Tammi Sutton is one of the busiest people working in horror today. Having covered what seems like every aspect of the filmmaking process from being a director, producer, production designer, art designer, costume designer, actress, heck she is even editing one of her upcoming films! Is there anything that this bright up and comer can't tackle?!? Judging by her resume, no! I recently had the chance to ask her a few questions about her latest genre film, Sutures.
I've loved watching horror films all my life. I watched a lot of Universal, Hammer and Amicus Horror films growing up and of course all the drive-in, exploitation stuff of the seventies as I got older, they've all had a lasting impression. Movies were where most kids connected to the world in the seventies and eighties, long before the internet came along. At least, that was my personal experience. Roller-skating and going to the movies is what you did in my younger days back in Florida - they both had air conditioning and popcorn - still two of my favourite things. The massive video explosion in the eighties was life-changing for me, I still remember my first GE video cassette player very well, the remote-control back then was still attached to the machine via a ten foot wire. Technology has grown up with me too though, now I'm watching films on my iPad, however, I still collect film prints and even VHS videos when I can't resist the cool, old-school, box artwork. What I wouldn't give to play "Frogger" again on my old Atari system while a friend sneaks into my bedroom window with a VHS copy of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre."
How would you define your presence in horror today?
I'm not sure I could even begin to define horror today, there is so much of it. I try my hardest to see every movie that comes out. I'm directing other genres of films as well now, so I wouldn't define myself solely as a horror filmmaker. However, I'm absolutely in love with the genre.
My future films I am directing are different types of films - I am directing a beautiful World War II film called "My Prisoner" with super-talented actor Karl Markovics from "The Counterfeiters," I've also got another film I am directing that's a gritty, Americana, biker film called "Welcome to Graveland." I would love to do a SciFi film and definitely a western in the future. However, there is more horror for me on the near horizon, I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into a bigger budget genre film very soon. I'm very excited about announcing - as soon as possible.
I just caught Sutures. I have to say I was pleasently surprised. For those unfamiliar with the film, how would you describe it?
Thank you, it's a story about young medical students who get caught up in a grisly, underworld, organ-harvesting ring.
I liked the Giallo themes in the script. I thought it sounded very colorful and gruesome. I was eager to shoot on the RED camera and thought it would be a great match with the genre. I was also interested in the real-world horrors on the organ-harvesting organizations that exist - it's such a gruesome topic - I find it extremely disturbing. The main thing in general that attracts me to horror films is that I find it a safe place for people to explore their fears without having to actually live through them, for some a place to explore their darker nature.
How did you get the cast to commit to what I imagine was a grueling shoot at times seeing as they were tied up at times, or having to run around a lot, etc.?
Grueling is an understatement. The film was shot hand-held, sans a few crane shots, so we were constantly on the move. It was a very physical movie to make for cast and crew. I have to thank my cinematographer, Kirk Douglas for man-handling that heavy camera during the shoot. I am also very happy that he wasn't afraid of color and extreme lighting that really brought this world into view. It's a beautifully shot film. All of the actors were very much into the making of this film, they were up for everything. Being covered in blood, bound, and gagged almost everyday for most of them was all around fun. Kudos to Kate French who I felt got the worst of the treatment on screen, I still cringe when I see what happens to her. The entire cast was fantastic to work with, especially my favorite - C.J. Thomason who is a director's dream to work with. Timothy Muskatell from "Easter Bunny, Kill, Kill" was a pleasure to kill on screen, but let it be mentioned, he did make me cry behind the camera during his scene. I actually felt really sorry for him. Our lovely, lead actress, Allison Lange also gave me a tear behind the lens, when her character had to tend to some "unfinished business" with a friend near the end of the film. Each actor had their owns strengths and brought something special to their respective roles.
Having director Jeff Burr and actor/director Trent Haaga come in for cameos were definite highlights, they were both absolutely, fantastic. I was also thrilled that director Jeff Burr stepped up to shoot a few of days of second unit photography. I really loved working with Andrew Prine, he is an absolute gem, both on set and off. Additionally, I cannot say enough good things about working with talented actor, Joe Unger. Every single one of the actors did a great job.
I see you have worked on several different aspects of the filmmaking process in the past, how did that come in handy with Sutures?
Coming up through the art department is certainly a plus as a director visually and set wise, and past experiences as a producer helped me understand what I had to work with across the board. I had filmed at our main hospital location several times on other pictures, so I definitely knew that place like the back of my hand.
Besides the films mentioned earlier that I am starting, I've recently finished directing my new film in London called "Isle of Dogs." Written by British master of horror, Sean Hogan. "Isle of Dogs" is a gritty, extremely violent, British gangster (gangland as it's now called,) sexy, horror film starring Barbara Nedeljakova (Hostel) Edward Hogg (Anonymous) and Andrew Howard (I Spit on Your Grave.) We have our world premiere in London on August 27, 2010 at Frighfest in Leicester Square at the famous Empire Cinema 1. It was such a great pleasure making a film in the UK, it was a fantastic experience. I am more than thrilled with how "Isle of Dogs" has turned out. I am thrilled to be premiering in such a prestigious and famous theater, we are all super excited.
For my review of Sutures CLICK HERE
