INTERVIEW - MARK POLONIA DIRECTOR

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Hello folks! Today, I've bringing you this interview I've made to Mr Mark Polonia, a Multifaceted and prolific Director film and an excellent connoisseur in Micro budgets films, is a well respected an acclaimed creator of many cult horror micro budgets films as "Feeders" (1996), "The House That Screamed" (2000), "Splatter Beach" (2007), "HalloweeNight" (2009), etc. But during this almost finished 2016, he ran two films as director: "Bigfoot Vs Zombies" and " Sharkenstein". Let me tell you guys for me is really exciting talk with people like Mark that loves as much make films as they create it with very low money and brings us peculiars stories films.

First of all, always thank you Mark for take your time and allow me make you this interview.  

EFF: When did born the passion for to make films? That moment you felt that films would be your Life.

MP: I was 5 years old and just saw GODZILLA VS MOTHRA on television. I knew then this is what I wanted to do with my life!

EFF: What would you think is the category for your films? I mean speaking about budget?

MP: Our films would easily fall under Micro-budget, not low budget. We make the most of what we have at our disposal.

Mark's Company 

EFF: For me, personally is very interesting see films, created with low money but with increasingly enthusiasm and creativity. Why did you chose this kind of productions?

MP: I love the cinema of the fantastic, and despite our limited budgets, enjoy making these types of films. It's a challenge.

EFF: According your filmography from hallucination in 1986 to Sharkenstein in this year, in all your films which is the most you liked and why?

MP: My all-time favorite has to be AMITYVILLE DEATH HOUSE, for the sheer fact that it turned out so well despite the limited resources we had at our disposal. It was a challenge dictatorially as well, with all the special effects elements.

AMAZON

EFF: I think myself that creates or produces a film with low cash it's very complicated, for example in your last film Sharkenstein what were the biggest issues you found?

MP: There's always issues, but the real challenge is overcoming them without short changing the film, learning to solve problems quickly and think on your feet.

EFF: Anyone seeing your record films, it crashes with so unorthodox themes, why did you decide make films about these topics?

MP: Ideas for our films come from many different areas. I always like to make a film that I think people will want to watch and one that I will be challenge during its production.

EFF: If you could go back in the time twenty years before now, and if you were able to change something, what would you change and why? Or would you let everything just they are now?

MP: I honestly wouldn't change a thing. Every project I have done has led me to the next, and the next, to where I am today. Changing that may have improved my success, or killed it.

EFF: Do you get money with this films, I mean you can make ends meet? Or you do something else for to live?

MP: One always has to have an alternate source of income when pursuing this as the financial returns are limited, but in the end, it's the enjoyment you get out of creating a movie. Passion plays a huge part in it.

EFF: What directors has influenced on your career, and what films too?

MP: I probably have been influenced over the years by a gamut of films and directors. I love Godzilla movies, Roger Corman movies, splatter movies, fantasy films. It all shapes you and influences you in one way or the other.

EFF: I always ask if the interviewing is a horror fan, but obviously you are one, but what kind of horror you like the most?

MP: I really enjoy all types of horror, from the Universal films up into the late 80's and early 90's. After that horror films became homogenized and I couldn't relate to them.

EFF: According your experience, what are those regularly problems which popping out all your films?

MP: There's always issues that occur. On a micro-budget film there's no such thing as problems, only solutions. You simply have to be very prepared for a shoot, yet be flexible at the same time.

                                    AMAZON

EFF: Are there niches for micro budget films? I mean, does exist platforms where many micro films could be showing? And if does, how they help the makers?

MP: The Video on Demand realm has opened up many avenues. Internet streaming too. There's still a market for DVD's, albeit small.

EFF: Referencing what I've reading in former interviews. Your family works with you in your films, is it whole family involved what are they duties?

MP: They provide assistance, support, and help out on the set with Kraft services and sometimes transportation, whatever may need done.

EFF: I have certain curiosity about you projects' duration, I mean, from the idea it's set in until the finished work, what has been your shorter duration film and your longer duration film?

MP: A project in my world, from concept to completion rarely goes longer than 3-4 months. Sometimes shorter, and once, with the House That Screamed, almost a year, due to the technicalities of shooting 16mm and editing non-linearly for the first time.

EFF: Amityville exorcism it's your upcoming, right? Why you decided to make this film?

MP: This film was commissioned from an outside producer, Rob Houschild of Wild Eye Releasing, a great and creative guy. He pitched me the idea and I and he fleshed it out and made it happen.

AMAZON

EFF: How is the casting process for your films, emphasizing they are microfilms, how do you entrust the casting procedure, I suppose there have to be many friends, but the rest ones?

MP: It boils down to finding the right people for the role, whether they're friends, close associates, or referrals from other film-makers. I have been lucky working with so many talented performers over the years.

EFF: If any producer or anybody gives you the opportunity to makes one of your films with a big budget and also you could pick out  a director, what movie and director would you choose  and why?

MP: Good question. I would pick FEEDERS because it has so much potential we couldn't rise too. As for a director I would pick me!

EFF: And now if somebody gives you the chance to makes a horror remake, what would you choose and why?   

MP: I would love to remake HORROR EXPRESS. Again, that movie has it all!!!!! It is creepy to this day and has a lot of potential t become something greater with today’s technology.

EFF: What do you expect in the future and what it’s that you so far no have done yet in your career?

MP: I am always going to be making films. One always strives to move up to the next level budget wise.

EFF: What cameras do you use for your projects, what basic props, techniques?

MP: We use many different cameras and formats from Vhs to Svhs to Digital Hi 8 to 16mm and various Dv and HDV cameras throughout the years.

EFF: What are your goals as a director and producer right now?

MP: My goal is and always has been to make entertaining films for fans of these types of genres.

EFF: Mark what advices would you give for those who are trying to make their first film or wants to involve into the film industry?

MP: I'd tell them to go out and "Do it!” It's that easy, yet that complicated. You have to simply start.

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TRAILERS:                  

SHARKENSTEIN (AMAZON)

BIGFOOT VS ZOMBIES (AMAZON)