Blood, Keys & Storytelling: Klein Haley’s Vision for Bloodstained Ivory
Bloodstained Ivory: Klein Haley’s Psychological Thriller and Vision for Oklahoma Filmmaking
In the latest episode of Behind the Scenes Oklahoma, we had the privilege of speaking with Klein Haley, the writer and director of Bloodstained Ivory. This powerful psychological thriller takes audiences on a gripping journey through the intense world of a young concert pianist whose obsession with success leads him down a dark and destructive path. The film premiered at Dead Center Film Festival and later screened at Circle Cinema, marking a major milestone for Haley and his team.
The Story Behind Bloodstained Ivory
At the heart of Bloodstained Ivory is Ross, an aspiring concert pianist determined to become the next big name in the classical music world. As he enters his final year at music school, Ross faces the crushing realization that his dreams of achieving global recognition might be slipping out of reach. Desperate to secure his future, he begins to spiral mentally, taking extreme measures to reach the pinnacle of success.
Klein Haley’s personal connection to the story runs deep, as he was once a classical pianist himself, training in the craft from a young age. "I trained classically in piano starting in the first grade," Haley explains. This musical background allowed him to tap into the inner turmoil of a character striving to achieve perfection in an unforgiving, cutthroat environment.
The film’s unique blend of artistry and psychological intensity is reflected in Ross’s journey—a descent into obsession where his mental state deteriorates as he becomes fixated on the idea of success, believing that anything less than perfection is a failure. Haley taps into the toxic mindset that plagues many driven individuals, offering a raw and honest portrayal of ambition gone wrong.
Watch the full episode on YouTube.
The Genre Film Advantage: Why Firebook Focuses on Horror and Sci-Fi
John’s strategy of focusing on genre films like horror and sci-fi is driven by a simple business principle: smaller budgets mean higher profit margins. As he explains, “The path to profitability is easier for these films because their budgets are smaller, making it simpler to recoup the costs and start generating returns.”
Firebook typically deals with films that have a budget under $5 million, especially those without A-list talent. This allows for quicker, more attainable returns. However, John also warns against the "dead zone" in the film industry—films with budgets between $5 million and $10 million. These projects are expensive enough that they require big-name actors to make a return, but not big enough to guarantee a major cast. This makes these projects more risky in terms of profitability.
The Complexities of Financing and Sales
Film financing and distribution can seem like a complex puzzle, and John is the puzzle master. To minimize the financial risk, Firebook often partners with producers in other countries, utilizing tax incentives and rebates to reduce the production cost. By strategically placing portions of a film’s production in different countries, Firebook can secure up to 70% of the film's budget through these incentives.
Despite this, the success of each film still depends heavily on external factors such as timing, market conditions, and even global politics. "A lot of it is luck," John admits. The market’s reception of a film can be unpredictable, and as John points out, "The timing has to be right for each project."
Supporting Oklahoma’s Film Community
Firebook’s impact extends beyond global film distribution. John and his team are committed to supporting Oklahoma’s growing film industry by fostering local talent and providing internship opportunities on sets. “It’s all about getting people into the industry, giving them opportunities to grow and learn,” John explains.
Moreover, the company is working to expand Oklahoma's film footprint by helping local filmmakers and actors find success. “We want to make sure that Oklahoma talent gets the opportunities they deserve,” says John.
The Future of Film in Oklahoma
As Firebook continues to make waves in the international film market, John sees a bright future for Oklahoma's film industry. However, he emphasizes the need for greater state support, especially in terms of tax incentives and rebates. “To remain competitive, we need to up the ante,” he says, noting that neighboring states like Texas are investing billions into their film industries.
Oklahoma has the potential to be a major player in the film world, but it needs to increase its financial incentives to match the competition. John’s vision is to continue building relationships with global partners while helping to cultivate a thriving film scene right here in Oklahoma.
For more insights into Firebook Entertainment and to follow their exciting projects, visit their website at firebookentertainment.com. Stay tuned for more updates on how Firebook is shaping the future of film in Oklahoma and beyond!
