Iain PF McDonald Muirhouse Interview

Iain PF McDonald Muirhouse Interview

Cast: Iain PF McDonald, Kate Henderson, Steve Lynch, Libby Ashby
Director: Tanzeal Rahim
Genre: Thriller
Rated: MA
Running Time: 75 minutes

Synopsis: Ghost Hunter Phillip Muirhouse is on his last stop of a publicity tour at The Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee. Infamously it's known as Australia's most haunted house. The Monte Cristo homestead has been explored by teams of paranormal investigators from around the world, their conclusions, all confirming the existence of ghosts. When Phillip's team fail to show up - he decides to break the golden rule of ghost hunters - he goes looking for them alone.

Fright-Night Film Festival
Australia's own supernatural horror film "Muirhouse'; currently screening at Marche Du Film at June's Cannes Film Festival; announced it will be included in the Official Selection at this year's Fright-Night Film Festival in the USA.

?We are thrilled to receive an invitation from this renowned horror festival' Tanzeal Rahim, Writer/Director of ?Muirhouse' comments ?Australians have been kicking goals at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and the support for our film from local and overseas markets has been overwhelming! This invitation to attend Fright-Night is just a cherry on the top of a hugely successful week for us!'.

In the tradition of films like ?The Blair Witch Project' and ?Paranormal Activity' -"Muirhouse' is a documentary style film set in Australia's most haunted house; the Monte Cristo Homestead.

The film is based on actual happenings at the house from documented recordings by paranormal experts. Philip Muirhouse (played by Australian actor Iain PF McDonald) finds himself alone in the house; and the frightening events of that night are recorded in real time by camera and audio devices; taking the audience on a suspenseful, nail biting ride!

Website: www.muirhousefilm.com

For more information on Muirhouse visit:
Tanzeal Rahim Interview
Extended Tanzeal Rahim Interview

Interview with Iain PF McDonald

Originally from Brisbane, Sydney actor Iain PF McDonald has been a mainstay in the Australian film, television & radio industry since 2003. He has numerous credits that's include appearances in over 20 commercials, voice-overs on 90 others, stage productions, guest appearances on television shows including the Packed to the Rafters and now starring in the title role of Australia feature, Muirhouse.

Question: How did you react when you were told Muirhouse would screen at the US Fright-Night Film Festival?

Iain PF McDonald: I was pretty thrilled to say the least! You're never sure when you embark on a project whether the final outcome will be as good as the possibility you saw in the script. I must say, it is a really nice feeling to know that the film is reaching audiences in the way you had pictured it having the potential to.


Question: Why did you originally commit to this project?

Iain PF McDonald: I have a long professional history with Tanzeal since working with him on Australia's potentially most notorious TV commercial, 'The Piano Brothers' for Advanced Medical Institute back in 2005. The ad has been a mainstay on many a late night TV screen across the country and polarises audiences. I have great respect for Tanzeal creatively and we also get along brilliantly so it only seemed natural once he shared his vision for Muirhouse that I get on board. It was also a little scary and exciting to have the opportunity to shoot in the Monte Cristo Homestead too.


Question: Are your emotions and the fear in the film genuine, rather than 'acted'?

Iain PF McDonald: To a degree, yes. I think it is a mixture of performance heightened by environment. Like rehearsing on stage in costume, that house ensures you embody fear. It's a pretty creepy location.


Question: You play Philip Muirhouse, can you talk about the difficulties of collaborating your genuine fear whilst still acting as a character?

Iain PF McDonald: I was quite lucky with Phillip Muirhouse. As a character he was not pitched to me by Tanzeal as being too dissimilar to myself. Incorporating the fear in the house was a no brainer, once you start to create the fear within your performance the house and the fact you're frequently in pitch black being shot with night-vision heightens the experience. The most catalytic factor though was that omnipresent feeling you get when you're creeped out; across the back of your shoulders, up the nave of your neck and then across your scalp as your skin goose-bumps. I had that feeling almost non-stop for the entire time we were shooting in the house.


Question: How was filming Muirhouse different to your previous work?

Iain PF McDonald: Shooting Muirhouse was a much more linear process in regards to filmmaking. On most productions your shooting schedule hops all over the story which sees an actor having to map and plan for the progression of the character's 'journey'. But Muirhouse was mostly filmed pretty close to the order as the film appears to play in real time for the later part of the film which was a nice luxury. Oh, and also I don't usually shoot amidst such spine-chilling environments like the Monte Cristo.


Question: Can you talk about your co-stars, in Muirhouse?

Iain PF McDonald: We had some great talent on Muirhouse including some locals to the area, and in fact Lewis, the grandson of the current owners of the Monte Cristo. Most other cast members had worked with Tanzeal before and it was a really nice tight-knit crew. One of us got a speeding ticket on the way down to Junee but that just made for a good bit of sledging and banter around the dinner table before the shoots. Another of us had pretty direct contact with Mrs Crawley, 'the lady of the house'. And of course, the uncredited cast members: the spectres of the Monte Cristo.


Question: Why do you think audiences are drawn to horror films, such as Muirhouse?

Iain PF McDonald: To almost quote Phillip Muirhouse, people want to believe but it is always so easy to rationalise the probable causes of perceived sightings or contact. Films like Muirhouse allow people to sit front and centre and have a first-person experience. I think it will make believers believe more and non-believers at least question... even if just a little. We had non-believers have sightings that they quickly attempted to rationalise during the shoot; one during the daytime.


Question: How do you feel when you watch Murihouse?

Iain PF McDonald: I was sitting with Tanzeal in Cannes a couple of weeks ago for our first screening and I stilled jumped at two points in the film! He looked at me like I was crazy as I knew the scares were coming. But for me I still connect with the tension as I know what it feels like to be in that room, unable to see anything, fumbling your way through a haunted house with no-one else in it and having THAT feeling that you're not the only one in the room; like you're being watched.


Question: Would you return to the house, for a second filming?

Iain PF McDonald: Ooof! I don't know! I mean I would, but it's not something I'm bouncing off the walls to jump in to! I can't explain the feeling you get in that house other than pure negativity. You feel so many feelings but mostly you feel unwelcome. It's an inexplicable tightness in your stomach that always pushes you towards leaving. You have to fight to stay in the house if you want to... but I guess sure, I'd go back.


Question: What originally inspired you to enter the acting industry?

Iain PF McDonald: Films. When I was very young I got so much out of the experience of having a story unfold in front of you and not ever having to question whether it was real or whether the characters existed, it was always just slice of life. Then as I grew up I identified that which is real from that which is not and that's when the art of filmmaking really started to hold my firm attention. I think it is now my goal to be involved with films that convey that sense to audiences that I used to relish; the seamless telling of a story that never has you focussing on the craft of acting nor filmmaking; just holistic well finished cinema with a great story to tell, point to make or experience to share.


Question: Do you have a preference - acting for television or film?

Iain PF McDonald: Film for me, absolutely. I do love television but the process of filmmaking tends to allow more time for the actor. This gives you a freedom to really create a well-rounded approach to your work; and then, of course, to 'let all that go' and be spontaneous on the day.


Question: What are you now, currently working on?

Iain PF McDonald: Right now my focus is firmly on getting to the States. I don't feel I am getting the number of casting and audition that I'd like to be doing here and I'd like more opportunities to just be seen for roles. I have been across a couple of times this year and should be back later this month for the Fight Night Film Festival in Louisville Kentucky which Muirhouse made 'Official Selection' for and then back again around August. I am also working on myself and my acting technique; a lot of reading, workshops and practise. Also getting out on the road on my motorcycle in between all that helps keep me sane!


Interview by Brooke Hunter