A Resurrection began its limited theatrical release today and we recently had a chance to talk with writer/director Matt Orlando. Continue reading to learn about his experience as a first-time director and what projects he's working on next:
Why was A Resurrection the project you wanted to move forward as both a writer and director?
Matt Orlando: I don't know exactly where the idea came from. I always have a lot of ideas swimming around my head. I write a lot, and this story took hold and evolved into what it became. I liked the different themes and it really struck a chord with me.
With this being your first feature film as a director, was it difficult to get backing for this project?
Matt Orlando: I got way more than I wanted. When I wrote it, I never thought I'd get the cast and budget that I did. I got to work with Mischa Barton and the great Michael Clarke Duncan. We also got really lucky with some of the young kids who came out of Pittsburgh. We had an incredible cast.
I know this your first full feature, but what kind of directing experience did you have before this? Did you work on any short films?
Matt Orlando: I didn't work on anything. I line produced a $125 film and worked on a $15,000 film as a producer, but I never worked behind the camera.
What were some of the biggest challenges you ran into as a first-time director?
Matt Orlando: The crews in Pittsburgh are really good, and they are seasoned guys that have worked on big films. For me, it worked out a lot smoother than I thought and I had the time of my life. The hardest part was just racing against time because of our budget. There were a bunch of smart people, so when we ran into trouble, we all worked to figure it out.
Why did you decide to shoot the movie in Pittsburgh?
Matt Orlando: Through Phillip Glasser, we had access to those great crews in Pittsburgh. That's why it looks like a much bigger production than our budget. I also love the Pittsburgh area and its people. The production value was great, and we had some great weather. It snowed a lot and you can't pay for that.
Much of the violence takes place off screen. Was this due to the budget or did you want to leave much of it to the viewer's imagination?
Matt Orlando: I wrote it as you seeing a lot of it, but something in my head clicked. I believe that less is more, and this is a movie I wanted you to pay attention to. I was talking to the actors and I realized I didn't have to show a lot of it. We decided to do this at the spur of the moment.
With A Resurrection complete and being released in the US, what's next for you?
Matt Orlando: I actually have two projects that are completely written and we're working on financing. One is a surf horror movie, and I also have a suspense thriller that people are liking right now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm a surfer from Newport Beach and it just kind of came to me. I don't want to give too much away, but it deals with a group of kids who are kind of put in an area on purpose and don't realize it...
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“A down to earth school psychologist tries to help a mentally ill student who actually believes his brother is coming back from the grave for revenge on the students who killed him.
Archstone Distribution will be releasing A RESURRECTION (aka THE SIBLINGS) in theaters on March 22, 2013. The film stars Mischa Barton, Devon Sawa, Jonathan Michael Trautman and the late Michael Clarke Duncan. This was Michael’s last film before he passed. The film was directed by Matt Orlando and produced by Jamie Kennedy Entertainment.”
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