POP SKULL is a film that quickly works its way into your headspace and challenges your senses with a combination of frenzied images as seen through the eyes of a central character desperately trying to work his way through a haze of heartbreak and the influence of potentially murderous spirits. Director Adam Wingard makes tangible onscreen the fractured reasoning of that young man's brain, as well as the tricks those over-the-counter drugs play upon his very fragile mind.
1. What was the inspiration behind POP SKULL?
The project was inspired by some of the lead actor Lane Hughes' experience: real life hauntings, drugs, and heartbreak. The usual coming of age stuff.
Initially, Lane and I worked on an outline based on a series of events he experienced. Once it was finished, I brought my good friend and creative partner E.L. Katz into the picture, and he helped us properly structure the story and really boost the horror/thriller elements by developing a back- story, and designing the set pieces.
At the heart of the story it's all about the trauma of that first bad break-up with someone you are still head over heels in love with.
2. There is a constant question as to whether or not a haunting is taking place. Was there ever any plan to make that aspect of the story more overt?
To be honest we had no idea what the final result of the film was going to be. The way E.L. Katz, Lane Hughes, and I worked wasn't off of what you could really call a traditional script. It was something we left open to shape and change as the production went on. I knew I might never have another chance for this kind of free-flow experimentation, so I decided let's really do a movie that unfolds right before our eyes and let's do it all the way.
Most of the dialogue was improvised by the actors. I would tell them, you need to go from here to here and this point needs to get across around there, and they would take that and make a scene out of it.
3. What is the best thing about having your film at AFI FEST?
The American Film Institute title is something that carries very far in the world of cinema. To attach a movie like POP SKULL with this is something that really means a lot to me. I fought so hard to get this movie made, and for a little while it felt like nobody was going to notice this piece. Having it screen at the ArcLight is a plus as well!
4. It cost $2000 to make the film. What was the most expensive thing that had to be paid for and how much did it cost?
Really the ONLY thing we spent money on was gas, food, and DV tapes. I would imagine the tapes or the food were the most expensive. Most likely the food. I like to eat well.
5. What are some things you did specifically with the editing to help immerse the viewer into Daniel's drug haze?
In talking specifically about the opening trip sequence I wanted to do something that not only conveyed the overwhelming feeling of what "robo tripping" is like to someone who has never drank a whole bottle of Robitussin or ate a pack or Coricidin Cold and Cough, but I also wanted to make a scene that if watched by an individual actually taking these drugs in large quantities in a way they would be wearing the 3-D goggles for this film. I don't want in any way to endorse drug use but, hey, kids are doing this nowadays like it's the new acid. Might as well have something to watch that accurately depicts it.
6. What's the most underrated job on the set?
My brother Ashton. He was the key grip and the boom operator. He had to do all the grunt work. The way the days became constructed were: We would show up at location, I would tell Ashton to take the lights inside and go ahead and set them up. Then I would spend time moving these around and when we were ready to film, Ashton would grab the boom and he would go. Can't get any better than cheap family labor.
7. Do you have a "lucky" item - a shirt, baseball cap, charm - that you always bring with you to the set?
No, I just show up and do my thing. I don't really consider filmmaking something I have to be lucky about. I know what my job is and what I'm doing. Good luck charms are more reserved for airplane flights and life threatening situations. I carry a little bible in my bag every time I fly. I'm not religious but sometimes these things don't hurt.
8. What is your favorite over-the-counter cold medicine - and why?
I can't really say I have a preference. I will recommend anyone showing up to the POP SKULL screening to down a bottle of Zicam an hour beforehand.
9. To make the film on the budget you had, you and E.L. Katz have said that everyone had to act like you weren't actually making a movie. When DID everyone realize they were actually making a movie?
It never felt like we were making a movie in the conventional sense of the phrase. The crew was, at most, my 17-year-old brother Ashton and my friends Mark and Darryl. I'm not very good at giving anyone that film experience with a bunch of lights and people acting busy running around acting really important for no reason. I just do what I feel most comfortable doing. And that happens to be a very low-key environment.
10. Popcorn or candy?
Candy. Popcorn gets stuck in my teeth.
DVD EXTRA: How many people have had seizures from watching POP SKULL?
I'll let you know after the Rome and AFI FEST premieres. Lets just say it won't be the first time I've had to carry someone out of my film screening having an epileptic fit.
POP SKULL is a film that quickly works its way into your headspace and challenges your senses with a combination of frenzied images as seen through the eyes of a central character desperately trying to work his way through a haze of heartbreak and the influence of potentially murderous spirits. Director Adam Wingard makes tangible onscreen the fractured reasoning of that young man's brain, as well as the tricks those over-the-counter drugs play upon his very fragile mind.
