Just that tagline alone sends chills down my spines. Dark Light is Mr. Padraig Reynolds's latest feature that will thrill and terrify you until the very end. Known for films such as The Election, Buried Alive, and Rites of Spring, Mr. Padraig Reynold will now tell his experience creating Dark Light. So, take this time to read his thoughts before you check it out.
1. How did you come up with the story for Dark Light?
Dark Light was actually a demon script I had which was called The Devil Is Real and the producers asked me to make it a creature movie which I was more then happy to change. I'm a huge fan of creature features. I always wanted to create a new breed of Humanoid, one that we have never seen before on screen. I went to my friend Aaron Sims (Planet of the Apes, Ready Player One) and told him what I was looking for. His team created a very cool looking creature that I think audiences will like.
2. What was the hardest part of writing Dark Light?
Creating the rules and the mythology of our creature. I wanted it to be unique and have his own rules. Building his strengths and weaknesses.
3. What was your favorite scene to write in Dark Light?
The flashlight tag scene in the cornfield. When I was a little boy we use to play flashlight tag in my friends fields and I was happy that I could bring that to life and add some scary elements to it.
4. What was your writing schedule when you wrote Dark Light?
The script had already been written. When I come up with what I think is a cool idea i just write it. When I pitched the idea to producers they loved it. They just wanted to change the demon to creature. Which made the movie work a lot better.
5. Did you learn anything from directing Dark Light and what was it?
I think every movie you learn a lot. This is my fourth feature so I really wanted to push the boundaries of what I had done before. I really wanted to do a movie with heavy practical and CGI FX.
6. What was your reaction when you first watched the trailer of Dark Light?
I think the production house did a great job. It was a sales trailer so it gave a little more of the story away then I would have liked but you have to do that to show the buyers what the movie is about. The actual trailer will be released after the movie has sold.
7. Could you give an interesting, fun fact about working with the actors/actresses in Dark Light?
I love the cast of Dark Light. Jessica Madsen is such a strong actress and she really knocked it out of the park. Ed and Jessica had a really great chemistry on set. And Opal Littleton was such a great young actress. She's going to do big things.
8. What film/s has most influenced your life?
Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Alien, Easy Rider, American Graffiti.
10. Are there any directors (living or dead) that you would like to sit down and chat with?
I really wanted to get drunk with Tobe Hooper. He's one of my favorite directors of all time. Super bummed I never got the chance.
11. If you had a film club, what would it be watching now (besides yours)—and why?
We do have a film club lol! I meet up with other directors every month at a bar called Tiki No and we drink Scorpion Bowls and talk about each others movies. It's really great and a lot of fun.
12. If a self-published author is seeking a screenwriter, how would one get you or any experience screenwriter to read his or her story to see if it would make a compelling movie?
Just send me the book or story.
13. If you are interested in adapting a novel/novella/short story into a screenplay, what type or genre would you be interested?
Horror, Science fiction or Thriller for sure.
14. What is the scariest thing you have ever done for fun?
Wow, that's a hard one. I'm really not sure.
15. Which novel/novella/short story have you read that you would like to see a film adaptation?
I would love to do the Stephen King short story THE GINGERBREAD GIRL.
16. What piece of advice do you have for aspiring directors/screenwriters starting out?
Just keep writing and finish what you write. If you want to direct the script you just wrote -- shoot a teaser for it to show producers what your vision looks like.
17. Last question, if you could pick a day to relive over and over again, what day would it be and why?
I was in a rock band we would play this bar called Kennedy's in St. Louis and it was packed every night. That's the day I would live over and over.
And with that I just want to express my appreciation with Padraig Reynolds for answering my questions. I hope each and everyone of you check out this movie when it get release this year. Thank you for visiting and I hope you come again soon.