Exciting horror film taps local inspirations
Something terrifying and unnatural haunts the woods of Gilmer County.
At least, it does in the film, “The Breed,” which producers Vince Dagni, Cobus Gomes and Jeff Sinclair are working on.
“It’s sort of an elevated horror,” Gomes said. “I love the theme of prey versus predator.”
A trip to Gilmer County and some surrounding areas helped persuade the directors that this area was perfect as a film setting.
Isolated locations where people can feel small and vulnerable offer the perfect stage for the character-driven drama and horror the writers hope to create.
“I am really interested in the human side of it,” Gomes said. “My theory is that you write good, strong characters. I don’t what to make it camp.”
The names of the actors and actresses in the film will have to wait until all the contracts are signed.
In Gilmer’s “hauntingly beautiful” landscape, the film will follow a group of friends who travel to a remote cabin for a weekend getaway.
“They find out that the woods are not empty,” Gomes said.
From there, it turns into a survival horror film.
Already, the people and landscape of Gilmer County have already helped shape the film.
Some scenes will be shot in Poole’s Bar-B-Q, owned by Candace Sandrini.
“They’re allowing us to have her restaurant in the movie, so it’s been terrific,” Dagni said.
Blue Sky Cabin Rentals will also feature some locations in the film.
At this point in the process, the directors are eager to hear from Gilmer residents.
Anyone interested in offering partnerships, locations, product placement or other ideas can email them at info@whatsinthewoodsllc.com.
Gomes draws on several sources for his film’s creature, including his own experience filming great white sharks during nature documentaries.
In the waters off South Africa, he recalled how their immense power felt terrifying.
“When you’re there and it accelerates past you, you realize very quickly where you rank on the food chain,” Gomes said.
Making a good movie monster requires a delicate touch.
If it’s too powerful, the characters won’t have a chance, and a writer can only rescue them with lots of luck.
If it’s too weak, it isn’t scary.
“If it’s just an apex predator, a cabin window is not going to stop it," Gomes said.
Of course, those interested will have to wait for the movie to learn just what’s stalking through Gilmer as shown in “The Breed.”
“We have a safety net in society,” Gomes said. “You’re sort of bringing out your real human side when you’re in the woods.”