Zach Lorkiewicz may seem like a new name in the horror indie film industry, but when you look at his online profile, he’s been at it for a decade, and his prowess must be noted. According to Brinke Stevens, an icon in the horror film community, he has a solid work ethic. She’s seen him at work, and the fact he has a clear vision speaks volumes.
“And I also love art; It all started when I was young, making my own films and going to schools for it. I woke up to it,” said this filmmaker. Examples can be found on his Instagram page. “I enjoy making things outside the system. It allows you to have a lot of freedom, and that ultimately is the most important thing to realise.”
This talent is based out of Los Angeles, and to stand out is tough. He said that in this city it’s easy to meet folks in the industry, but he had to be cautious. “That’s because not all of them have my back. I’ve been very lucky. It is very difficult to find producers in the Indie world willing to commit to your project. I’m consistently making other [corporate] videos and random experimental things to put on display, to make ends meet.”
And to keep going, it means staying connected to the right people. But when asked about whose work inspires him the most, he listed David Lynch, Roger Corman, and Hype Williams as his top three. When concerning the latter, he finds music videos directors have the most freedom, since they can experiment.
“It’s easy to play in the sand. And the reason I love Roger is that he had simultaneously this desire to make money, and recognize talent–he gave a lot of filmmakers we celebrate today opportunities. He gave people starting in the business, like Peter Bogdanovich, creative freedom.”
And in his latest, The Night Jane Went Insane, there’s a lot of effort put in. Not only does it feature the original three scream queens from the 80s, with actresses whom he adores, but also to get the set looking right! The whole short is oozing with Twilight Zone! Brinke Stevens was cast as the lead, playing a scientist (or UFO junkie) past her prime, with everything to lose, until one day her TV comes alive, with an alien voice, simply saying, “Come join us.”
The retro look owes a huge debt to Analji Nath, the production designer, who knew where to find all that equipment.
Linnea Quigley and Michelle Bauer lent their voices, which are coming out of the radio and boob tube, and even Brinke admitted to not knowing how great they sounded until after watching the finished short. And as for how these talents came together–Lorkiewicz met the former through Britton Buchanan, a mutual friend, and she introduced him to her circle. Pretty soon, he met Stevens and said he would love to make a short with her as the lead, and she agreed.
“I wanted to write a tale that’s unique to her tastes and feels very different from films she’s done in the past. So I looked into her life, and found she was really into science, space, UFOs and all that. My producing partner and I were tossing ideas around, and it developed from there.”
“Part of it also included creating a character who wanted to escape. Instead of something about aliens from another planet, I thought they should belong in a different dimension!” revealed this filmmaker.
There was another idea, but it wasn’t ready. It would be about a bunch of stay-at-home parents huddled together, trying to stay safe during an alien invasion. “And then I considered what if they’re simply flowers? I love Invasion of the Body Snatchers–there’s something about plants as aliens that I’m just really into,” mused Zach.
As for whether that’ll be his next project, it’s tough to say. He has plenty of ideas on the go, in various stages of development through his production company Count the Clock. Not only does he have his close-knit team to help him see his idea to fruition, but also the indie film community is there for him too! And he’s gotten to meet many contacts when he attends the horror conventions to expand his network.
He said, “In that regard, I’m pretty lucky to have met folks who understand my vision and want to make stuff. And sometimes, there are those who are wooden. But for Michelle and Brinke, they are the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. There’s been no weirdness with them. I really can’t emphasise that enough for them.”
When asked about what is next, he mentioned that working in the music video business sustains him. He’s finished work on “Party,” for the group, veronicavon.
It Lives in the Screen is still in pre-production, and he’s very enthusiastic about its progress. This work follows a gang of L.A. artists who are being terrorised by an unknown force that calls itself Cupid–and he’s not what you think! This filmmaker gave Otaku no Culture an update on this project and revealed, “We filmed 20 minutes of it in December, and I’m gearing up to finish most of it by March or early April. I’m trying to get it done by the end of this year.”
“Right now, it’s more about getting my art out and allowing people to see it. We live in the age of the Internet, so why not? And the response to my films has been just really great.”
Most of Zach Lorkiewicz’s films can be found on his
company’s YouTube Page. In Part Two, we will catch up
with the esteemed Brinke Stevens since our last interview
and present her thoughts regarding The Night Jane Went Insane
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