Thicker Than Water - Recently Updated Pages

The Vampire Diaries

philmesserer — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:25:30 CST

Official Site for the award-winning darkly comic horror...

A Tale of Two Sisters

Twin sisters Lara (Eilis Cahill) and Helen (Devon Dionne) Baxter couldn’t be more different. Lara is a black-haired goth who has a shrine to Anne Rice in her candle-lit room and enjoys solitary walks in the cemetery while blonde Helen is a vegetarian cheerleader who has all the local letter-jacketed testeronies buzzing around her and mocks her sister's overuse of eyeliner. Their brother Raymond (Michael Strelow) is a closet case medical student who still lives at home and collects rubber bands. Rounding out the happy family is Mom (Jo Jo Hristova), an ex-professional skater from a foreign suppressed land close enough to Transylvania to make her immediately suspicious.

The twins' feud reaches a boiling point when Helen makes the moves on Lara's secret crush, prompting the dark sister to cast a voodoo curse on Helen involving a cut up Barbie, some hair strands, and a few cage-free eggs whipped gently with teenage hate and crested with a nice firm cow’s heart. The next morning, Helen wakes up with a severe nosebleed, and although a doctor assures the family that it's nothing to worry about, it doesn't take long before the poor girl is dead and Lara is overcome with guilt.

Grieving from their loss, Helen’s family members each reach for their own brand of comfort. Mrs. Baxter seeks solace in the arms of the church, Lara becomes more subdued in her rituals, and Raymond sets to work breaking down the oddities in his sister’s blood (which he collected during her nosebleed.) There he discovers a virus - one that feeds on red blood cells is sensitive to ultra-violet light. Suddenly there is a knock at the door.

Helen, covered in blood, is standing outside still draped in her body bag. Fortunately for Mom's heart (but unfortunately for Helen's mortician), it's not her blood: apparently, she is now a full-fledged vampire, and she was just a little hungry when she awoke on her slab. The family quickly realizes that they will need to find a steady supply of "sacrifices" to cope with their newfound dilemma, but the problem here is that Helen is still a vegan, and besides... killing innocent people doesn't gel with the family's religious beliefs. So begins a bizarre mixture of horror, dark comedy, and family drama as the Baxters attempt to keep their family together.

Compiled from reviews by Emily Blunt, Sarah Jahier, Chad Connelly, Kimberly Swan, and The Video Vixen

What people are saying:

"Thicker than Water is a brilliant and welcome return to the real vampire genre."

~ James Latimer, Bram Stoker International Film Festival

Winner: Best Actress - Eilis Cahill
Winner: Best Supporting Actress - Jo Jo Hristova
Winner: Best Soundtrack
Nominated: Best Picture

"If I had to choose one word to describe Thicker Than Water, it would be 'fresh'. A fresh approach to the vampire tale."

~ Joe Jenkins, Horror UK

Nominated: Best Screenplay

"Thicker Than Water has heart, spirit, and devotion to both the genre and the craft of filmmaking."

~ Claw, Terror Film Festival

"Poignant and beautiful."
Logan Desisto

"A bold new vision of what vampires are and what films about them can be." David Greenberg

"A defining moment in the modern interpretation of the myth." Gabriell Faust

"I was shocked. I generally hate vampire movies."
Chad Connolly

"The ensemble cast digs deep into the metaphor-rich script and mix as well together as any potion capable of unleashing the undead persona that lurks in the farthest reaches of us all." James Wegg Review

"A devilish and spicy marinated vampire brew of bratty burb teen, stylishly rude angst and undead wicked charm."
Prairie Miller

"Drags vampire myth kicking and screaming somewhere its never been before. The Suburbs!" Magda Mook

"The blackness of the humor is quite merciless."
Richard Moria

"I have seen the future of horror and it is Phil Messerer."
Herb West

"One hell of a fun ride."

And for those who have already been bitten - Part 2:

Logline:

Welcome to The Facility, a vampire prison, where the vampire queen has just been caged.

Synopsis:
(spoiler alert if you haven't seen part 1)

Helen Baxter, 16 year-old vampire, has been captured and is being held in The Facility, a top secret Pyramid complex where vampires are studied and pinned against one another in gladiatorial combat. Meanwhile, her foster sister, Lara, is introduced into the vampire community, a species of ancient beings led by a group called The Elders. Vampires are human for their first 16 years of life and are generally left with human foster families so their real parents don’t eat them. Lara learns that Helen is really the daughter of Oya, the original vampire, and is set to become the vampire queen if only she can escape from The Facility, a prison from which only one vampire has ever escaped. But that vampire was she, at the ripe old age of one day. How did she do it? And will she be able to do it again? Will Lara help her foster sister? Or will she exact her revenge on Helen, whom she blames for the death of her family. The mythology is completely original with a concerted focus on realism. These vampires are completely natural, there is nothing mystical about them. They are a species, not some walking undead. The Serpent Queen introduces us to a world whose inhabitants know the secrets of the ages, are witnesses to history and may intend to destroy all of humanity… depending on how angry we make their new queen. Prepare to be shocked, terrified and challenged. This is not your father’s vampire flick.

Phil Messerer
Writer / Director
sugarfactoryfilms@yahoo.com

Lara's Daily Blog:

Current Rank:

16,010

"Award Of Excellence."

The Accolade

"A gem in the muck."

Emily Blunt

Nominations:
Best Actress - Eilis Cahill
Breakout Star - Devon Dionne

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Awards

philmesserer — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:08:01 CST

Festival History

Octoberfests 2009

Bram Stoker International Film Festival
October 19th
Whitby, England

"Thicker Than Water is a brilliant and welcome return to the real vampire genre."

~ James Latimer, Festival Director

Terror Film Festival
October 23rd
Philadelphia, U.S.A.

Best Screenplay Nominee

"Thicker Than Water is a great example of independent filmmaking. Heart, spirit, and devotion to both the genre and the craft of filmmaking."

~ Claw, Festival Director

28 Hours Later
October 31st
Fareham, England

Winner: Best Actress - Eilis Cahill
Winner: Best Supporting Actress - Jo Jo Hristova
Winner: Best Soundtrack
Nominated: Best Picture

"Thicker Than Water is a fresh approach to the vampire tale, with fresh characters and a fresh storyline. This is the reason that it is headlining our festival and has been nominated for best feature."

~ Joe Jenkins, Festival Director

Film Premiere

Tribeca Cinemas, NY

B-Movie Fest
Winner: Best Director
Winner: Best Music
9 nominations including Best Picture

Honlulu International Film Festival
Winner: Gold Kahuna Award

Accolade Competition
Winner: Award of Excellence
Winner: Best Supporting Actress: Jo Jo Hristova

2008 Action On Film International
Winner: Best Art Direction
Nominated:
Best Actress - Eilis Cahill
Breakout Star - Devon Bailey
Best Horror

IndieFest USA
Winner: Best Make-up

Indie Gathering
Winner: Best Horror

Independent Features Film Festival
Winner: Viewer's Choice - Best Horror

2008 Seattle True Independent Film Festival
Winner: Family Values Award

Bare Bones International
Honorable Mention: Best Horror

Hell's Half Mile Film and Music Festival
Official Selection

Washington D.C. International Horror Film Festival
Official Selection

Cinema City International Film Festival
Official Selection

NewFilmMakers NY
Official Selection

Riverside International
Official Selection

Route 66 Film Festival
Official Selection

Contact

philmesserer — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:37:57 CST

Email Phil at:

sugarfactoryfilms@yahoo.com

Reviews

philmesserer — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:27:38 CDT

"Poignant and beautiful."
Logan Desisto

"A bold new vision of what vampires are and what films about them can be."
David Greenberg

"I was shocked. I generally hate vampire movies." Chad Connolly

"Grabbed my skepticism by the throat and bit down hard." Simon Hill

"Throw your expectations out the window, this is one hell of a fun ride." The Jaded Viewer

"A film that fires on all cylinders." Ted Stanford (Interview)

"Irreverent, eerie, hysterically funny and deeply depraved. Will undoubtedly be held as a defining moment in the modern interpretation of the myth." Gabrielle Faust

"Gruesomely agreeable twists on standard vampire motifs abound."
MaryAnn Johanson

"Drags vampire myth, kicking and screaming, somewhere it's never been before. Suburbia. And the strange thing is, it seems to feel at home there." Magdalena Knight

"The vampire movie has gone domestic, in a way that's darkly funny and provocative."
Brian Skutle

"The blackness of the humor is quite merciless."Richard Moria

"Bloody and funny. If you don't laugh when the Mormons get theirs, you have no sense of humor."

"A devilish, spicy marinated vampire brew of bratty burb teen, stylishly rude angst and undead wicked charm" Prairie Miller

"Warped, witty and wild."
Sheila Merrit

"The balance of dark comedy and thriller are matched with an equally riveting dose of reality."
Heather Roddy

"A solid tale of what happens when horror comes home to stay. A breath of fresh air within the vampire genre."

"Bloody original!"
Brian White

"Treats the idea of Vampirism with a rare sense of subltety."

"The writing is spot-on and complex, combining humor and pathos in equal amounts to create a smart and sanguine dark comedy horror." Garvan Giltinan

"I have seen the future of horror and it is Phil Messerer"
Herb West

"Messerer uses a varied visual palette: engravings, graphics,
zoetrope-like effects, atypical lenses and framing." Theron Neel

"The film looks beautiful with its rich colors and deep blacks." Jason Thorson

"Phil Messerer is a freakin' genius!" The Angry Princess

"Messerer has created very distinct personalities between characters that always clash, mostly in dynamically mundane ways that help bring out the irony of the plot."

"Scene after scene of charmingly addictive plot and smart character development." Bryan Schuessler

"Chalked full of great makeup effects, wonderful characters and an incredibly original story."
Adam Beck

" Succeeds in taking an old legend and presenting it as
a plausible reality with logical, yet unanticipated results."
The Horror Czar

"The well-plotted storyline has been made plausible with the narration of an ancient text, and in the medical findings of the vampire’s blood." Kimberly Swan

Gooey, ironic, deep, funny and absorbing. Took me to places I've never been in the world of vampire cinema. Brett H.

"A vampire film where there is as much heart as there is blood."
Mavra

"The ensemble cast digs deep into the metaphor-rich script
and mix as well together as any potion capable of unleashing the undead
persona that lurks in the farthest reaches of us all." James Wegg Review

"Eilis Cahill, is perfect as that quiet black eyed nothing-shocks sort
you see sucking on Dumdums and secretly TIVO-ing Lost."
Emily Blunt

"Devon Dionne delivers a stunning, powerhouse performance." Sarah Jahier

"Jo Jo Hristova plays the religious mother with heartbreaking tenacity"
Heather Wixson

"The real show stealer is Michael Strelow as Raymond, who transforms gradually from shy reclusive nerd to svelte, confident gay vampire killer." The Vicar

"An ever changing original soundtrack that slides like a rather sadistic Slinky from death metal to folk to oldies and pop classics." Richard Propes

"There is nothing but good in this little indie that could." Will Colby

Leave it to the low-budget film scene to find a way to rejuvenate the modern concept of the vampire. Nathan Bartlebaugh

"A revelation of an independent movie and a salutory lesson to independent filmmakers in what to do." Andy Boylan

"Hands down the best independent movie I have ever had the pleasure of watching!" The Bone Breaker

Links

philmesserer — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:10:08 CDT

The Drinking Game

The Tiny Tragedies

Rostislav Spitkovsky

Sugarloaf, NY

Raymond's Lab Supplies

Synopsis

philmesserer — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 06:39:29 CDT

A Tale of Two Sisters

Thicker Than Water is the first part in the Vampire Diaries Trilogy. It tells the story of the Baxters, an ordinary suburban family whose world is turned upside down when their youngest becomes a vampire.

Lara, a precocious teenage Goth, hates her wholesome sister, Helen. She envies her popularity, her looks and most of all, her mother's pride and affection. One day, after their 16th Birthday party, during which she is particularly humiliated by her sister’s friends, Lara performs an intricate ritual in front of her Anne Rice alter involving a Barbie doll and calf’s heart. The next morning Helen awakens with a severe nosebleed. Then she dies in her sister's horrified arms.

The family is desperately grief stricken. Lara is filled with guilt, Mom with philosophical anguish and Raymond, the gay neuro-scientist brother, with curiosity, as he discovers a strange virus in Helen's blood: one that feeds on red blood cells. Suddenly there is a knock on the door. Helen, still wearing her white body bag, is standing outside, covered in blood.

It is clear that all is not well with their resurrected family member. For one thing, she requires human blood as sustenance. The family realize they must find 'sacrifices' to keep her alive. But the vegetarian cheerleader refuses to feed. She suffers gut-wrenching blood withdrawals until she blacks out and rips her victims to shreds. The first 'sacrifices' are a pair of Mormon missionaries doing the local rounds. After that it is pretty much up to Raymond, who cruises the local gay bars in search of prey. With their world crumbling around them, the Baxters find themselves lulled into atrocity, the daily carnage destroying their sense of morality while bringing them closer together as a family. And how did Helen become a vampire? What exactly are vampires? Forget everything you think you know and get ready for a completely original retelling of the most ancient of myths.

Soundtrack

philmesserer — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:50:30 CDT

"An ever changing original soundtrack that slides like a rather sadistic Slinky from death metal to folk to oldies and pop classics." Richard Propes

B-Movie Fest winner for Best Music, the soundtrack for Thicker Than Water features some awesome underground bands. Click on the image to visit the artist’s site.

"Snakes"
Written by Temple of Echoes
Performed by Temple of Echoes

"Faulter"
Written by Temple of Echoes
Performed by Temple of Echoes

"Voyage"
Written by Jezabella Kipp
Performed by Jezabella Kipp

"Clear as Mud"
Written by Jezabella Kipp
Performed by Jezabella Kipp

"Lullaby"
Written and performed by Liz Lysinger

"Where old Bones live"
Written and performed by Native Son

"Inspiration Point"
Written and performed by Madisonprep

"Northern Lights"
Written and performed by Randall Leddy

"The Way I Spend My Day"
Written and performed by Thumpy Tollinger

"With a Heavy Heart"
Written by Afflitus
Performed by Afflitus

"The hardest scene to score was when Helen, the 16 year old vampire stalks and kills her prey. At first I threw on some Slayer, off course that worked great but it didn't really tell the girl's story. So then I tried Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time, in a weird way, that worked just as well. What I needed was a cross between Britney and Slayer... and I found it in a band called MadisonPrep, the song is called 'Inspiration point'."

Phil Messerer

Trivia

philmesserer — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:41:57 CDT

The Family is named the Baxters because in the name Helen Baxter are the words 'Hell and back'!

The poster for the film is taken from a tattoo on the director's arm created by world renowned horror portraitist, Bob Tyrell on an episode of L.A. Ink

Jo Jo Hristova, who plays Mom, is actually a year younger than Michael Strelow, who plays her son.

Eilis Cahill, in preparation for her role as 16-year-old Lara Baxter, snuck into a high school and pretended to be a student for a day. She got away with it.

Devon Dionne, who plays Helen, the bloodsucking vampire, doubled as Cinderella for kids' parties, usually right after the shoots

"Bringing in the Sheaves", the song sung by the Mormons, is the song sung by Robert Mitchum in The Night of the Hunter (1955).

News

philmesserer — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:33:37 CDT

07/10/09

Thicker Than Water Selected to first ever Bram Stoker Film Festival!

3/17/09

IMDb ranking shoots up 110% to 7289.

A letter from the Bram Stoker Film Festival:

Hi Phil,

I have taken the Directors choice and wantVampire Diaries-Thicker Than Waterto screen at our festival. Our President is Dacre Stoker- Direct descendant of Bram Stoker. The new Dracula-The Un-Dead novel written by Dacre is launched globally at our festival by Dutton and Harper Collins. World media attention will be on the festival, so good media exposure should be assured for the movies. Can I ask you to consider the following message? We would like to publicise your movie as a UK premiere if you are in agreement.
It’s New, It’s Big and it’s Next October in Whitby, England.

And we wantTHE VAMPIRE DIARIES-PART1submitted to the Film Festival.
This is a special invitation.

No entry fee. We like what we see!!

Look forward to meeting you.
Be one of the first Film makers to say
I was there at the 1st Year.

www.bramstokerfilmfestival.com

Mike McCarthy

Festival Director
Bram Stoker InternationalFilm Festival

06/02/08

Thicker Than Water helps Red Cross Blood Drive

SUPPORT the Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival during the Red Room Event fundraiser on Friday at the Masonic Temple in downtown Bay City. The event will include red wine and chocolate tasting from 6:30-8 p.m. and a showing of the independent film 'Thicker than Water: Vampire Diaries Part 1' at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the tasting and movie and $10 for the movie only. A coupon for $5 off will be given out to people who donate blood from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the East Shoreline Chapter of the American Red Cross office, 228 Washington Ave. Info: 893-0343.

Bay City Times

Cast

philmesserer — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:01:53 CDT

THE STARS

Devon Dionne as Helen Baxter

Interview with the Vampire

Nominated for Breakout Female Star at the 2008 Action On film Festival, Devon Dionne has a degree in Acting and Classical Dance from the Pratt Institute in New York. Her theater credits include: The Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing. She was so tired on the set of Thicker Than Water (she had a day job) that she slept inside her character’s coffin between takes. After the shoots, she would often go to work as Cinderella at kids' birthday parties.

Eilis Cahill as Lara Baxter

Eilis Cahill Audition

Nominated for Best Actress at Action on Film and B-Movie Fest, Eilis Cahill is of Irish descent and a native New Yorker. In preparation for her role as 16 year-old Lara, the actress attended high school for a day and pretended to be a student. Nobody was the wiser.

Jo Jo Hristova as Mom

Perhaps the most amazing thing about Jo Jo Hristova’s performance as the old-world Bulgarian Mom who must choose between the proverbial water and blood, is not the fact that she was only 32 when production began, or that the actor playing her son was 33, or that she had to play her with a limp, or even the fact that English is her second language. What’s truly amazing is that within a span of thirty minutes, a time frame she was allotted before every shoot to get into character, she completely transformed herself from a bubbly, talkative young woman to the morose, hardened image we see on the screen. Strangers to the set did not recognize her. Her personality is about as removed from Mom as can be.

Recently honored with the Accolade Award for Best Supporting Actress, Jo Jo Hristova opens up about her experience making the film:

When I got invited to audition for the part of “Mom” and leafed through the script for “Thicker than Water” I said to myself, “I want this part”!

I bought a dress, specifically for the role and headed nerve-stricken to the first audition. I was invited into the room by two very friendly guys whom I felt I could totally trust. As I wanted the part so badly, I was completely taken by the role, leaving the two gentlemen unattended. These gentlemen turned out to be Phil Messerer and Dustin Leddy, who played my two daughters at the audition. I can still recall Phil giggling as I was yelling at both of them, as if they had been under my Bulgarian motherly wing forever. And when Phil asked me whether I had any children, a true asset in such a character role, I bravely replied, “No, but I have a mother.”

When I finally got the role, I remember screaming at the top of my lungs. It was so unlikely to play a woman thirty years older than I was.

This role has turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. It offered me the opportunity to work with many talented and enthusiastic people, whom I instantly befriended, like Eilis Cahill, Davon Bailey, Michael Strelow, Anthony Morelli, Michael Gongora, Russ Spitkovsky. During the shoot we became one big crazy family. I felt that the team really looked at me as “Mom”. I was truly inspired and blown away by their arresting character transformations, and felt the urge to keep up. I would daily witness how Eilis turns into a stubborn teenage Goth, how Michael molds into a gay nerd and how Devon shifts from a sweet popular cheerleader to an inhuman creature. What was even more touching was these accomplished actors seeking my counsel and advice on their portrayal. It was divine synchronicity: I felt in the right place, with the right people, at the right time, and I poured my heart unconditionally into the project.

The role of “Mom” was both challenging and fun. It required that my face be heavily painted. It took the amazing Randall Leddy two hours each day to age me 30 year. To make the character authentic, I placed wooden sticks on my hip to create a limp, which was quite painful sometimes. I was also urged to cry on cue without smearing tons of make up. To add to the whole experience there were days when I was drenched with fake blood made from corn syrup and fabric dye with no running water on the set. I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything!

Phil treated me with utmost respect, for which I am forever grateful. He smartly fitted me into the role, switching the American “Mom” to a Bulgarian one. He never hesitated to entertain my avalanche of questions, patiently guided me into the role, encouraging my suggestions and allowing me rather not play the part but own it. He was patient enough, keeping the team on hold, while I was preparing before shoot, meticulously providing all the vital necessities for an optimal performance. We clicked immediately, creating a relationship based on a mutual trust, a sort of artistic synergy that for me is one of the most essential ingredients in an actor-director tandem.

Now, as I watch the movie, I zoom through every scene into the magical experience of that moment. I still can’t believe that it was me, who was selected for the role, and that it was my reflection on the screen. I feel truly blessed and fortunate for having been part of such an incredible project.

Make Up

philmesserer — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:21:30 CDT

Make Up and Special Effects
by Randall Leddy

IndieFest USA winner for Best Make Up, Randall Leddy had to work without a make up room, using whatever free room was available (bathroom). Make Up usually took over three hours as Randall aged Jo Jo Hristova 30 years and transformed the angelic Devon Bailey into a savage, bloodsucking fiend. Devon required full body make up. At one point, the production had no running water, a serious hazard when working with fake blood. Randall was also nominated for Best Special F/X at the B-Movie Fest.

"The vampire, excuse me, vampiress, here is gross. No sexually thrilling soft-porn thoughts should surface for anyone. A true horror film without that stupid "perfect eyes in the morning" shot. The blood upon Helen’s face is like afterbirth – so be ready. And the family’s kill room, err basement, needs a bucket of warm soapy bleachy water – and soon. ‘Nough said? A+ on creep factor!"

Emily Blunt

Art Direction

philmesserer — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:13:55 CDT

Action On Film Winner for Best Art Direction, Thicker Than Water relied heavily on set design created by Katherine Messerer. Since most of the film takes place in one house, particular attention was given to the themes of every room. From Lara’s ‘Savage Garden’ to Helen’s stuffed animal orgy to the blood-drenched basement, most of the film is shot in deep focus, allowing the eye to wander around the intricate sets. Note: The Baxter house actually has no basement. The basement scenes were shot in a Brooklyn townhouse.

"The claustrophobic feel resulting from much of the film being shot inside the Baxter home perfectly mirrors the isolation the Baxters have chosen in an effort to protect and preserve their family."

Fury The Film Fan

Book of Oya

philmesserer — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:44:33 CDT

The First Vampire

Oya is the original vampire. Her story is told through a mysterious book of etchings in Thicker Than Water.
The book was etched by award winning Russian-American artist, Rostislav Spitkovsky.

The Death of the Maya

The Brothel of Blood

Director Interview

philmesserer — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:40:12 CDT

Independent Film Producer Phil Messerer may not actually believe in vampires, but that didn’t stop him from making a film about the centuries old wonder.

In fact, his horror flick, The Vampire Diaries: part 1 - Thicker Than Water (Sugar Factory Films), has won a host of honors including an Accolade Award of Excellence, Viewers' Choice Best Horror at the Tribeca Cinemas Independent Features Film Festival, as well as Best Director at the B-Movie Fest in N.Y., to name a few.

Although this is the Russian-born director’s first film, he said there’s more to come – it’s a trilogy. Thicker Than Water is a film about the Baxters, a typical suburban family whose lifestyle changes quickly when they learn that their daughter has been turned into ... wait for it … a vampire.

Messerer, 34, a freelance video editor by day, said he is extremely pleased with the film’s many star performances including the lead, Devon Bailey, as the 16-year-old angelic, vegetarian cheerleader who becomes a vampire. He also is proud of Eilis Cahill, who plays the cynical Goth twin sister, and Jo Jo Hristova, as the old-world Bulgarian immigrant mom, as well as Michael Strelow, as the gay neuro-scientist brother.

“The film is edgy and challenging, asking the ultimate question: ‘What would you do for love?’ The mood ranges from dark comedy to heavy melodrama to unspeakable terror. The vampire mythology is completely original as is the Goth metal soundtrack. It is also the first part of a projected trilogy with infinite growth potential,” says he film’s Web site.

Accolade’s Debbie L. Sklar recently interviewed Messerer about his film, which took more than 3 years to make on a budget of $200,000, only to discover that he’s not much of a believer in vampires, but he does have a few horror movie favorites.

Q: Can you offer some lessons learned that may help other independent/emerging filmmakers?

A: Communication: It’s amazing how much stuff I was able to get just by opening my mouth and asking for it. I don’t know much about the business side of filmmaking; I just picked up a camera and ran with it. People recognize and applaud the endeavors of the insane and I found they were only too willing to help out. Whether it was an ambulance or a drama class from the local high school, I rarely had to ask twice.

Q: What is the story behind the film and why did you select a horror film, especially since you’ve indicated that you want to become a serious filmmaker?

A: I didn’t set out to make a horror film. To tell you the truth, I’m not that big a fan of the genre, I don’t find it challenging enough. For me, horror is a tool, my film, a satire. Horror is an exaggeration of reality, which is really the essence of satire. My film has elements of horror but it’s not confined by the conventions of the genre. It’s a dark comedy, a satire of good old-fashioned American values. It questions the integrity of our moral principles. I know that sounds a little pretentious for a vampire flick, but I’m ambitious, what I can say.

Q: Meaning?

A: The essence of the film is simple: You are a conservative Christian household but your daughter needs human sacrifices to survive. Do you put family above morality? An interesting question seeing as the two are rarely at odds. But in my warped world, they are. The title, ‘Thicker Than Water,’ is two-fold – literal and figurative. The other thing about horror is that it is its own worst enemy. They want to scare us but they go out of their way to make it as unrealistic as possible. What’s the first thing you tell yourself when you’re really scared at the movies? ‘It’s not real!’ Hence the secret to true horror – realism.

Q: You said that this is a first in a trilogy ... have you started work on part 2? If so, can you give us a little tease as to what we can expect?

A: Part 2 is still very much top secret. But I will say this: The mythology behind the Vampire Diaries is completely original. In many ways, it is almost contrary to what we have been led to believe about the species. Book one only hints at the world to come. We are introduced to it through the very sheltered perspective of an innocent family. Once the layers begin to peel off, the intricacies of this world should be pretty impressive. I do hope to make a somewhat sexier sequel though.

Q: Yeah, there’s not much romance in your movie.

A: In Thicker Than Water, I went out of my way to take all the romance out of the genre. I shied away from it instinctively. That may be the allure of the genre for many of its fans but for me it is also what has made it stale. The image of Dracula biting the girl’s neck is so old that I wanted to go completely the other way. I wanted the vampirism to feel almost like a sickness. I focused on her need for blood and the kind of junky-like withdrawals she would endure. I actually position the vampire in the film as the most morally righteous character. She cannot control what she is-- it’s not her fault. And her morality ends up interfering with her survival. So, there was no room for sexy. In Part 2, the vampire, Helen, may mature enough to come to terms with her nature and use her sexuality as the weapon we all know it can be. And yes, there is the danger of treading on familiar ground but I just consider it as an added challenge. How to make it sexy and still feel fresh, that’s the next challenge.

Q:. What are your personal favorite all-time horror movies?

A: I’ll give you my top three.: The third scariest film I’ve ever seen is The Shining. Personally, I find ghost stories to be the scariest. A good ghost story plays on the unknown; that which you cannot see. My second favorite horror film is Seven. In this film the gradual exposition of the monster is what makes it so terrifying. And my all time favorite horror film? That’s easy: The Passion of The Christ. Quite possibly, the goriest film I’ve ever seen. Hands down, the greatest horror flick ever.

Q:. What was the best part of the movie making experience for you?

A: By far, it was the chance to work with actors. Sometimes, it felt surreal to be taking something so fun so seriously. I think most directors have to pinch themselves sometimes. I had en extremely talented cast with three female leads, all from very different acting backgrounds and the collaboration with each was exhilarating and educational.

Q: The most challenging?

A: The most challenging part of production was just keeping up moral. It took 3 years to shoot and the dedication required on the part of the cast was beyond any reasonable expectation. I would cut everything we shot immediately one, to see what else needed to be shot and two, to inspire them to keep going. Luckily, what we were getting was gold and they somehow had enough faith in me to see it through.

Q: What's the main message of this film and do you think the audience ‘gets it?’

A: The message is probably tolerance: People in glass houses – that sort of thing. We are so quick to condemn that we sometimes lose sight of our own flaws. There is a scene when the vampire daughter first comes home, still draped in her body bag, having just killed the mortician and her brother decides it’s the perfect time to come out of the closet. It was kind of a theater of the absurd to me and I wanted to make a little statement; that being a vampire and being gay were equal crimes in the mom’s eyes. Or something to that effect. I’m not too concerned with whether the audience ‘gets it’ or not.

Q: How do you feel about all of the awards that this film has won?

A: I am very honored that the Indie community has accepted this film so warmly. To date, we have screened at 14 festivals and received some fairly prestigious awards. It’s all the more special considering how truly Indie our film is. There were almost never more than 10 people on set including the cast. We were up against some pretty huge productions and we were usually the only horror film.

Q: Do you believe in vampires personally?

A: No.

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The writer, Debbie L. Sklar is a 20+year journalism veteran residing in Southern California, where she is a writer, columnist and editor for many local, regional and national publications.

Supporting Cast

philmesserer — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:40:01 CDT

Michael Strelow as Raymond Baxter

Michael Strelow was born and raised in the state of Kansas, where he neighbored both Dorothy and Clark Kent. Trained in the Stanislavski method, he immerses himself completely in a role, becoming the character on and off the set.

Myles Angus MacVane as Max

Myles MacVane is quickly making a name for himself as the new Millenium’s Vincent Price with a slew of appearances in a variety of indie horror flicks. For his role as Max, the owner of The Freakatorium, Myles had to wear Burmese python around his neck, shave his chest for a fake tattoo and recite the Marquis De Sade. He also grew a 4-inch goatee.

Peter Morr as Patrice Duchamp III

Peter Morr is a classically trained Shakespearean actor who leant his great talent to the film as the 200 year-old, memory-challenged, walking anachronism, Patrice Duchamp III. Of the character’s eccentric wardrobe, Peter has said: “He’s picked up a little something from every period. He thinks he looks great. Who’s going to criticize him?”

Anthony Morelli as Dad

Anthony Morelli makes his living as a clown, ironically named Baxter, the same name as the family in Thicker Than Water. On sethe became the official photographer, capturing some of the only production stills for the film.

Evan Lucas as Brother Wizchewski

Evan, a newcomer to the acting game, was cast because of his resemblance to a young Hitchcock. The scene in which he plays is an homage to the coffee cup scene Notorious. Director Phil Messerer called his turn as the unwitting Mormon who visits the wrong house in Thicker Than Water, “an extraordinary feat of subtle nuance and comic restraint”.

Storyboards

philmesserer — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:16:01 CST

Illustrated by Randall Leddy

Raymond, Stop!

philmesserer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:37:01 CST

I must be going

philmesserer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:35:04 CST

Sandy!

philmesserer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:33:43 CST

What is the point of prayer

philmesserer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:32:00 CST