Aversion
Encyclopedia
Aversion is a horror film
about a private investigator
who discovers too late that the woman he is hired to follow is often possessed by a demon. Alex Stokes (Andrew Roth) is a self-destructive, down-on-his-luck investigator who takes cases wherever he can. When a mysterious man offers him a healthy sum to follow his beautiful wife Claire (Melantha Blackthorne), Alex can't resist. Her seemingly mundane day to day activities take a strange turn when she tries to kill herself. After saving her, their chemistry proves too much to resist and they become romantically entangled. But the fun has just begun as her demonic possession
s escalate and Alex's entire town gets sucked into a vortex
of evil
. Can one lost soul get it together in time to save mankind?
Under the direction of GF Roberts the original script, written by Roberts and Ted Spencer, combines demonic possession
with science fiction
. The film is somewhat retro in nature because it was shot on photographic film
and that over ninety percent of the effects are in camera. The tone of Aversion differs from many contemporary movies by providing some comic relief
throughout.
The on-set special effects were provided by Monster in My Closet FX under the supervision of Jeremy Selenfriend. Other crew members included assistant director Sabrina Simone, Jared Noe and D Garcia.
The movie is basically a film noir
, where a self-destructive, down-and-out investigator takes on a case that may be more than he can handle. Incorporating standard elements like a beautiful woman, excessive drinking and subtle voiceover
, the piece is set up like a standard detective film.
Later a science fiction
angle, which is part conspiracy and part nouveau alchemy
, is introduced. This component, to some degree, extends the common understanding of quantum physics. Within this framework the unbelievable is now possible and the story is set up for special effects and general creepiness.
One final ingredient is comedy
. Mostly situational, the laughs come from the somewhat uncommon characters thrown together in this extraordinary scenario. Rather than punchlines; reactions, comparisons and slapstick are used to ease the tension and create a more fun atmosphere.
Not to be forgotten, this is first and foremost a horror movie. Where the film consists of a variety of different genre elements, Aversion is simply a suspenseful film of demonic possession.
in New York City
for years. His projects range from comedy to horror and film to music videos. Starting with short films shot on video
with his friends, Roberts discovered that he had a knack for telling stories with the camera. Years later, after scripting a feature film, which was produced, he joined the production team and never looked back. He began shooting film-based projects and after investing in equipment began his own production company. From there he learned the workings of the camera and after sufficient experience he hired himself out as a cinematographer
, working on several films. He has also shot music videos and a spec television show. He recently completed “The Citizen Core”, which was an official selection in the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival and Sarah’s Demons, a horror short was an official selection in the 2008 Bare Bones International Film Festival
.
, the infamous site of the 1969 concert, Kingston, New York
and Red Hook, NY Although the film has various locations, it is not supposed to take place anywhere specific.
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
about a private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
who discovers too late that the woman he is hired to follow is often possessed by a demon. Alex Stokes (Andrew Roth) is a self-destructive, down-on-his-luck investigator who takes cases wherever he can. When a mysterious man offers him a healthy sum to follow his beautiful wife Claire (Melantha Blackthorne), Alex can't resist. Her seemingly mundane day to day activities take a strange turn when she tries to kill herself. After saving her, their chemistry proves too much to resist and they become romantically entangled. But the fun has just begun as her demonic possession
Demonic possession
Demonic possession is held by many belief systems to be the control of an individual by a malevolent supernatural being. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying...
s escalate and Alex's entire town gets sucked into a vortex
Vortex
A vortex is a spinning, often turbulent,flow of fluid. Any spiral motion with closed streamlines is vortex flow. The motion of the fluid swirling rapidly around a center is called a vortex...
of evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
. Can one lost soul get it together in time to save mankind?
Under the direction of GF Roberts the original script, written by Roberts and Ted Spencer, combines demonic possession
Demonic possession
Demonic possession is held by many belief systems to be the control of an individual by a malevolent supernatural being. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying...
with science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
. The film is somewhat retro in nature because it was shot on photographic film
Photographic film
Photographic film is a sheet of plastic coated with an emulsion containing light-sensitive silver halide salts with variable crystal sizes that determine the sensitivity, contrast and resolution of the film...
and that over ninety percent of the effects are in camera. The tone of Aversion differs from many contemporary movies by providing some comic relief
Comic relief
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.-Definition:...
throughout.
The on-set special effects were provided by Monster in My Closet FX under the supervision of Jeremy Selenfriend. Other crew members included assistant director Sabrina Simone, Jared Noe and D Garcia.
Plot
This original story marries three different elements into one plot.The movie is basically a film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
, where a self-destructive, down-and-out investigator takes on a case that may be more than he can handle. Incorporating standard elements like a beautiful woman, excessive drinking and subtle voiceover
VoiceOver
VoiceOver is a screen reader built into Apple Inc.'s Mac OS X, iOS and iPod operating systems. By using VoiceOver, the user can access their Macintosh or iOS device based on spoken descriptions and, in the case of the Mac, the keyboard. The feature is designed to increase accessibility for blind...
, the piece is set up like a standard detective film.
Later a science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
angle, which is part conspiracy and part nouveau alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
, is introduced. This component, to some degree, extends the common understanding of quantum physics. Within this framework the unbelievable is now possible and the story is set up for special effects and general creepiness.
One final ingredient is comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
. Mostly situational, the laughs come from the somewhat uncommon characters thrown together in this extraordinary scenario. Rather than punchlines; reactions, comparisons and slapstick are used to ease the tension and create a more fun atmosphere.
Not to be forgotten, this is first and foremost a horror movie. Where the film consists of a variety of different genre elements, Aversion is simply a suspenseful film of demonic possession.
Cast
- Andrew Roth as Alex
- Melantha Blackthorne as Claire
- Marc Raco as Neil
- Richard Flight as BelialBelialBelial is one of the four crown princes of Hell and a demon in the Bible, Jewish apocrypha and Christian apocrypha...
- Ted Spencer as Dr. Cliff
- Janette Temerian as Liz
- George Walsh as The Sarge
- Josh BerresfordJosh BerresfordJoshua Lee "Josh" Berresford is an American actor, model, and spokesperson. Primarily known early in his career for his work on stage and in independent films, Berresford first gained national recognition for his role of Cory, on the original series, .-Early Life:Josh was born and raised in...
as Cyril
Casting
Quite a few casting sessions were held and there was always one outstanding actor for every role. Fortunately, when offers were made, no one turned down the roles, so essentially a dream cast was assembled.Direction
GF Roberts has been shooting independent filmIndependent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for years. His projects range from comedy to horror and film to music videos. Starting with short films shot on video
Video
Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
with his friends, Roberts discovered that he had a knack for telling stories with the camera. Years later, after scripting a feature film, which was produced, he joined the production team and never looked back. He began shooting film-based projects and after investing in equipment began his own production company. From there he learned the workings of the camera and after sufficient experience he hired himself out as a cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
, working on several films. He has also shot music videos and a spec television show. He recently completed “The Citizen Core”, which was an official selection in the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival and Sarah’s Demons, a horror short was an official selection in the 2008 Bare Bones International Film Festival
Bare Bones International Film Festival
The Bare Bones International Film Festival was founded in 1999 by the Darkwood Film Arts Institute in the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma to showcase low-budget independent movies...
.
Filming locations
The movie's opening scene was shot in Pennsylvania. The interrogation scenes were shot in Brooklyn. The bulk of the film though, was shot in upstate New York, mainly Woodstock, New YorkWoodstock, New York
Woodstock is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 5,884 at the 2010 census, down from 6,241 at the 2000 census.The Town of Woodstock is in the northern part of the county...
, the infamous site of the 1969 concert, Kingston, New York
Kingston, New York
Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, USA. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. It became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British Oct. 16, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga...
and Red Hook, NY Although the film has various locations, it is not supposed to take place anywhere specific.