In a few words, what’s the film about?
The film is about a guy with impulse control disorder. He messed up all his relationships when he was young, but now that he’s older, he’s medicated, he’s married, and he’s trying to make everything right. But just as he reconnects with his family, he runs into an old boss and all hell breaks loose.
Always been a fan of the genre?
Absolutely. I love psychological thriller/horror films. I like gore horror films too, but when you can mess with somebody’s mind? That’s just awesome.
Have you discovered any unlikely fans or segments that you didn’t count on?
Yeah, when we made the film we really didn’t think straight up horror fans would jump on like they have. Horror fans are the most rabid fans out there so the fact that they have taken to BAD FRANK is fucking great. I’ve met so many of them over the last few months and they’re very supportive. I can’t thank them enough.
How important are reviews to you?
Eh. Getting a good review is great and it helps the film. But you’re going to get all types of reviews no matter how good or bad your film is. I try and look at everything constructively. No film is perfect. There’s always something you could do better or different, so if someone hated my film, at least it’s a response. I’ll listen to it, and maybe learn something from it. What I hate are the trolls that just trash your film, and it’s clear they haven’t even watched it.
Besides what it’ll do for your career, are there any standouts involved in the film that you believe will see a real career boost from being involved in it?
I’d say most of the cast. I can’t say Sizemore needs a boost, because he’s Tom Freaking Sizemore, but Kevin Interdonato was the biggest standout. He drove the film. But Russ, Brandon, Amanda, Lynn; they all did terrific jobs. Every main actor in the film won at least one award on the festival circuit which is amazing. Actually, Lynn Mancinelli, who plays Crystal in the film, is starring in my next which we’re starting next week.
Have doors opened for you as a result of it?
It’s let me meet a lot of great people. I’m kind of outside of the Hollywood machine, so I’m not really sure how industry people view me or the film. I’m just gonna keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully make films that people can sink their teeth into. That’s more important to me.
Would you compare the storyline to anything we’ve seen in earlier films? Anything you can say is an intentional homage?
Not in particular, no. I’m just a film fan in general, so people can probably find a lot of little homages in there that weren’t intentional. I should have put me Hitchcock moment in there and walked across the screen, looked into the camera, but I’ll leave that to the professionals.
Insert the blank. If you loved….. you’ll love my movie.
Wow. That’s a good one. I’m going to go with Seven. If only for the fact that I love that movie and it’s super intense.
Has it all gone according to plan for you? Anything you’ll do differently next time around?
I’d say 90% according to plan. There’s always something you take away from a film. I think I’d do a little more with scoring on the next one. Maybe change a few things here and there, but that’s all part of the movie magic.
What’s ahead for you?
Next week, I start filming a new feature called THE PRICE FOR SILENCE. It’s a psychological rape revenge story, and it stars Lynn Mancinelli who played Crystal in the last one. We put another great cast together including Richard Thomas, Kristin Carey, Dorothy Lyman, Emrhys Cooper, and Jon McCormick. If you liked BAD FRANK, you’re gonna love THE PRICE FOR SILENCE!!!