With many irons in the fire, Director Colin Theys draws inspiration from his CT. roots.
Join Colin Theys of Synthetic Cinema on ‘The Writer’s Role in the Industry‘, Andrew Gernhard, founder of Synthetic Cinema, John Buchner ‘Writers and the Underworld Journey’, Douglas Wood, creator of ‘The Artists’ Playground’, Carole Kirschner ‘Welcome to the TV Business’, ESPN – Emmy Award Winner Ben Houser ‘Sports Matter – Telling the True Story‘, Barb Doyon of Extreme Screenwriting ‘Insider Secrets to Opening Doors in Hollywood’,, Gus Marinak writer, director, producer of ‘Falling Angel‘ on ‘How to Create a film on$2,000, or How I stopped worrying and learned to love the craft‘ and Pamela Perry Goulardt: ‘Adapting a Novel for the Screen‘, in Simsbury, CT. this April 6-7.
Obtaining a degree in film studies from Wesleyan University in CT. in 2007, Colin Theys directed his first commercial feature, Banshee!!! shortly after he became an intern for fellow Connecticut filmmaker Andrew Gernhard, founder of Synthetic Cinema International. With award winning skills in CGI (Computer Graphic Imaging) and visual effects, Colin was an asset for the Horror Genre Films SCI was building its experience and foundation upon. Interns that are a Jack of All Trades are valuable, and before long Colin was involved in all aspects of development. Today he is not only a Director at SCI, he often co-produces.
I was fortunate to speak with Colin during a break from shooting, but he never is totally on a break, he is always involved with developing scripts and new projects.
What were your favorite films growing up?
Colin Theys. My favorites were classic Hollywood comedies and science fiction. I especially enjoyed sci-fi comedy, and still do.
What are your responsibilities as a Director?
Colin Theys. My main responsibilities are making sure everyone on the team is making the same movie. The director sets the style and tone for a movie and manages the crew on set to ensure everyone is working in sync. That means managing time, and making strategic decisions about what time and resources are spent on while overseeing creative choices in all departments. The director is the primary decision-maker in the process of realizing the script into a finished film. The director needs to break the script down, identify key moments in the story, and key moments for the characters. The director makes sure those moments are captured and communicated to the audience, whether through performance or visual style.
How did SCI transition into Christmas films?
Colin Theys. One of the first Christmas films we did was an adaptation of CT. writer Wally Lamb’s, ‘Wishin and Hopin’. A drama/Comedy for Lifetime. It’s about a Christmas pageant. Molly Ringwald plays a substitute teacher and Wyatt Ralff plays Felix Funicello (a distant cousin of Annette), from Three Rivers, CT. He experiences a holiday he’ll never forget. Chevy Chase, Annabella Sciorra, Meat Loaf and Cheri Oteri, also starred. John Doolan wrote the screenplay, I directed, and Andrew Gernhard of SCI was the producer.
You seem to enjoy making Connecticut themed films.
Colin Theys. I do. I am inspired working in New England, and enjoy bringing its unique architecture, landscape and history to a larger audience.
What’s coming up in the future that you’re excited about?
Colin Theys. We are doing another one of Wally Lamb’s books, ‘We Are Water’. We enjoyed working with Wally tremendously, and it’s great to be working with him again. This story is much different than ‘Wishin and Hopin’. It’s a mulit-generational drama about a family from Norwich, CT.
If you could make any film you wanted, what would it be?
Colin Theys. I’d love to do a musical reboot of, ‘The House of Haunted Hill’.
Catch Colin’s workshop on ‘The Writer’s Role in the Film and TV Industry’ at the Storyteller’s Cottage, ‘Script to Screen’ Summit, in Simsbury, CT. April 6-7.
https://www.storytellerscottage.com/script-to-screen-summit
https://www.storytellerscottage.com/blog/calling-all-aspiring-screenwriters
Thanks Colin!
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