Fred Olen May: Boggy Creek -The Bigfoot Series

An Overview And Interview With Director Henrique Couto

When celebrating Fred Olen May, we must enjoy the vast number of movies he's directed but also the shows and movies that he's produced as well. And while he is extremely busy producing his always popular Christmas movies, he hasn't fully veered away from horror and science fiction. Under the Retromedia Television banner, Ray is a writer and executive producer on Boggy Creek: The Bigfoot Series, starring Joni Durian, Mike Hilinski, and with opening narration by The Man himself, Eric Roberts. Durian and Hilinski are Sarah Gordon and Roger Maitland, members of the American Yeti Project, stationed near Boggy Creek and trying to track down the lumbering hulk otherwise known as Bigfoot.

Taking place over six 20-minute episodes, we follow Gordon and Maitland into town, out into the swamp, and beyond, trying to locate the possibly dangerous cryptid rumored to be from around those parts. While searching, they also have to deal with the usual small town crime, a few supernatural elements, a serial killer or two, as well as dodging the pesky workplace relationships. Our furry quarry does his best to elude our intrepid heroes, but also tries to help out those around the swamp.

What's that you ask? Yes, Bigfoot has a heart of gold as large as his feet…sometimes. He's not docile when those he is protective of are in danger. Told in a monster-of-the-week format, the Yeti Project crew and our boy Squatch tackle a new terror each episode, with a nice little bit of sage advice at the end to wrap it all up by our narrator (Eric Roberts FTW). With subsequent episodes of Boggy Creek: The Bigfoot Series, the audience is gradually given an expanding view into the history of Boggy Creek and those that claim it as their home.

Based out of Dayton, Ohio, director Henrique Couto is no stranger to tackling genre films in a creative fashion and limited budget. With films like BABYSITTER MASSACRE, ALONE IN THE GHOST HOUSE, and OUIJA ROOM, he's proven that he's able to deliver on frights without breaking the bank. And with having a diverse catalog including family films (A BULLDOG FOR CHRISTMAS), romantic comedies (MAKING OUT), and a Western (CALAMITY JANE’S REVENGE), he's able to add a diverse tone and scope to a series, ensuring that it doesn't feel one note, such as with episode four, "The Battle Of Boggy Creek," featuring a Confederate soldier who has a run in with the local monster.

Without having access to a non-stop revolving door of actors, Couto has developed a reliable coterie of those comfortable both in front of and behind the cameras.

Stars Durian and Helinski have been in multiple films that Couto has either directed or produced, as have most of the folks playing Boggy Creek citizens, such as barkeep Becker (Geoff Burkman) and Sheriff McCay (Joe Kidd). Rachael Redolfi is line producer throughout the series, but then also appears on screen in episode three, "Beauty And The Bigfoot." And when you need someone willing to don a heavy Sasquatch suit to stomp around in the woods and swamp, you want someone reliable. Couto found that with David Denoyer, who has been Production Assistant and Assistant Director on numerous past projects for him.

Outside of the first two episodes, the remaining were written by Dan Wilder. After his extensive work in writing for comic books, Wilder originally started working with Couto when there was a need for new pick-up scenes for the movie HORNDOGS BEACH PARTY. He then wrote OUIJA ROOM before being tapped to take on the non-Ray written episodes. For those, "Beauty and the Bigfoot" was his full idea, and he did a great job of fleshing out ideas from Couto on the remaining episodes.

Neon Splatter was lucky enough to briefly discuss Boggy Creek and Fred Olen Ray's involvement with Couto.

Neon Splatter: As a producer, how involved was Fred in regards to bringing Boggy Creek to the public?

Henrique Couto: "Fred brought the concept to me and had the Bigfoot suit ready to rock. He wrote the first two episodes and gave notes and rewrites for the other episodes. He was honestly one of the most helpful producers I’ve worked with. He would look at a new script and say 'that’s good, but too complicated. Don’t make yourself suffer,' and he’d offer how to do it easier and cheaper. It was so nice to have a producer care about how hard my job as director was. He also developed the entire campaign for distribution. It was his baby, I just delivered it."

NS: Any fun stories from working with Brinke Stevens?

HC: "I have been a fan of Brinke's my entire life. She was so excited from the moment we started lighting the set and her reaction to peeking at the footage after shooting showed that her enthusiasm and love for the work hasn't diminished at all. Also I completely shocked her when I showed her where to get really good Thai food in Ohio."

NS: And how much involvement did you have with Eric Roberts as the narrator?

HC: "Fred recorded that on his end."

NS: Nice, so he was able to leverage those producer skills to direct him on it?

HC: "Absolutely!"

NS: And lastly, for Fred Olen May, what Ray classic would you recommend for the Neon Splatter readers to track down?

HC: "It’s not easy to pick just one…but I think my favorite is HAUNTING FEAR."

(Editor’s Note: Weird bit of synchronicity…check out Trailer Trash later today which was previously scheduled)

Originally launched on Amazon Prime, Boggy Creek: The Bigfoot Series is now streaming for free via Tubi. And hopefully, with enough attention, we will get future episodes for an extended Squatch watch!