Interview: Kristian Hanson, Writer/Director/Star Of Sledge

16th August 2014

A spoof of the horror genre, and littered with nods and references to fright flicks of yesteryear, Sledge fixes on a psychopath who not only believes he’s in a movie and video game but that he’s the hero of this story.

We spoke to Kristian Hanson, who not only helmed the film but plays the lead role, about the new film.

How would you pitch me the movie if you have to?

If you like to laugh and enjoy horror, Sledge is the movie for you. Sledge has a little bit of gore, some laughter, and even a movie host puppet named Assly that will bring up memories of late nights watching Elvira… Just less attractive and less cleavage.

The film isn’t so much a horror movie as it is a satire. Is that correct in saying?

To be honest the answer is yes and no in that regard. We lovingly poke fun at the horror classics of the past, but try to create a new take on the horror slasher with Adam Lynch. I grew up loving Chucky and Freddy, both who talk and are funny in the later films. Adam believes he is in a video game or movie himself and we just wanted to have fun with that but also poke fun at films I grew up loving like Friday the 13th and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

You’re the star of the movie, as well as the director. What did you prefer – the performance side of things or filming it?

I really enjoyed directing and working with the actors. I would sit down with the actors before each scene whether I was in the scene or not to discuss what they were doing and to get their thoughts. I’m a big fan of improv and allowing actors to be themselves and inject their own personalities into their roles to make it more realistic. I’m not saying playing Adam wasn’t a blast as well, but I really enjoyed working with the people who truly made Sledge great and that was the cast.

Where was the movie filmed? There’s some beautiful locations in there!

Sledge was shot in Potsdam, NY where my co-director and all of the actors reside. Russ Matoes (Nash) dad owned the land we primarily filmed on including the small pond and campsite. It was a beautiful area and filming at the end of August beginning of September made it that much more gorgeous.

The film has a few nods to various horror movies, which ones should we be on the lookout for?

Beetlejuice is definitely the biggest one and my favorite scene of the movie. I hear that is everyone’s favorite scene the most out of any because it is shocking and hilarious. I also reference Alien, Freddy Krueger, Chucky and even the most horrifying doll movie of all time… Toy Story.

Have you screened the film at festivals?

Yes, Sledge played at Twisted Tails Film Festival, along with Action on film festival where it was nominated for best horror film and Indie Fest where we won an award for Merit in filmmaking.

How did you get a distributor? Was it a matter of sending a DVD around to various distributors?

Finding a distributor I send countless emails to companies with our promotional poster and trailer. We had about six offers and at the end of the day, John and I decide to go with Maxim Media International. We had constant communication with them over out requests and at the end of the day they seemed to be a company that truly cared about the film and “got” what Sledge is. A fun and funny film that two guys made for $800 and a dream that was able to come true.

Sledge premieres in the US on VOD September 2nd and DVD on October 7th.

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