The Familiar:
Interview with Miles Hanon

Beyond the Gates of Splendor

End of the Spear

Miles Hanon: I didn't watch many films as a child. In fact, I never wanted to be a film maker at all. In my environment, the arts simply were not encouraged. It wasn't until I had graduated from college with a degree in Mechanical Engineer, and had spent about four years designing and programming automated machinery, that I became inspired to be part of the film making process. My older brother, Jim, was making high quality commercials with redemptive messages, and he asked me to help him. I agreed and that’s how it all began. Since then, Hitchcock films have probably influenced me the most (no single film in particular).

Christian-Movie.com: What is the most meaningful comment anyone has made to you about The Familiar?

Miles Hanon: I think something like, "I'm glad you made this real." What that person meant was that, even though the spiritual aspects of the film are governed by a biblical perspective, the film doesn’t come off as projecting a Christian worldview, nor is it so antiseptic in its presentation that it feels cleaned up for a church audience. Though the film will resonate more strongly with people of faith, those who do not have faith can certainly be entertained without feeling proselytized. The Christian aspects of the film are intrinsic to the story, not projected.

Christian-Movie.com: Many indie films I see are what I would call "over-dialogued," meaning that they use dialogue as a crutch to verbally explain what should be shown instead. The Familiar gets it right here; there are stretches of onscreen time without words that still "say" volumes. Can you make a noble attempt to briefly explain how our readers can learn to talk without words on screen?

Miles Hanon: In truth, there's more dialogue in the film than I would have liked. But I believe it would be helpful to start with understanding subtext, which is what you really mean when you speak, not what you say. People can actually say a lot more with their body language than with their words (I mean in casual conversation). For instance, you may ask me how I feel. I say, "good," but my tone and perhaps the look on my face says I'm actually feeling bad. Take it a step further. Instead of saying anything, I throw my cup of coffee across the room. You get the picture.

Now try to imagine a conversation without words at all, just gestures. In The Familiar, there’s a scene (with practically no words) where Sam shoots his bible with a shotgun. Then, after a bit of reflection, he picks up the pieces. He could have said, "God, I'm mad at you and I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore." Then say, "I didn't really mean it; I know I need you." But isn't it better to show this by blasting the good book?

"Choose the cast you think is the best,
not who you like the best."

Christian-Movie.com: Actor Bryan Massey is really good. For that matter, so is Laura Spencer. Where did you find your lead talent? What is your top piece of advice for independent filmmakers who want to take the talent in their movies to the next level?

Miles Hanon: Get a good casting director. Chris Freihofer in Oklahoma City was ours, and it's the job of the casting director to get you what you need. It's absolutely essential that this is done right. Be very careful in your selection and choose the cast you think is the best, not who you like the best (though I like our cast very much). The right script and right cast will put you in the realm of a really great film, even if it fails in other ways, because its strengths will overcome its weaknesses.

Christian-Movie.com: Which camera was used for the filming of the movie? Did you use any technical elements for the first time that really made a difference?

Miles Hanon: I used the Sony PMW-EX1 with the Letus Extreme DOF adaptor and Nikon prime lenses. It’s a good setup and inexpensive relative to performance. Instead of using new techniques, I actually stuck to proven ones and just tried to execute them well (I was the DP for the film as well as the Director). The film’s content and style are inspired mostly by Alfred Hitchcock, but of course we all borrow techniques from the great masters of film. The overall approach to special effects in the film is simply not to use them. Instead, I tried to do things in camera and scare the audience by what they don’t see, instead of what they do see.

Christian-Movie.com: In an article for Christian-Movie.com, The Familiar composer Jason Moore states that mixing a limited group of live instruments with virtual instruments is a cost effective alternative for independent filmmakers on a budget. Would you agree and would you go the same route again with your next movie?

Miles Hanon: I would, on a limited budget. But as I’m sure Jason would agree, a full orchestra is virtually impossible to emulate and, given the opportunity, that’s the best direction to go.

Christian-Movie.com: What was the most satisfying moment you experienced during the creation of The Familiar?

Miles Hanon: The issue that most concerned me was the performances of the actors. They were great in their auditions, but since the cast was small, Bryan and Laura had a lot of screen time. Could they carry the film as leads? Once it was clear they could, I was relieved and excited. In that moment, I knew the film was going to turn out well.

Christian-Movie.com: What was the most significant lesson that God taught you, from a personal standpoint, during the making of The Familiar?

Miles Hanon: In a word, TRUST. The creation process was filled with some rather significant limitations (small crew, meager budget), and there was always constant pressure to make the film look and feel like other films without our limitations. Each day we had to trust God to help us and work things out that we didn’t foresee or plan for. I literally felt the finger of God touch the project, and I believe that the more a person trusts God, the more He intervenes. I wouldn’t want to do a project any other way, and I believe my next film will be similar with regard to dependence on God.

"I believe that the more a person trusts God,
the more He intervenes."

Christian-Movie.com: What was the biggest hurdle that you faced during the filmmaking process, and how did you overcome it?

Miles Hanon: As mentioned, the small crew and meager budget made things very difficult. This also meant that the creative process was less collaborative than I would have liked it to be, but I did the best I could to include others in the process. The producer, Heather Olive, was key to this because she was always on the set "backing me up" on performances, and I was open to any suggestions from cast and crew on how we were doing. Of course, this can turn into a debate at every turn, and you have to know when to move forward with a decision. I was able to do that.

Christian-Movie.com: What are the top three things you wish you had known before you started?

Miles Hanon: #1 – How much work is involved after the shoot is done. You’d think I would have known this as a feature film editor and former post production manager, but you forget how much difference it makes when you have a larger crew (post-production support, in this case).

#2 – What it would take to get the film placed. Since I’m not a salesman or marketer, this process is foreign to me. I would have liked to engage someone with marketing and distribution experience at the scripting stage. Hopefully, the quality of The Familiar will at least lead to partnerships with distributors on the next film, even if it doesn’t get the placement I’d hope for.

#3 – There’s things in the script that could be a lot better (having to do with character development, among other things). I’m thankful that I was able to write the film, then direct it, because I learned things about writing that I would never have understood if I hadn’t executed what I wrote. My next script will be much better because of this experience.

"It’s amazing to me that with all the changes going on in our country, God’s people do not see it as spiritual – we don’t understand that everything that is happening in the natural is preceded by something in the spirit."

Christian-Movie.com: As I’m sure you know, The Familiar has the potential to create conflict within Christian circles, as it has content elements that are religiously avoided (pun intended) by other Christian filmmakers. Why do you take the risks that you do and do you think they will be worth it?

Miles Hanon: I think you’re alluding to spiritual warfare, sexuality and profanity so I’ll try to address those issues. First, spiritual warfare. The fact that this subject is avoided by filmmakers and the Church in general should be of no surprise, since it has been made an uncomfortable subject to the Western Church by the same forces that we are commanded by the scriptures to engage (Eph. 6, among other passages).

I had an older Christian man tell me that in the half century that he has attended church, he has never heard a lesson on spiritual warfare. I must be naive because I couldn’t believe my ears. It’s amazing to me that with all the changes going on in our country, God’s people do not see it as spiritual – we don’t understand that everything that is happening in the natural is preceded by something in the spirit. The Familiar is a very basic introduction to the hidden work of the devil and, again, it should not surprise that conflict will surround it.

With regard to the profanity and sexuality, these things are intrinsic to the story and they are not gratuitous in any way. How I explain this on a conscience level is that, through the entire film making process, I never asked God to "leave the room," so that I could dabble into something He may not be pleased with. The few times that profanity or sexuality are a part of the film, they're used for a reason. The main character, Sam, is an alcoholic who’s mad at God, who’s walked away from God. He’s going to swear. Sexuality is used as a weapon again Sam through Laura (the girl being possessed). How common is this (sexual perversion)? If you don’t know, consider how many men in the Church are viewing pornography. Let’s not be confused where the source of the perversion originates.

I can also safely say the same people who will come against this film because of the questionable content by and large watch worse things on TV every night. To me, showing sin in film is not a problem (as long as it’s not gratuitous), as long as you also show the consequences of it (kind of like the Bible, which is not exactly "G" rated). To me, The Familiar is just an honest look at life.

"I never asked God to "leave the room," so that I could dabble into something He may not be pleased with."

Christian-Movie.com: What’s next for you?

Miles Hanon: In addition to being a writer/director, I’m also a freelance DP and editor. I’m currently editing a film called Last Ounce of Courage. It’s very cool. I’ll be done at the end of October and would like to start production on another film. I’ve got another script called Cybilsoft that needs some reworking, but it’s cutting edge and it’s also a suspense thriller with spiritual overtones. In the big picture, I’d like to find partners to make films with, instead of being a lone ranger.

Christian-Movie.com: How may The Familiar be purchased?

The Familiar is currently seeking distribution. In the meantime, I’ve started an advertizing campaign through the web on a site called StealMyMovie.com. I know what you’re thinking, but you’re not really stealing. How it works is that if you’d like to download a digital copy of the film, you can – anyone can (iPhone/iPod, Quicktime, WMV). If you feel like all the hard work is worth paying for, you can pay for it as well. Hard copies have to purchased. The big picture is to provide The Familiar and other films an outlet to get visibility, if not to make money (sometimes getting known is more important). Also included on this web page will be the option to download a music video for The Familiar, by Stone Cold Sober (featuring a soon to be released single "Maybe Someday").

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