Harmony Falls: Q&A with David Aslin, Film Maker and Author

Columbia Theatre’s Managing Director, Kelly Ragsdale, recently had a chance to sit down with David Aslin, Executive Producer, Writer and Co-Director of the locally-shot horror film “Harmony Falls” that premieres this Saturday night at the Columbia Theatre.

Q: What inspired you to make this film?

A: Several years ago, I wrote the book - Loup-Garou: The Beast of Harmony Falls (The Ian McDermott, Ph.D., Paranormal Investigator Series Book 1). The book was published on Amazon and became the best-selling werewolf novel of its genre. Because of this a couple of publishing houses contacted me as did Boris Novak, a filmmaker who has done several b movies. Boris contacted me about collaborating on a movie based on the novel. About nine months before COVID hit, we began the process of putting together the film and raising funds. Once COVID hit, everything stopped and for a time the film was buried. However, with so much work having already been done, and having written the screenplay, I decided to forge ahead. I started getting small investors, assembled a team of creative people, and was able to complete the film.

Q: Harmony falls is filmed in the local area; can you talk about this? Where is Harmony Falls exactly is it a real place?

A: There was a Harmony Falls near Mt. St. Helen’s. When the mountain blew, this area was wiped out, although some of the area may still exist. When I came up with the idea, T I wanted to pay homage to this area. The town of Harmony Falls is based on the town of Cougar, Washington, whereas inspiration for the falls comes from Beaver Falls, outside of Clatskanie, Oregon.

Q: Are there other locations in the local area where Harmony Falls takes place?

A: Yes, we filmed in several areas including Ocean Shores, Amboy, the police station in Toledo, even a cabin near Silverlake. The bar scenes were filmed at the Alston Pub and Grub in Rainier, Oregon. Ape Caves was another film location. The State kept turning me down for a permit, but in the end, it was granted, and the team had exclusive access to the caves. It was winter and the middle of COVID, and we had to pack everything in. Most of the filming was done on location. The only set that was built was in Longview where a friend of mine’s basement was converted into a medical clinic.

.Q: I noticed you used the term “legit” when talking about the props from the film, can you elaborate?

A: I wanted the props to be legitimate and did not want them to look like dime store props. For the sheriff badges, I was able to find the company that produces badges for the US Marshalls. The company was hesitant at first to provide fake badges, after producing lots of documents and ensuring them the town does not really exist, the company agreed to providing the badges. Same with the bomber jackets, I was able to find a company that makes the jackets for law enforcement. The werewolf suit was custom made by a professional Hollywood props company. Every hair is inland by hand.

Q: Speaking of the Werewolf, why the name “cuddles”?

A: wish I had a cute story; the truth is the werewolf was on a 6’ 3” mannikin in the basement of our house. I am only 5’7” and it was terrifying walking by it, naming it cuddles made it seem less scary. It was terrifying in the dark, my wife started locking the door to the basement.

Q: Why did you choose to premiere the film at the historic Columbia Theatre?

A: I grew up in Longview and the Columbia Theatre was where I came to see movies. I fell in love with the incredible opera house setting, it seemed majestic. When I was a kid, I remember one time around Halloween the theatre showed Vincent Price’s House of Wax, late at night and I remember my friend and I talked about how cool it would be to make a movie and show it at the Columbia. Fast forward to the present, I received a message from the theatre asking if I would be interested in premiering the film here and I about fell off my chair. When I came to the theatre to discuss this and was given the grand tour, I was in the present and the past at the same time. It was like being 7 years old again, only this time it is my movie that is being premiered.

The Premiere of Harmony Falls, this Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 7:30PM. Tickets are $15 if purchased by phone or at the Box Office (360.575.8499) or $17 if purchased online ($2 online fee included). Doors open at 6:30PM. Come meet the cast and crew and get your picture taken with Cuddles!

For more information about Harmony Falls and to get your tickets: CLICK HERE