Producer Jeff Miller (Death Kiss, The Toybox) tells us about his career, relationship with Bronson-look-alike Robert Bronzi, and their latest colloboration, EXORCIST VENGEANCE.
How did you get involved in producing, Jeff?
I started out wanting to be a screenwriter and wrote a bunch of scripts in college and right after. I soon learned it’s very difficult to break in as a writer. I knew some people in South Carolina who had made a horror movie and were doing another, so I asked if I could be involved as a producer if I helped out and brought in some financing.
And was that always the plan – to produce, not to direct or act, but to specifically lead the producing committee?
It was originally to write, but I soon found that I enjoyed producing.
What were some of the earliest challenges in producing that you recall?
The hardest part is always finding the money. Once you have that, everything else falls into place.
And was there a film you’d call your ‘big break’?
Ha, I guess I’m still looking for it! AXE GIANT: THE WRATH OF PAUL BUNYAN was the first big one in L.A. where I was the lead producer. We sold that one to the Syfy Channel, and it got on Netflix, so maybe you can argue that gave me the confidence and connections to know that I could do this in L.A. THE RUSSIAN BRIDE is overall the one I’m probably most proud of. THE TOYBOX got us a lot of press because of Denise Richards and Mischa Barton. DEATH KISS and OUIJA HOUSE have done well and opened some doors too.
Do you generally like to work with the same companies and people?
I’m always open to working with new people as well. I think I’ve helped produce the first feature for 8 directors (not counting my own directorial debut many years ago).
It would seem you gravitate towards horror or is horror simply ‘what sells’?
I always liked horror growing up. HALLOWEEN and the great horror films of the ‘70s and ‘80s. It helps that it sells. In the past few years, I’ve gravitated toward more action films as well, as I enjoy them too and there’s not such a glut of them out here like there is horror.
How did you come upon Robert Bronzi?
I’d done a movie a few years prior with director Rene Perez. I was aware he’d made a recent western called FROM HELL TO THE WILD WEST with a Charles Bronson lookalike. I wanted to do an action film since smaller-budgeted action seemed underrepresented at the film markets, so I suggested to Rene we made a Bronson-type film with Bronzi. And DEATH KISS was born.
And you’ve worked with him on a few films now?
Bronzi and I have made 5 films together so far.
The latest being exorcist vengeance – is this your homage to Friedkin’s classic?
Well, there are a lot of exorcism movies out there, but that’s certainly the standard bearer. I describe ours as “DEATH WISH meets THE EXORCIST meets KNIVES OUT,” as I love whodunnits and we have kind of a mystery angle in this one – who’s the Devil?
Being an independent production, I’d think you probably ended up wearing more hats on it than Friedkin did on his. Was it a tough one to pull off?
We had a tight schedule, so yes. A lot of long and late hours. Fortunately most of the crew was young and had a lot of energy! Plus directors Scott Jeffrey & Rebecca J Matthews are seasoned pros with these kinds of films, so their knowledge and attitude helped.
Was it always intended for Bronzi to play the exorcist?
Yes, I wrote the treatment with him in mind.
Theaters are shuttering, major movies are headed to streaming platforms… where do you think the entertainment industry is headed?
I don’t think theaters will ever go completely away in our lifetime – people like to go out and have that group experience, like to a football game. We’ll see more streaming content. There’s a big disparity with budgets. You’re either really small or really big with names. It’s getting harder to make money on middle-of-the-road type films, so you need cast or a good hook or something to set your movie apart from the pack.
EXORCIST VENGEANCE is out now on DVD and Digital.