Jack Thomas Smith is an award-winning filmmaker who will be attending the upcoming screening of his controversial film “Infliction” this Sunday, March 16th, 2014 at Pocono Community Theater. He will be hosting a Q&A session after the screening, but we were able to steal a few moments from him to answer some burning questions about him and his upcoming film “Infliction”. Tickets for the screening are only $8.00 and can be purchased on the website www.inflictiontapes.com or at the door.
Pocono Talk: You’ll be attending the screening upcoming on Sunday, March 16th, do you think you’ll be looking around at people’s reactions more then watching the film itself? What runs through your mind during the screening process?
Jack Thomas Smith: I will DEFINITELY be watching everyone’s expressions. It’s a fun process to watch it with the audience to see their reactions. Most actors love to perform in plays because they can connect instantly with the audience. In a lot of ways, when I screen my films with the audience it’s the same type of experience. I’m not gonna lie… It can be stressful, because you’re not sure how the audience will receive your work… But what a great problem to have… It’s a dream come true to see your work — your vision — up on the big screen.
Pocono Talk: Looking back now that it’s complete, what’s the biggest thing you learned or took away from doing this film?
Jack Thomas Smith: “Infliction” deals heavily with the actions of people and the long-term effects. We’re all here together. The way we raise our children — good or bad — can effect generations to come. And you can apply that to the way we treat each other in everyday life… There’s cause and effect with our actions. If you take someone like Charles Manson… He had a terrible childhood. His mother was a prostitute and he was horribly neglected. He grew up and orchestrated the Helter Skelter murders. Now, was that just IN him to become that type of person? Or was it his abusive upbringing? Or a combination of both? Or are we predisposed to certain things that can be triggered by life events?
Pocono Talk: When people see this film, what are the feelings or thoughts that you hope they walk away with?
Jack Thomas Smith: I hope it makes them talk. I hope it makes them talk about society as a whole and how our actions or inactions can effect people now and for generations to come. “Infliction” is such a dark, unsettling film… I’m curious to hear what the audience thinks about the two brothers and the disturbing truth behind their actions.
Pocono Talk: Why did you pick this film in particular to work on, was there a particular draw or a moment that made you decide that you had to do this film?
Jack Thomas Smith: Absolutely. It’s the subject matter. I wanted to put out a film that would make people stop and think… Most of us just want to live our lives, which is great. I’m no different. Believe me. But if a situation occurs that pulls us out of our comfort zone… how would most of us react? And it’s the actions and/or lack of actions in “Infliction” that sets everything in motion.
Pocono Talk: What is the hardest / most difficult part of your job that goes unsaid, is it the amount of hours put in, the emotional attachment, or something else?
Jack Thomas Smith: There are so many hours involved in putting a film like this together. Every film is such a painstaking process that moves forward in baby steps. You’re constantly juggling schedules and multiple issues… And, yes, there is an emotional attachment to each project you work on and you hope the audience receives it well. It’s almost like a child that you raise and protect… And then you put them out into the real world… And you hope the world is good to them.
Pocono Talk: It has to be a pretty accomplished feeling once the film has been released. Can you briefly explain the pride and ownership associated with seeing the finished product?
Jack Thomas Smith: It’s very surreal to see your films on the big screen and on Netflix or in Wal-Mart. It’s definitely a rush… And it’s humbling. It’s so hard to make a film and it’s even harder to secure distribution… I’ve been very lucky. My last film, “Disorder”, which I shot in Bushkill and over by Millbrook Village, was released on DVD by Universal/Vivendi and on PPV & VOD by Warner Brothers. It was crazy to walk into Wal-Mart and see it on the new release shelf beside major Hollywood movies. I was happy for everyone who worked so hard on “Disorder” and to see that a low-budget film shot in the Poconos could be released by a major studio and wind up in every Wal-Mart, Hollywood Video, and other major chains.
Pocono Talk: On that same thought stream, was there anything that you feel you left out of the film, that you would have liked included, or do you feel like everything was left on the table?
Jack Thomas Smith: Everything is definitely in there… And there’s some disturbing footage to take in.
Pocono Talk: So what’s the next chapter for Jack Thomas Smith?
Jack Thomas Smith: Regarding “Infliction”… We have screenings lined up across the country in the spring and summer. After the screening in East Stroudsburg Sunday night, “Infliction” will screen Saturday April 5th in NYC and Thursday April 10th in Chatham, NJ. After that, we’ll have screenings in Asheville, NC; Burlington, VT; Jenkintown, PA; Albuquerque, NM; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; and Madison, WI. “Infliction” will then be released nationwide on DVD, PPV, VOD and digitally by Virgil Films Entertainment in July. In regards to myself, my next feature film “In The Dark”, which is an action/horror film, is currently in development. We’re hoping to start production in the next year.
You can Follow Jack Thomas Smith on Twitter at @JackTSmith1
Watch the trailer and learn more at: www.InflictionTapes.com
Follow on Twitter at @InflictionTapes
Like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InflictionTapes
[…] the screening in Blairstown, New Jersey. You can read our interview with the filmmaker here: http://www.poconotalk.com/blog/2014/03/14/interview-jack-thomas-smith-award-winning-filmmaker-visits… and have your own chance to meet him and attend a Q & A Session at the screening as well. […]