Gogglebox for horror nerds?
New BBC 3 series The Fear, starting tonight, showcases horror shorts by amateur filmmakers…
I like the idea behind new BBC Three showThe Fear.
The scariest three are then shown to a qualified judge who will choose a winner.
Right in time for Halloween, too.
Based on the preview, the show is a bit likeGoggleboxfor horror nerds.
The good stuff, though, is the shorts themselves, which are shown with audience reactions intercut.
The show is held together by host Matthew Giffen.
We met with him in the Rio Cinema to discuss the show.
When I arrived at the cinema, I found it closed.
The team was filming material for the show, although the audience wasnt in attendance.
Hes a big, friendly giant who swears a lot.
Giffen had to quickly dip out.
Rather than a time-filler while I sorted my Dictaphone out, it turned out to be a conversation starter.
Thats why the interview appears to start mid-conversation.
Matthew Giffen:It was exactly what the market needed.
MG:It was pretty stagnant.
Freddys Dead: The Final Nightmare.
ES:I dont even know what the hell that was.
And we came back and were like Man, I wonder if theres a way to scare people again?
MG:And how far along in his career?
ES:Well, he was already making films.
MG:But he wasntLord Of The Rings,King Kong.
I mean, when they hired him for Lord of the Rings that was a pretty risky move.
Because he had done movies but had not really broken out at all.
MG:Its interesting.
I think its good to take the risks on people like that.
What have I just heard?
One of theFlight Of The Conchords directors.
Is he doingBlack Panther?
MG:Ragnorak.Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, although I dont know how much freedom they get at Marvel.
MG:I think thats why Edgar Wright walked onAnt-Man.
ES:Its the same thing with theStar Warsmovies.
Like, I love the idea of one day maybe even just working on aStar WarsTV show.
Thats a pretty controlled, they are definitely looking at that very carefully.
Oh, we should do an interview aboutThe Fear, shouldnt we?
Its an awesome pitch for a TV show, I think.
What was it you saw in the pitch that made you want to do it?
MG:Well, for me, it was work!
(Collective laughter.)
Somebodys asking me to do this?
MG:No, I think its brilliant.
I really was excited about working on something that inspired the next wave of filmmakers in horror.
ES:I feel the same way Matthew does.
This is a great opportunity, man.
You have a national audience.
And also, I feel that the horror fans will really love this show.
Unless he (motions to Matthew) does a really incompetent job.
(laughter)
MG:If it all falls down, its definitely on the judging.
(humourous squabbling ensues)
ES:Horror fans, I think they love this kind of stuff.
They love following starting filmmakers.
You literally get to see something from the starting block.
And who knows wholl come out of this.
ES:So, it was really unique and something that had never been done before.
I just think the fans are gonna love it.
Did you have any expectations of the quality of the films?
ES:I didnt know what to expect.
where it blows you away.
I was just ready for anything.
MG:I think also, horror is quite forgiving.
How doyougo about making your little horror?
Thats what horror is.
Thats the only thing it has to do.
And how they get there, thats interesting to see.
ES:Yeah, absolutely.
MG:I just think its so accessible.
Exactly what you said then, the DIY nature of it.
Where people are like Right, we need some blood, how do we make some blood?
I love that aspect.
Right, I cant get a smoke machine, lets stick your car over there and use your exhaust.
That real fix it kind of attitude.
ES:You have to.
You have to be innovative.
You cant throw money at it so you have to throw ideas at it.
and its just a different beast.
Indie cinema, at least if youre doing it correctly, its from the heart.
You have to be in love with your material.
Youre gonna have to sacrifice time and money and energy and part of your life for this thing.
Its about the passion, is what I love about watching complete untested filmmaking.
And the end result, sometimes its really bad, theres no other way to say it.
MG:Sometimes bad is good, though.
Thats a problem with big budget horror films.
You dont need money for that.
MG:Actually, I think it counts against horror.
Too slick doesnt necessarily work in horror.
I think, a little bit rough around the edges, leave it to the imagination.
ES:I thinkThe Shiningis, but Kubrick was a master.
Theres just so many brilliant things in that movie.
MG:The way its shot just keeps you on edge.
As a genre, horror has always been quite reverential and referential of its past.
Im interested to know what films youre seeing bear influence over these shorts.
ES:I only saw the top three.
MG:Theyre pretty unique, right?
Its such an easy one; you build tension, you build tension.
And then suddenly, theres a stake through your eye.
There were a couple that used the fake crescendo really well.
There were really gory ones.
There was a little shadow ofAlienin one them; things growing in people.
There was animated one that was a bit likeSawmeets Benny Hill.
MG:There was another one that wasGremlinsmeets Benny Hill.
Thats a lot more Benny Hill than I had anticipated hearing about.
ES:Ive never heard of Benny Hill used in any horror context.
MG:Youll see.
Theyre terrifying and hilarious.
They sort of go hand in hand, terror and hilarity.
ES:They do.
I think it comes from the same place, that its a surprise.
Drama, even though there is surprise, you’re free to kind of foresee drama.
Thats part of it.
But with horror and comedy its about the fucking surprise.
MG:I think its because thats the currency that they trade on.
That vocal reaction, or that immediate reaction, either a laugh or a scare.
Unless you get the laugh, or unless you get the scare, it hasnt worked.
Which is part of the premise of this show.
Those are about the only visible responses you could have to films.
And this is the only thing thats been voted for here.
Did it scare you?
How much did it scare you?
Which is a wonderful premise for a show.
Youre not looking for artistic merit, youre not looking for concept or characterisation.
Did it scare you?
And loads of them really did.
ES:Theyre scary films.
For sure, man.
Youre trying to make a living, you have a mortgage, you have kids.
The longer youre in the business it seems like the less freedom you have.
And Im not talking about special effects.
Lets show the point of view of the killer.
Think in creative ways.
Dont compete with Hollywood.
Its a liability but its also your biggest strength, in that you dont have anybody to answer to.
So the idea is let yourself go and try something.
The second film I did, I loved Spike Lee.Do The Right Thingcame out and it really inspired me.
I tried to do this Spike Lee-ish film and it didnt work.
Thats the biggest thing I learned on that movie.
Dont go out and say Im gonna do another Spielberg or Im gonna do anotherBlair Witch.
Because even if its a short film, I think theres a genuine quality to some things.
If your friend has a really cool car, Hey, can I use it?
So look around you and look at the resources and sometimes that can lead you.
Get inspired by stuff around.
Just dont be afraid to do something different.
Thats the big thing.
MG:I think youd be surprised what you’ve got the option to get for free.
People want to help.
ES:Especially for film.
MG:And especially for independent.
People want to help, its exciting, its fun.
Just go and speak to the guy that runs the football stadium.
Just see what it’s possible for you to blag.
Youve got nothing to lose and youve got everything to gain.
ES:And have a go at be cool.
Dont fucking burn bridges, even though some people cant help themselves.
You might need to use that resource again, or you might need to go back and do reshoots.
MG:A Jason Statham horror movie?
All Ive been able to come up with is the titleGhost Puncher.
MG:I think my favourite one, and Im not a Jason Statham afficianado…
Oh.
MG:Are you all skinheads at Den of Geek?
We do have a few really bald guys that all love Jason Statham.
MG:Well, Ill choose my words very carefully.
What was the one where hes gonna die if his heartbeat drops?
ES:Crankand Crank 2.
MG:What a fucking hilarious film.
You know when youre at home, a bit battered, flicking through the channels?
And that film was literally just starting.
ES:Its just crazy.
Its like What the fuck!?!
but you cant stop watching it, man.
MG:You cant stop watching it, its hilarious.
I think hes got good comic sensibilities.
Thats why my favourite movie of his, I always forget the name of it.
I think itsIn The Name Of The King.
The Uwe Boll one?
Not only that but it has Matthew Lillard, it has Burt Reynolds as a king.
MG:Ive never seen that.
ES:Its a badGame Of Thrones, Lord Of The Rings.
Its swords and sorcery.
And its him in it, and hes such a modern guy.
But he was just like Fuck it, Ill do this shit and gets a fucking sword.
MG:(Statham voice)Do I get to smash someones face in?
ES:I think its that.
How many faces do I get to smash, and can I kill people with a sword?
Cause its just like, you dont think of Burt Reynolds as a king.
And then the horror movie?Demon Kicker, or… it has to be something action.The Exorcisor!
ES:Because is it exerciseor exorcism?
Hes a demon hunter.
With holy water, just hosing people off.
MG:It would be like Jason Statham sent into hell to cock-punch the devil.
ES:Cock-Punching The Devil, thatd be a good one, too.
Matthew Giffen and Eduardo Sanchez, thank you very much!
The Fearis a 6-part series that starts tonight, Monday the 19thOctober on BBC Three.
