Interview: Showrunner Nick Antosca Talks about Creepypastas and Inspiration for the Most Haunting Hour of Television

If you’re still unsettled by Syfy’s new series Channel Zero: Candle Cove and its latest episode, “A Strange Vessel,” don’t worry, the feeling is mutual. I never thought I’d be so terrified of puppets until I started watching this show. Originally, when I learned the Syfy network planned to air a horror series based on creepypastas, I couldn’t wait to see it! Since Channel Zero: Candle Cove (CZ:CC) began a few short weeks ago, I am happy to find myself without disappointment and filled with pure fascination for the show. For new viewers of CZ:CC, you might be wondering what creepypastas are. They are an online version of mostly horror related campfire stories posted on message boards or expressed through pictures that usually go viral.

YEC recently got in touch with Nick Antosca, showrunner for Channel Zero: Candle Cove and he was kind enough to answer some questions about the show.

YEC: There are a lot of different creepypastas for example, Slenderman. What led you to choose Candle Cove?

The idea of doing an anthology series came after Candle Cove was chosen, not the other way around. We wanted to adapt Candle Cove, and when we started going down that road, it occurred to me that there were other great stories I’d love to adapt, too.

YEC: What intrigued you the most about Candle Cove?

The horror of familiarity, and the sense of overwhelming dread behind the series of the everyday world. Reading the original story by Kris Straub made me want to create a world that felt uniquely sinister, like a waking nightmare.

YEC: What are your favorite scary stories (movies, TV, or books) and did it help inspire you in developing the series?

My favorite horror writers are Thomas Ligotti and Peter Straub, although there are many others who have influenced me. Ligotti’s story “The Clown Puppet” and Peter Straub’s Blue Rose novels are in the DNA of Channel Zero: Candle Cove. The Shining is my favorite horror movie. Night of the Living Dead is the movie that made me want to make movies after I saw it when I was eight or nine. I went in the backyard and started playing Night of the Living Dead with my legos.

YEC: Will there be aspects in Channel Zero: Candle Cove that are slightly different than the original creepypasta version?

Of course. The short story is very short and does not have a traditional narrative or characters. It’s important to us to preserve the mood and tone of Kris (Straub)’s story, though, and render a version of the puppet show itself that’s faithful to the spirit of what Kris created.

YEC: Did you have any challenges in adapting the story of Candle Cove for television?

No, there were no challenges whatsoever. It was extremely easy. Seriously though…beyond the creative challenges of adapting such an effective, concise story, there are the limits of time and money. By the standards of other TV shows, we had very little money. This is a low budget show shot off the beaten path up in Manitoba, which I love. I worked on Wayward Pines for a couple weeks once. The budget for two episodes of Wayward Pines is basically the budget for an entire season of Channel Zero. So we had to be resourceful.

YEC: Overall, what should viewers look out for the most this season?

Viewers should expect horror that is cinematic and psychological. We don’t go for jump scares but instead, for a creeping sense of dread that will linger with you.

Channel Zero: Candle Cove airs Tuesdays at 9/8c, only on Syfy.

Visit the series on its official site: http://www.syfy.com/channelzero and watch videos clips from the show. Follow Channel Zero on Facebook, and twitter: @ChannelZeroSyfy @nickantosca