 |
 Joseph M. Monks has been interested
in horror since as far back as he can remember. His first stories
were horror stories, his favorite books growing up were horror
and mystery novels, and he has always been a horror-lovin' kind
of guy. He broke into publishing by co-creating the cult classic
comic book Cry For Dawn, eventually shedding his lethargic partner
and moving on, and he continues to break new ground while taking
on utterly ridiculous challenges. Directing a film that he cannot
see is perhaps, he believes, tougher than mastering the full-sized
trampoline he got shortly after losing his eyesight. But what
would one expect from somebody who also wants to box a sighted
opponent before he turns 40, and who also thinks that both skydiving
and water-skiing look even more appealing now that the lights
have gone out permanently?
Monks, a film buff up to the weekend his vision dimmed for good,
intends to lean heavily on his moviegoer experience to bring
The Bunker to life. In interviews he points to the early work
of Tobe Hooper (particularly the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
as a guide to how he wants his film to work. He has also found
elements of filmmaking by Stephen Spielberg (circa JAWS), Hitchcock
(particularly North By Northwest), and William Friedkin (The
Exorcist) that he plans to utilize to make The Bunker a taut
psychological thriller as well as a classic era style horror
film.
Of the aspect of being blind, Monks says this, "It isn't
about being blind and making a film. It's about making the film
despite being blind. Every filmmaker has obstacles, I just happen
to have one that's unique and a little more difficult to get
around than a producer clamping down on spending or scheduling
conflicts with the actors. I know it adds a great angle to this
story, but what's important isn't a blind guy making a film,
it's--hopefully--about a guy making a good film who happens
to be blind."
You can read interviews with Joe Monks at: http://www.comicmonsters.com |
