Crossroad Pictures' Scott Lyus: Order Of The Ram, ARTICLE/INTERVIEW

In working more with my latest project, in which I am talking with and writing about; filmmakers, writers, actors and more, my next slice is about the latest short film that has been released by Crossroad Pictures titled Order of the Ram.

 

Scott Lyus; founder of Crossroad Pictures and writer/director of Order of the Ram, was kind enough  to take a few moments to be interviewed by me and answer questions about the exciting release of the film, what you can expect from it and the growing future Order of the Ram is determined and sure to have.

 

 

Here’s a summary of this new interesting masterpiece, in Scott’s own words: “So Order of the Ram follows Mary, a young, well-spoken college girl. Suddenly her life is turned upside down when she is attacked in a dense wood by a familiar face. When she awakes before her stand the Order of the Ram, a satanic cult who’s pure combined ambition in life, is to bring forth their saviour. 

Now on the surface people will see the picture as a throwback to horror of 1970s, but underneath the film explores the idea of blind belief within religion and the extremes one will go in the name of god and the horrifying effects extreme belief can have on the innocent who encounter such people”.

 

 

Scott spoke about the horror aspect of this movie, his fresh and honest perspective on it and this made me curious about his inspirations. “To be honest I had several inspirations in making this film. My first was the idea of extreme belief in religion and how far people take that. I’m extremely fascinated in people, our behaviours and why we do what we do. So this picture was a way for me to explore the idea of blind belief and the danger that has on others who don’t believe. 

My other big inspiration was probably to try and create a horror in my style that is different to what the cinema was currently offering.

Now while I’m a big horror fan, I would be lying if I said I was a huge fan of today’s horror scene. There are some great actors and actress out there and some really great filmmakers but overall it’s a scene that doesn’t really offer anything fresh or current. For me today’s horror is oversaturated, with this idea that more blood and guts makes for a better film, while forgetting about the story, characters and meaning of the picture. It’s great coming up with elaborate and gory ways for people to die, but if we don’t care about their character or a killer’s true motive do we really care after the credits roll?” This reply is one I largely respected, rather than naming those names everybody knows or being, shall we say cliché, about it, his true inspiration is his honest concept that he wishes to share as well as his passion for the horror genre and its return back to our screens.

 

Now horror is one of the biggest genres, I think, it’s a genre that people will continue to pull at until every horror flick is quite literally the same movie. Scott’s words express that his short film brings something new, something horror-ific and less like everything else, so where does the audience lie?  The short maybe something slightly more original, but would the short still only attract the stereotypical horror audience? Scott talks about how a horror audience will enjoy it best and this is because he will not drift from the conventions of the horror genre, but it can be enjoyed by more. “If I had to pick an audience it would certainly be a horror inclined audience. I never want to make a film that just gets lost within the genre it is based, nor do I ever want to make a film that adheres to a current trend, so part of aiming it towards a horror audience is the hope that maybe they find horror in a different way to what is currently being sold to them and it’s also a way of me throwing my hat in the ring and offering my brand of horror.

However with that said I try to create films that everyone can watch and that's part of basing the fear of this film on reality. It’s something we can all relate too, no matter if horror is your thing or not. For example, the first screening I had of the film was at a friend’s company's launch night and 75% of the audience weren’t really into horror. But everyone loved it and completely related to the story and idea behind the film, so I wouldn’t say it’s only for horror fans. I even had one woman say she really enjoyed the picture because it wasn’t really a horror film, but people forget that horror isn’t just blood and guts. It can also be an idea that stays with you and makes you think about the world outside your own window. For me, that's real horror”. The last line is one I feel like I will remember for a while, a writer with honesty both on and off paper, something rare is building here in a place Scott proves we can relate to in some way or another.

 

 

Before I go on about what we can expect in the future from both film and Scott, I wanted to know more about Crossroad Pictures, it’s all well and good knowing it’s a production company, but what does it include, what does Scott do? “Well, Crossroad Pictures is a company that I started back in 2012 to produce my first short film Supernova. Crossroad is an independent film company that I produce my films through, as well as other films I may work on. We also produce music videos and commercials through the company. My official role within the company is Company Director and while I am the only employee on the books, I work with several others within the film and media industry on a freelance basis; most notably Michael James Dean, Director of Posh Dinosaur Productions”.

 

Speaking of this growing company, Crossroad, future audiences are slowly becoming more and more excited from the work that will be coming from this independent and career driven organisation, but like Velvet Film, it’s 95% film and 5% more. Crossroad stands with film but also music; “In 2014 I’m looking at diving into the music video world a little more. It’s an area I love and really want to show what I have to offer. Music videos are huge influence to me and I know given the chance I could really help bring some great artists music to life”. Also film wise; “As I’ve previously mentioned, my next film project will be my debut feature which I hope to get going by the end of 2014. At this point I don’t want to give away too much, but I’ll give you this. It’s a zombie picture but completely in my own style, with the underlying theme being loss, aloneness and alienation. What happens to us when we lose everything we took for granted?”

 

 

“From here, my main goal is to work the festival circuit, given we get accepted. A picture is never truly complete until it finds its audience, so I would like to hopefully find that audience, let people enjoy the film and see what each individual takes from it. Then if I’m lucky enough to gain the right attention, use this picture to show what me and my crew can do in the hope of getting that feature made”

 

 

There has been  much talk of an exciting future, but the main key here is right now, the main key is Order of the Ram at its beginning. “Making this film was an amazing experience from start to finish. Did we have a few troubles along the way? Of course, but that's to be expected given most of the film is set outside and being shot on location in England. Weather, noise pollution, public interest, police, you name it, we had it. But I had the most amazing cast and crew for this film. The majority of my crew I worked with on my last film, so they have a great understanding of my style and the way I work. I know exactly what I can get out of them and how far to push them”.

 

 

“I hope from this film people will leave having enjoyed a good horror film, but one that offers something a little different. My original concept behind the film was to create fear from reality, the world around us something that I feel is lost within todays cinema. And for me, in today’s world, there is nothing more frightening then people who blindly follow religion, ignoring the truth that lies before them and the extremes they will go in the name of a god they can never prove, Something that we have seen all too much of in recent years.

But if the underlying message doesn’t interest you then that's fine too, I hope you leave satisfied with the film and story we told, while paying homage to films of yesteryear”.

 

 

Order of the Ram, the new concept of horror both original yet familiar in a way that will allow us film lovers and makers watch Scott Lyus’ name slowly rise and rise. I like the rare-ness both the writer and his film possess, which is no fear except a broken reality and so honesty is used to help prevent that in world and in lens. This short will not just entertain an audience but it will debate with it, fight with it, love with it and learn to trust it.

Keep an eye out for updates on both Order of the Ram AND Crossroad Pictures by following Scott Lyus and Crossroads on Twitter. For now, go to Crossroads YouTube channel and experience the teaser trailer for OOTR; https://www.youtube.com/user/CrossroadPictures/videos!

FULL INTERVIEW WILL BE AVALIABLE SOON FOR ALL TO READ.

 

VF.