 | Steve Romanko talks "Hell Patrol" |
 
With RaVeNX of The Chainsaw Mafia
Bay Area Filmmaker Steve Romanko gives the Mafia a great taste of his new short, "The Hell Patrol."
The Mafia reported on this interesting film here in January. Romanko gives us the skinny regarding the backbone of the film, along with his upcoming projects!
RaVeNX: Night Greetings Steve.
Steve: Hey
Raven, thanks for the vine. I can’t state how much we appreciate the
reception we’ve gotten from the online, grassroots community.
RaVeNX:
Shannon Lark the CEO of “The Chainsaw Mafia” wrote an article and
featured “The Hell Patrol” as an upcoming new film under the subject
‘Horror News’ back on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009. It’s a pleasure to
have you back, this time doing a Q&A! Let “The Hell Patrol” buzz
spread like the infected in the film “28 Days Later”!
RaVeNX: Shall we begin?
Steve: Sure. Remember, that the Infected in 28 days (and Weeks) later are not zombies. They’re infected plague victims.
RaVeNX:
I agree with you Steve, they are infected plague victims. However, my
personal perspective is that those 'victims' are Danny Boyle’s unique,
new, and creative, perception of zombies due to thinking outside of the
box. When I watch Danny Boyle’s film “28 Days Later”, I see infected,
flesh eating, ‘fast’, zombies. As we know, zombies are usually
portrayed as slow moving. I respect your opinion Steve; however, I’m so
thankful for the freedom to express with film one's own individual
imagination; un-labeled, new ideas like Danny Boyle’s take on “28 Days
Later”! I have done a lot of research on this very topic and it is vast
in difference of opinion whether “28 Days Later” is a zombie flick.
I
love and respect all individual opinions and perceptions, without
judgment. I would bloody love to get back to our Q&A about your
film, “The Hell Patrol”.
RaVeNX: Why did you choose to promote
your film “The Hell Patrol” with a teaser trailer that doesn't actually
contain any real footage?
Steve: My background is in sound and as
such I wanted to really lead the viewer with our great performances,
aurally only. Turner agreed and we just went with it from there. But
don’t worry; we’ll be having a real live trailer coming soon.
RaVeNX:
Steve, would you give a brief overview about what to expect from you’re
soon to be released short subject film “The Hell Patrol”?
Steve: “The Hell Patrol” is envisioned by Turner and me as something a bit more than just a lot of gore and guts running amok on the screen. We both feel that violence in films,
even horror films, has to stem from something deeper and more
meaningful. Some other place than fangs and nails and the ripping of
flesh.
RaVeNX: Steve, you wrote the story and Turner Van Ryn wrote the screenplay. Would you say the collaboration was an overall success, which resulted in the film you set out to create?
Steve: Turner
and I both had a big say in the Story. It was his baby from the
beginning and as I was brought on board as producer, my ideas started
seeping into the overall lay of the land as it were. We ended up saying
something that is a good reflection of both our ideas and views.
RaVeNX: What was the inspiration for this particular type of zombie portrayal?
Steve: We
are both great admirers of George Romero’s work and used a lot of the
Romeroesque zombie qualities in our own ghouls. Romero’s zombies are
truly ghouls
by definition, we liked that.
RaVeNX: I read in a Q&A, which you did with ‘Brain Waves’, that you consider “The Hell Patrol” to be a war movie with zombies in it. Would you mind elaborating on that statement?
Steve: The
action is based on zombies and the horror and fear of being eaten
alive, but the actual tension and drama revolves around the all too
human struggles of authority, false authority and what happens to those
who rail against it.
RaVeNX: Will true zombie film-fans find the zombie story line entertaining?
Steve: Oh,
no doubt. I think anyone who enjoys action adventure or horror or gory
blood fests will have a great time being scared and excited by our film.
RaVeNX:
I know myself, and our readers, are dying to know about the level of
blood and gore. Do you think zombie-addicts will be pleased or
disappointed in that respect?
Steve: I think so. I love seeing blood
spewed out all over the screen and wouldn’t want any audience member to
be denied that same right. Its part and parcel with what we do. Gore =
fun = good time.
RaVeNX: The location (which was chosen to shoot the film) was on the outskirts of
Modesto, CA. This is what caught my attention the fact that I live near
that area. What qualities about the Modesto, CA area location suited
the filming of “The Hell Patrol”?
Steve: We shot 13 days in Corning California, One day in Marin County and One long, cold day
on a mountain top overlooking Modesto. We scouted lots of area and by
luck the Modesto Location was on a ranch owned by some family of one of
our crew. Corning was our primary shoot, and we were very lucky to find
a great ranch house and a fantastic community to work with.
RaVeNX: I read that 13th Generation Productions filmed for 13 days and/or nights or this film. I’m very much aware of the dreaded 90 degree nights and
the 110 degree days in the summer, which are miserable! Was there a
particular experience, scene, or moment during this time that stands
out for you?
Steve: I am utterly amazed at the amount of flies that
are around in that heat. That and working indoors, with doors closed to
keep our smoke machine pumping good quantity of smoke for shots, made
it about 135 degrees under lights. I made sure everyone took a lot of
breaks to keep hydrated. No dying on my set. We wouldn’t want you to
come back and take your revenge on us.
RaVeNX: I love the fact
that the leading character Pisha Warden, who was Lt. Sandy Fletcher in
the film, portrayed a strong, leading character! I don’t feel we see
nearly as much as we should from females such as Pisha Warden’s
character portrayal in your film-especially in the horror, zombie, war,
type of film genre! What is your perspective on this subject?
Steve: Personally,
I come from a very strong maternal family. So does Turner. And we are
surrounded in our lives by strong women (our wives, colleagues, etc)
that it was very natural to write Fletcher as a woman. When Pisha
stepped into character, we knew we had done the right thing, because
she brings such a restrained power to the role. Along with the three
dimensional qualities of being very feminine and matronly as well. She
has made Fletcher a great chick and no wuss by any accounts.
RaVeNX: Do you feel comfortable discussing the budget for the film, and if so, would you also share how the capital was raised?
Steve: We are on track for close to 65k. There are certain parties who feel that Turner’s talent and my companies’ ability to turn this piece into a calling card for a feature has a lot to do with it.
RaVeNX:
The soundtrack is always very important in a film! Is there a
soundtrack to the film? If so, would you share a little about that?
Steve: Sure, I have a great friend, Kent Sparling, who will be scoring for us and we are about
to lock down Gary Rizzo, who just got off his nomination for sound
mixing on “The Dark Knight” to handle the post mixing artistry.
RaVeNX: Since your home base is in San Francisco, CA do you have plans showing the premiere of “The Hell Patrol” on a big screen?
Steve: We are planning to premiere in the city that we love so much (SF of course) and then move from there.
RaVeNX: Do you intend to target the horror film festivals?
Steve: Horror
and otherwise. We feel we can reach across genres to capture people who
like a good story and see the possibilities of taking this action
adventure horror yarn to a great number of audiences.
RaVeNX: Do you currently have any other horror film projects in the works?
Steve: In
fact we have a few. “The Hell Patrol” is currently being developed into
a feature length film. Our team at 13th Generation is bust making
budgets, proposals, scripts and packages that will help us gather
support. We also have a script entitled “Thrill Kill”, which pits
serial killing lesbian hookers versus cannibalistic demon conjuring
teens. Seriously. We also have a number of other scripts in
development, including a story revolving around the Bay Area Derby
Girls.
RaVeNX: “Thrill Kill”, which pits serial killing lesbian
hookers versus cannibalistic demon conjuring teens. I bloody love that!
I’ll be anticipating the release of “Thrill Kill”; it will be a perfect
flick for my Friday night gathering with my mates! About a year ago I
started a flick review I entitled, “Friday Flicks with Dykes”.
RaVeNX:
Thank you Steve for your time and I also would like to wish you great
success with your film! I know that I’m really looking forward to
watching it! Don’t
forget my invitation to your premiere! I hope our Q&A, which will
be posted on “The Chainsaw Mafia” website helps creates a bigger buzz
for your film than the buzz that is already in the horror genre
circuit! Please check out the links below.
Steve: You are duly invited. Thanks again!
oi.oi.oi.
RaVeNX
Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/thehellpatrolmovie
Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9qD1QYyTck
The Hell Patrol Movie
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/grou ... 2183493926
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