Special make-up effects designer, writer, and director Gary J. Tunnicliffe was kind enough to take some time to chat with us about horror movies and his upcoming film Hellraiser: Judgment. Judgment will be the tenth entry and from what Gary has to say below, looks quite promising. Thank you Gary for taking the time to speak with us!
We always like to ask, what are your top 5 horror films?
Always a tricky question this one since how you perceive a film at a time in your life has SUCH an effect on it, being 7 or 8 years old in the UK and growing up hearing about films like The Exorcist or Texas Chainsaw gives them such a powerful mystique!....also I tend to think of horror films not sometimes how they affect me but how they affect the populous and social awareness.
The Exorcist
Just a classic and revolutionary for its time, a film like this would be impossible to make now with its slow crawl and character development...I still find a few moments in this truly creepy (the backward speak analysis, the hypnotism scene) and the first intro of the Regan Demon character is So well done.
The Exorcist III : Legion
An amazing film that gets so little appreciation, has some truly creepy moments, one AMAZING scare and some wonderful writing, direction and acting...the scenes in the cell are just incredible
EVIL DEAD
When Stephen King describes a film as a "rollercoaster ride of terror' I think he's kind of nailed it....its the ultimate 'cabin in the woods' movie
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Just a tense, creepy and (at the end) brutal excursion...those last 20 minutes aren't any kind of fun and set the tone for realistic, unrelenting horror.
HELLRAISER
This was just something SO different, a film that wasn't the conventional 'horror' format we were seeing at the time with characters unlike anything we had EVER seen before and with a completely unique, fascinating and original mythology.
JAWS
Had a huge impact on me as a child and if you have anyone watch it and then suggest going for a swim in the ocean you immediately know how effective it is.
NO #6 (UNDER THE WIRE) A film that freaked me out as a child 'DONT BE AFRAID OF THE DARK' - seems kinda dumb now and I havent seen it for MANY years but it worked at the time!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Exorcism of Emily Rose - I t like this because its an intelligent horror film, a court case essentially and it has some really creepy stuff in it.
- HOSTEL - I'm not an Eli Roth fan particularly but I admire an original concept and a film that captures the public attention and this did just that, It was a cleverly conceived 'What do dudes like?' horror movie....boobs and blood.
- SAW - great concept - brilliant example of clever, low budget film making and story telling
What is your past with the Hellraiser franchise?
I was a huge fan of Clive Barkers work saw Hellraiser in the cinema's was blown away, I was a fan and made a concerted effort to get to work on the franchise, I got to Image Animation (the company that did the effects on Hellraiser) just after the filming of Hellraiser: Hellbound. By the time Hellraiser 3 went into production I was regular employee and was charged with making the Lament Configeration puzzle boxes on that film, but by the time the film was over I had had a lot more involvement and was workshop supervisor on the project. By the time Bloodline came around, I had advanced even further and with Clive's blessing and involvement i took over as MAKE UP FX Designer.
then.....
Hellraiser: Inferno - I was the make up effects designer
Hellraiser: Hellseeker - same
Hellraiser : Deader and Hellworld I was make up effects designer, Actor and 2nd unit director.
When I returned from filming Hellraiser: Hellworld I was a little disparaged so I wrote and directed the
Hellraiser short film NO MORE SOULS
I wrote the original screenplay for Hellraiser: Revelations and served as make up effects consultant
Hellraiser: Judgment - I Wrote, Directed and did make up effects, key prop and costume character design and construction...and a few other fun bits and pieces.
Are you a long time fan of the series?/or New to the series?
see the answer above LOL
What do you hope to accomplish with your installment?
Well I've accomplished it really I wanted to write and direct a Hellraiser movie so it's done.... I know no Hellraiser film will EVER be as good or pack the impact of the original, I've just tried to make something that is interesting, expands (but doesn't necessarily explain) the mythology and has some interesting, creepy, weird, horrific moments inter woven with a compelling story.
Thinking about this I suppose, if I wanted to accomplish anything I suppose it would be getting Clive's approval...but that is a lofty goal!
You had a script titled Judgment, has your script been changed to fit in with the Hellraiser series?
No I didn't actually, I had a 'pitch' for a Hellraiser movie called Judgement, I didn't think it would get made so I removed the Hellraiser characters from it and turned it into a kickstarter project (which I would have written upon funding) which I then cancelled when I was told I had to go after everyone I had ever met for for $$ to make the film...It just didn't sit well with me being a professional movie maker, making a living in Hollywood 'panhandling' and bugging my friends...I didn't like Spike Lee doing it, I was vocal about that and couldn't be hypocritical...so it I shelved the concept.
When the opportunity to make another Hellraiser (very graciously) came my way it was the perfect opportunity to take my original concept and story and use that....and THAT was when the first script was written.
Since Doug Bradley is m.i.a. in the last two pictures did you consider just not having Pinhead in the picture?
Doug Bradley IS Pinhead and I wanted him in Judgment, I NEVER considered anyone else for the role, I was excited to have my friend and colleague reprise HIS role. Unfortunately Doug wouldn't sign an NDA and was not exactly thrilled (to me anyway) at the idea of working on another Dimension film. I was left with NO CHOICE but to search for a replacement, the whole debacle that has ensued since has seemingly 'soured' my relationship with Doug which, after thousands of hours together and some crazy, funny, exhilarating and exhausting times all over the world is nothing short of a great shame...but I had a film to make and a character to cast and Paul T. Taylor stepped in with great respect for Doug and for the character and delivered what I think is a very strong performance and I hope the fans give him a chance.
What can we expect from this installment?
The unexpected. Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue (literally!)
There is rumor that Hellraiser: Judgment could have a limited theatrical run, making it the first Hellraiser to do so since part 4, Is this true?
I have no idea, I'm hopeful but truthfully the release strategy is something out of my hands. Film is a business and business people who have far more insight will undoubtedly figure that out, I do know its INCREDIBLY expensive to put a film into theatres and when the rest of the cineplex is showing multi million dollar productions its hard to sell a small, indy, 10th film and get people to part with their dollars rather than just 'netflix it' a few months from now....I'd love to see it on a big screen but I'm not holding my breath.
Do you have any information on release dates for Hellraiser: Judgment?
Nope, as I've said before 'cooler heads prevail' - all I can say is the studio seem very happy, I've worked with Dimension for over twenty years and this was the only time I've ever received a personal call from Bob Weinstein.... and to say he was complimentary and excited would be an understatement, everyone on the film at Dimension has been very cool and supportive so all we can do is wait and see.
Do you have any other upcoming projects that you would like to let fans know about?
I have a world war one demon movie I'm trying to get off the ground and I am about to start work on a sci fi/drama/ thriller script called THE VOID...apart from that Im focusing music for a while...and an upcoming mug of tea and slice of toast that need my attention!
