Nine vacationing twenty-somethings travel to a posh timeshare cabin in Big Bear for a hedonistic weekend. But their weekend of drinking and debauchery soon turns to horror when an axe-wielding local legend comes to life! That’s the official synopsis for the upcoming indie horror film The AxeMan at Cutter’s Creek.
This is the first in a series of interviews with the cast of this 80s style slasher. My first interview is with its slasher killer – The AxeMan at Cutter’s Creek.
In the mountains of Big Bear, Scot Pollard former NBA superstar took on his first acting role – playing the sadistic and unremorseful killer known to those that live there as the Axeman. In this Horror Society exclusive interview: Scot goes over the madness of The Axeman At Cutter’s Creek and gives away some bloody secrets about the axe-wielding maniac that he portrays in the film. The picture features The Axeman (Scot Pollard) and Stacy (Elissa Dowling) ” The Axeman takes a break from all the hacking and slashing for a little tongue action, lol. But it is a scene where, if you haven’t been paying attention throughout the film, you finally get just how disturbed the Axeman really is. He doesn’t obliterate the cast for past transgressions or to avenge a slain family member or any number of rudimentary 90’s post-modern horror motive-driven psychoses. He does this simply because he can. And because he chooses to. To him, it’s a form of recreation, ” Director Joston Theney.
You played 11 electrifying seasons in the NBA, Did you always have the acting bug or was it something that came later on in life?
Scot Pollard: I have always had an “acting” bug. I was in plays in elementary school, Jr. high and high school when I could be. During my career in basketball, I did many local shows where I would do things outside of the sphere of basketball, but for whichever team I played for. Most notable of these would be a series I did in Boston for the “Celtics now” program called “Planet Pollard“. All of the episodes are now on Youtube. In addition, through my website planet pollard.com you can view additional footage of Scot Pollard being goofy in front of a camera. Not exactly DeNiro, but I do enjoy the camera.
Now an easy question, what is your all-time favorite horror film growing up?
Scot Pollard: My all time favorite horror film growing up was Poltergeist. I wasn’t allowed to watch it as a kid, due to my Mormon upbringing, so it was a sin and one of the many rebellious things I did as a youth to show I was my own person. (Such a rebel…hahah)
What do you think makes a great horror film – atmosphere vs. blood and gore?
Scot Pollard: I think atmosphere, no question, is scarier to me. Seeing guts and gross situations, to me, is simply that, gross. I believe that when movies can create suspense, without having to show every detail of what is going on, makes for a much scarier movie. It allows the viewer to use their imagination, which, in my case, is REALLY scary!
Let’s get to talking about the Axeman at Cutter’s Creek. This is your first major role – what attracted you to wanting to play a brutal slasher killer?
Scot Pollard: After being contacted by Joston Theney regarding this role, I got excited. His energy is truly “catching”. I caught it and he made me go from being a basketball player ham into someone that at least can attempt to pull of a role. I still do not consider myself an actor, but playing this character allowed me to touch on some darker sides of my personality, which actually turned out to be VERY therapeutic. I really enjoyed laughing and joking with my cast mates off camera, and then flipping the switch into cold blooded bastard while taking care of business….
My follow up to that question is, did you feel any pressure stepping into a genre with so many iconic slasher killers?
Scot Pollard: The pressure was minimal. Id like to repeat, I do not consider myself an actor. I didn’t try to be any other killer. I took this script and with Joston’s vision, energy, and guidance, became the Axeman. Hopefully the audience can tolerate my lack of ability as an actor, and enjoy the rest of the cast’s abilities to be ripped up, torn apart, and dismembered by the giant retired basketball player.
What kind of preparation did you do to get into character to play the Axeman ?
Scot Pollard: The preparation i used to get into the role was 50% internal (memories, pent up frustration from real life events, etc) and 50% external (Joston’s direction, as well as the actor’s. Their energy made it easier to play a bad guy. Someone that is very good at acting like they are terrified of you makes it easier to be terrifying!
The Axeman as such an amazing cast – what was it like to show up on set each day? It had to be a blast!
Scot Pollard: The cast was terrific to work with. Again, I was just trying to hold my own with the talents that were around me. Everyone was great. It was a lot of fun watching the actors act, made me a better actor just by watching.
Was there any days on set that you scared yourself (Even though you knew this was just a film and you were playing a character)?
Scot Pollard: There’s one scene in particular, and I am not going to spoil it, but I watched the replay on a small screen without sound. I couldn’t believe it was me. And it was FUCKING scary! Poor Josten…that’s your only clue…
The Axeman promises to bring the blood – how much axe swinging can we expect in the film?
Scot Pollard: This movie has a few “kills” that are quick, and a few that drag out and get messy. It literally has it all. Different weapons, including the axeman’s bare hands…Overall, there’s a lot of blood, and there is a lot of the axeman doing what the axeman does best=killing people.
For fans that haven’t read or know anything about this film, can you tell them who the Axeman is?
Scot Pollard: The axeman is a man that just doesn’t care. He’s completely disconnected. There is one thing he does. And that is why he’s called the axeman. He’s not interested in much else. There isn’t anything he’s trying to prove. There isn’t anyone he’s trying to avenge. There is no notoriety he is seeking. He simply does what he does. That’s all.
I asked Elissa Dowling this question, so I’m also going to put you on the spot and ask what was it like working with Joston Theney?
Scot Pollard: I think I have praised Joston enough. But to repeat, he was a pleasure to work with. His vision, though markedly sick and twisted, is pure. You can’t help but get excited about your scene, and those of others, simply by being around him. He’s the man with the plan, and the plan is making the scream, making the cringe, making the blood pour…
On a scale of 1-5 (five being this film will scare the shit out of you) what can the fans expect from this throw back 80’s film with a modern day twist?
Scot Pollard: I haven’t seen the finished product, so I can’t really answer about how scary this movie is. But, in making the movie, I think that like most horror movies, there will be scenes that make the audience laugh, even if just out of relief, and there will definitely be scenes that make some people sick to their stomachs. I’m really excited to see the whole thing, finished. Not because I’m the axeman, (that’s part of it) but because I think that Joston has a gift, and I’m excited to see how he wrapped this gift.
My last and final question, I promise – Is there anything that I forgot that you’re just dying to tell the readers about this film or about any upcoming projects that you’re apart of?
Scot Pollard: I’ve got nothing more to say about this film, I’m excited to see it for myself, and I don’t want to give anything away. I’m currently shopping a script I had written for me about my career in the NBA. (it’s basically Entourage in the NBA) I also have been in three other movies in the last year, but all small roles in films that are trying to get into small film festivals. Filmed in Lawrence, Kansas, where I reside. I enjoy the process, and would love to keep doing films.
I want to thank again Scot Pollard for his time in doing this bloody awesome interview. FANS if you want to know more about this axe-tastic film – you can check out their Offical Facebook fan page. They’re also going to be dropping exclusive scenes of the film at HorrorHound Weekend in Cincinaiti, Ohio apart of a cross promotion with their clothing sponsor Dead Ink Apparel. Elissa Dowling will also be making an apperance with the film.
The Axeman At Cutter’s Creek stars: Elissa Dowling, Tiffany Shepis, Brinke Stevens, Jamie Bernadette, Erin Marie Hogan, Arielle Brachfeld and Chantelle Albers, with Scot Pollard as the Axeman.
As always stay very very bloody my friends!
Offical Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AxemanAtCuttersCreek?fref=ts
Dead Ink Apparel: https://deadinkapparel.com/
