One of the most enterprising figures in independent cinema, Felicia Rivers has not only tackled plenty of genre content but other film product through her company, GeecheeOne Productions. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her place making horror in the African-American community, the work she's produced through the company and other upcoming projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, where did you get the urge to go into writing and directing?
Felicia Rivers: I started writing stories in the first grade. In the third grade, I started putting on mini short plays in the library for several classes. My first one was my own remake of Cinderella. It was something I still consider to be awesome.
Me: Were you always into horror genre films growing up? What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
FR: I always love horror films. I love Carrie, Teen Witch, Final Destination, The Cabin in the Woods, and more. Not sure what exact film but horror films make you think so I love them.
Me: Being from the African-American community, was it common among your friends growing up to be into the genre? Was the local scene where you grew up accommodating and accepting of your passion for movie-making in general?
FR: Well my father was a retired senior chief in the Navy and I lived all over so everyone I was around was into horror and action films. Here in Charleston, we do have a growing film community with a lot of inspiring filmmakers and actors. I feel good to be apart of this passion and field here since the Carolinas is full of talent.
Me: What was the inspiration to start your own company GeeChee One Entertainment? What is the goal of the company?
FR: Geechee One started out as a magazine. I have been releasing Geechee One Magazine for over 16 years now. I started it while a senior at Claflin University. My purpose for starting this platform was because I love to write stories and wanted a platform to publish them. The magazine is still going and now I have dipped into film which has my stories into live-action. I love it.
Me: Having worked on plenty of short films early in your career, what tools and skills do you acquire working on those that transferred to future film-projects?
FR: Working on short films I learned a lot about casting, networking, and more. Some people call me the Queen of Cliffhangers because I do leave the audience wondering what's next and ready for part 2. We are working on two full-lengths now and what I learned from the shorts is that it takes patience to put this together. You want the right light, sound, angles, atmosphere, etc you have to take your time to accomplish that. This can take hours.
Me: Being the predominant writer for the studio, how do you get into the mind-frame to start new film projects?
FR: Script ideas come to me. I can write a whole short in a day. The outline comes on my head and when I sit down and write it the words just flow.
Me: How do you switch from writing romance to drama to horror in your scripts?
FR: It goes off the outline of what comes to my mind when I am writing.
Me: Your first few shorts drew major inspiration from horror efforts of the past, such as Angel's Revenge being a spin on the film Carrie. Was that intentional to put your own spin on genre classics?
FR: I did that as an adapted experimental type thing. Angels Revenge was the first production and I wanted to see if it could be done. Everything after that has been 100% original from me head tho.
Me: Several other shorts from the studio, like The Bus to Hell, Sleeping Baby and Untimely Reunion used more original concepts. Where did the inspiration for those come from?
FR: The just came to me. I have ideas and concepts that are weird and different. Bus 2 Hell makes you think….no one ever thinks the Bus company is part of the terror! In Sleeping Baby you wouldn’t automatically think the guy is poisoning his girl to be with his new girlfriend! In Untimely Reunion, you wouldn’t think the one bringing the family together has a twenty-year grudge!
Me: What was the shooting for those shorts like? How did the cast and crew get along during filming?
FR: Everyone gets along fine. Never had any issues of the cast not liking each other or anything. It's about knocking out scenes and getting work done. A normal short takes one or two days to film.
Me: Was it always difficult to switch from writing and directing in one genre and turning around into another style in the next project?
FR: Never has been an issue. I write, produce, cast, direct any more. I think the biggest thing is actors rushing or overdoing themselves. If we have a late shoot some have come on set already tired. That energy makes everybody else feel tired.
Me: Your newest upcoming short is called 100 Bodies. What can you tell us about that film?
FR: 100 Bodies is my first film in which I am using vampires and killers. Everybody is loving the vampire concepts so I want to bring something to make people think. We already have real-life killers but what about vampire cults that live with us. This short is around a costume party to make it even more fun. Can't wait to start filming part 2!
Me: As well, what are some of your other upcoming film projects of any style do you have planned?
FR: Yes I want to do a musical. Like Little Shop of Horrors. Not that concept but with the narrators singing and some of the characters doing a ballad. I also have a dance film I am writing called Twerk 2: Reggae Nights. It has reggae dancing, reggae music, girl fights, romance, and more. It would be a romantic comedy.
Me: Additionally, what are some of the company’s upcoming plans and projects?
FR: As mention earlier Twerk 2, 100 Bodies, The Pink Room, and way more. We are wrapping up my first full length called King Amirs Verdict and starting Treasure Box next month. I am working on working on more marketing and promotion. We need to be on more platforms. Right now we are on my film app, Rangers Tv, Jam Network, OnPoint Network, Apple Tv, Roku, Firestick, and more.
Me: Lastly, being that this is Women in Horror Month, what special message do you have for any women out there looking to join in the industry in any capacity as you are one yourself? Thank you again for your time!
FR: Love what you do. Don’t let anyone tell you that your concept is stupid. Your vision is your vision. Do not let anyone take that from you!
This interview ran as part of our month-long Women in Horror Month celebration. Click the banner below to check out all of our interviews and reviews we've conducted for the event:
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