Shrader Thomas

Alter Films

Loose Ends

Q & A

Name a Horror character you relate to on a spiritual/personal level?

Having just recently adopted a very hyper puppy, right now I’m really relating to the mother from The Babadook. In general, I’d say I relate to Chief Brody from Jaws. We always need a bigger boat.

You’ve gotta go through some bad ideas to get to the good ones. Tell us one of your bad ideas. How do you get past the bad ones to find your spark?

Oh, when I was first starting out as a filmmaker, I wrote a couple bad drafts of a really cheesy slasher that was completely derivative. That one stays in the drawer. I think you have to push through and just keep going to find your own voice.

Do you consider yourself part of a horror community?

Absolutely. I love the horror community. Film, book. I love going to conventions and supporting other horror writers and filmmakers. There is no one as passionate, inclusive and supportive as the horror community.

When you’re building the world of your film, where do you look for inspiration?

It’s hard to not draw inspiration from other films and books, but I like to try to put my own spin on it. David Fincher is a big inspiration of mine.

What would you do if you woke up inside of your film?

Run.

Who would be on your ultimate horror villain squad?

Imagine rolling up with Dracula, Jason and the mother xenomorph from Aliens. No one would stand in your way.

Lightning round: Freddy or Jason? Stephen King or H.P. Lovecraft? Practical or CGI? Post Apocalypse or Pre Apocalypse?

Jason, Stephen King, Practical, Post Apocalypse

What scares you, and does it inspire your storytelling?

I have a fear that I’ve wasted too much time and missed opportunities. My storytelling does tend to be about people who are past their prime and desperately trying to cling to some hope.

And finally, Ghostface would like to know ‘What’s your favourite scary movie?’

So hard to pick just one. If I must, I’d say Jaws. It terrified me as a kid and still gets me to this day.