EP#220 Larry Fessenden

Kevin Lane's Spill Your Guts

There are many different indicators in a film that can tell you that you’re in the hands of filmmaker not just with skill and craft but vision and perhaps most importantly, the ability to present that vision thoughtfully and artfully with what they have available to them.

It’s why good films and good filmmaking aren’t all about budget. Sure, having more money to throw at a problem or more shooting days can be a big help but an adage heard and said by nearly every independent filmmaker is “necessity is the mother of invention”. And the budget becomes a moot point if you don’t know where to put the camera or why you’re telling this particular story in the first place.

Our guest today has yet to make a film that didn’t demonstrate his considerable craftsmanship. He has proven film after film that not only is he a visionary filmmaker, he’s also an artful and thoughtful one. And he always, always, knows where to put the camera.

In this episode we are joined by indie horror icon, Larry Fessenden.

Larry’s films have always been a more thoughtful breed of genre film. Generally, more character driven and often unafraid to explore weightier themes like some of his own genre influences such as George Romero. There’s a sense in Larry’s movies that his work is personal to him and it creates a more intimate connection with the audience. To be clear though, Larry also knows how to scare you silly.

In part one of our two-part conversation, Larry discusses his formative film experiences, what qualifies a perfect film, film criticism, what Larry learned from some of his favorite horror film directors and the genius of “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. Be sure to check out part 2 next week where Larry delves more into his body of work.

Okay, beware the woods and don’t mess with mother nature. It’s time to sit down with Larry Fessenden!

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