Hello, tired traveler, welcome to my castle. I am Alec Taylor. Let me tell you the tale of how I took a small idea and brought it to life through my senior project. As you can tell from my over-the-top intro, I have a love for the classic Monster of fiction, whether it’s a book or a black-and-white film from Universal Studios. This love of the classics has played a significant role in my desire to create and tell stories through film.
So, of course, when I got the chance to make a short film. I had to pay homage to my favorite cinematic universe. The Idea itself evolved over the years from various ideas centered on the descent of Abraham Van Helsing, until one day the Idea of what if he were a therapist rather than a hunter of monsters.
When this semester started, I saw an opportunity to create something that would showcase the skills I have gained over my years at BYUI. There were a few Ideas I was thinking, but after talking with my faculty mentor, Brother Mawlam. The decision was made.
The earliest Idea of what would become Monster in Recovery was all over the place. I knew I wanted it to be a mockumentary in the style of shows like Abbott Elementary and The Office. But didn’t fully know how I wanted it all together. While writing the script, I set out different goals. I wanted something longer and more creature-filled, including the Frankenstein monster. I had several scenes that I felt could be funny, but I didn’t feel I had a real story.
I reached a point where I was feeling uneasy about this idea. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get it made. Someday, it was tough even to write. I came to see that there was recent fighting against me. Life challenges me, trying to fight against my creativity. When I came to realise this, I knew I had to lock in and just write. I had an outline to guide me, but the story’s shape evolved as ideas changed. In the first draft, I had a romantic interest in Thomas Van Helsing. But decided to take it out, along with more ideas that were removed or changed.
Just one idea I cut out was that, partway through, Vlad would have turned someone, and she would have become his new vampire bride. But of course, that was taken out.
After many drafts, I reached a point where I had a good script. With that, I built a presentation and a creative brief to clarify my goals for the project and set deadlines.
With all this prep done, it was time to find actors to play these characters. I started by holding audiences. I pick a night and put out a call for it. I was all ready to find my case from the actor on campus.
But the resistance was not yet done with me. I got to the room where I was to hold the audience, and it was locked up for the night. Not being able to keep it in that room anymore. I sat outside in the hall, since that room was where I put out and where it would be held. Sitting in a chair outside the room. I sat, ready for those who would act to come around, and I waited and waited. I sat there for an hour and a half without anyone coming to the audience.
I felt discouraged again, began to doubt myself, and wondered if I could ever finish this project. Wonder why I decided on this project and why I didn’t do something on the documentary I made in 465. I remember sitting on my bed that night, feeling so ready to give up on the project altogether.
The next day, sitting scrolling through Facebook, I came across a group about an actor in Idaho when retaliation came to me. I could find my actors from those in groups like this. So, joining a couple of groups, I put out a casting call. That day, I received messages from people interested in acting in the film. I found myself a cast. A few actors pulled out a few days before shooting, but I was able to find replacements.
As the actor problems were easing, I was assembling a team of people I trusted and knew were skilled in the art of filmmaking. I was able to get my friend Will Bounds to act as Cinematographer. Also, reach out to a member of the Video Production Society, which I’m part of, to help with the film. Along with my friend Ezra Barron, I became a skilled composer, creating an intro song.
On production day, I had been scheduled to handle makeup and production design, but they had to pull out at the last minute, so I stepped into that role as well.
Here I am, wrapping up the Invisible Man. For his design, I wanted to take the OG’s look and give him a modern dress look. In the end, I was happy with his look. The design for each character was to be more contemporary, yet to include elements that reveal their identity. Like with the werewolf, I wanted a shirt that evokes the OG Wolfman. With the button shirt and jeans.
I found the shirt at Desert Industry. It felt like the same shirt was a bit big as it wasn’t my size. These are just some of the things I use to give these characters some kind of reference or originality.
Because of planning, I felt the shot was very smooth. We filmed all the interviews first and got through them quickly. The actors were very professional and came prepared. We had a solid shooting schedule, and it all went well, finishing filming about half an hour early.
Since we wrapped on the film, I have been dedicated to editing, using all the footage from that day to create the final product. Along with me doing most of the editing, I had Will Bounds, who wanted to help with the film’s color, and I’m so grateful for it. His effort has helped me craft a great video from it. Over the past week, I put together an edit, getting feedback from my faculty mentor along the way and leading up to the final deadline—the Senior showcase.
This project has given me a fantastic experience creating a film I am pleased with. It’s been an excellent opportunity to show others what I have learned from my time at BYU-Idaho, and now I present to you all: Monster in Recovery.
Thank you for taking a look at how I created my Senior Project. Hope you enjoy the film.