Fear Itself director Larry Fessenden talks horror, and 'Skin and Bones'

"Fear Itself" is a cool and provocative 13-episode suspense and horror anthology series on NBC Thursday nights. Larry Fessenden poses for the press at the Sitges International Film Festival, where he presented his latest movie 'The Last Winter' in Sitges, Spain, 05 October 2007. The 40th edition of the Festival lasts until 14 October. EPA/JAUME SELLART

Larry Fessenden poses for the press at the Sitges International Film Festival, where he presented his latest movie 'The Last Winter' in Sitges, Spain, 05 October 2007. The 40th edition of the Festival lasts until 14 October. EPA/JAUME SELLARTPushing the boundaries of the classic storytelling genre with top-drawer enlisted talent, both in front of and behind the camera; the series is a collaboration of the best special effects makeup and visual effects craftspersons including Oscar-winner Howard Berger of KNB EFX, and award-winning directors such as John Landis, Darren Bousman, and Larry Fessenden.Larry Fessenden is the director of the upcoming episode, "Skin and Bones," airing this Thursday night at 10 pm.

Fessenden's horror yarn is about a returning cattle herder (played by Doug Jones, "Hellboy II: The Golden Army") who returns to his family after being lost in the woods for days, yet he just doesn't seem the same. Soon, a terrible mortal struggle ensues against the terrifying monster possessing him. Gordon Tootoosis ("Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee") also stars in this anthology episode.

Monsters and Critics had some questions for director Larry Fessenden.Larry, you are multi-disciplined, a writer, producer, actor, director and editor - what is it about horror that draws you creatively especially for directing?LF: I see the world through a filter of horror. It seems to be the way my brain is wired. I’m not cynical, but in every moment I perceive a lurking menace. I try to evoke that feeling in my movies.What anthology series imprinted you as a kid, made you say I want to do that?LF: I love the question, because when I was a kid there were lots of anthology shows and the world was a better place because of it!! We hade The Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits and we also had Alfred Hitchcock presents. I love that NBC is trying their hand at this type of series. I can only hope it is successful. I’d be so sad if it didn’t work out. What’s cooler than tuning in to a show where you’ll get a little hour-long self-contained genre movie? I think it’s a great format!Tell me a bit about your film, "The Last Winter," what makes this unusual horror story a must see now it is available on DVD?LF: "The Last Winter" is absolutely worth renting because it’s about the here and now! People battling over whether we should drill for oil or not, what it’s like up there in the North and what would it be like if the climate started breaking down.

Make no mistake, some people hate this dull film with a confusing ending, but believe me, for others, it’s a breath of fresh air, something unique and expressionistic in the horror genre. Give it a shot I say!Which effects houses (KNB, Baker, Drac..etc) do you rely on for bringing your scripts visually alive?LF: Well I’ve used different places with different results.Do you feel gore is completely overplayed? Do you prefer a more psychological yarn that terrifies on a more cerebral level?LF: Gore used to be the most visceral way to convey outrage and horror— a way to shock the viewer out of complacency— but that was when gore was the exception in films, not the rule.

These first images established the look that carried through to the film. I thought of Doug Jones for the part of Grady. Of course I knew him from Guillermo Del Toro's movies, but I'd never seen him without makeup on, I just knew I needed a very physical actor. I don't know how it came to me, it came to me suddenly, I don't even remember when. It was one of the best ideas I've ever head.- Larry Fessenden

Now so much of gore in movies is experienced as just spectacle, allowing the viewer detachment instead of empathy. I don’t know when explicit violence came to define what a horror movie is. I am more interested in existential horror that explores meaninglessness, evil, chance, madness and monsters. Gore is only a part of that equation.

So What scene are you most proud of in Fear Itself, your episode "Skin and Bones"?LF: I like the scene where the brothers confront each other. Both actors in the scene are at the top of their game, the lighting, the photo on the floor of the brothers as kids, the music, Doug’s movement— the blood on his face, Pyper sheds a tear, everyone is committed.It’s the centerpiece of the movie for me, before everything goes haywire.