 My heart is heavy today. I woke up to the news that EVERETT DeROCHE had passed away yesterday. If you are regular to this website you will understand the profound effect he has had on my life and my own work. Over a year ago when I first started this website it was Everett who saw what I was doing, liked it and offered me his time. He was my very first interview subject and he granted me a hell of a lot of patience. My skills as an interviewer weren't exactly great but he saw a talent in my writing and kept reassuring me and encouraging me to keep it up. My style has grown and matured since then and it's owed almost entirely to Everett.
I latched on to his work from a very early age (since the mid 80s) when his film FROG DREAMING was newly released. That movie became a priority in my life and it nudged a lot of other favourites out of the way. I had it on VHS and I wore that bugger right down. Without a word of a lie I would have watched FROG DREAMING at least once a week, if not more. Even to this day it remains an important film in my life and I have been doing my darndest to see it restored and released digitally. The last year has seen a lot of progress with Umbrella Entertainment moving forward with attempts to get it re-released. In the last few months Everett signed papers to confirm that he was the sole surviving producer of the film and with that, the road forward was clear of obstacles. Of all of his films FROG DREAMING was his most personal. I had spoken to him about it and he was thrilled to know that a dogged attempt to revive it was being made. It saddens me that he never saw this happen, and yet I am more determined than ever to see it become a reality. And of course with his passing, he leaves a massive legacy. His work leaves an everlasting impression on this world and his films will remain some of the most significant, profound and daring that this country has ever seen. ROADGAMES, THE LONG WEEKEND, HARLEQUIN, LINK and PATRICK are just some of the amazing titles he has given the world. To this day whenever I put my own pen to paper it is Everett who guides my words. It is his films that help me form structure and suspense. From the ferocity of FORTRESS to the beach-front romance of WINDRIDER and even the grisly torture of STORM WARNING... Everett's words, stylings and grace find their way onto my paper. I have loved this man since I was a child and I feel privileged to have known him in his final years. Through him I have also been graced by the friendship of his daughter, Torre, who is herself a remarkable artist. And I have been introduced to the work of his daughter, Summer, who is insanely talented. My warmest thoughts and condolences go out to them and their entire family. They know damn well how incredible their 'old man was and I have no doubt they could not be prouder of him. Without this man's attention and advice this website would have taken a lot longer to find an audience and gain some traction. Whenever you visit you will be taking Everett home with you when you leave. EVERETT DeROCHE - LEGEND! Click here to read the full interview.
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November 2018
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