Writer, Director Brooke H. Cellars Interview [Women in Horror Month 2024]

Meet Brooke H. Cellars, writer/director of Violet Butterfield: Makeup Artist of the Dead:

To start, please introduce yourself:
Hello hello hello! My name is Brooke H. Cellars, and I am a writer, director, producer, and editor of Warped Witch Cinema, an innovative female-led film production company. Since 2018, I have directed seven short films and one music video. My love for horror films dates back to my childhood; my father, a children’s book writer, instilled in me a passion for storytelling, particularly in the horror genre.

To me, horror encompasses a multitude of elements. It’s the dark, the macabre, the blood, the guts, the unease, the disturbing. Yet, I also perceive horror as beautiful, healing, cathartic, and comforting. It’s an intriguing genre that allows for connections with others in a manner where individuals who may not feel comfortable expressing certain thoughts outright can subtly reveal their darkness, knowing that others can observe and understand without judgment. Moreover, horror can be enjoyable, inducing laughter and providing entertainment and thrills. A ‘feel-good movie’ doesn’t necessarily need to star Ryan Gosling. (No shade, Ryan)

What made you want to work in horror?
I’ve always been drawn to horror and dark imagery, finding beauty and solace in them. Even as a child, when I wrote stories, it was always horror that captivated me, almost as if it were ingrained in my nature from an early age. In the 80s, when my siblings and I would rent tapes from the video store, I invariably gravitated towards horror movies. “Lost Boys” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” were two of my favorites at the time. No one explicitly introduced me to horror; it was simply a part of who I was. I was the odd kid who embraced the strange and macabre, particularly in horror. While I watched a variety of movies growing up, it was “The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller” that truly inspired me to consider making my own horror film. We rented that documentary so frequently, and I was enthralled by the BTS footage, especially the practical special effects used for the werewolf transformation. ‘Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it?’

Where do you get your inspiration?
I find inspiration in oh so many places. Foremost among them are a plethora of films. Recently, someone inquired why my films often resemble period pieces, and the reason lies in my deep affection for movies spanning the 1940s to the 1990s. Which is the cinematic landscape of my upbringing and the source of my artistic passion. When I’m initially writing a film, the imagery that materializes in my mind mirrors those older classics, shaping its visual as well.

What would you like your legacy to be in the genre (or elsewhere)?
Ultimately, my aspiration is to leave a lasting impact on the film and horror genres by introducing something fresh and transformative. My passion is to live and create authentically, forging genuine connections with audiences through my art. I also aim to establish safe and inclusive spaces on set, where individuals feel empowered to showcase their talents and collaborate with fellow passionate creators. Through my work I want to champion authenticity and encourage others to embrace their true selves, fostering a sense of acceptance and belonging within the artistic community.  

What is Women in Horror Month to you and why is it still important this many years later?
Despite significant progress in the film industry, the reality persists: it remains predominantly male-dominated. Despite efforts to spotlight women in film, they continue to be overlooked and undervalued, even when deserving of celebration and acknowledgment. From my own journey into filmmaking, I’ve encountered consistent marginalization and suppression at the hands of male counterparts, including individuals I considered friends.

What are you currently working on that you can tell us about?
It’s an incredibly thrilling and nerve-wracking time for us at the moment! We’re currently in the midst of shooting our very first feature-length film titled ‘The Cramps: A Period Piece!’—a project close to our hearts, inspired by my personal journey with endometriosis. This dark, fantastical horror-comedy follows the story of Agnes Applewhite, a young woman who defies her mother’s wishes to work at a vibrant beauty salon. As she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, she grapples with the monstrous pains of The Cramps, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare.