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Director, producer, and filmmaker Tory Jones took the time out of his busy schedule to talk to us at iHorror!
Jones is a passionate storyteller. He began his journey in 2009 with independent films, fueled by his passion for movies and the horror genre. He struck independent filmmaking gold with The Wicked One in 2016, winning him multiple awards. Four years later he followed it up with the sequel, Wicked Ones.
Now, with his experience, a bigger budget, and a killer cast, he is able to make the movie he always envisioned The Wicked One was to become without restrictions. The Boy from Below is Jones’ newest project currently making the film festival rounds and receiving rave reviews from horror fans.
iHorror: What have you learned from your experience making The Wicked One and Wicked Ones that helped you become the director you are today?
Tory Jones: When we were making the first Wicked One, it was so low budget, we were just trying to find creative ways to make it happen. We had no money so we slept on floors, none of us got paid, we had to borrow things and call in favors just to get it made. At the time, you see it as a struggle but I look back on that time so fondly now. It gave me life long friends, some that are practically family. We didn’t complain about not having money, we were just happy to be creating. Zero entitlement in what we were doing. The sequel had a little bit more money but it still was low budget. I think if I take away anything from those moments is to not despise the day of small beginnings. You have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run. Enjoy the process and always have gratitude for the opportunity to create.
iHorror: Looking back on filming, do you have a favorite scene during shooting?
Tory Jones: If we are talking about the original Wicked One, there’s so many to name. I just remember all the laughs and moments on set with that team. It was an absolute blast.
iHorror: What are the movies that have influenced your style?
Tory Jones: I have so many influences. One of those most informative things for me getting into film was studying a lot of Rob Zombie’s making of documentaries. Rob is an incredible director who allows his actors to really make a character their own. He said this is basically just words on paper, as long as we get the point across that’s what is important. I watched him be collaborative but I also watched him correct his cast and crew. “Sometimes departments need a kick in the ass. Not in a bad way, but in a healthy motivational sort of way” So I think Rob’s style and outlook on directing is there. I would say Rob Zombie, but I love old directors. I love Joe Dante and Lewis Teague to name a few.
iHorror: Why do you think there is currently a resurgence of the slasher genre?
Tory Jones: I look at things not just from a creative standpoint but also a business standpoint. You look at Hollywood and there’s less movies being made now, there’s a decline in productions. So we are entering into a time where pure horror fans who are making films for the right reasons have a chance to be the next Sean Cunningham, John Carpenter, Wes Craven. This is everyone’s opportunity to truly make something that has potential to take off and cross over into mainstream stream success. I think the decline in mainstream productions has opened the door for that.
iHorror: Do you remember your first horror movie as a child?
Tory Jones: I consumed so many horror films as a child but I can remember one of the first horror movies I saw was Cujo with Dee Wallace. So to be able to work with her in The Boy from Below and her become a friend I talk to often and have a relationship with now is so surreal. I’m very fortunate.
iHorror: Were your parents encouraging of your budding film career when you began?
Tory Jones: My parents definitely cultivated my love of movies. I consumed so many movies as a kid. So when I started making movies they were behind me 100%
iHorror: What do the memories of browsing video stores in your teenage years conjure up for you? And how did you translate this on screen when creating Video Vortex, the video store run by Sybil (Dee Wallace) and Quinn Curtis (Spooky Madison)?
Tory Jones: I would stand in video stores for hours at a time over examining all the horror titles I could, reading the back of the vhs boxes and just being entranced by the artwork. I can still smell those old mom and pop video stores and man, I miss that so much. I tried to emulate that with Vortex Video the best I could. We spent a lot of money on vhs shelves, hunted down vhs tapes across the state and beyond lol. The location we used was a store at a marina so we had to completely tear that down and redecorate it. It was cool to be back there in that environment.
iHorror: Given your love for horror films, should the audience be on the lookout for Easter eggs in The Boy from Below?
Tory Jones: The Boy from Below is packed full of Easter Eggs and references. Our characters are having discussions and conversations about horror movies throughout the film. My personal favorite is Dee Wallace’s character talking about “The Howling. A line I heard her say during a convention panel one time.
iHorror: Do you see some of yourself in the character of Quinn, the horror movie aficionado?
Tory Jones: I think in some ways Quinn and I are alike. She’s constantly discussing horror films and that’s why myself and Cheyenne Gordon (co-writer of The Wicked One) and other friends did and do. Horror is life. In other ways I think Quinn is an extension of Spooky Madison. She breathed life into that character and I credit her for adding so many layers to her.
iHorror: You’ve previously said The Boy from Below is the Wicked One movie you always wanted to make. What was your most anticipated addition to this movie you were able to bring to the screen with your bigger budget?
Tory Jones: I think me being able to cast icons who all meant something to me and were deeply rooted in the films that I loved. Like Dee Wallace, I don’t think there’s a female alive who can measure up to that woman’s Scream Queen status and the Directors she’s worked with. Academy award winning directors. Her resume is unmatched. And then Tommy Lee Wallace, who came up with the look for Michael Myers in Carpenters original. Worked on so many of John Carpenter’s films, directed Halloween 3 and directed the Stephen King’s IT mini-series with Tim Curry. That movie traumatized me as a kid and Halloween is like my favorite franchise. Felissa, Chaney, too. To think, I made that happen, I was able to pull that off still to this day blows my mind. Those are moments I won’t ever forget and actors whose work informed my love of the genre. It’s so surreal to me.
iHorror: When can we expect to see The Boy from Below?
Tory Jones: The Boy from Below is currently shopping distro offers and we’ve been submitting it into some festivals. Ultimately that will be up to the distro company we sign with. One thing is for sure, this movie deserves a good release and not just to be dumped on Amazon or Tubi. I’m hoping we make that happen. So I would say soon, very soon. We have our sights on some companies I’d like to work with, for sure. It’s all about what’s best for business.
iHorror: Thank you for chatting with us at iHorror! Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about The Boy from Below?
Tory Jones: Thank you for the opportunity to talk about the film! I think this movie is something to be proud of, I know those of us who have been working in this business for 15 years or beyond are super excited and ready to release it to the world!
Horror boys and girls, you can watch Tory Jones’ The Wicked One and The Wicked Ones on Amazon, Google Play, Fandango at Home, You Tube, and Apple TV. For those of us who still love physical media, you can buy the blu ray on Amazon!
Watch the trailer for The Boy from Below and let us know what you think!
