Brad C. Hodson
He is the man behind L.T’s Theory Of Pets Dollar Baby Film.
SKSM: May you introduce yourself to our readers? Who are you and what do you do?
Brad C. Hodson: I’m Brad Hodson, a novelist, screenwriter, and the Admin for the Horror Writers Association.
SKSM: How would you decide that shoot movies was your mission?
Brad C. Hodson: I’ve loved movies since I was a kid. I had kind of a strange situation growing up and movies were an escape for me.
SKSM: Why L.T’s Theory of Pets was cancelled? Is it possible for Stephen King fans to see it in a future?
Brad C. Hodson: It is definitely possible! At the time I optioned it, we had wanted to shoot on 35mm film and had a very specific cast in mind. Once the final Budget came in, the entire project just became out of reach for us financially. Then in the years since, I’ve had two kids, as well as other film projects take off, novels to work on, etc. So the months stretched into years. The plus side of that is that video has advanced to the point where I could achieve the look I want for the film while keeping it under our original budget.
But I love the story and I think my script and storyboards show a unique and interesting take on it that would really do it justice. The other piece that is a bit of nightmare is the animals themselves. You can’t do away with them – there’s no story without them – so finding that perfect balance of how little we can get away with actually shooting with animals while keeping true to the work has been tough.
SKSM: Who would be involved into this project?
Brad C. Hodson: I’m going to keep this under wraps for now. If this project does get going in the future, the potential cast and crew I’ve spoken – if they’re still available – would make a fantastic film.
SKSM: How come you picked LT’s Theory of Pets to develop into a movie? What is it in the story that you like so much?
Brad C. Hodson: King’s story is such a great piece of humor that turns on a dime into something tragic and sorrowful. There’s an almost Coen Brothers quality to it. It’s also very much a story about storytelling – why we’re drawn to certain tales, how storytellers confront their pain by the stories themselves. I love that.
SKSM: Did you know that this story has already been filmed as Dollar Baby? Have you seen any of these adaptations? If so, what do you think about it?
Brad C. Hodson: I did not know that! It would be fun to see what those interpretations are like.
SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?
Brad C. Hodson: Oh, most definitely. I’m a big fan of his short fiction. NIGHT SHIFT and SKELETON CREW especially. `SALEM’S LOT and PET SEMETARY are two of the scariest books I’ve ever read. As for adaptations – where do you start? I like most of them – even the bad ones. Sometimes especially the bad ones haha!
SKSM: How did you find out that King sold the movie rights to some of his stories for just $1?
Brad C. Hodson: I had always heard that and thought it was an urban legend. But then I read an interview with Frank Darabont years ago and he mentioned it, which immediately sent me off to do some research.
SKSM: What are you working nowadays?
Brad C. Hodson: Right now, we’re pitching a pilot and about to take a feature script out as well. I’m halfway through a new novel and recently optioned another one for television. The feature adaptation of my first book is in full swing. It’s all kind of crazy, but I’m digging it – and keeping my fingers crossed.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Brad C. Hodson: I used to fight semi-professionally. Boxing, Sanshou, and MMA. I have less than a dozen fights under my belt, but I loved it. I was training with Chute Boxe when I broke three ribs and finally decided “You know, I’m not really into being in some amount of pain all the time.” There was a guy I trained with, lived in his car and spent all day at the gym, sunrise to bedtime. It hit me I could never do that – and so I could never beat someone who did. Better to write about it haha.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to our readers?
Brad C. Hodson: Thanks for giving me some time to chat. If anyone is interested in my work, the audiobook of my horror novel DARLING here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Darling-Audiobook/B075FYGHFV
SKSM: Would you like to add something else to this interview?
Brad C. Hodson: If anyone has any further questions, feel free to contact me. And if you’re a burgeoning horror writer in any field, you should ask about joining the Horror Writers Association alongside Mr. King. You can contact me at admin@horror.org.
