Q&A with THE INVISIBLE RAPTOR’s Mike Hermosa

The Invisible Raptor is heading to theaters and digital on December 6th, and we caught up with director Mike Hermosa for our latest Q&A. From the origins of this project to casting, VFX, and the on-set experience, we talk about it all below!

"After a top-secret experiment goes wrong, a hyper-intelligent invisible raptor escapes the lab and begins wreaking havoc in the surrounding neighborhood. When the creature’s identity is uncovered, it soon becomes clear that a disgraced paleontologist—alongside his ex-girlfriend, an unhinged amusement park security guard, and a local celebrity chicken farmer—is the town’s only hope for surviving the raptor’s ravenous rampage."

The Invisible Raptor definitely feels like a love letter to 80s and 90s classics. What were some of your foundational films from that era?

Mike Hermosa: The Invisible Raptor is absolutely a love letter to the classics of the 80s and 90s comedies. Films from that era really took risks and that spirit inspired this film. One foundational film for me was Jaws. There’s something timeless about fearing what you can’t see.

How did this project initially come about, and what led to you teaming up with Mike Capes and Johnny Wickham?

Mike Hermosa: The idea originated with Mike Capes, the writer, producer, and star of the film. I called him in 2020, right in the middle of dealing with our own “invisible threat,” and suggested we work on something together. Before I could even pitch my ideas, he said, “Actually, I had an idea last night.” He then started describing the story, fully formed in his head, and I was hooked immediately. Mike mentioned he knew the perfect person to help him shape the script—Johnny Wickham, writer and producer. Johnny had worked with Jerry Zucker, the mastermind behind classics like Airplane! and Naked Gun, so his comedic sensibilities were a perfect fit for this project.

On paper, this seems like it would be a difficult film to pitch. Can you talk about how you got this off the ground and gained support for this film? 

Mike Hermosa: We knew early on that pitching The Invisible Raptor would require more than just a script and a deck with some images, so we started making the movie before we officially started making the movie. We focused on world-building—creating logos, building props, and designing costumes. This approach gave us the time to dive into the small details that often get overlooked in the whirlwind of indie filmmaking. We went to army surplus stores and fleshed out every aspect of the world we were creating. At one point, we even bought a life-sized velociraptor from a guy in Tennessee, and Johnny’s parents drove it cross-country for us. By the time we were ready to pitch, we didn’t just have a concept—we had a fully realized, tangible vision (along with an Invisible Raptor action figure). We had so much fun with the world-building process that we never got caught up in the question of how we were going to make this film—because, in a way, we were already making it. We also understood that The Invisible Raptor wasn’t going to be for everyone—and that was okay. We didn’t need everyone to love it; we just needed one person who believed in it as much as we did, and that person was our Executive Producer, Bobby Gilchrist.

The raptors are invisible, but there are still a lot of special effects! How did you get Steve Johnson involved in this project?  

Mike Hermosa: We were incredibly fortunate to have Steve Johnson and Dorian Cleavenger involved in the project. Steve is an absolute legend in practical effects, and Dorian’s VFX work truly brought this film to life. Our producer, Nic Neary, had worked with Steve on several projects, and when he mentioned he might be able to bring him on board, we were ecstatic.

Both Steve and Dorian really understood the tone we were aiming for, and we made it a point to give them creative freedom to incorporate their own ideas—something that isn’t always possible with bigger studio films. Their contributions elevated the project in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

Can you talk about the on-set experience? Any memorable funny moments and/or challenges you had to overcome?  

Mike Hermosa: This production had it all—kids, animals, night shoots, car chases, practical effects, stunts—you name it. Basically, all the elements that make an indie film notoriously challenging. To be honest, it was an incredibly tough shoot, and it truly took a village to pull it off. Everyone on the team wore multiple hats. At one point, we were all pulling fishing line to create the illusion of the invisible raptor. The sheer workload didn’t end with principal photography either. Six months later, it was still just the four of us producers out in Solvang, grabbing extra shots to bring the vision to life. It was exhausting, but in the end, deeply rewarding.

This film has gotten a lot of great buzz from festivals. What’s your experience been like seeing this with an audience and hearing/reading reactions from fans?

Mike Hermosa: Seeing this film with an audience has been an incredible experience. One of the most rewarding aspects has been watching fans engage with the easter eggs we planted. I’ve even learned a lot from reading fan comments and theories—it’s amazing to see their interpretations and how they connect with the story. The entire journey, from festival screenings to fan reactions, has been deeply gratifying. The international buzz has been especially exciting. In this industry, we often hear that comedy doesn’t translate well internationally, but we’ve found the opposite to be true. It’s been a powerful reminder of the importance of staying true to your vision and making a movie that you’d want to watch yourself.

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Learn more and find screening locations at https://wellgousa.com/films/invisible-raptor