob Productions."
Bob: (After AFF) I want to change the name to "Me, Myself, and Johnny Depp Productions" (laughs)
Mark: (To Bob) What are some of your previous projects?
Bob: This (BELOW ZERO) is the first I produced.
Mark: Have you gotten distribution for the film?
Bob: We have gotten many offers. Our producer's rep is still negotiating. So we are taking the festival route to prove ourselves to audiences.
Mark: What do you think about AFF so far?
Signe: The nice thing about the conference it it provides access to other screenwriters.
Bob: We are writers, but reluctant producers. No one cares more about your own project like you do.
Well, Signe and Bob definitely came to right film festival and BELOW ZERO definitely offers some perspective on "method writing" and the whole creative process. The film will have an encore presentation on Wednesday night, October 25, 10:15 pm at the Texas Spirit Theater. Go to austinfilmfestival.com for more details on this film and other film showing during AFF 2011 and to belowzeromovie.com for more information on this movie.
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
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