Over the past month or so I’ve been working on my first writing assignment for HorrorYearBook. I was extremely honored to have this opportunity, but it’s been no easy task. It started as a simple e-mail interview but then it turned into one of the biggest hassles of my writing career. Coming up with the questions wasn’t very hard, but waiting on a response tempted suicide. It wasn’t until after I got a response, however, that I realized how tight the noose really was.

I wrote about seventeen questions, most of which I was proud of, but to my dismay I only got answers to about five of them. To say the least, I was devastated. I wanted my first article to be something special and all I got was a big steaming pile. I had no choice but to rise above the situation and make it work, for HorrorYearBook, for myself, and for Wil’s Kevin Sorbo interview.

So without further ado here is my Brenton Spencer Interview (Abridged): by Morgan Suszek

Horror Yearbook: To start things off I thought I’d get to know you a little better. Could you give me the basics? You know, where are you from? How did you get into the business? What are some of the films you’ve worked on?

Brenton Spencer: I’m young enough to know the movie business is a crazy business, but to quote Gerry Garcia, it “draws me like a moth to a flame.” I was born in Nova Scotia, a direct descendant of the first Highland Scotts to settle in the Americas, 1770. I currently live in Vancouver Canada and maintain a flat in L.A. I played high school football, full back, and I wrestled and ran track. My secret was writing poetry and making clay animation. I was accepted into the Creative Writing program at UBC, but soon found a home in the Film and Theatre department.

One day the John Frankenheimer picture, The Prophecy, came to my hometown. I asked a mentor, Osmond Borradaile (The Thief of Baghdad and Charge of the Light Brigade) how I could get on the film. He suggested a letter slipped under a hotel room door and the next day I was working. My first feature, The Prophecy, was Sci-Fi-Horror, I was assistant cameraman. The Changeling with George C. Scott was my next gig as 2nd AC and this, of course, was Thriller-Horror. Then there was First Bloodthen Never Cry Werewolf.

I’ve shot and directed Comedies, Thrillers, Family Movies, Action and Sci-Fi, but I would definitely say my roots are Sci-Fi-Horror.

HYB: Well it’s nice to see that you and horror go way back and it’s apparent you’re a fan. What’s your favorite scary movie?

BS: My favorite horrors are The Ring, Fright Night, and The Changeling.

HYB: Since you both shoot and direct films I’m sure you’ve spent countless hours behind a camera. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to get a shot?

BS: I’ve done anything from hanging off of cliffs and buildings to helicopter photography and shooting handheld in car chases to get a shot. The most ingenious “thing” I ever did to get a shot was in a student film. We had the cast and crew ready but no location. At the appointed hour a fellow student started screaming and created quite a scene (should have shot that). While security was distracted we shot our scene.

HYB: Being a part of the business for quite some time and having had the chance to sit in the directors chair, do you feel that it’s easier to get into the creative process the more you do it?

BS: It doesn’t get any easier but the more you work or work at the business the more people you meet. This is a business about properties and relationships. It starts with a good script but you have to get it out there. It doesn’t matter the genre, quality will always be made.

HYB: Throughout your entire career who is the best actor/actress you’ve gotten the chance to work with?

BS: I loved the cast of Never Cry Werewolf, it was perfect. Over my career, though, I’d have to say the best actors I’ve directed would be Helen Shaver and Henry Winkler. Peter Stebbings is right up there too.”

HYB: Well, that about does it for me, is there anything else you’d like to add?

BS: If I’ve learned anything in my career it is this; If you are looking to put someone in a Werewolf costume, or any creature costume, use an actor, use an athlete, use a stunt man, but don’t ever use a classical ballet dancer. A grande jette is just not scary!”

Thank you very much Brenton, best of luck with all your future endeavors. Be sure to keep us horror fans in mind.