Review Fix chats with Shane Brady about his new film, HACKED: A DOUBLE ENTENDRE OF RAGE FUELED KARMA.
About Hacked:
Based on true events that happened to Director Shane Brady and Producer Emily Zercher, the film stars The Walking Dead alum Chandler Riggs, Owen Atlas (Little Evil), Collin Thompson, Richard Riehle (Office Space), Katelyn Nacon (The Walking Dead), Shane Brady (Breathing Happy), and NHL Hall of Famer and Founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning Phil Esposito. Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma is set to hold a limited theatrical run this May followed by a VOD, digital release on June 2.
Review Fix: This film seems to be a wild ride from start to finish. How did it all come together?
Shane Brady: This movie came together step by step. It seemed impossible many many many many times. Like… LEGITIMATELY IMPOSSIBLE. We would simply solve the biggest problem that was the most pressing at that moment. A fun little story that will kind of encapsulate the movie as a whole is how we got our ‘Santa Claus’ to be played by Richard Riehle. We initially had the hilarious Jim O’Heir, known from Parks and Recreation. He is a great friend of ours, so it made sense that we could get a celeb like that to pull a favor. We had him signed, contracts and all. But then he realized he had a scheduling error, and wasn’t able to work within our dates anymore– and we found this out 3 days before filming began. The scramble began to find a new Santa Claus– phone calls to friends and industry connections to find someone who could make our dates, agree to work during the strike under our interim SAG agreement, for scale. We had 2 other actors commit, and then fall through– both for schedule reasons. We then decided to go full blown crazy with an idea to reach out to Eminem’s reps and pitched the idea to them. They actually reviewed it and we had fun chatting with them, but for obvious reasons… That didn’t happen. So 2 days into filming, needing a Santa Claus who can be there on set IN TWO DAYS, our actor Augie Duke offhandedly said “Oh wait, I just worked with Richard Riehle. Maybe he can do it! He has already played Santa Claus like 9 times!”. Because of Augie Duke, we found the world’s greatest Santa Claus for our film. Truth be told? I think it was meant to be that way. Somehow, someway, that’s the journey that was meant for this film. Richard is the absolute greatest man, kindest soul, and strongest worker. I am so delighted and fulfilled that he agreed to bring his Hollywood royalty smile to our little film.
Review Fix: What was the feeling on-set like?
Brady: The feeling on set was exceptional for a few reasons. One, we knew we were going to swing for the fences and punch above our weight class– we had assembled an army of cast and crew that, quite frankly. should be working non-stop in the industry. Their talent and work ethic is second to none. They’re all our friends that we have known for over a decade working in LA. And when you make movies with your buddies? It helps tremendously to have that synchronized rapport and respect for the filmmaking process. Also, our filming days were capped at 10 hours, with a working lunch. This is referred to as ‘French Hours’ in the industry. So that meant that the crew weren’t overworked, and they could actually have evenings to see their families and get some good sleep. It also didn’t hurt that we were filming an insane horror-comedy, so the laughs were constant. It was truly the most fun ever and I think it translates when you watch the film.
Review Fix: Who inspires you creatively?
Brady: I garner inspiration from anyone in the public eye who has succeeded because of persistence. Of course I have my favorite filmmakers and actors and shows and blahblahblah– But to me? The thing that will INSPIRE me? Is when you hear about people who ‘didn’t make it’ until they were farther along in their journey in life and then success finally found them. So with that in mind, I presently am really inspired by Pedro Pascal. That gentleman spent two decades in smaller roles, and then broke through and is now A-list. I aspire to be a creative that reaches that level of success, and can lean on the hardships I’ve endured to allow me to navigate the difficulties of this industry, and life, with patience and grace.
Review Fix: How else is this production different or special?
Brady: This production is special because it’s based on the true story of my wife and I having $20,000 stolen from us. The true story is, sadly, a bit more horrific because when it happened we were in such a vulnerable place. It changed us as people for a while– we were viewing the world as this horrible place where you can have everything taken from you and no one could help you. Simply put? We were grumps. We weren’t fun to be around. It was all encompassing. So then there was this moment where we were at a crossroads and we asked ourselves ‘Can we take arguably one of the MOST FRUSTRATING things that has ever happened, and make it a BEAUTIFUL thing? Is that possible? Can it be done?’ From that idea, the core story for ‘Hacked’ was built.
Review Fix: Who do you think will dig it the most?
Brady: Anyone who has been fucked over. When we started developing ‘Hacked’, the sheer unsettling volume of people that we heard from that empathized with us, saying that they also got money stolen from them, was staggering. So to anyone out there who has been robbed, stolen from, lied to, cheated, and just wants to grab a cheese grater and go Tasmanian Devil on a bad guy? This movie is for them.
Review Fix: What performances stand out the most to you here?
Brady: Okay, no lie, I have begun to write this answer 4 times, and deleted the whole thing to try again. I can’t pick. I really can’t. I tried. I am so overwhelmed with my brain wanting to single out some singular actors and I luckily am just engulfed with joy from how insane and incredible everyone was on this film. For context, this was filmed with a SAG Interim agreement. This was during strikes, right after covid, and no one was working. Every actor brought their AAAA++++ game, like when you see those social media videos of cows being let out onto beautiful green pastures after being locked up all winter and the cows are running and prancing and dancing and squealing with delight that they get to let loose and be free. Our actors were like those cows. I’m proud of this cow metaphor I just came up with. So yeah, I’m in love with all of our actors. I can’t choose.
Review Fix: Who is the unsung hero of this production?
Brady: My wife, Emily. I hope that she has statues built of her for what she endured and delivered on this film. She not only was our Producer and Unit Production Manager, but she was 5 months pregnant when we began this filming process. We drove from Austin, TX… To LA… Then back to Austin… Then to Tampa, FL… Then back to Austin, TX all over a 3 month span to film this movie. She worked her full time job WHILE also being on set and keeping things in line. She is so strong, and fierce, and sensitive, and kind, and does all of the little things (that are really gigantic things) that make a movie possible.
Review Fix: How do you want your work to be remembered?
Brady: I would love for my work to be remembered as collaborative, how we pull off exceptional movies against all odds, with kindness as the engine. I am mostly proud of how people have wonderful times on our sets. If I was some totalitarian dictator of a filmmaker, and made people cry, I wouldn’t ever be able to stand behind my stories. If you are in a ‘Shane Brady’ project? You are there because you’re a good person who knows how to lift up those around you and you are really damn good at what you do.
Review Fix: What are your long-term goals for your work?
Brady: To build a production army in Tampa, Florida that makes movies and TV shows that effect people on a global scale. I’d love to have a project like ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ or something where it’s a city specific show that goes for years and years and brings joy to millions. More than anything, I’d love to keep all of the talented, exceptional cast and crew I work with busy on projects that remind them why they got into this difficult industry.
Review Fix: Why should someone support your work?
Brady: People should support our work because we are you. We aren’t a big gigantic studio with billions of dollars, trying to move the needle for investors and stock prices. We made this movie because you need this movie. There isn’t ANYTHING else out there like ‘Hacked’. We were able to make this and allow everyone’s fingerprints to be on it, because we crafted it from a place of “this is a team effort”. We truly think it can heal people going through a shitty time in their lives and perhaps inspire them to take their frustrations and turn it into their own version of HACKED.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Brady: I’d like to add that if you work in the industry, please consider this film everyone’s new demo reel. Cast, crew, everything. My goal is for audiences to see this movie, and fall in love with it and share it with the world… And furthermore, for industry folks to see it and scramble to cast all of these amazing talents in their next projects. These people pour their heart and soul into what they do and I couldn’t be more proud of what they have accomplished. Keep them busy, please!
Review Fix: What’s next?
Brady: My wife Emily and I are officially launching our production company SPOOKY FEET FILMS, which will be based out of sunny Tampa Bay, Florida. We have some very exciting projects we are actively working on, so stay tuned!
Review Fix: Where can people find out more?
Brady: Please follow Hacked film account on Instagram at @hackedmovieofficial, Shane Brady on Instagram at @shanebradyfilmmaker and Emily Zercher at @zerchinator
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