Film Augusta and locals celebrated the release of a new horror movie with a special screening on Monday evening, March 25, at the Regal Augusta Exchange.
Created entirely in Augusta with a completely local cast and providing more than 40 jobs, “Mister Sleep” is an original American slasher film directed by Robert Hollocks and written by the producing team Hollocks and Amy Rhinehart Bailey.
“We knew this would be a film that would thrill the many fans of the horror genre and will have broader appeal to pull in a wider audience, setting the stakes for a strong long-term franchise,” said Bailey. “‘Mister Sleep’ is an utterly terrifying thrill ride with an emotional heart.”
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Follow the story of a deranged killer who survives a prison execution and is reborn as a “terrifying and unstoppable force of nature who unleashes savage and bloody revenge,” according to a press release from Beyond Casual Media.
Using visual storytelling and compelling characters, Hollocks said the film was purposely created to have something for everyone to enjoy – even those who do not consider themselves horror fanatics.
“I think, for me, it’s about good characters and a good story,” Hollocks said. “We tried really hard to make it appeal to those who don’t like horror movies … we were trying to make something that wasn’t just a slasher movie, but had a bit more depth to it.”
Taking inspiration from “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th,” Hollocks said audiences will be thrilled as they learn the story of Mister Sleep who terrifies a group of insomnia patients participating in a new drug trial, which he believes has stolen his memories.
“I kind of wanted to do full horror, and so I wanted to create this type of monster/creature and turn him into an icon,” he said. “It was a lot of fun … I think we laughed more on the set of this production than any other one I’ve done.”
Shooting the film in exactly 12 days and using three actors for Mister Sleep’s character, Hollocks said he was grateful to have a dedicated and hardworking cast to create a “unique and pulse-pounding take on a classic” with compelling storytelling.
“The people here are so passionate and proud, and they just love what they do. They’re so helpful and supportive, and it’s rare to find a community who gets behind a project like this,” said Hollocks. “It was really nice.”
Distributed by Gravitas Ventures and produced by Augusta-based Beyond Casual Media and Launch Entertainment, “Mister Sleep” is Hollocks’ third movie filmed in Augusta. The feature is also the first installment in a new horror franchise from the Saturn Award winning company Beyond Casual Media.
As more special effects arise in the movie industry, Hollocks said he feels that films sometimes have the tendency to neglect strong storytelling and developing interesting characters – something he wanted to truly hone in on within “Mister Sleep.”
“Especially with bigger movies, they get so wrapped up in the spectacle of things that they forget about the plot of the story and its characters,” he said. “… it’s about bringing back that focus.”
Film stars included: Claire Marie Lubeck, Alec James, Kate Dailey, Bronsonn Taylor and popular Augusta talk radio host Austin Rhodes.
Roger Dorsey, who stars as the main actor for “Mister Sleep,” said he loved portraying a supervillain because it let his creativity “go off the deep end.”
“’Mister Sleep’ is a lot more of a deep thinker. Because of his insomnia, he’s spent so much time being so analytical about everything,” Dorsey said. “… there’s a certain calmness about him that comes with accepting his role.”
To prepare for the “darker,” evil-doer role, Dorsey said he studied Anthony Hopkins work in “Silence of the Lambs” and tried to mimic and learn the actor’s depiction of controlled calmness.
“I took a lot of cues from that,” he said. “… this movie kind of makes you root for the bad guy a little bit. You’re going to feel for him. Sort of like [Marvel’s] Thanos – he was doing wrong, but in his heart he thought he was doing what was right.”
During his work on set, actor John Grove said every minute of filming was “a dream come true” as it allowed him to revel “in his element.”
“I love being in this environment,” he said. “It just felt amazing.”
After working with Hollocks on the director’s last film, “Applewood,” Grove said embracing his new role as a police officer character gave him the opportunity to fully immerse himself in a job alongside many other talented individuals.
Fellow actor Bronsonn Taylor, who stars as the movie’s leading detective, said he dedicated a significant amount of time in studying his role as he navigated portraying atypical personality traits from his past acting jobs.
“This is my first time actually playing a detective, so that was really fun. Being able to be on that side of justice, when I normally play the ‘bad guy,’ was great,” Taylor said. “… it was just topnotch all the way. Everyone is so professional. Everybody was willing to do whatever it took to make sure this movie was going to turn out the way it was supposed to.”
Comparing the “Mister Sleep” to other films, Taylor said the feature stands apart in the horror industry because of its psychological approach, which will be more thrilling for those who enjoy a more “cerebral” experience.
Describing himself as a horror movie fan, event attendee and Augusta City Commissioner Sean Frantom said he was thrilled to see another successful project completed within the CSRA.
“[Bailey] has done so many things for this community and I’m excited to see it,” Frantom said. “It’s exciting to show off the talent that Augusta has, as well as the locations.”
Itching to witness the city’s “inspiring talent,” Frantom said locally filmed movies also boost the economy and Augusta’s popularity.
“It brings money to the community and it offers jobs. We’re looking to put a studio in South Augusta and this just enhances the footprint of what Augusta can do,” he said. “It shows that we can have a piece of that pie – that $1.6 billion film industry in Georgia.”
Enjoying a judge-role in his first feature film, drawing from his vast acting background with The Augusta Players, Rhodes said his experience on set was extremely positive and memorable.
“It was a really pivotal part and I was really surprised to be asked to participate … this was quite an experience,” Rhodes said. “I could not have asked for a more pleasant or enjoyable experience.”
Admiring his coworkers, Rhodes also said he was familiar with some cast members, such as Claire Marie Lubeck, and was thrilled to meet others for the first time.
To Rhodes, creating films in Georgia – especially Augusta – can remind filmmakers and producers that many places within the U.S. can offer affordable and interesting venues for creative projects.
“We need to remind Hollywood and New York that it is possible to do these things with a reasonable budget, and that they have gotten completely out of control and out of hand with union regulations and just overall costs,” he said. “This has been a happy surprise to see something of this quality can come from a state that embraces lower cost filmmaking.”
As viewers experience the film, Hollocks said he hopes all find the movie scary, but most importantly walk away with the memory of having a good time.
“I want them to feel scared, to have enjoyed it, and for the characters to have touched them in some way,” he said. “I love the idea that whatever work we’re doing or story we’re telling it somehow touches people in some way or another.”
The film will begin streaming on all major services, such as Apple TV, YouTube and Amazon Prime, on April 2.
