A Hilariously Twisted Story of Love, Vampires, and Social Media

What impressed the idea behind Marriage Bites?A few issues. I had simply completed writing a horror comedy a couple of Grim Reaper and was desirous to strive one other horror comedy. A pal of mine and superior movie accomplice, Joe Komara, had accomplished some footage as a vampire. I cherished the best way he made these footage come to life! So, I requested him if I might create a personality primarily based on the photographs. From there, “Martin” was created. I requested him to play the lead and having labored with him earlier than, I knew I might play off his performing expertise in a enjoyable and simple means.

Are you able to inform us extra in regards to the lead character Martin and the way his transformation right into a vampire impacts the story?Martin is the suburban husband caught in a rut. Principally, his life has hit the stale level, and he hopes for one thing to alter and even develop into a tiny bit thrilling. Life is only a boring routine for him. His transformation turns his life the wrong way up, together with his spouse’s life, the place now, housewife Linda has no concept tips on how to deal with this! Martin is now rediscovering himself as he learns to regulate and see all alongside that he wouldn’t commerce his household for something, it was simply discovering methods to make it open up and never be afraid to take possibilities.

How did the thought of incorporating social media theories into the movie come about?

Comedy. I needed to discover extra than simply the standard methods of seeing what vampire theories work. There are such a lot of social media theories on the market on all types of topics, some actual and a few faux. What occurs in case you comply with even the faux ones? So, Martin and Linda will bumble their means by way of studying tips on how to deal with an enormous change, with humorous, and typically harmful outcomes, reminding folks to not all the time do every little thing that social media tells you to.

Are you able to share some insights into the casting course of and the way sure actors had been chosen for his or her roles in Marriage Bites?Martin was straightforward – he was primarily based off of Joe Komara. I simply made him a bit nerdy at first as he goes by way of his adjustments. Joe is a enjoyable, and artistic person who might simply make Martin come to life, together with his vampire moments (he has been a vampire earlier than). Plus, having labored with him earlier than, was a bonus, already realizing a few of his expertise and strategy. Some characters I wrote primarily based on some actors I’ve labored with earlier than. Just a few characters, to fill them, just a few names had been beneficial to me and after seeing a few of their work, introduced them on. There have been additionally others, although there wasn’t a personality made for them, I nonetheless loved working with them.

What had been a number of the distinctive places used for filming Marriage Bites, and the way did they improve the story?In December of this yr, we are going to movie at 2 studios – Studio Huntsville and Thunderdome Studios. Studio Huntsville will convey the workplace scenes to life and allow us to present a extremely unhealthy workday! Thunderdome Studios permits to work with morgue and cemetery units, which, what horror movie isn’t full with out morgue and cemetery scenes? As soon as I used to be instructed about Thunderdome Studios by way of a networking group, I used to be capable of write the scenes in, to convey a little bit of the darkish aspect to the story. For the arcade scenes, I might convey a little bit of comedic impact (with a backup bowling alley if wanted). There are just a few different places within the story that may give the story dwelling life and extra humor.

Are you able to speak about any particular results or stunts that will likely be featured within the movie?

There are going to be some artistic demise scenes. Tara Merryman is superior in SFX in regard to creatures and demise scenes. For stunts, Justin Harvey positively has the strikes to assist with a vampire combat scene, although received’t inform extra to not spoil it. One enjoyable one is coping with fangs and mirrors.

How would you describe the general tone and style of Marriage Bites?

Although it would have some darkish moments and some disgusting deaths, it’s general comedic enjoyable. Form of image Dale and Tucker VS Evil, with hints of Cooties and Shaun of the Useless. There are additionally a few moments of caring, I imply, you’ve your marriage to work by way of on this in any case. There are some soar scares and some of these moments of “why are you doing that?!” yelling at a character.

What motivated you to mix horror and comedy on this movie?

For me, it made it extra enjoyable! Though I like horror and comedy individually, I felt {that a} horror comedy was extra up my alley proper now to work with. With vampires as properly, I felt that it might hit the bit of comedy extra.

Are you able to focus on the significance of networking and collaborating with different filmmakers in bringing Marriage Bites to life?With out networking and collaborating, you received’t have a movie. You’ll be able to attempt to make one by yourself, however you’re lacking out on so much. Plus, different filmmakers convey issues to your consideration that you could be miss or not consider. They will make tasks higher. Attending to work with Alex Gibson and CinePros once more is superior – we mesh properly. Jennifer Gibson is superior in make-up. J Spencer brings nice recommendation and perspective. Caitlin Kline is among the finest script supervisors I’ve ever labored with, whereas Tony Jenkins is quick and might nail my view down with music. Plus, the entire staff can assist if I’m caught on one thing with the script. After all, my longtime pal, movie accomplice, and producer, Harry P. Castros is there as properly on this mission, offering me steering and expertise as all the time. This time, Joe Komara, Nicole Butler Vegas, Shawn C. Phillips, and Wendy Wilkins are stepping on as producers as properly, all of them with worthwhile expertise and expertise. Fixed networking and collaborating opens up extra doorways for you, serving to you uncover extra places, folks, methods to get work accomplished, work out particular results and extra whereas sticking to a funds and getting your mission seen and distributed, SAG or non-SAG.

How does the movie discover the dynamics of a stale marriage and the surprising challenges the couple faces?It makes Martin and Linda notice that they do love one another and are available to study that when one thing is fallacious, you study to work on it and never flip away from it. Marriage isn’t all the time boring and isn’t all the time thrilling and may be tough at instances. They’re each pushed to their limits, after they have to assist one another take care of one thing harmful, particularly since they’ve a teen as properly. They need to study to rediscover themselves whereas being there for the opposite particular person. They will survive with their love however received’t be straightforward at first as they’re tossed into nerve-wracking conditions, particularly when lives are at stake, realizing that you would lose somebody you’re keen on within the blink of an eye.

Are you able to share any memorable moments or experiences from the filming of Marriage Bites? Although primarily in pre-production, we’ve gotten to do a photoshoot for it and a skit for it to introduce a number of the characters early. The photoshoot, I keep in mind the lovable studio canine would attempt to be part of us, which of course, we had been pleased to play with Bonnie the pet. In between, Joe was consistently cracking me up on set. It may be onerous for me to need to stare an individual down typically, and he’s naturally a enjoyable and humorous particular person. And, when somebody is a vampire in entrance of you, you might not be capable to maintain again the laughter. As for the skit with Rhiana Calderwood, her and I’ve performed mates, then enemies, and now sisters. Rhiana is a pure with improv! And our skit, was improv. A handful of different characters did faux video message calls to Linda and Linda exhibits her sister, Shana these calls. Shana is freaked out in regards to the vampire difficulty at hand. It was onerous protecting a straight face together with her. We did it in two takes. Plus, doing the marketing campaign video with the director, I nearly burst out laughing when he stated we’d like a number of blood. I do know developing, it’s going to be extraordinarily enjoyable working with the opposite actors; there’ll in all probability be a number of comedic bloopers. Even some “shut” scenes will in all probability have us laughing. Doing the stunts will likely be fascinating, particularly with the distinctive units we will likely be on. I’ve additionally had the pleasure of speaking with the opposite actors and the crew in regards to the story and the characters and getting some fascinating takeaways on it that make me really feel excited!

What do you hope audiences will take away from watching Marriage Bites?

That horror may be enjoyable! And, that our staff was enjoyable and superior working collectively on this. After all, just a few classes: don’t belief EVERYTHING you see on social media, be there on your accomplice even when issues get boring, and don’t be afraid of adjustments in life.

Are you able to speak in regards to the Indiegogo marketing campaign for the movie and the way folks can help its manufacturing?Simply sharing it’s caring! We admire when folks share. We nonetheless movie regardless of what’s raised, however the extra we elevate, the extra fascinating particular results we are able to do, and most of them are sensible results. They will take a look at our marketing campaign and discover all types of perks, movies to view, methods to share, and even primary contributions. The marketing campaign can even cause them to the IMDB and Fb web page as properly that could have behind the scenes, updates, and a lot extra. They will actually have a likelihood to see reside streams of a number of the solid and crew.

Indiegogo hyperlink: https://www.indiegogo.com/tasks/marriage-bites-a-vampire-horror-comedy#/

Are there any plans for future tasks or expansions associated to Marriage Bites?

Undoubtedly! Can’t let you know what simply but, however there’s room for a sequel that will likely be simply as enjoyable, however with extra vampire twists that we’re already trying into.

How does Marriage Bites stand out from different vampire-themed movies when it comes to its storytelling and distinctive components?I believe it stands out as a result of it incorporates marriage, with social media theories, with comedy and horror all rolled into one. You will note all types of vampires, and lots of of them breaking the standard vampire guidelines, whereas in fact, protecting just a few of the primary guidelines. Most vampire motion pictures you see the actually evil, harmful vampires or the fully “should drool” over them as properly. This film provides an fascinating combine and twist, whereas throwing in these vampire puns you’re going to need to hear, whereas mixing in some artistic deaths.