A multifaceted writer, actor, and producer in a variety of roles over his career, Louis James has created a strong body of work in a series of different genres and roles. Now, in honor of the release of his upcoming film "River of Blood," I talk with him about his early interest in acting, working on the film, and some upcoming projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general?
Louis James: Hello, and thanks for having me! The horror market has a very loyal fan base, so it’s the most appealing genre for many first-time filmmakers. Coincidentally, this creates more roles in the genre, and I found myself bagging a couple of great ones early on in my career.
Me: What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
LJ: It was more of the experience of watching horror movies that got me watching them. Hanging out with friends in my teens, watching movies we should be watching, trying to scare the hell out of one another. I always liked the ‘Halloween’ franchise, ‘Jeepers Creepers,’ and ‘The Exorcist’
Me: When did you initially discover a passion for acting?
LJ: Growing up, I’d watch all of the old classics with my Dad; he would teach me who was who. My Dad also did a little acting himself when I was growing up, so I would help him rehearse lines. He’d teach me phrases like ‘ I coulda been a somebody’ which stuck with me. I thought to myself, maybe I can be a ‘somebody’ in the movies.
My Mum was always reading books to me and telling stories that will stay with me for a lifetime. She is very creative and wonderful with poetry.
It wasn’t until my early 20s that I signed up for an acting course to give it a shot, and here I am, I’m still going today.
Me: What aspect of this industry appeals to you?
LJ: The adventure, the locations, the people... all of it. If the movies didn’t exist, I think I’d be an Indiana Jones type. The irony is I just wrapped a movie called ‘Bone Keeper’ which features Johnson Rhys Davies from Indiana Jones and The Lord of the Rings fame.
Me: Is there any specific type of character you prefer playing?
LJ: I like playing characters who are slightly flawed yet have a redemptive arc. It seems to be the kind most people can relate to the most.. cinema gives us the chance to heighten those flaws and turn up the dial on the redemption.
Me: What do you look for in a character to be excited and interested in playing it?
LJ: It goes beyond the character; a good actor can make any character great. I look at who I’m going to be working with; it takes a whole team to create a memorable movie. A character is just a tiny piece of a larger puzzle.
Me: Having worked on plenty of short films early in your career, what tools and skills did you acquire working on those that transferred to future film projects?
LJ: I was very fortunate to have had the support of a very good friend and patron, Lucas A Ferrara. He enabled my good friend Blake Ridder and me to experiment with many different genres and ideas, which we released on YouTube. We were able to get instant feedback from peers and a global audience. One of the films has been developed into a feature film, ‘Manor of Darkness,’ which is set for release soon. The lessons I learned from producing so many short films deepened my understanding of the filmmaking process. I believe every actor should attempt to write, produce, and direct something at least once. It makes you a much more well-rounded actor, especially on screen.
Me: That brings us to your latest project, "River of Blood." What can you tell us about the film?
LJ: River of Blood is an action-adventure horror movie set in the Thai jungle. If you want drama, suspense, and action with a good dose of gore thrown in, this movie is the one for you!
Me: Being involved in various capacities at once on a project like this, how do you balance those priorities during a shoot?
LJ: I am quite regimented about my downtime and sleep schedule when on a big movie. Eating right, sleeping well, and socialising with your fellow cast and crew all help towards keeping you balanced. I am blessed to be working on movies, so I always take time to thank God and be grateful for the opportunities given to me.
Me: Playing the character of AJ in the film, what initially attracted you to the role?
LJ: Working with Howard again was a no-brainer, especially knowing we’d be jetting off to Thailand. We’d worked very well together on ‘Escape,’ so I just knew it would be an epic adventure. Tom Boyle’s script was gripping from the first page to the last, so I was very happy when I landed the role.
Me: Was there any role in the past with similar qualities or experiences that helped make the filming easier?
LJ: My character ‘Jude’ in Escape was similar in the sense that he was a guy caught up doing the wrong things for the right reasons. There is a sacrificial element that underpins AJ’s character arc in River of Blood, but I was able to push it much, much further in terms of physical action.
Me: What do you do to stay in character while on set?
LJ: Preparation. If you have done all of the work required of you - knowing your lines and being physically prepared you can be truly present in the circumstances. You have to be willing to fail and to trust the larger vision of the director and team.
Me: When you're not filming, how do you pass the time between takes?
LJ: You have to hold some level of professional focus in between takes. Days are often very long, and the crew is working hard all day, so it’s important not to distract them from what they are trying to achieve. I generally enjoy the company of the cast and crew by having some good laughs and sharing stories. Sometimes it’s nice just to kick back and take in the scenery.
Me: What was the set like while shooting the film?
LJ: The set was the Thai jungle, the rivers, the mangroves, the caves. There is nothing quite like being on location. Thailand is a mesmerising country, its culture is rich, and the landscapes are a filmmaker's dream.
Me: How did the cast and crew react to the type of film being made?
LJ: Everyone was one hundred percent on board and committed to capturing a great movie. Those of us who flew in from England knew what a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience it was. Even the Thai crew had travelled down from Bangkok, and they were having a blast themselves.
Me: Do you recall having any odd or funny on-set stories about yourself or any of the other cast/crew members?
LJ: We were filming near an elephant sanctuary, so there were often tourists walking by us. One day, I was covered in fake wounds and blood. The tourists looked at me and gasped, ‘What happened?’ I said ‘an elephant’
A wicked joke, but it did get some good laughs from everyone.
Me: What do you do to keep your creative energy flowing?
LJ: Think of and talk about more movie ideas!
Me: Lastly, what else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
LJ: I’m in post-production for ‘Archie,’ a scary movie I’ve written/directed. Produced by Lucas A Ferrara.
I also just wrapped ‘Bone Keeper,’ which is set in the caves of Wales. It stars Sarah Alexandra Marks and John Rhys Davies with a very strong supporting cast. Directed by Howard J Ford.
'The Manor of Darkness,' a movie produced by Lucas A Ferrara and directed by Blake Ridder, is set for release in the coming months.
‘Saming’ is also in post-production. A unique found footage movie shot in Ubon, Thailand. Directed by Park, our DOP on River of Blood.
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