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| Thomas Harvey (Abriel photo) |
As you scan the shelves at the video store for your yearly Halloween fright fest, youÕll have to sort through rows of straight-to-video monstrosities with titles like Boa vs. Python and Bloodthirst: Legend of the Chupacabras. YouÕve probably wondered what kind of people would actually make those movies.
Meet Thomas Harvey.
ÒEl Monstercabras comes out of the fact that we absolutely adore those crappy, B-grade, straight-to-video horror movies,” says Harvey, a third-year acting major in theatre with a minor in film studies. ÒWe just decided to skip the middle step of trying to be serious and make a comedy film.”
Their creation, El Monstercabras, wears its absurdity on its ripped and bloody sleeve. Directed by HarveyÕs childhood friend and filmmaking partner Josef Beeby, the plot of the 78-minute feature concerns a mad scientist named Professor Van Diem Ð played by Harvey Ð who attempts to create a cure for everything by fusing the genetic information of all the dangerous organisms on earth. Of course, Van Diem inadvertently creates a hideous monster Ð also played by Harvey Ð which proceeds to hunt down a group of Òsexy teens” on spring break. No clichŽ is left un-mocked as the monster hacks and slashes through every B-movie stereotype you can imagine.
ÒItÕs entirely about clichŽs,” laughs Harvey, who also helped draft the filmÕs story and also co-produced the film through his Fearful Symmetry Productions. ÒEvery character is a clichŽ or a joke. The humour comes from the movie taking itself 100 per cent seriously no matter how silly and ridiculous it is.”
While El Monstercabras is self-consciously ridiculous, Harvey is completely serious about the movie. ÒWe saw the film as the transition between doing this as a hobby and doing it as a career,” says Harvey. The filmÕs $1,000 budget was put forward by HarveyÕs father, but not until after the filmmakers presented him with a budget, contract and percentage of profits agreement. ÒHe wanted us to treat him like a professional investor,” says Harvey. ÒHeÕs been a huge help on the business end of things.”
Fittingly, El Monstercabras debuted at a midnight screening at HalifaxÕs Oxford theatre, with a line-up of patrons backed around the block to catch a glimpse at the film. The screening not only earned back the cost of the theatre rental but gave Harvey an experience to remember. ÒWe had the entire building to ourselves, this antique, awesome theatre,” reflects Harvey. ÒI donÕt even know how to describe the feeling.”
For their next work, Harvey and Beeby have made a neo-noir short film, their own semi-futuristic take on detective dramas. Harvey is also working to submit El Monstercabras to as many film festivals as possible in the hopes of reaching a wider audience. ÒI love the film, and I want other people to love it too,” he proudly beams.
In the meantime, Harvey has helped produce a two-disc special edition DVD of El Monstercabras, complete with four commentary tracks, alternate endings and dozens of hidden features. ItÕs available for purchase from the Monster Comic Lounge at 2091 Gottingen Street.
And who knows Ð next Halloween you might find El Monstercabras in the horror section of your local video store, just dying to follow you home.