You may have come across Paco Plaza's work before, not only was he behind the first two [REC] movies but he was also responsible for Romasanta: The Werewolf Hunt which was shown on the Horror Channel last week.

Paco is at FrightFest the 13th to introduce the UK premiere of [REC]3 Genesis so we had a quick chat with this talented fellow.

HC: Have you always been a fan of horror movies?

PP: Yes, since I was a child I have loved them.

HC: Where did the idea for the original [REC] come from?

PP: We wanted to tell a classic horror story using the tools and the narrative of a reality show.

HC: Were you surprised when it became such an international hit?

PP: When it started we were two friends who love horror films and decide to grab a handycam and shoot one; with very little money, without financial risks and with the only goal of having fun in the process. We didn't know even if it was going to be released. The success took us by surprise.

HC: What did you think of the remake, Quarantine?

PP: Quarantine helped to make [REC] extremely popular overseas, and put our film under a new light. Being remade gave [REC] something close to cult status, so I'm very grateful to the producers that decided to do it.

HC: Let's talk about [REC]3 Genesis, why did you decide to move away from the cinema verite format?

PP: We didn't want to go the same path we already had. If one thing is particular about the [REC] films is that we always tried to surprise the audience, to deliver something different from their expectations. I think these days we seldom feel surprised in a theatre; more and more as filmgoer I have the feeling that I go to the theatre to check the film is exactly as I imagined from the amount of information I had before. We wanted to give something fresh, surprising and unexpected; and using this mix of POV and conventional cinematography was a part of that surprise; a [REC] film that doesn't look like it.

HC: Did it take long to write?

PP: From the first thought to the final image cut it took a couple of years.

HC: The humour and horror is well balanced; did it take a long time to get this mix right?

PP: That was one of the risks. We didn't want to write a parody, we had to introduce the humour being respectful to the essence of being a zombie film.

HC: How did you go about casting the movie?

PP: I had wanted to work with Leticia and Diego for a long time; they accepted to be in the film before I started writing so we had them in mind the whole time; that was very hekpful for us writers.

HC: You use a subtle mix of practical effects and CGI, which do you prefer?
PP: I think in the balance you meet the perfect combination. Each helps the other to perform better.

HC: What advice would you give to someone trying to get started in the horror movie industry?

PP: Be really honest. Just do what you would love to see.

HC: So what projects are you working on at the moment?

PP: Nothing closed yet. I'll spend the Summer reading.

HC: Paco Plaza, thank you very much.

PP: My pleasure.