The Vanishing Tour is a brand-new horror thriller written and directed by Patrick Meaney. It recently had its premiere at the Marina Del Rey Film Festival in Los Angeles. Amber Benson plays Dominique in her first major on-screen role since 2019’s The Nightmare Gallery. Amber has worked with Patrick before; she also starred in 2018’s House of Demons, which he wrote and directed.
I was keen to know more about The Vanishing Tour. I contacted Patrick, and he was kind enough to give me an interview, and we discussed The Vanishing Tour, working with Amber again, and much more.
I was keen to know more about The Vanishing Tour. I contacted Patrick, and he was kind enough to give me an interview, and we discussed The Vanishing Tour, working with Amber again, and much more.
Joe – AB.TV: Could you tell us more about your newest project, The Vanishing Tour?
Patrick: The Vanishing Tour is a horror/thriller film about a struggling indie band who gets carjacked and stranded in the middle of the desert, where they stumble upon a mysterious compound. Amber’s character Dominique lives at the compound with her husband Richard (played by Brendan Wayne aka The Mandalorian!), and they’re keeping a secret that will have very dangerous consequences for all involved.
Joe - AB.TV: How have you incorporated lessons you’ve learned in your previous films into this one?
Patrick: I definitely have. It’s always interesting to watch the films you’ve made with an audience, and to see the reaction. I know with the first film I did with Amber, House of Demons, we had a lot of people who loved the film, and some people who found it a little hard to get into, so it emphasized to me the importance of really grabbing people right from the start.
With this film, I was very inspired by going to a lot of concerts, and seeing how in a great concert, it feels like the show evolves and grows as it goes on, and keeps things varied and always exciting. So I approached this movie kind of like structuring a setlist, where I wanted every scene to have a suspense or horror tension within it, and to vary those tensions a lot over the course of the film.
Joe - AB.TV: Was there any particular group or band that inspired Logline? (the band in movie)
Patrick: Two of our stars, Mina Tobias and Nicolette Norgaard, wrote the song for the band, and we developed the aesthetic together. I had a playlist of songs that we referenced, and some of the artists on there were Charlotte Gainsbourg, Nine Inch Nails, Bat for Lashes and Smashing Pumpkins.
The actual performance in the film was inspired by the theatricality that Kate Bush had in her 70s era tour that you can see on YouTube.
I’d love to have had Amber sing in a scene, but unfortunately it didn’t really make sense for the story.
Joe - AB.TV: What kind of challenges or odd experiences did you face while shooting in the desert?
Patrick: We faced many. Our original plan was to shoot the whole film at a ranch property outside LA. On our second day of filming, people started to smell smoke, and the fire marshal came and told us we better evacuate. That night, a fire in the area almost burned down the house we were supposed to film in.
Thankfully it didn’t, but we were not allowed to return to shoot for several days. Thankfully our makeup artist had a property in the area that wound up working perfectly for several scenes, and we shot there for a few days before returning to the original property.
Beyond that, the heat was definitely tricky. There are several scenes set in a shipping container, and it must have been over 110 degrees in there. But, we found creative ways to keep everyone cool.
Patrick: The Vanishing Tour is a horror/thriller film about a struggling indie band who gets carjacked and stranded in the middle of the desert, where they stumble upon a mysterious compound. Amber’s character Dominique lives at the compound with her husband Richard (played by Brendan Wayne aka The Mandalorian!), and they’re keeping a secret that will have very dangerous consequences for all involved.
Joe - AB.TV: How have you incorporated lessons you’ve learned in your previous films into this one?
Patrick: I definitely have. It’s always interesting to watch the films you’ve made with an audience, and to see the reaction. I know with the first film I did with Amber, House of Demons, we had a lot of people who loved the film, and some people who found it a little hard to get into, so it emphasized to me the importance of really grabbing people right from the start.
With this film, I was very inspired by going to a lot of concerts, and seeing how in a great concert, it feels like the show evolves and grows as it goes on, and keeps things varied and always exciting. So I approached this movie kind of like structuring a setlist, where I wanted every scene to have a suspense or horror tension within it, and to vary those tensions a lot over the course of the film.
Joe - AB.TV: Was there any particular group or band that inspired Logline? (the band in movie)
Patrick: Two of our stars, Mina Tobias and Nicolette Norgaard, wrote the song for the band, and we developed the aesthetic together. I had a playlist of songs that we referenced, and some of the artists on there were Charlotte Gainsbourg, Nine Inch Nails, Bat for Lashes and Smashing Pumpkins.
The actual performance in the film was inspired by the theatricality that Kate Bush had in her 70s era tour that you can see on YouTube.
I’d love to have had Amber sing in a scene, but unfortunately it didn’t really make sense for the story.
Joe - AB.TV: What kind of challenges or odd experiences did you face while shooting in the desert?
Patrick: We faced many. Our original plan was to shoot the whole film at a ranch property outside LA. On our second day of filming, people started to smell smoke, and the fire marshal came and told us we better evacuate. That night, a fire in the area almost burned down the house we were supposed to film in.
Thankfully it didn’t, but we were not allowed to return to shoot for several days. Thankfully our makeup artist had a property in the area that wound up working perfectly for several scenes, and we shot there for a few days before returning to the original property.
Beyond that, the heat was definitely tricky. There are several scenes set in a shipping container, and it must have been over 110 degrees in there. But, we found creative ways to keep everyone cool.
Joe - AB.TV: Can you tell us more about Amber’s character, Dominique, and what role she plays in the movie?
Patrick: After the band is stranded, they find Amber’s character living out in the desert. Amber’s character is mysterious. Externally, she seems very nice and sweet, and one of the characters absolutely loves and embraces her, but the others are a bit more sceptical and seem to think she’s hiding something. The question becomes, is she just a really sweet, nice person, or is she like a witch in a fairy tale, luring these people in for a sinister agenda.
I had so much fun watching Amber bring this character to life, and she gets to be a little bit scary, a little bit sexy and a little bit sweet.
And, it was particularly fun to watch her acting with her husband in the film, played by Brendan Wayne. Brendan is the suit performer for the Mandalorian, and also John Wayne’s grandson, and brings that old school cowboy swagger to his part. But he has a sweet spot for Amber’s character, and I think people will really enjoy watching these two genre icons acting together.
Joe - AB.TV: Given that Amber has been working more as a writer recently, did you write Dominique with her in mind, or how did you approach her for the role?
Patrick: I didn’t specifically think of her from the start, but as the script started to come together, I was like, this would be perfect for Amber. It’s a real honor for me that she wanted to be a part of it.
Joe - AB.TV: You've collaborated with Amber several times now. What is it about working with her that keeps bringing you back?
Patrick: There are a couple of things. Filming, especially on an indie schedule, is a challenge, but she always makes it so much fun, and sets such a joyful tone for everyone. Even just watching the raw footage, before we slate in, she’s smiling and joking, and when things can be stressful, that’s the energy you want. She’s also very relaxed and chill about whatever wacky thing we throw at her to do.
And I think a lot of that comes across on screen as well. Her sweet and genuine energy her walking the line of scary and sweet and being excited. I know all the other actors always loved working with her, and people who didn’t get scenes with her were sad they missed out.
Joe - AB.TV: What was your favourite or most memorable moment of filming?
Patrick: There’s a scene at the end of the film that was a real all hands on deck moment. It involves the most elaborate costumes and makeup/hair of the film, as well as unusual set design, and featured nearly all the main characters, and we had to shoot it all in half a day before the sun went down. The actors were coming out of makeup one by one, so we had to shoot coverage separately before finally getting to the wide shot. So, every single cast and crew member were giving it their all, and we finished it right as the sun went behind a mountain.
And, after the premiere, most people said it was their favorite scene, so it seems to have all paid off.
Joe - AB.TV: What conversation do you hope audiences are having on the drive home?
Patrick: One cool thing we’ve heard from a bunch of viewers is that they want to watch it again right away. The movie really goes on a big journey with a lot of twists and turns, so people want to look back and see how they got there.
Joe - AB.TV: Looking ahead, is there a particular story or project you've always dreamed of bringing to the screen? Also, what else are you working on at the moment?
Patrick: I’m developing a project now with Auden Wyle, an amazing young actress who made her film debut in The Vanishing Tour, and I’m really excited to work with her again. It’s a similar genre, and my hope is to have several of the other actors back as well, including Amber!
Joe - AB.TV: The Vanishing Tour recently had its premiere at the Marina del Rey Film Festival. Are there any plans for a wider release?
Patrick: Yes, we’re working on setting up more festival and event screenings, as well as setting up distribution. It’s hard to know an exact timeline, but there will be more happening as the year goes on.
Joe - AB.TV: Where can fans find out more about The Vanishing Tour?
Patrick: The Vanishing Tour Instagram is @thevanishingtour, and we’ll be updating with screening and distribution news as it happens.
A big thank you to Patrick for taking the time to talk to me. If you would like to learn more about House of Demons, read my 2018 interview with Patrick by clicking the link here.
Joe
Amber Benson.TV is not connected in any way with the writing or production of The Vanishing Tour. All rights belong to The Phrontistery, Respect Films, Patrick Meaney, and all other copyright holders. We have no connection to the Marina Del Rey Film Festival. This post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about an exciting new movie starring Amber Benson.
Patrick: After the band is stranded, they find Amber’s character living out in the desert. Amber’s character is mysterious. Externally, she seems very nice and sweet, and one of the characters absolutely loves and embraces her, but the others are a bit more sceptical and seem to think she’s hiding something. The question becomes, is she just a really sweet, nice person, or is she like a witch in a fairy tale, luring these people in for a sinister agenda.
I had so much fun watching Amber bring this character to life, and she gets to be a little bit scary, a little bit sexy and a little bit sweet.
And, it was particularly fun to watch her acting with her husband in the film, played by Brendan Wayne. Brendan is the suit performer for the Mandalorian, and also John Wayne’s grandson, and brings that old school cowboy swagger to his part. But he has a sweet spot for Amber’s character, and I think people will really enjoy watching these two genre icons acting together.
Joe - AB.TV: Given that Amber has been working more as a writer recently, did you write Dominique with her in mind, or how did you approach her for the role?
Patrick: I didn’t specifically think of her from the start, but as the script started to come together, I was like, this would be perfect for Amber. It’s a real honor for me that she wanted to be a part of it.
Joe - AB.TV: You've collaborated with Amber several times now. What is it about working with her that keeps bringing you back?
Patrick: There are a couple of things. Filming, especially on an indie schedule, is a challenge, but she always makes it so much fun, and sets such a joyful tone for everyone. Even just watching the raw footage, before we slate in, she’s smiling and joking, and when things can be stressful, that’s the energy you want. She’s also very relaxed and chill about whatever wacky thing we throw at her to do.
And I think a lot of that comes across on screen as well. Her sweet and genuine energy her walking the line of scary and sweet and being excited. I know all the other actors always loved working with her, and people who didn’t get scenes with her were sad they missed out.
Joe - AB.TV: What was your favourite or most memorable moment of filming?
Patrick: There’s a scene at the end of the film that was a real all hands on deck moment. It involves the most elaborate costumes and makeup/hair of the film, as well as unusual set design, and featured nearly all the main characters, and we had to shoot it all in half a day before the sun went down. The actors were coming out of makeup one by one, so we had to shoot coverage separately before finally getting to the wide shot. So, every single cast and crew member were giving it their all, and we finished it right as the sun went behind a mountain.
And, after the premiere, most people said it was their favorite scene, so it seems to have all paid off.
Joe - AB.TV: What conversation do you hope audiences are having on the drive home?
Patrick: One cool thing we’ve heard from a bunch of viewers is that they want to watch it again right away. The movie really goes on a big journey with a lot of twists and turns, so people want to look back and see how they got there.
Joe - AB.TV: Looking ahead, is there a particular story or project you've always dreamed of bringing to the screen? Also, what else are you working on at the moment?
Patrick: I’m developing a project now with Auden Wyle, an amazing young actress who made her film debut in The Vanishing Tour, and I’m really excited to work with her again. It’s a similar genre, and my hope is to have several of the other actors back as well, including Amber!
Joe - AB.TV: The Vanishing Tour recently had its premiere at the Marina del Rey Film Festival. Are there any plans for a wider release?
Patrick: Yes, we’re working on setting up more festival and event screenings, as well as setting up distribution. It’s hard to know an exact timeline, but there will be more happening as the year goes on.
Joe - AB.TV: Where can fans find out more about The Vanishing Tour?
Patrick: The Vanishing Tour Instagram is @thevanishingtour, and we’ll be updating with screening and distribution news as it happens.
A big thank you to Patrick for taking the time to talk to me. If you would like to learn more about House of Demons, read my 2018 interview with Patrick by clicking the link here.
Joe
Amber Benson.TV is not connected in any way with the writing or production of The Vanishing Tour. All rights belong to The Phrontistery, Respect Films, Patrick Meaney, and all other copyright holders. We have no connection to the Marina Del Rey Film Festival. This post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about an exciting new movie starring Amber Benson.
RSS Feed
