web analytics
Home | Interviews | Interview: Directors/Writers David Charbonier and Justin Powell (The Boy Behind The Door)

Interview: Directors/Writers David Charbonier and Justin Powell (The Boy Behind The Door)

Hi David Hi Justin!

I watched The Boy Behind the Door and this film was so good. It was intense and creepy. It was a little too realistic. I had a really horrible “kidnapping” real life experience and it was horrible. You did an amazing job with the intensity of the film.

Well, first thank you for the compliment and we are sorry to hear about your traumatic experience.

How did this idea manifest for both of you?

We spent a lot of time developing a few stories. We’ve known each other our whole lives, and we always wanted to pursue making a horror movie. That’s what we bonded over as kids. Once we got out here, [to L.A.] that’s the route we wanted to pursue. We had a bunch of scripts that we tried to get off the ground but we couldn’t. We put together a script that we thought we’d be able to do by ourselves. We ended up drafting something unique and Whitewater ended up responding to it, and they picked it up. We have always been a fan of children in these thriller/horror scenarios. The subject matter is darker but we did try to be centric about hope and friendship. I think we drew from our own friendship that way.

I think this film was so different because these two kids were very smart. I felt so bad for Ezra Dewey (Ezra plays Kevin) and Lonnie Chavis (Lonnie plays Bobby). They go through a lot in this movie. What was it like working with the cast? And Kristin Bauer van Straten, I don’t want to give away spoilers but Oh my GOSH!

Luckily, we had the best cast. We have to give all the credit to our amazing casting director, Amy Lippens. Everyone says don’t work with kids but they really did carry the whole movie. We had so much fun working with them. It was dark subject matter but we tried to keep the tone on set light and fun. Working with Kristin was a dream come true because we’re the biggest True Blood fans. She’s so amazing on that show and in everything she does. Once we knew she was interested we sort of amped up some of her scenes because we love when she goes dark and crazy, and violent. It’s fun to watch and it helps establish the insurmountable odds that the kids are up against. Also, to touch on what you said earlier, we love characters that are proactive and resourceful. Even though their young kids we wanted them to be smart and intelligent, and really fight. We wanted them to do everything they can to not only save themselves but they are best friends. They want to do whatever they can to survive.

Yes, I felt really bad for Ezra’s character. I loved The Djinn too. Kristin’s character is just so shocking. She did an amazing job.

(laughing)

Didn’t the end feel good though?

It did. It felt good. No spoilers.

(Laughing) 

What are the two of you working on next?

We can’t talk about them too much but one of the projects ventures on younger characters again. We have another project that’s different from anything we did before. Hopefully one of these projects comes through soon.

I thank you both so much.

Thank you.

DAVID CHARBONIER

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5293961/?ref_=ttfc_fc_dr1

JUSTIN POWELL

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4895027/?ref_=ttfc_fc_dr2

THE BOY BEHIND THE DOOR IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10772662/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm

 

Produced by RICK ROSENTHAL, JIM HART, RYAN SCARINGE, JOHN HERMANN and RYAN LEWIS

Executive Produced by BERT KERN, NICK MORTON and HOWARD BARISH

Co-Producers by AMY LIPPENS, CSA and DENNIS MADLONE

Starring LONNIE CHAVIS, EZRA DEWEY, KRISTIN BAUER VAN STRATEN, SCOTT MICHAEL FOSTER and MICAH HAUPTMAN

 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON SHUDDER ON THURSDAY, JULY 29TH 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.