Exclusive Interview: Richard Mansfield (The House on Mansfield Street)

Watch The House on Mansfield Street 1 & 2 on FOUND TV

https://foundtv.com/

What made you want to get involved in the film industry?

As a kid, I was obsessed with the Gerry Anderson 60s puppet TV series (Captain Scarlet and Thunderbirds) . I wanted to make my own puppet films so I experimented making weird short films that became creepy fairy tales. I got into horror as a teenager watching the amazing Friday the 13th movie series and Hammer Horrors and I just wanted to make my own horror movies.

From script–to–screen, how close did The House on Mansfield Street come to its original vision?

It’s pretty close and the same with the sequel, with found footage you run a scene and you pretty much have to pick the best take rather than being able to cut between different takes and shots with a traditional film. I always like it if my actors want to improvise any dialogue too.

What was your favorite day on set and why?

There were lots of great moments when filming both films we shot part 1 in 3 days so it was pretty full on getting everything filmed but Matt and Kathryn were fantastic, fun to work with and it was great they were both able to make cameos in part 2

What scene did you enjoy directing the most?

I love creating a creepy scene, usually with someone under a sheet or something like that. I love it when the bedding comes to life in part 1. It was fun to direct/create.

What is the biggest obstacle you faced while making The House on Mansfield Street?

The short filming schedule! It’s a real challenge to make a film in 3 days, I was able to do it with part 1 because there was just Matt on set for most of it. I was very lucky Matt was such a natural with the found footage format he made it easy. With part 2 we filmed for a luxurious 5 days which was essential for the larger cast.

What was your proudest moment during production?

To have created a movie (Part 1) that so many people have enjoyed in such a short space of time! I have to say I felt very proud at part 2’s premiere at our local theater. Most of the cast were able to make it and it was wonderful to be able to celebrate our achievement together

How do you get a film to stand out in the crowd in today’s landscape?

It’s tough and I’m not sure I’ve worked that out fully yet but with AVOD it seems to be a good poster! I think cultivating your own style is important in the long run as folks will come back to see what you’ve done next.

What other filmmakers inspire you to do what you do?

I love Anna Biller’s movies. Someday I want to make a 60s inspired horror that looks like The Love Witch and Viva. I’d love to make a 60s styled lesbian vampire movie with wigs and enormous lacey hats. Herk Hervey always inspires me, he made Carnival of Souls and I watch it multiple times a year. It really puts me in a creative mood. I’d say Robert Eggers is my favourite director at the moment, The Witch and The Lighthouse are just wonderful and I’m very excited to see Nosferatu.

What is your favorite horror decade and why?

I’m really into the 60s and 70s. I grew up taping Hammer Dracula and Frankenstein movies off late-night TV. Films like Alien, Don’t Look Now, Rosemary’s Baby, Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Blood on Satan’s Claw continue to inspire me to want to make my own films. I really enjoy folk horror and Found Footage is very suitable for stories about suburban occultism.

What is the next step in your filmmaking career?

I’m going back to making a shadow puppet animated short film based on The Judge’s House by Bram Stoker. It’s lovely to be making puppets again. Other than that there will be more Found Footage, I have about 5 scripts on the go for various ideas including Mansfield Street 3 and a mockumentary about a haunted theater so fingers crossed some of these come to life!