I had the chance and fortune to chat with SHAWN LINDEN, a canadian filmmaker, director and writer of films such as NOBODY, THE GOOD LIE and HUNTER HUNTER, his latest masterpiece. We talked about the journey of his well reviewed movie: HUNTER HUNTER, the conception of the movie idea, the setbacks he faced off during the project creation process and many other amazing tips for newbie filmmakers out there. Despite his tighten agenda, SHAWN gave us worthy minutes telling us his insights and learning from his work.
HUNTER HUNTER is an amazing and thrilling survival-horror film directed and written by outstading SHANW LINDEN, the film is cast by a group of rock actors such as Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl and Camille Sullivan among others. The film was released on december 18th in USA and on March 19th on HULU, you can check here. The film has achieved meritorious reviews from both audience and critics.
Please , Join us and read this great interview, I know you will like it and you will learned a bunch of valuable information.
EFF: First off, thanks for allowing me to interview you, really. Shawn, tell us where are you from? How was the love for filmmaking born in you?
SL: My pleasure. I’m from Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada). My interest in film evolved from my love of storytelling and writing fiction. In my late teens, my ambitions changed from writing books to writing screenplays.
EFF: Did you study anything related to filmmaking?
SL: I took Film Studies and Philosophy in University.
EFF: Where the idea for "Hunter Hunter" came from? We can glance over your filmo that your first film is "nobody". Did you take any aspect from it to your current film?
SL: The original script for HH was written in 2007, while I was touring the festivals with NOBODY. There is a puzzle-like feel to both stories, a reluctance to reveal itself fully until the end. I think most of my screenplays are like that.
EFF: How was the project creation process? From that first draft to final script and getting it on screen.
SL: The script went through a 13-year road to being made; it passed from option to option, and underwent multiple rewrites and edits to suit different budgets and changing sensibilities. Finally the pieces suddenly came together in 2019, and it quickly went into production.
EFF: While you were crafting the screenplay, what aspects or items took you most of the effort to gear it in?
SL: That human are just another animal in the forest.
EFF: Speaking of shooting stage, what style did you try to stamp the film on? Maybe any reference or homage to other films?
SL: The story was meant to be a kind of dark fairy tale, so we tried to give the story a kind of lyrical style, and give the camera movements a predatory feel to them, like the film itself was lurking in the woods with the characters.
EFF: What scene was the hardest to shoot and why?
SL: The final scene was the most difficult and complicated to shoot. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but if you’ve seen it you’ll understand why. There was also a snow blizzard going on outside the shack we were shooting in, but hopefully you can’t see that.
"Hunter Hunter"
EFF: The story changes to a female led story, I mean, if you see the trailer nobody can figure that out, why you decided to start as a man led story and change it completely.
SL: Yes, the aim was to set someone up someone as a classic main character and then remove them from the story, so that their absence is felt as much as their presence ever could.
EFF: The cast was rock! Tell us, how these great actors got involved? How did you handle this stage?
SL: The cast was brilliant, all very talented artists. We didn’t have anyone cast until that a few weeks before shooting began, so we didn’t have much rehearsal time beforehand. Most of the work was done out in the forest, in discussions in between camera setups, and working through the scene to suit whatever physical environment we wound up in.
Shawn Linden, Camille Sullivan and Summer H. Howell
Shawn Linden, Camille Sullivan and Nick Stahl
Shawn Linden and Nick Stahl
EFF: How has been the audience response?
SL: It seems to be pretty good. A lot of people are talking about the ending, so it’s something that might leave a lasting impression...
EFF: What kind of director are you? Do you make storyboards? How is your day-to-day shooting process?
SL: I do not storyboard, most of the composition work is done at the writing stage — a scene isn’t quite done unless I have a clear idea how it plays out visually. When it comes time to shooting, it’s just a matter of executing some form of that vision, with the help and collaboration of a creative cast and crew.
EFF: How long took you to shoot the film and when it was shot?
SL: It was shot in October of 2019. We had 22 shooting days, I think.
EFF: What are your inspiration: Directors or films?
SL: Stanley Kubrick, Luis Bunuel, Hiroshi Teshigahara, Jean-Pierre Melville, the Coen brothers, Jim Henson.
Hunter Hunter cast and crew
EFF: What have you learned from this experience, as a director and producer?
SL: Every production is an enormous learning experience, in every way. But most importantly, I learned that I should write more stories that take place somewhere hot and sunny, with running water and electricity...
EFF: What is the hardest thing about being a horror director?
SL: Putting together a proper shock or surprise, and being able to see it with fresh eyes.
EFF: What advice would you give to those newbie filmmakers based on your experience, i mean, during pre, production or post, any advice is gold.
SL: Don’t be grumpy in front of the people you’re working with.
EFF: How have you lived this pandemic? Personally, Professionally...
SL: I’ve been quarantined in my house with my cat, so I’m really looking forward to getting out and seeing people again. I’ve also been working on what will hopefully be my next project this year...
EFF: Oh yeah? What are you working on?
SL: I’m developing a few projects right now, but hopefully I will be shooting a movie on a desert island in the fall. Some place sunny.
EFF: If a producer gives you a chance to direct a horror film remake, what would it be and why?
SL: I’m not a big fan of remakes— the more I like a film, the less reason I feel it should be remade. Maybe a horror movie that I liked when I was a kid, like RAWHEAD REX or C.H.U.D.
EFF : Would you like to say anything else?
SL: Thanks!
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