Eric Martinez takes on a killer role in Sorrow

Eric Martinez has over two-dozen film and television credits to his name, but the role he was offered in Sorrow is one that he says stood out as he read through scripts. Martinez plays serial killer Dale Rogers.

“I love playing roles that take me out of my comfort zone,” he said. “I loved the story line, and more than anything, I have to believe in the project.”

Martinez decided to take on the role, studying serial killers in order to fully immerse himself in the complex and unhinged character of Dale Rogers. While Martinez said he usually plays “the bad guy,” he wanted to create a new kind of villain.

“The crazy thing I learned is that most serial killers are ‘the guy next door,’ the ones that don’t show any signs of being crazy or neurotic because they act completely normal and lure their victims in with kindness and charisma,” he said. “It’s not easy turning that on and off, but I wanted to do something a little different.”

The intensity of the role was hard for Martinez to overcome, especially being violent to women, but he is proud of his work and enthusiastic about the film’s premiere next month on Tuesday, April 21, at River Oaks Theater in Houston, Texas and on Amazon Prime.

Until then, he is busy filming the iTunes Series “Tailed” and AMC’s popular “Better Call Saul,” a spin-off of cult favorite “Breaking Bad.” His role on “Better Call Saul” has just begun, and he is looking forward to expanding the character in future episodes.

“My character Francisco was just introduced, and I can’t say a lot about what the character means to the series just yet,” he said. “I am just blessed to have the opportunity.”

By Alexandria Gonzalez

Indie Horror Director Spotlight: Millie Loredo

1. You wrote and directed the film. Where did this story come from?

Being a huge horror buff, I was always really interested in horror movies. I’m also fascinated with dreams and how intense some can be. After waking up one morning from a horrible nightmare, I decided to pull out a sheet of paper and started writing it all down. Three pages later, I had the first draft of my treatment for a short film. Being a novice, I started studying and literally got hooked on learning; it was exciting to know more about everything that had to do with films. I’m self tought. Being from Houston, I felt like I couldn’t tell the story I had in mind here, so I left to Utah and shot a 15-minute short. After we wrapped, I got the short back from my editor, and that excitement I felt when I saw the complete film was unexplainable. I had to have more! I was so proud to have such a great cast and to see my story told on the screen that I started writing a feature. This is how Sorrow was created. I did a lot of research, watched a ton of movies and crime shows, read and studied a few screenplays, and then wrote a 90-page screenplay. I was off to funding the film, which is a whole other story on its own.

2. Where did you find inspiration for the characters and their stories in the film?

The characters represent a million of little different ideas I’ve had from the past, either from real people I know, or from characters I analyzed in movies. The same goes for particular circumstances, as well as how the characters with specific flaws and qualities would react. Behavioral psychology was also a huge source of inspiration for the movie. When I started writing the feature, I created backstories to better understand each character’s motive and storyline. I used sympathy tools, and added unique weaknesses and psychological traits. I wanted to make sure that each character had a lot of elements to get people to sympathize with them, not just to hate them, but also love them.

3. What kind of directorial vision did you have for the film going into shooting?

I was going for a truthful approach, as close as I could to reality, where we see a seemingly good woman turn bad. Every good feeds on evil, and our heroine who is good at heart makes a decision she feels is necessary. Having lost all hope, she resorts to exacting her vengeance against these very ugly people.

4. Is the finished product what you had envisioned or were there significant changes during filming?

It’s very close to what I had envisioned. Our budget was definitely small! But we worked with what we had. Also being a producer in the film allowed me to get a whole lot closer to what I had envisioned.

5. What was more difficult, writing the script or directing? Which do you prefer?

Directing was the most difficult. You’re working with dozens of people and there’s always something happening, good or bad. It doesn’t matter what it is! I do love every aspect of filmmaking…some more than others, of course. But I can say that I enjoy directing the most because I enjoy the feeling of being on set where everyone is doing their part to help you tell your story, the actors giving themselves completely to the role and your vision.

6. What do you find scary?

I find the dark scary, and I am definitely scared of ghosts. That and people.

7. Do you have any ideas for new scripts or films coming up? If so, which are you most excited about?

Yes. I am rewriting a screenplay right now titled, In Dreams, and it’s a supernatural thriller. The spirit of a socially upscale girl remains on Earth after being murdered in Grand Central Terminal, and seeks help from advertising professional, Stanley, to assist her in finding those who murdered her.

8. What do you hope audiences will enjoy most about Sorrow?

I hope they enjoy the story and characters.

Interview by: Alexandra Gonzalez

How Sorrow made its way to theater

When writer and director Millie Loredo awoke from an extremely vivid nightmare, the first thing she did was grabbed a pen and paper and wrote it down. Three pages later, she had her first draft of her treatment for a short indie horror film.

Loredo took her small budget and cast to Utah and shot the 15-minute short film. She was proud of her work but felt like she could expand the film to draw audiences into the story of a woman who takes back the life she almost lost to deranged serial killers.

In order to turn Sorrow into a full-length feature horror film, Loredo was going to need a bigger budget. She and producer Dillon Bowen took to YouTube to ask fans of horror films to donate to their Kickstarter fund.

“The reason we need this money is because we’re trying to create and complete this feature film,” Loredo said. “Filmmaking is such a fun process, but it’s also a lot of hard work. In the end, it pays off, because whenever you - the audience - laugh or enjoy the film, then we’ve done our job.”

Loredo continued, adding that films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Last House on the Left, The Devil’s Rejects and I Spit on Your Grave inspired her vision for Sorrow as a full-length feature horror film.

Viewers eventually donated enough so that Loredo and FilmsVerite Productions could film the now 90-page screenplay for Sorrow with a cast that includes Hulu Network’s “East Los High” star Vannessa Vasquez, We Are Still Here star Andrew Sensenig and indie film star Melissa Mars.

Loredo said she is grateful to everyone who donated and hopes to see some donors at the upcoming screenings of the film. Sorrow will premiere next month on Tuesday, April 21, at River Oaks Theater in Houston, Texas and on Amazon Prime. Loredo and Vasquez will then tour six cities in five different states to screen the film.

“Our budget was definitely small, but we got it done,” Loredo said. “We worked with what we had and were able to create the indie horror film I had envisioned.”

By Alexandria Gonzalez

Vannessa Vasquez interview with Picture Lock

Vannessa Vasquez interview with Picture Lock 

Sorrow lead actress Vannessa Vasquez was recently interviewed by Picture Lock regarding her role as Camila on Hulu Network’s original series “East Los High.” Ever since her debut on the show, she has been cast in several films, including Narca and Misfire.

Vasquez said it is her dedication to character that has earned her the roles, noting that hard work does pay off.

“I really work hard at what I do, and I think directors see that and other people start noticing that,” she said. “When you work with people on set and people see you work, they see how much you dive into a character. People talk, and then they refer.”

Writer and director of Sorrow, Millie Loredo, was one of the people who noticed Vasquez’s commitment to character and asked her to play the lead role in her feature film.

“Millie, the director, saw me in a short film that I did, and she saw something in me,” Vasquez added. “She said, ‘I want you to audition for this [short] film that I really want to turn into a feature. I need an actress that has great range, that can help me pull this off.’”

With Loredo at the helm and Vasquez in the lead, Sorrow was successfully turned into a full-length feature film, which will premiere in select theaters and on Amazon Prime Tuesday, April 21. They will travel the country to screen the film in six cities in five different states following its release at River Oaks Theater at 2009 West Gray St. in Houston, Texas.

“It was kind of a neat project for us to showcase ourselves and try to get ourselves out there, because we were both very committed to what we were doing,” Vasquez said. “When you work hard and really focus on what you want to do, eventually things start falling into place.”

Andrew Sensenig adds Sorrow to his diverse body of work

March 18, 2015

Andrew Sensenig could be called a “jack of all trades” in the entertainment industry. Not only does he act but he also produces, directs and even performs voice over work. Next month, he will add indie horror film Sorrow to his long list of credits.

Sensenig has known writer and director Millie Loredo for two years and was excited to take on the role of Chief Gonzales when he read her script for a full-length feature horror film.

“The film is a true classic when it comes to horror, yet the characters have a darker underbelly,” he said. “And, of course, having this cast and crew is hard to beat.”

He currently stars in another indie horror film called We Are Still Here, which premiered at SXSW Film & Music Festival in Austin, Texas on Monday, and Sorrow has been submitted for acceptance to the Brooklyn Film Festival.

Barbara Crampton as Anne Sacchetti 

Photo by Karim Hussain C.S.C.

Sensenig said he enjoys being a part of independent films because of the stark differences between indie films and studio films.

“While the studio projects are always great, being part of an independent film allows for tremendous collaboration,” he said. “There's something very rewarding about being able to talk with your cast mates, the director, the writer, the producers and everyone else who becomes an integral part of the final product.”

Sensenig said he hopes the Brooklyn Film Festival accepts Sorrow into its competition, because it is a unique horror film with novel characters and back story.

Whether the film is accepted into the competition or not, Loredo and the cast will tour to screen the indie horror film next month in six cities in five different states following its premiere at River Oaks Theatre in Houston, Texas and on Amazon Prime Tuesday, April 21. Sensenig is optimistic about a positive reception from audiences across the country.

“In addition to having a stellar cast and director, the story is incredibly powerful,” he said. “The horror genre community always likes a good scare, and there is something special about Sorrow that will keep the audience begging for more.”

By Alexandria Gonzalez

SorrowtheMovie is holding a T-shirt design contest!

SorrowtheMovie is holding a T-shirt design contest!

Rules:

• Follow us on Instagram @SorrowtheMovie
• Upload your image using the hashtag #SorrowTDC
• Tag the us on the Image
• All designs must be submitted by Friday March 27 at Noon
• Top 3 images will be featured on our Instagram page
• Voting will being after 4pm est on Friday March 27 for 24 hours.
• Image with the most LIKES will determine our first place winner, then second and third place.

Winners:

• First place gets $125, DVD, T-shirt, Autographed Poster
• Second place gets $50, DVD, T-shirt, Autographed Poster
• Third place gets $25, DVD, T-shirt, Autographed Poster
• Shout-out on Instagram and on all of our social media pages.

Your design will be printed as the Official Sorrow the Movie T-shirt. Your design will become the official design shirt design for our promotional t-shirts at local events..

Good luck! 

For more information contact us on info@sorrowthemovie.com

Director Millie Loredo and the cast of Sorrow to perform Q& A at Plaza Theatre

Next month, writer and director Millie Loredo, lead actress Vannessa Vasquez and members of the cast of Sorrow will travel to six cities in five different states to screen the film. One of their first stops will be at Atlanta, Georgia’s oldest operating cinema, the historic Plaza Theatre.

Loredo said her love for horror films is what drove her to turn Sorrow from a 15-minute short horror film into a full-length feature film, and she feels honored to be able to screen her debut at such a historical landmark.

Vasquez, currently starring in Hulu Network’s “East Los High,” said she is proud to work alongside Loredo to screen the indie film not only at the Plaza Theatre but in five other theaters across the country.

“For [Loredo], this was her first film, and of course, I’m just starting in the industry,” she said. “It is kind of a neat project for us to showcase ourselves and try to get ourselves out there, because we are both very committed to what we are doing.”

Loredo will be stopping by the Mad Monster Horror-Con in Charlotte, North

Carolina to promote the horror film this month and will be selling tickets to the

Plaza Theatre screening there as well as online. They hope the audience at the Plaza enjoys their joint effort to not only scare them but also instill a message of strength.

“I hope they enjoy the journey of learning how to find a hero within yourself even when you feel like no one has your back and learning how to take back your life from things that have tried to rob you from it,” Vasquez said.

By Alexandria Gonzalez