Patrick Haischberger
He is the man behind Rainy Season Dollar Baby Film.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Patrick Haischberger: Hello, my name is Patrick Haischberger, I am a director from Austria and make the short film Rainy Season. This is a short story by Stephen King.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become a filmmaker?
Patrick Haischberger: I knew that very early, to be honest. My mother ran a video store when I was a kid. That’s when my love for the movie started.
SKSM: When did you make Rainy Season? Can you tell me a little about the production? How much did it cost? How long did it take to film it?
Patrick Haischberger: I shot Rainy Season in May this year. We wanted to produce a movie with Hollywood style. All of this with low budget. The shooting took 5 days.
SKSM: How come you picked Rainy Season to develop into a movie? What is it in the story that you like so much?
Patrick Haischberger: I love the story because it is also possible to be played in Austria. A small village where there is a secret kept. Rituals, only the inhabitants understand. That’s what I focused on writing the script the most. And the characters from Kings story feel very well in Austria.
SKSM: How did you find out that King sold the movie rights to some of his stories for just $1? Was it just a wild guess or did you know it before you sent him the check?
Patrick Haischberger: A friend of mine is a film composer in Hollywood and he got in touch with Stephen King’s office. He knows that I am a big Stephen King fan and I should just cheeky if he would be willing to produce a short film in Austria. I wrote to the office and that’s how we got together.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Patrick Haischberger: Yes, there was a moment when my heart stopped for a second. The main actor Thomas Stipsits should stop in a scene barefoot just before a pile of broken glass. But he didn’t stop early enough and stepped directly into the glass shrads. Thank God nothing happened to him. But it was worth it, the recording is really great.
SKSM: How does it feel that all the King fans out there can’t see your movie? Do you think that will change in the future? Maybe a internet/dvd release would be possible?
Patrick Haischberger: It’s of course a bad feeling that fans of Stephen King can not see the movie, but hopefully they can see the movie on film festivales.
SKSM: What “good or bad” reviews have you received on your film?
Patrick Haischberger: Those who saw the movie were totally excited. There were only positive reviews so far. Thank God.
SKSM: Do you plan to screen the movie at a particular festival?
Patrick Haischberger: Of course, the movie will run as many film festivals worldwide as possible.
SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?
Patrick Haischberger: I’m a giant Stephen King fan. I own all his books. My favorite work is “The Stand”. I made this movie as a fan for the fans.
SKSM: Did you have any personal contact with King during the making of the movie? Has he seen it (and if so, what did he think about it)?
Patrick Haischberger: Yes, I had personal contact with Stephen King. But he will not see the movie until we have finished with the English subtitles. This will happen in a view days.
SKSM: Do you have any plans for making more movies based on Stephen King’s stories? If you could pick -at least- one story to shoot, which one would it be and why?
Patrick Haischberger: Of course I would like to shoot a Stephen King movie. Salem’s Lot would be my favorite.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Patrick Haischberger: I am currently working on an Austrian drama. This will also be a short film. And I’m writing my first novel. Of course a horror novel.
SKSM: What one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Patrick Haischberger: I’m afraid of spiders. I do not like them and I think they do not like me either. Laughs.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Patrick Haischberger: Read more scary books.
SKSM: Would you like to add anything else?
Patrick Haischberger: I would be happy if you watch the Rainy Season Trailer on YouTube and tell me on Facebook or Instagram your feedback. I would be glad to answer your questions. Thank you and maybe we will meet at a festival somedays.
