Jimmyo Burril (Interview)

Jimmyo Burril is the man behind Indie Horror sensation Chainsaw Sally, starring his lovely wife April Burril. In addition to Sally’s adventures, he’s also responsible for writing/directing the stage show ‘Silver Scream’ , as well as the wonderful film ‘The Good Sisters’, a dark , sexy tale of paranoia and witchcraft, which featured April and Indie Cinema Queen Debbie Rochon. Jimmyo’s work is full of talent, inventiveness, humor, and guts- both the gore kind as well as the intestinal fortitude variety. I had a chance to ask him some questions about his work…

1. The ‘Silver Scream Live’ DVD is coming out soon. Can you tell us about the show and its history?

Silver Scream is how I started making movies… quite by accident. in 1994 I, along with my music partner, James M. Taylor, wrote the first version of Silver Scream and had it produced at the Saenger Theater in Biloxi Mississippi. The show was a hit, and we began a year production of it every Halloween. in 2002 I was trying to get a decent video of the production and wound up making it a movie of the show, shot on location instead of on a stage. Once I got a taste of it, I found that I was in love with filmmaking, and I left the stage shows for quite some time. This (the DVD )was the first production of Silver Scream in 10 years, and I felt, now that we have means, we should make a film of the live show… as it’s meant to be.

2. ‘The Good Sisters’ is one of my favorite films, and I know you did some research for it. For those who haven’t seen it yet, can you talk about the film and the making of it?

Thank you… I did enjoy stretching my muscles a bit, and showing that April and I could do something other than Sally. The whole thing was inspired by a photo I took of Debbie Rochon and April. They looked so happy together, and they really did, and DO look like sisters. So how could I make that into a story? April loves the study of witchcraft, etc… and since we have tons of books on the subject, I did some research. I found that one of the women who had been killed for being a witch in Salam was named Sara Good, and wouldn’t it be interesting if her descendants were not only living in present day, but were in possibly witches. So I made a film the paranoia that would come with that situation in todays social media world… where anyone and everyone can find out about you, what you are up to now, and in the past. Trying to keep a secret in a world where privacy is almost extinct.

3. Your most famous work has to be the Chainsaw Sally film and webseries. How did you come up with the character and her world?

Sally is really just an extension of April. We wanted to make a horror rock star… someone who was a charming anti hero. I’ve always been a Batman fan, and so my idea for Sally was, what if she was trying to be Batman, but had no money, no mask, and no morals. If anyone bothers her, or is rude, or is a bully, or is simply an asshole, Sally takes them out. No judge, no jury. That’s it. She is making the world a better place, one asshole at a time. She is relatable to everyone who has ever gotten pissed because someone got in the 10 items or less line at the super market, with a cart load of shit. That is a punishable offense to Sally… punishable by death, decapitation, and then dining. Sally and her brother Ruby became cannibals out of necessitty, and developed a taste for it. So she is green… Sally recycles- once again, making the world a better place.

4. What’s it like working with your lovely and talented wife, April Burril?

Filmmaking is a family business. I love working with her. She is my best friend, my playmate, my roommate, my lover, my cheerleader, my therapist, and I love spending time with her. We smile and laugh a lot! Our Daughters also help, as does my sister and nephews. We are surrounded by family and friends. The only word for it is blessing.

5. Can you give us some hints (without giving too much away, naturally) about what to expect from Chainsaw Sally Season 3?

Well, It’s much more gritty than the other installments of Sally. We try to keep it fresh, by giving her a little more depth each go round. I’ve also been consulting with a psych teacher on the reality of the psychosis of our leading characters. So, in short, less camp, more crazy.

6. What can you tell us about your upcoming film ‘The Darling Clementines’?

Clementines is by far the most disturbing thing I’ve ever written. It actually made my sister sick to her stomach, so she had to stop reading 20 pages in. The Darling Clementines are 3 sisters… April Burril, Debbie Rochon and Nicole Rae. Yes… I seem to make movies about fucked up families… with strong females. I guess it’s just what I do.

7. Weapon of choice?

For ME???? An aluminum baseball bat.

8. You’re given an unholy budget to make a movie-the only catch is that it must be a remake, but one of your choosing. What would your pick be? Who would you have star in it?

The Creature from the Black Lagoon or The Wolfman. Of course I’d have April and my other friends in it… but for the Wolfman…. ME!

9. I know you’re a musician…what instruments do you play? What bands or musicians are your favorites, or have inspired you?

I play guitar a little, and a play bass well enough to fake it in a band, but I am a drummer. I am inspired by any musician who plays with passion. I’d take a bum note and a bead of sweat over a prefect pretty boy any day! All that said, I love 70’s music… except for disco.

10. What are some of your favorite Horror/Exploitation films, books, etc.?

Herschell Gordon Lewis 2000 Maniacs, John Waters Female Trouble, Dr Suess The Grinch.

11. What motivated you to get into Indie filmmaking? What are some of the pros and cons of working in this field? What advice do you have for anyone starting out ?

I love telling stories… I love telling them onstage, on film, and in written stories. I got into the whole thing because of Silver Scream, and then Sally lead us to the next level. The best advice is do not get into this for the money… get into it for passion. The money may not come… and it sure won’t come if it’s not your passion.

12. Chainsaw Sally stumbles upon a mime troupe practicing in the woods. What happens?

No one would hear a thing…….

13. What other projects do you have lined up?

Right now our goal is Darling Clementines, followed by Season 3 for Sally, and then I want to hit a Good Sisters 2. I have some other stories as well, but those are the projects that are ready to ROCK!

Thanks for you time, Jimmyo!

Thank you Scott!!!!!

Check out www.forbiddenpictures.net for info on Jimmyo’s projects, Chainsaw Sally merch, and other bloody goodies.