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BLACK PUMPKIN
We have been tipped off that there is an exciting new thriller that is due to be released on Halloween 2020 directed by Ryan McGonagle called ‘Black Pumpkin’.
“On October 31, 2018, two preteens in a small town, accidentally awaken an evil that has lain dormant for decades. They are forced to survive through a terrifying Halloween night of cat-and-mouse, from the monster known as “Bloody Bobby.”
We caught up with Ellie Patrikios the lead actress in this exciting new film to tell us more information without the spoilers!
Hi Ellie, it’s really nice to meet you. Please tell us about ‘Black Pumpkin’ in your own words:
The film’s history goes back to 1988 in Fall Creek Valley. The town is turned upside down by the disappearance of 10 year-old Bobby Maxwell who disappeared the night of Halloween, and twenty years later, he seeks revenge on his tormentors, marking Halloween his day of ‘Purge’. The house that was once Bobby Maxwell’s childhood home now belongs to the Peterson family (my family in the film)… so of course with that and (in the film) with Halloween coming up what, “next week?” Next week!! Who knows what could happen?!
Scary thought…
BLACK PUMPKIN
Who do you play in the film?
I play teenage tomboy Laurie Peterson.
Tell us about that character:
Laurie’s is a 17 year old American teenager who lives with her Mum, a Medical Nurse, and her two siblings Regan and Elliot. Laurie’s popular amongst her friends at Fall Creek Valley High School, she’s in a tight clique; Britney (Jordyn Lucas – The Goldbergs), Phoebe (Malaak Hataab – Little Shrink, Meth Head) and Ashley (Alix Lane – An Act Of Love, TV Series – Guidance) dating school hottie Flash played by (MTV’s Wild ‘N Out) Matt Rife, but also has a high school nemesis, Karolyi Osbourn played by Brittany Belt (Mother’s Day, Without A Trace, The Ex List) who used to be her old best friend.
What was it like playing somebody much younger than yourself?
Thankfully, I am still yet to outgrow my face. I can’t deny the fact it did take some work to convince the producers that I was able to play this role. Their main concern was my British Accent, and that this character was a US teenager. I’ve never worked so hard, so quickly, because I wanted this role so much.
How do you relate to Laurie Peterson’s character?
Not too long ago, I was also once a teenager, and I still remember the days being moody, emotional, and so upset about simple things -like not being able to attend some high school party. If that were to happen now, I would probably just be like “Ok” and carry on with the day.
So when finding how to relate to Laurie Peterson, it was simply to relocate me 7 years ago, but also the main focus was to fully take in my environment. This was never a challenge to do, because the set design, SFX, makeup, and wardrobe was always so well thought out and engineered to create a believable environment.
Where was ‘Black Pumpkin’ filmed?
A lot of it was filmed in Reseda CA, the high school scenes were filmed in San Pedro we filmed in the forest, and we also used a lot of neighborhood streets for driving and walking shots.
What was is like working with the director?
Working with Ryan McGonagle was awesome, he is big teddy bear family man, and very approachable –he made me feel part of the film and the moment instantaneously. It’s pretty much because of him, that I listened to The Eagles almost daily, from the set to this day.
I remember him telling me “Ellie, no to The Beatles and yes to the Eagles!” -as he was doing his best to keep my US accent consistent.
How did you get on with the rest of the cast?
It was like family, from the cast to the crew! Every day walking on set, hugging and greeting every one, commenting on their wild t-shirts (the crew always had the best t-shirts!!!) to being handed a coffee and taken to the Make-Up room where make-up artist Hannah Sherer would do her thing -and we’d be singing, catching up on life, to getting ready with costume designer Jacob Kosarian where I would give him new daily continuity challenges he would harness with love and wit (my character has a lot of action, so wardrobe sometimes would get dismantled, especially fishnet tights!).
Producer Shaeda Moghaddam became my second mother. She provided so much care and attention for all the cast and crew, catering the most delicious Persian food for us! It was a real treat, and a joy to sit outside with all the cast and crew each day to enjoy it.
I absolutely adore my ‘film family’, Tasha Dixon as my Mum, Gemma Allen as my little sister and Dogen Eyeler as my younger brother. It was so easy and believable having them as my family, we had so much fun filming together, and in a weird way, it felt like I still had siblings when we wrapped.
The environment was always fun, we had Grayson Throne Kilpatrick and his rubix cube that he could figure before I could blink my eyes playing Pork Chops, who in the film you’ll see is always at the Peterson’s house with Elliot, plotting, planning -who knows! I remember how excited I was to get to set each day, and how I cried my eyes out when we wrapped filming. I still connect with the cast and crew to date and love them very much.
Can you tell us what happens to Laurie’s character?
Laurie has to stay at home and babysit her brother and sister on Halloween, as Mum has to take on a longer shift at the hospital. The good news is, while Regan and Elliot are trick or treating with Pork Chops, I have the house to myself and can finally have Flash over for some undisturbed alone-time.
(Cliffhanger)
When will the film be released?
I have a spooking suspicion it’s going to be released Halloween 2020, but I’m not 100% sure.
Will there be a sequel? (You can say it’s part of a trilogy)!
It has been rumored as of now that there will be a sequel, ‘Black Pumpkin 2: Bloodline’. I did read the director’s treatment and my jaw-dropped! It’s too good of a storyline, with multi character driver narrative, drawing two into one into an epic conquest.
Have you been cast to play in the sequel?
Yes (smiling) it is rumored!
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us Ellie and best of luck with everything!
Thank you as well!
Below are some links for the film:
BLACK PUMPKIN IMBD
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4180532/
OFFICIAL TRAILER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D00lLmlHhps
FACEBOOK :
https://www.facebook.com/BloodyBobby2/
MOVIE DATABASE ; Synopsis
https://hellhorror.com/movies-6502/Black-Pumpkin.html
BLOODY BOBBY IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3161254/
Watch Ellie Patrikios’s show reel below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjgMOA0nsN8
Harper Harrison is a reporter for The Hear UP. Harper got an internship at the NPR and worked as a reporter and producer. harper has also worked as a reporter for the Medium. Harper covers health and science for The Hear UP.