d3rang3d Interviews : Stephen Durham

Very few movies have really grabbed my attention lately - and of those Bloodlines (aka Stickville) is one. A tale of rape, revenge, family, and inbred locals kidnapping young women, it's a great blend of action and horror that really hits all of the right spots. After watching it, I couldn't resist catching up with director Stephen Durham, who kindly gave d3rang3d an interview.

You can check out the official movie site for Bloodlines over at http://www.stickvillemovie.com/

But, enough from me, without further ado, I give you Stephen Durham of Bloodlines :


d3rang3d: There have been a number of high profile cases involving real crimes with some similarity to the central events in Bloodlines. Were any of these an inspiration for the film?

Stephen Durham: Well, first of all I was born and raised in the south, so growing up we always heard tales of inbreeding and hillbillies. I guess it would have played a role or influenced me in some way.

d3rang3d: The idea of isolated inbred rednecks running their own fight/rape club with unwilling combatants is actually pretty disturbing because it's all too believable, but is there any subject or theme you would shy away from covering in a horror movie?

Stephen Durham: Not really, I try to create a world that could be real. True events or even the thought “it could happen” is the scariest of all.

d3rang3d: The fight scenes are very central to the film - can you tell us a little bit about the work that went into making those happen?

Stephen Durham: One MAN “Henry Kingi Jr”, he made it all happen. He’s incredible, a second-generation stunt coordinator. He’s one of my close friends and helped me get started in this business. He makes everything seem easy. The main theme of the fights throughout the entire film was to be primitive and raw. Your basic instincts of survival.

d3rang3d: Any interesting stories - funny or serious - that you can share with us from the making of Bloodlines?

Stephen Durham: Well, the one that comes to mind is the Hackford compound. The main house was a huge three story wood cabin. The third floor had a small door with a lock on the outside. A few crewmembers unlocked it and the room lead to the attic and in the small attic was a dingy mattress on the floor, that’s it. Almost like a prison. Throughout the shoot there would be times when noises came from up stairs but no one was up there. Everyone thought the place was haunted. I defiantly kept you in the frightened mood.

d3rang3d: And is there anyone among cast or crew who you single out for a special mention?

Stephen Durham: It would have to be Rickie Castaneda, the producer. She worked from start to finish and lent a hand in every aspect of the film, from script notes to clean up. She was a jack-of-all-trades. Also, we had the most amazing crew; everyone had the same goal in mind, the film. It was all about the film, no one was above the picture, no one.

d3rang3d: What's your favorite moment in Bloodlines?

Stephen Durham: My favorite moment was the dingy cell room when almost the whole cast was there, I thought Billy Bob’s performance (Jason Padgett) was incredible, he commanded the room. It was a great scene. His banter between Candy (Molly Berg) was so real and convincing.

d3rang3d: And is there anything that you would go back and change about the film if you could?

Stephen Durham: Yes but very few, some of the lighting schemes and a couple of more shots.

d3rang3d: Working on a low budget obviously brings some constraints, is there anything you'd have liked to included in the film but couldn't?

Stephen Durham: Of course, more shots, more coverage, more inserts, more, and more. There were several scenes I wrote into the script that had to be cut due to time restraints. Also would have loved a stedicam.

d3rang3d: And, what was the biggest challenge you faced in getting Bloodlines from paper to screen?

Stephen Durham: Faith, having people “investors” believe in it. Ultimately had to seek financing from family and friends. It went from a million dollar budget talking with Hollywood people to a shooting budget of two hundred thousand. The original script was bigger, more actors more locations. I cut half the actors out and reduced it from ten locations to four.

d3rang3d: Grace Johnston and Jason Padgett both made excellent lead characters - any plans to work with them again in future?

Stephen Durham: Absolutely, they were great and really worked hard for me. The pay wasn’t great nor the living quarters, but they didn’t complain, they just worked hard and made a good movie happen.

d3rang3d: What's next for Stephen Durham? I see a little info for an upcoming suspense/horror called "In House" on the Stickville website - are you involved with that?

Stephen Durham: I am involved, I created and wrote In House along with my writing partner. I’m slated to direct it. I also have been offered a directing job on another horror film entitled “Blue Blood” it’s still in talks. Before all of that, I’m directing a Romantic Comedy that my partner and I wrote. It’s a ten million dollar budget and is set to shoot in October.

d3rang3d: Away from your own work, what films have really hit the spot for you recently?

Stephen Durham: Mr. Brooks, Knocked-up, and Hot Fuzz are among my favorite so far. Hostel 2, was a bit disappointing, I’m a big fan of Eli Roth, though it had a great ending.

d3rang3d: Finally the open non-question. Your chance to say anything you like about any subject under the sun - thank the fans, cuss the critics, plug your favorite beer. Anything goes, so any final words?

Stephen Durham: The one thing I’d like to say to everyone is that INDIE film making is the best, more creative freedom and more from the heart, it’s not always about the mighty dollar and remember anyone who makes a film in this day and age should be proud of it. EXPRESS YOURSELF!

d3rang3d: Thank you on behalf of everyone at d3rang3d - staff and readers alike - for the great film Bloodlines and for taking the time out to speak with us about it.

We'd like to wish you all of the best and every happiness for the future. Thank you.