HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The writer, editor, and director of a new horror film made in Hopkinsville is looking forward to premiering Scarytales & Deadtime Stories just in time for Halloween. Chief Information Officer for the Community Medical Clinic by day, independent filmmaker by night, Joseph Aguon Drake has recruited a team of passionate people in the industry to create five films over the past ten years.
“Will a group of outcast teens survive Halloween night after playing a prank that doesn’t go as planned,” reads the tagline for Drake’s latest bone chilling film. Scarytales & Deadtime Stories has a sort of anthology format, featuring multiple small stories that tie together in a horrifying finale. At the age of 46, he and his filmmaking partner David Baker are determined to continue making a name for themselves in Hopkinsville, and beyond.
“I definitely have big dreams. I don’t think filmmaking is anything I’ll quit,” Drake told Christian County Now. “I want us to be able to do bigger things. I want to be able to do a film with a budget and put it some of the bigger film festivals. I would love to be the next big film director, it’s a possibility.”
Getting started in film
Drake’s filmmaking career kicked off when he had the opportunity to work on a local horror film with a director from Nashville. During that time, he gained experience by doing necessary tasks like carrying lights and running sound, even getting a small on-screen role. “From there, I kind of got the film bug and I started trying to get my hands in any project that I could,” he added.
A year later, his daughter got a starring role in a Florida Georgia Line music video where he also got to work on set. During the shoot, fate connected him with David Baker, his future film partner and gifted cameraman. The two instantly connected and decided to get into the film biz together.
“We had already learned the ropes of filmmaking, so we were like why we are going help everyone else do it, why don’t we do it ourselves,” said Drake. “I couldn’t do any of this without him.”
Although he has a love and fascination with horror and has created four films in that genre, their first project was a documentary about a cold case in Mullenberg County called The Girl Without a Name. After that, they created Fearsville, Fearsville 2, and The Invasion of Kelly.
Scarytales & Deadtime Stories premiere
“It’s amazing because I have so much support,” said Drake. “I’ve worked with so many great people and so much natural talent who are just glad to help me and be part of the project,” explained Drake.
With production staying local to Hopkinsville and actors from around the city debuting on the big screen, the film was truly a community effort. Although their films operate on a limited budget, he has found that people are willing to step up and help make their dreams become a reality.
His production company has the opportunity to go above and beyond for their film premiere, creating a local spectacle for horror fans in the area. Drake previously had a good relationship with WK Cinema in Hopkinsville where they did previous premieres, and he is excited to continue that connection with The Showbox. The local theater has prioritized accommodations for the premiere even though a big box horror movie is premiering the same day.
Scarytales & Deadtime Stories will premiere at The Showbox on Oct. 11, with tickets still available for a showing at 9 p.m. They are not planning on releasing it online as they enter it into festivals, but their past full-length films along with short films and music videos are on their White Door Productions YouTube channel for audiences to access.
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