PopHorror Let's Get Scared
One of my most highly anticipated films is Countdown from director Justin Dec. I recently got a chance to talk with Justin about his career, the inspiration behind this film, how this great cast came about, and more. Countdown opens nationwide in theaters on October 25, 2019. Stay tuned for more horror news and updates as they come!
PopHorror – Hi Justin, it’s great to chat with you. What inspired you to work in the film industry?
Justin Dec – When I was 5 or 6, I begged my parents to let me watch the movie JAWS. My mom was a hard NO but my dad told her I’d be okay. He assured her I knew it was all “pretend”. When we got to the end of the movie and Jaws bites down on Quint, he turned to me and said, “It’s okay. It’s only ketchup.” My mind exploded. I wanted to know more. So they bought me books and every pre-viewed movie I could get my hands on. My basement became a mini-blockbuster. I was (and still am) obsessed with movies. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.
PopHorror – That’s awesome! What was the first film you worked on?
Justin Dec – It was called CANVAS, starring Marcia Gay Harden and Joe Pantoliano. It was a little $1 million dollar indie shot in Hollywood, Florida. I started out as an unpaid intern in the office. I was so excited to be there that I was the first one in and the last one out. The first Assistant Director on the film, an amazing mentor of mine named Brian Moon, saw how eager I was and asked me to come be a production assistant on set. After the first week, I was the Key Production Assistant. By the end of the movie, Brian told me he was taking me under his wing. He made his 2nd Assistant Director on a commercial in the Bahamas starring Sean Connery and directed by Jan De Bont! That was my second job ever! I felt like the luckiest guy in the world. After that, I worked non-stop, climbing the production ladder in Miami, Florida and spending every penny I made (and you don’t make a lot as a PA) on my own short films.
PopHorror – It’s great to see how far you’ve come. According to IMDB, you’re a jack of all trades. Would you ever consider acting or not your thing?
Justin Dec – I actually started as an actor when I was a kid. My parents thought my obsession with movies meant I wanted to be an actor so they enrolled me in a children’s drama workshop. I was a part of that workshop for 5 years before I realized I wanted to be behind the camera, not in front of it. Nowadays, I have no interest in getting in front of the camera. I’m in awe of what actors can do. I prefer to be the guy in the dark capturing those great performances.
PopHorror – Understandable! Can you tell us about your new film Countdown?
Justin Dec – It’s about a young nurse who learns she has three days left to live once she downloads the Countdown app. At first, she doesn’t take it seriously but once something begins to haunt her, she realizes it might be true. With time ticking away, she has to find out what it is and how to stop it before her time runs out.
PopHorror – Such a cool premise! Where did this idea/inspiration come from?
Justin Dec – The whole idea started when I was setting a timer on my phone. As I watched the numbers tick backward, I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be creepy if it was counting down to my death? Totally a normal thought, I know.
PopHorror – (Laughs) It’s a great cast. How did the casting come about?
Justin Dec – How lucky am I? Such an amazing ensemble. My wife and I were watching Elizabeth Lail on the Netflix show YOU and I turned to her and said, “That’s our Quinn.” She was my top pick and, luckily, she loved the script and jumped on board. Jordan Calloway came in twice to read for Matt and each time he brought such a fun energy and kindness to the role. He was perfect for it. Peter Facinelli always plays a really likable guy so I wanted to flip that on its head with Dr. Sullivan and thankfully he was a fan of the project. I met Tom Segura on Instant Family where he played Mark Wahlberg’s brother-in-law. I told him I wrote this part he’d be perfect for. Without blinking, he said, “I’m in.” A few months later, I called him and said, “Are you still in?” Luckily, he said yes!
Talitha Bateman was my top choice to play Quinn’s sister. I think it helped that she knew she’d be playing opposite Elizabeth. The two of them were so incredible in this film. Father John was a hard role to cast because we didn’t want it to be too comedic or too serious. It had to live right in the middle. PJ Byrne got that right away without me telling him a thing. He IS Father John. Dillon Lane auditioned for Evan and as soon as I saw his tape, I knew he had the part. He has so much depth to him. He reminds me of a young Heath Ledger. Anne Winters and Tichina Arnold were the same way. As soon as I saw their tapes I knew they were perfect for the roles of Courtney and Nurse Amy.
PopHorror – Now I’m even more excited to see this Countdown. If the film does well, do you think a sequel could be in the future?
Justin Dec – There’s always room for updates when it comes to apps.
PopHorror – Without giving any spoilers away, do you have any favorite scenes?
Justin Dec – It’s a tie between Courtney’s walk home and the Jordan’s Night Light scene.
