‘Dracula’ TV Series Writer Jesse Peyronel Talks About His New Movie ‘Siren’ [Exclusive Interview]

Jesse Peyronel says it was exhausting editing his upcoming movie, "Siren," at the same time he was writing for the now-canceled NBC TV series “Dracula.” But he said it was great to flex "different creative muscles."

Peyronel spoke about writing and directing his new movie “Siren” in an exclusive interview with International Business Times. The movie is slated to be released on Aug. 18 on DVD and Digital.

“Siren” tells the story of Leigh, who has lived in seclusion on the outskirts of a town for most of her life. Leigh’s body releases a peculiar pheromone that makes any man who comes into contact with her fall madly in love. The lead role is played by Vinessa Shaw, who is known for her roles in “Ray Donovan,” “The Hills Have Eyes” and “Eyes Wide Shut.”

Peyronel describes the movie as a “dark modern fairytale. ... I am interested in all genres, trying to find new ways to tell stories that feel honest and fresh and mine. I keep coming back to thrillers and sci-fi, though now I’m interested in straight drama too and telling relatable tales in original ways, like ‘American Beauty’ or 'Closer,' ” he said.

Peyronel finished the filming for “Siren” before starting to write for "Dracula," and the movie was in the post-production phase at the time. “I was editing the film and writing the TV show at the same time, which was exhausting but really exciting to wear different hats in the same day, flexing different creative muscles,” the director explained.

The movie was mostly filmed outside Boston, he said. “Leigh’s house used to be a home for nuns, now converted to a family residence. The occupants were incredibly gracious, allowing us to dress up their already gorgeous home and garden into something [hopefully] magical yet modern,” he said.

Peyronel said his favorite part of the movie was where Leigh collects the mail and flowers and is accosted by Carl (Ross Partridge). “I loved the process of filming and editing that sequence, which dealt with multiple subjective points of view, different versions of beauty in one scene. It required careful, complex planning and felt satisfying to have it all come together on the screen,” he said.

“Dracula,” which starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers, was in the horror genre but was canceled by NBC after one season. Some fans of the show, however, started a petition to request the show be renewed.

“I had heard of the petition and know that all my fellow writers and the actors on the show were very grateful. Though I was sorry to see it canceled, I’m happy of the friendships I made on ‘Dracula,’ and the lessons I learned as a writer and producer,” Peyronel said.

Peyronel will again be donning the hat of a director in a project to be announced soon. “I’m currently writing a pilot for Fox International Channels, adapting the Image Comic book series ‘Sheltered’ for me to direct, and adapting a novel also to direct that will be announced in the press in the next week or two,” he said.