Image courtesy of Angel Studios
by Lori Twichell
It is entirely possible that you may or may not recognize Brock Heasley’s name. But one sure thing is that you will recognize it soon. He is the director of the new feature from Angel Studios, The Shift. Though entertainment isn’t new to him, this is the first national release of a film that he both wrote and directed.
HEASLEY: “For me, I never even thought about getting into the film industry. I’m from California, but I might as well be on the other side of the world. As far as Hollywood goes, it’s just never been a world I had any connection to.”
Just the same as many who are in the film industry now, Brock grew up with a deep love and appreciation for watching stories play out on the big screen.
HEASLEY: “I have a deep love of movies. My earliest memories are going with my Dad and I’ve always studied how they were made just because I thought they were fascinating. Not because I thought I’d ever have a chance to make them.
With the film opening nationwide in theaters December 1st, The Shift is setting up to be another surprise box office phenomenon with tickets selling out in some areas around the country. The buzz around the film is as strong as you’d expect with two powerhouse headliners cast in the lead roles. Kristoffer Polaha, of Hallmark fame, plays Kevin Garner, a man who meets a mysterious stranger and has his entire world turned upside down. Neal McDonough, well known from his hundreds of roles in television and film (usually playing the bad guy) plays The Benefactor, a chilling character who offers Kevin the job opportunity of a lifetime.
HEASLEY: “Kris is one of those actor who gives everything regardless of the role or whatever it is. He’s just gonna give it everything he’s got.
What he was able to do with The Shift was to bring every tool in his kit. It’s really a showcase for an actor like him. He really gets to run the full gamut and even plays alternate versions of himself. So he’s playing against himself in scene. I just can’t say enough good about him.”
On the other side of the film is a man known for playing the opposite of the good guy.
“Neal (McDonough) has got playing the bad guy down to a T. Everyone has their favorite bad guy that he’s played. But I’ve never seen him play a bad guy like this. There is a vulnerability that he brought to this role that I think is gonna really take people by surprise. They aren’t expecting the Devil to be vulnerable.
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