photos courtesy of Seth Landau

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Seth Landau's horror film "Bryan Loves You" tells the tale of a cult that takes over an Arizona town.

A former Sun Devil who now lives in Los Angeles, Landau shot the film in Phoenix and included part-time Tucsonans Tiffany Shepis and Chuck Williams, who have significant roles. It also includes George Wendt (Norm Peterson of "Cheers" fame).

Landau landed a distribution deal last month, and the film is slated to come out on DVD via Anchor Bay in September.

Landau never lived in Tucson but visited often as a child. He glibly admits he attended Arizona State University because he was disappointed that the University of Arizona accepted him "with conditions" due to subpar grades.

The 31-year-old full-time filmmaker, who is a distant relative of Martin Landau, has worked as an actor in small independent films ("Ted Bundy," "Date and Disaster") and has made the shift to writing and directing. "Bryan Loves You" is his second film. Landau answered questions in an e-mail interview.

How did the distribution deal happen?

"Rather than go the standard film-fest route, we decided to use what the movie has going for it, which is it's unlike anything else. So we marketed it that way, and luckily that got the attention of Anchor Bay. They're releasing it this fall."

Can you describe your exposure to Old Tucson and its influences on you?

"Old Tucson Studios was, to me, growing up in Arizona, the only tangible form of moviemaking available. During my nascent years, late '80s/early '90s, not everyone had the advantage of digital video, and so filmmaking was more limited to the establishment. Visiting Old Tucson at that time and watching the stunt shows and walking alongside actual film sets was the first time something showed me that movies were real, in the flesh."

What's your next project?

"I'll be working really hard marketing 'Bryan Loves You' right up until the release, so much work ahead. And will also be working to secure similar distribution for my first project, the comedy 'Take Out' about a guy who eliminates chain restaurants. Now that "Bryan" is on its way, I've gotta take care of my other kid, so to speak. By the way, the line between comedy and horror is rather fine."

What's your advice for young filmmakers?

"Make material that you feel. A lack of passion about your subject matter will become evident to the audience. Keep it real, and you'll develop a following one way or another."

What does Arizona need to do to put itself back on the filmmaking map?

"Considering Los Angeles has been film's home since about the 1910s, nothing will unseat it as the capital. However, that's not to say outside locations can't thrive as a filmmaking community. To me, an area is represented best by the movies shot there and the personalities it breeds. The more memorable movies that are centered in Arizona — both of my features are set and shot in Arizona — and the more personalities with an indelible voice that the area produces, the bigger a player it will become."

If you're involved in filmmaking and would like to be featured in a Q&A, write to pvillarreal@azstarnet.com.