8 minute read

LEE CRONIN / WRITER + DIRECTOR

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LEE CRONIN is a DUBLIN born FILM DIRECTOR and WRITER whose first feature length horror film, THE HOLE IN THE GROUND was released to critical acclaim last year. He is currently collaborating with SAM RAIMI on the Quibi series – 50 STATES OF FRIGHT, which explores urban legends throughout the United States.

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Could you tell us about your background – how you got your start and how you came to do the work you do now?

The thing about making movies at any level, is that it is a much slower process than anyone realises. Even in the midst of it all right now, I sometimes forget how slow it is. So rather than there being a specific start - it’s more a gathering of events over a number of years. I started as a runner. Made the coffees, changed the toilet rolls, did the film school thing, I made corporate films, TV commercials, short films and eventually got to make my feature film debut. It has taken more time than I am willing to admit even to myself.

Do you remember when you fell in love with film making and why?

I was a movie and cartoon fan from a young age (which kid ain’t?). But there were a few definitive viewing moments before I was ten years old that really dug their claws into me and set me down the pathway I’ve followed. All of these moments were from suspense and horror movies. Ben Gardner’s deadhead reveal in Jaws, the bath hag in The Shining, and countless moments from Evil Dead 2. I got eyeballs on all this stuff way before it was age appropriate. Being the youngest sibling in my family by almost a decade meant I used to watch these kinda movies with my older siblings and watch their reactions, their fear, their joy. I think I fell in love then with the idea of trying to show off and freak out my family. I think that’s what I’m still trying to do. Oh, and Robocop…sometimes I forget how much I love Robocop.

Was there turning point or eureka moment in your life when you decided to pursue film as a career? If so, could you tell us about it?

Reflecting what I said previously it was more of a slow build. Fearful steps into the unknown as such. Having said that, I do remember when I was around twelve or so, a friends mother telling me I should become a movie reviewer because all I did was talk about movies. I remember then thinking that I’d rather make them than write about them - and that roughly tallied with my first steps into making stuff. From there I began doing all the cliched stuff that all wannabe film makers do. Got the camcorder, wrote some terrible angsty crap and did some actually impressive stop motion lego films. At least I thought the were impressive. I also used to love making my own blood bags and doing little special effects tests.

What were your first significant projects – personal or professional?

I think there’s always a project for each and every stage of your development that matters most at that time. I remember my first college short film feeling like the most important thing in the world, and in that moment that was super significant to me. I would say perhaps my first out and out horror short ‘Through the Night’ was probably a big turning point for me as I built a relationship with my producing

partner and created something that played on the big screen all around the world. That was a real motivator for me and it was definitely a no turning back step.

‘The Hole in the Ground’ was your debut feature as a writer/ director – could you tell us about the process of its creation?

Slooooooooow. Really, truly. It took a long time to get from my short film ‘Ghost Train’ to rolling camera on my debut feature film. I’ve always written ambitious screenplays - so there was an intense development process to find a film out of the story I wanted to tell.

The best part was getting to work with all the super talented people I had come up through the ranks with. I do love that familial aspect of filmmaking and working with all those people is the best part of the process.

I do love that familial aspect of filmmaking and working with all those people is the

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Get a real job.

What is the worst piece of advice you have ever been given?

Get a real job.

What is your daily inspiration when you create? “

Usually it’s fear. Fear I’m not doing enough, fear everything is taking too long, fear I’ll never make another film or get to tell another story. I think this fear is healthy though. At least for me, I know that I need it to create.

Could you tell us about your favourite filmmakers and why you chose them?

There are so many immense filmmakers that I admire for so many reasons, so I always kinda hate listing some and leaving others out. But, the ones that have had the biggest influences on me are - Spielberg, Raimi, Kubrick, Jackson, Zemeckis and Darabont. I think the thing they all have in common is unique style, singular vision and whatever the tone may be - they create engrossing movies that entertain you.

Could you give a few examples of some of your favourite films and how they influenced your own creative process?

I think I’ve kinda hit on these already, but to elaborate - Jaws is the perfect blend of character, mystery, dread and action. All things that I love to death.

The Shining for its precision and focus, and its delving into the dark heart of domestic horror. I think horror starts best at home as it’s always something we can identify with. Evil Dead 2 for its brazen balls to the wall nature, its visual verve and pure entertainment value.

What does your typical working day consist of?

It depends a lot on where I’m at in the stage of a project. Sometimes it’s prep, or on set, sometimes it’s a lot of travel and banal hotel rooms. The majority of time though is spent in the writing and development phase. Typically I try to be at my desk by 8:30am, so I’m typing by 9, work that until about lunch, take a walk or run and then try go again in the afternoon.

If I’m on a deadline then it’s usually just a 14-16 hour freakout fest followed by a week of exhaustion. Pretty much like any job that survives on deadlines. I think one of the hardest parts is figuring out what to write. So sometimes it’s

days of just walking, talking, thinking and fretting.

Filmmaking is incredibly demanding – maintaining work/life balance is important, any tips or tricks on how to manage it?

I think it’s in relation to what your personality is like. I have people close that are willing to listen to me rant in circles about what I’m trying to figure out at any given time. Getting this stuff out of my head and into words, usually frees up the brain space to go for a run or something head clearing. I’I enjoy doing cooking because it takes the mind off creative challenges. I think it’s also really important to have friends and family that don’t give a shit about the film business, and that leads you to talk about other aspects of life. Put film people in a room, and all we can fucking talk about is the business. It’s an obsessive bubble.

Do you have any recommended books, websites or podcasts that you use as a resource?

THE HOLE IN THE GROUND / LEE CRONIN ©

The film book thing I’m never too sure about. If you find something that helps you figure out your own process, then great. But never see anything as a rule book. I do dip in and out of the Scriptnotes podcast by John August and Craig Mazin, it can be really useful.

I also enjoy Blindboy’s podcast for his discussions on mental health which is something I think you need to consistently work on when in a creative business. It’s an anxious and unstable game. I tend to not read too much film based websites online, it kinda starts to feel like homework to me!

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

Get a real job!

What would be your advice for aspiring filmmakers?

Be brave, be focused and try and work with a team of people that want it as badly as you do.

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