PORTLAND, Maine — Ryan Gaul and Jeremy Brothers have performed on stage together for years doing improvisational comedy. When their ability to work took a major hit during the pandemic, they started kicking around ideas for other projects.
"We were trying to think of something we could do with very few people and do it for very little money," Gaul said.
In time, inspiration struck. They’d make a horror movie.
Two comedians doing … horror?
"Horror to me is the same as comedy," Gaul explained. "Horror and comedy are both about surprising your audience, keeping your audience on the edge, and showing them something they did not expect. One results in laughter, and one results in fear."
Their movie, "McCurdy Point," is now making the rounds on the film festival circuit and had its Maine premiere on Nov. 2 at the Lincoln Theatre in Damariscotta, Gaul’s hometown. Brothers produced, wrote, and directed, while Gaul produced, wrote, and acted in the film, which was shot in Maine, mostly around Damariscotta Lake.
The movie’s been described as part "The Hangover," part "The Blair Witch Project." Brothers summed up the plot in a sentence: "It’s about four guys who rent a cabin—and terrible things happen."
They made "McCurdy Point" with some of their improv comedy buddies on a very tight budget. Having so little in the way of money and resources, though, helped create a team spirit that served the production well.
"There were moments [while shooting] when it felt insurmountable," Brothers said. "But at the same time, that small crew came together to literally lift an outhouse, and all of a sudden you’ve got eight guys lifting this giant thing. I was like, 'Alright, we are collectively a team in a way that’s really nice.'"