“…you can give in to depression or fight back”
Those are the words that I feel best can describe my battle with depression. About six months ago, I looked in the mirror and decided to make a change. My life was in a downward spiral and from that experience came; “No Clowning Around”. We can never win the battle against depression but, I believe, we can look into its eyes and face it, head on.
“No Clowning Around” is a Horror short film based on one man’s fall from grace. Ed, who once was beloved by his hometown as Mumbles the Clown, is now a party clown who battles depression and addiction. His last shed of light in his life is Trixie, who has struggles of her own. Being pushed from all sides, who and what will stop the endless spiral of sadness?
How did this come about?
Some might know me from Late Night at the Horror Hotel, Pro Wrestling, Monster-Mania Radio or the Extreme Odd Couple Podcast, but I really feel I developed the creative bug from reviewing movies. I’ve always loved the horror genre but I felt I wanted to be a bigger part of it. When you review movies, you expose other’s vulnerability but now, I’m the vulnerable one.
The last year I’ve learned that exposing my life can have a good affect on others. I had a rough battle with depression about a years and a half ago. Maybe it was my mid-life crisis, but home life was bad, I had no direction and from that, came this film project.
The film is personal for me, even though it’s extreme in relations, it’s still has plenty of metaphors to my own life. The process only took me about two days to write and once on paper; I knew this was the movie I wanted to make.
What is this NOT?
I'm glad you asked...this is NOT a Killer Clown movie. I've wanted people to know that from the start. There are plenty of Killer Clown films out there...like 100 Tears, Fear of Clowns, Killer Klowns from Outer Space or even Killjoy. While Ed is a clown, that's not the story. The story is about being pushed...and finally having a breaking point. Sometimes when your back is against the wall, you have no choice.
How did you chose who is involved?
I wrote about a 15 page treatment, kind of like a sketched out script, but just the basics. The first person I showed was my Wife, Kim. Kim and I have been together for over 21 years and it was important for me to make her the Trixie character. Once you see the film and I can relate the two, you will see why. She rehearsed countless days and worked very hard, it paid off.
The next person I wanted involved was Steve Corino. Corino is easily my best friend, from offering me a place to stay, to always being there when times were tough. We both helped each other during rough times..you know how misery needs company sometimes? Well, he’s my misery partner. The role of Lenny was his as soon as it was written. He took it extremely serious and made sure he was not the typical “wrestler in a movie” role. He’s believable.
Matthew Burd was the next choice, since his work on Late Night at the Horror Hotel; he proved his artistic vision to me on that project. I sent him the story and he wrote the screenplay and I could see the movie from his expressive script, I loved it immediately. Matt has included myself in several of his previous short films including Cuts Right Over that is making the rounds on some film festivals now. Matt and I worked great together and we each had ideas and it made for a smoother shoot. Very happy he wanted to be a part of it.
Sal Valente was a later addition to the project. I sent him the script and he loved it. Some will know Sal from his work as Pigamortis from our show. We have good chemistry, he’s funny and I knew he dug the project so it made perfect sense to have him aboard.
What can we expect?
We are aiming for a December release. It will be available on DVD, plus we will have a Limited to 50 VHS release. I will be focusing on Film Festivals and trying to have as many eyes on this project as possible. Debating on how well this is received, will lay out the future. Ideas are about a feature or a possible sequel short for “Mumbles”. I think that the character has enough oddity and is relatable to many that he has some likeability and a future.
I really want to thank those that have helped donate to make this possible. You truly made a boyhood dream come to reality. I also want to thank those that helped, our crew, those who offered advice and those who listened to me complain. It was a long four days, being on set for sixty hours, but I know it will be worth it. I’m proud of this.
For more information or to order merchandise, visit www.NoClowningAround.com or
www.RobDimension.com
