Hororr comedy can be a tricky mix to pull off, bur first-time director David Booher is giving it his best shot with new indie production Get Into the Spirit.
We caught up with the comic book writer turned director, to find out how he’s bringing the laughs and the screams to the screen.
Tell us how you got into comic book writing?
I’ve been writing for close to 20 years now. It’s almost exactly the same number of years I’ve been going to San Diego Comic Con. I never read capes and tights comics as a kid, but I walked around that jammed, aromatic convention hall and discovered comics are so much more than that. When I had my first comic pitch ready about ten years ago, I waltzed up to a publisher I loved and pitched them. That’s definitely not how you should do it. But I was young and naive and hopeful. Luckily, I’d gotten to know the publisher over the years as a fan. They laughed at me a little and published my first comic.
Tell us about the transition from comic book writer to now directing Get Into The Spirit?
I wouldn’t call it a transition necessarily. More like changing lanes on a highway. I started out writing feature scripts and I still write movies and television. Comics did give me the urge to direct, though. Since I can’t draw above a third-grade level, I’d always hand my scripts over to professional artists. They’re always gorgeous, but never quite what’s in my mind. So I said, “Brain, what the hell. Let’s try directing.” Lo and behold, this movie is as close as I’ve ever gotten to realizing my exact vision of a story. Kudos to the whole cast and crew for dragging this ghost comedy out from the chaos that is my head.
Where did the idea come from for the film?
This queer ghost story literally arose from the ashes of a wildfire. My husband and I lost our home and all our possessions in Altadena, California to the 2025 Eaton wildfire. We aren’t downers by nature, so we got back on our feet and rented an old Craftsman house in Los Angeles. It started life as a hunting lodge almost a hundred and fifty years ago. You know people died there at some point. I spent the first night there alone. I felt something was curious about my presence. The feeling was mutual. Bam—so begins our story about a married couple and the very unusual ghost haunting their home.
Do you find that comedy and horror are hard to balance in film?
Comedy in horror has to spring from the characters. How will they react when something creepy happens? Get Into the Spirit was always going to be funny. What’s scary is thinking about what we’d do if we were in the same situation.
Why do you think we need more fun and spooky films in our lives?
Everything in the world feels like it’s dialled up to an eleven all the time. A really good movie that mixes comedy and horror takes us on an emotional ride. We get to laugh, shudder, cringe, worry, scream, cheer, cry, and let out a sigh of relief at the end. When was the last time we got to do that in real life (election night doesn’t count)?
What was the experience of directing like?
I freakin’ loved it. It was a one-day shoot. The cast and crew were locked in. We became a well-oiled machine having a great time doing what we love. 10/10. Would recommend.
What can you tell us about the cast for the film?
I’ve been friends with Adam Huss and Adam Bucci for a long time. They’re also married to each other in a real life. When I came up with the idea for Get Into the Spirit, I immediately thought of them to play the married couple. Early drafts actually name the characters Adam H. and Adam B. They were incredible to work with. I don’t think GITS would have happened without them.
What are the plans for releasing Get Into the Spirit?
Once we finish post-production, we’ll hit the festival circuit. We’ve been talking with some festivals for a premiere. After that, I’d love to partner with a horror streamer to bring it to a wider audience.
Do you think you’ve got the bug now and plan on doing more directing?
Hell yes. This experience has been a dream. Huge thank you to my producer Nicholas Downs and executive producer Michael Varrati with his company June Gloom Productions for helping bring this story to the screen. I absolutely foresee writing and directing a cool, fun, funny indie horror feature sometime down the road, hopefully with this same group of extraordinary people.
Look out for more news on Get Into the Spirit soon…
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