He played in Sean Patrick Bridges‘ One For The Road Dollar Baby audio production as Gerard Lumley.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Heath Allyn: I am a wearer of many hats! I’d say actor (voice and on camera) and musician are the two most prominent but I’m also a writer, director, producer, and many other things. Polymath some might say though it’s likely super pretentious. In this day and age it’s helpful to have many diverse skills which works out well for me!

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?

Heath Allyn: For as long as I can remember from childhood. I’ve always loved movies, television, and theatre. I made my first stage appearance at the age of 11 in a community theatre production of “Beckett.” My mother had been involved in community theatre since before I was born and so she was toting me along to rehearsals from birth! I still have this vivid memory as a child when I had these shoes that had “A.S.” on the side of them (I’m sure that was the brand or something) and I would pretend I was a spy named “Alan Scott” much like James Bond or something.

SKSM: How did you become involved in One for the road Dollar Baby?

Heath Allyn: June Griffin Garcia and I knew each other from the entertainment business around Austin. She was helping cast “Triple Six,” another audio drama by Sean Bridges and I can’t remember if she reached out to me to audition or if I just submitted an audition on my own, but I was cast as “Contestant Yellow.” So when Sean and June were casting for “One For The Road” they asked me to audition for Gerald Lumley. Luckily for me they liked what I did!

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Heath Allyn: Well first you have Stephen King who seems very widely regarded as the king of the genre and obviously has a huge fanbase. Then of course, vampires have a pretty huge fanbase as well! Add in the suspense, terror and relationships between these characters and it keeps you riveted and on the edge of your seat for sure.

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Heath Allyn: At first Sean said that he really wanted me for the part and thought that no one could do it like I could, which was extremely flattering. At some point he and June decided that they should at least audition some folks for it so I was asked to send one in, which I gladly did. In the end Sean said he was glad to know his first gut instinct was right!

SKSM: You worked with Sean Patrick Bridges on this film, how was that?

Heath Allyn: Sean’s great! Which is why I’ve worked with him twice now. Very easy to work with, upbeat, and just a friendly guy. Plus he really wants to make something great. He cares about the quality of the finished product and works harder than anyone behind the scenes on many aspects of it.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Heath Allyn:  Obviously it was a pretty intense script with real emotionally raw moments for my character and others, but we tried to also keep it light between takes. It can definitely be a little strange when you are there in a recording studio with a few others and then have to give a few different variations on an anguished scream or such. I definitely liked the fact that most of us were there in the room reading with each other which isn’t very common in voice acting but it’s nice to work directly off your fellow actors.

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Heath Allyn: I think I’m at least Facebook friends with almost everyone, which I know isn’t a substitute for in person friendships, but in a busy world (and now a pandemic-filled world) it’s nice to still see what people are up to and be able to keep in touch so easily.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Heath Allyn: I’ve had a few commercials recently, I’m starring in a comedy musical play called “Boomtown” by Texas Comedies starting in two weeks, plus still playing in many different musical projects (including a new “Yacht Rock” band I formed called “Yacht Z”), making music from my home studio as well as doing voice work. I just finished narrating the second season of “Music’s Greatest Mysteries” on AXS TV as well. I always have a lot of irons in fires as is necessary for a working actor/musician!

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Heath Allyn: I’m not actually a big horror person which I always hesitate to say as I don’t want to alienate any potential employers! Just because I don’t consume it much doesn’t mean I don’t like acting in it! That being said, what I have seen and read from Stephen King I’ve loved!

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Heath Allyn: That I’m actually a pretty shy, geeky, homebody. Being an actor and musician who can sometimes seem confident and outgoing can be misleading. I am comfortable on a stage or while performing, but off stage/mic/camera I don’t want to bother people and fear that maybe sometimes I seem distant or aloof but it’s just me not wanting to impose myself on others.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Heath Allyn: I truly appreciate you taking the time to talk to me and anyone who takes the time to read this. Though I’ve been doing this for 40ish years now, it has never lost its magic for me. I still enjoy it as much as that kid who wanted to be a spy named “Alan Scott.”

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Heath Allyn: I once played Banquo in Macbeth and a reviewer said that I was “Abundantly audible.” I’ll never forget that as it still makes me laugh. I mean, that’s not a bad thing. I certainly aim to be audible. In abundance.

He is the creator of One For The Road Dollar Baby audio production.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Sean Patrick Bridges: My name is Sean Bridges. I was born in Germany, and have moved around all my life, but I’m happy to call the Texas Hill Country home. Here’s my current bio which highlights some of my creative work:

Sean is the author of On the Bayou, 11:34 and Roll of the die.

He produced and directed two documentaries in the Caribbean. Out of many: One struggle for education about school kids getting a second chance in Kingston, Jamaica. And 20/20 Vision a look at the development of a global financial hub in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

He’s a Nicholl award-winning screenwriter. He’s worked on projects with Robert Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios. He started Audible Parade in the Texas Hill Country; they created Triple Six, a Las Vegas based serial audio thriller.

SKSM: When did you make One for the road? Can you tell me a little about the production? How much did it cost? How long did it take to finish it?

Sean Patrick Bridges: I signed the contract in January 2020, and got right to work adapting the story. We moved through pre-production pretty steady until Covid brought life to a halt.

The cast and I were able to get back into the studio during the summer (with necessary precautions). My editor Heather Bridges and I dove into post production through late summer and deep into the fall.

With final artwork in place from Andy Johnson @Grayson Designs, I completed the production and submitted it to Stephen King by the end of the year.

It was an out-of-pocket budget of US$3500. Cast & Crew were willing to work way below their normal rates or even for nothing, simply because they wanted to be a part of bringing this Stephen King story to life.

SKSM: One for the road is the very first official audio-only Dollar Baby.  Why did you choose this format instead of shooting a film like usual Dollar Babies?

Sean Patrick Bridges: It’s a happy surprise that we’re the first-ever audio dollar baby. I discovered the world of audio stories through the Austin Film Festival and fell hard for the concept. It’s a throwback to the way we used to tell stories, like vintage radio, but using modern audio techniques. It’s a marriage between old and new.

At Audible Parade we have full casts working their scenes together in the studio. Combine that with sound FX, music and ambient backgrounds and you create a movie for your mind. Cinema through your headphones. It’s a brilliant way to bring scripts and stories to life.

I had just completed my first full-length audio production. A suspense/thriller entitled Triple Six and was very happy with how it all turned out. When I was accepted to be a Dollar Baby, it seemed like the perfect fit for our next audio production.

SKSM: How come you picked One for the road to develop into an audio production? What is it in the story that you like so much?

Sean Patrick Bridges: Night Shift was the first Stephen King novel I ever read. My dad gave it to me when I was in middle school, and I fell hard and became a life-long fan. Anything I’ve done creatively can be traced back to that kid in school carrying one of his novels around in my backpack.

And as a thank you to my father, I added him into this cast. You can hear him paying for drinks at Tookey’s Bar. I get a kick out of that every time I hear him. I was able to bring my dad into the Stephen King universe.

I remember being unnerved by One for the road when I first read it, and the story never lost its luster. When I saw the list of available Dollar Baby choices, it jumped right out at me. I re-read the story and knew it was the one. Plus, I had written a werewolf western screenplay and a sci-fi / Frankenstein script, so I really wanted to create a vampire story to add into my creative portfolio. And this vampire story was perfect to adapt. A chance to play in ‘Salem’s Lot. I’m still floored I got to do that.

SKSM: How did you find out that King sold the movie rights to some of his stories for just $1? Was it just a wild guess or did you know it before you sent him the check?

Sean Patrick Bridges: This will show my age, but I remember watching the first set of Dollar Babies on a VHS tape. They released three of them as a compilation. And even back then I thought, wow what an amazing opportunity. I wonder how you could ever get the chance to make one of those?

Fast forward a couple decades, and I was reading an article (I believe it was from Den of Geek) that explained the history of the Dollar Baby and it had a link to the Stephen King website, along with the home page of the actual program.

They weren’t accepting any more requests that year, so I tagged the website on my phone and forgot about it. Until early 2020, when I checked out the website again and they were open for new applicants.

I submitted a formal application. The response made me feel like I won a golden ticket.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment in the production that you would like to tell me about?

Sean Patrick Bridges: There’s a nod to George Romero in the production. George Romero and Stephen King were close friends and collaborators for decades. And in the film, Day of the dead, the paperback of ‘Salem’s Lot appears in a scene. So since One for the road is a companion piece to that novel, it seemed fitting to have an Easter egg to a Romero zombie movie. As Booth is scanning through different stations on the radio dial, there’s a little snippet of Night of the living dead on one of the stations.

Special moments. You never know how production will actually unfold but this one was surprisingly smooth. This has been one of my favorite ensambles I’ve gotten to work with. I have to thank June Griffin Garcia casting. With her help, we were able to bring together a great group of professional actors.

The bulk of the story is really carried by the three leads, and they had to stand toe to toe with each other. If there was a weak link among the three, the whole project would have fallen flat. As we were recording some early scenes in Tookey’s Bar, having Ken Webster, Kenneth Wayne Bradley and Heath Allyn work together was such a thrill.

There were times when I knew I had what I needed as a director. But it sounded so good I’d have them do the scene over again, just to hear it play out live in the studio.

SKSM: This audio production won a Gold Medal from The Audio Fiction & Arts festival and it’s been selected to play at international film festivals. Could you talk more about that?

Sean Patrick Bridges: At the beginning of 2021, I started sending the production out to a number of film and audio festivals. We’ve been fortunate to hit a few. There’s still a dozen plus to decide before the end of the year so I don’t want to jinx it. But if we’re able to rack up some more festival laurels, that’s an even wider spotlight for our work.

I’m pleased with the finished production and proud of our work. I’m very happy with how it turned out. If the festival circuit enables people from all over to check it out for themselves, that’s the best kind of recognition you can get.

SKSM: What “good or bad” reviews have you received about One for the road?

Sean Patrick Bridges: Honestly, I don’t think enough people have heard the completed production yet. I’m open to reviews, and let the chips fall where they may, good or bad.

The festival circuit helps showcase our work, as well as interviews like this. But I’m definitely interested in getting our version of One for the road out to the widest possible audience.

SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?

Sean Patrick Bridges: Stephen King taught me to learn to love to read. That’s probably the best compliment you can give a writer. And through him I discovered a number of authors and books.

I have a soft spot for Christine. Years ago I helped my father re-build a Triumph TR-6 and we listened to the oldies radio station as we brought that car back to life. That book will always be a sentimental favorite of mine.

The dead zone, Firestarter, Different seasons, The running man are books I find myself returning to time and again, just to get a spark of what I felt when I read them for the first time.

The drawing of the tree is a classic, but I lost my way through the bulk of the Dark Tower epic. Thinner. That was the first book I ever read cover to cover, I just couldn’t put it down.

Adaptations. I really enjoyed the director’s cut of Doctor Sleep. And Gerald’s game was a fantastic adaptation. Mike Flanagan knows how to bring King’s books to the screen and stay true to the source material. The Shawshank redemption & Creepshow. All-time favorites that never get old. I’m always up for a rewatch.

SKSM: Did you have any personal contact with King during the making of the movie? Has he seen it (and if so, what did he think about it)?

Sean Patrick Bridges: Not yet. I followed the contract, hit my budget and delivered a completed production during the allotted time. That was my job. But I always figured my work would go on the bottom of a very large pile. My contacts with his office has always been friendly. But yeah, Stephen King’s reaction will be a cherry on top to this whole wonderful experience.

SKSM: Did you ever think about turning this production into a movie?

Sean Patrick Bridges: I set out to create this as an audio production and I think it works on that level. It currently clocks in at 42 minutes.

But if we received serious producer interest in bringing my script to life as a film, of course I would be onboard. I can already see where I could flesh out the existing story into feature length.

SKSM: Do you have any plans on making another audio production or a film based on Stephen King’s stories? If you could pick -at least- one story, which one would it be and why?

Sean Patrick Bridges: Roadwork or The running man. I would relish the chance to turn either of those into full-length audio productions. I mean, in a heartbeat. Man, I’m smiling just thinking about that.

When I looked at the list of available Dollar Baby stories to choose from, my close second pick was, The last rung on the ladder. It’s a bittersweet story that I would love to bring to life. But I would tackle that one as a short film. I can even see the barn in my mind as I type this.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Sean Patrick Bridges: Our next full-length audio production will be based on a ghost story I wrote, 11:34. Coming in 2022.

And I’m currently in the midst of my next novel, an action/thriller entitled, Gunbarrel Highway.

SKSM: What one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Sean Patrick Bridges: My whole life, I’ve always been a dog guy. But since I moved to rural Texas, I discovered a calming connection with horses, chickens, deer. Different animals just seem to like me. If I knew that when I was younger, I could’a been a vet.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Sean Patrick Bridges: Thanks for taking the time to read it. If you’re interested in more information on existing and upcoming audio productions, check out audibleparade.com

SKSM: Would you like to add anything else?

Sean Patrick Bridges: Sure. Did you know Stephen King has his own radio station, out of Bangor, Maine. WKIT, 100.3. Dollar Baby audio productions seem like a good fit. I could hear them playing across the airwaves. Couldn’t you?

She played in Anna Shapiro‘s Derailed Dollar Baby film as Mila.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Maria Ryshenkova: My name is Maria Ryshenkova, I am from Russia. I am a theatre and movie actress. My main place of work is Russian Academic Youth Theater (Moscow).

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?

Maria Ryshenkova: I was dreaming of becaming an actress since childhood. Although it was a moment of weakness when I wanted to became a road trucker. My father is an actor so i spent a lot of time in the theatre where he worked (Vakhtangov Theater). That’s the place where my dream was born.

SKSM: How did you become involved in Derailed Dollar Baby film?

Maria Ryshenkova: Anna Shapiro invited me to this project.

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Maria Ryshenkova: Whatever we believe we can’t know what awaits us after death. And I think this is what attracts the most. I am very impressed by the ambition of my character Mila, to move forward and go ahead no matter what, despite of this new unknown reality, and not to lose her beloved ones.

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Maria Ryshenkova: I didn’t have an audition. Since Anna was familiar with my roles in the theatre, she made me this offer and I was very glad to accept it. I think that it was a very interesting creative experience for all of us.

SKSM: You worked with Anna Shapiro on this film, how was that?

Maria Ryshenkova: I enjoyed working with Anna, it was easy and interesting. She is a very deep, reflective and sensitive person.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Maria Ryshenkova: It was really long ago, about 8 years ago… I remember we with my partner Viktor found out that our cameraman was looking like Hemingway. That was funny and that’s how we called him between us: Hemingway.

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Maria Ryshenkova: We are colleagues with Viktor Panchenko, we play in the same theatre. So we are still inseparable. Our last premiere is “Romeo and Juliette”, where Viktor plays Tibalt and I am the queen of the fairies, Mab.

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Maria Ryshenkova: I am not a fan of Stephen King, but I adore “The Green Mile”. And I find amazing Frank Darabont’s movie! I really enjoy watching this movie again and again. And I respect Stephen King’s work, he is very professional and talented.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Maria Ryshenkova: Be healthy and happy! Believe in yourself! Be kind and do good!

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Maria Ryshenkova: Thank you, Oscar, for this conversation! I was so glad to look back saying “Wow, this is happened to me! Great!” I consider Derailed as an attempt, a bit immature student work, but at the same time so necessary for all of us at that period of time. Thanks to Stephen King for giving us this opportunity to discover and comprehend the universe of cinema!

He played in Anna Shapiro‘s Derailed Dollar Baby film as Yan.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Victor Panchenko: My name is Victor. I’m an actor. Mostly I play in theatre for about 12 years now allready. And I dreamed to play there first and only after that in cinema. But when I was about 5 years old I loved to watch movies of the 90’s with fightings and so on, and I remember once I said that I’m going to be a famous film actor. This dream has not become true yet.

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?

Victor Panchenko: I decided to become an actor in the end of the school after I saw my first drama theatre perfofmance wich I visited thanks to my friend. Something happened inside of me. Intuition told me that this might be mine. But first of all – I studied very bad at school, didn’t understand anything. Secondly – I though started realising that I’m not so dull as the the school marks declaired and that I want to be interestd in something but school at that moment hadn’t enough tools to make knoledge a happy thing. I started reading books and started to think of my self different. I asked my self questions like about what I’d love to do for living. The key word was Love in that question. And several conditions appeared- It should be something real (remember my school marks) , something creative (???) and something that would give me education and provocate a journey in to my self. And then I thought that it would be great to be a director (theatre or film, no matter) and I’ve had I heavy talk with my father that brought down my selfworth deeper than it was and after what I lost any believe in my self. Then I started visiting courses in a polititian institute, thanks to that friend again. And felt so shameful that I couldn’t answer simple questions about history. I felt It wasn’t mine. So I took the least innerstrength I had and decided to become a theatre actor. My mother payed acting clases for 6 months (for what I’m greatfull to her) , with a theatre actress we prepared a program and right after school my dream came true. It was a big luck and at the age of 17 I became a student of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts in Moscow (for free) with out any experience of being on stage, school drama class or something like that. After what my Master invited me to his theatre where I still play.

SKSM: How did you become involved in Derailed Dollar Baby film?

Victor Panchenko: I was involved in Derailed mouvie by chance. The director Anna Shapiro saw me in theatre if I’m right and our common friend told her about me I think. But I’m not sure.

SKSM: You worked with Anna Shapiro on this film, how was that?

Victor Panchenko: Working on the Derailed was hard because it was very cold and I had very less of experience in cinema.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Victor Panchenko: Now I’m working on producing theatre performances and continue playing in theatre.

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Victor Panchenko: I’m not a fan of Stephen King  but I read the Shawshank Redemption and saw the film for about 50 times not less.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Victor Panchenko: I would like to say to whom it may concern -actors, editors, playrights, artists, musicians and so on and not only, anybody –

It’s not a shame or crime to have a dream and to follow it, to obtain it (if it’s positive and crimless of course)

It’s good for an artist to be friends with his head, with his brain, his psichologie. It’s better to know your self good, to treat your self well , to accept and love your self and know what you want before acting or creating and so on, because artists (actors , directors, musicians etc.) with deep problemes mostly make depressive art pieces (as I think, It’s my opinion) and it doesn’t cause much pleasure or happiness, It’s all about suffering mostly that causes next suffers. Some can like it of course but it should be realised I think. Art should be healthy, meaningful but healthy, vital and the main purpose of it should not be the changing of the world or something like that but mostly just for the life’s beauty.

And It’s good to have some other skills besides in case of failure or hunger. Life is not only about art, there are many other interesting things.

And it’s important to remember that failures in art are very usefull. Such failure as I think is my work in Derailed. I’m not ok with my job there. But who could know how It’s gonna be in the result.

Thank you. And good luck.

He is the Cinematographer of Anna Shapiro‘s Derailed Dollar Baby film.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Dmitry Savinov: Hi, I am a cinematographer from Moscow, Russia. Most of my jobs are series, along with commercials, features and music videos. My main hobby is film photography, medium and large format especially.

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become a cinematographer?

Dmitry Savinov: It was a happy accident, actually. When I was a kid, I just wanted to be a writer and journalist. My fellow cinematographer invited me to the business as a camera trainny/technician, so I started my professional growth through camera assistant positions to a DP (graduated at VGIK when being a working DP already). So I am about 25 year in the saddle)

SKSM: How do you communicate with a director to design a visual strategy for a film?

Dmitry Savinov: References are the first step, whatever that takes- pictures, photos, films, paintings… then you work on script, you talk to director about your impressions on the literature you’ve read. Your primal task is to figure out what’s in director’s head, than things come easier)

SKSM: You worked with Anna Shapiro on this film, what do you think the relationship between a director and a dp should be?

Dmitry Savinov: I think trust and coincidence rule.

SKSM: You worked in a Dollar Baby based on a Stephen King short story. It was your most challenging film?

Dmitry Savinov: I cannot say if it was most challenging film or not. Every time it is a journey without a certain route and final point. The most challenging was the winter weather I believe.

SKSM: When you’re going to shoot, what are your favorite lenses? Formats?

Dmitry Savinov: It was shot at 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Zeiss High Speed lenses as I remember. Nothing unusual.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Dmitry Savinov: I think it was a biker’s night club shooting when the band was playing and extras dancing and everything was a real mess but we handled it with courage and did it finally!

SKSM: Who are some of your influences (favorite dps/films)?

Dmitry Savinov: Number one is Roger Deakins, ASC/BSC, and most of his films. Than plenty of cinematographers and my professor Vadim Yusov, that is for sure.

SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?

Dmitry Savinov: OOOOH YEAHHH! All my childhood was under the influence of his books, and It is most beautiful among them.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Dmitry Savinov: Series titled Hypericum, it is a thriller like Se7en and near.

SKSM: What one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Dmitry Savinov: Once I substituted my friend at a mortuary and even made up a diseased granny.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Dmitry Savinov: Try to be different every time you start a new task AND DO NOT AFFRAID OF ANYTHING!!!

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Dmitry Savinov: Thanks for your attention!

She is the filmmaker of Derailed Dollar Baby film.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Anna Shapiro: I was born in Moscow, in a Russian artist family. My grandfather was a renowned Soviet painter of the socialist realist school. My mother is a post-modernist artist with wide cultural horizons.

My education was in the classical humanities and fine arts, in Moscow. At age 23 I began working full time with TV Channel One Russia, in their “promo” department, first as a copywriter and then as a director, creating, shooting and editing promo trailers and teasers for special programs. All my free time, however, is spent shooting short films, writing scripts, inventing video-arts for art exhibitions – in short participating in any creative process that might lead me to my dream, which is to make feature films. I watch as many films as possible, preferably on the big screen. I am a big fan of traditional cinema screening, although I also appreciate internet and new TV formats. Even TV series I try to watch using my home projector.

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become a filmmaker?

Anna Shapiro: Observing paintings from my earliest childhood, I developed a permanent curiosity about the stories that could lie behind the frames of artworks. I imagined what sounds and music could fill their atmosphere, what the figures on the canvas could do when nobody was looking. Since that time all information I receive is transformed inside me into visual, moving and often symbolic images. “Officially” I knew I wanted to become a filmmaker at age of 15, when I had staged a play at school as a director.  My dream is to shoot movies full time, to open the box inside me that is full of characters, stories, painful images and joyful scenes.

SKSM: When did you make Derailed? Can you tell me a little about the production? How much did it cost? How long did it take to film it?

Anna Shapiro: We made Derailed in 2014, partly with family friend financial support, partly with my own savings. I didn’t expect it would cost that much – it costed near 30 000 $. The big part of it was for the light and expedition. DP is, as we call it in Russia, a “saint cow” for me – I always try to give them everything they want, because they should transform my inner visionary into screen. In Derailed DP wanted Arri Alexa, wanted a lot of light (because of the night time of shooting).

I was the producer, director, line producer, administrator –everything. And I don’t practice this mix of functions anymore, because the organization of all the production processes influenced my director’s attention and creativity while shooting.

We filmed it in four diverse days in two months.

SKSM: How come you picked Willa to develop into a movie? What is it in the story that you like so much?

Anna Shapiro: That time I tried to start the production of my feature film script Downward Spiral, a criminal drama (in 2016 this project got into the Sundance Lab short list). A producer who liked the script told me he couldn’t imagine the visionary manner of it, because I said it should be in the border between reality and unreality.  So, I was looking for a short story to film and show my type of vision. A story with something surreal in it. I picked Willa for its in-between life and death, trying to imagine how it may be felt, especially if you don’t want to accept what is happening. The other theme that I liked was love. How fragile love may be when faced with routine mutual prejudice. And at the same time love is the only guide between life and death that I can imagine. There was also a social aspect: I found out that King’s passengers on the train station are a clear metaphor of Russian society – they don’t want to accept reality themselves even if it leads to total “black hole”, and they are aggressive to the people who try to understand what’s happening.

SKSM: How did you find out that King sold the movie rights to some of his stories for just $1? Was it just a wild guess or did you know it before you sent him the check?

Anna Shapiro: Honestly, I don’t remember. I think I have chosen Willa and then knew about the necessity to clear the rights and then was lucky to fund Willa in the 1$ list. But may be vice versa.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Anna Shapiro: Special for me were the moments when a kind of miracle happened: famous Russian adult actors agreed to take episodic parts in the film pro bono– Avdotya Germanova, Igor Savochkin, Anna Chiruna. Their stringency in playing their parts as passengers was important for me. Two leading young actors –Maria Ryshenkova and Victor Panchenko– found the possibility to work with me in their busy theater schedule. The funny moment was: we shot at the circle experimental railways (where they test trains). On the day of shooting, it appears that every four minutes a train should pass at a very high speed. So, we have only four minutes for a take, then everybody should run away from the station, otherwise anybody could be damaged.

SKSM: How does it feel that all the King fans out there can’t see your movie? Do you think that will change in the future? Maybe a internet/dvd release would be possible?

Anna Shapiro: Very good question! Only when I finished the film, I realized what does it mean that I can’t show it anywhere except the festivals. Maybe I have avoided fans’ disturbance, but disturbance better than absence of feedback at all. I respect the rules and I am very grateful to Stephen King’s 1$ program, but I hope they may make it more flexible –for example, give a permission for release on some platforms or after five years have passed or on their own site. Thanks, respect and hugs to Andrey Popov who organized Dollar Baby Film Russia and showed 1$ dollar films from different countries –it was like a small window to King fans.

SKSM: What “good or bad” reviews have you received on your film?

Anna Shapiro: As there were not a lot of screenings, I don’t have a lot of reviews. I’ve mentioned that audience divided in two types: those who accepted the film fully, have read the ideas and were touched emotionally. And those who remained indifferent. Derailed won some prizes on festivals. As far as I know they liked the atmosphere and visionary style of the film. Bad reviews that I know are: it is very difficult to follow the film in English because of a lot of subtitles.

SKSM: Do you plan to screen the movie at a particular festival?

Anna Shapiro: Not anymore. Derailed is too old for it: the festivals accept films not older than two, maximum three years. And I think I grew up from it – now I see too many things I would do better and differently if I shot it now, I am more skillful today))

SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?

Anna Shapiro: I wouldn’t call me King’s fan, because I haven’t read all of his books (as I think fans should do). I love him and respect. And if I meet a film or TV show based on his books I watch it for sure. I love Shining, but both for King’s and Kubriсk’s work. Misery, Green Mile. From recent Mr. Merсedes impressed me a lot.

SKSM: Did you have any personal contact with King during the making of the movie? Has he seen it (and if so, what did he think about it)?

Anna Shapiro: No, I didn’t. It is not supposed, I think. Upon the 1$ license you should send a dvd of the film when the production is finished. In 2014 we with my husband travelled throw USA and we imagined how we travel to King’s house/office (according to the address in license) and drop the envelope with dvd into the mailbox. Ha-ha)) When we looked at the map, we found out that the address led nowhere between a cemetery and a slaughterhouse… We decided it was very “King’s like”. So we’ve sent the dvd by post and I was really waiting for any, even formal, reply. But nothing. Do you know anybody who has received any answers? Of Course, I understand how busy Mr. King is, what millions of whatever he receives daily. But I think the King’s office could send…

SKSM: Do you have any plans for making more movies based on Stephen King’s stories? If you could pick -at least- one story to shoot, which one would it be and why?

Anna Shapiro: While adapting Willa into the script, I found out that King’s literature was a trap for cinematographers. It looks very adaptive for the film: thriller story, rich visionary and imaginary layer. But when you start adapting, you find out that all that has impressed you so much, very often is the inner life of characters: their thoughts, their fears. This is good for literature; it forces a reader’s imagination. But bad for staging drama. Cinema needs visionary emotions, reactions and acts. So I think, the best King’s adaptations are based on the books that were good for it. I haven’t read a story that could lead me to a new adaptation. And I don’t want to be hand-tied by license anymore. It may change if the project is started by a big film company. But not by myself anymore.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Anna Shapiro: I am trying to start the production of a feature film, negotiating with producers. Continue to shoot promos for special occasions for Channel One Russia and diverse show artists. Collaborate with screenwriters. Shoot video-art for artists. Perform master-class on promo and video-art. Hope for better.

SKSM: What one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Anna Shapiro: It’s difficult to surprise people who don’t know you…

I trust in God. Seriously. Is it surprising?

My grand grandfather was the second president of Israel… But I can’t get permission to apply for citizenship in Israel, because I am an orthodox Christian.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Anna Shapiro: Guys, thank you so much for reading and supporting Stephen King Short Movies. Your interest makes creators creative. Your love to your favorite writers or whoever prolongs their life.

SKSM: Would you like to add anything else?

Anna Shapiro: Dear Oscar, thank you for the questions that made me remember and take thought. Thank you for giving Derailed a chance to live further.

She played in Cameron Grimm‘s The Man Who Loved Flowers Dollar Baby film as Norma.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Gabrielle Bousum: Well, my name is Gabrielle Bousum- it’s pronounced awesome with a B. You wouldn’t believe how many people think it’s pronounced like bosom. I’m a local, professional actor in Indianapolis, IN, that is passionate and determined. When I’m not on a set, I work as a Simulation Patient for IU Health during the day and bartend at Helium Comedy Club on the weekends. I’m pretty confident most people reading this won’t know what a Simulation Patient is, so I’ll answer that quickly. A Simulation Patient is a hired actor that acts out a case for med students, and they have to use their smarts to figure out what’s going on with them. Yes, like Kramer in Seinfeld. No, I haven’t had the fabulous opportunity to act out having an STD yet. I’ve done everything from a basic cough to an anti-vax mom that I made obsessed with Jenny McCarthy (that was my favorite). I feel fortunate to love both of my side jobs and my coworkers. When I’m not stashing money for those expensive headshots and classes, I love reading, painting, archery, listening to my record collection, and laughing with comics/friends and family.

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?

Gabrielle Bousum: I knew I wanted to be an actor when I was a kid. I remember forcing my parents to watch plays that I would put on (thanks to them for sitting through that), and I would act out Disney movies. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, not just because I love scary movies, spooky things, and candy, but I loved being different characters. Once I hit my awkward phase in middle school and started getting bullied, I realized even more how much I loved acting because I could escape and be someone else for a while. Sad but real.

SKSM: How did you become involved in The man who loved flowers Dollar Baby film?

Gabrielle Bousum: It’s been so long since we filmed The Man Who Loved Flowers, but I think I just saw a casting call on the Indiana Filmmaker’s Facebook page, and, as they say, the rest is history.

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Gabrielle Bousum: Stephen King is such an exciting and fun writer, so that automatically will attract people. It’s also terrifying that this guy just walks up to different women that look like his wife. He’s being all sweet and then bashes their head in out of nowhere with a hammer! I think the casting was on point, the shooting locations were fantastic, and the crew brought the story to life.

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Gabrielle Bousum: I had to audition for it. I believe I had to twice, but my memory could be betraying me at the moment.

SKSM: You worked with Cameron Grimm on this film, how was that?

Gabrielle Bousum: Working with Cameron was excellent. He’s friendly, not egotistical, and listens to other’s ideas. He collaborates. He never made anyone feel invaluable whenever tensions arose, just from being tired or visions not lining up. It was great to be on that set.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Gabrielle Bousum: I can’t remember a particularly funny moment except for just random laughing with the crew and cast. There was a special moment when we saw how talented Chelsea Swinford was at the special effects. It’s not easy making someone look like their eye has been bashed in with a hammer. It didn’t feel great on your face either but, man, did it look amazing.

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Gabrielle Bousum: I do! I have contact with a few of the crew, but unfortunately, I have the tendency to do a project, and then I’m on to the next because I am usually pretty consistently booked. Because of that, I haven’t had the chance to reunite with Cameron or 5 After 5 Productions. I’m very open to doing so! I did happen to fall in love with our sound and score guy, Josh Beck, while working on this film, and we are still together to this day!

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Gabrielle Bousum: These days I just did a trailer for the superhero series Transmetropolitan. I play Vita Severn, an ambitious PR rep for a political candidate. We have a big-name executive producer, and crossing our fingers, it will land on Netflix, but I don’t want to jinx anything. I’m also working on a screenplay of my own. It’s about a nurse whose boyfriend comes into the ER in a coma while she’s working. She gets handed his items, including his phone, and then lots of crazy stuff unfolds. I’m pretty excited about it and have high hopes for it. I have a couple of other projects that are still on hold from the start of the pandemic, and I’m just doing every audition my agents send my way!

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Gabrielle Bousum: I love Stephen King’s work! I remember reading his books when I was way too young to be doing so, but thankfully since I read above my grade level and my parents were cool, I got away with it. I recently read Pet Sematary for the first time, and I have to admit, as a full-grown adult, I had difficulty reading it by myself after dark. The book is way better than the movie (and I love that movie)!

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Gabrielle Bousum: Something that would surprise people is that even though I might laugh, joke around, and appear confident, I regularly struggle with depression and anxiety. On top of that, I feel like I’m not talented or interesting enough, not smart enough, or just inadequate in general. Most days, I have a decent hold on these feelings, but some days they can fight to win, and sometimes they do. Thankfully I have a great support system of family, friends, my agents and coach are amazing, and they help remind me that I am unique, interesting, and talented. They remind me that I do have something to offer and to keep going for it. I’m very fortunate.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Gabrielle Bousum: To the fans reading this interview- I honestly am not sure what to say. Thanks for your passion and support of filmmakers because without you, we wouldn’t have anyone to watch our creations! Keep loving spooky stories, my fellow weirdos.

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Gabrielle Bousum: Thank you for reaching out, and I hope this wasn’t boring to read!

He palyed in Cameron Grimm‘s The Man Who Loved Flowers Dollar Baby film as The Flower Man.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Chris Abel: I served 30 years in the US Army and 12 more as a DOD civilian. I’m fully retied now and do acting whenever I get a chance.

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?

Chris Abel: I kind of just fell into it. I was giving a motivational speech and one of the attendees sent my wife and I a gift certificate to eat at a restaurant. We went to their website to look at their menu and saw a link to their Murder Mystery show and how to apply for acting parts. The rest is history.

SKSM: How did you become involved in The man who loved flowers Dollar Baby film?

Chris Abel: I saw the Casting Call on Facebook and went for an audition and got the part.

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Chris Abel: The script. Stephen King is a true artist in his story writing.

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Chris Abel: Yes, I had to audition.

SKSM: You worked with Cameron Grimm on this film, how was that?

Chris Abel: Cameron is a great Director with a vision on how to bring a script to life on camera.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Chris Abel: We were filming my scene on a public street and people driving by would toot their horn or yell hello. Did several takes because of that but we would laugh and got it done. It was a fun day on set.

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Chris Abel: Yes, Cameron and I are friends now and have worked on other projects.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Chris Abel: I just finished filming a short film in Florida and Booked for another film as well.

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Chris Abel: For sure!

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Chris Abel: I have been blessed to have been in 11 films with my granddaughter.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Chris Abel: Stephen King rocks!

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Chris Abel: If you have a dream make it a reality!

He is the Cinematographer in Paul Inman‘s That Feeling Dollar Baby film.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

John Lennard: My name is John Lennard. I am a filmmaker/videographer from Myrtle Beach SC. I like to dabble in different aspects of production but primarily focus on cinematography, directing and editing.

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become a cinematographer?

John Lennard: From an early age I would say around 13. I grew up in the exhibitor industry and as a kid I was naturally drawn to cinematography and filmmaking in general, and the different ways you can tell stories with images always fascinated me. I was a movie junkie as a kid and it was a natural fit for me.

SKSM: How do you communicate with a director to design a visual strategy for a film?

John Lennard: With any collaborative effort you have to work together and as a cinematographer it is my job to bring the directors vision to life. So constant communication with the director of what they are wanting and throw in suggestions for what they might not be thinking about. I like to make a lot of suggestions for what I think they are wanting and I will usually add my own spin and suggest things that the director may not think about.

SKSM: You worked with Paul Inman on this film, what do you think the relationship between a director and a dp should be?

John Lennard: I believe the director and DP should be working hand and hand together. Constantly discussing and planning your next step. Especially on smaller budget productions due to financial restraint. You will always have issues pop up and the better you communicate with the director and have solutions in place ready to go. If you are both off doing your own thing never communicating it will never work.

SKSM: You worked in a Dollar Baby based on a Stephen King short story. It was your most challenging film?

John Lennard: I would say this was one of the most difficult but not the most difficult. I have done other small productions that have had twice as many FX shots but at the same time on this production we had a small crew, were very short on funds and had very limited time to get this complete. Overall, it was difficult but a very smooth process at the same time.

SKSM: When you’re going to shoot, what are your favorite lenses? formats?

John Lennard: To me lenses help tell a story and are a tool to do that. I really don’t have a favorite because I love them all. I love shooting wide and I will always have a 50MM or 35MM on me as they are the most versatile.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

John Lennard: Nothing really happened that stood out. We were very short on time. But beyond the typical panther that happens nothing really comes to mind.

SKSM: Who are some of your influences (favorite dps/films)?

John Lennard: From a DP standpoint Roger Deakins can do no wrong in my opinion. My main influences are 80’s cinema as a whole, Slasher films and Drive-In cinema. John Carpenter, Wes Craven to name a few.

SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?

John Lennard: I am. I will get some flack for one of my choices, but my top three favorite films based on his works are Christine, Maximum Overdrive (It’s cheesy fun!), and The Stand.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

John Lennard: Right now, I am finishing up a script have been writing for a while and hope to start production on that by the end of the year. I am also going to be D.P. on a short film that will be starting production in the next couple of months.

SKSM: What one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

John Lennard: I love musicals.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

John Lennard: I just want to thank everyone for their support and we hope you enjoy the finished product.

He played in Kyle Dunbar‘s Mute Dollar Baby film as The Priest.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Christian Tribuzio: I’m Christian Tribuzio. I wear many hats, I suppose. When I’m lucky I get to act.

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?

Christian Tribuzio: I was young, inspired by comedy films starring Jim Carrey and Steve Martin. It seemed like they were having fun. Hey, I thought, I like to have fun. Eventually I discovered theatre and live performance, and I was hooked.

SKSM: How did you become involved in Mute Dollar Baby film?

Christian Tribuzio: Kyle Dunbar is a good friend, and a talented director. We’ve been fortunate to make several films together before Mute (2021). When Kyle calls with an opportunity to work on a Stephen King Dollar Baby, you say yes.

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Christian Tribuzio: Mute (2021) offers something for nearly everyone, and I look forward to hearing what people take away from it. The story is bizarre, but it’s not so far-fetched. It’s the kind of story told by a friend of a friend, it’s up to you to decide what to believe.

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Christian Tribuzio: I’m sure Kyle considered a few actors for the part of The Priest, but I believe he had me in mind early on. Fans of the short story will know that the original character is much older, so while staying as true to the source material as possible, we crafted The Priest into someone that felt authentic to us.

SKSM: You worked with Kyle Dunbar on this film, how was that?

Christian Tribuzio: Another in a long line of great experiences.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Christian Tribuzio: Every opportunity to make movies ought to be savoured, and this experience definitely created countless memorable moments. For many reasons, this one was a special kind of special all its own.

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Christian Tribuzio: We speak often, we’re all friends and filmmakers. The level of comfort and efficiency on-set was the perfect environment to play in. The whole cast and crew are big fans of Stephen King, we were eager to just go for it.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Christian Tribuzio: Well, every filmmaker has at least one script waiting to go into production.

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Christian Tribuzio: It’s probably fair to say I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to Stephen King. I’ve sprinted through his short stories, and I’m continually marathoning the novels. Creepshow and Creepshow 2 (the movies) are just so good.

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Christian Tribuzio: I enjoy camping, hiking, and spending time outdoors. My favourite place to be is on-set, but a close second is on a canoe in the middle of a lake.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Christian Tribuzio: Thank you for the interview! To the fans and readers alike, I’m grateful for your time and interest. I hope we entertained you.

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Christian Tribuzio: Go your way and sin no more.