Horror movie Talk to Me created a buzz at San Diego Comic-Con, even though the cast was unable to attend due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The panel, led by filmmaking twins Danny and Michael Philippou, was filled with lively discussion and valuable insights about the movie and their filmmaking journey.
Danny and Michael Philippou gained a massive following on YouTube, where they created action horror comedy videos before making the leap to feature films. Talk to Me, which they made independently, became a sensation at Sundance before being picked up by A24. The supernatural horror movie, which follows the story of teens dealing with a possession gone wrong, is set to be released on July 28.
During the panel, the brothers emphasized their passion for filmmaking, stating that their goal was always to make feature films. They recounted the challenges they faced while making Talk to Me, including a time crunch that forced them to condense the shooting schedule from eight weeks to five. To ensure shots were completed on time, they even had to create their own visual effects company. Additionally, they turned down a studio offer to maintain creative control over the project.
One surprising revelation was the risk they took in casting relative newcomer Sophie Wilde as the lead in Talk to Me. Despite not being a well-known name, they believed in her talent and ended up investing a million dollars of their own fees to secure her role. Their producer also made a similar sacrifice, demonstrating their dedication to the project.
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The Philippou twins also discussed their love for practical effects over CGI and the exciting encounter they had with legendary video game designer Hideo Kojima. They shared a hilarious anecdote about shooting a challenging montage sequence within a two-hour time frame. Against all odds, they managed to complete all 50 setups, proving their determination and creativity.
Throughout the panel, the brothers expressed their belief that being YouTubers shouldn’t limit their ability to work in other mediums. They emphasized that if you’re a storyteller at heart, it doesn’t matter what platform you use – TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, or Instagram – as long as you are serious about making films, you can achieve your goals.
In conclusion, the Talk to Me panel at San Diego Comic-Con showcased the passion, perseverance, and creativity of the Philippou twins. Despite the absence of the cast, the panel was entertaining and informative, leaving the audience with smiles on their faces. The movie’s independent journey and the sacrifices made by the filmmakers to maintain creative control were inspiring. With its release on July 28, Talk to Me is bound to make waves in the horror genre, thanks to the vision and talent of the Philippou brothers.
