John Patrick Tomasek

John Patrick Tomasek is the writer, producer and director of the horror film Hell's Half Acre.

What inspired you to create Hell's Half Acre?

I actually discovered something called urban exploring about seven years ago. And for those maybe reading that don't know what that is, urban exploring is typically people going into abandoned buildings, factories, hospitals, police stations, different things that have been closed and abandoned and going in and streaming it usually live, or taping it for YouTube, for their channels. And they tell a little bit about the history of the facility of the building that it was. So, that got my interest. When I decided to write Hell's Half Acre, I didn't have the title, of course, yet. I thought, “I want to write a horror movie, but I don't want to do the usual paranormal investigators going in and looking for ghosts and finding more than they bargained for.” I wanted a group to go in there for a completely different reason, looking to just tell the history of the location. And then they ended up finding something that they hadn't bargained for. So, that was kind of the genesis behind the the idea of doing this, and it just kind of builds momentum from that point on.

What were the main challenges of creating such a movie?

Oh, gosh, well, there were a few. Mainly, we were starting to film right at the beginning of the pandemic, in 2020. We had to make a decision to either abandon our film until later or take every possible precaution and safely film this. We talked to our cast or crew. We didn't pressure anyone; we left it up to them. Freewill always is a good thing. And we all came together and said, “You know what? Let's do this.” So, that was the most difficult thing at the time. I'd never had to film through a pandemic. So, very luckily, these places were abandoned, and there was really no one around except for our small crew and cast. The other challenge was filming it overnight. A significant part of the film is really overnight. They’re overnight in this abandoned prison. So, the challenge for the actors and the cast and crew was filming, basically getting there about 4:30 or 5pm, and then kind of filming about 6, 6:30pm through about 6am. So, that was a challenge. That was a really big challenge for everyone. We had to bring cots for people to take naps and things like that and lots of coffee, and caffeine certainly helped. So, those were the two, I think, biggest challenges while filming.

Do you like directing, and what do you like about it?

I do. I do. Like, I'm the writer, director on this, and producer. So, the writing was very fun. And to watch the characters come to life and then directing them to sort of help mold the characters, I just get a real thrill out of that. The characters, the actors, really, we had a talented group of actors. We had gone through probably 100 different actors who had submitted through various forms of video auditioning and so forth. And the group we ended up with did a phenomenal job, and watching them breathe life into these characters that I scribbled on paper, and helping them, to give them pointers and direct the scenes, I just got a real thrill out of that. It was so much fun. So, it's a good question. Thank you.

What are the main challenges of being a director?

Everybody turns to you. Everybody needs something; they all want to come to you, which is fine. I'm used to it. It's not a big deal. But I think the biggest challenge is trying to articulate the character or situation. If it's a little bit more complex, you have to get every angle. If they're coming into a room, and the character had just lost a friend, they have to appear, you know, obviously saddened, and there's a lot of complexity of emotions, and trying to help them navigate the waters is challenging, but I really enjoy it.

Were any scenes difficult to film?

Yes. So, there were a few challenges filming a few of the scenes. I like to blend visual effects with practical effects. There was a very complex scene where there's a demon crawling on the wall and ceiling. That was no easy task. And we had to combine the two. So, that was a bit challenging. And then there were other effects, also, that were a combination of visual and practical effects that were pretty challenging, because you only get so many tries with some of them. So, you run out of materials and things like that, and you want to film it just the right way, or else it won't look real. So, those are probably the biggest challenges in my experiences, the visual and practical effects of a movie. So, that's what I would have to say.

Do you have a favorite moment from the movie?

Oh, gosh, I think the the main character, Marcus, he really loses - he has no faith. In the beginning of this, a little backstory, which we explain in the beginning of the film. His father died in a car accident a year prior. So, he's running real low on faith; he doesn't believe in anything. And it posed the question to him, “Do you believe in demons, ghosts?” He says, “Nope.” And then she says, “Do you believe in God,” and he says, “No, never met him.” So, he goes into why he doesn't believe, and later in the film, something happens. I don't want to give away spoilers, but by the end of the film, he restores his faith, I guess, in a way. So, it's kind of a positive moment too. I mean, there's some horrible things that these kids go through, but the one positive is that he regains the faith that he had lost when his father had died. So, yeah, so that was really one of my favorites.

What would you say the hardest part of writing a horror movie is?

Well, you don't want it to be predictable. When I wrote it, the one thing I wanted to do is misdirect a little bit the audience and not make it so obvious, and that's challenging when you're writing it. I just threw a few curves in there, a couple of twists in the plot. So, you know, that's really the challenge when you're writing it, because I hate going to a movie and knowing the ending when it starts. Sometimes it's so predictable, you know, “Okay, I know what's going to happen next.” I just didn't want the audience to watch it and have that same reaction. So, that was what I had gone out of my way, when writing it, to make sure that it was not predictable, and you're not going to know what happens. So, I'm very proud of that.

Who are your favorite horror writers and directors?

Oh, too many to count. You know, I really enjoy - I mean, obviously, like Stephen King, the obvious ones. There are so many. Gosh, that's a really good question. There is, I mean, of course, the writer of The Strain; his name just escapes me. I just lost it. He has that, I think it's called The House of Curiosities or something as a new series. He is just an insanely talented writer and director of horror. There're just so many that I really enjoy. I mean, let's see, Carpenter when he wrote The Thing, John Carpenter, just a lot. Well, even Wes Craven, I really enjoyed some of his movies, too. So, yeah, there's a lot of good influences out there for horror writers.

What kind of budget were you operating on?

We were trying to keep it under $100,000. So, we were really close to that mark. But to see it, I don't know that you would know that. We did put as much production value in it as possible too, so I don't think it really shows the actual budget, but I think we've accomplished what we set out to do.

What are the main ways this movie is being promoted?

Well, through Terror Films. There's a multitude of different ways. Luckily, we have a really good distributor that is really helping. Myself, I'm doing as many wonderful talk shows, and magazine articles. I'm sure they're doing other things behind the scenes. We have our main two cast lead members, Brynn Beveridge and Quinn Nehr, who are doing some interviews as well. Then, of course social media advertising and things like that. So, you know, we're doing everything we possibly can to get the word out.

How do you generally get funding for your projects?

Each project is different. So, for this one, myself and two of my friends who are producers, we basically put in our own funds for this particular movie. We are working on a sequel to it, though, that will not be our funds, and there'll be a higher budget. So, I think if you're a filmmaker, and you're starting out, it's really hard. You want to try to get support from people around you, and if that means, you know, some people do an Indiegogo or Kickstarter, and sometimes they can be very successful, but getting your first film out there really helps, because then when you come to do a second or third, I think it becomes a little easier, because people see can see your work, and things like that. So, it's a good question, but it really varies project to project. It depends on the genre too. We had filmed a World War II television series pilot, and that was a whole other ball of wax. Everything had to be period, 1930s, 40s, and it had to look like France and Germany. So, you had a whole set of other challenges with that. So, yeah, really every project is different. So, that's probably the best answer I could give you.

How did you get into creating screen productions?

Well, I've always liked to write. I've been writing since high school. I used to do some acting then, but I was always a writer, and decided one day I wanted to write a screenplay and start a production company and pursue this, pursue a dream in this business, you know, this whole life, and 13 years later, I'm doing it. Yeah, just, you know, if it's strong enough with you, you have to go. You have to listen to what's inside, and if it tells you, you know, “Hey, I'd be happy doing this. I want to give it a shot,” you have to try, because you never know what would happen if you don't. So, that was the decision I made.

Aside from Hell's Half Acre, what screen production that you've done are you most pleased with?

Oh, gosh, there was a film I wrote and produced and directed called Forgiveness, which was not a horror movie. It really had to do with sort of metaphysical, supernatural drama, and I dedicated in the honor of my brother who had passed away some years back. I’m really proud of that film, but, you know, each project is different. So, you have different motivations for each one. But yeah, there's a few that I have done and am very proud of too, besides Hell's Half Acre. But they're all different. They're all sort of like little children almost. You love them the same, but in different ways, I guess, if that makes sense.

Are you thinking about doing other productions in future? And what would they look like?

Yes. Well, I mentioned where we are doing a sequel to Hell's Half Acre, which is in development already. And then also, I did film a proof of concept trailer for another horror film that was a World War II horror film called The Castle, which is currently on the back burner. The funding didn't go through on that four years ago, and it's been on the back burner. It's a much larger budget. I have other written scripts, some are dramas, one is a comedy. So, there's different - I do enjoy horror a lot, though, but different genres are always fun, too.

What would you say to people who want to make movies but think that it's too hard?

I would say anything in life can be too hard if you look at it that way. I think if you look at it as “am I happy,” and in some cases, you know, if you're working at a job, and you're just not happy with it, and you'd rather work in film or learn about it, I think it you owe it to yourself to try at least. I mean, you may not like it, but chances are if you've thought about it, and for enough time, it's worth a shot. Give it a try. There are a number of online groups. There are, you know, social media. There's just a ton of different support out there with like-minded people that want to do the same thing, you know, filmmaking and things like that. So, I would say, basically, try. You've got nothing to lose; you really don't.

Where can people watch Hell's Half Acre?

Currently, it is on Tubi, Google Play. I'm told, we are going to be doing a free screening on YouTube on The Kings of Horror on the 19th, where I'll be sort of available via chat to answer any questions fans might have. And also, it's supposed to be released on Amazon any day now.

Where can people follow you?

I have a page Hell's Half Acre on Facebook. We also have Instagram and Twitter, but I'm more on Facebook than the other social media sites. We also have a Distant Star Picture page they could also follow. And we put updates - I put all the information that I'm giving you now about where you can find the film and updates on releases and things like that. So, I would look out for the Hell's Half Acre page on Facebook at least or Distant Star Pictures.