Seb Shaw
He is the man behind The Boogeyman Dollar Baby Film.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Seb Shaw: Hi, My name is Seb Shaw, I’m in my final year at Coventry University (United Kingdom) where I am studying Media Production.
SKSM: When did you make The Boogeyman? Can you tell me a little about the production? How much did it cost? How long did it take to film it?
Seb Shaw: This is an interesting question (haha) I optioned for the Dollar Baby Deal back in December 2009, but due to multiple reasons I just couldn’t get the right people for the film. Altogether I think it was six different crews and around 5 totally new scripts. I decided to hire apprentices for the crew, and it was one of the best decisions I made about the film I think. They were always willing to learn and also had some great ideas about how to shoot certain shots. With this more streamlined crew (Myself and three apprentices) We took 6 days in total to shoot the whole film. The costs very very low… £0 altogether. Who says who can’t make a feature film without a budget eh> (haha)
SKSM: How come you picked The Boogeyman to develop into a movie? What is it in the story that you like so much?
Seb Shaw: When I initial read it in the short story collection, it really gave me goosebumps. Something in there was calling to me. I knew that there was more to the story than meets the eye. King laid the framework, I just read between the lines. Also, who isn’t or has not been afraid of The Boogeyman? In all it’s manifestations, It’s the personification of Evil.
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?
Seb Shaw: I was actually looking for information to see if I could adapt one of his stories, I couldn’t believe it was for $1. What a truly great guy he is!
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Seb Shaw: (haha) Oh yes! So many. We all just had great fun (despite the subject matter) we all got on really well together. Lester’s “Drunk Scene” outtakes were a highlight… And there was also another scene in a restaurant. It was meant to be amusing, but not hilarious! I just hope the audience find it as funny.
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?
Seb Shaw: It was a huge honor just to adapt something he had written. Yeah it’s a shame that people won’t be able to see it, but that’s the rules. However, I will be speaking to King and his representatives to make a limited time only exception to the rule. *fingers crossed*
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)?
Seb Shaw: It is still in the early stages of editing at the moment. I do hope that if he does see it, that he can see how much it meant to ALL the cast, crew and family members involved in the production of the film.
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?
Seb Shaw: Well, here is an EXCLUSIVE for you. I’m planning on doing TWO MORE Dollar Babies. LT’s Theory of Pets and Jerusalem’s Lot. I really enjoyed these stories and they are very very different. I will plan work on them Winter 2013. I have another one too, but I can’t say anything about it. Nothing has been said. At the moment it is just a dream, but if all goes well you could be seeing some news about it in 2014/2015 (It’s a long way off I know)
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to your fans?
Seb Shaw: Thank you for asking me to do this. To EVERYONE who has been so supportive and PATIENT over the last THREE years, I really do appreciate ALL of your support, I hope you like what we have made just for you. Don’t forget, this is only the beginning, so hold on tight!
