As a film enthusiast with a keen eye for detail and a soft spot for horror comedies, I am thrilled about the upcoming “Screamboat” movie! Having had the privilege to witness rough cuts of this project, I can confirm that it’s not just the power of good editing and sound design at play here; it’s an intricate blend of creativity, passion, and a touch of madness that makes this film truly stand out.
During the late 70s up until the ’80s, slasher movies reached their peak of popularity. Many iconic horror films and characters emerged during this period, such as Michael Myers who terrorized his victims with brutal killings. Throughout history, horror has had its highs and lows, with various subgenres gaining prominence at different times. However, slasher movies have consistently left their mark over the years, as demonstrated by Ghostface from the Scream series appearing in the ’90s. Now, a new character has emerged within the slasher genre – Art the Clown, who first appeared in the “Terrifier” movie in 2016, played brilliantly by David Howard Thornton.
In three feature-length movies so far, Thornton has brought a devilishly hilarious yet sinister tone to the character. He’ll demand Halloween candy one minute and torture a girl ad nauseam the next. Even when he’s in the middle of a kill, he finds the time to play with his food, and Art proves he still has what it takes in the franchise’s latest offering, “Terrifier 3,” from director and writer Damien Leone. He offers arguably some of his greatest kills to date, only this time, he’s usually dressed as Santa Claus to deliver whimsical doom.
Looper had an exclusive interview with Thornton to talk about his latest film and to look toward the future about another slasher he’ll play soon — Steamboat Willie in the upcoming public domain-approved horror flick, “Screamboat.” And while Art the Clown is terrifying, Thornton is an utter delight to chat with.
On almost vomiting while filming Terrifier 3
Previously this year, a tale surfaced about your near-gag reflex during filming for “Terrifier 3.” I believe I can guess which scene, but hasn’t there been a moment when you thought you’ve witnessed everything from the Terrifier series, only for Damien Leone and his team to surprise you with something utterly outrageous?
David Howard Thornton often finds himself pondering, “What fresh idea is next on the horizon?” This question arises due to the difficulty of creating something original in today’s world where many kill scenes have already been explored extensively. With numerous classic slashers and iconic kill scenes already in existence, the challenge lies in devising something that feels new. However, it’s not always about inventing something entirely novel. Often, it’s about offering a fresh perspective on ideas that have been previously explored and trying to push those concepts further.
I’m consistently impressed by Damien Leone’s genius. Despite appearing to be a rather ordinary individual, one might assume he’s an extremely twisted person in reality. However, nothing could be further from the truth. He’s actually quite ordinary. It’s surprising because his creative work suggests otherwise, but he’s genuinely kind and laid-back in real life.
Was there any aspect in the “Terrifier 3” screenplay that took you by surprise, or do you generally approach such projects without any preconceived notions?
Well, indeed, that particular scene took me aback, causing quite a shock, if I may say so. It was as if Damien intentionally inserted something there to make me feel queasy. The way he did it felt like a deliberate attempt to push my limits, testing just how far he could go with me. Unfortunately, some elements from the script didn’t make it to the screen due to time constraints. And let me tell you, the finale was nothing compared to what was initially planned – it was much darker in the script. Some of the scenes we had to omit would likely have garnered a lot of criticism because they were incredibly dark. Honestly, I found myself questioning where on earth this intensity was coming from on Damien’s part.
As a gamer, let me tell you that the climax of the game was my absolute favorite! I was thrilled with how it left off those characters and the intriguing directions their journey could take next. It felt like an “Empire Strikes Back”-style cliffhanger, and I couldn’t get enough of it. But what really struck a chord with me was seeing Art in such a vulnerable moment – it added a new layer to his character that I hadn’t seen before. When I read the script, I thought, “Whatever you do, don’t touch this part! It’s perfect as is!” And thankfully, they listened to my plea and kept it just the way it was. Brilliant!
Improvising as Art the Clown in Terrifier 3
As a game enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder if there are any bonus scenes from the original cut of the movie that will be included in the Blu-ray version. Are there any particular ones you’re looking forward to sharing with us?
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but express my excitement. You see, I know the director has removed a lot of our work due to his creative freedom, allowing us to experiment with various versions of scenes. So, I’m crossing my fingers that a good chunk of those experiments will find their way into the deleted scenes.
Indeed, when Damien initially penned the first script, we hadn’t crossed paths yet, which meant he was unaware of my unique approach to acting and my preference for improvisation on set. Consequently, when he drafted both ‘2’ and ‘3’, he included many scenes that were designed with this in mind – “These are situations where I can simply lay out the essential details.” In a way, it resembles the method used in “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, but instead of stating the scenario and immediate surroundings, it’s more like, “Here’s the situation, here’s what’s around him, now go ahead and play.” Essentially, Art gets to improvise.
In this scenario, he often allows me to improvise in many scenes, and the mall scene serves as an excellent illustration of that. I had a blast interacting with the children there, which was incredibly enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The bar scene is another instance where he placed me alongside some legendary film actors. He said, “This is what I wrote, but you all are the experts. Feel free to add your own touches, and let’s see what unfolds on camera.” And that’s exactly what we did. For two or three days, the four of us played around, and it was an absolute blast, particularly working with Daniel Roebuck, who is not only a seasoned stage actor but also an excellent scene partner, especially given his background in comedy.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my admiration for his exceptional ability to play the straight man flawlessly while expertly passing the punchline to his scene partner. It was as if he kept tossing ideas my way, allowing me the freedom to respond and improvise, creating an enchanting experience that I will forever cherish. That week on set stands out as the most thrilling of my entire career. Damien possesses an extraordinary knack for trust and collaboration; he knows how to entrust his team with their roles, yet he also skillfully guides us towards his creative vision. When needed, he can gently rein me in, ensuring we stay on course to achieve the scene’s desired outcome.
Wow, that’s impressive, and what a powerful scene! By any chance, do you have any techniques to help calm down or relax after performing an intense, gory scene?
I can effortlessly switch between different mental states, and it doesn’t phase me much. This ability might stem from my theater days when I often portrayed multiple characters in the same play, requiring me to argue with myself on stage. As a result, I’ve become adept at quickly switching back and forth between roles, which helps me easily transition out of intense situations. After finishing a particularly intense scene or “kill,” as you put it, I typically check in with my fellow actors to ensure they are physically and mentally okay.
Getting into the Christmas spirit as Art
Could you share your thoughts on portraying a character similar to the Grinch in “The Mean One,” and the initial scene of “Terrifier 3” featuring a tribute to the Grinch with the little girl descending the stairs, where Art is dressed as Santa – reminiscent of Cindy Lou Who. Was this a deliberate choice or were there other Christmas movies that influenced your performance, or perhaps Damien and the team’s creative process?
Absolutely! As a gamer here, I can’t deny the significant impact “Grinch” had on me, particularly for the opening scene. My connection with this character goes beyond just “The Mean One.” For five years, I was part of the live stage production of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” and even stood in as the understudy for the Grinch. Our Grinch was the incredible Stefán Karl [Stefánsson], who was also Robbie Rotten from “LazyTown.” He taught me a lot about comedy during those five years, almost like a masterclass. So, in many ways, some of what I’ve done with this art is a tribute to him. But there are plenty of other references in this movie too. This movie is packed with them, particularly “Black Christmas” and the “Tales from the Crypt” Christmas story.
Both versions they did of the home invasion was Santa Claus. That’s actually something Damien sent me. He sent me both versions of those. Because he wanted me to watch those to get an idea of what he wanted for that scene. And I loved it. I was like, “This is fantastic. Oh God, it gives me so great ideas for where to go for it.” And that scene’s one of my favorite scenes in the movie. That’s actually one of my favorite openings to a horror movie I’ve seen, and I’m trying not to be biased. I mean, I sat there just in the audience going, “Oh my God,” because I’d seen rough cuts to it, but it shows the power of good editing and good sound design, what that can do. And I was like, “That’s how you start a movie.” I was like, “This is great.” So I was very happy with that.
Besides the scene that came close to making you vomit, were there any particularly difficult scenes to shoot due to the physical demands required?
Without a doubt, the shower scene stood out as particularly challenging to capture. It required approximately a week’s worth of filming, given the actors’ vulnerability in those moments. I imagine it wasn’t exactly enjoyable for them, considering their prolonged time under the water. Moreover, the final sequence was an extensive set piece that took roughly two weeks to complete from start to finish.
The experience was both enjoyable and challenging, particularly for Lauren [LaVera, portraying Sienna], as it involved me inflicting physical harm during the scene. In reality, I was repeatedly striking her and constantly expressing my apologies. I would often say, “I’m so sorry.” I could see she was mentally and physically drained, and with each blow to her head or strikes with a mallet, I felt even more remorseful. However, we were both aware of the epic quality that scene would bring to the film, so we gave it our all, and I’m pleased with how it turned out. The fight sequence between us is one of my favorite parts of the movie.
What to expect from Steamboat Willie in Screamboat
In the forthcoming film titled “Screamboat,” will Steamboat Willie display any traits similar to those of Art, or did you create unique characteristics for him to stand out as an original horror movie character?
There might be some Art mannerisms in there, but I definitely had to do some different things. It was just the limitations of the costume I was wearing. It definitely changed the way I moved a lot, but he’s kind of, he’s not really a silent character. I do make a lot of [does Mickey Mouse laugh] and stuff like that. He doesn’t really talk though.
Absolutely! There’s no denying that there were differences working with him compared to others, and it was an exciting time for me. This project offered a unique twist since Willie is portrayed in miniature throughout the film. To create this effect, we employed traditional forced perspective and LED screen magic similar to “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” In essence, I worked with oversized props while they filmed everything else on the Staten Island Ferry in New York first, followed by my scenes on a soundstage in Burbank. A remarkable aspect of this process was that I could view the footage as it was being shot and interact naturally with what was happening around me. Overall, it was an enjoyable departure from my usual experiences on set.
I can’t wait to see “Screamboat.”
You’re in for a treat! This movie is a hilarious blend of comedy and horror. If you’re a fan of Disney, you’re going to adore it. The film is packed with numerous Disney references and jokes that are absolutely delightful. It was an absolute blast working on this project.
“Terrifier 3” will release in theaters nationwide on October 11.
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2024-10-02 15:01