On the Set with Geoff Klein Director of Bikini Girls on Ice

Producer and editor Geoff Klein is best known for his work on the independent, horror film "The Legend of Sorrow Creek," which was a 2007 DVD thriller release that is still garnering attention for the film's beautiful photography and directing techniques. Filming took place for "The Legend of Sorrow Creek," throughout Montreal, Quebec and now Canadian director Geoff Klein switches roles and helms his first independent production with "Bikini Girls on Ice."

Currently in the editing phase of post-production "Bikini Girls on Ice," takes the serial killer motif to new heights as loner, mechanic Moe makes few friends while chasing a group of girls with a knife. Shooting for this latest film took place in Montreal, Quebec and the "Bikini Girls on Ice," stars horror, B movie icons Suzi Loraine and Kerry Taylor. Also, featuring original music from composers Benjamin Beladi and Michael Vickerage "Bikini Girls on Ice," is moving towards a Summer 2009 DVD release date.

Director Geoff Klein took some time out, from editing his latest feature to talk a little more about "Bikini Girls on Ice," here. Have a look at the first trailer for "Bikini Girls on Ice," along with interview excerpts from Klein himself past the break...


First off, thanks Geoff for stopping by to answer some questions, for horror film fans about your latest production...

I see, from reading about your film on several horror, movie boards that "Bikini Girls on Ice," stays away from the typical Hollywood, thriller formula with a group of young, twenty-somethings venturing into an isolated environment and then becoming the victims of an unknown serial-killer. Instead, the action of "Bikini Girls on Ice," starts off quickly with serial killer Moe terrorizing a group of soccer enthusiasts in a rundown gas station. Which leads me to my first question, is your film an homage to the brutal serial killer films of the 80s or something entirely unto itself?

"I think that 'Bikini Girls on Ice,' stays true to the genre the way it was meant to be when it was first introduced. The idea of a killer stalking girls is a timeless classic, but it is the manner in which you pull it off that differentiates your film from others. We made a conscious effort to make our lead characters strong, likeable and smart, even if they were parading around in bikinis the entire film. So, you get this contrast of campy 80's feel with the girls in bikinis, but hopefully their reactions to difficult situations stem from a more modern outlook on filmmaking. When it comes to the formula and breakdown of the film it does follow many of the Hollywood tendencies, but it ends there. Out of our lead characters, we didn't want '...the dumb blond running up the stairs when she should be running down the stairs.'"

"...we didn't want "...the dumb blond running up the stairs when she should be running down the stairs." Geoff is of course referring here to central character Kelly, who Suzi Lorraine plays throughout the film.

Also, I read from Dreadcentral's article "Car Wash Carnage in Bikini Girls on Ice," that there is a lot of nudity in the film. Was your intention, from the beginning of filming to acquire a Restricted rating for "Bikini Girls on Ice?"

"Yeah I think that article was a little misleading. There is not a ton of nudity in the film. There is a sex scene where the boys in the crowd will be pleased, but for the rest of the film, the sex is very implied. I mean, the fact that these girls are running around in bikinis the entire time is enough. I didn't feel it necessary to have them all take their tops off without a good reason. I wanted to avoid the gratuitous tit shots. We even made a conscious effort to not show close-ups of breasted bikinis, simply because we aren't making that type of movie. And anyways, it's far sexier to imagine what is under the bikini than to actually show naked people. If we did happen to go that route, 'Bikini Girls on Ice,' would have fallen into the same bargain bin of crap indy films that have no backbone or integrity.

But at the same time I didn't want to make one of those PG13 horror films. There's just something really wrong about doing that. So the film will definitely get an R rating because some of the violence is pretty brutal and there is of course some nudity."

Can you give readers some background of William Jarand and the character Moe, who is the central protagonist in "Bikini Girls on Ice?"

"Moe is played by William Jarand, and he blew us all out of the water. He was so into his character that on set he would not talk to anyone, he was constantly in character, breathing heavily and never smiling. This way when he killed a girl on set, they were actually terrified of him. I told him he could only speak with the actors once he had killed them on screen. It seemed to have worked, because in once scene, Cindel Chartrand, who plays Jenna, actually started to cry after a take where Moe was chasing her and the door she was supposed to run through simply wouldn't open. We all had a good laugh as I wiped her tears away."

From reading articles on various news sources "Bikini Girls on Ice," from the Internet Movie Database, is in post-production or the editing phase of filming. Can you give horror fans who are anticipating this film a rough idea as to when the film will see a release?

"We are doing the festival run this summer. We will have a final mix of the film, by the first week of May, 2009. When it comes to the release of the DVD, I imagine somewhere in early 2010. We just hired some really good composers for the film, Benjamin Beladi and Michael Vickerage, who have worked as orchestrators on films like "Harry Potter," "Spiderman 2," and "Passion of the Christ." So, I think we are in good hands there. But we have already been invited to a few festivals and even entertained some distribution offers, yet we have not acted on any of these things. I keep telling people 'Let me deliver a good film first, then we'll discuss what it's worth.' I've been really trying to make this film as good as possible while keeping a good head on my shoulders."

Geoff, can you put one of the rumours to rest that state, "The film is based on one of the director's friends who once told him about a dream he had about putting girls on ice?

"No, that was simply the inspiration behind the film. The film itself is a straight up slasher. We are not reinventing the wheel here, just maybe adding a few more spokes. But I cannot really say much more about this friend’s fantasy because I might get him in trouble."

Hilarious, okay thanks for that.

Finally, a softball to end out the interview, for DVD collectors; can you give the fans a little insight as to what will be on the DVD special feature portions of the film?

"The DVD will most likely contain auditions, director’s commentary, behind the scenes, bloopers, deleted scenes and anything else we can cram on there."

Well Geoff, from one fan's initial perspective this film looks to be a brutally, exciting movie thrill ride through the horror genre and if the film lives up to the quality trailer, then thriller film viewers will be scrambling for "Bikini Girls on Ice," this year at film festivals or on DVD in 2010. Thanks again for the interview and for stopping by; also, thanks on behalf of all the fans out there who love excellent, independent horror films and filmmaking.

A teaser trailer for "Bikini Girls on Ice," can be found here:



And the "Bikini Girls on Ice," homepage can be found here:

"Bikini Girls on Ice," trailer, poster, cast, synopsis, and crew. "

Sources

"Geoff Klein Director of Bikini Girls on Ice." Bikini Girls on Ice (2009): 07 March 2009

Bikini Girls on Ice at DreadCentral

Bikini Girls on Ice at IMDB

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