Exclusive Interview: Director, Dale A Stelly (The Boatyard)

What made you want to get involved in the film industry?

When I was a kid I wanted to be on TV. I got on the Disney Channel at 12 years old and got bitten by the bug. As I grew older I studied Film and TV at CSUDH and started my career at 19 years old on a music video set learning all aspects of real life film productions. Now I’m here 28 years later with over 30 feature films under my belt as a director and producer.

From script–to–screen, how close did THE BOATYARD come to its original vision?

I shot the movie based on how it was written. We didn’t miss any shots or scenes that I recall. The script, It’s like a blueprint to a house. Follow the blueprint and you’ll end up with a house. In the end it will be as described in its visionary stages. I stuck to the script and it came out awesome as it was designed that way by my partner RG Graham.

What was your favorite day on set and why?

The last day because I don’t have to see these people again…lol jk I like the few days we shot at the prison set. About that time the whole team was dialed into the production and we were capturing what I intended to make this a great horror franchise.

What scene did you enjoy directing the most?

I like working with Mike Ferguson aka Barry and Meghan Carrasquillo aka Dana during her kill scene. I had some pretty cool blood effects by Eric Fox at Fox FX Lab utilized during these horrific scenes.

What is the biggest obstacle you faced while making THE BOATYARD?

I had to squeeze the production in the can within a small window of opportunity while I had a big tv series to produce and a movie to direct in Belize right before the writers and Sag took strike. That was challenging.

What was your proudest moment during production?
When we wrapped and put it completely in the can.

How do you get a film to stand out in the crowd in today’s landscape?
By making sure everything that goes in front of the camera is money…from performance, storyline, locations, camera angles etc…

What other filmmakers inspire you to do what you do?
Steven Spieldberg
Quentin Tarantino
Robert Rodriguez

What is your favorite horror decade and why?
80s Horror…that’s the mecca of the horror business.

What is the next step in your filmmaking career?
My next step is to step into the bank and deposit my compensations for all the hard work I put in this film business and go to my next movie production “Secret Beach” shot on location in Belize.