PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Two of my favorite short films I reviewed recently are Real Cool Time (you may read my review here) and The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die (you may read my review here). We are also a fan of the feature film that introduced us to Devin Crane, Morbid Colors (you may read our review here). These films tell the story of Devin Crane not only in a unique way but highlights both the horror and beauty of Devin’s story.
I sat down with the filmmakers Matthew Packman and Lanae Hyneman to discuss the latest chapter of Devin Crane, The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die, their beginnings in film, filmmaking and some fun stuff too!
PopHorror: Thank you for sitting down to speak with us. Matthew, we will start with you. When did you begin in film? Was it always on the creating end?
Matthew Packman: I started working on films a little over 20 years ago. I’ve always been on the creative side of things, mostly writing and directing. At first it was just a creative outlet for me and my friends, but it’s become more serious in the last ten or so years.
PopHorror: I love that! A creative outlet turned into something more. How did the idea for Morbid Colors develop? Did you have plans for further films when you were making Morbid Colors? If so, were they always going to be short films, or did you have an idea for a feature film?
Matthew Packman: I had the basic idea of Morbid Colors for about a year before we made it. Once the creative team on that film came aboard, the idea took off and became what it is now. Like all of these films, it was a team effort.
There were never any plans to go beyond Morbid Colors, and we didn’t initially have plans to go past Real Cool Time. But almost immediately after we wrapped RCT, we knew Devin Crane’s story wasn’t finished.
PopHorror: Definitely glad you decided to continue the series. The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die, is unique in the way it is shot and presented. What made you choose that style? ie the black and white and the main character narration style.
Matthew Packman: It’s honestly how I saw the film from the very beginning. I knew I wanted us to take it as far away from Real Cool Time as we could, so I decided to follow my instincts and lean into the presentation style we went with.
PopHorror: Definitely a wise choice to follow your instincts. I love the use of black and white with the pops of color. As far as the plot of The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die-How was that developed? Was this the original plan of story or did you change it as you created it?
Matthew Packman: Everything is pretty much as we originally planned it. The only major change was our altering the timeline of the story from a week-in-the-life of Devin Crane to a day-in-the-life. That was a decision Lanae and I made during the writing process, and I think we made the right call.
PopHorror: I believe it was the right call as well. I know this is probably a tough question, but out of the three films so far, which is your favorite? Which one are you most proud of?
Matthew Packman: It’s tough, because I really love them all. But I’d have to say The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die. In my opinion, it’s the closest we’ve come to achieving what I saw in my head as I was writing the screenplay. It was also a defining project for mine and Lanae’s creative team, which includes our great friends and fellow filmmakers, Jakob Bilinski and Emily Durchholz of Cinephreak Pictures. That makes it extra special to me.
PopHorror: The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die– What were some challenges creating this film?
Matthew Packman: Locations and and extras were probably our biggest challenge. We’d just come off a film with three characters and one central location. Now we needed multiple locations and tons of extras to make our story work. Luckily, a lot of really cool people came together to make that happen for us.
PopHorror: What upcoming projects or plans do you currently have?
Matthew Packman: There is definitely more to come in the world of Devin Crane.
PopHorror: YES! Can’t wait! When is The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die headed to festivals? Which festivals will it be showing so far?
Matthew Packman: We’ll be at festivals starting this spring. Our premiere is at the Winter’s Dusk Film Festival in Brooklyn, NY.
PopHorror: That’s exciting! So something I always have to ask, what are your top three scary movies?
Matthew Packman:
Ginger Snaps
Dracula (1931)
Black Christmas (1974)
PopHorror: I love your choices! Black Christmas (1974) is such an unsettling movie and Bela Lugosi is such a classic Dracula.
Lanae, it’s your turn. You started your career in small theater, correct? Morbid Colors was your first film? Which do you prefer theater or film?
Lanae Hyneman: Yes, I got started with acting in theater. After getting the opportunity to transition into film with Morbid Colors I learned how challenging the process was. It’s hard for me to pick between the two because the experiences are so different.
PopHorror: Did you have input on your character as far as creation and the evolution of Devin?
Lanae Hyneman: Matt is very willing to let me have input and make decisions about Devin. It was all him in the beginning, but now she’s a bit of both of us.
PopHorror: I absolutely love the team work that is present in the filmmaking and the efforts stand out in the final products. I know this is difficult, but out of the three films, which is your favorite? Is there a version of Devin that you are more proud of or a favorite?
Lanae Hyneman: All of the films have a special place in my heart, but The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die would have to be my favorite. The main team really came together for this one. Matt Packman, Jakob Bilinski, Emily Jean Durchholz and myself put all we could into it. The cast and crew were also amazing to work with.
Devin has gone through a change with each film. Getting darker and more complex. I think I might prefer Devin from Morbid Colors when she still had a bit of hope.
PopHorror: With Devin more dark and complex in The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die, were any scenes were extra challenging?
Lanae Hyneman: We tried to film a scene outside and the weather was not ideal. It was freezing cold and rainy. Everyone did what they could to make it work, but we scrapped it and went another direction. I think it was for the best
PopHorror: Was the way film was shot, ie the black and white, the narration, a collaboration idea between you and Matthew? How was that idea developed?
Lanae Hyneman: The black and white with pops of color was all Matt’s idea. I wasn’t really sure about it at first, but once we watched the finished version of the film, I knew it was meant to be that way. I also hate my voice so I was really self-conscious about that.
PopHorror: I agree on the black and white. It’s perfect. And you sound great, but I totally get it, I believe everyone cringes when they hear their voice. Do you have any plans to be behind the camera?
Lanae Hyneman: I’d love to direct, but nothing on my own is in the works yet. I do help behind the scenes as much as I can. When you’re working with a small crew it’s usually an all hands-on deck situation.
PopHorror: What are you looking forward most about the festivals and the film reaching audiences in general?
Lanae Hyneman: I just want people to see it. I am very proud of what we’ve made and I want as many eyes on it as possible.
PopHorror: As you should be proud. It is an amazing film. What upcoming projects or plans do you have?
Lanae Hyneman: We aren’t quite done with Devin’s story, so there’s more to come. I’ll just leave it at that.
PopHorror: I can’t wait for more of Devin’s story! So something I always have to ask, what are your top three scary movies?
Lanae Hyneman:
The Silence of the Lambs
Event Horizon
House on Haunted Hill (1959)
PopHorror: Great choices. The Silence of the Lambs is one of my top movies as well. Dr. Hannibal Lecter is a brilliant villain. I am also a huge Vincent Price fan, so definitely House on Haunted Hill is classic.
Thank you so much to Matthew Packman and Lanae Hyneman. Absolutely love the films and can’t wait for future projects, including more of Devin Crane’s story. Be sure to be on the lookout for The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die, currently hitting film festivals. Be sure to give them a follow on Instagram at ghostthatwouldntdiemovie.
