Creating Horror To Laugh To: My Interview With D.I.Y Director Of “HogMaul” Nap Bishop

“HogMaul: The Legend Of Abrams County” is a complete Indie homegrown project that fascinates me. Not only does it celebrate the classic style of horror slashers and dark twisted legends of boogeymen that I grew up on but it is a project that has basically no real funding nor professional film making affiliations what so ever. The film’s cast and crew are a collection of horror fans within the Indie community who wanted to make a movie. Mostly learning as they go, having fun doing it but creating a real serious horror film that invites you to laugh. That is awesome on so many levels. The film is edging completion with only two more shooting days left as I write this and gearing up for a festival run. So for anyone who doesn't know about “HogMaul” here is your chance to find out more about this cool D.I.Y horror flick.

First, “HogMaul” tells the story of a murderous legend born in 1953 returns to a small rural Pennsylvania town. Whether it be a Killer? Cryptid? Myth? The film is completely from the mind of director Nap Bishop. Some one who loves horror and one day decided watching the movies was just not enough so he set out to make a movie. A 100% original creative story about a legend and the murderous mayhem filled with dark humor and some out right hilarity  It is a project that has me intrigued and eager to see the results of this true labor of love. I did have the opportunity to ask Bishop about the film and his love of horror.

ASouthernLife:  HogMaul is the first project from you and your company, completely  non funded. How has it been putting such a project together to see the  film come to life?
Nap Bishop: Well, pretty much all the clichés apply. It has been frustrating, time consuming, enlightening, and a tremendous amount of fun. The whole  process has been one big learning experience, and that was sort of our  goal. Hopefully what we've learned will show in future productions. We  had obstacles all the way, and I actually enjoyed the challenge. I  think the cast and crew feel the same way.

ASouthernLife: Was it hard to get everyone involved with the film to come together on the project, was it hard to get them to play along?
Nap Bishop: Generally, no. As with any project, people bring different levels of commitment and ability but it felt like everyone was on board from the start. Organizing was the hardest part and that task fell mainly to our Producer, Katie Jones. The film is pretty ambitious for a no  budget, first time indie piece, and we were working with a cast and crew of 30 plus people. Katie had to manage the tough part so the rest of us could do the fun stuff. Without her and Cinematographer, Brad Wanner, the movie would still be just an idea.

ASouthernLife: How did the concept and script for the HogMaul come about? And where did the Legend come from?
Nap Bishop: The legend itself came purely from my imagination. The concept came from the desire to pay tribute to the drive-in monster movies from the 1970's. I grew up watching and loving movies like Bigfoot, Grizzly and Creature from Black Lake, and was looking to pay some homage. Naturally you cannot have a monster movie without a monster, and our pig-man was inspired by a mask created by the incredible Anders Eriksen of Nightmare Gloves. As far as the script is concerned, it started in bits and pieces, a few lines from a scene here, a profile of a character there, and with inspiration from our Producer, I brought all those notes and scraps of paper together and tried to tell a story.

ASouthernLife:  Have you always wanted to make horror movies or be a director?
Nap Bishop: No. Hahaha! I am the worlds biggest horror fan but was content to watch. I guess I got tired of being a voyeur and wanted in on the action.

ASouthernLife:  When you told people about your idea for making this movie what was their reaction?
Nap Bishop: Everybody said "do it." I think the majority of people had no idea that we actually would. The most rewarding response came from people like Cori Coulter and Jennifer Wanner and many others who instantly backed the project with their time, talents, and in some cases cash and food!

ASouthernLife:  Which has been harder to do direct the cast during the dramatic scenes or getting the action/kill shots down?
Nap Bishop: I don't think there's that much of a difference. I'm a novice director, and I made dozens of mistakes no matter what we were filming.

ASouthernLife:  Who is Hogmaul and why does he kill?
Nap Bishop: HogMaul is a legendary pig-man who has an unquenchable desire to destroy human skulls with a sledgehammer. As far as his motivation, he likes to kill. I think he's really pissed that he has that weird man-pig chromosomal thing happening.

ASouthernLife: Who came up with the logo for the film ? It is pretty icon and eye  catching.
Nap Bishop: All of our art including the Hog and Hammer logo are created by Lucas Colton, and I agree, it is excellent work. Lucas has a great feel for the horror genre and the tone of the 70's films we are paying tribute to. All of the feedback we've gotten on his art has been exceptional.

ASouthernLife:  What all can fans expect to see in this film as far as the style of horror film it is?
Nap Bishop: We want people to know that it's okay to laugh, it's a monster comedy. Don't expect a tension filled bloodbath. We are giving love to the drive in super crap, creature films from the 1970's and the theme of the film is fun. Yes, bloody, head-hammering fun but fun nonetheless!

ASouthernLife: When can fans expect to see HogMaul? And do you see it as a franchise with sequels to come?
Nap Bishop: Spring 2013. This is the first thing we've ever done, and no matter what the result we feel the success is in the effort. I think for now we'll take it one movie at a time, but we certainly are planning to do more work.