Welcome to the darkest depths of Castle Dracula. This is my Torture Chamber, my
'Interrogation Room' if you will. Here I shall be placing interviews from people 
who are connected in some way with the world of horror and are foolish enough to 
wander (or be dragged kicking and screaming) in here. Whenever I have anything 
submitted to 'Castle Dracula' to be reviewed from a filmaker, author, etc. I will 
try to have them dragged down here to be "interviewed" for your sadistic pleasures. 
Who knows, if I am satisfied with their answers, I may even let them go.

- Jeff Thomas - Writer/Director/Actor - 
- Interviewed By Dracula - 

Dracula - Looking at your photo, you look to be some kind of psychotic lunatic, am
I right? 


Jeff - Actually I find this humorous because I have had quite a few individuals 
ask this same question. Since "13 Seconds" is a horror film, I felt that I needed 
as serious a picture as I could possibly take, never actually thinking that I looked
psychotic. In all reality, I probably am the farthest from that label. I usually 
tend to be very relaxed and easy going.

 
Dracula - Hmmmm, that I have yet to decide upon. I must say however in regards to 
your film, "13 Seconds," unlike some of the usual dirge I've seen, I really enjoyed 
watching it, as shown in my review. However, some reactions have been downright 
damning. Does this bother you at all? 


Jeff - That’s a good question, Dracula. Let me just say first that I have been really 
lucky that the majority of reviews have been overwhelmingly favorable and positive. 
I thank you and everyone else that has praised the merits of the film. But like all 
films, there are a few unsavory comments. Honestly, no, it does not bother me. I 
understand that whenever you release a project for mass consumption, you never are 
going to make everyone happy. And when I do have some "damning" reviews, I do laugh, 
take a step back, and thoroughly examine the scenarios for why there may be negativity. 
Sometimes people don’t totally comprehend all the narrative issues, other times some 
of the budgetary restrictions may be a stumbling block, or more often than anything 
else, it is political. Either way, it does not inhibit me at all. In fact it is the 
complete antithesis, I only resolve to work harder.

 
Dracula - Of course it was a good question, I asked it. You better be careful otherwise 
you shall be introduced to my torture implements. Now, my 'dark spies' have informed 
me you have a fiancee, does she like "13 Seconds" or does she consider you to be so 
deranged that she fears for her safety if she says she doesn't like it?  


Jeff - At first my fiancee would constantly ask what was wrong with me. I think she 
felt that there was a deranged psycopath dwelling under this laid back personality. 
But now she sees it as structure for the storytelling process. After all, if you tell 
romance stories, people will be in love, if you tell horror stories, you will cut 
their heads off. She still wonders why I think up the ideas that I do, but she does 
understand that nightmares are mean, nasty, violent, and scary.


Dracula - Women, they just don't understand, that's why I have to keep "getting rid" 
of mine. Although, are you implying that horror films make murderer's, or maybe in 
your case, murderer's make better horror films, confess! 


Jeff - Honestly, I do not find a correlation between film violence and the atrocities 
you see on the news. In a number of cases of violence, the individual is seeking 
inspiration for his acts. This inspiration may be drawn from any number of creative 
sources, but horror seems to be the scapegoat. Besides, in today's climate, it is 
always easier to point at an outside influence as opposed to the individual assuming 
responsibility. It is interesting though, if an individual is guilty of operating an 
automobile while intoxicated, no one ever blames the alcohol bottling company or the
media campaign that made drinking seem so sppealing. The same standards should apply 
to entertainment. Accountability applies to the individual, not what the individual 
watches or consumes. As far as for myself, I love the metaphors that can be communicated 
via violence and horror, but it is all deeply rooted in the imaginary and is not a 
call for violence in reality...and none of those charges ever stuck...er, you can't 
prove a thing.



Dracula -  No they can't!
I told them I had never seen those knives before....er....oh, you were talking about 
yourself, let's just forget what I said then and get back to the questions. What 
first made you want to get into film making?


Jeff - Two of my earliest memories are that of going to the theatre with my father 
to see “Alien” and “Jaws.” In hindsight, I think it was because no one else would 
go with him, so he took his five year old son. Movies just amazed me. From that 
moment I knew I had to make films. So from a very young age I was exposed to many 
films, most of them being genre related.


Dracula - But why the 'horror' in particular?


Jeff - To start, I had inherited my father’s appreciation and love of the genre. 
Next, I loved what you could inspire to do with the genre, especially since so 
many filmmakers often mistreated it or only used it as a stepping stone to larger 
projects. Horror is such a great genre in that it causes us to reflect upon ourselves: 
what makes us tick, what disturbs us, what do we fear, etc. It causes us to face 
and reflect upon death, not only our own, but others’ as well. So, to be able to 
create or start philosophical or psychological arguments while entertaining, just 
seemed to addictive to me.


Dracula - Yes but other genres are better accepted, would you ever consider changing 
to another genre for better deals, whether you liked that particular genre or not? 


Jeff - As a writer, I am mostly interested in only directing my own scripts. It 
just seems all my ideas are deeply rooted in the horror genre. As for ever changing, 
it would have to be addressed in regard to the narrative. I’m a sucker for a great 
story, no matter what genre and I would love the opportunity to create and bring 
to life a new and original story. But if it was in a different genre, I’m sure I 
could find a way to sneak some demons and creatures into the story.


Dracula - Good answer, however, if you ever go back on your word, I shall hunt you 
down. Now tell me, where did your inspiration for "13 Seconds" come from? 


Jeff - "13 Seconds" was mostly inspired by budget. I was paying for everything myself, 
so I knew my budget was very limited. Yet at the same time, I did not want the budget 
to drastically inhibit the story I wanted to tell. Plus, I was fascinated by the old 
cliches of the genre and how I might be able to use them to my advantage. So essentially, 
the story was born from necessity. As my first project I wanted to create something 
that would be entertaining, scary, and have some type of twist ending. Ever since I 
was young, I have strongly believed that the last five minutes are the most important. 
All in all, I wanted to create a film that I would find entertaining.


Dracula - What did you think of 'The Blair Witch Project?'
I consider the final five minutes to be "heart attack inducing," what do you think?
A horror masterpiece or horror hype?


Jeff - You would have to ask this question. I agree that the last five minutes were 
terrifying. But I think that the true success of the film was from a marketing perspective. 
Utilizing the Internet and advertising via the radio and television as news releases 
created a great hype for something the film was not. Some radio spots even went as 
far to say that the Maryland police department had decided to re-open the case of 
these missing college students. Many people that went to the see film thought that 
these characters actually died. Some people even thought it was a snuff film. Truth 
be told, this was genius in marketing. 


Dracula - Obviously, apart from myself, who inspires you the most?


Jeff - My father. Besides my love of the genre, I have learned so much and inherited 
so much from him. Unfortunately, he passed away before "13 Seconds" was completed. 
It’s funny, but I still wonder if he would have been proud.


Dracula - I would personally think that any father who's son not only dreams about, 
but actually makes a film, a film that receives as much acclaim as "13 Seconds" has
would be foolish not to be proud. Especially as he was the inspiration. Regardless
of the genre or level of gore. Speaking of "gore," the gore in "13 Seconds" was 
pretty excessive, (of which I thoroughly approve of), are you very imaginative or
just 'one sick puppy?'


Jeff - I think a lot of that stems from imagination. We have all seen literally 
hundreds of horror films and thus probably thousands of deaths. Therefore, I 
wanted the death scenes to stand out and be different. By different I mean somewhat 
subversive. Once that is established a filmmaker can lead his audience into foreign 
territory. I think that part of the reason for the success of “13 Seconds” is 
because people were not expecting the level of effects nor their level of originality. 
I wanted to infuse as much creativity as possible. But, then again, may be I am 
just sick."


Dracula - But were you not afraid of venturing into 'Friday The 13th' territory where 
the film was more concerned with coming up with more and more imaginative deaths 
rather than a good storyline?


Jeff - Not at all because good storytelling will incorporate action scenes, death 
scenes, or set pieces as an integral part of the narrative process. It is only 
unsuccessful when these scenes stop the narrative dead in its tracks. I only worry 
when the story itself is sacrificed for special effects or action sequences.


Dracula - Exactly, you can never have too much "death," figuratively speaking of
course. What are your favourite films? 


Jeff - I have a wide range of favorite films from "Alien," "Blade Runner," "The Fog,"
"Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Cinema Paradiso," "Re-Animator," "The Thing," "Suspiria," 
"Deep Red," "Inferno," "Night of the Living Dead," "Last of the Mohicans," etc.


Dracula - Mostly the classics I see, though why you dare mention such films as 
"Cinema Paradiso" and "Last of the Mohicans" in my presence is beyond me. "Blade 
Runner" I can forgive. But those two, perhaps you should lay upon my rack. Redeem
yourself now, how do you view the current state of 'horror? 


Jeff - My only concern with horror is that the current cycle will burn itself 
out. It is not a great sign when horror icons are teaming up in films. Everything 
is cyclical and it reminds me of how Universal treated their classic horror 
characters by teaming them up to wring every last ounce of profitability out 
before that era ended. Plus, it shows creativity is dead. Just look at all the 
current remakes that are coming out. I think horror must need to become subversive 
again. 


Dracula - Do you think that writers are now running out of ideas or have become 
less imaginative hence the influx of remakes?
Or do you think it's the fans that have become lazy, willing to accept anything 
as long as the 'horror' label is attached? 


Jeff - By and large horror fans are very loyal to their genre, but they are 
underestimated by filmmakers and producers. I think that there is a big demand 
for original and subversive horror that tells a good story. Audiences will seek 
out a horror film, but they will really connect with a great story. Unfortunately, 
horror fans are too often sold out.


Dracula - You also acted in "13 Seconds," did you enjoy it? 


Jeff - Yes, I did enjoy acting in "13 Seconds." I saw it as a challenge and I 
would love to do it again."


Dracula - Did it make things harder?


Jeff - Not at all. Filmmaking is all about organization and wearing several hats 
during the course of a production only forces you to become more so.


Dracula - Would you do it again or maybe even swap sides permanently? 


Jeff - I would never swap sides. I love being totally immersed in filmmaking. 
From writing to directing to acting, I love every single facet that allows you 
to create this artificial reality. I also see each area as an extension of one 
another as well. It seems only natural to attempt to do all three.


Dracula -  Has the Internet helped you at all?


Jeff - The Internet has been a crucial tool in the publicity of "13 Seconds." 
I have had so many distributors contact me because of different reviews or postings. 
I recommend the Internet to every independent filmmaker. Sure there will be some 
bad reviews, but any publicity is good publicity.


Dracula - What film do you wish you had written/directed?  


Jeff - Without a doubt, John Carpenter’s "The Fog." I think this is a great, classical 
ghost story that unfolds right in our own backyards. The film has great atmosphere,  
a creepy score, and some real tension. And it shows how suspense can be created on 
a limited budget. The film is a great template for prospective independent horror 
filmmakers.


Dracula - What film would you love to remake? 


Jeff - This is not necessarily a remake, but a further exploration of another film. 
I would love to create another "Alien" film that examines where the derelict spacecraft 
came from in the first film. The fossil of the creature that is found in that film 
is just incredible and immediately opens itself up for so many narrative possibilities. 
In fact this is a scenario that has haunted me since I first saw the film as a child.


Dracula - In the centuries to come, when you're just dust in the ground and I still 
walk the Earth, I will come visit your gravestone, what message would you like it to 
have had carved upon it for your final epitaph?


Jeff - That I was a good storyteller. That my spirit would haunt you eternally.


Dracula - What are you currently working on? 


Jeff - My next film project. I just completed the script and now I’m revising 
and rewriting. Essentially it is expanding some of the contextual issues that were 
briefly discussed in "13 Seconds." It is not a sequel, but a very loose continuation
with more violence, more creatures, and another twist ending.


Dracula - Here are some one word questions; please reply with the first thing that 
comes into your head.


Dracula - Occult? 


Jeff - For inspiration, I look no further than the truth. Sometimes the scariest 
things are the ones that we refuse to believe in.


Dracula - Religion? 


Jeff - This is a great source of peace for me and believe it or not, but a moral 
anchor as well.


Dracula - Censorship? 


Jeff - Nothing destroys creativity, genius, or liberty quite as quickly as this.


Dracula - Genius? 


Jeff - Funny this word pops up again. I think this is something we should strive 
to achieve on a daily basis. If you stop growing, then you are dying.


Dracula - Sex? 


Jeff - Overrated. No, just kidding. It does seem to permeate every facet of human 
behavior, so may be it is overrated.


Dracula - Death? 


Jeff - Inevitable.


Dracula - Internet? 


Jeff - A truly remarkable tool that is often mistreated and not realized for its 
full potential-just like horror.


Dracula - Finally, what is your favorite horror site?


Jeff - Without a doubt, it would have to be 'Castle Dracula' for its poignancy, 
sincerity, and genuine love of a great genre. Keep up the great work Dracula!

I have decided that with your final answer, you have redeemed yourself enough 
to be set free on the condition that I get to star in an upcoming film. A film
of which I have already written. The basic storylines is a group of students 
wander into a castle reputed to be still owned by Dracula (my part of course) 
to make a documentary, but they never return and their film is found, reviewed 
upon a website entitled 'Castle Dracula.' Well....what do you think?
Jeff?
JEFF!!!
Dammit!
Knew I should have locked those shackles. Oh well. Maybe next time. My heartfelt 
thanks go out to Jeff for taking the time to allow himself to be tortured and 
interrogated by myself.
For more details about Jeff and his film "13 Seconds," click upon the image of his 
film poster below. Where you shall be transported to his own site, 
www.rainstorm-pictures.com/13seconds.htm

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