Five FrightFest Facts From Preston DeFrancis director and co-writer of RUIN ME

1. Tell us about your film?
Preston DeFrancis: Imagine an escape room, a haunted house, and a camping trip all rolled into one weekend: You have Slasher Sleepout, the event that forms the narrative spine of RUIN ME. Now, imagine you are one of only six people participating in this extreme experience… and that you have never seen a horror film before. That’s the case for Alex, our heroine. And finally, imagine you, Alex, are out in the woods, cut off from technology, supposedly being taken care of by the Slasher Sleepout powers-that-be… but something goes wrong. Suddenly you aren’t sure where the event ends and real terror begins. And if that wasn’t enough, the sins of your past may rear their head at the least opportune moments. That’s the sandbox we’re playing in with RUIN ME.

2. How did you get into making horror movies?
Preston DeFrancis: I have been a fan of the genre – and an UBER fan of certain movies – since I was very young. I was definitely a “monster kid” growing up, but I soon graduated to Jason, Michael, Freddy, and the like. Throughout film school and in my early career, I would often get asked, “You love these so much – why don’t you make a horror film?” And my answer was always the same: I haven’t had a great idea for a horror film yet. RUIN ME is that great idea.

3. What film would you love to see screened at FrightFest and why?
Preston DeFrancis: There is so much great work being done right now, in particular outside the studio system, that I could never pick just one of that very prestigious lot. Instead, I am going to choose a classic: “Friday the 13th Part 3” in its original 3-D presentation. I have seen it twice and it’s truly glorious. Sadly, there hasn’t been a proper video release or any sort of cinema-worthy digital master made, so the only way to see it correctly is via film projection. 3-D film projection is a technical challenge, for sure, but it’s one that I know the mad geniuses behind FrightFest could solve if they wanted to.

4. If you could create your own award to give at the FrightFest, what would it be and why?
Preston DeFrancis: Anytime there’s talk of awards, I am reminded of something Marge Simpson said happily when she was a finalist in a cooking contest: “Someone somewhere says I’m better than someone else!” We are all making art and trying to do the best we can with the resources we have, and whether we have succeeded or failed is truly in the eyes of the beholder. So in other words, I’d create a Marge Simpson Award for Best Hairstyling.

5. If your life was made into a horror film, what would it be called and who would play the starring role?
Preston DeFrancis: The horror movie I deal with on a daily basis is, “Why aren’t you writing now you piece of trash?” That’s a pretty catchy title, so let’s go with that. I think I’d have to star as no one else could do it justice.

The World Premiere of RUIN ME takes place at FrightFest 2017 SATURDAY 26TH AUGUST with an additional screening SUNDAY 27TH AUGUST. Get your tickets HERE and watch the trailer below:

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Alex Humphrey

Alex studied film at the University of Kent and went on to work for Universal Pictures in their Post Room gaining an inside look at the movie industry from the very bottom. Constantly writing reviews in everything from local magazines to Hip Hop sites Alex honed his critical skills even spending a brief period as a restaurant critic. Read more

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