‘He Never Left’ is Coming Back to Utah
In a whirlwind of creativity, resilience, and passion, the talented team behind “The Witching Season” presents their latest cinematic venture, “He Never Left.” Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, director James Morris, producer Michael Ballif, and a stellar cast including standout actress Jessica Staples have crafted a thrilling tale that promises to captivate audiences. “He Never Left” will be making its way back to Utah cinemas at the Utah International Film Festival in February.
“He Never Left” got started during the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic when Morris, drawing from his experiences in law enforcement, found inspiration for a compelling story. Originally conceived as “Room 28,” the project evolved under the creative partnership of Morris and Ballif. The script took shape, integrating horror and Halloween elements synonymous with the Witching Season brand. With the addition of the legendary masked killer Pale Face and the involvement of acclaimed actor Colin Cunningham, the film transformed into a unique and engaging narrative.
What makes “He Never Left” really cool is the dynamic collaboration between James Morris and Michael Ballif. Their distinctive approaches and skill sets, often described as opposites, form a cohesive and balanced creative force. Morris, known for his swift scriptwriting skills, complements Ballif’s meticulous planning and depth-focused approach. Their partnership has birthed a film that marries efficiency and depth, a testament to their creative synergy.
“Our friendship and business relationship is very cohesive” says Morris. Ballif agrees, “We do a good job of balancing each other out.”
In the midst of this creative whirlwind, actress Jessica Staples delivers a stellar performance as Carly, earning accolades for her portrayal. Staples, who faced the challenge of a major role, shared her experience of finding support and inspiration within the production team. Collaborating with Colin Cunningham, Staples dedicated herself to the role, showcasing a level of dedication and talent that promises to leave a lasting impression on audiences.
“I really think a lot of the prep work we did attributed to how well our performances were in the movie,” says Staples. “and lucky for me, absolutely everybody that I got to work with on set was amazing, patient, and inclusive of one another. Everybody worked well together. Everybody collaborated. I felt at home.”
“He Never Left” also highlights the advantages of smaller productions. With a compact yet highly skilled crew, Morris and Ballif navigated the challenges of filmmaking with finesse. The intimacy and familiarity within the team facilitated seamless communication and collaboration, leading to a production that prioritized storytelling amid the noise.
“There are certainly pros and cons to a small crew,” says Morris, “but I have always been fine wearing multiple hats during productions.”
As Michael is pulling double duty as Cinematographer and Editor I asked him if the duel roles added to a more productive production.
“I think it does, for me at least, said Ballif. “Once I get into the edit, I tend to have a fairly good idea of how things might be cut together because I’m always cutting in my head as we shoot.
The film’s production journey was marked by memorable moments and challenges. Staples recalled an instance where the pressure to evoke emotions felt overwhelming. However, the supportive environment created by Morris and Ballif allowed her to explore her character freely, leading to a breakthrough in her performance.
For James Morris, who donned the dual hats of actor and director, challenges were met with determination and skill. His collaboration with Sean Hunter, a long-time acquaintance from their middle school acting days, added depth to his role and enriched the film’s narrative.
“I originally was not going to play a part in He Never Left, because I didn’t want to be distracted from directing.” adds Morris. “But it was Mike who really pushed me to play one of the Marshals. I credit Mike for helping take the reins during those scenes (I acted in) to make sure we were getting everything we needed”
James Morris continued stating that “the most memorable moment for me was honestly the first scene we shot with Colin and Jessica”.
“The entire motel shoot was such a highlight for me,” said Michael Ballif. “I’ll never forget my drive home after we wrapped our 6-day block of filming there.”
Jessica Staples found the moments in between filming had some of the most impact.”Everybody was smiling and having a good time. The shoot was going well, it was just a harmonious afternoon on a really nice day, and I just remember feeling so much love for all these people i was sitting with who had become part of my film family.”
“He Never Left” had its world premiere at FilmQuest on October 26th and jumped the pond to FrightFest UK in London on October 27th. Now audiences can see “He Never Left” back on the big screen in American Fork at it comes home to the Utah International Film Festival.
Spread the Word
This is Warren Workman from the Utah International Film Festival. I enjoyed interviewing Michael, James and Jessica about their experiences making “He Never Left”. One of my favorite things is to interview local filmmakers about their journey. If you would like me to cover your show and have me out on set, please send me an invitation at info@UtahFilmFestival.com and I will try my best to accommodate your request. Keep those cameras rolling.
