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Today we get to interview a indie director by the name of William Winckler who is the director of
Frankenstein Vs The Creature From Blood Cove.
Hey William hows it going man, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
It's going great, thanks. Well, I've been in showbiz for the past 22 years or so. I worked as an actor in a lot of
TV shows and films such as "Remington Steele," "Knight Rider" and "The Fall Guy," and commercials for "IBM."
I also wrote and produced two (2) syndicated TV series, a sci-fi anime series called "Tekkaman," and a sketch
comedy series called "Short Ribbs" starring the late Billy Barty. I also was head of development for a company
that was essentially a cross between the Sci-Fi Channel and the Discovery channel on the Internet. I worked
as a writer, producer, director, and actor. I loved doing all those creative things, since I guess I've always had a
crazy, over-active imagination. My late Father, Robert "Bobby" Winckler, was a successful child star in
Hollywood in the 1930's and '40's, having worked with all the stars of the "Golden Age" of Hollywood in over 80
films and over 200 radio shows.
My own film production and distribution company started in 2001, when I wrote, produced, directed and acted in
our sexy, action comedy film "The Double-D Avenger," which starred the famous Russ Meyer film actresses.
"The Double-D Avenger" is a spoof of "Wonder Woman" about a costumed superwoman who uses her giant
breasts to fight crime. It was also the 20 something year reunion movie of the Russ Meyer stars - Kitten
Natividad, Haji, and Raven De La Croix and the silly little Ed Wood type movie made us a great deal of money.
It's a cult hit on DVD here in America, and its been sold worldwide. . . . There's a French language version in
France and French speaking Europe, and a Japanese language version in Japan. The Japanese movie poster is a
riot!
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What inspired you become a film maker?
Well, I think I was born with an overactive imagination. I was always a day-dreamer in school, and I loved classic sci-fi, horror, and fantasy films. All the
classics were great fun; the Universal monsters, the Hammer horror films, the AIP drive-in monster movies, the old Godzilla films, the Italian horror
films, anything with Vincent Price. . . . I loved all the classic genre films from the 1930's thru the mid 1970's. I used to watch them on TV as a kid, and
fell in love with them. They certainly inspired me in the direction I've gone.
Your new film Frankenstein Vs The Creature From Blood Cove can you tell us a little bit about your film?
"Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove" is an homage to the monster movies I just mentioned. It's inspired by the Universal monsters, the
Hammer horror films, and mostly the AIP Drive-In films. It is a modern day "monster movie" / "creature feature." Our main villain, "Dr. Monroe
Lazaroff" is played by talented Hollywood character actor Larry Butler, and he's somewhat of a Vincent Price type!
When I say homage, I have to say that our new film has elements of the classics. However, it is not an exact duplication of a classic horror film. In
2005 I was unable to exactly duplicate a film like the 1930s, because it would have been too slow and boring for many of today's younger horror fans
who grew up with "Nightmare on Elm Street," "Halloween," and "Friday the 13th." For "Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove," we included all
the great elements of the classics, but we punched the film up a bit, with more action, violence and some tasteful T&A nudity which works within the
context of the story. It's an R-rated "homage" to the famous monster movies. Actually, what we did with the minor T & A nudity, is really no different
from what Hammer horror did in the 1960's - '70's with the nudie vampire girls, or what Paul Naschy did with his Spanish horror films of the same period.
What made you think of creating a Frankenstein Vs The Creature movie?
It sounds crazy, but I actually had a dream. . . . A fightmare actually. . . . Of the Frankenstein monster battling a half-man, half-fish creature on a beach
at night, with waves crashing in the background, lightning flashing in the dark sky, etc. . This idea, or nightmare image, I thought would make a great
horror film. So, I wrote a script. . . . . Built a plot around that "seed" of an idea. In a nutshell, that's how the idea was developed.
What vintage movies inspired you the most to do this film?
Off the top of my head, the Vincent Price film's "The House on Haunted Hill," "The Tingler," "I Was A Teenage Werewolf," "Psycho," "The Creature From
the Black Lagoon," "The Brides of Dracula," "The Night Stalker," "Monster on Campus," "Black Sunday," "Godzilla Vs. Mothra," . . . . .are just a few. I
think collectively, I was inspired by many of the films I love. However, the story / plot, and many of the characters are all new and original from me.
You are not only the director of this film, but you are also the produced, writer & you also acted in it. Where did you get all the inspiration to
do all that?
I really love wearing all the hats. I love writing, producing, directing and acting. It's the same creative energy, only channeled in different ways. I
worked on a Michael Landon movie as an actor, and I recall Mr. Landon wearing all the hats. . . . . writing, producing, directing, and acting, and I realized it
could very easily be done. Seeing Landon use all his talents in this way on a movie set really inspired me to work in a similar fashion.
Why did you filmed Frankenstein Vs The Creature From Blood Cove in black & white, when you could of been done in colour?
Black & White photography was used so that we would have more of a classic monster movie "feel." We deliberately did this, and planned it way in
advance. Special care had to be made while shooting in color, but then rendering the final picture in black & white. It was tricky to do correctly. . . . and it
helps when your cinematographer, Matthias Schubert, and gaffer Kate Sobol, are brilliant.
It's the same reason why Tim Burton made "Ed Wood" in black & white. We were able to successfully duplicate a the "magic" the old monster movies
have, and the black & white photography was just the "icing on the cake" to complete this classic style. I also think that black & white makes certain
types of horror films much more entertaining. . . . since you are taken to a different world. . . . its true escapism.
In Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove we seen adult pornstars Ron Jeremy, Selena Silver & Troma's Lloyd Kaufman, Did you
have them in your film so your film will get more attention for your film?
The film has many, many celebrity cameos, but the two who worked in Adult were chosen based on the types of characters they played. I needed a
seedy drunk in a strip bar, and Ron Jeremy was recommended to me by Elizabeth Starr, an actress who was in "The Double-D Avenger." Ron is the
nicest guy in the world, and a great comedian. At the time of our shoot, he was really hotter than ever in mainstream TV and films, and he was perfect
for the bar drunk! Selena Silver is a gorgeous Australian girl. . . . just incredibly beautiful and warm. . . . and she was the perfect choice for the stripper
part. Her dancing was perfect, and her tasteful nude scene was terrific. I must say I was rather "hot and bothered" directing her in her scenes, and
needed plenty of ice water!
Did you have problems with the Creature Costume while swimming around while filming him?
The monster make-ups and costumes really took a beating in this film. The monsters were constantly running around, fighting, battling under salt
water, etc. . So, yes, the costumes would often need minor repairs at the end of each day's shoot. The make-ups took a very long time to do too, which
I was very concerned about each and every day of filming. I am well aware that latex appliances take a long time to put on an actor's face, but
nevertheless, I was worried.
Not too many film makers would use the rubber costume suits now days, don't you like using CGI?
Again, like using black & white photography, I used actual monsters (men in makeup and costumes), in order to give the film a "classic" feel. CGI would
not have worked, in my opinion. I do like CGI at times, but for the most part, I think it is overused. It also does look fake, to my eye. If I want a video
game, its great. But for a real movie, I want the laws of physics working at all times, not bizarre camera angles or impossible zooms into an animated
face which scream to me, "Hi, I'm a Cartoon." Our monsters are real objects with weight, realistic movements, etc., because they weren't computer
generated. By the way, we do have some minor CGI in the film, such as the gun shots, some lightning, etc. .
All film makers have set backs from time to time, did you have any William?
Other than being worried about the make-up taking forever, I really didn't have any setbacks. We did have lots of funny things happen on the set. We
shot on a beach that I thought would be deserted in winter, but to our surprise it was full of gay male nudists! We were constantly trying to shoot
around the nude boys, who acted like our monsters battling on the beach, was no big deal at all!
The actor in the Frankenstein make-up answered the door frightening a man delivering our lunch. . . . . Frankenstein's wig also floated away during the
underwater battle!
Some hikers thought I was digging a real grave and phoned the police on me, when I was walking the graveyard set and checking the open grave! Lots
of crazy stuff like that occurred.
How much budget did you have for your film?
I can't go into specifics, but I will say that we had a very large budget for an independent horror film. It was many times the budget of "The Double-D
Avenger." The production values are really high for such as picture, and I think the great response from the fans and critics, proves this. Also, the film
recently won "Best Feature Film" at this year's World Horror Convention, along with one other movie.
Our special effects were not cheap, and were actually handled by guys who worked on "Spiderman," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "StarGate," "StarShip
Troopers," and many other hits. We had many people working on the effects during the peak of the production.
Is there any film makers that you look up too?
I look up to classic guys like Roger Corman, Russ Meyer, William Castle. Corman really was a genius. . . he still is. . . . but his best stuff was the Edgar
Allen Poe pictures starring Vincent Price. Corman never lost a dime on any of his films, and neither have I, knock wood.
What films of there do you like and why?
Corman's Poe pictures were fantastic because of Vincent Price's wonderful acting, Daniel Haller's marvelous, colorful sets, the music, and Richard
Matheson's dynamite scripts. Those films were larger than life, "entertaining entertainment." I don't like to see "real life" in movies, I like to see more
"escapist entertainment." What was it Shakespear said, "hold the mirror up to nature, don't look out the fucken' window!?" The problem with many
modern films today is that everything is shot and done so seriously, to be as realistic as possible, and the danger with this is real life can be very boring.
I live in real life, I don't want it in my escapism.
William Castle was a true showman, and came up with terrific gimmicks to enhance the movie going experience. Russ Meyer did the same thing, but
with hot women with giant tits! Ha, ha!
Are you currently working on a new film?
Yes, I have many scripts in development right now. However, there is a lot of publicity, sales, and international distribution still going on for
"Frankenstein Vs. the Creature From Blood Cove" right now. When things settle down, we'll shoot another film.
What is it about roughly?
You'll be the first to know when I give the "green light."
What are your thoughts on the cinema now days?
Some major Hollywood movies are fun and entertaining. Tim Burton and Peter Jackson are brilliant. However, most of the stuff, in my opinion, both TV
series and films, are utter crap. I call them homogenized "McDonald's Movies." It's politically correct/censored, cotten candy for the masses. Not my cup
of tea at all. Now, I'm not saying "The Double-D Avenger" or "Frankenstein Vs. the Creature From Blood Cove" are "Gone With The Wind." They ain't.
But, many fans and critics have said my films are more "entertaining" than many of Hollywood's $ 100 million dollar "McDonald's Movies." Have you
seen "Supersize Me?"
What was the last movie you rented?
I really don't rent movies, I buy them for my giant collection. The last purchase, I think, was the DVD of the original "The Hills Have Eyes." I really liked
that film, but I think "Satan's Sadists," which is very similar, was more entertaining to me. Both movies had kind of a similar story. . . . more or less.
Tell us the sickest dirty joke you know?
You know the difference between snowmen and snow-women? SnowBALLS. More funny, then sick, I guess.
If there is one thing you can change in your new film, what would it be & why?
I really wouldn't change anything. . . . . . as egocentric as this sounds, I think the final product turned out near perfect for the fun "monster movie /
creature feature" it is supposed to be.
As a talented film maker, is there any tips you can give to other film makers who are reading this interview?
Today, it is not enough to make a film. You must have your publicity, PR, advertising, marketing plan, and distribution in place, not just domestically, but
worldwide. This is more important than the movie, actually. If you don't have this down and all set, you'll wind up with a very expensive home movie.
Is there anything you like to say to the people reading this interview?
I hope you'll be entertained and have lots of fun watching our films. As I said, most fans and critics really get a big kick out of our productions, especially
"Frankenstein Vs. the Creature From Blood Cove." So take a break from "McDonald's Movies" for a second and see one of mine. You too will have fun.
Thanks again for taking the time to do this interview with us William. I wish you great success in the future. I hope you keep creating such
awesome films so we have something fresh and new to watch. Thanks bro
Thank you. It's been terrific.
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