Exclusive Interview: Joshua Nelson (The Things We Cannot Change)

Exclusive Interview: Joshua Nelson (The Things We Cannot Change)

You have an impressive resume on IMDb in various roles involved with filmmaking. From 2011 up to this year 2023 you have Directed 80 films, this includes feature length and short films. What of these projects that you Directed do you have fond memories of?

Yes, I make a LOT of films…I work with a lot of talented actors that are searching for work and footage for their reels so I create a lot of content for them. Also, making films help release my creative side and without that I might go a little insane… I absolutely loved working on Psycho-Therapy because the cast was absolutely wonderful to work with and we were able to pull off shooting a feature film in 4 days! It was also the first feature I directed on my own.

What for you is the biggest difference between working on a feature film and a short film?

At one point I thought filming a short would be much easier than a feature; Less time commitment, less budget…but then I realized it was actually more difficult because it’s easier to tell a full story over 90 minutes. I like to have a beginning, middle and end with developed characters and pulling that off in 20 or so minutes can be quite difficult.

Your vampiric thriller film THE THINGS WE CANNOT CHANGE (2022) has recently been released by VIPCO and BayView Entertainment. What can you tell us about this film without giving the movie away?

Love the people at BayView and Vipco by the way- The film is essentially about addiction and not being able to control destructive urges and desires. What if someone was a vampire that was forced to live on human blood but at the same time felt tremendous guilt for killing. THE THINGS WE CANNOT CHANGE follows different people as they are forced to choose between feeling pleasure and doing what’s right.

Vampires and the lore behind them has always made for good material for movies, books etc. What inspired you in the writing process for THE THINGS WE CANNOT CHANGE?

Actually, I had just watched What We Do In the Shadows and I really liked the concept of Vampires having to live as regular people to some extent…so I took that core idea and ran with it in a darker way.

As a filmmaker you are tasked with many potential challenges not just on set but throughout the whole filmmaking journey. What for you is the biggest challenge?

Money, Money, Money…and also Money. I have learned to work fast and cheap with talented people that work for free or very cheap when they should be making a lot! But even with good actors and a decent story, people always comment on how shoestring budget your work is. Making films “the right way” is VERY expensive but I can’t let the lack of funds stop me…of course I would love to dump a ton of money into better locations and higher quality FX, but sometimes you are just limited by what you have – or shall I say, what you don’t have.

Obviously one of the biggest obstacles for any independent filmmaker is money, so what are your thoughts on film projects being crowdfunded by mostly film fans and what would you say as a filmmaker is the 1 thing to do and 1 thing not to do in a crowdfunding project?

Wow – I answered that last question before seeing this one. I think it’s a great idea BUT I think it’s very difficult. I see go fund me pages for people that have lost their homes or have been diagnosed with a disease…I would feel pretty bad putting my “Need money for realistic zombie FX” next to that. Also, I think it helps to know people with money that might donate…everyone I know is broke.

Outside of filmmaking you are also a musician, having been the former lead singer and bass player of the heavy metal bands “New York’s Finest” & “Cleavage”. Are there any music recordings of your times with these bands and if so where can people find them to listen to or purchase?

I wish! I was absolutely a total metal head for a large portion of my life and while we played for 10 years, we never had anything released by a major label so unfortunately, I don’t have anything available out there…but I wish I did. I really miss my long hair – and hair spray…LOTS of hair spray.

What are your Top 3 thriller or vampire films from any decade?

So – my 3 favorite horror films are Maniac, Mother’s Day and Basket Case….My favorite Vampire film is the original Nosferatu. STILL CREEPY!!!

For any budding filmmakers out there, what is the best piece of advice that you could give them?

First – work with people you like – I have worked with some I don’t and it ruins the experience. Next, get good actors! The story and cinematography are meaningless if you don’t hire people to bring the characters to life. Finally – it has never been more accessible to make films…let your creative side out and make the films you want…because come on, what’s better than making movies???

Finally, what projects do you have coming up?

We have a new Werewolf film that is almost wrapped on production called “Aware Of The Wolf” that will hopefully be out in early 2024.

Finally – THANK YOU Horror Screams Video Vault for the opportunity for true independent film to get some press!

Interview by Peter ‘Witchfinder‘ Hopkins