Interview with Indie Filmmaker Parrish Randall
Our new staff member The Dhampir got to sit down for a chat with Parrish Randall, writer, director and actor in the indie films like Slaughter House, The Quick & The Undead and the upcoming Texas Roadkill, which is in the final stages of production. Here’s what he had to say!
The Dhampir: Ok, so Slaughter House is similar to Last House on the Left, was that any inspiration?
Parrish Randall: Indeed it was. I was super impressed with Craven and Cunnigham’s go for it with next-to-no-cash tenacity. That film was funded by theatre chains in NYC. Very small cash amount! I did not want to do another rip off though, so I merged the rape/revenge with another classic, The Desperate Hours.
The Dhampir: Your film, like theirs, is raw in that down-and-dirty, let’s-get-this-film-made kind of way, aside from Craven and Cunningham, who are your inspirations?
Parrish Randall: As I have always said, the 1970’s Indie film makers set the bars that Hollywood would later follow. I was inspired by again, Craven, Mier Zarchi, David Durston (I Drink Your Blood) and Cronenberg (when he was low budget) with Rabid…and of course Tobe Hooper.
The Dhampir: You personally enacted a pretty vicious rape scene on an older woman in the film. How uncomfortable was that to film?
Parrish Randall: Very uncomfortable, even though the actress, Bobbie Casto, was a cool lady to work with. It is hard to do a scene like that and not be adversely affected by it. It bothered me for quite a while. I felt it was necessary to depict because the character that I played, David, hated this lady as she reminded him of Mom, so he felt he had to violate her. Plus, we always see the younger actresses involved in rape scenes, this was a change I felt that would be disturbing as hell.
The Dhampir: It was disturbing! Also, you killed off the “eye candy” early in the film. Not many directors go that route, they usually keep the good looking women around to keep the viewers interested. Why did you “off” her so early?
Parrish Randall: Exactly because of that reason. Sort of a twist on the old Hitchcock theme when he killed off Janet Leigh early in the film Psycho, you never expected it, did not see it coming, you know. The bikini chick would be the character that the audience would expect to see put through the horror paces, but instead we butchered her early. This was [a way] to say to the audience, “Hey, this is going to be a different kind of rape/revenge film”. More realistic, with real ladies that would more adequately represent the women across the USA. Not all ladies are that size 3 or 5 and I think films unfairly represent women most of the time casting ONLY those types. I wanted to cast, again, real women that were still attractive as hell!
The Dhampir: For the most part you’ve cast friends. Surprisingly they can act for not being trained actors. Do you just give them lines, coach them, how does it work out?
Parrish Randall: Some were friends, old and new. A few had acted for me before. I was fortunate to have a group that could really take direction well and pull out all the stops for me. We had to work hard but make it a party kind of atmosphere going too. That helps a lot. When you work under the pressure it becomes less fun and more difficult. These folks were kicking ass though! I am proud of them all! You know, doing SH was probably the best time I have ever had doing a film because it was a film made by folks who loved horror. It was great.
The Dhampir: There’s a trend in indie horror for the writer/director to cast themselves as the lead in their films. Sometimes it’s due to them not wanting their castmates/friends to have to do some of the more disturbing work, and sometimes it’s a “They can’t pull this off as well as I can” thing, What’s your reason for taking the leads?
Parrish Randall: In SH I took the lead because David was a complex character. I wanted to play him. I am sure that Burt could have played him too, but as an actor I really wanted to play the role.
The Dhampir: How does someone who thinks they could contribute get involved? Do you have open casting calls that kind of thing?
Parrish Randall: Hey, contact me via Myspace if you are into horror and want to give it a try. I think that there’s a lot of film makers that make this whole industry one that is pre-designed to keep good folks out and that is just plain stupid. Try new folks and you might find they really can blow your socks off! I have had open calls and will again. Usually now though folks at cons and such say, “hey, I want to do a horror flick” and I am happy casting them.
The Dhampir: “Texas Horror” is starting to get a following, guys like yourself, Tony Brownrigg, Stacy Davidson and Josh Vargas are starting to get some attention. How’s that make you feel and is there anyone else’s work out there in the “Texas Horror” group you’re really into?
Parrish Randall: I am proud that we as Texas film makers/actors are getting some attention. We all work hard out of passion for horror. I admire greatly the Texas film makers you named, as well as Mel House and the guys behind Wildman of Navidad. Josh Vargas’ Sway is one film that I am waiting to see in its entirety. The clip shown at Texas Frightmare Weekend 2008 rocked.
The Dhampir: Texas Roadkill screened at TFW ‘07, it was a really rough cut. Is there a final cut and where can someone get it?
Parrish Randall: There is a final cut with added gore scenes, but we are in the process of getting all of the ADR work done to perfect the sound! Several of my actresses live out of state so that has been a challenge!
The Dhampir: I’m really interested in seeing that. You’ve got distribution for SH on Amazon.com now. What’s the next project?
Parrish Randall: I have several projects for other groups that I will be doing as an actor. One is Trace, a film by Remy St. Paul, another is Nail Gun Massacre 2 for the great Terry Lofton. I also have been asked to do a western in Germany, so that’s pretty cool. As far as my nest PRP film, it’ll be The Legend of Axeman Abe and then Blood Stalk which I’ll be doing with Ms. Kelli Maroney, George Kosana, and Joe Don Baker…along with other Texas actors.
The Dhampir: Wow! It looks like you’ll be quite busy for a while. What happened with your film Longtime Fan? I hear you hit a snag at TFW ‘08?
Parrish Randall: Longtime Fan is definitely on the agenda. The screenplay is still being written. We were going to shoot some scenes at TFW but there were several unforeseen situations that prevented it from happening. I felt shitty about not getting the shots and getting the folks into the scenes! I will make it up to all in that we will shoot those scenes and EVERYBODY will be welcome to come and participate.
The Dhampir: Excellent! A few last things. The Dhampir, that’s me! has been trying to help promote Slaughter House, where else can people find info on it so they can get some of Parrish Randall’s “Texas blood?”
Parrish Randall: It is on the IMdb now and, as well, there is a review for the film on killerfilm.com as written by Joe Francis. Also, look for ScreamTV.net to begin advertising it soon, as they will be running it as a pay per download soon. Thanks for promoting SH, by the way, and all Texas horror! We cannot afford the big PR campaigns so we are super thankful to folks like you who support what we do.
The Dhampir: Final Question: Can we expect to see a new PRP film screening at the next TFW? I know you’ll be there, I’ll be there. What can we expect then?
Parrish Randall: Expect at least one film every year at TFW from PRP, even if it is still a bit rough! TFW has been instrumental in boosting the careers of me and many, many other Texas horror actors and film makers. I have to shout thanks to Loyd Cryer always. He gave The Quick and the Undead it’s unveiling at the very first TFW, so it has become a real pledge for my company to always have something bloody and mean-spirited to premiere there annually! Hey, it is the number one party for horror in Texas, you know?
The Dhampir would like to send a Texas-sized thank you (and we all know that everything’s bigger in Texas) to Parrish for taking the time to talk with me. I’m sure we’ll do it again some time! Until then I know that he’ll keep the “Texas Blood” flowing!!
Parrish Randall’s Official Site
Parrish Randall’s Myspace
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