We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eric Huskisson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Eric , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
When I was a young boy my father would always let me stay up late on Friday and Saturday nights to watch B-Horror movie shows. These shows were hosted by Elvira, Sammy Terry, and Svengoolie. My interest in the movies were the special F/X. I was fascinated how they made it all look so real. I made a make-up kit out of an old cigar box and would do make up F/X on friends and family members to scare their siblings and parents. Their wasn’t anything at the time in my hometown for me to use my F/X makeup so I quit practicing over time.
As I got into high school I tried my hand at theater and loved everything about it. I did some stage make up, built sets and acted in any play that was offered. There still wasn’t really any need for special F/X in my town, at the time, so I focused on the theater. It led me to Western Kentucky University where I majored in theater. College theater was such a different world to me that instead of flourishing I backed away. I still kept up with F/X with Fangoria magazine and watching horror movies whenever I could but put my artistic side on hiatus.
I never lost the desire to do plays or F/X but I always came up with an excuse not to pursue it. Several years later a friend of mine told me about an event at our public library called Unscripted created and hosted by PJ Starks. They showcased independent films and had a directors commentated showing following the first showing. It just so happened that the night he mentioned they were showing a couple of horror movies and having a costume contest. I made myself into a zombie and we went to check out the event. I came in 2nd at the contest and my makeup caught PJ’s eye and he came up after the event and he introduced himself. We talked for quite a while and had a lot in common including our humor so we exchanged numbers.
PJ called me about a month later and wanted me to transform into a zombie again and be in a video he was shooting for WBKR a local radio station. After the shoot, we talked and he invited me to Scarefest to help him run their film festival. During our trip to Scarefest, we became fast friends and he told me about a movie he was getting ready to work on called “Volumes of Blood” and I begged him to let me help. We worked well together on the film and the movie got some pretty good press and was well received. This prompted us to become partners and on December 15th, 2015 the production company Blood Moon Pictures was born. PJ and I have now completed 4 feature films and can’t wait to start our next production.
I have learned so much over the last 12 years working with PJ. He’s become a great friend and mentor through the process. Now that I’m producing, directing, and starting to write I wish I had never giving up on my dream. Not a day goes by that I don’t regret walking away from theater and doing F/X. There was a 20 year gap before I met PJ and now I wonder where I’d be if I had stuck with it through those years.
Eric , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been a fan of horror movies for as far back as I can remember. I was drawn to them due to the special effects. John Carpenter’s “Halloween” solidified my horror love and that has not changed. As I got older I realized I was a fan of most film genres but also theater and music. I actually had a dream of becoming an special effects artist, actor, or comedian since I was in my teens. I dabbled around with F/X at times and did a lot of creative writing in college but that all stalled soon after.
I never pursued a career in the arts and didn’t do anything in the world of creative arts until I met PJ Starks. He’s taught me how to make a movie from the ground up and I love every minute of it. Since working with him I’ve produced, directed, and written for film. We’ve made 4 feature films together and helped produce a few others Indie films as well. I also co-produced and wrote the lyrics for a song for our movie “New Fears Eve”. Beyond working with PJ I’ve also acted and had cameos in a couple of Indie films and was a featured extra on the show “Nashville”. Working with PJ has given me back the creative spark I had been missing. Outside of Blood Moon Pictures I’m presently writing a movie and have written a few more songs I hope to produce someday soon.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Society needs to realize that artists and creatives aren’t just in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. For example Hollywood isn’t the only place where movies are made. Indie films are made all over America and the world. Streaming has helped the Indie movie scene and Indie films are becoming more popular and main stream but they still need local support. Music, movies, and other arts are being made in your area by someone and a lot of them struggle to get there art completed and or seen due to the lack of funding and support.
People can use social media to search their area to find local artist looking for people to come see their show cases and or help financially. You can go see a locally made movie, visit an artists showcase from your area, go see a local band, or see a local play just to name a few. Going to the movies to see the next movie that has opened isn’t your only source of entertainment in your area. Go support your local artists!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I believe being able to see my work as a finished product and people’s reactions to what I’ve created is a reward in it’s self. It’s one thing to have a vision or creative idea but to able to see it through fruition is such a great experience. It’s doesn’t always work out getting projects finished and seen by yourself or your peers. I think getting your work seen, liked, and understood is the most rewarding aspect of any artist!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Bloodmoonpictures.com
- Instagram: Bloodmoonpictures15
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/BloodMoonPics
Image Credits
Photos by Brandon Scott Hanks of Blackbird images