Se7en Questions with Filmmaker
Adam Steigert
Who are some of the artists or some of the works
that inspired you to get started in your field? Of today’s current artists, who do you draw inspiration from?
George Romero inspired me to want to direct, however a notable mention comes from a few years back when I had the opportunity to watch indie director Jonathan Martin’s short film An Evening with My Comatose Mother. This film is a very effective and artistic short horror film that I highly recommend to any artist looking to get into the business. I also strongly recommend a book I read by writer/ director Danny Draven called The Filmmaker’s Book of the Dead: How to Make Your Own Heart-Racing Horror Movie (Part 1). Yes, it does feature various methods on how to create a horror film but you could use his methods and teachings in almost every other genre.
What have thus far been some of the negatives of being an indie artist in your field?
Distribution. It has been extremely hard to trust distributors. Because of this I personally have been cautious around any offers that hit my desk. It takes a lot for me to sign a deal with a distribution company and it all comes down to trust and presentation.
What have thus far been the positives of being an indie artist in your field?
Support. There are so many amazing people out there that embrace art and artists. If it wasn’t for the fans, family and the awesome support of people I have had the privilege to work with closely I probably would have stopped doing this years ago. Special shout out to my wife and a fellow partner. As I’ve had doubts at times throughout my career, if it wasn’t for them pushing me through those doubts and showing me how much love I have for the art I would have quit a few years ago.
What have been your favorite completed projects to work on up to this point? Can you tell us a little bit about them?
A film entitled Ombis: Alien Invasion, currently streaming on Amazon, was probably my favorite film to have worked on for the simple fact the cast and crew worked assiduously to create the picture. At the time of principal photography none of us really knew the ins and outs of making a feature film. So, a lot of what we were doing was trial an error. We took chances and made mistakes. In the end we united as a cohesive team to create a piece of art which was brilliantly crafted and effectively executed. To this day I strive to create that same atmosphere on all my projects and although we come close there will always be one film that was the originator. If you like alien films you should check it out!
What projects are you currently working on or have planned for the near future?
Fang, just finished post production and we are looking to start the festival circuit with the title. Currently we are in production on our next feature film, entitled The Horrific Evil Monsters aka T.H.E.M., which is a combination of various unique and iconic characters throughout our films. We don’t call it a sequel, we call it a spin-off. The story revolves around a secret government agency, code name T.H.E.M., who recruits some of the most hazardous horror and science fiction characters of all time to fight the four horsemen of the apocalypse. These characters featured are an ex-action hero, alien, grim reaper, zombie, unstoppable serial killer (in the vein of a Jason) and a werewolf. The concept is unique and reaches a wide range of different genres and something for every horror lover. I am very excited to do this picture as it concludes stories that I put in motion starting in 2009.
Where do you see yourself in a few years and what would it take for you to consider your career a success?
I am not sure where I see myself as an artist in a few years. There is a project drafted by my wife Kristin Steigert that is being talked about within the company I work for entitled Dead West. It would connect to Fang and THEM (The Horrific Evil Monsters) if it happens. I have been talking about writing a book which seems to be the next likely thing to happen for me as an artist. I have been working on various films now since 2008 straight. As I am getting older in this career I have been slowing down and would like to take a year or two off before working on another film after THEM. To do a film justice you need to devote a 100% of yourself into the project, and after a while it becomes exhausting. The amount of energy one has to exert is daunting and draining. I would like to take some time off to not have to stress over the responsibility. Do something fun, such as photography or writing.
The moment I think that stands out as a career success is when you see a film you’ve written on paper that stemmed from your mind, on the big screen. Regardless of the result, to see a film come to life from your mind is a high I couldn’t explain to someone who hasn’t gone through the process from start to finish.
If you couldn’t do this anymore, what career path do you think you would have followed and why?
Photography, as I love to shoot iconic images that will last long after I leave this earth.
