Jeff Daniel Phillips is someone who has established himself as one of the strongest character actors around. But for FrightFest 2024 he's brought along with him his second directorial movie, Cursed in Baja so we decided to have a chat with this superb road movie from hell which is having its World Premiere today.
NYX: Was there one person or movie you saw when you were younger which made you want to becomes a creative in the film industry?
JDP: Lon Chaney. At the age of 7 I discovered who he was through my friend’s, older brother’s horror magazine collection. It’s where my love of FX make up began. My parents bought me a tackle box so I could store all my disguises, moustaches, skin cap, glasses, fake blood, scar wax...just like him.
NYX: This is only your second feature as a director, why so long between movies?
JDP: It’s important to have supportive producers when making an indie. After that first experience I decided to focus on my acting. However along the way I’ve also directed one-acts, music videos, short films. This time around I’ve been fortunate to have my good friend and producer Kent Isaacs and Anchor Bay Entertainment in getting CURSED IN BAJA made and released.
NYX: Where did the idea for Cursed in Baja come from?
JDP: I was out promoting Rob Zombie’s The Munsters film at a horror convention. Unbeknownst to me, the convention promoters scheduled me to speak to some young filmmakers about indie films. I was not exactly sure what I was going to say. I proceeded to tell them the steps I go through and the mistakes I’ve made filmmaking; importance and the technical advancements of digital sound systems, plotting a film out based on what one has access to-locations, performers, vehicles, props, importance of table reads... an hour flew by. My message was simple; as long as you’re realistic on the budget you have and what you have access to, it’s possible to pull off something you can be proud of. Their enthusiasm during the Q & A was contagious. When I returned home to LA I decided to take my own advice and make a list on what I could pull off and started writing my script. Felt like they gave me more than I gave them.
NYX: It’s hard to categorize the movie; is it horror, neo noir, pulp detective etc. How would you describe it?
JDP: Sure I think you could categorize it as all of those genres. It’s a hybrid of films. When writing I thought of some of the first films that left an impression on me; the B movies and monster movies I watched as a kid on TV. Although I do have a Chupacabra in CURSED IN BAJA, it’s the people that are even scarier like a film like RACE WITH THE DEVIL, a favourite and one I saw at the cinema at a very young age.
NYX: You’ve got a superb cast here, was it difficult getting them all scheduled to star as these are some of the busiest people around?
JDP: I’ve been working as an actor in town for over 30 years and have befriended some very talented actors. As long as you can be respectful of time and people’s availability, actors friends will show up for you. Actors want to act. I have a very generous group of friends that came through for us and that goes for the crew too.
NYX: Was it all shot on location?
JDP: We shot in Mexico but a majority in the Los Angeles area to have access to my talented cast and crew. It’s a pure indie endeavour so we had to match some of the Baja locations we initially shot in LA because of budget and logistics.
NYX: What was the hardest scene or sequence to shoot?
JDP: The attack sequences took the most effort because of all the moving parts, practical effects, creature logistics and blood gags which they were expertly achieved by Ojala FX. I first met Jim Ojala when he turned me into a cyclops for a commercial, ha. He invited us into his studio where we designed the beast sequences with the prosthetics he already had, to fit our budget.
NYX: Who designed the creature for the movie?
JDP: Ted Haines, a very talented FX artist who I first met on a commercial 15 years ago when he put me in a block of ice and then more recently when he made my Herman Munster muscle suit for Rob Zombie’s THE MUNSTERS. He interviewed me for a FX podcast he produced and there I realized Ted’s passion for monster movies. He agreed immediately to build our Chupacabra creature.
NYX: The score plays a major part of the movie, will it get a physical release?
JDP: Vaaal is a brilliant composer who created the music and soundscape that reflects the main character’s breakdown and story’s demise. Vaaal is a mad scientist of noises and frequencies. We have been approached by a very prestigious music label to press a vinyl of the score. It’s all being worked out soon. Please keep a look out.
NYX: Do you get nervous when your work is showing at festivals?
JDP: I have not done a lot of festival participation in the past. I usually pick one festival to premiere and that’s about it. It’s always a rush to view with an audience live though. I’m sure FrightFest will be no exception.
NYX: You’re a man of many talents, which of your many strings to you bow do you enjoy the most?
JDP: I try to have as many irons in the fire as possible. I shift whenever an opportunity opens up. This month I’ve worked on a new episode of the Dexter spinoff series, shot a week on a commercial campaign, am putting together a package for another film I’ve written and of course prepare and promote for this upcoming FrightFest World premiere of CURSED IN BAJA. After Covid and the actor’s strike I’ve learned to juggle as many projects as I can handle because you never know what challenges are around the corner. As a matter of fact I need to get back to working on the DVD BTS for our distributor ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT. Our streaming release is October 29th 2024 right before Halloween! They understand what the hardcore horror fans love.
NYX: Jeff Daniel Phillips, thank you very much.
