A few months back we ran a story on Tara Reid's upcoming horror film The Fields, to be shot in our very own hometown of Philadelphia. We decided to follow up by interviewing the men orchestrating Reid's return to the big screen, filmmakers Tom Mattera and David Mazzoni.  

How did you decide to use Tara in the film?

We felt that she would be a great fit for the role.

One of the producers told FEARnet, "We're hoping to make Tara relevant again." Why is that important to you guys with this film?

We just want to give Tara an opportunity to show another side of herself as an actress.  It is a different role than any of those she has played in the past, and we are excited to work with her.  We know Tara is very talented and are anxious to see what she brings to the role.

How difficult is it for filmmakers to get an independent film like this off the ground these days?

Extremely.  With the current state of the economy, it is nearly impossible to attract private investors to contribute to a truly independent motion picture budget.  Fortunately, we were able to find someone who is confident in the project and after a year of pitches and budget trims, we were able to seal the deal and get this thing green lit.

Do you think the Tara Reid connection will help any?

Absolutely.  We are very confident in our decision and feel she is a great fit for the role.  She will play an important part in bringing this film to life along with the rest of our cast and crew.  And regardless of anyone's opinions, Tara Reid is a marketable, recognizable figure worldwide. 

What role would she play?

Tara is playing the role of Bonnie, the mother of the film's main character, the eight-year-old Steven.  Bonnie is dealing with intense family turmoil, finding herself on the downside of a marriage, a turbulent relationship with her son, and a very difficult family decision to make.

Any other ideas for cast members?

Casting has been going extremely well as the pieces of the puzzle continue to connect.  We are very excited to announce that Cloris Leachman has signed on in a leading role to play Gladys, Steven's grandmother.

Tell us a bit about the story and how The Fields came to be.

Actually, the story is based on true events that happened to producer/screenwriter, Harrison Smith.  As a young boy, Harrison found himself dealing with a very difficult home life, as his parents were constantly at odds.  As a result of this deteriorating marriage, Harrison spent a lot of time with his grandparents on their farm, where, soon after his arrival, both Harrison and his grandparents' house began to be terrorized by an unseen presence lurking in the massive cornfields surrounding the house.  It's a tight character study of a young boy and the effects of difficult family life, a vivid imagination, and the terrorizing events of the world around him.

Do you have shooting locations in Philadelphia picked out? If so, anywhere we might want to know about?

We are currently scouting several locations in the Greater Philadelphia area.  As of now, there are no major landmarks or locations to discuss.

How are you planning to handle any special effects? The practical or CG route?

The film does not entail the need for many visual effects.  However, those that it does contain will be handled on set in a practical manner.  The film is a thriller and our goal is to build the threat by suggestive lighting, playing with shadows, camera behavior and an atmospheric score.

Anything else we might want to know?

The official website, http://www.thefieldsmovie.com/ is set to launch in July in conjunction with the official Myspace and Facebook pages.  This will give people a chance to learn more about the project as things unfold, and sign up for email updates and other great extras.