Filmmaker Brian Metcalf wrote, directed, produced and DP'd his third film to date, a found footage vampire tale 'Living Among Us' (2018). In one of the late actor John Heard's last performances, this horror/sci-fi flick follows some documentarians as they make an ethnological study on vampires living among mortals. Produced by Brian's Red Compass Media production company, Vision Films is handling international sales and US distribution in association with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Brian attended Cannes to discuss projects in the pipeline for his film slates with his Red Compass Media and new sidebar team Metamahon Productions.
In an interview with Brian after Cannes, here is what had to say:
What was the film you had in the market at Cannes?
BRIAN: I was selling “Living Among Us” with Vision Films who was doing international sales
Do you think it's important as a producer to attend Cannes?
BRIAN: Very important. The sheer amount of contacts you make there from networking is invaluable.
What is your experience as an indie director at a time when the market is so difficult?
BRIAN: My experience has been that you always have to find ways to get funding through means by either attaching cast or taking advantage of tax credits, or some other means. You have to be smart and work hard to get your projects funded these days.
Most of your films thus far have been genre films. Will you continue making those?
BRIAN: I am now focused on some non-genre based projects as I want to expand on a variety of films.
How did you get into making indie films and how long have you been doing it?
BRIAN: I started out working as a creative director for a company to doing commercials and music video shoots and eventually my first short film. I have been making indie films since 2008.
You have started some acting too. How is that going?
BRIAN: It's alot of fun. Initially I got into it by taking a bunch of acting classes because I wanted to be able to direct other actors in a language they could speak as I wanted to learn everything about this craft that I could. But as I studied it, I got more and more into it and found myself enjoying it. I also learned alot from some of the great actors I have had the chance to work with. Since then I have brought on a manager who is helping me to achieve my goals in acting as well
What are the projects you are working on moving forward?
BRIAN: I am planning to direct and produce a project called “Repairman”, written by Sideways writer, Rex Pickett. I am producing this with production partner Vanessa McMahon. We have a film slate in development under our new endeavor Metamahon Productions. Another project I am doing is called “Adverse,” which is also a neo-noir drama. But I am still planning to do genre based films in the future. I have another film called “Ashen” that I am also producing under Metamahon. I wrote the screenplay for it and plan to direct.
Brian Metcalf
Interview by Vanessa McMahon