Seeking Distribution: Mental Scars
Mental Scars, a strange movie indeed, a scraggly-haired freak loosed on a junkyard to kill unwitting construction workers and bitchy women with big boobs! All right! But why are so many people going to this guy’s junkyard, Joj? Simple! A company is turning it into a parking lot. The junkyard setting surrounds the killer with the corpses of cars, acting as his own haunted house to stalk his victims through.
Mental Scars’ story is not mold-breaking by any means, it is a dyed in the wool slasher, which is admirable in it’s own right. What is nice to see here is good cinematography and color saturation. The shots are not shaky, which is wonderful, and the cuts are dynamic, constantly moving to keep the pace up, although there are a few snags here and there. The junkyard’s primary colors are put to good use to bring life to the look of the film; instead of a gray or sepia-toned world (Michael Bay trademarks on both accounts), the film is almost cartoonish in how rich the color is and how there is almost no blending of the shadows, but this works to it’s advantage.
The plot was a little muddled at times and some of the actors were a bit silly, but the very professional touches on the more technical aspects of the film make it definetly worth watching.
I, once again, have thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Interview with Director Mischa Perez and Writer/Composer Richard Myles:
Seeking Distribution (SD) – How long did it take you to make ‘Mental Scars’ and how did you fund the production?
Richard Myles (RM) - It took us approximately 2 months to shoot the project because we filmed 75% of Mental Scars in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the last quarter in Atlanta, Georgia. We acquired our funding through lots of strong sales pitches to investors.
Mischa Perez (MP) – We made a short video called “Taggart the Nightmare Begins” which was the concept video of the character David Taggart. We showed it to several people. Friends of friends spoke to others about the project and soon we had investors.
SD – How long have you been involved with film production and what kind of future do you see for yourself in it?
MP – This is our first feature film and we have had no previous training of any kind in producing a film. It was a continuing learning process. I see myself directing full time as I really enjoyed it. Both Rich and I will continue to produce independent films as that is our passion.
SD – What is your favorite:
- Candy?
RM – Mischa loves snickers candy bars, and I love fig newtons!
- Place?
MP – My favorite place is Hawaii. I lived there for 13 years and it is now what I refer to as home. I do hope to have a premier in Hawaii.
RM – I love any city in Spain. I think Spanish people are very unique!
- Book, why?
RM – I love reading Fangoria Magazine because it inspires us to keep making films!
MP – Stephen Kings “IT.” Wow, what a great book. What I really like about movies is that a vision comes to the big screen and to think it was all in someone’s head!
SD – If you could change one scene in any film, what scene would it be and why?
RM – Mischa and I think Devil’s Reject could have had scarier music to set a stronger tone for the movie!
SD – Any upcoming projects to look out for?
MP – We have a [Mental Scars] part two in the works and we would like to make our other film “Unwelcomed” into a feature.
SD – Where should we go to see the movie or contact you?
MP – Please visit our web site at www.mentalscars.com for all the latest news on the film and any showings. Our contact information is also available on the web site.
SD – Any tips for those novice filmmakers out there?
RM – NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!!!!!!!!!
The Trailer:
If you would like your film to be a part of the Seeking Distribution series, contact us at ptkruz@jojevis.com. No submissions ignored!
