The Signal (Sundance '07): Director Jacob Gentry By: Mr. Disgusting
The Signal: Director Jacob Gentry
By: Mr. Disgusting
A mysterious signal is being transmitted from all media devices in the city of Terminus, provoking murder and madness within the psyches of its inhabitants. In THE SIGNAL, one man battles to save the woman he loves from the vehemence of her crazed husband. But, in order to succeed, he must first determine who he can trust in a city where everyone appears to have succumbed to the violence of the signal--including himself.
BD: Tell me about The Signal...
JG: The Signal is a low budget-punk rock-scifi-horror-suspense-thriller-love story about the evil monster inside us all that is brought out when the media around us is exaggerated to the point of critical mass. A mysterious signal that preys on people’s fear and desire causes all the people in this one city called Terminus to go crazy nuts and hurt each other. The story hones in on these three people already caught in a love triangle and we see how they deal with it with their brains full of SIGNAL.
BD: What is your segment about?
JG: It’s about a cocktail party at the end of the world. The segment I directed is about the cuckolded husband and how his jealousy (now amplified because of the signal) turns him into a raging homicidal maniac. However he still has to deal with the pressures of social etiquette. It’s like The Shining done as a Noel Coward play.
BD: Are there three different stories or do they all connect in some way?
JG: I see it as THREE perspectives on ONE story. Structurally the movie plays out as one linear story with a good guy, a bad guy, and a girl. It’s just how we show you those three characters and their inner goings-on that make our story unique.
BD: Why did you choose to do a horror film?
JG: Because as a storyteller nothing is more exciting than getting that reaction that only a horror movie can pull from an audience. If you do it right It’s like this scream-laugh-chill-jump combo that really knocks people out. It’s like facing our fears is the ultimate adrenaline rush. Surviving a really intense movie leaves you with a sort of natural high. The conceit for our movie rides the line between science fiction and horror, which are both really good forums for classic themes and social satire.
BD: What do you think of the horror genre today?
JG: What’s good about the current abundance of horror movies in the mainstream is that it opens the audience up to accept experimentation with the genre. Horror movies are so popular now that you can throw some serious curve balls and it’s not as much of an artistic or commercial risk. I think we’re going too have so many of the “inbred family takes a group of teenagers hostage and kills them off one by one, “ basically just a variation on Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Hills Have Eyes, or the slasher variations on Halloween and Black Christmas, or the Aliens variations we’ve become so used to, or the remakes of Wes Craven and John Carpenter movies (…and I think we’re almost out of their movies to re-make. They Live 2 anyone? ) There will be a tipping -point where the audience will demand something fresh and some exciting new voices will emerge like Neil Marshall and James Gunn. Yet, at the same time, we will still have those guys holding it down for the old school like Eli Roth and Rob Zombie.
BD: Sundance has been known for showing the best indie horror films in the world, how do you prepare for the studios and the event?
JG: Calisthenics and a healthy diet of Brian DePalma movies and whiskey. I also keep Us Magazine next to the toilet so I can keep track of what’s what in Hollywood.
BD: What was your reaction when you found out you were accepted?
JG: I went out and bought some Ivy. Then I held two pieces on either side of my face to frame myself wherever I went. Actually, I was blown away. Then I found out we were a midnight movie and I felt my greatest dreams had come true. I’ve always fancied myself a midnight movie director.
BD: What are your plans for the festival?
JG: My main mission is to hot-tub with celebrities.
BD: Have you been in touch with any studios yet?
JG: I took the tour at Universal. Does that count?
BD: Is there a specific place you’d love to end up?
JG: The best home for our movie is whoever truly gets it and will take special care of it on the long hard rode of distribution.
BD: Do you see this film going theatrically?
JG: I don’t know if anybody tugs on their mom’s dress and says, “Mom, when I grow up I want to make movies that go straight to home video.” But, I guess DVD has changed that perception somewhat. The horror movie geeks will still watch VHS. I would love to see it in the theater. If someone believes in our movie enough to invest that kind of money in it then I’ll be the first in line on opening day.
BD: What does the future hold? More Horror? Can you give me details?
JG: My next movie is an 80s teen comedy about Karaoke and Samurais. Then I hope to do a Zombie Western which I guess has some horror elements. I like to cram as many genres in as possible. Maybe I’ll do a Scifi Musical after that…
BD: Will you work with your partners again on a project?
JG: These guys are my best friends so I’m sure we will work together again and again. I’m not sure if I’m jumping to co-direct again, but I’ll always get creative advise from Dave and Dan.
BD: How was it Directing with two other guys, that’s a rare situation?
JG: I only really directed about thirty minutes of movie, but because we all wrote the script together I had a vested interest in the other hour of movie. So when I wasn’t directing I would operate the camera or do some of my duties as Producer.
THE SIGNAL plays at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Watch for video interviews after the festival in February!
Movie Pit |
Let Me In: Director Matt Reeves
BD: Tell me about The Signal...
BD: What do you think of the horror genre today?
BD: Do you see this film going theatrically?
