The Darkening Hollows won Best Short Film - Less then $5000 Award in the 9th Season of MP Film Award Michael Ricci Director, Writer & Producer of the Film The Darkening Hollows agree to interview with us.
Michael Ricci is a director, writer, actor based in Carbondale, Illinois. He has performed regularly in theater and film since his early teens. His theater credits include roles in Edward Albee’s Everything In the Garden, Fiddler on the Roof, and Twelve Angry Men. His film acting credits include D. Wynn B’s Family Values, Roger Trexler’s Platypossum–the Movie, and the web comedy series, Strummers, which he also co-wrote. He began his directing career in 2012 with the multi-award winning horror short; Samuel and Sarah. Michael is the writer/director of several award-winning short films including RESET, The Darkening Hollows, Mildred and The Greeting.
About the Film: Synopsis: The Darkening Hollows Film Synopsis:
A group of would-be attackers pursue a vulnerable young woman into the woods, unaware of the TERROR that awaits them in...The Darkening Hollows
Trailer of "The Darkening Hollows"
What was your drive behind making this film?
Michael Ricci: We hadn't done a monster movie before and we wanted to see if we could make one that wouldn't completely suck.
How you feel when you are awarded with the MP FILM AWARD Award?
Michael Ricci: GREAT! Everyone loves awards. :)
Can you tell us about the greatest moment during shooting this film?
Michael Ricci: Shooting the fight scene in the car was a hoot. And once we chopped it together we were really pleased it played so well.
How rigorously did you stick to the script while shooting?
Michael Ricci: The script was pretty loosy goosy so we had a lot of leeway. We knew the basic plot points and what the twist ending was going to be so...
Where there any onset problems During the filming of the film & how did you deal with it?
Michael Ricci: YES. We had to re-shoot about a 3rd of the film because we shot it too dark. And it was hot and late and buggy filming in the woods in the middle of summer.
Do you have any advice for young filmmaker out there? Or like yourself?
Michael Ricci: Get out there and start shooting. You can make movies w/ a cell phone these days. Just get out and HAVE FUN!
Do you think it is essential to go to a film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?
Michael Ricci: NO.
Which film has inspired you the most?
Michael Ricci: That's a difficult question. Certain films inspire which projects we decide to produce. The Darkening Hollows was inspired by 1982's John Carpenter's The Thing and Bryan Bertino's 2016 gem, The Monster.
Which particular film maker has influenced you the most?
Michael Ricci: Again, tough question. My top 5 are prolly Martin Scorsese, John Carpenter, Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott and Francis Ford Coppola.
Which book would you love to make a film out of one day?
Michael Ricci: Ringworld by Larry Niven.
If you got the opportunity to go back in time & change something in any particular movie of yours, then which movie & what changes will you opt for?
Michael Ricci: Oh man! HA! Everything on all of them isn't a good answer, I guess. I'd like to completely remake a film we did in 2014; Watch Emily Play. We had a great script but I hadn't the chops at the time to pull off the production it deserved.
If you were to shoot the film again, what would you do differently?
Michael Ricci: I'd shoot The Darkening Hollows in the fall instead of summer. Earlier nightfall and cooler temps.
What is your greatest achievement till date?
Michael Ricci: Our period piece, Mildred, got accepted into the 2021 PBS Short Film Festival.
How do you pick yourself up after a failed film?
Michael Ricci: Alcohol.
Where our viewers can catch you (share your social media)?
Michael Ricci: We're still working on getting a permanent social media presence but most of our films (along with some other fun stuff) can be found on our vimeo page: https://vimeo.com/user24839670
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