We met Cullen Hoback in 2007 at the Cucalorus Festival, a quirky little indie film fest in North Carolina. We drank more than a few toasts to independent filmmaking, and saw his documentary feature, Monster Camp, the next morning. A window into the humble souls of a handful of devoted LARPers (Google it, or better yet, get the movie), it’s funny, strange, and totally captivating, and it goes well with a hangover. We’ve been friends ever since, so we were excited to hear about his new feature, FrICTION.

FrICTION – trailer

UC: Can you give us a little background on your new film?

CH: In the summer of 07′, I made an agreement with a private high school wherein I would teach film a couple hours a day if they would let me spend the rest of the time working on my own projects with my writing partner Jerome Schwartz. The arts program was struggling from a small number of students and a lack of structure. I had also noticed that the couple ‘running’ the program had a seemingly tenuous relationship; and both hadn’t grown out of the fame-craving phase. There were all of these resources available– food, lodging, transport, and a well of filmmaking equipment. So while driving in a short bus to pick up Jerome from the airport, I was struck with a crazy idea. We would write parts for the real couple, using their real names, real goals, real motivations, but with a dark imaginary twist (a love triangle with a student). We would simultaneously document the effects of the filmmaking process on the actors.

When Jerome arrived I pitched him the crazy-arse idea of making a feature film in the next 17 days; from conception to completion. We had $100 budget, meaning we shot on used tapes, and fueled our 20-hour days with cafeteria coffee.

UC: The back-story to this film seems as important as the film itself. Why was that important to you and how are you using it to promote the film?

CH: Given the insanely compressed timeline, the lack of budget, and the fact that almost everyone had no acting experience, I knew this movie couldn’t look or feel like a Hollywood film.  That list of shortcomings totally informed what the project would be, and became the backstory… ie. don’t hide the weaknesses, show them.  And that’s where the idea of having people play versions of themselves came from, which then evolved into including additional meta layers (fake reality, and reality).  So there’s actually three layers that all intersect; scripted, fourthwall (fake reality), and real.  Given the glut of films out there right now, making a movie that feels totally different where we apply this “fourthwall” technique hopefully helps it stand out.  Plus, what happened to everyone involved in the project because of the fourthwall technique is probably the key selling point of the film.

UC: Is your goal to seek traditional distribution for the film or are you going to go an equally non traditional route?

CH: There have been companies that have created film line-ups and toured before.  They were almost like mini traveling festivals.  This film has already been an experiment in so many ways, we figured, why not try a new method of presenting the film?  My hope is that the interactive experience of being able to both ask questions about the film and then connect with other audience members over drinks…will be an exciting and engaging experience. And like with the ever-evolving production process of FrICTION, I expect that both the tour and ways in which we connect with movie-goers will shift and re-form based on feedback.

UC: What are you working on next?

CH: While I’ve enjoyed the independent film world, the market has shifted.  I’m also interested in connecting with a broader audience.  So I’ve begun talks, and I’m at work on the script for next film. Without giving the plot away, it definitely won’t cost under $100, but the style will be similar.  Perhaps a little more refined and a bit more exciting (with some familiar faces).  I can’t wait to get started.