Shaun O’Rourke

Working alongside his Eleven Bravo Productions partner Sheila Brothers and filmmaker Charles Stewart Jr., Shaun O’Rourke has not only co-starred, written and produced the upcoming horror flick Butchered but was also involved in the directing. Set to be released on DVD on February 9, the movie tells of a group of young friends who become terrorized by an escaped killer.

Shaun discusses his experiences making Butchered…

Having worked as an actor for several years, how did you manage to make your directorial debut with Butchered and how did this become a joint collaboration with Charles Stewart Jr. and Sheila Brothers?

“Scheduling conflicts and other projects kept Charles out of the re-shoots and pick up days. As a producer on the film I just jumped in to direct. I wanted a second set of eyes for the scenes I was in. Sheila had just finished directing a spec pilot with the late Pat Hingle, so I knew she was up to the task. I was in good hands working with Joe Stauffer a brilliant DP and his Broken Wings Productions team on the re-shoots. I focused on actors because I knew the vision and camera work was in the bag. That is a a huge burden off your shoulders when you gel with someone artistically. I never had to second guess Joe Stauffer’s work. Then there was directing all the actors in the ADR sessions. I have done voice over work in over thirty Japanese Anime cartoons, so my experience in the sound booth for the actors was important. Bringing a performance out of an actor a year later in post is not easy. Before Butchered I had directed plays and a short film. I have always tried to fight the urge to direct. I knew I could do it that wasn’t the issue. I just figured it would be a long way down the road after I tired from acting. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you have to just catch it.”

Aside from acting in the movie, you are also credited as one of the writers. How much of a part did you play in the developing of the script and what films in particular were an influence on you as you were writing?

“I created the story, named all the characters, and after Charles and I finished the six page treatment it was passed on to Sheila Brothers and her writing partner Roxanne Marchand to crank out the script. I helped with the re-writes for the pick up days as well. One thing that always pisses me off about modern day horror films are cell phones. That’s the reason the film takes place on an island was to get the cell phone equation out of the film. No cell phones, leaves no hope. I wanted to make a classic horror film like the ones I watched growing up. I loved the original Friday the 13th and Texas Chainsaw. I am not a fan of the over the top gore in most horror films today. Gore doesn’t always translate to scary. I love jump scares and the old Hitchcock style of scaring the hell out of an audience without making them throw up. Plus people have gotten desensitized to the gore. I think I brought old school to the film.”

What kind of budget were you working with and how did you manage to gain a distribution deal?

“It was ultra low and we were raising funds through out the entire process until completion. That was ultimately an advantage that helped us land a distribution deal with Anthem Pictures. We had a solid story, helicopter shots, underwater shots, and island, beautiful actresses that would make FHM turn their heads and a film that exceeded everyones expectations. They could see what we did for little and offered us a deal. We will continue the relationship with Anthem going forward. It is all who you know in this business. Producer Phillip Troy Linger was a last minute addition to the project. Troy could see right away the potential of the film. His deep roots in Los Angeles as an actor and former publisher of Brentwood Magazine was indispensable when it came to securing a deal at Anthem. It pays to know people in high places. As a first time feature film for us to nail a distribution deal was pretty damn cool. It has been a blessing.”

What are your thoughts on the current state of the horror genre and what new aspects have you brought to it?

“No more remakes. Hollywood is so uncreative to recycle properties just for a quick buck. Where are the risk takers? Not in Hollywood. I am just sick of that shit and refuse to watch any of them. I am not a fan of sequels, but we do have two Butchered sequels planned if the film takes off and there is a demand. I would hope people will watch Butchered and realize the homage paid to the old school horror films of the 70′s and 80′s. That would be my contribution to the genre.”

With the DVD due for release next month, has the movie been screened at any festivals or given a limited theatrical release and how has it been received by both audiences and critics?

“I have been swamped with my television series Port City PD that I star in and co-produce. It’s a cop show airing in the US as well as 40 countries over seas. There hasn’t been time to screen Butchered. We have missed most of the great horror festivals and cons for screening opportunities. As far as critics I am not interested in them. Its the horror audience I hope to get a nod from. This film is not going to win any Oscars, but all the elements are there for the horror fan. We have everything your would want in a slasher film. We have blood, great deaths, nudity, a serial killer on a deserted island killing teens, and a kick ass bonus feature The David Long Story you have to see! What more do you want?”