With each passing week, FearMakers grace the homepage of We Are Indie Horror to tell their stories and get their works out into the world. From up and coming artists to well established entrepreneurs, these FearMakers work hard to reach the plateaus of success. This week we are featuring a FearMaker whose work has not only reached screens around the world, but have left him with a few local Emmy’s. Before we get into the works of Patrick Rea, let’s take a look at how he became who he is today.
Born in Schuyler, Nebraska, Patrick Rea was drawn in by the colorful horror covers in the video store. As a child in the 80’s, it was hard not to notice the Nightmare On Elm Street and Friday The 13th videos sitting on the shelves. Not being allowed to watch horror, this lust for the forbidden fruit grew from a small inclination to a full blown love of the genre. This admiration for the art of film followed Patrick through schooling until he graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in film and a minor in communications.
When it comes to making films, Patrick has a long list of credits, with many accomplishments. He began making short films back in 2002. He worked in collaboration with Ryan Jones and Josh Robison to create the company SenoReality Pictures. With this company, Patrick would go on to make several award winning films, including winning Fangoria’s Blood Drive, and being featured on Chiller TV. Rea’sstylized short films have screened in over a hundred film festivals around the world. In the summer of 2008, Rea‘s short film Woman’s Intuition won a Heartland Emmy Award. In 2009, Patrick was co-director on the Jake Johanssen, I Love You comedy special, which aired on Showtime throughout 2010. SenoReality Pictures won its second Heartland Emmy Award with their short Get Off My Porch. He has also been nominated for two Mid-America Emmy Awards.
Currently, Patrick Rea has several short films on the festival circuit, including Howl of a Good Timestarring Tamara Glynn and Leslie Easterbrook, Pillow Fright for Fun Size Horror: Volume Twocurrently on Hulu and Hoot for Eli Roth’s CryptTV. His short film film Do Not Disturb was featured in the The Invoking 2 which was released in the Redbox on Oct 6th, 2015 through Image Entertainment.
The first short from Patrick Rea that caught the attention of We Are Indie Horror was Pillow Fright. The short film stars Jessi Burkette, Jennifer Seward-DeRock, Jessica Logsdon, and Kristin Rea. Originally made for Fun Size Horror, the short film follows a sleepover full of girls who have a pillow fight. The problem is, the pillows decide to fight back. The short is fun, dark, and even though the villains are just simple pillows, there is just something so damning about them, it makes you wonder how many times these pillows have resulted to violence for some peace and quiet.
Patrick’s latest feature film, Nailbiter, won Best Director and/or Best Feature Film awards in several film festivals in 2012, including Shriekfest, Chicago Fear Fest, and AMC Theatres KC FilmFest. Nailbiter was released on May 28, 2013 through Lionsgate Home Entertainment on DVD/VOD and Digital Downloads. It has since aired on FearNet and the Chiller Network.
Rea‘s current feature, Enclosure which is executive produced by Warren Ostergard and Marcel Sarmiento and stars Fiona Dourif and Jake Busey, will be released in 2016.
Patrick Rea is a prolific, award-winning independent filmmaker recognized for his innovative storytelling and creative directing style in horror and suspense. Upon watching any of his various short and feature films, it becomes apparently quickly just how talented of a FearMaker Patrick can be. When it comes to making these films independently, there are always trials and tribulations, and Patrick knows just how to deal with that. While financing will always be the biggest issue when it comes to indie films, to Patrick, it’s all about the script and crew. “I always tell filmmakers, treat EVERYONE crewing with the utmost care. They are most likely not getting paid what they are worth, and therefore you should always give the crew respect and of course…food.“
“I tell people to spend a lot of time prepping your film whether its a feature or short film. Create shot lists, storyboards, rehearse with the actors before principal photography if possible. Try to get all of the kinks out before you set foot on set. Once the camera rolls you will have so many other things thrown at you that you don’t want to also be worried what your camera set ups are. I also stress to filmmakers to write something that they know they can do if they have a restrictive budget. If you don’t have the money for a car chase, don’t include one. “
As an independent filmmaker, Patrick Rea has managed to find success in several different ways. He has made several short films, many of which have screened at over one hundred festivals, as well as won several awards including local Emmy’s. He has also managed to continuously find work, constantly making something scary and awesome. A lot of Patrick’s works have found themselves gaining much attention, and that is because Patrick is hard working, frugal, smart, talented, and determined. He has, in every way, earned himself the title of FearMaker, and he wears it well. Be sure to check with the Menjivar Maniac later in the week for a full review on some of his films.
