Valentine’s Day 2011 will see the launch of Gary’s Garden, a new offbeat dark comedy.

Gardening will never be the same again!

For my readers, can you please tell us a bit about you, Rotting Soil and Gary’s Garden?

Sure.  My name is Ben Hethcoat.  I am the writer/producer of Gary’s Garden and one of the founding members of Rotting Soil.  I also play the role of Brady in the series.

Rotting Soil is not a company, but rather an outfit of collaborators.  We are writers, actors, visual artists, musicians and technicians dedicated to producing unique content for the new media audience.

Gary’s Garden is an offbeat dark comedy presented in four short episodes (~8mins). Pot Rot, Porn & Cigarettes, A Perfect Pan of Piping (hot) Pot Pie and The Shit.  We’ve created a world that unabashedly mixes genres ranging from horror to musical.  Yes, I said musical (but don’t worry it’s only for one episode).  Unlike most web projects, Gary’s Garden is equipped with an original score composed and conducted by Nadeem Majdalany.

What was your inspiration and influences for Gary’s Garden?

I worked as a personal landscaper one summer and spent long days working with the soil.  Unlike Gary, the plants in my garden did not talk back.  Had that been the case, I would have had a much more interesting summer.

Gary’s is heavily influenced by movies that have developed cult allure.  Evil Dead and Troll II were among the strongest horror/comedy influences.

Gary’s Garden will be available this Valentine’s Day, but will the episodes only be available to watch on your website http://www.rottingsoil.com?

Our website is the best way to access all information related to GG and Rotting Soil.  In addition to the episodes, we’ll also be releasing outtakes, behind the scenes footage and other forms of media related to Gary’s.  Another great way to follow us is through our twitter: @danawinerott (Dana Winerott is a character in Gary’s Garden…shhhh.)

You asked me to come to the US and take pictures of you and your nutty team.  My portraits reveal your inner demon, but what do you think your portrait will reveal about you?

Hmm.  I’ll let them speak for themselves in the photographs below.

Do you have a favourite portrait of mine?

Favorite portrait = NATHAN HEAD.  Reminds me of Ash (from Evil Dead).

What are your opinions on the current horror entertainment industry?

I believe many large budget horror releases of today lack the fright factor that was such a part of the horror industry in the 80s and early 90s.  Budding young horror fans are continually being introduced to overly produced remakes.  This is unfortunate because the original versions of these remakes remain so much more haunting in their creativity and practically.  This is not to say that there have not been noteworthy horrors released in the last decade.  28 Days Later reinvented the zombie experience and The Human Centipede took shock to a whole new level.

Where you do you see yourself and Rotting Soil in a year’s time?

Rotting Soil will continue to find its audience by producing original and engaging material and I will definitely be a part of it.  In a year’s time, we should have a collection of media available for viewing.  Gary’s Garden is only the beginning.  We’re currently in development for the next project.

As Rotting Soil is a new entertainment company, will you be looking for creative individuals who can help you grow and if so, how can they contact you?

Like every good garden, Rotting Soil hopes to grow.  As a young group we recognize the pulse of our generation and understand the current creative imperative for new media.  We’d love to be contacted with any questions, ideas or feedback -rottingsoil@gmail.com

PHOTOS:

Ben Hethcoat (writer/producer) left and Eric Ekman (cinematographer/producer) right shooting day for night in episode 4, “The Shit”

David McElwee as Gary

Ben Hethcoat applying plant makeup to Brennan Murray (Ezekiel).  Plant mask designed by Lynn Serulla.

For a list of production credits, please view the bottom of our website at Rotting Soil.