Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart
Directing my short film
I was in High School when my English teacher taught us about Edgar Allan Poe. She played a VHS tape and we watched a little biography video on him. The thing about Edgar Allan Poe is, once you see his face, you can’t unsee it. Once you hear a poem or two, you can’t unhear it. The word, “Nevermore,” is timeless. Poe is the original emo and is still relevant. I’m not an expert on Poe. But I always been mentally called back to him. The rhythm of his dialogue, his perspective on loneliness, and his haunting imagery, like a black raven tapping on a chamber door, or an evil vulture eye.
Not only did I learn about it in English class, my High School also put on a play of Poe’s work and that’s when I saw Poe’s words acted out. I was particular drawn to The Tell-Tale Heart. I thought it was maddening.
There is a reason that “The Tell-Tale Heart” has been redone A LOT. If you search for it on youtube, you will find so many versions of this tale. It was told before me and it will be told after me.
My version is abstract and includes dialogue from “The Raven.” I even named the lead character “Lenore,” the maiden from “The Raven.” I basically directed an eerie love letter to Poe. We filmed one of the two days on his birthday, January 19th. I wish I could say I did that on purpose, but it was just when people were available. Maybe his spirit came to visit us on set. Maybe his spirit came knocking, tapping, rapping, at the chamber door of the house I rented on Giggster.com.
Starring, Alexandra McVicker, Chris Labadie, and Martin Speer.
I enjoyed working on this film and can’t wait to share more about it. Until then, here is the synopsis and trailer.
“Meet Lenore, a lonely maid who hates the look of her employer’s nasty teeth. Overwhelmed with ick, Lenore decides to take the life of the Old Man after a beautiful dinner she made for him. Happy as can be and rotten mouth free. Her joy is interrupted when she hears a knock, a tap, tap, tapping on the chamber door.”
