PopHorror Let's Get Scared
One of my favorite ladies in the indie horror community is hands down, Brooklyn Ewing. Although I’ve never met her in person (yet!!!), I can tell she’s the type of person who lights up a room the moment she walks in it. She creates magic behind the lends whether it’s with her photography or films. Her two first feature films, She Was So Pretty and She Was So Pretty: Be Good For Goodness Sake, both received love and praise among critics and fans. Learn more about her love for horror, the inspiration behind her films, why she loves photography, upcoming projects, and more!
PopHorror – You’re a lady of many talents. How’d you get involved in the indie scene?
Brooklyn Ewing – Thank you so much. I’ve always been a seeker of independent films, but in 2016 I decided to make a weird art house type serial killer flick for fun with Jerry Larew. I randomly submitted it to Nightmares Film Festival in Columbus, Ohio thinking I’d never hear anything back, and low and behold I got in. Around the same time, my friend Corella vouched for my work to Days of the Dead Film Festival and they also approached me to screen She Was So Pretty. That’s when I realized how much I loved the indie scene, and how much I wanted to help it thrive.
PopHorror – The indie horror community is definitely better with you in it. How long have you loved horror and cinema in general?
Brooklyn Ewing – I was born into a horror-loving household. My mom took me to see Nightmare on Elm Street 3 in the theater, and I spent time daily learning the dance from the Thriller music video. I lived in video stores. My mom and I would sit in the store waiting for new releases to be returned, and I’d browse the older horror titles. I could pick out anything I wanted. Pumpkinhead and Return of the Living Dead changed my life.
PopHorror – On that note… favorite horror movie?
Brooklyn Ewing – Pumpkinhead. I will fear that monster for the rest of my life.
PopHorror – It’s so good! You directed two films. Tell us about them.
Brooklyn Ewing – She Was So Pretty started as a short story I wrote about Jerry Lerew. It’s a serial killer slow burn filled with awkward moments and uncomfortable situations. Someone once told me that it made them feel like they needed to take a shower after watching it.
She Was So Pretty: Be Good for Goodness Sake is the sequel and it’s the movie I would have made first had I know anyone would ever see my first horror film. It’s Christmas themed, and is a sick and strange sorry about two killers with different personalities that have to exist together for a while, and what happens when one of them finds what might be real love, unexpectedly.
PopHorror – I love them both so much! What’s the inspiration behind them?
Brooklyn Ewing – They were inspired by Jerry. His mannerisms and quirky traits fascinated me. I wrote that short story and then got up the courage to ask him to help me write a script from it.
PopHorror – Are you proud of them?
Brooklyn Ewing – I struggle with loving the first film because we shot with in-camera sound. We had no idea we’d ever show the movie to anyone, so it wasn’t a big deal at the time. Now I really regret that. I love the cinematography from both films. I think we made some special choices that help them stand out. I’m proud of the work we did completing two features in 2 years, and I’m extremely proud of the actors who donated their time to help us make that a reality.
PopHorror – As you should be. They are truly amazing and getting into Nightmares Film Festival is no easy task especially for your first feature film that you had no expectations for! Do you plan on making more?
Brooklyn Ewing – We are currently in pre-production on our third feature Tales from the Creep. It’s an anthology that focuses on interwoven stories built around a small town with a lot of secrets. We will also be releasing our first short film, Besties, this year as well.
PopHorror – Yay! I’m so excited for both! You are a master behind the lens. How’d you get involved with photography?
Brooklyn Ewing – I’ve always had some sort of crappy camera in my hands. My mom would buy me throwaways growing up and I shot everything. My favorite thing being random cute boys I’d meet at theme parks when I was in 9th grade. I’d randomly ask them to pose. Now I have this weird collection of strangers in a photo album. After that, I eventually picked up a decent camera in 2011 and started shooting horror photography. People said they looked like movies playing out in photos. I was hooked and I just kept shooting. Now I shoot mostly editorial and fashion, plus some boudoir.
PopHorror – What do you love about it?
Brooklyn Ewing – Photography is a very powerful tool. Images can inspire people to feel. I guess my favorite part is seeing how people light up when we shoot together, and especially when they see their images. Empowering people really helps keep me energized and excited. I love it when someone sees their photo and is just in awe because that’s how I feel the whole time I am seeing them through my viewfinder. Body positivity, self-love, and happiness give me life. It took me a long time to even like myself and now that I do I want to help inspire other people to do the same.
PopHorror – You are amazing and thank you for inspiring others to do the same. Self-love is not easy and anyone who can help others find that love is extra special. Who are some of the women that inspire you?
Brooklyn Ewing – I’ll tell you what, I can’t help but be inspired by Catherine Hardwicke for her work on Thirteen and Lords of Dogtown. I have a spot in my heart for teen angst films. Also, Karyn Kusama who directed The Invitation. The real inspiration comes from all the women I see lifting each other up. The ones who see great work and do their best to share it with the world. Plus, I was always inspired by my Grandma Carrie. She was always challenging the men on her coed sports leagues. She was a tough cookie. She worked hard her whole life and played just as hard. I respect that so much.
PopHorror – Love that response! Any upcoming projects?
Brooklyn Ewing – I am currently curating the House of Indie Horror for Day of the Dead Horror Convention. We are their home for independent art and filmmaking. We showcase talented folks and offer them space to learn and grow through seminars, round table discussions, and classes. We also help them make some money selling!
