Jack Dignan never created a “plan B.” From a young age, he knew he would be making films and telling stories. Thankfully for horror fans, this talented writer, director, and producer did just that. His new film “After She Died” can boast amazing visual effects that come from a master of the art, Dignan himself, after hits like “Thor: Love and Thunder,” “Elvis,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” and George Miller’s upcoming “Furiosa.”
The Australian filmmaker started out as a film journalist, and after years of working on high-profile Hollywood productions, he is making his directorial debut with “After She Died,” which is a movie about a recent high school grad Jen whose mother recently died and her relationship with her father becomes fractured in the aftermath. Making matters worse, all of her friends are heading off to college, which she stays behind, wallowing in her grief. Things start to get even worse when Jen’s father introduces her to his new girlfriend…who is a carbon copy of her dead mother.
Nerd Alert News: Congratulations on your exciting new film “After She Died.” It’s clever and perfect for Halloween. Our first question for you is, where did you get the inspiration and story idea for this film?
Jack Dignan: Thank you! I’ve always been fascinated (and terrified) by the idea of doppelgängers and seeing a version of yourself that you don’t recognize. It’s a fear that’s bled over into some of my earlier shorts, particularly “It Feels Like Spring” (2019). I’m also a big fan of Asian horror movies, like “Audition,” “House,” “Ju-On: The Grudge,” and “A Tale of Two Sisters,” so after a weekend in 2019 binging all my favorites, the story for “After She Died” began to piece itself together in my head. I took my fears of the uncanny and unrecognizable and combined it with my love for Asian horror and began working on a crazy little movie called “After She Died.”
NaN: Would you happen to have any fun stories from the set?
JD: I have fun stories from just about every day on set. From splattering blood everywhere (sometimes in places blood shouldn’t splatter!) to supposed ghost sightings (we’re convinced the house set was haunted… we have a lot of proof…), but really, my favorite moments were the moments between moments. It was getting to be on set with a bunch of very talented people just creating art together. We had a lot of fun making this film and I hope our passion is showcased on screen.
NaN: What was your biggest challenge in the production?
JD: We faced endless challenges throughout this production, all the way from pre through to post. For a film of our scale, the biggest challenge was honestly just getting it off the ground. It was finding a way to raise enough funds, hire the crew, cast the actors, and get to that first day of shooting. I knew once I got to that first day things would be easier, but I just had to get there. I’d never directed a feature before. It was all a massive learning experience and I’m grateful for the journey it’s taken me on.
NaN: What is it like directing a movie that you wrote? Is it a bit easier or are you harder on yourself?
JD: An interesting question! I’ve never directed material I haven’t written so it’s the only way I know how to work. Having written the script means I’ve spent years immersing myself in the world and the characters prior to the first day of shooting, so I’m as familiar with their lives as I am my own. This definitely helps when it comes to directing actors and crafting the look of the film. I come onto set with a very clear picture of what I want, while remaining open to collaboration and using ideas from anyone in the cast/crew.
NaN: Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you have any projects already on the back burner?
JD: Hopefully just making more movies. I’ve got a number of scripts I’m always actively working on. There’s one feature I’m gearing up to film next, we’re just in early stages of financing. It’s called ‘The Rainbow Connection’ and it’s going to be the most insane movie ever made. I can’t wait.
NaN: If you hadn’t gone into filmmaking, what do you think you would be doing right now?
JD: Much to my family’s concerns, I never gave myself a plan b. It’s always been about making films and telling stories, even from a young age. If that didn’t pan out, maybe I’d be a writer. But that’s the obvious answer. I should make this answer a little more fun. Maybe I’d run a zoo or a conservation or something, I don’t know. Animals are fun.
Written by Mandie Stevens and Colleen Bement
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