This week we had the chance to sit down with The Dark and the Wicked producer, Adrienne Biddle. We talked about the making of the film and our feelings on the movie, but we ended up spending a good chunk of time discussing her path to becoming a film producer. Schooling, early grunt-jobs, relationship building, the whole thing. It was such an enlightening conversation because I’ve always wondered what a producer actually does.
But before we talk about The Dark and the Wicked
Indulge me for a little only somewhat relevant story. Back in 2008, I was at a wedding (with a date that wasn’t Rob) and it was kind of fancy shindig. The groom, was my then-boyfriend’s uncle. He was one of those guys who sometimes acted and sometimes bought and sold sports tickets and sometimes probably sold drugs (who knows).
I remember there was a “special guest” coming and everybody was being weird about ensuring this guy and his wife were getting the real VIP treatment. My job was to ensure my car was void of candy wrappers and random clothes (your car was gross when you were 25, too) and I needed to be on time to pick up them up from the airport. When I arrived at O’hare (probably late), he introduced himself as Stratton Leopold and his wife, as Mary. I had no idea who he was, but I was pretty confident he was a big deal with a name like Stratton Leopold (insert regal-sounding accent). Being the nosy person I am, I asked what he did for a living. He shared that he and his wife owned an ice cream shop in Savannah, GA and he did some work in Hollywood.
As it turns out, even all those years ago, I was still pretending to know about film.
Our conversation from there:
Me: “Ooooooh…. Hollywood, love it, what do you do in Hollywood?”
Stratton Leopold: “I work as a movie producer”
Me: “Oh yep, yep, HUGE movie lover… what movies?”
Stratton Leopold: “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen”
Me: “Hmmmm, must have missed that one”
Stratton Leopold: “The Sum of all fears”
Me: “Oh gosh, meant to catch that one…”
Stratton Leopold: “The Generals Daughter”
Me: “Ooooh the one with Nicholas Cage!”
Stratton Leopold: “No…Mission Impossible 3???”
Me: “…………………”
Stratton Leopold: “………………….”
Let’s fast forward to 2020 and our meeting with Adrienne Biddle
Knowing the goal of the interviewee is to promote their movie, we of course spent at least 3 minutes talking about The Dark and the Wicked. The truth is, when Rob dropped out of film school, it wasn’t because he didn’t love movies, but he just didn’t really see a path that he could be successful at. Through the years, and working in business roles, he’s probably said about 100-ish times, “I think I would be good at producing”. Supportively, I nod and say “hmm mmm, sounds great, you should totally do that” but really I’m thinking “dude, if this is you asking me to leverage our savings to make a movie the answer is N-O.”
All that said, we were both pretty eager to hear more about Adrienne’s role as a producer on The Dark and the Wicked, how she met Bryan Bertino and document every life choice she’s ever made, to get to where she is today.
The bad news for Rob is that apparently it takes a lot of consistent hard work, dedication and acceptance of less than glamorous responsibilities, as you work your way up the ladder. The good news is that the role lends itself to people who are workaholics and excellent planners, who like control.
So…we’ll see what the future holds.
About The Dark and The Wicked
On a secluded farm in a nondescript rural town, a father is terminally ill. His children (Marin Ireland and Michael Abbott, Jr.)come back to the farm to mourn. It doesn’t take long for super-creepy-weirdness to take place, marked by waking nightmares and a growing sense that something evil is taking over the family.
It’s grim and dark and freaky and weird. It’s also edgy and jumpy and there are some super cringeworthy scenes that you’ll probably think “oh heck no, they won’t…” and then they do. If you’re into grim horror, this may just be your bag!
Get your heebie-jeebie on – watch the trailer!
The Dark and the Wicked releases November 6th on VOD!
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