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Chloe Finch Interview

Chloe Finch – Interview
Roy Hayes – LivingDeadReviews.com

LDR: As a fledgling writer/director, tell us about the difficulties in getting a project like "Skeletons In The Closet" off the ground? Was being female a hindrance or a help?

CF: It took five years to get the script of SITC to the point where I felt it was ready to move to the screen. After I worked on it for a year, it was falling into the wrong hands and the feedback I was getting would have turned it into a very predictable and boring film, where you watch and always know what the next step will be. I wanted people to read the script and have to really use their minds, on a journey of surprising twists and turned. I reached a point with SITC three years ago where I felt I needed a break from it. When I write a script, I really live inside the story and at that point I had nothing more to give it, to take it where I wanted it to go, where it would live up to its potential. I moved to Australia around that time. After living there for a year and a half, I sat down one night and picked up the script of SITC. I had finally been outside it long enough to be able to see that it needed a complete revision, but still keeping it’s basic shape and storyline. While re-writing it and doing several revisions, I spent a lot of time networking in Australia to people over seas in America, talking to people in the industry about the script. I then moved back to Los Angeles about five months ago with a much more mature and polished script. Back here, in Los Angeles, it passed through several hands, unfortunately the wrong ones, but finally one of the wrong ones led to the right one about four months ago, the production company that is going to film SITC. I had to smarten up and learn to be a much better judge of character. It was a long process of disappointments and discouragements, but I just wasn’t going to settle until I was allowed to direct the vision I had created. I am now working with people who are passionate, supportive and really get the script. I believe being a female writer/director can work both ways. I found that being a woman writing in the thriller/horror genre intrigued people and they were curious as to what my mind would produce. On the other hand, I felt I wasn’t taken as seriously in a genre and industry so dominated by men. People felt that I would be afraid to go to certain places of my mind and put it into a screenplay like a man would. Which is a huge misconception about women writers. What’s funny is that more men have been disturbed and scared after reading the script that any woman has.

LDR: Who were your influences in both writing and directing?

CF: David Lynch is at the top of my list as both writer and director. The man is a genius. Tim Burton has been such an influence as well. Burton just makes me feel my mind can have no boundaries. Takashi Shimizu was a big influence for me as well. Shimizu’s work like in directing and writing, the "Grudge" films are just brilliant.

LDR: Give us the synopsis for "Skeletons In the Closet". What makes it unique?

CF: "Skeletons In the Closet" is about a female psychic working with the NYPD on a serial murder case. She flees to a small New England town after a horrifying life changing event happens. Terrifying events and apparitions lead her to believe that the serial killer has followed her there and she could be his next victim. I think what makes "Skeletons In the Closet" unique comes a lot from the strong female lead character. Her character takes you through many twists and turns that really challenge the mind. One of the most unique things about the film, is there are some horrifying "Skeletons" in "Skeletons In the Closet” that you never see coming. But, I can’t give away the secrets.

LDR: Where did the inspiration for "Skeletons" come from? Any skeletons in Chloe’s Closet?

CF: Great question! I love watching documentaries and one night I was watching one on Psychics who solve crimes. It was so authentic and did not have me in the least bit convinced any of these psychics could solve a crime. Perhaps, on this documentary not one had. I started thinking about if a believable and successful psychic working for the FBI or Police was out there, but not brought to our attention through media yet. Then my mind stated spinning with all these ideas for that concept and that’s when "Skeletons in the Closet" was born. Of course I have "Skeletons In My Closet". Maybe I will let a few skeletons out later on in an interview.

LDR: Give us your first recollections of the Horror Genre? Are you a lifelong fan?

CF: I was exposed to the Horror Genre at a very young age. As a little girl it became a thing with friends to have sleep-overs and see if we could get through the night watching "Nightmare on Elm Street", "The Shining", "The Exorcist", "Friday the 13th" and so on. In-fact I was staying at the family’s country house in Connecticut with my parents and I caught on the TV, "Nightmare on Elm Street" and couldn’t sleep that whole night. I thought Freddy was under my bed. My childhood brings back my introduction to horror films. Even though they scared me to death as a child, I have and will always be a huge horror fan.

LDR: Do you plan to stay in the Horror genre or do you plan to branch out?

CF: As much as I love writing and directing horror films, as a writer and director there are different genres I would love to write about and direct. I know I will do more horror films after "Skeletons", but I want to do dramas, and comedies. I even am looking forward to one day doing a documentary.

LDR: How do you think the film business has changed for women in the last decade or so? Or has it? Do you get the respect as a filmmaker that your male peers do? Horror directing has been dominated by men for so long how do your actors interact with you? Any difference?

CF: In the last decade I think more doors have opened for women in the industry. They are stronger roles for women in film and a lot more women are writing and directing now. Women are becoming more dominant and taking on roles and screenplays that would be written for a man or by a man. When "Silence of the Lambs" came out in 1991, I think that did so much for women in film. After that stronger female roles came out, especially in the horror/thriller genre. In the past they were just put in roles for sexuality. I think that still is happening, but not nearly as much. I think I have been very fortunate to gain the respect of my male peers. But, that has so much to do with avoiding certain people and sticking with people that I know will give me that respect. I always keep it professional, especially on set. As a female, you need to let people who work with you knows you need to be respected. Yes, women have to work harder for that, but the more they do, then more things with continue to change. Men have dominated horror directing for so long and as a female you are stepping into a world where as a women you have to be aware of that. What I am learning is, as a director you have to have a good sense of the actors you are working with. You’re directing them and sometimes an actor will not agree with your direction or think their character would not do what you are asking them to do or feel. That can only work for so long. I will take opinions to a certain degree from actors. I have much respect for actors. I have never had problems on set from actors. That comes along with being very selective with your casting. I have had a few actors before casted show what it would be like if I were to work with them. If an actor tries to makes revisions in my script and they don’t get the basics of the script, they most likely will not get the part. I will spend time with the actors I want to cast and get a feel from them. Usually people let you know in the first five minutes what the deal is. I just try and use my best judgment. I think there is a big difference nowadays with how people interact with me as to the way it would be when there was close to zero women working in the industry as a writer/director. It’s not something so unheard of or something that people have not done prior to working with me.

LDR: What’s next for Chloe Finch? Where do you hope this project takes you? What do you plan to be doing in say, five years?

CF: After "Skeletons in the Closet" is complete I have a few films in the works that I will be directing. I will also start on my next script. But, you never know what will happen. Different amazing opportunities can come up that you never expected. I am hoping this one does that. I am just going to keep working in film. Five years down the line, I want a house, a couple of cars payed for in full, a c ouple of dogs and loving the creative life of working in films. Can I add an Oscar to that list?

LDR: Do you have any advice for budding filmmakers? Any tricks of the trade? Maybe some stumbling blocks to avoid? Maybe some encouragement for young women wanting to break in to the biz?

CF: My advice for budding filmmakers is treating your screenplay or script like it is your baby. Protect it and watch whom you involve yourself with. First thing is registering it and copyright your script if you have the money to do so. Networking is such a key to getting your film made. You have to self- promot your script. Put up film pages online and put up blogs about your film. The first thing most people ask is if you have a web page so they can check out your film. After you register it so no one can steal your script, get it into peoples hands that have connections. You never know were one person will lead to. I would highly suggest learning a script program like, final draft. It’s your vision, you have to be able to write it and not depend on someone else to do that. Things to avoid are people who are pretending to be a producer or have a company. Research them and make sure they are for real. If a producer or production company doesn’t have you sign at least a non-disclosure contract pretty much from the get go, RUN. You need a legal binding contract that protects you and your film. For the women out there who are trying to break into the film industry? I commend you for choosing to thrust yourself into such a hard industry that women are still fighting to get into. Protect yourself by being professional, tough, and yet personable and someone people would want to work with. This will weed so many people out there who are trying to involve themselves with you for all the wrong reasons. If you get burned, get up and keep going. Use that as a lesson learned what not to do. Everyone is different and has their own path. If you keep at it, you will get there. Believe in yourself and your talent. Don’t let people demean that. Lastly, support other women in the industry. The industry and media can turn women against each other due to competition. It’s not a competition, this is your passion. This is your dream.

LDR: Finally, a question we ask everyone. What is your favorite Horror film and why?

CF: My favorite horror film is "House of 1,000 Corpses", written and directed by Rob Zombie. I think some of the best horror characters are in that film. My favorite is the character of "Baby", played by Sheri Moon Zombie, Rob Zombie’s wife. He captures the core essence of a brilliant cult horror film.

Mitchell Wells

Founder and Editor in Chief of Horror Society. Self proclaimed Horror Movie Freak, Tech Geek, love indie films and all around nice kinda guy!!

11 Comments

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  1. How refreshing! a woman who looks like she should be in front of the camera, actually behind the camera. Great interview and I look forward to hearing more from you on Skeletons. Excellent interview Chloe!

    Steve

  2. Yes!!! We need women directors and writers like you. I am excited about seeing the film, "Skeletons in the Closet". I really enjoyed reading your interview. Keep at it!

  3. I found this interview most interesting. Chloe Finch I think is a rare find in this industry. Can’t wait for what seems to be a refreshing film in the thriller genre to come out, especially by a woman. Change the industry Chloe!

  4. I do believe i have not come across a woman director like Chloe Finch. Looking forward to Skeletons in the Closet and seeing what else she produces. Brilliant interview!

  5. Jared, she might want someone who can spell "woman" before she goes falling in love. Chloe gave such a excellent interview and i am keeping my out on her. Skeletons in the Closet is going to be quite the film!

  6. You two guys are stupid. Anyway, great interview and Chloe is a awesome "WOMAN" in the industry. We need more like her.

  7. Hey Chloe, I loved the interview and a lot of people have you on their radar. Keep doing what your doing and I am really looking forward to "Skeletons".

  8. I have read this interview 3 times and think you seriouly kick ass girl! Can’t wait for your films in the future!!!!

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