Test Screening is a movie which is made for FrightFest fans. Its the perfect reminder of the glorious 80s and the excitement which came along with the latest cinematic releases. We chatted to its writer, Stephen Susco ahead of its World Premiere.
NYX: Did you know from a young age that you wanted to be a writer?
SS: Writing was how I always spent every minute of free time – writing or watching movies! So yes, I suppose there was always a fantasy about doing it “professionally”.
NYX: Where did the idea for Test Screening come from?
SS: A combination of factors: wanting to write a love letter to cinema from the perspective of my own childhood (i.e. during the 80s); wanting to celebrate the dynamic range of the “scary movie” genre (making something that felt Spielbergian, Carpenterian and Cronenbergian all in one!); and wanting to deploy one of the most unique aspects of genre films – its ability to examine and comment on society without being overly didactic.
NYX: Did you write it with a cast in mind?
SS: Not specifically – since we were making it independently, we relished the opportunity to find younger and lesser-known talent for the principal roles. We never could have expected to have been so lucky to find four actors who were such a joy to work with.
NYX: Did the cast have much rehearsal time as they all bounce perfectly of each other?
SS: There’s never as much rehearsal time as you’d like – but our actors bonded quickly and even came to set on their days off to support the others… one of my favourite memories of the production. They were a blessing to create characters with and remain close friends with one another!
NYX: The effects are superb, were they all done on set?
SS: Yes – our intention was to use as close to 100% practical effects as possible. Thanks to the incredible Adam Dougherty (aka Kreature Kid) and his team, we were able to make that happen. All the optical effects were created on-set as well – none of them are digital – all the work of Dan Adlerstein, who also used his incredible eye (and some really cool anamorphic lenses!) to provide an anachronistic visual texture.
NYX: Where did you find such a cinema to shoot in?
SS: That was a real hunt! We filmed entirely in and around Portland, OR and looked at dozens of small theatres (it’s a cinema paradise in Portland!) – the interior and exterior we ended up using were in fact two different locations.
NYX: This is a true love letter 80s cinema, was that your intention from the start?
SS: That was our exact intention, glad it came through!
NYX: There’s a strong message all the way through the film, about media manipulation of populations and the importance of free choice and independence, would you agree?
SS: Absolutely – that was the essence of the story we wanted to tell, using the past to explore the present, and examining how even though it may feel we have come a long way in society, we still have quite a distance to go (vis-à-vis the protection of individual rights and freedoms and the deliberate divisions machinated by “the powers that be”).
NYX: I love the way it captures the anticipation for a new cinematic release, do you think those days are gone now?
SS: They are most certainly at risk… but post-COVID attendance demonstrates that cinema remains a communal experience, and with genre films leading the way!
NYX: Will you be nervous when the movie has its World Premiere at FrightFest 2024?
SS: There’s always a sense of nervousness when a movie is finally presented to audiences – but relief is the more powerful emotion. Relief to finally be across the finish line; relief to finally be able to share something that has been cultivated in the shadows for so long.
NYX: Do you believe such experiments still happen?
SS: All one needs to do is read the “news” every day to confirm this. The pressure has never been more intense upon individuals to turn off their minds and do as they’re told. Those who are keeping that pressure on never seem to learn the most important lesson: that when you compel people to be something they’re not, the results will be monstrous.
NYX: Is “The Thing” John Carpenter’s greatest movie?
SS: Oh, man, that’s a way to start an endless online comment war. J My own opinions aside, a fun fact about TEST SCREENING is that I wrote the role of Luther (the local cinema owner) as a cameo for John Carpenter. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get him to do it with us. But we made sure to honour him with a half-dozen or so references!
NYX: Stephen Susco, thank you very much.
