Interviews

The following interviews were conducted by William Pattison, aka Eric Morse, with the cast and crew of Mother's Day. Click on a name to go directly to that person's interview.

Cory Stevens is the young director who has taken on the ambitious project to create the first fan film based on a Friday the 13th book. That book is, of course, the first book in the Friday the 13th young adult series, Mother's Day. And it is my honor to be the author, William Pattison, aka Eric Morse, of that novel and to be able to help with this project. For both Cory and myself it is the fulfillment of a dream. For Cory to create a homage to the horror series he's loved all his life. For myself it is the dream of having my work translated to the big screen....even though it'll actually be the small screen of a computer.....
But enough of this, on to the interview.......

CS: Thanks for having me. My name is Cory Stevens, independent and student filmmaker currently finishing up my senior year at Keene State College in NH majoring in Film Production. I am the Director and all around principle guy of the Mother’s Day film adaption.

CS: I was 16 when I made my first actual film, which was the first in a line of spoofs on Friday the 13th (film was titled “Friday the 13th: Jason Lives…Again!). It was a slow start and I made a couple more films around the end of high school. It was getting into college that I started making more films, inside and outside of class. I wanted to practice the techniques I was learning to develop my skills and style.

WP: What inspired you to do this adaptation of the Eric Morse novel Mother's Day?

CS: I finally picked up the novel after hearing so much about it in the spring of 2003. The day it came in the mail, I sat down to start reading and I didn’t get up until I finished it. I was hooked, it had the Friday the 13th feel that I know and love. The first thing running through my mind after I was done was, this needs to be made a film and I want to make it.

CS: Surprisingly not as hard as one might think, even at a budget of $1500. Some story points needed to be changed to make it work, most notably the subplot between Varner and Albert along with cabins due to not being able to take over a functioning summer camp. Most all of the locations for the film were property owned by family or friends, which really helped. Other than that the story was pretty much kept as is minus a couple other small aspects.

CS: It was tough. I originally had it planned to shoot the whole film in two weekends, which is so stupid on my behalf, knowing how long films can take to shoot. I was just way too ambitious and anxious. So I ended up having to add pretty much 3 more full weekends on top of some various weekday stuff to get the film in the can. We wrapped principle photography 5 hours before I had to move back to college. It couldn’t have happened without the dedication of my cast and crew. They were all so hard working and all for the project. They could have easily said, “hey, you said two weekends, that’s all you’re getting.” But when I needed more of their time, they didn’t hesitate to give it to me. I’ll be forever grateful to all of them for that. I really had the prefect cast and crew and that is how I was able to get it done. A lot of long days and nights though, they’ll tell you that. There were a couple of days where we saw the sun rise and rise again haha.

WP: Also, you are still currently in film school and are doing a school project film at the same time as Mother's Day. Has this been problematic for you? Please tell us about this.

CS: I wouldn’t say it’s been problematic, just very time consuming and stressful. Finishing production on Mother’s Day was right when I was starting pre-production on my school’s senior project, which I was selected to direct. Because of the demands of the school project, MD had to be shelved, which is why I missed my target release. I actually was working on Dave’s film in September as well that he, myself and Matthew Lundberg had created the story for. It’s crazy having to shift your focus from one film to another in a matter of a day.

WP: When I was introduced to you on the Friday the 13th The Website thread you mentioned that you had been working on this project for three years and had a number of false starts. Would you please tell us about these. What happened ?

CS: In 2003, after I read the book, I wrote a simple 30 page adaptation that was loosely based on the film really. Back then, I had no real instruction on filmmaking, I pretty much knew how to use a video camera. It never really got off the ground and I ended up making the third spoof in my Friday series. In 2004 it was the same scenario pretty much and I opted to do my fourth spoof entry. 2005 was where I was really getting geared up to make it. I even had some props purchased. I had some people in mind that I wanted to act in the film, namely Mali MacConnell. I had met her in high school, we were on the track team together, and one of my friends and crew member Justin Martin, presented the idea of using her on the project. I said absolutely and knew she would be perfect. She was unavailable and because of pretty much that reason alone, I shut the project down. I wanted to make sure I got what I wanted so I could do the project justice.

CS: Very surprised. I had no idea if you would see the post or not, and if you did you could have easily said, “how dare you adapt my work” or “you didn’t ask me for permission.” It made it even better that you wanted to actually take part in helping get the film made and out there to the fans. It made the whole experience that much better. You wouldn’t believe the looks and responses from my cast and crew when I told them I was in direct contact with you and that you were supporting the film. It made them that much more excited to work on the project and gave them an extra boost.

CS: Yes, the spoof series. There are five of them, Jason Lives…Again, Jason X Mas, Jason’s Dead, Jason’s Revenge and A Nightmare on Friday the 13th. I always thought to myself, what would Jason say if he could talk and realized that it could be great comedy. The films were mainly produced for two reasons: to work on my craft and better my skills as a filmmaker and to pay homage to my favorite film series. And just like the real series, I’d kill him off and not want to make another one, only to bring him back after people loved the previous installment and wanted to see another. All my friends wanted to be a part of them and I loved and enjoyed making them. Hardcore fans can have a field day looking through them and picking out all the nice little touches that throw back to the series.

WP: I have to say that you got some fantastic locations. Was it hard to find them?

CS: Not at all. The locations were all (except the store) family or friend owned. So they gave me permission no problem. I did go on a location scout in June to make sure I got the best that I could find and attain. The other great thing about the locations was that they were all within 20 min driving time from my home, aka home base I suppose.

CS: There is only one true camp in my area, and they were in full operation during the summer, since it is a summer camp. So there is no way we could have gotten access to it, unless we shot in the fall, which wouldn’t have worked for anyone. Plus, it wouldn’t have a run down feel to it, not mention the fact that we would probably have to rent to place at hundreds of dollars a weekend. And it was very important that we stayed local for out locations incase we ran into any problems.

WP: What about casting? I have to admit you did an outstanding job in that department. Was it hard to find the right cast?

CS: It was more hard to wait for the cast then to find them. I had my choices for almost every role in 2005, but because some of them were unavailable, I had to wait. The first to be cast was Corey Lucas all the way back in 2003, followed by Dave as Albert in 2004. I had Mali and Paul Bradicich selected in 2005. The rest came on board in 2006. When it came to Ben, Ally, Stephen and Derek, all I did was ask and they said they were on. Nicole Lillie came onto the project literally 12 hours before the start of production. So I guess Monique was the only one that was difficult. Nicole was the fifth actress lined up to play Monique in a 2 month span. The others had scheduling conflicts or personal matters that kept them from taking the part. Out fourth bailed 36 hours before production, which threw me into a panic. Mali came through on this part, she found Nicole. Mali was more angry than I was about the mess and called up people she knew from her drama club. Nicole was available and ready to go. I met her the night before production and handed her the script. She showed up the next morning with the script memorized and the accent down. I was beyond impressed. Things seem to always work out for the better.

CS: What made it slightly difficult was finding someone who had the look. I wanted to maintain the grizzly look, so someone having the beard was a must. Derek went to KSC and graduated last year, when I thought of him it was like, BINGO. He just had the build and look that I was going for, and his longer hair made the character that much better. I flipped out the first time I saw him in costume. He even went as far to study Jason in the Friday films. He asked me if I had one in particular and I told him I wanted Hodder style movements, seeing this builds after The Final Friday. He was very dedicated to the project and the character and loved every minute of it.

WP: Also in this film the killer, Joe Travers, has a very unique hockey mask. Where did you find it?

CS: In 2005, during my shopping for props, I was looking to find a decent mask for the Hunter. While on Ebay, I found the mask that is currently in the film. It is a Jason X mask. The green is what totally grabbed me. I thought that it would look great with the Hunter’s camo and it gave it a look that would seem like it had been in the ground for sometime and would mix things up from the traditional white mask. So I bought it off some seller on Ebay and hung on to it.

CS: The mask was already produced that way, I didn’t ask for a special coloring or anything and like I said previous, it just really fit with the overall look of the Hunter and the mask being buried in the ground for some time.

CS: Hard to do and still hard to do. I’m still working out the final touches on how to make the scene involving the head be as effective as possible without coming across cheap or fake. But Stephanie Barker made this truly amazing replica of Mrs. Voorhees’ head to the best of her ability using nothing but a simple mannequin head.

WP: If Mother's Day is successful, meaning that the fans love it and you get a lot of positive feedback, are you planning to do any more Friday the Thirteenth films, possible even another Morse adaptation?

CS: It’s tricky to say, with graduation from college coming up in May, I’m not too sure where I might be going, if I’ll still be in NH or what not. The plan is for me to stick around until the end of 07 before possibly moving to LA to pursue my film career. I want to do a project this summer but I’m not sure if I want it to be large in scale. I have no interest in making another spoof Friday or even an original fan film. I almost see Mother’s Day as my send off to Friday the 13th and a thank you. However, there has been discussion amongst myself and others on the cast and crew and even some other filmmakers at Keene State about producing the second novel. I have given it thought before. If Mother’s Day is successful and well received by fans, it is highly possible that I would want to do the second novel. Jason’s Curse is tied closely to Mother’s Day and that is what I like about it. I would only do it if I could have things the way I like, which means having the right cast and crew, the time and money. We shall see after April 13th.

CS: This summer Dave might produce the final chapter in a film saga he began three years ago, in which I would have to reprise a character. I have a small dramatic time travel film that I’ve been kicking around ideas for that could be simple and fun to do. The only horror I would do would probably be Jason’s Curse, so if that doesn’t happen I’ll probably try some different genres, stretch my legs in other areas.

CS: That’s the ultimate dream of mine. I still remember when James Cameron accepted his Oscar for Titanic. When that happened, I said, “That will be me in 20 years.” I want to get to that point and I will give it all I have and never give up. But if I’m working in the film industry in some capacity, earning a living doing what I love more than anything in the world, I’ll be happy.

CS: To be something for the fans to enjoy and for my cast and crew to be proud of. As for me personally, I want to watch the final film at the premiere and be able to think back to the day I first read the novel and say, “I did it.”

WP: I would like to thank Cory Stevens for taking the time off his heavy production schedule to talk to us. And, please to the reader remember that Mother's Day will be released in late spring or early summer, so keep checking back to the website for updates and more information.

Mali MacConnell plays heroin and mama's girl Carly McDonnell in Mother's Day. I had a chance to send her a series of interview questions asking her about her experience with scary movies, her character, and her experience on this edition of the story of Friday the 13th. I was not disappointed......

MM: The first movie I can remember being thoroughly frightened by was Edward Scissor hands. Now I know that movie was not intended to be a scary one, but I have always had a hard time watching anything even remotely frightening. I jump at everything and the fact that I was only probably 6 didn’t help the situation. I remember having nightmares for a week straight and ever since then I really haven’t been interested in watching scary movies. However, acting in them is another story.

MM: More than any other movie has. Especially the scene where the mother finds Johnny Depp for the first time, I couldn’t get that out of my head.

WP: Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?

MM: Not at all. For years and years I would refuse to watch scary movies. Of course if I was with a group of people then I would succumb so that I didn’t look like a baby, but I would be keeping a constant death-like grip on anyone who had the misfortune of sitting next to me.

MM: I’m embarrassed to say this, but I had never seen a Friday the 13th movie nor read a Friday the 13th book when Cory asked me to be in the movie. Then I decided not to watch one so that I could keep my acting natural because I was afraid I would see how the other females acted and would change to fit how they had been. However, Cory asked that I at least watch the first movie so that I could fully understand the role of the mother and I’m glad that I did. I enjoyed the movie thoroughly, but that is still the only one I have seen.

MM: I suppose I would have the say the first since that’s the only one I have seen. None the less I enjoyed it immensely.

WP: Before getting the part of Carly in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

MM: As I said before I wasn’t a fan of scary movies and so reading the books didn’t intrigue me either.

WP: Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others? Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

MM: I don’t think it made a difference. The fact that a man was being possessed by a mask is creepy and thrilling enough. I suppose some people will be disappointed at the lack of Jason, but come on; if a mad hunter with a shot gun and a talking controlling head doesn’t freak some people out then there is no hope for them.

WP: What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?

MM: Well I had already told Cory Stevens that I would act in the movie before even reading the script and I was very anxious to read it hoping to God that the script was good so that I wouldn’t regret the decision; and I was not let down. The script is very good; the character of Carly seemed like it would be fun and because he took almost all the lines straight from the book they were realistic and believable. The script was so exciting and after reading it through I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to wait those few weeks before shooting. I wanted to get out there the very next day and start this because I was so impressed with it all.

WP: In regard to your character, Carly, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?

MM: Cory had said that he could easily see me in the role of Carly so I agreed to it before I even knew anything about her. Usually I like to hear about a role before accepting it, but I hadn’t acted in such a long time that I was itching to do anything.

MM: I feel like Carly and I are very similar. Her relationship with her mother, her hesitation to do something a little wild, even the way she spoke seemed to mirror how I am. I was actually surprised at how much of me I saw in her. That’s not necessarily a good thing however; I like a challenge and I didn’t think Carly would be very challenging since I felt like I could act like myself the whole time. I’ve played many different characters ranging from men to lesbians to heroin addicts and was wondering how this would affect my acting, but once we started filming I saw that I had been worried about nothing. It was still a challenge, I still had to work very hard on my lines to make them sound how they should be and soon enough differences arose between Carly and me that I felt like I could see this whole different person forming.

WP: During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

MM: Without a doubt that was Kendal Sayer. That guy was at almost every single day of shooting including the random nights of little pick ups. Not only was he always there he was also always willing to do whatever was needed. He never once complained and he kept all our spirits up with his jokes even when it was 3 in the morning and freezing cold. I have never met someone with that good of an attitude no matter what and for an indefinite amount of time. That guy blew me away; he made the countless hours of shooting enjoyable and I feel so lucky to have worked with and gotten to know him.

WP: Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

MM: Do you mean other people making adaptations or only Cory Stevens? Well I guess that doesn’t matter because I think both could happen. Cory is already contemplating another Friday the 13th movie and if this film is as good as we all think it will be then I don’t doubt that other fans all over will want to give it a shot and get their version out there. They really are a blast to do; the plot is so well known and exciting, the characters are real yet interesting, and it’s possible to put out a high quality movie without thousands and thousands of dollars. These movies are a great way for new film makers to show their stuff and work on bettering their skills so I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if a whole horde of them start popping up.

MM: I now feel a connection towards this series and I would love for them to get popular once again which I’m sure wouldn’t be hard since so many people know and love the story. Not to mention a possible acting job in the future? Well, a girl can dream can’t she?

Ben Santos plays bad boy Billy Boone in Mother's Day. I sent Ben a series of questions about himself, his character in the film, and the production. Here is what he had to say...

Well, when I was a younger lad my family was down with Jesus. It was kinda out of hand. I went to Catholic schools and camps and a recurring entity in these types of places was "The Devil," or "Satan" so from a young age I was quite aware of that dufus. They f'd me up so bad with that shit I didn't need movies to scare the shit out of me...Looking back on all of that now I see that my reality as a child ( or lack there of) truly affected my outlook on horror in the cinema...I really didn't enjoy being scared or the idea of being uncomfortable, I was more of a "good time" movie viewer...Due to my rebelious nature, as a child I was always frightened by prison films..."Papillon" with Steve McQueen, "The Shawshank Redemption" and any film depicting people with their freedom being taken did the trick for me....My dad would always say, "if you're a bad boy you're gonna go there..." what a guy! as I grew so did my balls, till today I am a regular badass with little knowledge of the horror world but with an incredible taste that reminds me of the fact that I yearn for more.

Life scared the shit out of me cuz I was little and under the impression that the world revolved around me....but in all reality, I covered my own fears by frightening others and making them wonder if I was to someday be the center of a horror masterpiece. I was really a little prick as a kid.

Were you one of those kids who once you saw a horror film couldn't wait to see another?

Dude, I hated being scared...I was a teddy bear at heart...I get scared...whatever...I'm not afraid to cry and thats none of your business!

At this point I am. I can connect with Jason in many ways. A misunderstood guy running through the woods and killing people...who wouldn't want to do shit like that damn! I'd be one of the douche bags though, that gets chopped up while mounting some trollup, mid thrust. I think Jason needs to get laid and stop listening to his fuckin mom. I mean, women are sluts, except for our moms. (just kidding!)

If I'm in the mood for death and destruction I know to pop in a F13 movie. I haven't seen them all so of course I'm gonna say the original. I feel like kind of a poser cuz of this....but I'm fuckin' Billy Boone...I aint got time for movies and books and shit...I bang bitches without rubbers and name babies.

Before getting the part of Boone in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

No, I didn't. I'm actually a big Star Wars reader. I've read a shit ton of those books...I always pictured myself as a Han Solo type...so Billy Boone fits me perfectly.

Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?

Jason is the king shit...but how bout spreading the love to a lonely hunter who has to get his slash on? I'd love to be possessed by a mask...cuz I'd kill a bunch of sailors and wear their cool hats and say..."The mask made me do it!" in all seriousness though, I think the fact that Jason is not in the film gives this F13 story a breath of fresh air.

Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

Lack of Jason worked out cuz the mask was still gettin some play and his bitch mother was still doin' her thing. I mean, sometimes shit gets played out...I'm not saying Jason is played out...but the new idea kicked some major camper ass.

What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?

The script of Mother's Day reeled me in firstly because I appreciated how much work it took to put together. Secondly because the personality of Boone was so close to my own personality. Thirdly, Corey is the man....and Mali is the queen of all that is glorious...so how can I not look good in the picture? I was also excited by the fact that the script gave us a lot of leeway to develope our characters and create believability. In my mind believability in the group was most important.

In regard to your character, Boone, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?

Billy Boone is a regular guy much like me who enjoys partying and gettin' down in the woods. He's a troublemaker who lives on the edge and takes warnings lightly if not at all. i enjoyed the idea that he was the piece that made the disaster happen and his friendship with Carly would eventually change her life forever. Boone has an affect on any situation and is in your face...I respect that.

Boone is Ben Santos, but he's not. I'd kick the hunters ass...it'd be all about the KAPOW and he'd be done. One swift kick to the junk and he'd be done!(come on, it's ok if you're losing) I think I'm a little bit sexier then Boone, I would've been gettin' down with Monique and Carly...We would've been doin' a little gang bang in Ben's tent...Boone and Ben love taking shits in the woods....nothin' like findin' a nice tree and leanin' on it in the solitude of the forest. I'm a credible actor though, so when 'action' was called Billy Boone was in full effect.

Was there a certain scene or incident during the production that stands out in your mind?

I remember Corey wanted Boone to take the hunter out and at that time during filming I was training for football camp. I got very excited when he said I was going to tackle Derek. I totally BLASTED Derek and he took it like a champ. The canoe scene was also stood out in my mind...it was so tough to film cuz we were in CANOES...which wouldn't stay still, that were tipsy, and it was awkward as hell doin' the scene with Nicole who I had just met like 2 days before...but being the constant professional I am, when we had to get down and dirty and do a little sucky face, I was quick to tip the whole canoe over sending us flying into the murky pond. It was hilarious and it kinda chilled us out and I didn't take myself so seriously after that. I also remember a lot of ad libs I did got a lot of laughs and ruined many a scene. During filming of a scene with Mali and Cory I had to mock Mali's character. I musta been on that day cuz we had to do 30 takes cuz Mali and Corey couldn't stop laughing.

During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

I remember being in awe of Mali and just trying to hold my own against her vibrant brilliance. I've been in a show w/ her before and she constantly brings her A game. I take breaks, she does not. It's funny though, she seems to bring the best out in me and hopefully our scenes together will say the same. Of course Steven's is the man. without him there would be nothing...my job was easy, show up and act...his was one that required so much...respect!

Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

I think fans will love this film. I do believe that if enough people show interest
the powers that be cannot refuse the people what they want. F13 is not dead, and with the brilliant, innovative filmmakers in the world today I'm excited to see where it will go.

I would like to see original ideas that entertain the hell out of people. I would like to see men, women and children joining hands as one to form an inseparable bond that then gets chopped down by Jason's blood lust. I would like to see plump, modern day titties wandering the beaches and woods unsuspectingly encountering Jason's rage. Once again, I would like to see people entertained.

Corey Lucas plays studly jock Paul Sexton in Mother's Day. I sent Cory some questions about himself, his character in the film, and the production itself. Here are his thoughts..

My first scary movie was Child's Play. It's not really scary now, but when you're four years old... Dammm!!!!

Oh yeah, it did. I remember I got a stuff doll with orange hair for X-Mas one year and was so scared I thought it was Chucky. So I made my Nana burned it a few days later. But, when you burn stuff it moves and the doll moved when it was on fire, and I freaked out.

Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?

Not really after Child's Play I stayed away for a few years. When I was around 9 or10 I really got into horror films.

That's very hard, I really liked Part 1, and FreddyVS Jason is beyond badassed. But, Part 6 has to be my fav. It's got all the right elements.

Before getting the part of Paul in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?

I think its very cool to have a little something different put in the mix. If you're a Friday the 13th fan you know there doesn't have to be a Jason Voorhees in the film to make it a Friday the 13th.

Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

It didn't really make any difference. You're still running away from a big nasty dude with a hockey mask. Hahahahahaha!

What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?

In regard to your character, Paul, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?

Ha... that's funny I didn't think so at first. Then the first weekend of shooting I was just thinking, wow, I kinda can be like this dude at times. Then I would ask Cory if he did this on purpose and he would just laugh. So maybe a little bit.

Was there a certain scene or incident during the production that stands out in your mind?

Ha, ha... First things first, THE MONSOON FROM HELL. the campfire scene was fun, One time when someone on the crew wouldn't go in the water and someone who wasn't suppose to have to go in the water. Instead I guess this person did (as some witness saw ) The Terminator walk.

During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

Our crew member / boom guy, Kendel Sayer. Always laughing and making everyone feel good. He never quit on us....

Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

I want to see Friday the 13th came back like it use to. That's why we made this film to bring it back. They are great films with one of the greatest slashers of all time.

Dave Conte plays the complaining, mother's boy, geek Albert in Mother's Day. I sent Dave a series of interview questions asking about himself, his character in the film, and the production. Here's what he had to say

My first scary movie that I can remember actually scaring me would have to be Scream.

Yes. I had never seen full-blown knife-into-human carnage before, so it was pretty freaky to see it like that.

Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?

Honestly, not really. I wasn’t hugely into horror movies at first. The only horror movie I really wanted to see after Scream was Scream 2. After that, I don’t remember when I got back into horror, but at one point in my life between Scream 2 and today, horror movies became a favorite pastime of mine.

Well, considering I lived with Cory Stevens for 2 1/2 years, it was a safe bet that I would eventually get roped into the saga. So, to answer your question, yes.

It’s a toss-up between Part 6, Part 9, and Freddy vs. Jason. Part 6 is the most solid and consistent film, with some really great kills, a good story, and Jason becoming immortal, which rules. Part 9, while off-beat, has a neat premise and has my all-time favorite kill of the series, which involved a road sign impaling during a really hot sex scene. Meanwhile, Freddy vs. Jason is just plain fun. I can’t pick just one, since all three of those have their own strong points.

Before getting the part of Albert in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

Negative. I had only heard of the books through Cory after I read his very first draft of Mother’s day back in 2004.

Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?

Well it changes the story because it doesn’t have the man himself, but it’s still essentially the same formula. Same story, different man behind the mask. However, I like the fact that Jason’s curse is affecting people like it did with the Hunter. It’s a nifty twist to the already cool story.

Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

I thought of it as an advantage. The supernatural definitely interests me, and this curse that Jason has over people through his mask is a cool story element. Also, I have a soft-spot for the Jim Carrey movie The Mask, so I like to think of Mother’s Day as the R-rated version.

What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?

In regard to your character, Albert, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?

Well, I’m always 100% game to help Cory out on anything he works on. I had only acted in one thing prior to this, and that was one of his Jason spoofs, Jason’s Revenge. Albert drew me in because of two reasons – One, Albert is my middle name, and two, the character is like me except a whole lot lamer. Bearing that in mind, I figured it would be fun to play myself but geeked up a bit.

Oh definitely. He is me taken to a new level. His shyness towards hot women, his hatred for the outdoors, his awkwardness, the way he just got roped into going to this haunted friggin campground, that’s all me baby. I took myself and my own hatred for camping and channeled it into my performance, and it worked pretty well apparently.

As you are probably aware fans compare Albert to the character of Shelly in F13 Part3. Do you have any thoughts on this?

That’s to be expected, since I am the loser of the bunch. Oh well, at least I’m not as fat and retarded as Shelly.

Was there a certain scene or incident during the production that stands out in your mind?

Let’s see, I’d say the weekend-destroying monsoon of death sticks out the best. The monsoon was literally a nightmare. It was like something out of a movie. You know how you can tell when there is a rain machine pumping out rain onto a set to make it look like a rainstorm? Yeah, it was like that, except real and devastating. The most memorable part would be when I was sitting in the soft-top Jeep and the top caved in and spilt rainwater all over my dick because the water built up so much and so fast. I’ve never seen Cory yell “Fuck you, God” but I think it was warranted this time around.

During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

I’d say Kendel Sayer stood out for me the most. He was seriously a workhorse. He kicked ass all throughout production, cooked for us, moved equipment back and forth, and really just livened up the production, giving people nickname, saying stupid and hilarious shit, and making the experience a whole lot better overall.

Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

That’s insider information, and I’m not at liberty to reveal that. In other words, maybe. We’ll see how this one turns out. Let’s just say that if a sequel does happen, it will be absolutely decadent.

Nicole Lillie plays the pamper French exchange student Monique in Mother's Day. I sent Nicole a series of interview questions regarding herself, her character in the film, and the production. Here is what she had to say:

Well, when I was little I was afraid of Beauty and the Beast….does that count?

Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?

I never really liked horror films. When Saw II came out two of my friends made me sit between them and wouldn’t let me leave the theatre. I think it was then that I got used to them. I’ll watch them safely at home though. With a lot of people. And a pillow, just in case I have to hide.

When I started the movie I had never seen any of the films. The only story I know is the one we filmed.

I can’t really say, but my mom talks about them all the time and about how awesome they were.

Before getting the part of Monique in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

No…Wow, I feel like and idiot, but I’ve just never really gotten into Horror anything.

Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?

Well, the movie still has the essence of Jason, even though the hunter is possessed by the mask and Jason is “dead”. Jason is still around, but not as prominent a character as in the other movies.

Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

To a point I believe it would be an advantage because there wouldn’t be that struggle to capture the character of Jason as well as the other movies.

What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?

I had only ever done plays before and I actually took part in this production because my friend Mali (Carly) called me up about 2 days before shooting was supposed to begin and asked me to do it. I believe she actually wanted my sister to play the part but she had to work that weekend and was unable to do it. I almost backed out because I was uncomfortable, but my director told me I should get out of my “comfort zone”. I agreed to it, albeit nervously because I only knew Mali and about 2 other people involved. I had no idea who Corey was. I met with him that evening and he gave me the script and I read it through that night. That coming morning was, I think, the first day of shooting. Every chance I got I had my script in my hand.

In regard to your character, Monique, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?

Who wouldn’t want to play a materialistic French foreign exchange student? I think I had the most fun because she is so much my opposite.

Well the only thing Monique and I have in common, I think, is our lack of enthusiasm in all things scary.

That’s actually a funny subject to me because I was hell bent on not doing one. Then I said a line in my mock French accent and I guess it sounded ok so I went with it. One of the guys, I don’t remember which, actually thought I was French because they had never met me or heard me speak before. When we did the read through I said my first line and I guess I sounded French.

Was there a certain scene or incident during the production that stands out in your mind?

The canoe scene. It was my biggest scene and I was really nervous. I had to wear a bathing suit in front of all these people and be filmed in it. I think that was actually the first time I wore a bathing suit that summer….

During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

Well I’m not sure what you mean by “stand out” but I would have to say that the person who stood out to me the most was Mali. We had been friends before and we had been in plays together so we just kind of got to hang out more and it was awesome. Another one would be Dave(Albert), he’s a funny guy and we got along well.

Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

I really wouldn’t know. I would hope so, but I guess you would have to ask Corey.

I want it to be amazing and I have no doubt that it will be. There were so many amazing people involved I think there is no way it wont be awesome.

Steve LoVerme plays Kyle, the male side of the KyleandSuzanne team in Mother’s Day. I sent Steve a series of questions regarding himself, his character in the film, and the production. Here are his thoughts….

Yes. It's not really a scary movie, but I was young and the Morlocks scared the hell out of me. Another movie that scared me was Raiders of the Lost Ark, when the spirits come out of the art and melt the faces of the Nazis.

Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?

No. My parents hate horror movies so I wasn't really allowed or encouraged to watch them.

Before getting the part of Kyle in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?

My understanding of it is that while Jason is not present in the physical sense, he is indeed quite present as a malevolent force. When the hunter puts on the mask he becomes possessed by the spirit of Jason Voorhees.

Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

I think it sets it apart from the other films. There's still a guy in a hockey mask killing people, so it's not that different.

What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?

The reason I did the film is because my friend Cory asked me to be in it, but when I read the script It was well written as I could see the whole thing playing out, so I had confidence that the production would be a success.

In regard to your character, Kyle, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?

I think when Dave Conte read the script I immediately came to mind as the ideal person to play Kyle.

Well, I am a nature loving, flower smelling kind of person who loves the sixties and plays guitar. So, yes.

Was there a certain scene or incident during the production that stands out in your mind?

The first thing that comes to mind is when the sky completely opened up and dumped on us during the second weekend and Cory became a shadow of his former self. Second to that is when my throat was slit and Allie and I had to sit back to back with our necks bent over each other for a long period of time. That was painful.

During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

From the cast it would be Ben Santos. From the crew I'd say Steph Barker, the make up/gore person, since so much of the film's success relied on her, and she nailed it.

Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

Time travel and martial arts. Something like Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and The Karate Kid meets Friday the 13th.

Allyson Smith plays Suzanne, the 60's hippie wannabe and the female half of the Kyle and Suzanne team in Mother's Day. I sent Allyson a series of interview questions dealing with herself, her character in the film, and the production. Here is what she had to say....

The first movie I remember being scared by was Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. It terrified me as a child, and probably ruined a few beach trips. But the first actual horror movie I saw was The Exorcist.

I was terrified by it. My father loves scary movies, and had no qualms about watching them, even when my sisters and I protested. The Exorcist is his all time favorite scary movie, so he constantly watches it, but even today I can’t sit through it all. It just left me so scared the first time that I haven’t been able to swallow the fear and watch it all the way through.

Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?

If you cant tell by my previous answers, not really, no. (Lol!) When someone gets me to actually sit down and watch a horror film, I usually have them warn me about scary parts. Good horror movies (when I can sit through them) usually leave me thinking “Well, that was fun, let’s not do it again anytime soon!”

Before Cory asked me to take part in the movie, I didn’t even know that Friday the 13th was the title of a series! I knew about Jason and (of course) his infamous mask, but nothing past that until we sat down and watched some of the movies.

I can’t really say, I haven’t seen one all the way through. What I have seen was mostly more funny then scary, so that in itself has encouraged me to watch the movies.

Before getting the part of Suzanne in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

No… I wish I had read Mother’s Day though. It would have helped me grasp the character all the more. Like I said, I wasn’t even aware that there was a series of movies known as Friday the 13th, yet alone that there were books!

Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?

I feel like it almost removes Jason from the bad guy role of his own series. Like the first few movies, his mother is the culprit in Mother’s Day, giving orders, driving the hunter to kill. It makes his mom look more like the crazed old woman, the brains behind the operation while Jason is the brawn. Perhaps this shows us that Jason is crazy for a reason.

Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

I think that the lack of Jason was at least a small advantage: it showed the power of Jason all the more. The fact that this one boy’s anger and hatred is so strong that it was absorbed into his mask in a way that effects anyone else who wears it… that’s so intense, and adds to his legend. The hunter turned into another victim of Jason Voorhees without even knowing it.

What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?

Perhaps it was silly (and a tad dumb) on my part, but I agreed to take part before even reading the script or knowing who my character was. I’ve always enjoyed acting, so when Cory asked me, I was all for it. After seeing the script, however, I knew that the production would be a lot of fun, and that the team of Cory (Director), Matt (Director of Photography), and Dave (Assistant Director) would get it done right.

In regard to your character, Suzanne, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?

I really didn’t choose the part of Suzanne for myself; Cory was actually the one who chose me for the part. Both Cory and Dave agreed that I’d play the part well. After reading the script, I realized that I would have chosen Suzanne anyways. She seemed like such a fun person to play, a small part, but big in her own way. I found that I liked the idea of being one of the first to die. ?

I think I’m very similar to Suzanne, actually, which could be why Cory chose me for the part. She’s laid-back, relaxed, and caring. She seems to be the most levelheaded of the characters, the one who can be happy and bouncy, but also carries a ‘step back and see the big picture’ air about her. Or maybe that’s just my contribution to the character of Suzanne.

Was there a certain scene or incident during the production that stands out in your mind?

The second big weekend we were filming, it started raining. At first it was only a slight sprinkle, so many of us just took cover under the trees. I covered my head with a towel to prevent my straightened hair from curling (that would make for some really bad continuity), and soon found myself sharing it with Mali (Carly) and Nicole (Monique). We were sitting under a tree, huddled under this towel, when Ben (Boone) suddenly yelled “It’s gonna come down in buckets!!!” Sure enough, it started pouring, and everyone scattered for the closest tent. All four girls (including Stephanie, make-up) on set ended up diving into the same tent, where we waited out the rain. It was funny, but at the same time, we couldn’t help but feel bad for Cory, Matt, and Dave as they ran around gathering/covering equipment. Filming for the rest of the day had to be canceled.

During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

Oh gosh, everyone put in so much effort that it’s hard to say. Mali (Carly) is definitely one at the top of the list: she acted non-stop, staying up until the break of dawn some days. She was such an amazing actress, and always ready for what was called. Nicole has to be mentioned as well, simply because she saved all of our butts by picking up the role of Monique last minute, and did an incredible job with it. And of course, Stephanie, who did an amazing job with make up, sticking it out even when no make up was required.

Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

I can’t tell for sure. Fans will always be willing to create their own stories or adapt what others have written, especially if they have as much passion as Cory had about this project. As for Hollywood, I think that they’ll make more Friday the 13th movies as long as there’s money in it (a sad Hollywood fact), and new scripts are always being looked for. It would be awesome to see other adaptations to the novels.

As I was never a huge fan in the first place, I’m not sure what has already been done, or what can be done. It was a bit extreme to see movies like Freddie vs. Jason, or Jason X (aka: Jason in Space), and it almost made me wonder if they were running out of ideas for the characters. Perhaps putting a twist on the original story line some how, or getting into Jason’s head and knowing what’s in his (seemingly dull) mind. I’m really not sure.

Matthew Lundberg is the Director of Photography on Mother's Day. I sent Matthew a series of questions relating to himself, his role as Director of Photography, and the production itself. Here is what he has to say....

If you want to be technical, the first scary movie I ever saw was The Land Before Time. I saw it in the theater when I was probably about three years old and I can clearly remember being scared. Looking back, I'm not quite sure what I was scared of, but the fear was definitely there.

Hey, if you saw bunch of dinosaurs towering above you, animated or not, you would be scared too!

Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?

To be honest, not really. You can shoot someone as much as you want on screen, but when people begin pulling knives and axes out, I get a little squeamish. I prefer movies that rely on implied violence rather than graphic violence. However, I feel that graphic violence used in particular scenes and in short supply can have a much greater effect than absolutely no overt violence at all. I also believe that excessive graphic violence is... well, excessive and is detrimental to a horror film. I think that there is a distinction between horror films and violent films. I don't always needs violence to scare me, and I feel that some of the best scares can be had without it.

I am a fan of the original three, but when you start throwing the undead onto boats in Manhattan and into orbit around a sequel to the planet Earth, I get a little... I don't know... disenchanted. I see Jason X almost as the “Die Another Day” of the series (I am a huge James Bond aficionado) – it shouldn't even be in the series. Better yet, it shouldn't even exist. So, although a Friday the 13th movie is not the first thing I would pick up to watch, I do enjoy them.

I'd have to say that the original is my favorite, but as I mentioned before, I like the two sequels also. I like the way that these fit together and the evolution of the original legend.

Before working on Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

No, and I'm sorry to say William that I had not, and I in fact still have not . If an autographed copy found it's way into my mailbox that might change, however...

Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?

I'd like to answer this question in conjunction with the next one if that is all right.

Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

I don't know if it was either a detriment or an advantage; it was simply different. Jason was there, even if it wasn't really him – his soul was the driving force behind the rampage of the hunter. This shows that anyone can be transformed into a force of evil if the circumstances are right and that Jason is not necessarily the source of evil, but it's servant. His legacy will be carried on no matter what happens.

Most people have a very limited idea of what a Director of Photography does. Please tell us about what it is you do on the production.

As the Director of Photography, my job is to take the story that the writer and director create and make the visuals reinforce and help tell that story. Usually I like to experiment quite a bit and move the camera around and take risks and get the shot that makes the audience gasp and generally steal the show. But with this project I realized more than ever that the point is to tell the story that you came to tell and not to simply impress the crowd with some fancy tricks. My main goal was to achieve as much of a sense of realism as possible. Lighting was the area I put the most time and energy into, and I think that it paid off.

For this film, I sat down with Cory and we went through most of the series, reviewing certain scenes and soaking in the general feeling and mood that the visuals presented. I did not take notes or put any plans down to replicate any particular shots from the series because it was not my intention to simply copy and otherwise rip off the style of other cinematographers and dump them into this film.

For this film no storyboards were created, so all the angles and shot scales were either devised by myself or Cory in advance or on the spot. Throughout the shoot, Cory had his vision and he would let me know where he wanted the camera placed most of the time; other times while he was working with the actors I would set up the shot on my own. Generally I like to work without storyboards because I find them restricting, but I also understand their importance. Cory and I both prefer shot lists as a reference to keep us on track, but I didn't have the luxury of being able to scout locations ahead of time so I had to think on my feet. As much as can be said for preparation, improvisation is also a wonderful tool, and something I enjoy using.

Well for one thing, this is the first film that I have worked on where I have had the opportunity to act strictly as the Director of Photography without having any other official position to take my mind away from the visuals. This was a great experience because of that fact alone. I've also never worked on a horror film, so I wasn't about to let that go. And since I would have the opportunity to work with so many great people, how could I have turned down an offer like that? Making a film can be one of the most enjoyable experiences in the world, and if you have a great group of people to work with, you can't ask for anymore than that.

During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

Although I agree with you that there is usually one person who stands above the rest, I would have to say that in this case everyone pitched in and did more than their share to help bring this film together. As is usually the case with film making, we had to battle the elements, technical problems, and, inevitably, the aviation industry in our attempt to make the best film possible and we couldn't have done it without everyone helping each other out.

Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

I definitely think that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future because in my view the studios don't know what the hell they're doing on their own and I think that audiences are realizing that. More independently produced films are getting recognized all the time, and with costs for film production dropping as a result of more widely available digital technology, more people are making their own projects outside of the industry.

What I would like to see in future Friday the 13th stories is a return to the origins of Jason and of his mother – not necessarily an actual jump back in time as in a prequel, but having that part of the story woven into various subplots so that you get a new main story with new characters but there is a solid grounding in the original legend. I think that getting away from Crystal Lake makes for a more interesting setting, but it doesn't need to be New York or the voids of space, but simply a small, middle class, good old God-fearing town. I think that it would also be beneficial to have a good opponent for Jason. Not Freddy, not someone with superpowers or anything like that, just a really determined son-of-a-bitch who isn't going to let Jason just waltz in, plow through the newly plastered living room wall, stab a few loved ones, and leave them hanging in the trees around the neighborhood. Jason is dangerous because he is not just a hulking menace lurking in the woods scaring off little kids. He is systematic, calculating, cold, and brutal. I think that a lot of people have forgotten that amidst the gags and the stunts. If you want to scare me, don't show me a lifeless monster – show me a monster who is not only good at killing people, but who is driven to kill people by a hateful passion for those who can enjoy the things that true living has to offer. Show me the way Jason used to be on screen, and then I will start looking behind the door before I shut off the light.

Stephanie Barker is the Makeup Effects Artist in Mother's Day. I sent her a series of question regarding herself, her position as Makeup Artist, and about the production in general. Here is what she had to say....

I can honestly say that my first scary movie was Friday the 13th, I’m not sure which one, but I definitely remember watching them with my friend at her house when we were really little.

Yes, it did scare me, especially because I wasn’t supposed to be watching any films like that in the first place because of how young I was.

Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?

Yes, I couldn’t get enough of them, I would always want to go to my friends house just because she had so many.

Oh yeah, it’s hard to believe that so many people still haven’t seen a Friday the 13th film. I feel like these films inspired me right from the start, even though I was very young, I was always interested in the gory effects and how they were done.

# 4, because the special effects in that one were amazing! Of course it’s because of Tom Savini, I would love to match up to his skills one day.

Before working on Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?

No, but after learning that Cory’s script was based on the book, it made me extremely interested in reading all of them.

Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?

Well, I don’t think you can really call it a ‘Jason’ movie, but I really like the role of “The Hunter” because it shows the power that the mother really has by her being able to possess a whole new character into doing whatever she wants.

Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?

It would’ve been cool to have Jason in the movie, but I like how it focuses on the power of the mother and what she can do. I like how Jason’s mask represents him and how the mask still holds all of Jason’s power and evilness.

As you are probably aware, the makeup effects artist on the original Friday the 13th was the legendary Tom Savini. How does it feel to be in the position of doing homage to him?

It feels amazing. Tom Savini is one of the greatest makeup artists of all time and to be working on a film in the same series as him is awesome. It definitely gives me hope and confidence that someday I will be as good as he is.

I would say that it’s Tom Savini. He does so many horror effects and that’s what I’m interested in the most.

They weren’t too complex, but they were the most complex effects I’ve created so far. I was very intimidated at first, but once I started it all just kind of came together for me.

It was created using a headless mannequin and I used some colored gelatin mixed with corn chips to create some of the chunks. The guts were created using blood and raw meat.

During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?

There were two people that stood out to me, Kendall Sayer was one of them, he was amazing. He worked his ass off and never complained. Mali was the other person because she is an amazing actress and blew everyone away. I worked with her through all hours of the night and she was just as good at 4 in the morning.

Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?

Yes, I believe that the fans have a huge impact and if this film is a success, then why not make another one?

I would like to continue to see good special effects, it’s important and they really make a whole film believable.