This week I interviewed a great IG feed: @blackveilshortfilm !

Author’s Note: Below are the responses, answered by Aine Geraghty and Roberto Guevara, the co-writers and co-directors of Black Veil.

1. What is your movie short about?

“Roberto: Black Veil is a horror-comedy following a pair of best friends who get stalked by a masked assailant while working after hours at a Bridal Boutique. As writers, we were really excited about taking characters who are afraid of romantic commitment and plopping them in a setting where they’re constantly confronted by marriage. 

Aine: This ultimately plays into the feature-length script we wrote, which the short is based on, as they both tackle characters dealing with relationship issues. There can be so much anxiety surrounding a wedding because for some people commitment is the ultimate horror — but there’s no greater commitment than death so we really tried to have fun with that.”

2. CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FUNDRAISING FOR THE SHORT?

“Roberto: Indie-filmmaking has been an incredibly enriching experience with so much room to explore and grow but it does come with limitations, especially financial ones. 

Aine: We’ve launched a Seed & Spark campaign: linked here to help crowdsource the film’s budget. We took our time constructing personal and unique incentives for those willing to pledge to show how thankful and mindful we are of people’s generosity. 

Roberto: Our incentives range from receiving a personalized movie watchlist and a “horrorscope,” showcasing your astrology chart as horror movies, to getting an executive producer credit on the film. There’s a lot of fun stuff there so I hope people take the time to look over it.”

3. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE THIS SHORT?

“Aine: Something that bonded Roberto and I at the beginning of our friendship was a love of horror, which any fan of the genre knows can be incredibly unifying. Also, like many horror fans, we felt like slashers were becoming a dying genre and we wanted to create a project that could breathe new life into it. 

Roberto: In 2019 we developed a feature titled It’s My Wedding & I’ll Die if I Want To and for the last three years we’ve writing and re-writing. As young screenwriters without much access to the industry, it sometimes felt like that would be as far as the script would go — just a cycle of constant edits, waiting for someone to believe in our vision. That someone ended up being my good friend Maryam Fassihi, who is now producing the short. I met with her one day, recounted the trilogy long arc Aine and I created, and from there the Black Veil short was born. 

Aine: We see making this short — this proof of concept — as the first step in bringing our entire bloody vision to life!”

4.  IF YOU HAD TO MAKE A LIST OF FOUR MOVIES AND / OR BOOKS THAT BEST REPRESENT YOUR PERSONALITY. WHAT WOULD BE ON THAT LIST & WHY?

“AINE

1.) I Spy Spooky Mansion  Photography by Walter Wick & Riddles by Jean Marzollo.

This really encapsulates my love for maximalism, harmless haunts, and curling up in front of the fire to look out at the cemetery in your backyard. When I picture a world where I would be the happiest, it’s living in the pages of this book.”

2.) The Lost Boys (1987)

It’s unique in a way that makes even one viewing lastingly impactful, but it’s also a story that I believe centers on the love we have for our families and the lengths we will go to keep them together. While no members of my family are goddamn shit-sucking vampires (sadly), they are an incredibly important part of my life.

3.) Addams Family Values  (1993)

I would be insane not to include this as one of my selections since Wednesday Addams, in this film specifically, shaped me so much as a young woman. The way in which Wednesday is unapologetically herself, doesn’t obey corrupt authorities, and makes sure there are consequences for crossing her well-established boundaries, is something I’ve always tried to emulate.

4.) Thelma & Louise (1991)

While I find myself to often be a creature of habit, at the end of the day I’m an Aries that craves excitement and adventure. One of the happiest times in my life was driving cross country to Los Angeles in college, and I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could. The way this story explores this friendship between these two women also feels so personal to me, as both a big sister to a little sister and as someone who has always sought out female companionship as a source of safety and comfort.”

ROBERTO:

1.) Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)

Following your own, unconventional path can come with judgment from certain people in your life. This film is a personal reminder that although some may not understand my life choices, I’m still having the best time, even in the chaos. Plus, it’s silly, campy, values the power of friendship, and stars Lisa Kudrow who I subconsciously modeled many of my mannerisms off of. 

2.) Knife+Heart (2018)

It’s a gay, Giallo-inspired vortex of flashy horror, sensuality, style, and out-of-place supernatural elements. I don’t believe most people would associate me with those things at first glance, yet they’re things that thrill me. Murder and violence aside, I’d love to move through a neon-lit world with M83 as my score. 

3.) Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper by Diablo Cody

I may not have had a year as an unlikely stripper (yet), but I often find myself having a “yes, and” approach to trying new things. It does lead me to bizarre places in which I feel I have no business being in, but it does keep things interesting. 

4.) Xanadu (1980)

I think my interest and aesthetics can inspire a similar reaction to the way people see this movie. Some think it’s gaudy, confused, and in bad taste. Others can acknowledge some of that truth, yet still see it as a masterpiece filled with charisma, spectacle, and joy!

5. DO YOU HAVE ANY EXCITING EVENTS OR NEWS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

Roberto: “In a few days, once callbacks and chemistry reads conclude, we will be able to announce the cast of Black Veil so stay tuned for that!”

Aine: “At the time of this interview there are officially 10 days left of our crowdsourcing campaign. Once that concludes we go into production which we could not be more excited about!”

If you would like more information. The following contact info is below:

Instagram: @blackveilshortfilm

Twitter: @blackveilshort

Email: blackveilshortfilm@gmail.com

Thank you so much for the interview!!!!