MEREDITH: I read that after watching Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, you instantly wanted to become a filmmaker. True?
MEREDITH: How did you first go about making your dream come true?
MEREDITH: I screened and reviewed (S)aint Nick, your piece of the 12 Slays of Christmas anthology. How did you come up with this story and pull it together including the grimy and icky character, Horace?
MEREDITH: What is the most satisfying part of making a movie?
MEREDITH: You don’t only direct, you write and produce as well. What is your favorite role and are you interested in acting?
JONATHAN: As a matter of fact, I acted in a film back in 2012 with Doug Bradley (HELLRAISER) and Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS). It was a lot of fun and I got to play a drug dealer who doesn't have the money to pay back to the boss. It didn't end very well for me. That film was DEER CROSSING.
MEREDITH: Obviously, horror is your go-to genre. Anything else appealing to you, or will you continue to push the envelope with mind fuckery?
JONATHAN: Playing with minds is always fun, especially when people are shocked at what they just witnessed. I love horror, I know I'll always want to do horror. Although, leaving the comfort zone and doing something completely different is always a challenge for me. It just all depends on if something intriguing comes to mind or is brought to my attention.
MEREDITH: Anyone who even REMOTELY knows you, understands your full-fledged love for Michael Myers and Halloween. Please share your attraction and why are you so drawn to this monster in particular?
MEREDITH: You are also a Rob Zombie fan. How did you like his interpretation of your beloved Myers and Halloween remakes?
MEREDITH: If you could choose ONE person to work with – dead or alive – who would it be?
JONATHAN: MICHAEL MYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Realistically, I would love to work with John Carpenter. I can learn a lot from him and it would be a dream to be taken under his wing to show me a few things.
MEREDITH: I read that you are interested in creating a scary children’s film, and titled your script Bedbugs. Can you share the premise with me?
JONATHAN: BEDBUGS is a children's horror film that came to mind when I was in film school. My son, Liam is held responsible for that one. I am on the 6th draft of the script as we speak. This is a throwback to 80's classics such as GREMLINS, THE GOONIES, GHOSTBUSTERS and LITTLE MONSTERS. The film is about children who are disappearing in their sleep and no one has the answers.
Liam and his friends finally figure out that children are being kidnapped by ferocious bugs that live under their mattresses and form a pact to stop these creatures and save their little town. BEDBUGS would be MY DREAM FILM to make. It's packed with funny lines, great characters and bugs that even I wouldn't mind hanging out with. This film is dedicated to my son and I just know he would love it. It's a perfect family thriller adventure.
Liam and his friends finally figure out that children are being kidnapped by ferocious bugs that live under their mattresses and form a pact to stop these creatures and save their little town. BEDBUGS would be MY DREAM FILM to make. It's packed with funny lines, great characters and bugs that even I wouldn't mind hanging out with. This film is dedicated to my son and I just know he would love it. It's a perfect family thriller adventure.
MEREDITH: I know your favorite horror film is Carpenter’s Halloween, but what is your LEAST favorite horror film and why?
JONATHAN: HOUSE OF THE DEAD is the worst film I have ever seen. I have seen some pretty bad films in my life but that one takes the cake, candles and even a shit on the horror genre. I don't mind video games being made into movies, but when you put actual clips of a video game inside a film, what the hell are you thinking? No wonder why UWE BOLL doesn't make films anymore.
MEREDITH: You are currently working on another anthology film, for Tales from the Grave called Hallowed Be Thy Name which is more of a psychological horror film. Can you tell me a little more about your short and how you came to the idea?
JONATHAN: HALLOWED BE THY NAME came to me when I was accepted by Dustin Ferguson who is a very talented filmmaker. He is the founder of TALES FROM THE GRAVE and last year he did the first season which was well received. He sent out a roll call on FACEBOOK and I ferociously jumped on this opportunity. I sent Dustin a few shorts, my resume and 4 days later, I was welcome to be a part of season 2. My short takes place on Halloween and it revolves around a grieving husband whose wife and child went missing on Halloween six years ago.
He is destined to find out what happened to them. That night, he abducts a woman whom he believes is responsible for his loss. Once they are back at his house, the interrogation begins and the madness slowly unwinds. HALLOWED BE THY NAME is a complete 180 from anything I have ever done. There is so much trickery and emotion in the film, you have no idea where it's going or what's going on.
If David Lynch and Alfred Hitchcock made a TWILIGHT ZONE episode, this would fall into that category. It was a really hard film to make and I just hope the audience is ready for this. You almost have to watch it more than once to fully get the entire picture.
He is destined to find out what happened to them. That night, he abducts a woman whom he believes is responsible for his loss. Once they are back at his house, the interrogation begins and the madness slowly unwinds. HALLOWED BE THY NAME is a complete 180 from anything I have ever done. There is so much trickery and emotion in the film, you have no idea where it's going or what's going on.
If David Lynch and Alfred Hitchcock made a TWILIGHT ZONE episode, this would fall into that category. It was a really hard film to make and I just hope the audience is ready for this. You almost have to watch it more than once to fully get the entire picture.
MEREDITH: Last question – what would you like to see happen in the horror film industry as it pertains to indie filmmakers?
JONATHAN: Horror films are doing just fine, especially ones that are released through IFC MIDNIGHT. They put out some great stuff. Other than that, I just want to see dreams come true for artists out there. It's a touch business to crack and extremely hard, but in the end, if you don't give up and if your dream means that much to you, it will happen.
Sometimes you gotta cut losses to start winning big.
Sometimes you gotta cut losses to start winning big.
"Sometimes you gotta cut losses to start winning big.”
- Jonathan Patrick Hughes
