Chad Ferrin Chats About Horror Filmmaking, Inspirations and His Upcoming Dances with Werewolves

Chad Ferrin is an independent director who got his start as a producer and an actor. To date he has directed six films with one in production. Ferrin is known for his not so subtle humour and his use of strange characters and premises. He is not shy of any subject matter and his previous film "Someone's Knocking at the Door" incorporated two killers whose tool of death was sexual deviancy, or possibly ecstasy depending on you point-of-view. Now, Ferrin is moving on from serial killers to werewolves in a supernatural tale of ancient native mythology called "Dances With Werewolves." For his latest, Ferrin gives some insights on his inspiration and the landmines he encounters in the busy streets of LA. Have a listen as Ferrin talks about past projects, present productions, and future possibilities in this exclusive interview.

(Michael R. Allen) First off, Chad thanks for making one of my favourite films so far for 2010 in "Someone's Knocking at the Door." Even my girlfriend loved this one. What are some of your favourite films that you have re-watched or enjoyed several times? How have these films influenced "Someone's Knocking at the Door?"
(Chad Ferrin) That's a great compliment, thank you. There are a few that come to mind: "Night of the Demon," "The Naked Prey," "Le Samourai," "Cross of Iron," "Ed Wood," "Video Drome," "Pick Pocket," "The Passion of Joan of Arc," "Midnight Cowboy," "The Naked Spur," "Blood and Black Lace," "Inferno," "Exterminating Angel," and all of Val Lewton's films.

(MRA) Wow, I have heard of a few of these, but not all. That is a lot of info' to draw from. How have these films influenced "Someone's Knocking at the Door?"
(CF) Anything from great films to walking down the street influences my work. Be it the vibrant colors of Blood and Black Lace or to a bum that left a steaming pile of shit in front of my office door. I pull from it all in an attempt to create my art.

(MRA) Ah, I did not know one could find inspiration from a bowel movement. I think that I am seeing the light, or I can smell the light at teast. The film itself has an hallucinogenic trip feel to it. Was your intention to blend reality and fantasy in such away as to make viewers question the film's ending and what really happened throughout the film? The film almost seems like one is viewing the film, in parts, through one of the character's drug trip or slip in to unconsciousness.
(CF) You hit the nail on the head. I pulled from an occasion where I took 7 hits of ecstasy, a pile of cocaine and a pipe full of opium. When I tried to stand, fell to the floor and couldn't get up. My mind raced with vibrant colors, voices, and an intense pounding. What felt like a lifetime turned out to be only about 20 seconds of sheer terror.

(MRA) Bizarre. So, the film is from a hallucinogenic drug tip; my hunch was right! On the lighter side of things, you have cast Ricardo Gray in at least two of your films as degenerates. In "Easter Bunny, Kill! Kill!" Gray played a mentally deficient youth wearing bunny ears and in "Someone's Knocking at the Door" Gray played a stuttering sexual predator who likes to prey on drunk girls. Is there any where for Gray as an actor to go but up, or do you have more of these deranged roles in store for Gray?
(CF) The good news, he won't be mentally challenged or stutter. The bad news, he will get gang raped by some dirty truckers.

(MRA) Ha ha, poor Gray he gets the shittiest roles, but stills pulls out good performances. Now, your latest film "Dances with Werewolves" is a blend of the supernatural and of First Nations ancient mythology. However, the film shares almost and exact title to "Dances with Wolves," Kevin Costner's
breakout hit. Are there any other similarities between these two films outside of the title? Will you give a little nod and a wink to the previous film?
(CF) Well, they are both westerns. Let me say, I think "Dances with Wolves" is an AMAZING film. Actually, I was managing a movie theater in Minnesota and we had it playing for a year and a half it was so popular...looking back,it was a real honor to thread it through the projector each night.

Ah, you'll have to see the film for the wink.

(MRA) When I am reading that title for your next project I am thinking spoof, but the plotline is something very different: "Dances with Werewolves is based on the legendary, supernatural transformative powers of some Native American Indian warriors" (Market). Will there be comedy in the feature like many of your previous films? Please say yes!
(CF) Sorry, no comedy in this one. "Dances With Werewolves" is the working title for now, and I am leaning to just calling it "Werewolves", but in the end it will be up to Hanover House the distributor.

(MRA) Comedy seems to be your calling card and I hope that you will bring this part of yourself in to one of your future features. I know your busy Chad, so thanks for answering these five or six questions.I hope this one is as big a success as your previous and hopefully even bigger. Thanks again and good luck.

(CF) No problem Mike. This has been real treat to talk about my latest. See you around.