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| Director Brandon Lazenko chats with 'October Roses' leads |
What happens when you get the opportunity to produce, direct and write an adaptation of one of the world’s most notable horror masters? You fulfill a few lifelong dreams. Just ask Brandon Lazenko.
His most recent film, October Roses, is an adaptation of the short story Nona from master storyteller Stephen King. Lazenko got the opportunity to adapt the story through King’s recently sunsetted Dollar Baby program.
The Dollar Baby program allowed aspiring filmmakers to buy the rights to one of King’s short stories for $1. Created in the late 1970s, this program was designed to support new filmmakers by offering access to King’s works. The only rules? Filmmakers could not distribute their adaptations commercially, limiting screenings primarily to festivals and academic settings.
King’s program, which ended in 2023, significantly impacted the film industry. Frank Darabont, for example, directed The Shawshank Redemption after his Dollar Baby adaptation of The Woman in the Room.
For October Roses, Lazenko drew inspiration from Nona's psychological depth and mysterious atmosphere.
“The opportunity [to adapt the story] was a privilege as an independent film director,” says Lazenko.
Working with horror effects legend Robert Kurtzman added layers of expertise and creativity to the project as well.
"He brought his special effects expertise with him daily to set," says Lazenko.
Shooting a scene with actress Kyla Dyan
Thrilled to be thrilled
Lazenko considers himself a "thriller filmmaker" rather than a pure horror director. He’s deeply interested in suspense and mystery, finding these genres the perfect backdrop for the stories he wants to tell.
"Storytelling has always been a part of my life," he adds, recalling how he directed plays in high school and crafted imaginative adventures with action figures while growing up near Akron, Ohio.
His next ambitious project? An authentic portrayal of the 1993 Lucasville, Ohio, prison riots, a story he believes is full of twists and turns that will highlight his noir-influenced storytelling.
While October Roses is mostly limited to film festivals, Stephen King fans (and thriller fans and film fans) can keep an eye on Lazenko's Instagram for info on where they might be able to see the movie.
We caught up with Lazenko before Halloween and asked him to answer our 5 Horrific Questions:
Midwest Movie Maker (MMM): What makes a movie scary?
Brian Lazenko (BL): I don’t think there’s one single element that makes a movie scary. It’s more like a rock band, where each instrument plays a part, and they rely on each other to create something powerful.
"Storytelling has always been a part of my life," he adds, recalling how he directed plays in high school and crafted imaginative adventures with action figures while growing up near Akron, Ohio.
His next ambitious project? An authentic portrayal of the 1993 Lucasville, Ohio, prison riots, a story he believes is full of twists and turns that will highlight his noir-influenced storytelling.
While October Roses is mostly limited to film festivals, Stephen King fans (and thriller fans and film fans) can keep an eye on Lazenko's Instagram for info on where they might be able to see the movie.
We caught up with Lazenko before Halloween and asked him to answer our 5 Horrific Questions:
Fighting the elements in 'October Roses'
5 horrific questions with Brandon Lazenko
Midwest Movie Maker (MMM): What makes a movie scary?
Fighting the elements in 'October Roses'
Brian Lazenko (BL): I don’t think there’s one single element that makes a movie scary. It’s more like a rock band, where each instrument plays a part, and they rely on each other to create something powerful.
A scary movie needs a distinctive atmosphere that draws the audience in, characters that are believable, and a story that keeps you on edge without being predictable.
When these things come together it can stop feeling like a movie and become an experience.
MMM: What movie frightens you the most?
BL: I can think of two movies that really frighten me in different ways. As a kid, The Ring terrified me – especially the scene with the girl in the closet, which I know traumatized a lot of people.
MMM: What movie frightens you the most?
BL: I can think of two movies that really frighten me in different ways. As a kid, The Ring terrified me – especially the scene with the girl in the closet, which I know traumatized a lot of people.
But, as an adult, Lake Mungo really got under my skin. It has this eerie sense of realism that makes you feel unsafe in a way that’s hard to explain.
MMM: Who is your horror inspiration?
BL: Mike Flanagan is a big inspiration for me. I admire his consistency in delivering high-quality work, and the fresh takes he brings to the genre. From reimagining classic stories to creating something entirely new, Mike does it all, and he does it well.
MMM: Why do we like to be scared?
BL: For me, fear acts as a kind of coping mechanism. I’m not the thrill-seeker you’d find base jumping off buildings or walking across hot coals. But with movies, books, and haunted houses, it’s a chance to confront my fears in a controlled environment, which can be very therapeutic.
MMM: What movie or book (that isn’t a scary movie or book) would you want to turn into a horror movie? And how would you do it?
BL: This is a very good question. I’d love to take the 2003 Disney movie Holes and twist it into a psychological horror story. Imagine the living conditions at Camp Green Lake being much more dehumanizing, with the boys digging for something far more sinister than treasure.
MMM: Who is your horror inspiration?
BL: Mike Flanagan is a big inspiration for me. I admire his consistency in delivering high-quality work, and the fresh takes he brings to the genre. From reimagining classic stories to creating something entirely new, Mike does it all, and he does it well.
MMM: Why do we like to be scared?
BL: For me, fear acts as a kind of coping mechanism. I’m not the thrill-seeker you’d find base jumping off buildings or walking across hot coals. But with movies, books, and haunted houses, it’s a chance to confront my fears in a controlled environment, which can be very therapeutic.
MMM: What movie or book (that isn’t a scary movie or book) would you want to turn into a horror movie? And how would you do it?
BL: This is a very good question. I’d love to take the 2003 Disney movie Holes and twist it into a psychological horror story. Imagine the living conditions at Camp Green Lake being much more dehumanizing, with the boys digging for something far more sinister than treasure.
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