The prestigious Dances with Films film
festival recently announced Beacon Point,
the highly-anticipated science-fiction thriller from rising newcomer Eric Blue,
has won a plum Friday night slot on the festival’s exciting showcase of
upcoming independent gems. The Georgia-produced chiller, produced by Blue
Lantern Films, will play the Chinese Theatre on June 10.
A group of hikers on the Appalachian Trail
become lost and stumble across an ancient secret that threatens their survival
in this suspenseful, surprising journey into fear.
You’ll never want to go camping again after
sitting through Beacon Point’s
unnerving 85 minutes.
We spoke to castmember Eric Goins ahead of
Friday night’s screening.
How did you get involved in the film, sir?
Like all
aspiring actors, I auditioned for Beacon Point. A few years prior to
auditioning, I worked with Blue for the first time on short called, This Side
Up. It was love at first shoot. When Blue told me that he was writing a feature
screenplay, I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it in some capacity.
Blue put me through a pretty rigorous audition process (I'm assuming the
other cast members were also put through it and that I was not some sort of
amusing past time for the producer and director) and booked the role. The rest
is unfolding as I type this reply.
What was it that initially appealed to you about it?
Working with
Blue on a feature film was a top priority for me. And then when I got to read
the script for the first time, it was as if he had taken every personal nuance,
vulnerability and even some of my colloquial expressions and injected them into
the role of Dan. Obviously, I am a self-preoccupied actor forcing those
connections but I found a lot of myself in Dan and I wanted to explore it. IT's
not like Blue has been watching me for years
and secretly scrap-booking my personality traits
and idiosyncrasies for his script, right?......Right?
The setting was
intriguing to me, as I have always had a mystical perception of the Appalachian
Trail and the suspenseful nature of the story line was extremely
attractive. And finally, I appreciated the ensemble nature of the cast. It's
really a story of 5 people sharing in an experience, all of whom have their own
challenges and vulnerabilities.
Was it filmed in your neck of the woods or require you to
relocate?
I spend most of
my time in Georgia right now while devoting stints of time in Los Angeles as
necessary. We shot Beacon Point mostly in Georgia. It’s our home turf and
we were excited to support Georgia businesses and crew members. Georgia
production took place in Atlanta, Conyers, and Blairsville. For ease of
access, we shot all of our night scenes at the Georgia International Horse
Park. The waterfall scene was shot on private land, yes, we had
permission, and it is rumored to be the largest waterfall on private land
in the US. We also shot on location in North Carolina in the Great Smoky
Mountains. This is where the story is based and it was crucial to show the
immense size, beauty and isolation of the area.
What other movies do you have coming out this year?
I have few
projects coming out this year.
- Ride Along 2
in which I am reprising my role as "Assface" (not a typo and my best
character name to date)
- The
Accountant
- Bastards
- Dirty Grandpa
- The Originals
- Bad Dad Rehab
(premiering next weekend in Miami as part of the
American Black Film Festival on Sat,
June 18)
You add a great comedy element to the movie. What's your
background with comedy?
I've always
enjoyed making people laugh. Either with me or at me, it never mattered as long
as they were laughing. I made it more of lifestyle choice many years ago and
have been performing as a professional improviser on a regular basis for over
16 years. When I first began improv, the concepts of Yes...And and "No
Judgement" struck a strong and passionate blow to my whole life's
paradigm. It's these philosphies that I believe are so important to comedy and,
more importantly, a fulfilled life. Yes…and is the most basic principal of improvisational
theatre yet it can be a valuable philosophy in every aspect of life and
work. Yes..and works
as follows:
Accepting a partner’s “offer” or idea is
followed by adding a new “offer” or idea, typically building upon the earlier
one, that acknowledges and enhances previously established information. The
fundamental principal of acknowledging and accepting information offered by a
partner(s) unleashes a collaborative method of creative conception.
For me, improv
is life and comedy is currency for securing a happy one.
“We don't make
mistakes. We just have happy accidents.” Bob Ross From "The Joy of
Painting"
Can you tell us what it was like working with director
Eric Blue, being a first timer?
Working with
Blue was really terrific. He brought the whole cast together days before we
began shooting so we could get to know each other and develop REAL relational
dynamics off-set that eventually found their way on camera. He also gave a
great deal of space for all of his actor to work while maintaining a laser
point focus on the overall story. He left room for life to happen in the set.
Blue is very good with PEOPLE - hearing them, bringing them together, talking
to them, understanding them, engaging them, including them, leading them,
motivating them, and empathizing with them. What more could you ask for in a
director and project partner.
The film is having its world premiere at the Dances With
Films festival. How important are festivals to Indie films?
Festivals are
extremely important to Indie films. It's where the rubber meets the road and
allows filmmakers and actors to engage in a raw experience with the
AUDIENCE (the most important element of any film) to gain critical
feedback. On the business side, theatrical distribution is no longer the
definitive way that movies make money. Festivals present a different way to
circulate a film, ensuring that it is seen by both the public and industry
professionals.