Putting Cosmic Horror on The Screen
Several filmmakers discuss the challenges and choices involved in putting cosmic horror on the screen. Moore, Nicol, Mars, Szostakiwskyj
A longtime figure on the Lovecraft scene, Bryan Moore has made an indelible mark with his films and sculptures based on the work on the Old Gent, most notably as the sculptor of the bronze bust of Lovecraft which now permanently resides in the Providence Athenaeum Library, now a pilgrimage for Lovecraft fans, and as the director of the seminal Lovecraft film "Cool Air" (soon to be released in a remastered edition!). He also created the annual Howie Award given to those who excel in promoting Lovecraft's work in the arts at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival.
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Nick began his filmmaking career at a young age. He began writing screenplays at the early age of thirteen. Shortly afterwards, he invested in a cheap camera and began directing his scripts. After high school, Nick went to The University of Calgary where he studied film studies and creative writing. After two years he moved to Vancouver where he graduated in film production. Immediately after film school, Nick began working in the industry. To date, Nick has worked on over 150 films in the sound, camera, grip, post and art departments. In 2013, Nick wrote, directed and produced Black Mountain Side. His newest feature film, Hammer of the Gods is making its World Premiere at this year's festival.
Mars is a multi - instrumentalist who has performed with symphony orchestras, as well as jazz, metal and goth bands on tours through Canada, and the United States. He is an accomplished session musician, voice artist and recording engineer. Combining his two greatest loves; music and horror films, Mars founded Dead House Music in 2005 as a company specializing in original, high quality music for independent genre film. With 38 projects (feature films, shorts, TV programs, DVD, and video games) to his credit to date; Mars has worked with genre veterans, as well as talented young directors alike. His music has been featured in films that have received theatrical release, as well as projects that have secured worldwide distribution on DVD, Video-On-Demand, Internet, and Television.
Thomas Nicol is an indie filmmaking enthusiast from the flyover zone; when he's not making movies, he develops power grid simulation software. He heads up the local filmmakers networking group, Champaign Movie Makers, serves on the board of the Champaign Urbana Film Society, and helps program late night shenanigans at the local Art Theater Co-op. Past HPLFF offerings include "The Window Into Time" and "Bedtime For Timmy", and he's excited to bring a small share of madness to the screen again this year with "Irreparable".