web analytics
Home | Interviews | Interview: Todd Lincoln – Director (V/H/S: Viral, The Apparition, Gorgeous Vortex)

Interview: Todd Lincoln – Director (V/H/S: Viral, The Apparition, Gorgeous Vortex)

Todd Lincoln is a very talented and dedicated guy when it comes to film. In addition to having several short films to his credit as well as the film The Apparition he’s a pretty busy guy that writes, directs, and edits. His most recent film “Gorgeous Vortex” appears as the secret final segment on V/H/S: Viral and just kicks all sorts of ass in general (if you ask me it is without a doubt the best segment and I really enjoyed it). I recently had the chance to speak to Todd about a number of things including “Gorgeous Vortex,” some of his favorite movies, and the world of horror in general.

Gorgeous Vortex” can now be found on the “V/H/S: Viral” Blu-ray, DVD or the purchased (not rented) version from iTunes.

Interview-todd-lincoln-director-(1)

Todd Martin: How old were you when you decided that you wanted to work in the film industry?

Todd Lincoln: I started getting serious about filmmaking when I was fifteen.

TM: Who are some of your influences?

TL: As far as filmmakers go, I’d say George Lucas, John Carpenter, Stanley Kubrick, Jim Jarmusch, Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma and David Lynch. But I’m influenced by all medias, mediums, genres, styles and decades. Music inspires me as much as-or more- than film.

TM: If you could work with anyone in the industry that you haven’t worked with yet who would it be and why?

TL: There are a lot of people I haven’t worked with yet. It would be cool to work with Jean-Luc Godard, Douglas Trumbull, Tom Cruise, Don Bluth and Cate Blanchett. They all seem to deeply care about cinema and bring 110 percent to whatever they do. I also wish I could have worked with Jack Lemmon and Dennis Hopper.

Interview-todd-lincoln-director-(3)

TM: Tell us a little bit about Gorgeous Vortex. Where and when will we be able to see it?

TL: I wanted to take the V/H//S franchise in a different direction both tonally and stylistically. “Gorgeous Vortex” is an experimental, high fashion horror film. It’s not found footage. It’s kind of an assemblage of memories, dreams, simulations and surveillance. Or perhaps it’s ominous transmissions from another time or dimension. I wanted to create a visceral, visual onslaught served up in a post-human way. “Gorgeous Vortex” is available now as the secret final segment on the V/H/S: Viral Blu-Ray, DVD and iTunes.

Interview-todd-lincoln-director-(4)

TM: You’ve worn many hats such as writer, director, producer, and editor. Which do you enjoy doing the most?

TL: Directing. But I’m happiest during pre-production, because I most enjoy the early brainstorming, research, previz, casting, and location scouting.

TM: What is your favorite movie of all time?

TL: I don’t have a #1 favorite, but some of the films that float around in my top 5 are: Star Wars, John Carpenter’s The Thing, Apocalypse Now, Goodfellas, and Jaws.

TM: What is the scariest movie of all time?

TL: I can’t choose just one. There are a handful of movies that I find to be the scariest: The Shining, Session 9, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Manhunter, Pet Sematary, The Blair Witch Project, and Halloween are all up there on the list though.

TM: If you weren’t working in film what would you be doing right now?

TL: Video game developer, front man in a metal band or politician.

TM: What is your opinion of the current state of horror? Do you think that it is better or worse off than it was 30 years ago and why?

TL: I don’t think that horror is ever that much better or worse. Horror films reflect and capture the time they’re made in. It depends which time period or types of scares you’re in the mood for. I watch it all.

Interview-todd-lincoln-director-(2)

TM: What is your personal favorite work of your own?

TL: I haven’t made my favorite work yet. But “Gorgeous Vortex” is damn close. It’s a good preview of things to come.

TM: Do you have any words of advice for anyone wanting to break into the horror film industry?

TL: Visit art galleries. Read more books. Travel. Watch non-horror films. Zig when others zag.

TM: Is there anything that you are currently working on that you would like to discuss?

TL: I’m currently writing a new feature. It’s a psychosexual sci-fi thriller. In the meantime, everyone should keep checking up on www.gorgeousvortex.com for new side-story micro-films that tie in with “Gorgeous Vortex”.

TM: Is there anyone you would like to give a shout out to or anything else that you’d like to add?

TL: Joseph Bishara (The Conjuring, Insidious 1 & 2, and Annabelle), my composer, elevated and enhanced “Gorgeous Vortex” with his haunting original score. He recently released the “Gorgeous Vortex” soundtrack on vinyl and digital download. http://shop.voidrecordings.com/

Vincent Guastini and his power team at V.G.P. Effects & Design Studio. I was excited to get them to come on board “Gorgeous Vortex”. Vincent assembled some of the best creature effects artists, sculptors and technicians around… including Joshua Ballze, Josh Wasylink, Mike Rotella, Steve Winsett and Evan Campbell. They went above and beyond on the creature design and operated it beautifully. It was thrilling to see it come to life and to achieve it entirely with practical effects.

Morgan Susser, my Director Of Photography, did beautiful next-level work on “Gorgeous Vortex”, and Jeremy Lamberton, my 2nd Unit Director Of Photography. He and I worked together capturing more abstract moments and details.

For something entirely different everyone should definitely check out the crazy documentary Biker Fox that my friend Jeremy Lamberton directed and I produced. It’s available on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video and Google Play.

You can keep up with my latest projects by following me on Instagram and Twitter:

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/killtoddlincoln
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Todd_Lincoln

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me, Todd! I appreciate it and enjoyed speaking with you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.