PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I love horror anthologies especially ones that are centered around holidays. The incredible Drew Marvick is one of the filmmakers behind the new Christmas horror anthology, 13 Slays Till X-mas (read our review – HERE). I may be a little biased, but this anthology is phenomenal and the creators behind it did an amazing job with a zero-budget film. Learn about Drew’s film career, his favorite holiday, his short, Santa Claws, upcoming projects, and more!
PopHorror – Hey Drew! It’s great to catch up, it’s been quite a while. How is 2021 treating you so far?
Drew Marvick – So far so good for me, I think. I have just been staying super busy with several projects cooking at the same time. I am also in the process of moving into a new house, and of course being a Dad and a homeschool teacher takes up a ton of my time as well. It’s bonkers, really. But I stay so busy that I wouldn’t even notice if I wasn’t doing okay. I probably have one foot in the grave and don’t even know it yet.
PopHorror – (laughs) I feel that. What’s your favorite holiday?
Drew Marvick – My knee-jerk answer is always Halloween. My whole life revolves around horror films, horror conventions, haunted attractions, and everything else spooky. If I didn’t say Halloween, people would think I was lying. But in reality, I think I like Christmas just as much. Christmas just makes people happy, and I like being around happy people.
PopHorror – I get it. However, I feel like I love them both equally. I most definitely enjoy fall more than winter, though (laughs). Out of all subgenres of horror, which is your favorite?
Drew Marvick – I am a very indecisive person when it comes to picking favorites, so I could spend hours going back and forth trying to pick. And as soon as I did pick, I would always find a reason to change my answer 5 seconds later. I can say this for sure; most of my favorite horror movies happen to be comedic and/or ridiculous in some way. As far as I am concerned, horror movies are my friends, and I don’t want friends that make me feel bummed out.
PopHorror – You have a new short in 13 Slays Till X-Mas. Can you please tell us what Santa Claws is about?
Drew Marvick – Santa Claws is about an obnoxious teenage boy that loves tormenting his little sister about the fact that she still believes in Santa Claus. He makes up a story about Santa’s evil twin brother to scare her, but ultimately regrets it when his story gets a little too real.
PopHorror – It’s a bunch of fun! What was the inspiration behind this?
Drew Marvick – I originally had a completely different script for my contribution to 13 Slays, but when the pandemic hit, I had to make some serious adjustments. There was just no way I could safely shoot what I had written with the current restrictions at that time. For instance, the opening scene was in a crowded shopping mall packed with families. In fact, at the time of shooting, our local film office was only permitting shoots with 5 or less people on set total. So that posed a pretty big problem. But, using my kids and their constant bickering as my inspiration, and our cities COVID restrictions as our guideline, I wrote the script for Santa Claws. I cast my son and daughter to play the kids, put together a solid two person crew, and we got to work. It definitely made things a lot harder and limited what we could pull off. But in the end, I am happy with what we did.
PopHorror – You guys created something amazing! Was it fun working on this with little to no budget?
Drew Marvick – I am pretty used to working without a budget, so I felt really comfortable. I work on both ends of the spectrum though. I produce commercials inbetween film projects and often laugh at the fact that we will have a $500,000 budget for a 30 second commercial. Then, the following week, I will be making a 30 minute short film for just $500. I thrive off of finding new ways to make things work with what we have. Don’t get me wrong; I also like having a big budget, but I always feel more at home on a low budget set.
PopHorror – That’s because you’re awesome. Any favorite parts of the short?
Drew Marvick – My favorite part was just the fact that I got to work with my kids. They have both grown up on set, acted in several commercials and films, and have been a part of this world since they were born. But I love when they get to be even more involved, especially when they are excited about it. My kids are my life, so any time we can share a memorable experience together, I am happy.
PopHorror – You’ve had a great career thus far. Anything you want to do that you haven’t done yet?
Drew Marvick – Oh man, I want to do everything! I just love being on set and making art with other people that are just as excited and passionate as I am about doing it. It doesn’t matter if I am directing, producing, acting, or just observing. I have a huge list of people I would love to work with, places I would love to go, and experiences I am dying to try. I just hope that I can find a way to keep making my whacky, no budget horror films long enough that I get to start checking things off of those lists.
PopHorror – I have no doubt that you will. You’re such an awesome dude and fun to work with! Do you have any upcoming projects?
Drew Marvick – I have a ton of projects that I am a part of coming up this year. Other than 13 Slays, that just came out. I am also acted in Kill Dolly Kill, The Barn 2, Slashlorette Party… Later this year, I am acting in The House That Eats Flesh, The Macabre and few more features that aren’t announced yet. I am also directing a crazy slasher short called Horsin’ Around, a feature about a homeless man that collects severed heads, and of course, Pool Party Massacre 2, which I am hoping we can start shooting by the end of summer. By the end of 2021, people are gonna be so sick of me, if they aren’t already.
PopHorror – (laughs) We could never be sick of you! I look forward to all of your upcoming projects and appreciate you taking the time to talk with me! I hope you have a fabulous year, Drew!
You can buy your copy of 13 Slays Till X-Mas via Scream Team Releasing right – HERE!
