In a landscape dramatically reshaped by the pandemic, the film industry faced unprecedented challenges. Yet, amidst these obstacles, resourceful filmmakers found innovative paths forward. Neill Blomkamp, acclaimed for his visionary works like District 9 and Elysium, stands as a prime example. His latest venture, Demonic, a unique horror film exploring the intersection of reality and digital consciousness, premiered both in theaters and for digital audiences on August 20th.
Demonic marks Blomkamp’s foray into horror, a project born from passion and ingenuity under extraordinary circumstances. Central to this cinematic experiment is Carly Pope, the film’s star, who offers a compelling performance navigating both the tangible and digitized realms of the narrative. In a revealing interview, Pope delves into the intricacies of working with Neill Blomkamp on this distinctive project amidst the pandemic’s complexities.
A Reunion Forged in Filmmaking: Carly Pope and Neill Blomkamp
Carly Pope’s collaboration with Neill Blomkamp is far from new. Their professional relationship began during Elysium, where Pope played a role in what she recalls as 2011. This initial connection evolved when Blomkamp envisioned Oats Studios, aiming to gather a collective of Vancouver-based actors for his diverse short film projects. Despite not residing in Vancouver at the time, Pope, a Vancouver native with strong family ties there, became an integral part of the Oats Studios ensemble.
“I feel like we probably did about three or four actual, on camera things, and then I did a couple of voiceover pieces for him for that as well,” Carly Pope recounts, highlighting her frequent interactions with Blomkamp during the Oats Studios phase. Their collaboration deepened further in 2015-2016 with Rakka, filmed in Johannesburg, an experience Pope believes solidified their understanding of each other’s work styles and processes. This established rapport set the stage for Demonic. In early 2020, an unexpected email from Blomkamp proposed a “lo-fi horror film.” Pope’s immediate affirmative marked the inception of Demonic. Despite initial plans for other projects in 2020, the pandemic’s onset shifted priorities. Blomkamp revisited the horror concept, and with Pope’s unwavering creative commitment, Demonic rapidly materialized from concept to production between late March and early July.
Filming Demonic Under Pandemic Protocols
The realities of pandemic-era filmmaking were inescapable. Carly Pope describes the stringent protocols on the set of Demonic: “We had to make sure that everyone was sanitizing and wearing their mask.” Initially, Pope considered how pandemic restrictions might influence the script, particularly regarding typical horror elements like intimacy and violence. However, Blomkamp’s artistic direction offered reassurance. “Of course, Neill’s not interested in creating a film about vanity or sexuality, which is a huge relief and really liberating as an actor,” Pope states. This focus alleviated concerns about proximity in scenes, except for the action-oriented sequences towards the film’s climax. The controlled and contained nature of the production, with a small, tight-knit crew, further eased concerns, ensuring a safe and focused filming environment.
Navigating the Subconscious: Volume Capture Technology
A significant aspect of Demonic is its exploration of a digitized subconscious, a space Carly Pope’s character navigates. Pope reflects on the “bizarre” and “inorganic” process of creating these digital sequences, heavily reliant on volume capture technology. This involved being surrounded by an extensive array of cameras – “250 or 260 cameras in a round sort of cage” within a confined five-meter space. A smaller, more refined cage was also used for capturing emotionally nuanced performances at higher resolution. The set was intensely technical, filled with cameras, hard drives, wires, and fluorescent lights, creating a palpable “buzz of technology.”
For Carly Pope, the challenge lay in connecting with the emotional core of her performance amidst this technological immersion. These digital scenes were among the most emotionally demanding in the film, requiring a deep connection to the character’s inner world despite the external technological environment. Pope credits Natalie Bolt, who plays her mother in the film, for making this process more manageable. “When you’re acting opposite someone who’s so generous and beautiful as an actor as she is, it’s it’s a lot easier to kind of just go ‘hey, we’re in this together’, connect here and forget all the rest.” Bolt’s performance and collaborative spirit were crucial in grounding Pope’s emotionally resonant portrayal within the technologically driven scenes.
The Maverick Spirit of Neill Blomkamp’s Filmmaking
Reflecting on her experience working with Neill Blomkamp on a feature-length project for the first time, Carly Pope emphasizes the unique and liberating environment Blomkamp cultivates. Compared to her brief role in Elysium and the shorter formats of Oats Studios films, Demonic provided a deeper insight into Blomkamp’s directorial approach. Pope notes the “close knit and small” nature of the production, firmly under Blomkamp’s control. This structure fostered an environment where creative decisions were immediate and direct. “There’s something really liberating about knowing that you’re going into that kind of environment where, for instance, the questions that you have can be answered directly from the person themselves as opposed to having to go up the line.”
This direct access and streamlined decision-making process extended to all aspects of filmmaking, from spontaneous hair color adjustments to stunt choreography and script revisions. Pope describes this as a “real Maverick spirit,” a valuable luxury in an industry often characterized by layers of bureaucracy and creative input from numerous sources. Blomkamp’s ability to assemble a trusted crew and maintain a clear vision allowed for creative agility and efficiency. “In this case, we knew what we were going to do and what we wanted to make and how we were going to do that. And that’s a testament to Neill who always tries to put together, you know, a crew of people that he knows and trusts, and just make it work.”
Carly Pope’s journey through Demonic showcases not only her acting versatility but also the innovative spirit of filmmaking in challenging times, guided by the singular vision of Neill Blomkamp. Demonic, directed by Neill Blomkamp and starring Carly Pope, is available in theaters and for digital rental.
