Whenever you meet a filmmaker in Grand Rapids, their eyes light up as the tale they hope to film unfolds. And while in some cities, their bright-eyed pitch might invite eye-rolling from the listener (L.A.,anyone?), in this region, we've learned to sit up and take notice. Chances are, that early pitch is already underway to becoming a cinematic reality.
So, it is not shock to learn that Daniel Falicki, the multi-talented actor, computer geek, filmmaker, and Dr. Sketchy's model, is about to unleash another dark cinema gem on the audience of West Michigan.
The Last Vampyre On Earth is a big departure for Falicki compared to the green screen heavy
GR30K.
"When the preproduction process began, I thought my producer/distributor, Warren Croyle of L.A.'s Chemical Burn, wanted another green screen production," said Falicki. "But after the script arrived, I received word Croyle wanted anything but green screen."
After Falicki accessed the scene-heavy script, he brought in Ryan Lieske to work with him on the story. After much re-tooling, the two landed on a one-room piece that is part homage to
Cannibal Holocaust, part to David Cronenberg's
The Fly.
The story is set in the present day and stars seven local actors including April Basile as well as Falicki in a new kind of vampire film that seeks to go back in time, as evident in everything from the use of the older spelling of "vampyre" to the score and language of the film that both echo a time long past. The score comes from Sisters of Mercy founding member Tom Ashton, who appropriated old Islamic chants into his score, creating a truly otherworldly and eerie soundtrack.
Vampyre also pulls from our ever-growing filmmaking community with Anthony E. Griffin (Thriller! Chiller! Film Festval) and Kevin Budzynski (
The Fly) lensing this 80-minute production. Falicki, while the creator of
Vampyre's unique look, also brought in local makeup artist Mark A. France.
You can expect plenty of gore, all created by Falicki, who learned a long time ago that a slim crew means less schedules to juggle, thus providing a rapid production.
Vampyre was shot in just five days at a set constructed in an empty space (not a fancy soundstage in Hollywood).
The film has already been sold for worldwide distribution to Netflix, Blockbuster, and even Walmart.
"If you come to my vampire film," warns Falicki, "please don't expect this to be just another rip off of the
Twilight series. Expect this to really showcase vampires as the other world demons that they truly are. Oh, and expect the gore to be turned up like 200 percent as well." (He says this with a big smile.)
Admission: $6