By: Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
To be playing on the opening day of the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is truly an honour. For writer, director, and actor Michael Poirier, his new film, THUNDERSNAKE, a comedy about a group of friends who take their fandom to SPINAL TAP-esque proportions, first in the podcast world, and then television, has been a labour of love and well-deserving of the recognition.
“THUNDERSNAKE is a feature-length film about a group of friends that team up to create a podcast about 1970’s glam metal rock,” explains Poirier. “Everything is fun and games at first, but eventually the podcast becomes so popular that it’s turned into a TV show, and the cast and crew implode. Hilarity ensues.”
He states that he wrote the screenplay over the course of about three years, adding that he received helpful feedback from friends who are also filmmakers along the way.
“I, then, recruited Katarina Thoms as the producer, and together we cast the film and found all the locations,” says Poirier. “I funded the project out of my own pocket, so while my kitchen remains un-renovated, I do have a completed film under my belt, so I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Having been shot locally, THUNDERSNAKE has a very Windsor-feel, with many scenes leaving the watcher saying, “Hey, I know that place!”
Alongside Poirier, the film features actors Jeff Kavanaugh, Taylor Brunatti, Joe Logan, Marshall Sfalcin, Stephanie Zeit, Arthica Kumarakesary, Bob Steele, and Mark Bradac.
Poirier says that his passion for filmmaking originated from when he was a child and was inspired by Star Wars and The Incredible Hulk television show.
“My friends and I used a camcorder to film our own versions of those movies, complete with in-camera special effects,” he recalls. “We also built a hand-made wrestling ring in my backyard, and filmed fake wrestling matches and promos.”
THUNDERSNAKE was featured on opening night at WIFF this year at the St. Clair College Chrysler Theatre.
Poirier says that the reception to his film has been positive and that the film, along with at WIFF, has been accepted to the Alternative Film Festival (altFF), the Detroit Independent Film Festival, the Hollywood North Film Awards, and the Chicago Indie Film Awards.
“The judges and festival organizers have all told me they found the film to funny and engaging,” reports Poirier. “It’s pretty clear that the film was produced on a low budget, but I think we designed the story in a way that keeps audiences engaged in the characters, and guessing the outcome of the plot until the very last scene.”
Poirier and his crew are currently in production of a short film entitled The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies, starring Laura Naranjo Calderón and Jeff Kavanaugh, about a young woman that gets a job at a school for professional wrestling. Poirier expects the film to be completed in early 2025.
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