5 Questions with Oculus Producer Trevor Macy

Every horror producer should have a smile this disarming!

Midnight Madness Interviews the producer of Sunday night's chiller Oculus (2013), Trevor Macy!

1.   How did you first come to be involved with Oculus?

We found Mike's film Absentia (2011) (credit goes there to our Executive Producer, Anil Kurian) and I thought it was a remarkable film for the level of tension it sustained.  It was extremely well crafted, especially for its budget – just grabbed you by the throat and didn't let go.  When we saw the short and heard that Mike and Jeff wanted to develop that idea into a feature, we jumped on board after the first meeting.

2.   Describe the development and production experience, any unique or significant challenges or high points?

The film's interwoven structure was the biggest challenge throughout, but the performances from our wonderful cast helped keep the movie grounded and relatable.  This movie was a high point for me in terms of creative collaboration from outline to delivery.  Mike, as a director and editor, and Mike and Jeff as writers, are extraordinarily open and confident.  We agreed early on that it didn't matter whose idea it was (although most of the time it's that Mike guy's idea, let's be honest), we were going to do what was best for the movie and that there shouldn't be a limit to better. 

3.    You've produced the wonderfully unnerving film The Strangers, and savagely brutal Doomsday and now this super creepy looking film Oculus (and I can see the Strangers 2 is on the horizon)  What continues to draw you to the horror genre?

I'm really drawn to ideas and movies that stay with you after you leave the theater, and the horror genre is a great canvas for that.  But mostly, it's fun.

 4.    What are the key elements that you look for, when finding ideal horror projects to produce?

It has to start with the idea, but more importantly, for the movie to work and the scares to really land, you have to care about the characters.  And that has to be on the page.  Beyond that, it's about the director and how we would work together.

 5.   Did they cover that mirror between takes on Oculus? Any ghost stories from set?

Let's just say the mirror is currently resting comfortably in a warehouse I imagine to be like the one at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, so everyone is safe for now.

Somebody's not sleeping tonight!

OCULUS Screening Times:
Sunday, Sept 8th, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Tuesday, Sept 10th, 4:15 PM SCOTIABANK 14
Sunday, Sept 15th, 6:00 PM SCOTIABANK 11