DarkVeins interviewed Billy Pon (Doll Boy), the brilliant director of the spectacular Circus of the Dead (review here), a film masterfully acted by Bill Oberst Jr. and in which Billy Pon also co-wrote the screenplay with Lee Ankrum.
Beautifully written, directed, and performed, Circus of the Dead is a brutal film in which the violent actions of a group of psychopathic clowns are accompanied by strong black humor. DarkVeins thanks Bill Pon for giving his time.
L: Hi Bill. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
B: I'm a big handsome guy who is just trying to make some good horror movies before I die. I work in creative services at a local TV station but I spend most of my time dreaming about making lots of horror movies.
L: When did you discover your passion for film?
B: When I saw Star Wars as a kid, I knew I wanted to make movies... but when I saw Don't Open That Door ('74) I knew those movies would have to be lots and lots of horror. It was my father who passed on the passion for genre films to me as a child during the VHS boom period. I saw all the films I could get my hands on. The House and The House 2, Halloween, Dead Alive, Motel Inferno, just to name a few.
L: You are the creator of the popular haunted attractions Def Con 1 Haunted Warehouse and Circus of the Dead: Murder Maze in Odessa, Texas. Can you talk about that?
B: I have been involved in haunted houses since elementary school. My mother was in the PTA and we were involved in the typical Fall Festival/Carnival. I offered to help out in the haunted house and from that moment on, the passion for attractions was born. In 1998 I moved to Odessa, Texas, for a television job and opened Def Con 1 Haunted Warehouse. It was so successful that I opened Circus of the Dead: Murder Maze in 2005. It was that very haunted house that inspired me and co-writer Lee Ankrum to make the film Circus of the Dead.
L: Doll Boy (2010) is the title of your short film starring Sergio Gracida. What can you tell us about it? Is Circus of the Dead a sequel to Doll Boy?
B: Sergio is my brother-in-law and he is a really good guy. The idea of creating the character Doll Boy came to us because of the haunted house. You see, this character is part of the world of Circus of the Dead... Before making a feature film, I convinced myself that I should make a short film. I wanted to test myself to see if the end result was of quality before trying my hand at a feature film. It was and still is. Doll Boy It was a good "good luck charm" for me, and I am very proud of the end result. Circus of the Dead resumes exactly where Doll Boy stopped. So yes, in a sense it is the prequel to COTD.
L: I think Circus of the Dead is one of the best films I've seen in recent years. How did you come up with the idea of making a film with a group of psychopathic clowns?
B: Thank you very much for the kind words about COTD! Well, it's all about the haunted house having the same name and the challenge in wanting to make a movie about clowns that wasn't the typical "clown" movie...Lee and I focused it on the common man and the fact that everyone has both a good and a bad side. Donald was the good guy and Papa Corn was the bad guy. It's sort of a yin and yang.
We all do what we think is "right" for most of our lives but what would happen if we didn't? What would happen if we did not have remorse, feelings or regret? We would be Papa Corn.
Donald is a zombie in life. He lives his daily routine. Only when the clowns make him realize that things could get worse and worse for him does he finally wake up and want to live. The lesson is "don't take life for granted, it could always get worse..."
L: Let's talk about Bill Oberst Jr. who plays the iconic Papa Corn. What inspired you to create this terrifying but at the same time fascinating character? I also think his sense of humor is amazing.
B: Papa Corn is the alter ego of every man. We are all uncivilized, perverse and very dark people. And most of the time we hide it quite well. Papa is a rebel. He does what he wants and when he wants. He is the ultimate expression of freedom!
L: What was it like working with Bill Oberst Jr. Do you plan to work with him again? He is a very talented actor!
B: No, shit, when I say -- how fucking amazing was that!!! He is a master and can do his job a million times over. It was an honor to see him act. But the best thing about Bill is his inner part. He is professional and also a great gentleman. I would love to work with him right away too!!!
L: The other creepy clowns in Circus of the Dead are also memorable characters. Noodledome (Ryan Clapp), Mr. Blister (Rusty Edwards), Jumbo (Mike Williams) ... How did the casting process come about?
B: Ryan, Rusty and Mike are all my friends. It's kind of like the Wizard of Oz-remember how the tin man, the lion, and the scarecrow were actually workers on Dorothy's farm? Well, the clowns are my friends in real life. They were all great and never complained once. I am lucky to have such friends.
L: How would you describe Circus of the Dead?
B: Circus of the Dead is a throwback to the classic horror films of the 1970s but is at the same time innovative. It's fucking offensive, brutal, disturbing and funny!
L: Is there a release date yet for the Circus of the Dead DVD/Blu-ray?
B: No date yet. But we hope there will be very soon!
L: Recently Circus of the Dead won "Best Film" at Phoenix FearCon and one at the Housecore Horror Film Festival in Austin, Texas, while Bill Oberst Jr. won "Best Actor" ... How would you describe that experience?
B: We won four "Best Picture" awards, two "Best Actor" awards and a Most Extreme Film Awards last month. I'm very proud of all these awards, and it was a no-brainer for Bill to win Best Actor. He's the King, remember?
What matters most to me are horror fans and whether they liked the film or not. I too am a fan of the horror genre, and as far as I am concerned, I don't think there are many good horror movies out there!
L: What are you working on right now? Is Mister Fister the next film you're going to be working on? Can you tell us more about it?
B: Mr. Fister was a fake trailer for "Grindhouse" that I made a while back for a contest. It had a life of its own. Am I going to make the film soon?
YES!
The trailer for Mr. Fister here.
L: I'm very curious-I can't wait to see it!
What is your favorite horror movie of all time?
B: Don't open that door (1974).
L: Leave a message for DarkVeins readers!
B: Thank you for taking the time to read this interview and...follow my plans! I promise to be edgy and make the films my black heart suggests!
L: Thank you again for your time, Bill! It was an honor for me to have interviewed you!
