Welcome to Matt's Movie Reviews, where today we talk to Colin Crochuk, the creative mind behind 'The Jester' film series. Originally starting as a trilogy of YouTube shorts, 'The Jester' has now expanded with a sequel available on-demand, continuing to thrill audiences with inventive horror.
Colin shares his filmmaker's journey, from childhood fascination with movie magic to creating his own films. His passion for horror was ignited by films like 'Jurassic Park' and the behind-the-scenes of classic blockbusters. This love inspired him eventually to direct his narratives, including creating horror shorts with friends in high school.
Colin discusses his influences, noting classics like John Carpenter's 'The Thing' as pivotal. He delved into horror after initially fearing the genre, drawn by the thrill and mystery of the unknown.
The conversation further touches on the creative process behind 'The Jester'. Emphasizing narrative mystery, Colin avoids giving away too much of the character's backstory, reminiscent of urban legends where less is more.
Colin also explains his partnership with longtime collaborator Michael Sheffield, meeting during film school and continuing to produce original content together, including the viral 'Jester' shorts.
Lastly, Colin shares insights into the unexpected success of the YouTube channel and how they maintained their original ethos despite pressure to pivot commercially after going viral.
Looking forward, Colin hints at diverse filmmaking interests, including comedy, indicating the creative possibilities ahead for him and his team.