Today we have the Director of Onyx the Fortuitous, Andrew Bowser. Onyx the Fortuitous is a blast of a movie, now streaming on Screambox and one of the things I liked most about it is 1, it had really awesome practical creature effects from Adam KreatureKid Doughterty, but two, it was such a unique vision of a movie that was cast straight from Andrew's skull. The vision behind this movie was super unique, super fun, hilarious, and the movie ultimately made it all the way to the Sundance Film Festival.
In this interview with Andrew, we get into the highly personal origins of the character of Onyx, how he was able to bring the character from being a YouTube sensation to a full feature, and plenty of geeking out on 90's nostalgia and practical effects.
Here are some key takeaways from this conversation with Andrew.
Expect to adapt. During filming, Andrew faced significant production constraints, including the loss of a crucial filming location – a cemetery. Every production needs a plan B, C, and sometimes even D. Andrew's experience is a textbook example. Losing a cemetery location could've been a disaster, but instead, it turned into a creative opportunity. Andrew's producer figured the art department could create a graveyard in the backyard of the house they were shooting at and voila, you cannot tell the difference. Things will inevitably go wrong when making movies so not only do you have to be adaptable, you need to surround yourself with other adaptable folks, especially producers.
Hire local. When filming in unfamiliar locations you'll need someone on your crew with local knowledge. Andrew shot in Lenox Massachusetts and had local producers and a local AD. Their in-depth knowledge of the area, connections, and ability to navigate local challenges streamlined the production process. They had a ton of solves because they knew the town and the people in it and were able to call in favors. Every production needs a fixer, if you're filming outside a major production town, make sure you have a local expert on your crew.
Channel yourself into your work. Andrew stated that Onyx is a manifestation of a lot of things that went undealt with in his fifth-grade self. First of all, this is a beautiful sentiment and I really appreciated him allowing himself to be so vulnerable to share this. Second of all, this is a fundamental key to great art which is to channel yourself into it. On the surface, Onyx might seem like a goofy, quirky caricature but there's something very compelling and lovable about him and it's entirely because he comes from a genuine and authentic place. For Andrew, Onyx wasn't just an alter ego but a vehicle through which he was able to recognize and process personal issues. It's pretty profound and a strong reminder of how cathartic art can be. For any creative, remember: your unique perspective is what gives your work its heart and soul so embrace it.
SHOW NOTES
Movies/Shows
Misc
Follow Andrew Bowser at:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/AndrewBowserDirector/?_rdc=1&_rdr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewbowserdirector/?hl=en
X: https://twitter.com/andrewbowser?lang=enLinkedIn:
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0101453/
Remembering Stuart Gordon with Brian Yuzna, Larry Fessenden, and Graham Skipper [Episode 66]
WOLFCOP Director, Lowell Dean [Episode 65]
HOLIDAY BONUS: Stephen Chiodo and Cig Neutron!
ANYTHING FOR JACKSON Director, Justin Dyck [Episode 64]
Blumhouse TV President, Jeremy Gold [Episode 63]
CASTLE FREAK Director & SFX Master, Tate Steinsiek! [Episode 62]
FATMAN Directors, The Nelms Brothers [Episode 61]
Welcome to the Blumhouse: 4 Directors Share their Blumhouse Experience [Episode 60]
THE HEAD HUNTER Director, Jordan Downey [Episode 59]
VAMPIRES VS THE BRONX Director, Oz Rodriguez [Episode 58]
THE MORTUARY COLLECTION Writer/Director, Ryan Spindell [Episode 57]
THE FURIES Director, Tony D’Aquino [Episode 56]
THE AU PAIR NIGHTMARE Director, Joe Russo [Episode 55]
THE GOON Creator, Eric Powell! [Episode 54]
KNIFE + HEART Director, Yann Gonzalez [Episode 53]
Ryuhei Kitamura, Director of MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN, VERSUS, & DOWNRANGE [Episode 52]
1BR, The Low Budget Indie That Hit #1 on Netflix with Director/Producer David Marmor & Alok Mishra [Episode 51]
The Late Great Stuart Gordon [Episode 50]
PSYCHO GOREMAN Director, Steven Kostanski [Episode 49]
PALE DOOR & SCARE PACKAGE Director, Aaron B. Koontz [Episode 48]
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Multiverse Fancast
Cinema: A to B
I Finally Watched...
Pod Meets World
Kill James Bond!