Nicholas Tana – Hell’s Kitty

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m currently writing a script called Hillbillies vs. Alien Chickens. It’s sort of a Sci-Fi action comedy. However, I’m considering what it might look like now as a TV series vs. just a feature. I’m also in early development on the Hell’s Kitty musical, and pitching a few other TV show ideas, as well as a documentary series. I’m in discussions with the horror writer Mort Castle about turning his book The Strangers into a TV series now, too. I guess you can say, I’m keeping busy.

Q) Please tell us the premise for Hell’s Kitty and about your character Nick.

A) It’s about a Hollywood writer (who looks strikingly similar to me by the way) whose cat is possessed and very possessive of him. As women slowly start violently disappearing from his life (also strikingly similar), his best friend and neighbor suspects it has to do with his cat, who he believes is possessed by an evil spirit. Nick is in denial of this, until the supernatural signs become increasingly obvious and finally he is forced to exorcise his cat. When that fails, he has to seek the help of a medium and soon all hell breaks lose, literally. There is a subplot buddy story between Nick and his best friend and neighbour Adam (Adam Rucho), as well as a love interest in a woman Nick hires as a cat therapist by the name of Ms. Strodes (Nina Kate). And there’s even an extra villain played by a vindictive, evilish ex-girlfriend named Lise Graves (Lise Younger). There’s a lot of shit going on!

Q) As the writer of this film, how did you come up with the premise?

A) It’s very much based on my real life. The central premise being that my real cat really named Angel was very possessive of me when I’d bring romantic dates home; she often acted in ways that made her seem to be really possessed. My real neighbor Adam, my real cat Angel and a real girl (as opposed to a fake one) I dated a few times (who really is an actress named Lise) are really in the movie. I suppose it’s a melange of my life story mixed with what I’d like my life to be, as iconic horror actors come in and out making appearances throughout as well.

Q) How involved were you in the casting of the movie?

A) I pretty much served as casting director, too. As I mentioned, most of the lead characters were real people in my life or horror icons I grew up watching and wanted to work. I really liked the idea of allowing horror icons to play in something comedic, instead of typical horror. As a director, I wanted to be able to peel that banana and show a completely different side.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) I suppose the day at the cemetery when I had what felt like fifty scream queens on the bus with myself and my cat. It was pretty surreal. I felt like I had invaded an evil sorority party. I also love getting beaten up by Nina Hartley. That was pretty fun. And getting scared by Michael Berryman and watching Doug Jones and Bill Oberst, Jr. try to exorcise my cat; a threesome gone bad with Barbara Nedeljakova from Hostel and Ashley C. Williams from The Human Centipede. Well, that was truly a moment. And then there was seeing Courtney Gains as an adult running through my cornfield laden hallway with suspenders with a corn stork hanging from his ass. Then again, Dale Midkiff in high heels? Hmm.

Q) You were writer/director/star of the film. Did you learn anything from having to balance all three hats at once?

A) Yes, don’t try this at home kids without doctor’s written approval. Honestly, I only acted and directed in the same project because it was ultra-low budget and because my cat would have torn someone else’s head of had the protagonist not been me. As for directing, I had the vision. I knew the world. Nobody else was going to be able to tell this story the way I wanted to tell it. The same goes for writing it. Although I find writing and directing to go hand-in-hand, in many ways, and acting and writing in the same project a bit easier, this is not the case for acting and directing. In some ways, this can be a real conflict of interest.

Q) You are often involved in supernatural/sci-fi/thriller projects. What is it about this genre that draws you to it?

A) I think it’s the ability to break the rules of our universe as we know it. You can really use your imagination to create a magical, alternative reality. In this way, the genre becomes a form of escape. It’s like playing God, I suppose. You can make up your own world and you’re not limited to the rules of this one. I think my brain imagines this stuff, too, like it’s real anyway. I have a really good ability to suspend disbelief and a hyper optimism that makes me believe on some fundamental level that anything is possible. Thinking in this way can also be very scary. If you have a headache, it may very well be an alien that has somehow infiltrated your skull.

Q) What do you think it is about Hell’s Kitty that will make it a fast fan favourite film?

A) I’m hoping it’s the sheer originality of it coupled with the insider gags, powerful cameos and topsy turvy absurdity of the story. I mean on the surface, we’re talking about a cat that is possessed by someone from this writer’s past and a writer whose life has been turned into a living hell. On another level, we’re dealing with the frustrated artist story; only this guy’s life has become his muse and so it’s both a gift and a curse. I think life is both a gift and a curse. So, in short, Hell’s Kitty is a story about life. How’s that for imaginative metaphor? Besides, it’s got cats, comedy, horror cameos and a bad ass soundtrack comprised of original music (a large part thanks to Richard Albert) that spans from punk rock roots, to cheesy love songs, to an uncanny fusion of Danny Elfman-like score and those Meow Mix commercials from the 70s. Unless you’re looking for some predictable formulaic, boring, bloody horror movie (in which case, you’ll probably be very disappointed), what isn’t there in it to make it a fan favorite?

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to your projects?

A) I do and I don’t. It can become all consuming. I don’t want to be on social media all the time. When I’m on social media I’m not writing and I’m not creating new stories and I’m not reading novels or short stories or writing or playing music or making love or eating good food (Ok, sometimes I eat while I’m on social media, but then I’m sort of ruining the experience). I do like being able to connect with people and I’m a fan of instant gratification; it’s very addictive. I guess you can say I have a love/hate with it all. It’s great for spreading the word about new projects though.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about Hell’s Kitty?

A) Yes, keep an open mind. Let your preconceived notions go as to what a movie has to be or doesn’t have to be and treat it like a rollercoaster, only keep your eyes open the whole time. In fact, watch it like it was the last thing you’d do on earth and like every twist and turn, every sordid blood splattered clue mattered, much like a detective investigating a crime. Then and only then, maybe, you’ll see what I was trying to do with it. At the same time, don’t take me, it or yourself too seriously. That shit leads to wars and suicide!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I’d say: meow.