Where did the original idea for Tape 51 come from?
Aaron Deakins: The original idea came from both of us feeling frustrated early on in our acting careers. One day, while watching a horror film together, we realized we could make our own film, something in the found footage horror genre, which I personally have always enjoyed for its ambitious nature, especially in the sci-fi subgenre.
Adam Nancholas: We knew the low-budget format would allow us to have full creative control. It meant we could tell a horror story that allowed us both to have our own say. Being part of our own sci-fi franchise was something we had talked about for a long time.
When did you realize the story could expand into a sequel?
Aaron: When Tape 51 came out in London and then in the southwest of the UK, we watched the buzz and the comments very closely. The reception was far more positive than we expected.
Adam: We had people contacting us asking if we would be willing to make it into a full feature film. That alone pushed us to continue, to raise a larger budget and bring in a larger cast and crew.
Aaron: With Tape 52, we wanted to do what Aliens was to Alien. Keep the suspense and horror, but expand the action and the scale, even while working within our budget constraints.
How did the story evolve creatively from Tape 51 to Tape 52?
Aaron: The story expanded alongside the budget and size of the project. I wanted David, the main character, to evolve emotionally. In Tape 52, he is the only one returned to Earth, and that carries serious psychological weight.
Adam: It was important that the sequel did not just increase the action. We wanted to build on the emotional consequences. David’s pain from losing his friend, the only person who believed him, and the guilt he carries, needed to be explored properly.
You both served as writers and actors. How did that influence the authenticity of the film?
Adam: Having control over the script allowed us to be much more convincing on set. The dialogue felt natural because it came from us.
Aaron: The story was personal. We encouraged a lot of improvisation. Some scenes in the first film were completely made up on the spot. We would scout a location, let the camera roll, and allow the characters to open up naturally.
Tape 52 introduced additional writers. How did that expand the vision?
Aaron: Bringing in Katrina Halliman and Simone Herstad helped expand the lore beyond what the two of us could write alone. Katrina helped explore David’s internal pain and mental state in Tape 52.
Adam: Simone helped early in London with production and refining parts of the script. It allowed the world to grow in a more detailed and structured way.
What did staying on as co-writers contribute to continuity?
Aaron: When writers stay with a franchise, it allows the story to grow organically. Acting in the films while writing them has allowed me to live David’s growth.
Adam: Because we started this from the ground up, we understand the characters and the world at its core. That continuity is important when building something long-term.
How did you approach deepening the characters in Tape 52?
Aaron: We wanted David to see the consequences of his actions. His pursuit of truth in Tape 51 was determined and relentless, and he did not care who might be hurt in the process.
Adam: In Tape 52, we see the cost of that determination. We see what David has done and what has been done to someone close to him because of that path.
Tape 52 expands the cast significantly. What did the new actors bring?
Adam: Tape 52 introduces Christian Pease, Adam Statham, Benny Williams, and others who expand the world beyond David’s immediate journey.
Aaron: They provide background and depth to everyday life in this universe. These are people who have seen what is out there but are not directly central to David’s story. Many of them are new to the industry, and they came on board eager to give their best work.
What has been the most rewarding part of building this franchise together?
Aaron: Working together has always felt natural because we came up as actors together. To see this franchise starting to pick up steam has been a real joy.
Adam: We used to write small skits and scenes for our showreels. To now have a growing film franchise feels like a long time coming. Seeing people enjoy what we created is incredibly rewarding.
What has been the biggest challenge?
Adam: Funding and locations were big challenges early on. As independent creatives, we handled a lot ourselves.
Aaron: Sharing our baby with other creatives was difficult at first, but as projects grow, you need that extra manpower. There is also the physical performance challenge. Many scenes required intense physicality, blood, dirt, and that was pushed even further in Tape 52.
Were there creative risks in Tape 52 you would not have attempted in Tape 51?
Aaron: Definitely. Tape 52 increased its use of VFX and practical effects. The opening was very drone and VFX-heavy, which was exciting but challenging.
Adam: We worked with Furrifingers, co-owned by Aaron’s sister. Staci and John brought expertise that helped elevate the film. Opening the world up in that way was daunting, but necessary.
How would you describe Tape 52 to new audiences?
Aaron: Tape 52 is a bold sci-fi found footage horror film about a man who survived a horrific encounter with creatures from another world.
Adam: It is for audiences who enjoy found footage horror but actually want to see the creatures, not just shaky camera work. It is about building a franchise with ambition and long-term vision.
How does the Tape series reflect your broader artistic trajectory?
Aaron: The franchise mirrors my own journey. It started small and grew over time, just like our careers after nearly a decade of grinding.
Adam: As writers and actors, it has built our confidence. It pushed us beyond relying only on physical performance and allowed us to explore more emotional depth. We hope that as we grow, this franchise grows with us.
