Owen: Brett, you were essentially a stage actor when you directed/wrote/acted in your first film production (to my knowledge anyway) 'The Feral Man'.  What made you decide to take the celluloid plunge?

Brett: Well, I'd acted in a few short films and wanted to have a bigger film career. I've never been the kind of guy to wait for opportunities to come my way or wait for permission so I decided to take the initiative and make my own features. I'd studied theatre in University and Broadcasting in College so I figured I knew what I was doing.

Owen: I've been curious.  So what exactly bites Danny, aka The Feral Man and your character anyway, we never see it on screen?  It's all a POV camera of the beast; did you have a certain something in mind?

Brett: Hmm. I don't want to give too much away but I’ll ask you- does Danny actually get bitten by anything? If you listen to the conversation that the Linda character has with Inspector Vaughn at the end of the movie- you should have your answer. Thanks for watching the movie.

Owen: So you went into making films in the multiple-role as writer/actor/director.  What was the greatest lesson as a filmmaker you learned from that project?

Brett: From The Feral Man I learned that pre-production is crucial. If you don't have the paperwork, organization and preparation- a shoot can be a drag. If you prepare yourself with the answers ahead of time, you're laughing. Also- delegating responsibility to others is something else that I learned. With each project since, I’m trying to alleviate myself of some of the "slashes" between my job titles. It’s working pretty well.

Owen: Next came 'The Bonesetter' about a Canadian legend of a man who travels town to town to set bones.  And suspiciously children start to disappear...what attracted you to this legend?

Brett: I first read about the "legend" of the Bonesetter in a book about Canadian folk tales. Parents in Quebec invented this boogeyman character in order to frighten their children into coming to bed on time. I thought it would be cool to make a horror character that was distinctly Canadian.

Owen: How did you get Troma honcho Lloyd Kaufman to do a cameo in the movie as the town's mayor?

Brett: I actually met Lloyd in Ottawa when he came to screen Citizen Toxie. I interviewed him for a TV show. He actually asked me if he could be in the movie- I would have been a fool to say no. We drove down to New York and the rest is history as they say.

Owen: What was the most challenging component of the film for you?

Brett: It’s all challenging. A lot of people don't realize that every aspect of making a movie can be a challenge, from casting, to post-production to trying to find a location that has a bathroom- any little detail can involve a ton of meetings. I love it though.

Owen: And now 'The Bonesetter Returns' is coming out on DVD.  Congratulations on that.  Tell me a little about the sequel.  Did you always for there to be one or was the success of the DVD what prompted the follow-up?

Brett: We joked around about a sequel while shooting the first one but never really thought it would happen. The first movie sold very well and some cool ideas came to mind so we figured- why not! The sequel takes place a few years after the first movie. Things are returned to normal for the town of Munster but a disciple of the Bonesetter resurrects him and he is pissed. That's when the fit hits the shan as they say :) Its cool, the effects are better, the sound is better, i think fans of the original will dig it.

Owen: So with your writing and directing and acting...which is the most challenging to you?

Brett: Hmm, good question. They are all hard for different reasons. The writing is tough at times because there is absolutely nothing there except for your ideas. You can shape the movie any way you want. However if you have a day where your mind goes dry that can be a drag. Directing is challenging because you're the last line of defense. If anyone has a problem or a question- you're the guy. Its also hard to direct and act at the same time because you're setting shots up, then step into them. Its a lot of hats to wear and can get schizophrenic. Luckily I have a great crew and we've developed a shorthand way of communicating.

Owen: I'm also curious your theater resume features a lot of classical theater --- what made you decide on horror for your film career?  Do you plan on sticking pretty much within the genre?

Brett: Wow- you do your homework :) I decided on horror because it’s a great genre and it’s also well known as a genre where folks can break in without being a big name star. I love horror a lot, I'd like to branch out into other genres but I have no problem making horror flicks- it’s a cool gig.

Owen:  So tell me about your work in the upcoming film 'Goregoyles: Back to the Flesh'.

Brett: Its an anthology from Helltimate Studio, i act in the segment called "The Walkers" from director Miles Finlayson. It’s a cool story about two cops that chase some bank robbers into the woods. Folks get lost and there is a slow descent into madness. It was a blast and it looks awesome! Find out more at www.helltimate.com

Owen:  I also want to hear about working with Brinke Stevens in 'Spacemen Go Go Girls and the True Meaning of Christmas'.  That's some title.

Brett: Yeah- it was supposed to be a working title but we never found anything better. Brinke is a sweet woman and an absolute pro. The movie is a laugh riot; I’m hoping to get it out at the end of 2006. Essentially the movie can be described by saying "What if Ed Wood and Russ Meyer teamed up to make a holiday special". It’s a scream.

Owen: You are also somewhat of a regular at conventions with appearances at Creepshow, Twisted Nightmare Weekend, Days of Darkness, etc.  What are the best and worst parts about the horror convention circuit?

Brett: I like doing the conventions because it’s a chance to meet the fans of horror and find out what they like or don't like. The shmoozing with other filmmakers is pretty fun too. The hard part is getting up early after partying the night before (yikes). Also the drives from Ottawa can be pretty long.

Owen: Do you have any other projects pending or any idea of what you want to do next?

Brett: I start shooting a horror/comedy that I'm directing called MY DEAD GIRLFRIEND next week that can be described as "Three's Company meets Evil Dead 2". It’s a great script written by John Muggleton (Bravo's Mann to Mann) so it will be a blast. Also I’m acting in Chris Seaver's film DESTRUCTION KINGS and Mike Watt's BANSHEE this year and several more that aren't finalized yet. Also there is a Brett Kelly trading card available from Terror Cards, that's pretty exciting (go to www.terrorcards.com )

Owen: Zombies, vampires, werewolves, psychos, mummies, aliens, creatures...what does it for you Brett and why?

Brett: Hmm, I like the old style Universal Monster so I’ll go with werewolves and vampires! Some guy who saw the Feral Man stopped me on the street and said, "Hey- you're the werewolf guy!" So I guess that makes me part of the tribe. LOL.

Owen: What scares you in real life?

Brett: Paying the bills!

Owen: Thanks Brett, and all the best to you.