Jenna Michno and Gabriel Pranter stars in the new thriller movie Trapped in the Farmhouse which is set to premiere on Lifetime on July 8 at 8p/7c. We at Survived The Shows had the chance to chat with director Peter Sullivan and discuss his favourite parts of directing Trapped in the Farmhouse. Check out the full interview below!
What’s the main element in the main characters and the movie in general that fascinates you the most and drew you to join Trapped in the Farmhouse?
PETER SULLIVAN: What I love about the movie is that it mixes two of my favorite genres: the prisoner thriller and the disaster film. While there’s something so simple and exciting about trapping two people in a location together, not knowing who to trust, but to add the impending doom of a tornado to that was just too delicious to pass up! Our main character is on the run from an abusive relationship, so she’s dealing with storms of both the literal and figurative kind. Meanwhile, you have this mysterious man who lives in a farmhouse with a back story that manages to catch you off guard. Let’s just say the twisters aren’t the story’s only twists!
Where are you and the characters of this movie most similar and were most different as human beings?
PETER SULLIVAN: Interestingly, the characters are both running from their past in very different ways. They’re both hiding things from each other and thus, you have this fascinating game of wits between them as they’re trying to figure each other out and stay one step ahead. They’re also both trying to protect someone in two very different ways, which is also interesting to see play out.
What’s been the biggest challenge for you in directing this movie?
PETER SULLIVAN: There were a number of challenges, including the weather. Since we shot a lot at night, temperatures were frequently in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit… and we were filming in a 100 year old farm house that had no heat! However, the biggest challenge was bringing the storms to life. As you can imagine, any movie with a tornado (and we have several) is going to be a tough mix of practical and digital FX.
So often times the actors were acting with nothing there to react to, and I had to get the right reaction from them. Other times, they’re acting with a massive fan blowing in their faces so loud they couldn’t even hear each other speak! There was a lot of running and action as well, which was a big change of pace than some of my usual films. However, the result is a roller coaster ride that is some of the most thrilling directing I’ve ever gotten to do!
To all the fans looking forward to watching the movie, how would you describe Trapped in the Farmhouse?
PETER SULLIVAN: Imagine a mix of “Misery” and “Twister.” Additionally, we have an amazing cast with three fantastic actors who are definitely worth looking forward to. We have Jenna Michno, who is a strong and intense heroine; Gabe Pranter in his first lead role, playing a wonderful blend of compassionate and darkness; and Sydney Agudong, who’s co-starring in Disney’s upcoming live action “Lilo and Stitch,” who finds herself in the middle of an epic fight for survival.
What can you tease about the main characters’ journey throughout the movie?
PETER SULLIVAN: You’re seeing a young woman on the run from a relationship in which she’s been a victim for a long time. Over the course of the movie, she has to find the strength to survive some of the most intense circumstances she’s ever found herself in, and also ends up having to save not only herself but someone else.
If you could choose a character from Trapped in the Farmhouse that you would have loved to play, which one would it be and why?
PETER SULLIVAN: I think Jack (Gabe Pranter) is the most fun because of the twists and turns that character takes… it’s such a fascinating range for one person to get to play with.
Trapped in the Farmhouse, starring Jenna Michno and Gabriel Pranter, premieres July 8 on Lifetime Network. Get a preview below!
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