'Psycho' Film Shot in West Hempstead

You could meet your soulmate on Match.com or you just might find true love while fleeing for your life in the woods.

After watching Steve Strangio's latest project, Psycho Consensual, we didn't know whether to classify it as a thriller or a rom-com, but one thing's for sure. I will be watching my back for any weirdos wearing a Scream mask during my next jog through in West Hempstead.

The park once again set the scene for a short film, written by Strangio, a local man who you may also recognize from his signature . Only this time Strangio teamed up with director Dan Marquardt and the mood of this piece is more fun and quirky, and has less gravitas than the last film he wrote and produced,  

It's your not so typical boy meets girl scenario, in which boy then tries to kill girl and somehow they live happily ever after. To learn more, we chatted with Psycho's screenwriter.

Patch: So how would you categorize this film? Is it a thriller, a comedy - or dare I say, a romantic comedy?

Strangio: It's a ThrilDramHorroMedy. I put a little bit of everything in there, because I usually tend to laugh when I see a Horror movie. My style of writing has always been to switch gears during the middle of the scene and play with the conventions of storytelling. This film starts off as pure horror and lures the viewer into expecting that type of film and then....well...you have to see it.

Patch: Where did you come up with the idea for this script?

Strangio: Every time I watched a horror movie, I always wondered what might happen if the person getting chased (usually an amply-endowed college co-ed) would just stop and talk things out. I mean, this demented psychopathic killer must have some issues! Why would he be chasing a hot babe in the woods when he could just ask her out on a date?

Patch: Did your killer scare any runners or other park patrons?

Strangio: Actually no. Basically all of the joggers and dog walkers in the woods thought it was pretty damn cool that we were doing this. There's Josh Shaffer (who played the Psycho) wearing this evil mask and carrying an ornate (but also a fake) stabbing blade, actress Laurie A Ziel screaming while being chased, and Dan Marquardt (Producer and Director) filming while dressed in all black and wearing a cowboy hat...and people would wave and smile as they jogged passed us.

Patch: What do you hope viewers will take away from this film? Is it pure entertainment or do you think there's a message?

Strangio: This is pure satire, so I hope they enjoy that I had fun with the genre and gave them a unique peek into this style of film. It's pure entertainment and it has a message, that you can never judge what you see based on appearances [and] people don't have to follow the norm. They can just be themselves after a bit of introspection.

Patch: When did you film this?

Strangio: We filmed this on Sunday, Nov. 6, in the wilds of Hempstead Lake State Park. It was a quick shoot, but we knew exactly what we wanted and made it happen. This was another example of guerrilla filmmaking at its finest - just one talented director, two willing and equally talented actors, a damn good camera, and a great location.

Patch: What can we expect from Steve Strangio next?

Strangio:I have eight more screenplays for short films in development and I'm seeking other directors that are interested. Dan Marquardt is in pre-production for two more of my short films…both comedy/dramas about relationships. Deborah Cascio is also deciding which of my screenplays she'd like to do next. Aside from all of that, I plan on taking a nap in 2014.