Director Johnny Kevorkian Releases ‘Await Further Instructions,’ Talks about Biggest Influences

“Aside from being very scary, I love the practical effects and how they created the alien creature, with no CGI. It looked extremely believable and realistic, which also means the film doesn’t date too much. We used very minimal CGI in our film and also wanted that real-world, realistic look for the big finale.”

“The Thing” (1982)

In this much-loved John Carpenter horror, a research team in the snowy wilds of Antarctica find themselves besieged by a terrifying, shape-shifting creature which has found its way into their base, and which can take the form of any organism it chooses.

“What a great concept Carpenter chose by using the snow storm, trapping everyone inside with an unknown creature. It felt very claustrophobic and really builds a simmering tension between the characters, not knowing who has been affected. That unknown entity could have taken the form of absolutely anyone. That was hugely eye-opening for me and definitely influenced our film.”

“Poltergeist” (1982)

Produced by Hollywood hero Steven Spielberg and directed by another favorite, Tobe Hooper, things start going bump in the night in a suburban American home, much to the terror of its resident family. When the youngest daughter gets sucked into the television screen, her parents call in a psychic as their final hope to bring her back.

“I really like the idea that ‘less is more’ here and the filmmakers allow you to feel the tension and mystery, especially as this paranormal threat escalates. You don’t see too much, and its very atmospheric, but it’s haunting and keeps you completely on the edge.”

“The Fly” (1986)

The Oscar-winning remake of a 1950’s classic, Jeff Goldblum’s scientist, experimenting with transmitting matter, uses himself as a guinea-pig, unaware that a fly has landed in the machinery. As he embarks on a relationship with Geena Davis’ journalist, he begins horrifically changing.

“It’s such a fantastic film and I love the sequences where the character metamorphoses into the fly and those incredible effects. It’s beautifully shot and beautifully made by David Cronenberg, and it stills looks good to this day. The score, the music, the lighting and every other element heavily contributed to a very unsettling film.”

“Hellraiser” (1987)

Based on his own novella The Hellbound Heart, popular author and writer Clive Barker embarked on his directorial debut which became a fan favorite and introduced the world to the notorious character, “Pinhead.” In “Hellraiser,” a couple moves into a new home, unaware that something truly evil lurks beneath the floorboards of the dilapidated house.

“I watched this as a kid and absolutely loved it. It’s very violent and has lots of gore, again all created practically. I love the concept of body horror. Here, the evil Cenobite characters are a group, kind of centrally connected to their master and always summoned together, which I thought was a really interesting device and helped build anticipation for that arrival.”

“Await Further Instructions” is out now on digital download and available for pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD. For links, visit www.awaitfurtherinstructions.co.uk