| Interview with Roger A. Scheck Writer, Director, Producer of Nobody Loves Alice By: Blissfulviolet |
Written and directed by newcomer, Roger A. Scheck- 'Nobody loves Alice,' takes you on a bizarre journey into the world of a young, beautiful, shy and witty woman who would do anything to feel loved, even kill. Scheck gave us all the details on his feature film. Nobody Love Alice, everywhere June 24th. |
Blissfulviolet: Hello Roger thanks for taking the time to talk with us. The DVD release date for your
debut film, 'Nobody Loves Alice' is coming up; excited?
debut film, 'Nobody Loves Alice' is coming up; excited?
Roger: I am beyond ecstatic. It’s been a long process and it’s incredible to see all the work paying off.
Blissfulviolet: Before we get more into detail about your film, tell us more about yourself.
Roger: I was born and raised in Russell Kansas. In the fifth grade my
father’s job relocated us to McAlester Oklahoma. As a child I always had
an interest in art. I began drawing at a very young age and eventually
took every available art class in high school. My senior year I was
accepted into the AP photography course at McAlester High School. That’
s where my love of film really began. After seeing my still photos a friend
of mine introduced me to the idea of making movies. I sucked up every
single piece of information on film that I could find. I actually failed my Pre-
Calculus class because I was reading film books instead of studying. My
teacher passed me just because he liked me. It was about this time my
friend introduced me to the film True Romance. I think the first night I saw
the film I watched it 4 times back to back. I had no idea how to create
something like that. Shortly after that the same friend gave me a copy of
The Last House on the Left. Again I watched that movie several times
back to back. I realized something that night…I saw True Romance and
said to myself, “I have to do this!”…I saw The Last House on the Left and
said to myself "I can do this!” So I set out to make my first short film and
never stopped.
father’s job relocated us to McAlester Oklahoma. As a child I always had
an interest in art. I began drawing at a very young age and eventually
took every available art class in high school. My senior year I was
accepted into the AP photography course at McAlester High School. That’
s where my love of film really began. After seeing my still photos a friend
of mine introduced me to the idea of making movies. I sucked up every
single piece of information on film that I could find. I actually failed my Pre-
Calculus class because I was reading film books instead of studying. My
teacher passed me just because he liked me. It was about this time my
friend introduced me to the film True Romance. I think the first night I saw
the film I watched it 4 times back to back. I had no idea how to create
something like that. Shortly after that the same friend gave me a copy of
The Last House on the Left. Again I watched that movie several times
back to back. I realized something that night…I saw True Romance and
said to myself, “I have to do this!”…I saw The Last House on the Left and
said to myself "I can do this!” So I set out to make my first short film and
never stopped.
Blissfulviolet: Name some of your favorite movies and directors.
Roger: I really like a wide range of movies and Directors. By far my favorite movie is True Romance
and my favorite director is Quentin Tarantino. However, I love the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Original),
The Hills Have Eyes (Original), Pulp Fiction, A Clock Work Orange, El Mariachi, The Devils Rejects,
Anything by Hitchcock, Fight Club, Some Like It Hot, Audition, Old Boy, Leon the Professional, Directors I
like also include Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch, Rob Zombie, Robert Rodriguez, David Fincher, Jack Hill,
Hitchcock, Tim Burton, Takashi Miike, Wes Craven, Chan-wook Park, Kevin Smith, John Carpenter, Neil
Labut...eI could go on for days.
and my favorite director is Quentin Tarantino. However, I love the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Original),
The Hills Have Eyes (Original), Pulp Fiction, A Clock Work Orange, El Mariachi, The Devils Rejects,
Anything by Hitchcock, Fight Club, Some Like It Hot, Audition, Old Boy, Leon the Professional, Directors I
like also include Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch, Rob Zombie, Robert Rodriguez, David Fincher, Jack Hill,
Hitchcock, Tim Burton, Takashi Miike, Wes Craven, Chan-wook Park, Kevin Smith, John Carpenter, Neil
Labut...eI could go on for days.
Blissfulviolet: Describe Nobody Love Alice using one word.
Roger: Intense.
Blissfulviolet: Alice's character is very shocking and it was interesting to see a psychological horror
film with a woman as the main character for a change. How did you come up with the synopsis for her
character?
film with a woman as the main character for a change. How did you come up with the synopsis for her
character?
Roger: I am Alice to the 100th power. So, she really comes from feeling and emotion I have
experienced in relationships.
experienced in relationships.
Blissfulviolet: You must also be interested in psychology and serial killers...
Roger: I have always been interested in the human mind. Had I chosen a “legitimate” profession it
would have been an FBI profiler for serial killers or a Criminal Psychologist of some type. As a child I
was obsessed with serial killers and probably worried my parents a good deal. It fascinates me to see
what depravities a human being is capable of and why.
would have been an FBI profiler for serial killers or a Criminal Psychologist of some type. As a child I
was obsessed with serial killers and probably worried my parents a good deal. It fascinates me to see
what depravities a human being is capable of and why.
Blissfulviolet: Is there a particular serial killer that just boggles your mind?
Roger: Albert Fish. He was the most extreme case of human depravity I have ever come across. Albert
Fish was a Sadomasochistic pedophile and a cannibal. He was also the only man to short out the
eclectic chair. He would shove needles into his pelvic area and leave them there. To me he’s just
fascinating because he was real and before they could blame it on movies and video games. I can’t write
anything as scary as Albert Fish…at least not to me.
Fish was a Sadomasochistic pedophile and a cannibal. He was also the only man to short out the
eclectic chair. He would shove needles into his pelvic area and leave them there. To me he’s just
fascinating because he was real and before they could blame it on movies and video games. I can’t write
anything as scary as Albert Fish…at least not to me.
Blissfulviolet: He was definitely a real-life character. Speaking of yours, Would you say there is a
little bit of Alice in all of us?
little bit of Alice in all of us?
Roger: Definitely. I think that’s why we have
received so much support. People get the feeling of
unrequited love. The big difference between most
people and Alice is that we have a moral compass
that says don’t kidnap the one you love and try to
force them to love you. She doesn’t.
received so much support. People get the feeling of
unrequited love. The big difference between most
people and Alice is that we have a moral compass
that says don’t kidnap the one you love and try to
force them to love you. She doesn’t.
Blissfulviolet: Do you feel that women should be
given more lead roles when it comes to horror films?
given more lead roles when it comes to horror films?
Roger: I would love to see more smart writing for
woman in horror. It’s so easy to put a big-breasted
blond in a tight shirt and kill her off. It is so much
woman in horror. It’s so easy to put a big-breasted
blond in a tight shirt and kill her off. It is so much
Blissfulviolet: Was there a certain method or inspirational outline used to get actors into their roles?
Roger: Someone once told me that you make three films; the one you write, the one you shoot, and the
one you cut. I have learned that some of the best ideas in a film can come from the most unexpected
places, so I like to give my actors a lot of freedom. I love to see what they bring to the character. Making
a movie is an evolutionary process, for me, so I have an initial talk with my actors and actresses about
what I see in the characters but only after I ask them what they see in the characters. That’s why Alice is
such a great character, I let Nitzan play. She became Alice. I often just let the camera keep rolling, just to
see what she would do.
one you cut. I have learned that some of the best ideas in a film can come from the most unexpected
places, so I like to give my actors a lot of freedom. I love to see what they bring to the character. Making
a movie is an evolutionary process, for me, so I have an initial talk with my actors and actresses about
what I see in the characters but only after I ask them what they see in the characters. That’s why Alice is
such a great character, I let Nitzan play. She became Alice. I often just let the camera keep rolling, just to
see what she would do.
creepier to see a petite woman outwit a 200 pound man and then destroy him.
Blissfulviolet: Give us some information on Indie-Pictures group and what they currently have in store
for Nobody Love Alice?
for Nobody Love Alice?
Roger: Indie-Pictures was created as an alternative to the current distribution model which exists today.
A majority of existing theatrical and DVD distribution agreements for independent filmmakers today don’t
provide much in rewards for the filmmakers either in terms of profit or integrity. Basically they plan on
stealing your film from the first viewing. Indie-Pictures is committed to being the filmmaker’s distribution
company, a model of partnership that provides them with what they need to make their film successful
without giving up all their control or most of the profits. Todd Taylor, CEO is committed to making Indie-
Pictures a filmmakers distribution company. I’m involved in all the decisions regarding the film from DVD
cover to what film festivals we should apply for and even being there during conventions we attend.
Plus, if I ever need to ask a question he’s right there I don’t have to chase him down. He doesn't avoid
me. When Todd takes on a film it's his baby and he puts all of his and his staff’s energy into the project.
Indie Picture is, in my opinion the greatest thing to happen to independent filmmakers in many years.
A majority of existing theatrical and DVD distribution agreements for independent filmmakers today don’t
provide much in rewards for the filmmakers either in terms of profit or integrity. Basically they plan on
stealing your film from the first viewing. Indie-Pictures is committed to being the filmmaker’s distribution
company, a model of partnership that provides them with what they need to make their film successful
without giving up all their control or most of the profits. Todd Taylor, CEO is committed to making Indie-
Pictures a filmmakers distribution company. I’m involved in all the decisions regarding the film from DVD
cover to what film festivals we should apply for and even being there during conventions we attend.
Plus, if I ever need to ask a question he’s right there I don’t have to chase him down. He doesn't avoid
me. When Todd takes on a film it's his baby and he puts all of his and his staff’s energy into the project.
Indie Picture is, in my opinion the greatest thing to happen to independent filmmakers in many years.
Blissfulviolet: How did the inspiration or story to create Nobody Loves Alice come to you? Is this story
personal to you in any way?
personal to you in any way?
Roger: Nobody Loves Alice is by far my most personal project yet. Everything in this film is from a
relationship I had or saw, or an emotion I expressed or withheld. I am Alice, in so many ways. Have you
ever loved someone that didn’t love you back, and all you want to do is grab and shake them
screaming,”WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME!”
relationship I had or saw, or an emotion I expressed or withheld. I am Alice, in so many ways. Have you
ever loved someone that didn’t love you back, and all you want to do is grab and shake them
screaming,”WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME!”
I wrote four feature films before Nobody Loves Alice. All
of which were Male leads with big budgets. So, I knew
three things going into the creation of Nobody loves
Alice; I had to write a female lead, I had to write a love
story, and horror sells. I spend several months trying to
come up with an idea encompassing those three
elements. I was waiting tables at a restaurant in North
Carolina when one night my boss answered the phone.
The woman on the other end claimed that she had been
in earlier that day and my boss was so cute
of which were Male leads with big budgets. So, I knew
three things going into the creation of Nobody loves
Alice; I had to write a female lead, I had to write a love
story, and horror sells. I spend several months trying to
come up with an idea encompassing those three
elements. I was waiting tables at a restaurant in North
Carolina when one night my boss answered the phone.
The woman on the other end claimed that she had been
in earlier that day and my boss was so cute
Blissfulviolet: There are a few musical tracks that help convey the eerie and suspenseful scenes
throughout the movie. Can you tell us about the films score and how you feel it relates or creates an
added effect?
throughout the movie. Can you tell us about the films score and how you feel it relates or creates an
added effect?
Roger: I went to high school with the composer, Benjamin Miller. I knew that if I ever did make a movie I
wanted to have him score it. He is a musical genius. He can pick up any instrument and play it well. For
me the Alice lives in a twisted fairy tale. I knew that I wanted something childlike and creepy. I gave him
complete control on everything else, and he delivered huge. I love the music in Nobody loves Alice. I was
floored when he sent me the disc.
wanted to have him score it. He is a musical genius. He can pick up any instrument and play it well. For
me the Alice lives in a twisted fairy tale. I knew that I wanted something childlike and creepy. I gave him
complete control on everything else, and he delivered huge. I love the music in Nobody loves Alice. I was
floored when he sent me the disc.
Blissfulviolet: Considering that Nobody Loves Alice is your first feature film, are you pleased and
content with the final product? Is there anything you would have done differently if you could go back
and change a few things?
content with the final product? Is there anything you would have done differently if you could go back
and change a few things?
Roger: I am very pleased with the film. However it’s hard for me to see past the flaws in the movie, most
of which only I see. I think there is always room for improvement. I would do so many things differently if I
could change it. At some point you have to let go and move onto the next project. I do have to say, that
despite the immense amount that I learned while attending the North Carolina School of the Arts, it was
nothing compared to what I learned making my first feature.
of which only I see. I think there is always room for improvement. I would do so many things differently if I
could change it. At some point you have to let go and move onto the next project. I do have to say, that
despite the immense amount that I learned while attending the North Carolina School of the Arts, it was
nothing compared to what I learned making my first feature.
Blissfulviolet: Production is a huge factor when creating a film. Can you give us some background
info on the budget, equipment used and location for the scenes?
info on the budget, equipment used and location for the scenes?
Roger: It was a micro budget paid for with student loans and credit cards. We shot on the XL2 with
minimal light, because we didn’t have lights. My Cinematographer, Dave Martin, was amazing. We knew
we didn’t have lights except for the ones we built, along with china balls, so we spent a good deal of time
shooting tests and then manipulating the footage in Final Cut Pro. I came across these film look filters
from nattress. com. Final Cut and the Nattress filters are some of the greatest tools available to this
generation of digital filmmakers. As far as location, I took Robert Rodriguez’s advice in Rebel Without a
Crew. He had a turtle and a town and he made a movie about it. So I looked at my resources and then
wrote a movie around them. My father-in-law had an office building and a factory so we shot there. I
worked in a restaurant so we shot there. My apartment was Abigail’s apartment. My cinematographer
actually moved into his parents’ house so we could transform his place into Alice’s Apartment. The
movie was shot in 12 days over winter break.
minimal light, because we didn’t have lights. My Cinematographer, Dave Martin, was amazing. We knew
we didn’t have lights except for the ones we built, along with china balls, so we spent a good deal of time
shooting tests and then manipulating the footage in Final Cut Pro. I came across these film look filters
from nattress. com. Final Cut and the Nattress filters are some of the greatest tools available to this
generation of digital filmmakers. As far as location, I took Robert Rodriguez’s advice in Rebel Without a
Crew. He had a turtle and a town and he made a movie about it. So I looked at my resources and then
wrote a movie around them. My father-in-law had an office building and a factory so we shot there. I
worked in a restaurant so we shot there. My apartment was Abigail’s apartment. My cinematographer
actually moved into his parents’ house so we could transform his place into Alice’s Apartment. The
movie was shot in 12 days over winter break.
Blissfulviolet: What would you like viewers to gain or experience after watching Nobody Loves Alice?
Roger: I hope that people will identify with Alice. I feel the biggest challenge of a writer, at least at this
point in my career, is to create a bad guy that you want to live. I think a lot of people get Alice. She is a
very human character and relatable on so many levels.
point in my career, is to create a bad guy that you want to live. I think a lot of people get Alice. She is a
very human character and relatable on so many levels.
Blissfulviolet: Many have been finding Nobody Loves Alice fascinating, so I have to ask...what's next?
Do you have any other projects in store for us?
Do you have any other projects in store for us?
Roger: I have so many projects on the horizon. There are two more installments of Nobody Loves Alice
that we are trying to fund, along with three other horror/sci-fi films. My work will all be very remnant of the
late seventies horror films and deal with the twisted capabilities of the human mind.
that we are trying to fund, along with three other horror/sci-fi films. My work will all be very remnant of the
late seventies horror films and deal with the twisted capabilities of the human mind.
Blissfulviolet: Leave us with a final thought or quote
Roger: If you like Nobody Loves Alice, you haven’t seen anything yet!
and sweet she had to meet him again. Being the manager of the restaurant he had to be hospitable so
he told her that she should come in again and have dinner on him, but he had a girlfriend. After he hung
up the phone he looked to me what had happened. Not two minutes later the phone rang again and it
was his girlfriend. She said she was just testing to see if he would cheat on him. Then and there it hit me
like a ton of brick, this is Alice’s story.
he told her that she should come in again and have dinner on him, but he had a girlfriend. After he hung
up the phone he looked to me what had happened. Not two minutes later the phone rang again and it
was his girlfriend. She said she was just testing to see if he would cheat on him. Then and there it hit me
like a ton of brick, this is Alice’s story.