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Can you tell us a little bit about yourself Elias?
Aaaggghhh! I never know what to say to that question. I’m a 31-year-old bloke who was born in Boston and
likes to do stuff. The “stuff” I do the most tends to be making and watching horror flicks. I love martial arts,
comics, books, animals, people and shiny round objects!
How did BiFF JUGGERNAUT Productions get started?
We put BiFF JUGGERNAUT together sometime after my first short “A Walk In The Park”. My friend Chad of the
band THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN and I were collaborating a lot on various film projects and we figured it was
time to put a name to it all.
Who came up with the name BiFF JUGGERNAUT, and what does it mean?
Chad and I came up with that name through a process of random selection one late night many years back in
Virginia Beach. We each thought of a single word or name three times. Out of the three pairs of random word
combos we came up with that night, BiFF JUGGERNAUT was the one that stuck. The name went on to inspire
the animated monster character of “BiFF”, our production logo/mascot. Any additional meaning really comes out
of what we produce and how folks interpret/react to it. So far I think the name fits pretty well.
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You just made a new film called “LovecraCked! The Movie”, what is the film kinda about?
It’s about a lot of things really. A feature film anthology loosely inspired by the life and work of the author H.P. Lovecraft, we go off into a lot of directions
from there that range in theme and tone from the horror to mystery to downright silliness. It was initially inspired by a 30min mockumentary I produced
that was based around the fact, that despite the great influence Lovecraft had on horror film/fiction, the average person never seemed to have heard of
him. Seemed like a topic that was ripe for parody. During the course of completing the mockumentary it occurred to me that the whole piece could also
work as a frame for a series of additional Lovecraftian tales or segments. I opened the project up to other directors, with the new goal of creating a
feature-length anthology that could reach a wider audience with more to offer, and that’s pretty much how we got where we are today with the film.
Are you a huge fan of H.P Lovecraft?
If by “huge” you mean “do I have Chthulhu bed sheets?” then I guess I fall a bit short. Otherwise I’m definitely a fan of his stories.
What’s your favorite Lovecraft film?
For the moment, though it’s somewhat more inspired than a direct adaptation, I’d still have to say the “Re-Animator”. I also have a soft spot for Dan O’
Bannon’s somewhat forgotten “The Resurrected”. Great performance in there by Chris Sarandon. I am eagerly anticipating the eventual adaptation of “At
The Mountains of Madness” from the very talented Guillermo del Toro.
So what made you wanna become a filmmaker?
Before I got the film making bug I had the acting and writing ones. Now I’m stricken with all of the above and a few more ta boot! The film making
stemmed out of a desire to see some of the writing visualized, to have a few more opportunities to act and to expand the ways and means a bit.
Have you worked or been cast in any other films, apart from your own? If so what are they?
During the last 3 years of college I acted in a lot of student productions, which ranged from me being dressed up as a Ming the Merciless type complete
with press on nails to being naked ‘cept for a tie and a pair of underoos out on the beach at Cony Island getting bugs put on my face. Unfortunately I
never got copies of a lot of these shorts. I played a wife beating psychopath in a friend’s thesis film and a drug addicted loser in another flick from the
same friend that was never completed. Basically whenever there was an opportunity I took it because I just really loved to act, and still do. I’d like to get
back into it more, and start working with some directors and writers other than myself for a change. It can be tough to do everything you want to do, and
for now I’m just focusing all my energies on getting “LovecraCked! The Movie” out there and in front of people. I’m looking forward to getting rolling on a
new BiFF JUGGERNAUT production, and would certainly love to do some more acting for others as well. Looking forward to getting into the shit!
“LovecraCked! The Movie” is of course an anthology and includes contributions from 9 other film makers from around the world, were there
any problems while working on this film with them. If so what problems were there?
Not especially. It was quite a challenging task, but mostly it just called for a lot of perseverance, a lot of work in post and keeping regular communication
with those involved. It was great to have the opportunity to work with so many talented people and include their work in the project. The biggest
challenge was putting the project together. It took a good 6-8 months of screening submissions and constant emailing to find and get all the film makers
on board, mainly due to the very specific requirements of the project. I’m really pretty happy with how it all turned out, and I hope everyone else is
satisfied as well.
Have you made any other films apart from “LovecraCked! The Movie”?
My other best known flick is “The Voice Inside” (2000) and there have been a number of other lesser known shorts that I made in the years leading up.
I’ve also made 3 music videos for the afore mentioned band THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN. Some of the earlier videos and flicks are included in the extras
on the Ltd ed. DVD for “LovecraCked! The Movie”: available now at www.biffjuggernaut.com and at www.filmbaby.com. How’s that for a shameless
plug? There’s even an easter egg hidden in the special features menu somewhere that’s become quite popular amongst those that have found it – an
oldie but goody!
The Voice Inside appeared to be on the extras of the LovecraCked! DVD, that was one hell of a twisted, sick and disturbing short film I have
seen in a longtime. What inspired you to create an awesome film like that?
I just wanted to create something as vile, horrible and painful as I could think – basically to put the character through hell and leave him broken and
hopeless. It’s actually made a lot of people laugh, though perhaps sometimes they’re laughing more because they’re uncomfortable. Whichever the case
it’s a hell of a lot of fun to watch that flick with an audience!
Did you get any splinters from that hammer? (laughs)
No. No “assholes” were harmed during the making of that flick. It’s not as painful as it may look. It’s really just a nifty trick I like to call “slight of
hammer”.
You won several film festival awards (THE MOST OFFENSIVE, MOST PERVERTED and MOST DISTURBING) for that film. What was the
crowd’s reaction when viewing “The Voice Inside”? Did anyone spew, faint or run out screaming?
I’ve only been able to attend a few screenings unfortunately, but audience reactions are never tame. There are always plenty of moans, groans, “oh my
gods”, shrieks of laughter and dismay and disbelief. It has made some queasy, some cover their eyes and has allegedly made one poor bloke pass out
entirely.
Did they boo or cheer you when you went up to get the awards? What happened while or after the festivals were over?
Sadly I was never able to attend any of the fests where the awards were won.
The President and Founder of Tromaville, the man himself Lloyd Kaufman appeared in your film, what was it like to actually work with him?
A real pleasure. He was totally open and flexible with a great flare for improve and a terrific sense of comic timing. We had lot of fun working with him that
day and I’m honored to have him in the film.
Are you a big fan of Troma? If so what’s your favorite Troma movie?
Absolutely. I love how completely lacking in pretension their productions are. It’s a refreshing contrast. Their films are wacky, gore & sex filled romps with
a sense of humor I often really appreciate. They go over the top and past the point of no return like few other modern films. My all time favorite would
probably be the “Toxic Avenger”, though there have been some great ones since then as well, and I’m very much looking forward to “Poultrygeist”.
Did anything crazy or weird happen while you were at Troma?
Aside from a few casual dismemberments and a couple wild sex orgies… no not especially.
If you could have an unlimited budget and 100% control over a film, what type of movie would you love to create and why?
Tough to say really. I have a couple scripts I’ve written that could certainly benefit from a bigger budget… It’d be nice to see those produced. Mainly,
though, I try to think up and plan projects that make the most with the least. Just kid of the indie low budget mentality I guess. There are lots of stories
and ideas I’d love to see realized, though, and if I had some of the creative control and money you’re talking about… some of the more ambitious of those
would be adaptations of some of Warren Ellis’ brilliant series/stories like “Transmetropolitan”, “Ocean”, “Orbiter”, Robert Kirkman’s “The Walking Dead”
and Poppy Z. Brite’s “Exquisite Corpse” and “Lost Souls” – to name a few.
What are Elias’ Top 3 horror movies of all time, not including your films?
My own flicks, eh? Wow, I’d be honored if those were in anybody’s “Top 3”! Let’s see… Top 3… hmmm… It’s gonna be pretty much impossible to narrow
it down that much but here’s a general smattering…
horror-comedy: “Dead Alive”, “Evil Dead II”, and “Big Trouble in Little China”
straight up comedy: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “South Park” (film and series)
straight horror: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (’74), “Audition”, “The Haunting” (’63),
“The Fly” (’86), “The Thing” (‘82), “Evil Dead”, “The Woman in Back”,
“Dawn of The Dead” (’78), “Alien”, “An American Werewolf in London,” and “The Howling”.
action: “Kill Bill I & II", “Rabid Dogs”, “Dead or Alive”, “Kung Fu Hustle”, and “Drunken Master”
sci-fi: “Serenity (movie and series)”, “Equilibrium”, and “Starship Troopers”
drama: “Romeo is Bleeding”, “Immortal Beloved”, “Bad Guy”, “3 Iron”, and “Snake of June”
Doh! I just realized you said Top 3 “Horror” movies! Oops!
Do you have any advice or tips for those who would like to become film makers?
Just keep at it, have patience, never say die, and above all stay open. For me it’s all about the project at hand… that is the guiding force not me – I’m just
interpreting it. Also, story, story, story. That’s the core and if it’s lacking it doesn’t matter how beautiful the visuals are or how great the acting is. It’s
been said before and I’ll say it again: the story is the blueprint for the film. Lastly pre-production is vital. Inadequate prep is only going to have adverse
effects on the final film and give you less to work with in the end. See the film in your head before you shoot it – you’ll save yourself a lot of time and
aggravation in production and post production – don’t worry there’ll still be room to move in post. Also, in keeping with the last remark, leave yourself a
little overlapping head and tail room with each shot – i.e. let the action and dialogue start a little early and end a little late with each take.
What is the one thing you would like “LovecraCked! The Movie” fans to think of, when they watch your film?
I just hope they’re entertained, and if they haven’t already – maybe they’ll crack open a Lovecraft book or two – though, preferably after the movie’s over.
And the last question for this interview, man: is there anything you would like to say to those who are reading this interview before you
cruise off?
Thanks for reading, and thanks to the DVD Resurrections crew for the opportunity and for all their support of indie horror cinema! If you’d like to know
more about BiFF JUGGERNAUT Productions please visit us at www.biffjuggernaut.com . For folks interested in “LovecraCked! The Movie” you can read
more, see more and buy the Ltd ed. DVD of the film over at the official site at www.biffjuggernaut.com/lovecrackedthemovie. Have fun and keep
the “horror” alive! Thanks for supporting independent cinema!
Thanks Elias so much for creating an awesome fucking film, man. I truly enjoyed watching “LovecraCked! The Movie” and also I have seen “The
Voice Inside” 6 times -I have never squeezed my butt cheeks so tight in my life after watching that film. Its truly a shocking film and a masterpiece
to watch. We at DVD Resurrections wish you the best of luck with your film and of course future films, and I'll be looking forward to seeing what
disturbing, twisted and sick films you conjure up next time. Cheers man.
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