Interview: ‘GALE’ Director Daniel Alexander + Chilling Co-Founder Christopher Graham

Daniel Alexander’s Gale, an interesting take on The Wizard of Oz, has premiered on the new streaming network, Chilling. We wanted to ask Alexander about this short film, and also learn about the Chilling streaming service from one of its co-founders, Christopher Graham.

Here is the trailer:

Interview with Gale director Daniel Alexander and Chilling co-founder Christopher Graham.

PopHorror: Can you provide more details about the plot and themes of the horror short film,
Gale, set in the Oz universe?

Daniel Alexander: Gale is a contemporary reinterpretation of the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz, but with a unique twist – it delves into the realm of horror. In this version, we encounter ‘Dorothy’ as an older woman, grappling with the long-lasting effects of the traumatic experiences she endured in her youth. The film is not just a horror story, but an exploration of the enduring impact of trauma and how it reverberates through generations within a family. My intention was to shed light on the aftermath of such experiences and their ripple effects on familial timelines.

PopHorror: Who are the key actors and crew members involved in the production of Gale, and what can we expect from their performances and direction?

Daniel Alexander: The cast for Gale includes Chloë Culligan Crump who plays “Emily”, Karen Swan who plays
“Dorothy”, Clara Emanuel who plays “Glinda” and Laura Bailey who plays “Dr. North”, Each of these actresses has truly embodied their roles, delivering performances that are nothing short of amazing. As for the creative team, I, Daniel Alexander, had the privilege of directing this film, while the brilliant Matthew Ford crafted the screenplay.

PopHorror How did the idea for Gale come about, and what inspired the unique twist on the
Wizard of Oz story?

Daniel Alexander:: This concept has been brewing in my mind for years, stemming from a deep-seated admiration for the Oz universe. I’m intrigued by the untold narratives that lie beyond the known story. Given
the prominence of wicked witches in The Wizard of Oz, I was curious about the sinister nature of real witchcraft and how it would be portrayed in today’s context.

Additionally, I’ve always been curious about Dorothy’s life trajectory after enduring such intense experiences at a young age, and the subsequent medical interventions she underwent under the assumption of a psychological disorder. I believed it was the right time to bring this narrative to life.

What is Chilling all about?

PopHorror: Christopher, could you elaborate on Chilling’s mission and how it aims to empower independent creators in the entertainment industry?

Christopher Graham: Chilling’s primary mission is to provide a nurturing platform for independent creators in
the entertainment industry. The entertainment landscape is vast, encompassing a myriad of genres and mediums, and Chilling recognizes the potential in catering to niche audiences that crave specific content. By focusing on genre-specific platforms, Chilling ensures that both creators and consumers find exactly what they’re looking for.

PopHorror: What sets Chilling apart from traditional studio production and distribution platforms, and how does it prioritize the horror community?

Christopher Graham: Chilling distinguishes itself from traditional studios by adopting a community-centric model tailored exclusively for horror enthusiasts. Instead of a top-down decision-making process, Chilling involves its dedicated horror community every step of the way — from conceptualizing written stories to producing feature films. Unlike traditional platforms that dictate content, Chilling empowers its audience to have a say in what gets produced and showcased. The platform fosters collaboration, values direct feedback, and emphasizes the importance of genuine, community-driven horror narratives over commercially calculated choices. This focus ensures that the horror content on Chilling truly resonates with its dedicated fan base.

PopHorror: Can you explain the process by which content is co-created on Chilling based on
shared ideas and fan feedback?

Christopher Graham: At Chilling, the co-creation process is a testament to the power of community collaboration. While creators share their initial concepts or narratives on the platform, fans are encouraged to
actively engage by commenting, following, and directly interacting with both the content and its creators. This interactivity forms an invaluable feedback loop. Creators can discern what elements strike a chord with the audience and refine their work based on these insights. Fans, in turn, have the opportunity to influence storylines, suggest innovative directions, and even propose fresh narrative arcs.

It’s important to note that while some of these interactive features are still in the development phase, Chilling’s vision extends beyond being a mere streaming service. The platform aims to be a distinctive community that seamlessly melds audio and video content with the dynamics of a robust social network. In essence, Chilling is not just delivering content; it’s crafting a shared experience driven by creators and fans alike.

Chilling’s content creation process

PopHorror: How does Chilling incorporate audience previews and feedback mechanisms into its content production process, and what benefits does this bring to both creators and viewers?

Christopher Graham: Chilling has an adaptive content evolution model that can transform a single concept from
various stages of development. Starting with a concise 1500-word short story, Chilling provides a platform where this initial seed can grow and metamorphose. Based on audience engagement and feedback, what begins as a short narrative can evolve into an audio drama, capturing listeners with vivid soundscapes and voice acting.

As the concept gains traction, it might then transition into a visual medium as a short film, immersing viewers in a more tangible representation of the tale. With sustained audience interest and engagement, this narrative can
further expand to become a full-fledged feature film or even a serialized show.

Incorporating audience previews and feedback mechanisms into each of these stages ensures that the content remains aligned with viewer preferences and resonates deeply. For creators, this stepwise growth provides multiple opportunities to refine their work, test it across different mediums, and engage with their audience. For viewers, it offers a unique journey where they can see a story they love and [contribute] to unfold and expand in various forms.

This progressive approach, inherent to Chilling, underscores the platform’s commitment to fostering a dynamic interaction between creators and fans, ensuring content doesn’t just cater to the audience but evolves with them.

PopHorror: Are there plans for more original content releases on Chilling, and if so, can you provide any insights into future projects or collaborations?

Christopher Graham: Yes, Chilling has an exciting roadmap ahead when it comes to original content. Following the success of Gale, we’re thrilled to announce that we are working on a full-length feature follow-up to delve deeper into the intriguing universe that was introduced. Beyond Gale, we have several promising concepts in the pipeline that we believe will captivate our audience. In the short term, our emphasis is on producing short films, as they allow us to experiment with diverse narratives and gauge audience reception.

However, our ultimate vision is to establish a reliable cadence of original releases, ensuring that our community always has fresh and innovative content to look forward to. We’re committed to continually pushing the boundaries of horror and delivering unique experiences to our dedicated fan base.

Do you need to pay for Chilling?

PopHorror: How can viewers access and watch Gale and other content available on Chilling, and is there a subscription or pay-per-view model?

Christopher Graham: Chilling operates on a freemium model, catering to a wide audience with varied preferences. For users who choose the free tier, a vast array of content is available, albeit supported by ads. This
ensures that even without a subscription, users have access to a diverse range of entertainment options.

For those who opt for the premium subscription, they are granted unrestricted access to a treasure trove of exclusives and originals, including highly acclaimed titles like Gale. Beyond just ad-free viewing, subscribers benefit from additional features that enhance their browsing and viewing experience, offering a more immersive and tailored horror journey.

Importantly, by subscribing to the premium model, members are not only receiving premium content and features but are also directly contributing to the future of Chilling. Subscription fees are channeled back into content development, ensuring that Chilling can continue to collaborate with creators, experiment with narratives, and produce unique and groundbreaking content. In essence, by choosing premium, subscribers play a pivotal role in nurturing and shaping the future of horror entertainment on Chilling.

PopHorror: Are there any upcoming events or initiatives related to Chilling that viewers and creators should be aware of?

Christopher Graham:  Chilling is in the midst of an exciting phase of growth and expansion. While we have a plethora of developments in the pipeline, some of the notable ones include Partnerships: We’re in talks with various entities to form collaborations that will amplify our reach and enhance the offerings for our community. These partnerships are aimed at bringing more diverse and engaging content to our platform.

Video Content Expansion: After recently venturing into video content this past September, we’re diligently working to broaden this dimension of our platform. Our goal is to make Chilling’s video content accessible across various devices and platforms. As such, we’re targeting releases on popular platforms like Roku, SmartTVs, and more to ensure our content is readily available to viewers wherever they are.

Originals & Features: As previously mentioned, the feature follow-up to Gale is a significant project we’re currently focusing on. Beyond Gale, there are several other original concepts in the pipeline that we believe will be game-changers for horror enthusiasts.

While these are just a few highlights, the journey ahead promises to be filled with innovative content, new features, and ever-evolving community engagement initiatives. There’s undoubtedly much more brewing behind the scenes, and we encourage both viewers and creators to stay tuned. With Chilling, the road ahead is thrilling, and we’re excited to have our community with us every step.

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For more information about Chilling and to watch Gale, visit https://www.chillingapp.com