Greg Sestero – The Christmas Tapes

By starrymag | January 13, 2023

By: Nmesoma Okechukwu

 

 

Q) What was your first thought when you were done reading The Christmas Tapesoutline for the first time? 

 

A) I’ve always loved Christmas movies. Growing up, I watched Home Alone on repeat during the holidays. When Robert [Livings] and Randy [Nundlall Jr.] presented me with the concept, I immediately thought how fun it would be to do a Christmas horror film. I especially loved the idea of my car breaking down on Christmas Eve, my phone being dead and this family taking me in.

 

Q) How was your character Geoff originally described to you and did you add anything to the role that wasn’t in that breakdown?

 

A) I had worked on a film previously with Rob and Randy called INFRARED. I surprised them with this Geoff character—who refers to himself as “the owner’s manual.” Weird, I know. But I pulled this inspiration from an eccentric cowboy rancher I met in Arizona. The whole experience was far too bizarre to not use in a creative way, so Geoff was born that way. This is now the holiday rendition of Geoff. The Christmas Manual.

 

Q) You obviously love being involved in the creative part of making a project, so did it feel close to real life when you were cast as this eccentric guy hellbent on making the best Christmas “classic” on The Christmas Tapes, especially since you actually wrote a sequel to the much-beloved family Christmas movie Home Alone when you were a kid?” 

 

A) When I was twelve years old, I wrote a sequel to Home Alone that was based in Disneyworld. I had a role for myself opposite Macaulay Culkin. I even sent the script to John Hughes. Sadly, the movie never got made. So, I used a bit of that teenage angst with Geoff that he wants to make the next great Christmas movie and how important originality is. It was kinda cathartic and fun in a way.

 

Q) What was your favorite improved line or scene from the film?

 

A) I’d have to go with “I used to take kickboxing, don’t make me use it.” The best part is I don’t even remember even saying it!

 

Q) What were some of your favorite or most challenging scenes to film?

 

A) We were able to capture all of Geoff’s scenes in an evening. Rob and Randy make it very efficient, so I had a blast with these scenes. I think force-feeding the dad cookies might be my favorite. Some of my friends and family saw that scene and said, “Wow! You’d make a good Ted Bundy!”

 

Q) What do you think it is about The Christmas Tapes that will make it a fast fan-favorite Christmas horror film?

 

A) I think the diversity of the tapes and how those scenes all tie in to Santa. And also—the fact that we all have a Geoff in our lives, even if we don’t know it.

 

Q) Your production company Sestero Pictures was involved in the making of the project. What are the upcoming projects you have been busy working on?

 

A) I wrote, directed and starred in a new horror movie about a cult called Miracle Valley. It’ll be released on streaming worldwide this year. I’m currently developing a U.F.O abduction movie called Forbidden Sky. It might be the most surreal project I’ve tackled to date.

 

Q) What advice would offer to those looking to get into filmmaking?

 

A) I think find a foundation of friends and collaborators and go out and make something. Filmmaking is way more fun when you have a team alongside you. There’s a brotherhood, a bond, that pushes you and keeps you grounded.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) Over the last twenty years, I’m indebted to fans around the world who have allowed me to take risks and try to make original content. I’m very grateful and I hope to continue to make films that will entertain and make people laugh.