One of the most highly anticipated slashers heading our way soon is L.C Holt’s Time’s Up.
Following the production wrapping, L.C answered some questions about the film.
Production has now wrapped on Time’s Up, what are the plans for release?
I think realistically 2023 is the year when Time’s Up will finally come out.
How did this experience compare to Spiritus?
There’s really no comparison. Spiritus was a small, experimental project that I spearheaded and had creative and financial control of. Time’s Up was a far more complicated experience in which I worked with a number of people that, in hindsight, I should not have. Trust is a dangerous thing to give out in this industry. If you have a business partner who doesn’t want to communicate with you, then you’re screwed, and I was ultimately screwed on Time’s Up. You probably would’ve had more say in that film that I would have. Thus is the nature of living and learning. I learned a lot from that experience, but unfortunately, very little of it was positive.
How stressful are crowdfunding campaigns?
Crowdfunding is all about letting people know what you’re doing. I want to be as open and honest with the contributors as I can, but sometimes the decisions of others interfere. I’m happy to know that everything I personally promised came through. I can’t control others, which is fine. I can only control myself.
Time’s Up feels firmly aimed at the slasher crowd, will it give them something fresh?
I’m most interested in sub-genres. Time’s Up is a slasher, but it’s not a Wes Craven slasher, or a Sean Cunningham slasher. I can’t make those kinds of films. I can only give you my take on the genre and so, yes, there will be things in that movie that you haven’t seen before because it’s coming from me. The last thing I’d ever want to do is imitate someone else. I can’t be someone else. I can only be me.
Why do you feel there is a lack of New Year-themed slashers?
I really don’t know. There have been a few and I’m sure there will be more. Holiday-themed horror films aren’t my aspiration. I think it can get a bit gimmicky to be honest. So what I was trying to do with Time’s Up was not make it a cheap gimmick film. Who needs that? Is there time in the world for that? I was always trying to sweep the New Year’s gimmick aside because it didn’t interest me. I succeeded in doing that to some extent, but I wasn’t the final say in everything.
What can you tell us about crafting the villain Father Time and their look?
I didn’t want the character to be rote. There were ideas thrown out early on to have him in a toga or some such nonsense. I hated that idea. I wanted to put him in a suit because I thought the idea of a scary old-man mask mixed with a very put-together-looking business suit would be visually interesting. It eventually became a tuxedo, which was perfectly fine. I guess in some ways I think in a comic book mindset. How would this look the best if it were drawn. I probably would’ve had a better time on the film had it been a graphic novel, but what’s past is past.
Can we expect some practical effects and gory kills?
All of the effects in Time’s Up are practical with the exception of one shot where the effects needed a bit of CGI help. I didn’t have any time to work with the effects artist before the shoot began. Had I, perhaps it would’ve been 100% practical. As it is, 99% practical isn’t too bad.
What has the transition been like for you from actor to director?
The older I get, the more in love with acting I become. As an actor, I’m there to facilitate the director’s vision. I’m not there to rewrite their script or direct their movie. I’m an instrument in the orchestra, playing my notes to the best of my ability. Having been both, I realize that the director has the hardest job and they’re also the one most vilified by those sitting on the sidelines. I’m the director’s friend. You tell me what you need and I’ll do my damnedest to pull it off for you. It’s your show, not mine, and that’s the way it should be.
Do you think this story has franchise potential?
Time’s Up does have sequel potential, but i’m not doing them. If the boards were cleared and it could be done right, then yes, maybe. But that’s not something I’m thinking about. I’d rather move on to other projects that don’t bring with them the three years of bad memories that film, unfortunately, provided me.
What can you tell us about your next project Watchdog?
Watchdog is the way I like to work! From the beginning, I was welcomed onto that project. I wrote it, did all the scheduling, watched the budget, hired the cast and crew I wanted to work with. I wasn’t slave to the whims of others. As a result, the film has become the first real L.C. Holt picture. I loved that cast and I loved that crew and they all mean a lot to me because I chose them and I trusted them. We had a great time. It’s exactly what I needed at this point in my creative life.
Watch the trailer for Time’s Up below –
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