JOSE C. CASSELLA DELIVERS!!! by Greg Tiderington

Filmmaker Jose C. Cassella does it all. He writes, directs, produces and even composes. He is starting to go places in the film industry and his first horror film titled 'Delivery' won some awards at film festivals and was distributed onto DVD by a big company named Warner Brothers and it's selling worldwide in stores. He's busy finishing up a thriller titled 'Second Coming' and will be returning to the horror film industry with a movie called 'Projections' as I myself plan to be involved too and he's a cool guy to talk to. Check out his company site at www.ksfilms.com


 

 

-Since I was a little kid, specially after seeing 'DON'T LOOK DOWN (1973)', 'WESTWORLD (1973)' and 'PHANTASM (1978)' , those films marked me.

Did you see yourself making horror films?

- I saw myself making films period, I did have a preference for horror films though.


I understand you worked as a crew member for some horror films like
'Curse of the Puppet Master' and 'Watchers Reborn'. Were you hoping for your big break while working on these films?

-Imdb does not list all of them, I did a lot more of those!, I actually worked mostly in commercials for years, the films came by accident, I wasn't waiting for a big break, I just wanted to shoot, whatever it was.

You were cinematographer on 'Andre the Butcher'. This was almost a bigger step for you. What was the environment like working on set of that film?

-The funny thing about the indies I've done is that I would come from a million dollar TV commercial into a $50,000 feature, the change of pace and style is so different, but you have to energize your crew and go for it..
In indies like that one, there is no equipment, sometimes no lights!, but having nothing makes you think more, makes you better at your craft.
My goal was to make it look good, sometimes you can, sometimes you can't, I wish we would have had more money on that show. But I was satisfied with that film, Phil Cruz is a great director, full of energy, talent and imagination.


Now your big breakthrough was 'Delivery' which I must say I enjoyed it. What inspired you to make it?

-I was ready to make a film as a director, I had tried succesfully to sell a script to the studios and I was ready to go with that, but it all fell apart a few months after, and I was itching to make something that year. At the same time I had made a bet with an italian producer in which I told him I could make a film for $5000 (I was lying of course), he gave me the cash and I had to go for it!, it was a nightmare...but I made it happen, thanks to my dedicated crew and great cast.

How did production go from start to finish on the project?

-It was hell, when there is no money....It is just a matter of joining forces with people that care and have ambition.
We had an initial crew of over 100 people, by the end of the first week we had only 8 to 12 left, by the last week we had about 4!

Was there any familiar faces that came for the audition?

Not really, I was new to the Orlando scene. The only person I knew was Matt Nelson, who was an Assistant Director on "Andre The Butcher".

Matt Nelson was so good as a disturbed psychopath named Montgomery Goth. How did you find him?

-I worked with him before, he was an assistant director, and also a lighting instructor. This was his first time acting, and I must say he gave it his all. I thought he was perfect for this, big and menacing but with a huge heart, a teddy bear.

Did you find it disturbing by directing him yourself with him playing a put upon as it looked so intense?

-Directing him was easy, as he is very talented. in low budget films the acting is usually awful, but I was very lucky to have him. Professional, on time, knew his lines, no fear. He was a positive aspect of this shoot, the reast was hard.

What was he like to work with in real life and how did others really treat him?

-The nicest guy in the world, everyone loved him. Kind, humble, funny, the best.

Do you plan to cast him in your future horror films as he can really go far?

-hell yes!, in fact, he has a cameo on my latest film, SECOND COMING. I would love to work with him again.

Another talented blossomer was Tara Cardinal playing the role of Bibi as you directed the two of them terrifically in their roles. Did you enjoy directing them together during their brief romance together?

-I wanted someboy beautiful and petit, a huge contrast, so their romance could be funny and weird.
Kind of like Beauty and The Beast (sorry Matt!). It worked great. Tara came at the last minute, and it was the perfect choice.
Beautiful and talented, she is also producing now, doing very well, watch out for her, she will be huge!.


What was their chemistry like in real life working opposite of one another?

-From what I saw, they hit it off right away. They liked each other and were very professional.
I thought the chemistry was there...


Someone who did great as someone you'd love to hate as an employer was Kevin J. O'Neill as Mr. Hand. What was it like directing him?

-I was honored to have him, as he was the cast member with longest experience. One of the nicest guys in the planet, talented and funny.
He also laughed at my bad jokes, so that was great.
He photographs well, and has intensity, I worked with him again in my last film. A joy to work with.

You had a great set where there was lightning during the electrocution scene. What was it like doing that?

-That was a nightmare, once again...no money. I originally wanted to burn the house down, a huge climax, kind of like De Palma's "Carrie". We could not do this and we only had about 6 hours to shoot the sorority girls dying. So I came up with the electrocution scene. All I needed was a little water and that was it. We used a couple of hoses for all the rain scenes and one HMI light.

Was there a thunderstorm really happening then?

-Nope just a hose. The rest was lighting.

I understand it went to film festivals. Where did it play?

-I knew I wasn't going to hit festivals, but I sent it to a few, we played in Miami and texas, we won at Screamfest in Florida, part of the Freaky awards, in Florida. Got Best Actor and Best Film. That was cool.
Films like this don't get awards, horror doesn't get any credit unfortunately, so it was nice to get awards.


What kinds of feedback did you get from viewers?

-When it plays in front of a crowd, it always works.

What was your reaction when Warner Brothers picked it up for a DVD release?

-Could not believe it. I  a film like this usually gets no notice, specially one made for $4000. I was happy, real happy. Got no money out of it, but I was thrilled.

Is it selling nationwide and available for rent in dvd stores?

-And it will be woldwide soon!, as I am told.Yes, its is selling pretty much everywhere on the net (Amazon, Overstock, wallmart, target, etc).
Also available in stores like Best Buy, Movie Stop and K-mart. Get a copy will ya?!


Now Monty wasn't proven dead. Will you make a sequel to this film and will he return to it?

-I would love to make a sequel!, LOVE IT, and yes Matt would return.
Even though I am working on bigger films now, I think directors should go back and forth between high and low budgets. Definetely, 'DELIVERY 2- Seed of Monty'. If anybody would like to fund it, please call me (lol!)


You are busy working on a new film that will be successful as well titled 'Second Coming'. Although it isn't a horror film it has horror elements to it. What is the story all about and who stars in it?

-Julete reeves and the great Greg Thompson star in it. It is basically a story of revenge. it is about twins and how one is murdered (Ashley) and the other one (Lora) sees it in her visions, sending her into a journey to find the killer. But there are also 2 other sub-stories going on, pretty dense.
Very exited as the effects were designed by the team behind 'Spider Man' and 'The Ring'. We also got the editor that worked on 'Panic Room' and 'Fight Club'. It looks great and I am very proud of it.


Will this have a theatrical release?

-Outside the country perhaps, as we don't have big stars in it. But it should sell quickly and be available in the US to everyone.

Now we were in discussion of having a part in your next horror flick. Which film will this one be?

-Projections, is the name of the next film, I will definetely call upon you when we start pre- production.

Who else do you hope to have in it? Possibly Linnea Quigley since she resides in your hometown of Florida?

- I am hoping for Asia Argento (XXX)  or Sienna Miller (Layer Cake) . Going for someone with an accent, European.

Now heres some fun stuff: What are your favourite horror films?

There are so many, can't write all of them all here, but I like:
LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH (1971), THE THING (1983), SCANNERS! THE SHINING (1980), MANIAC (1980), DAWN OF THE DEAD, THEATER OF BLOOD (anything with Vincent Price is cool with me), The old Hammer horror films,etc. and the occasional Chuck Norris film (I love cheese) the new stuff I hate....it is all steadiCam' ed to death, too many quick cuts, no atmosphere, it all looks the same!, CRAP.


If you were a top horror filmmaker for a day whether this person was alive or dead who would you be?


- In general filmmaking: Sidney Lumet or David Lynch, as a horror filmmaker: John Carpenter or David Cronenberg. All these directors do things their own way, I like that.

What project have you done that you wished you could change?

-We all wish to change things, there is never a completed project in my mind...

What's you idea of perfect happiness?

-Playing drums- making music, listening to a great tune, drinking a nice cold one on the beach, being in the "zone"when on a film set, getting a great shot....so many things. But a night with Angelina Jolie could be the perfect night for me (..well, I can dream, right?).

What are your ambitions in life?

-To make films films, music and love. And to learn from great people.