In this interview from our SXSW interview series, I was able to chat with director Jacob Gentry for his film “Broadcast Signal Intrusion” which world premiered as part of the ‘Midnighters’ section.
The film follows a character called James (Harry Shum Jr.) in 1999 Chicago who goes down an obsessive rabbit hole when he comes across a phenomenon called a ‘Broadcast Signal Intrusion’ featuring the fictional Sal-E Sparx Incident. It leads him down a conspiracy where he gets a bit over his head. The film also stars Kelley Mack, James Swanton, and Chris Sullivan. My review can be found here.
In the episode we discuss the depiction of the film’s technology from the 1990s and how Gentry likes to depict that on-screen, some of his work in his other films like “Synchronicity” and “The Signal,” going down obsessive rabbit holes, the film’s score and feel of the film, the creation of the broadcast signal intrusions inspired by the Max Headroom Incident, as well as Jacob’s work on the TV Movie trilogy “My Super Psycho Sweet 16.”
I’ve included the video below and a sample question and answer from our conversation (edited for clarity).
Daniel Prinn, The Movie Buff: What was it like going down the rabbit hole of research for this film?
Jacob Gentry: It’s definitely a bit of life imitating art for sure. Being that I was already relating to the subject matter with my history with the equipment and analog video and those sorts of things. The research is one of my favourite parts but I do tend to get obsessive like the main character. I’m sure that I related a lot to what Harry’s character is going through in the movie. I think a lot of people can relate to that since I want to know everything about something. Once it’s sparked my imagination, I want to know every single thing I can about it.
Stay tuned for more SXSW interview coverage.
