First Look Behind the Scenes At Bruce McDonald's PONTYPOOL!
Yes, boys and girls, I think it is safe to say that much loved Canadian director Bruce McDonald is back where he belongs. After carving out a niche for himelf with intense road pictures like Hard Core Logo - the first major acting gig for Headstones frontman Hugh Dillon, who now plays the lead on Canuck export TV series Flashpoint - Highway 61 and Roadkill, McDonald ended up working largely in television for a number of years. That's not necessarily a bad thing, the man worked on some of the best television to come out of this nation in recent days and certainly made Kevin Smith happy by helping to re-launch Degrassi, but McDonald has always belonged in features.
He returned to the big screen last year with The Tracey Fragments, his first feature since 2001, and now he's back again with Pontypool. About to take its bow as part of the Toronto International Film Festival, Pontypool marks McDonald's first forway into horror and is built around the idea of language as a virus with Stephen McHattie (300, Watchmen) in the lead.
“Pontypool” is about a feisty, washed-up radio host (McHattie) who now takes the only job he can get, broadcasting from the basement of a church in the small town of Pontypool. Things suddenly go awry when reports of people developing strange speech patterns and evoking horrendous acts of violence start piling in due to a virus quickly taking over the town. It was written by Tony Burgess and adapted from his novel “Pontypool Changes Everything”.
As was the case with The Tracey Fragments, McDonald also continues to experiment with new technologies here - Pontypool is the first Canadian feature film ever shot using the Red One 4k HD Camera. We've just been given a quartet of images from the making of the film to share, hit the link below to check them out and check out the complete Film Festival launch announcement below the break.
DIRECTOR BRUCE McDONALD IS RED MAD AT TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Toronto - Just two days after festival organizers announced that legendary Director Bruce McDonald’s new film “Pontypool” would have its World Premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival in September, buzz quickly spread that the famed Director had gone “Red” and Hollywood is taking notice.
“Pontypool”, a psychological thriller starring character actor Stephen McHattie, (“300”, “Seinfeld” and who stars as Night Owl in Warner Bros. upcoming DC Comics “The Watchmen”), is the first full length Canadian feature film to be shot entirely using the new Red One 4k HD Camera and will be the first “Red” feature to ever screen at the fest. The Red One Camera has been the centre of many heated industry debates as the leading technology that will quickly replace traditional 35mm film-making. No film or tape stock is required at all. Footage is instantly saved on a digital memory card.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for Bruce” says Producer Jeffrey Coghlan, “we conducted Red and 35mm comparison tests prior to shooting and we literally couldn’t tell the difference”. Coghlan, praises Cinematographer Miroslaw Baszak (“Shake Hands With The Devil”, “Land Of The Dead”), with his uncompromised vision for making the film look so good and Red Lab Toronto for ensuring a smooth and easy workflow. “Pontypool”, which was shot using 100% private funds, a rarity for most films, wrapped production just 5 weeks ago and has quickly become one of the most talked about and anticipated films of this year’s fest.
McDonald can’t wait to unveil the film at “his favorite, the best and most important film festival in the world”. Hollywood can’t wait either. The Toronto International Film Festival is famous for supporting independent filmmakers and is often where distributors acquire new titles to release. “Suddenly everyone is calling,” says Coghlan, “from the mini distribs to a couple of major studios.” When asked why, Coghlan responded “It’s a real mind-blower. A scary, intelligent thriller and a real departure for Bruce who certainly delivers.”
Director Bruce McDonald’s other credits include last year’s “The Tracey Fragments” starring Ellen Page, “Picture Claire” and “Hard Core Logo”. Visual Effects for “Pontypool” are being done by leading special effects house Mr. X whose recent credits include the upcoming Tom Cruise produced “Death Race”, “Resident Evil”, “Silent Hill” and the 2004 “Dawn of the Dead” remake.
“Pontypool” is about a feisty, washed-up radio host (McHattie) who now takes the only job he can get, broadcasting from the basement of a church in the small town of Pontypool. Things suddenly go awry when reports of people developing strange speech patterns and evoking horrendous acts of violence start piling in due to a virus quickly taking over the town. It was written by Tony Burgess and adapted from his novel “Pontypool Changes Everything”. Producers are Jeffrey Coghlan and Ambrose Roche. Executive Producers are Henry Cole, J. Miles Dale and Jasper Graham.
