I’ve always been a fan of turning the tables on a familiar story or topic. A story from a different perspective is nothing new, but as with everything, it’s how you tell that story. Director and writer Jordan Galland‘s third film, Ava’s Possessions, focuses on what happens to a young woman immediately after being possessed. She has to answer for the crimes she committed, reconcile with people she wronged and figure out how to get her life back to “normal.” To aid her in her journey, she joins SPA, Spirit Possessions Anonymous, where she meets others in similar circumstances. With surrealistic imagery and a delightfully enchanting soundtrack, this film flows in between horror and comedy in a playful way.
https://youtu.be/FrtT9ZuInfU
I got a chance to sit down with Ava herself, Louisa Krause, and Jordan Galland to talk about this unique film. It was clear that the energy on set was very collaborative and relaxed, and yet completely thought out. Jordan takes the role of leader seriously, but doesn’t get hung up on it. Louisa is so full of passion and talent, you feel like it could rub off on you.
Speaking with the two of them, I did my best to not ask the typical questions and really dig into the process of making a film. So often audiences have no idea what motivates the talented people who entertain them. Here are some of the highlights:
Jordan Galland
- Took him 2 years to arrive at the right concept
- Had an idea of Men In Black with demons, but was too big of an concept
- Had an idea for using colors because of how constrained he was on his last film, Alter Egos
- So many current horror films are desaturated and “there’s a bleakness to it.” Jordan wanted a totally different feel and the use of color was a perfect way to achieve that
- When I asked about accounting for the audience watching on smaller screens, not in a movie theater, Jordan responds, “You have to fight it, not to. The fact of the matter is, sometimes it’s really hard to get a lot of wide shots. Shooting an indie film is hard. At night, it’s hard to light the whole background…it takes hours and permits and sometimes you don’t have those resources. Sometimes you do, so you choose your battles. That’s why close-ups are thought of as a very indie film trait. When you have a close up, it’s easier way to film the frame. For a movie like, It Follows, I feel like they put all their budget into lighting these beautiful backgrounds and filming so much in wide shots and I actually think that you have to not think for the iPhone or TV.”
- “I think that’s the fun part, is educating yourself with the history of movies and how people achieved, moving, great, disturbing and unsettling images and not worry too much about the media. It’s still photography. Not “still photography” it is still photography ultimately. Until there’s 3D holograms telling stories. That would be a different approach.”
- Original score by Sean Lennon, who has composed his other films as well.
Louisa Krause
- “Had a blast doing the possession stuff.”
- Jordan had her watch My Own Private Idaho with River Phoenix
- When filming movies, rarely are they shot in sequence. Louisa likes to look at all the scenes in order to get a better idea of the character and how she is developing. “It’s faster than looking at a full script.”
- When talking about the crew, “Everybody wants to be there, because of Jordan, Because of his energy and brain.”
Ava’s Possessions is available today on demand – on iTunes it’s $9.99, and in select theaters below
During last night’s GOP debate, we were treated to a new political ad. While I generally find these to be full of lies and altogether vomit inducing, this particular ad was right up my alley. Take a look for yourself.
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