Macabre…ish Cults, Classics & Horrors Podcast guest Lowell Dean

Lowell Dean started making movies as a kid and so getting an education in film was a natural progression and he went into the film program at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan after returning from Calgary. He was so serious about filmmaking, he’d make three feature films before he went to film school. And the first film he was proud to show people was a zombie film called Doomed. It was the first film that wasn’t just done with friends, he funded it and it had a screening.

Lowell went from making $500 short films to his first publicly released feature, 13 Eerie, which cost millions to make. The story of how he got to direct 13 Eerie is a great story because he started on the crew as the Assistant Director but things happened and he got a bout of good luck. After being tossed in the deep end of his first feature, it was tough but he learned a lot. Thankfully. Because just one year after 13 Eerie was complete, he started writing Wolf Cop.

 
(Wolfcop)

It did make him question if he even wanted to make films though. And so he and some industry friends made a concept trailer for Wolf Cop. The plan was to raise what money they could get and make it, in a year. As luck would have it, Lowell entered the Candian Cinecoup Film Competition and won! This was in 2013 and part of the prize was the film would be released in major movie theaters, the next year.

(Another Wolfcop)

Lowell talks about the potential of a Wolf Cop franchise and how not easy it is to make a sequel. With all the problems of a singular feature, plus some. It took 2 years just to get the green light on the budget. Other than the budget, the concessions were a struggle. But he managed it in 17 days, just like the first one but with twice the action.

 
(Die Alone)

We talk about his film Dark Match, Die Alone and what he’s up to at the moment. This is another great interview, give it a listen and hear Lowell talk about the heartbreak and loneliness of writing, the highs of directing films he cares about and the grind of the time between movies.

Plus he tells us what the dream project would be, here’s a hint, it’s a sci fi trilogy…You’re gonna have to listen to this episode if you want more. And as usual, Lowell gives fledgling filmmakers advice at the end.

 
(Die Alone)

All of Lowell Dean’s films are streaming now, go watch them! And for all the media collectors most of his films have a physical release. Support indie film, Fam!

To listen to this episode click here and choose your preferred podcast provider. We are also on youtube!