Travis B. Miller is a director from Miami, Oklahoma, who’s first feature film “Bloodstained Romance” is has been getting rave reviews from sites as FatallyYours.com and the Chainsaw Mafia. The film was also in my top 10 horror films of 2008 list at number 8. Today, Travis B. Miller is here to talk about this film, which recently was released on DVD.Anthony T: "Bloodstained Romance" is disturbing and frightening film. Tell me about yourself and how you got into directing?
TRAVIS: I've always been a very creative person. I feel like if I'm not being creative in some way, shape, or form, I'm standing still. It drives me crazy. I fell in love with film at a young age. I always tell people that growing up I was more into The Twilight Zone then G.I. JOES. My dad would always let me stay up late and watch the old re-runs with him. Like everyone, I loved the irony of the stories. I wanted to be like Rod Sterling. Making my own stories into short films was my way of doing that.
Anthony T: Your new film "Bloodstained Romance is out on DVD shelves now from Echelon Studios. Tell my readers about this film?
TRAVIS: Bloodstained Romance is a film about a troubled young college student named Holden (Chris Burchette) who falls for a coed named Sadie. But, his anti-social tendencies hold him back from getting what he wants. With each failed attempt he begins to grow closer to insanity, resorting to a "long distance relationship" with his infatuation. Lies turn to murder throwing him into a spiraling bloodbath of ultra-violent love.
Anthony T: One of the things that I liked about the film was that this was a character study piece then your average run of the mill slasher film. How did you come up with the film's story?
TRAVIS: I came up with the idea for Bloodstained Romance just after I had just finished a short film called Cabin Seven. I was telling people at my work about it and one of the female employees asked me if I was ever going to do something besides horror films? Joking, I asked, "What, like a love story?!". BOOM! Like a lightning bolt, the idea hit me. I was going to do a love story the only way I knew how, the Travis Miller way.
Anthony T: In the film's story, what made you want to focus on the main characters state of mind, instead of focusing on his potential victims?
TRAVIS: The original script was a bigger story, focusing on all the characters. But, as I was developing Holden, it was clear to me that he was by far the most interesting character in the script. Most horror film focus on the victims and the only time we see the killer is in the shadows. I wanted to bring the killer out of the shadows and place the viewer right next to him as he kills. I also wanted to make the viewer sympathize for the killer, which I hadn’t seen in a film. I think we pulled it off perfectly.
Anthony T: The film has some really good performances here, especially from Chris Buchette, who gave the most terrorizing performance, last year. Tell me how he and other cast members became involved with this project?
TRAVIS: All the cast were in theatre at the college I was going to at the time. I had seen them in many plays there. Chris Burchette wasn’t my first choice. I originally had an actor cast for the part named Nick Lee, who had been a lead in a short film I did titled "Cabin Seven". But, the night we were filming the teaser trailer for "Bloodstained" Nick was unable to do it. I asked the people on the set if they knew anyone who would be willing to play the part and in moments Chris walked in and OWNED the part. He drop kicked it like a madman. Cameron was brought to my attention by Chris. They both had worked together in the college plays. She came in and nailed the part.
Anthony T: What was the shooting schedule and budget for your film, as this didn't feel like a typical ultra low-budgeted film?
TRAVIS: The shooting schedule was actually the hardest part of the production. I had to work on the actors time, which was understandable since I couldn’t afford to pay them. From pre to postproduction took about a year to make. But, everyone loved the script and knew it was something different, which diffidently kept them focused on finishing it. Lol! Budget? What budget? We didn’t spend a dime on Bloodstained Romance. It was independent film making in every since of the word. We worked for free, called in favors, and borrowed all the equipment from the college. Of course a bigger budget would have helped us finish it quicker but when you have no budget, that’s when everyone pulls together. I always say,” To make something out of something, that’s not hard. To make something out of nothing, that shows talent."
Anthony T: Another thing that I noticed that you're not only the director and writer of this film, but you're also the editor and producer. Tell me what is like to wear all of these different hats during the course of the production of your film?
TRAVIS: One word, exhausting. You definitely have to be focused. The thing about being a filmmaker is you have to be a problem solver. Because, in a production, everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. You have to be on top of everything, from the positioning of the lights, to directing the actors. The director is what holds the production together. Now, throw writing and producing in the mix. You get the picture. It’s a lot of pressure for one person. But, I like the challenge.
Anthony T: One of the things that I really liked about this film, the way the atmosphere felt frightening and shocking. What was the mood and atmosphere on set?
TRAVIS: The set of "Bloodstained Romance", at times, was very intense. But, for the most part, it was laid back. It really just depended on the scene we were shooting. Believe me, you can watch the movie and literally feel the tension in certain scenes. It almost seems to exude from the screen. But, we all really just tried to have a had a good time. I mean, we're making horror films! What could be more fun?!
Anthony T: The DVD is in stores now. What special features can we expect on the DVD?
TRAVIS: The DVD has a teaser trailer, a full trailer, and 5 deleted scenes. If I knew it was going to get distribution I would have focused more attention on the extras. You can rest assure that my next project, "Bad Girls Burn In HELL!", will be packed full of bloody goodness.
Anthony T: Before I go, I noticed that you've all ready started work on your next feature "Bad Girls Burn In Hell". Tell me about that film and it's current status?
TRAVIS: "Bad Girls Burn In HELL!" is a film about a young married couple, David and Susan Shepherd, who seem to have the perfect life. They own a nice house in the suburbs, are well respected in the community, are on the neighborhood watch, and can be found at church every Sunday. They also kidnap young, unsuspecting "Bad Girls" and teach them a lesson in their basement. A lesson they will take to the grave...or at least the crawlspace. When the couple abducted "Bad Girl" Chloe, everything seemed to go as planned. But quickly, they find out that HELL is coming for THEM. When Trish receives a call from her missing sister telling her where she is being held captive and tortured for her sins, Trish tries to free her sister by breaking into the house. After being caught by David, Trish finds herself in the basement. As Trish fights to find out what bible thumping husband and wife did to her sister, she comes face to face with the horrifying truth. At first glance, it seems like your average torture porn flick, but it’s an in-depth look at what religion could drive someone to do, who isn’t in their right mind. It’s a very thought provoking film that I think is going to shock people.
TRAVIS: I've always been a very creative person. I feel like if I'm not being creative in some way, shape, or form, I'm standing still. It drives me crazy. I fell in love with film at a young age. I always tell people that growing up I was more into The Twilight Zone then G.I. JOES. My dad would always let me stay up late and watch the old re-runs with him. Like everyone, I loved the irony of the stories. I wanted to be like Rod Sterling. Making my own stories into short films was my way of doing that.
Anthony T: Your new film "Bloodstained Romance is out on DVD shelves now from Echelon Studios. Tell my readers about this film?
TRAVIS: Bloodstained Romance is a film about a troubled young college student named Holden (Chris Burchette) who falls for a coed named Sadie. But, his anti-social tendencies hold him back from getting what he wants. With each failed attempt he begins to grow closer to insanity, resorting to a "long distance relationship" with his infatuation. Lies turn to murder throwing him into a spiraling bloodbath of ultra-violent love.
Anthony T: One of the things that I liked about the film was that this was a character study piece then your average run of the mill slasher film. How did you come up with the film's story?
TRAVIS: I came up with the idea for Bloodstained Romance just after I had just finished a short film called Cabin Seven. I was telling people at my work about it and one of the female employees asked me if I was ever going to do something besides horror films? Joking, I asked, "What, like a love story?!". BOOM! Like a lightning bolt, the idea hit me. I was going to do a love story the only way I knew how, the Travis Miller way.
Anthony T: In the film's story, what made you want to focus on the main characters state of mind, instead of focusing on his potential victims?
TRAVIS: The original script was a bigger story, focusing on all the characters. But, as I was developing Holden, it was clear to me that he was by far the most interesting character in the script. Most horror film focus on the victims and the only time we see the killer is in the shadows. I wanted to bring the killer out of the shadows and place the viewer right next to him as he kills. I also wanted to make the viewer sympathize for the killer, which I hadn’t seen in a film. I think we pulled it off perfectly.
Anthony T: The film has some really good performances here, especially from Chris Buchette, who gave the most terrorizing performance, last year. Tell me how he and other cast members became involved with this project?
TRAVIS: All the cast were in theatre at the college I was going to at the time. I had seen them in many plays there. Chris Burchette wasn’t my first choice. I originally had an actor cast for the part named Nick Lee, who had been a lead in a short film I did titled "Cabin Seven". But, the night we were filming the teaser trailer for "Bloodstained" Nick was unable to do it. I asked the people on the set if they knew anyone who would be willing to play the part and in moments Chris walked in and OWNED the part. He drop kicked it like a madman. Cameron was brought to my attention by Chris. They both had worked together in the college plays. She came in and nailed the part.
Anthony T: What was the shooting schedule and budget for your film, as this didn't feel like a typical ultra low-budgeted film?
TRAVIS: The shooting schedule was actually the hardest part of the production. I had to work on the actors time, which was understandable since I couldn’t afford to pay them. From pre to postproduction took about a year to make. But, everyone loved the script and knew it was something different, which diffidently kept them focused on finishing it. Lol! Budget? What budget? We didn’t spend a dime on Bloodstained Romance. It was independent film making in every since of the word. We worked for free, called in favors, and borrowed all the equipment from the college. Of course a bigger budget would have helped us finish it quicker but when you have no budget, that’s when everyone pulls together. I always say,” To make something out of something, that’s not hard. To make something out of nothing, that shows talent."
Anthony T: Another thing that I noticed that you're not only the director and writer of this film, but you're also the editor and producer. Tell me what is like to wear all of these different hats during the course of the production of your film?
TRAVIS: One word, exhausting. You definitely have to be focused. The thing about being a filmmaker is you have to be a problem solver. Because, in a production, everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. You have to be on top of everything, from the positioning of the lights, to directing the actors. The director is what holds the production together. Now, throw writing and producing in the mix. You get the picture. It’s a lot of pressure for one person. But, I like the challenge.
Anthony T: One of the things that I really liked about this film, the way the atmosphere felt frightening and shocking. What was the mood and atmosphere on set?
TRAVIS: The set of "Bloodstained Romance", at times, was very intense. But, for the most part, it was laid back. It really just depended on the scene we were shooting. Believe me, you can watch the movie and literally feel the tension in certain scenes. It almost seems to exude from the screen. But, we all really just tried to have a had a good time. I mean, we're making horror films! What could be more fun?!
Anthony T: The DVD is in stores now. What special features can we expect on the DVD?
TRAVIS: The DVD has a teaser trailer, a full trailer, and 5 deleted scenes. If I knew it was going to get distribution I would have focused more attention on the extras. You can rest assure that my next project, "Bad Girls Burn In HELL!", will be packed full of bloody goodness.
Anthony T: Before I go, I noticed that you've all ready started work on your next feature "Bad Girls Burn In Hell". Tell me about that film and it's current status?TRAVIS: "Bad Girls Burn In HELL!" is a film about a young married couple, David and Susan Shepherd, who seem to have the perfect life. They own a nice house in the suburbs, are well respected in the community, are on the neighborhood watch, and can be found at church every Sunday. They also kidnap young, unsuspecting "Bad Girls" and teach them a lesson in their basement. A lesson they will take to the grave...or at least the crawlspace. When the couple abducted "Bad Girl" Chloe, everything seemed to go as planned. But quickly, they find out that HELL is coming for THEM. When Trish receives a call from her missing sister telling her where she is being held captive and tortured for her sins, Trish tries to free her sister by breaking into the house. After being caught by David, Trish finds herself in the basement. As Trish fights to find out what bible thumping husband and wife did to her sister, she comes face to face with the horrifying truth. At first glance, it seems like your average torture porn flick, but it’s an in-depth look at what religion could drive someone to do, who isn’t in their right mind. It’s a very thought provoking film that I think is going to shock people.
We are currently in pre-production on "Bad Girls" and are hoping to start filming in the coming weeks. The script has been getting a huge response! Dai Green from HorrorNews.net has offered to come to the set and do the featurette for the film! I wrote her in a torture scene to seal the deal. I always jump at the chance to cover girls in bloody gore.
Anthony T: I want to thank Travis Miller for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk about his new film "Bloodstained Romance", which is out on DVD now from Echelon Studios and good luck and on the success of this film and your future projects.
Travis: Thanks for the support bud! I really enjoyed the Q's. Horror needs people like you. I'll keep you updated on “Bad Girls Burn In HELL!".
Spread the Red,
Travis "Mudd" Miller
BUY MY MOVIE!!! ;D
Available at Netflix, Amazon, Ebay, Singahe.com
To read my review of “Bloodstained Romance, you can goto: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/11/bloodstained-romance-review-written-by.html
Anthony T: I want to thank Travis Miller for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk about his new film "Bloodstained Romance", which is out on DVD now from Echelon Studios and good luck and on the success of this film and your future projects.
Travis: Thanks for the support bud! I really enjoyed the Q's. Horror needs people like you. I'll keep you updated on “Bad Girls Burn In HELL!".
Spread the Red,
Travis "Mudd" Miller
BUY MY MOVIE!!! ;D
Available at Netflix, Amazon, Ebay, Singahe.com
To read my review of “Bloodstained Romance, you can goto: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/11/bloodstained-romance-review-written-by.html
