Sunday, November 12, 2017

     Day 31 Halloween, finally, brings me to one of the sickest independent film I have ever saw, Edward Lee's "Header".  What went down as a story that could "never" be filmed, was actually attempted.  The title says all you need to know, let your imagination go with it, and yes they filmed it.  Getting high praise from Tony Timpone, then editor of Fangoria Magazine, and Edward Lee, himself, and IGN.com, plus Official Selection to the 2006 Rhode Island International Film Festival, this film holds true to the story.  It tells the story government agent playing both sides of the law and trying to solve some gruesome murders, he encounters the ultimate revenge in the deep woods, the header.  Once witnessed, never forgotten, and life seems so very twisted after that despicable act.  I loved this film along with author Ed Lee, I had to see what the fuss was about.  Ed Lee and fellow author Jack Ketchum have small roles in this one also a highlight.   If your mind is as sick and twisted as mine this is a must see, the header, violence, and gore all mix well in this film.  Great film and a must see.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

     Day 30 brought me too my absolute favorite musical........"Repo! The Genetic Opera".  This film has it all great story, superb blood, and excellent musical numbers.  I am truly shocked at how they pulled this off.  But the talented Darren Lynn Bousman has an eye like no other, he is a visionary director.  And to here all the songs were surprisingly funny and well sung.  The plot and storyline is exceptional.  The blood and costume wears were elegant, from the design to the execution.  This film is one that is a must for any horror fan.  It shines brightly through all the misconceptions of a musical, it has the blood, acting, and plot any horror film should have.  Don't let the musical aspect ruin it for you, enjoy.

Monday, November 6, 2017

     Day 29 is "See No Evil" part 1, which may be a WW Film, but it still was good horror film by my standards with all the blood and suspense.  It stars wrestler "Kane" or Glenn Jacobs as Jacob Goodnight and his killing were very graphic, surprisingly.  He likes to rip out eyes, and once community service, and the cop who shot him, he can finally get his revenge.  And his huge frame at 7 feet tall, and 400 pounds makes him scary without any weapons.  I recommend this movie, it doesn't feel like most action oriented WW Films, it feels like it should be franchised, which I know about part 2.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

     Day 28 I went to see "Jigsaw" and it follows the other films to a tee.  Wanna play a game, Jigsaw, is back, after he died?  The answer lies within the movie, I will not spoil it.  But this movie explains it good, and some more of Jigsaw's past is explained.  Five people get trapped in his game this time round, for various reasons, and the deaths are most brutal, gory, and fantastic yet.  I really enjoyed, what is becoming, a Halloween staple, which I can see another sequel.  Needless to say if it makes money another one is coming, and I see no reason it shouldn't.  The FX are awesome, as per, all the others.  The feel of the film is good, it hasn't wore me out yet.  Always new and graphic deaths, along with the people who deserve it.  Some of these are relentless now, they hit me on a new level.  I recommend this film highly.
     Day 27 I went with the more modern classic "The Cabin in the Woods".  This film in Joss Whedon's writing and producing section stands out from his "Avengers" films as he loves the horror genre also.  I'm sure he pulled some strings to get Thor himself Chris Hemsworth in it, but he does a great job.  This film has everything in it, comedy, creatures, and scares galore.  If you can think it they put it in to test our group of "college kids".  As they develop horror related tendencies, the test group changes the rules a bit.  It is a modern classic I feel, and yes it is filled with CGI but in a good way I feel.  It draws people of every generation back to when horror was scary yet in a fun way.
     Day 26 I went to a little known gem, when it came out, "Feast".  Such a surprise hit from a TV show, Project Greenlight, who could have guessed (ever) that they'd of chosen a gore filled epic comedy-horror film.  This one is hilarious and nasty at the same time.  The FX were awesome state-of-the-art at that time, and the comedy was spot on.  With lesser known cast, that most have gone on to brighter projects, they pulled together a classic piece. I can't say enough good things about this film except if you've never had the honor, you need to search this out.  Spawning two sequels which are themselves worthy, you can purchase them in a 3-pack relatively cheap.  True horror fiends will love the trilogy.  Not your usual stuff, but exceptional.
     Day 25 I decided to revisit the new remake of "Evil Dead" by Fede Alvarez.  This is one of the most scary, unrelenting horror films in decades.  It has great intensity and violence, from the original movie, which is a true classic.  But with everything being "updated" and remade this one actually feels like it was needed, in the way it was represented.  Bruce Campbell is still a B-Movie God, but this is one remake I can stand for.  It feels new and different not just rehashed.  If you were ever on the fence about seeing it, I highly recommend this to those who haven't seen it.  Worth at least one viewing although I recommend buying it, worth watching every year.
     Day 24 I found the little known classic Brian Yuzna's "Society".  If you have not seen this gem, find it.  It is all about the upper class, high society if you will.  It's where the rich and famous marry one another and live over-the-top lavish houses, expensive cars, and spoiled brat kids (think Kardashians).  One kid at Beverly Hills Academy is almost loose on society his family starts to loosen up on what they allow him to see.  He becomes oddly unsure of what these gatherings are and he feels they are trying to plot against him.  Naturally his plan is to crash a party of theirs......ooops.  This is unfoundedly could be true story.  It makes you wonder what your parents hide from you.  It is realistic in it's FX and humorous also a must see.
     Day 23 I decided on "You're Next" cause of all the great things I had heard.  Well I was disappointed, it was good, but not great.  It starts with a family of brothers getting together for a family reunion of sorts.  It goes bad when in fighting between brothers, then a home invasion starts.  Things really go downhill then, between fighting amongst themselves to trying to hold off the killers in the home invasion.  They weren't looking for money they wanted them dead.  Barbara Crampton was in this film, which I love her acting, but I could not wait to have her killed off, she played a wining wife of one of the brothers, can't stand all the wining.  It also starred Robert Moran, who I loathe, he always has this aura of I'm better than you acting, couldn't wait for him to die off either.  The true star of the show was Sharni Vinson, she acted tough as nails.  She was a bright surprise in this film.  I look forward to her future endeavors.

Friday, October 27, 2017

     Day 22 digging down for some more independent films I came across "Street Trash".  This movie has it all, from vets, to winos, to drifters, and even sex.  What this film combines is out of this world, I just know it is an instant cult classic.  The Tenafly Viper liquor was found in the basement of an old liquor store, it's over 40 years old and awful.  But the owner figures the winos with little cash will buy it up quick cause it's cheap.  I am trying my best not to ruin any of the great scenes from this film.  Two young brothers who've runaway live in a tent made of old tires in back of a huge auto wrecking/salvage lot.  Trying to stay out of trouble and surviving day to day isn't the only trouble one can find.  This movie is a must watch for any horror-comedy buffs, plenty of blood, guts, and gore to fill out any fan alike.
     Day 21 I decided to dig back to some older features, which brought me to Eli Roth's Hostel.  This gem of a film doesn't get old, the intensity and the graphic gore, are staples in this film.  With such a simple premise, yet the possibility being so true.  A couple of teens travel abroad and get lured into a hostel or hotel, which turns into a total nightmare.  They become rich man's bait to torture and kill as they seem fit.  The story is thin but could happen everyday for all we know.  With the graphic deaths and torture scenes, it brought on another subgenre of horror.  Eli Roth, by all means, is a great director, which will be debated till the end of time.  All I can say is most directors have bad films, every doesn't like everything.  Nature if the business, I guess.  I haven't seen a bad movie from him yet, and this is one of, if not, the best Eli Roth has done.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

     Day 20 brought me to another horror-comedy "Jack Brooks Monster Slayer" is a unexpected great film.  It's blend of violence and comedy does very well with the variety of monsters he encounters.  Robert Englund himself has a role in this gory masterpiece.  Jack's family is mauled by a group of monsters while he was camping with them in his early childhood.  Now as a plumber, with major anger issues, he accidentally unleashes more monsters from the depths of hell. Trying to avenge his family he takes on every monster he finds.  The humor is perfect for this character and Englund shines as usual as a professor teaching night classes.  This film is on top of it's game with the blood, gore, and comedy of a great comedic-horror film.  Fits great into a horror comedy marathon of Halloween stature.
     Day 19 needed a break from new stuff went back to the classic "Frankenhooker" directed by the legend Frank Henenlotter.  This film has you rolling from beginning to end.  After Jeffrey's fiancée is tragically killed in an accident, he does what any man would do, tries to bring her back to life with the finest prostitutes he can find.  He searches the mean streets of New York to find the best body parts among the ladies of the night.  Then he reassembles them into the body and uses his fiancée's head for the beauty.  Then things get bad once she hits the streets.  A true classic from the demented mind, always funny and gory, but in a beautiful way.  Stars the ever loser James Lorinz and the beautiful Patty Mullen as his fiancée. If you love the horror-comedy subgenre, this is a must.  Synapse films released the newest copy out.  Search and Enjoy.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

     Day 18 is "The Barn" NR edition, this film I bought through Ebay, cause I wanted the Indiegogo edition with the PC-Rom game and 8bit music.  Sorry I couldn't buy it from them cause that edition was sold out.  What I witnessed was a classic 80's horror slasher from today.  It felt like I just rented the VHS copy from the video store.  It revolves around a group of teens getting lost in the woods on Halloween night.  Only one hearing the legend of the Barn, all the others thought he was a joke.  He never told anyone about it except his best friend who stuck by his side.  Then as they entered the town, after checking into the Barn, they trick or treated for a bit before there concert.  They met up with the town drunk who reiterated the story cause supposedly he was there, they didn't believe him except the one, and the drunk tried smashing pumpkins to stop the festivities.  The demons from the Barn were coming to terrorize the town.  It is filled with the usual blood, gore, and laughter you'd expect from a b-movie nowadays.  But they attempted a feel of old school horror which was pulled off great.  It's no wonder it has everybody's praise and won awards, it is that good.  If you like horror you must bear witness to this film.  Highly Recommended.
     Day 17 seeing as I'm off track night for night I felt like going ahead after "Hatchet III" and doing "Victor Crowley" with tour stop talk, with Adam Green.  First off if you have seen any of the Hatchet films you know what your getting into, blood, gore, and hilarity abound.  This film brings more of the same.  I understand what happened in part 3, but this also has a legit answer to follow it ten years later.  The cast is awesome and with Mr. Green back behind the camera never hurts.  The film itself implies that there may or may not be a part 5.  The talk before the film was awesome hearing what he went through to keep the film "silent" was crazy simple.  I felt he himself was surprised it was pulled off.  The audience feed off every emotion in the film, which is high praise itself.  Afterword he talked a little more before the Q&A started.  He actually took my question and answered it.  I asked why use practical effects over the modern go-to CGI?  He answered it, by stating he feels old school like the 70's and 80's when you had to use practical effects, he adores that era.  An American Werewolf in London has the classic transformation scene, Child's Play has the Chucky doll, all great examples of what highlights the films of that time.  He also said that he adores what can be made over what a computer puts in afterword.  It's keeping a craft alive.  Then he also had tour stop only merchandise, most had to be made to order like Crowley's skull, his hatchet, and even a book wrote by Adam Green and Joe Knetter, and a Crowley doll (seen in movie, with book).  The only thing available to take home was an awesome tour poster, which he would sign FREE.  Great movie and great guy Adam Green is, he stated before he would stay and meet and talk with everyone who wanted to stay, great man, he stuck to his word.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

     Day 16 I pulled out "Hatchet III" cause I am seeing "Victor Crowley" and a tour stop in Cleveland later in the week.  Like most of these films the blood flows freely and the deaths are graphic.  I love the fact that Adam Green uses practical effects as opposed to CGI, it brings the old school feel to it.  While the story continues with the Crowley legacy, it brings out the last family member alive Marybeth (played by the dynamic Danielle Harris) and local sheriff (played by Zach Galligan) and his ex-wife (played by the great Caroline Williams), such an outstanding cast not without Victor Crowley himself (the legend Kane Hodder).  All but heads during the chase to kill Crowley.  This movie was directed by BJ McDonnell with Adam Green being writer-producer this time.  It was a great film and I can't wait to see the new one very soon with meet-n-greet with Adam Green.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

     Day 15 brought me too in indiegogo campaign I donated to Laszlo Illes's "The Basement", which I had heard wasn't good, but I had to see for myself.  I was impressed with the settings and the aura of the film, the graphic violence never hurts.  The story revolves around a group of friends after their party gets shut down for being to loud, by a neighbor.  This basement is always locked and nobody really knows why.  But the friends here someone keeps knocking at their door, so they run outside to catch the prankster(s), but find no one.  As they turn to head inside the noticed the basement door open proceed to hear a cat which ran out of there apartment.  As they head down to find their cat strange things begin happening.  This is when the movie gets good, the mannequins and the killer, which has awesome face mask, begin hunting them down through the catacombs of this basement.  I thought it was good, solid directing, decent acting for low budget, and the blood and gore were realistic.  Solid all around film, want to see more of his work, the only thing I will say is the subtitles got annoying after a while.  They speak English but native tongue comes into play sometimes.

Monday, October 16, 2017

     Day 14 brings us to an instant classic I loved this film "Hobo with a Shotgun".  It stars the great underrated Rutger Hauer, shot in old grindhouse style, it follows one mans journey to get back his stolen lawnmower.  Just looking to get a fresh start in a new city, he encounters urban hell.  The crime boss doesn't want him cleaning up his city, it's just doing lawns.  So he starts to aggravate the lawnmower man and the only way the Hobo feels to get back is with a shotgun and shells.  It has a genuine feel to it and has the look and feel of a 70's era grindhouse film for sure.  It has a great amount of violence and blood, an instant classic.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

     Day 13 brings us the Netflix original "The Babysitter" which was directed by the great McG.  He has done many a Hollywood films, so he is well versed in directing.  Which is no surprise he brings quality acting and eye candy to the film.  It begins with Cole the outcast at school that the bullies always pick on.  He gets beat down until Bee comes to his rescue one day.  They hit it off, with her being slightly older, she eventually becomes his babysitter.  One weekend his parents go away she comes over to babysit and they enjoy a fun night (no sex).  That's when he's texting the girl across the street, they being the same age and in school together, she talks him into going to find out what's happening downstairs after the doorbell rings.  Is it sex or party central?  That's when the shit get's real, he witness what she and her friends are up too, sorry no spoilers.  Just need to say he witnesses a lot, and all the horror gets real.  Lots of blood, and comedy ensue.  This is a funny touching film about a boy growing up, with a real psychopath wanting him dead.  Loved this film personally a lighthearted joy with horror comedic relief it was a joy.  Recommend it for those into horror comedies.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

     Day 12 is the most ultra-violent sex-gore romp film i have ever seen.  I witnessed "Night of Something Strange" from Hurricane Bridge Entertainment, directed by Jonathan Straiton.  It begins with a night janitor (Cornelious) in a morgue who sees a beautiful "Jane Doe" on a slab.  He proceeds to have sex with said corpse, but what he didn't look at was toe tag that has unexplained death, thought to be still living virus in her.  He then becomes possessed with the virus and needs sex and or blood, urine or any vaginal to satiate his hunger.  In turn possessing other folks along his journey.  The blood, gore, and jokes come fast and furious which speeds you through the film.  But be warned this film is not for the light-hearted it comes loaded with gore and has a very sick sense of humor.  I loved it, but beware.

Friday, October 13, 2017

     Day 11 this film "Antiviral" comes from the offspring of the legend David Cronenberg, his son Brandon.  In his directorial debut he spins a surreal lifestyle where people actually want the disease of their idols.  He works for a company that does this, but behind the scenes has his own black market deals going on.  Not until an idol comes up with a new disease that he needs and infuses it into himself, and she dies two days later of the disease does the panic set in.  Now while trying to rid the virus from his body he encounters other corporations that want it from him along with collectors of these "special" viruses.  Dead or alive they need his blood.  A surreal film from the son of the most cerebral movie maker in history, has a great future ahead of him.  A must watch.
     Day 10 brings us a movie some have  almost never heard, which is ridiculous, "Tales of Halloween", I found it a fitting time of year to watch.  I found the anthology, of ten tales, quite awesome.  I would say 7 out of ten were tens with only one I would give a 7.  That's pretty awesome and the stars, Stuart Gordon, Mick Garris, Adrienne Curry, just names a few, many cameos of awesome horror icons.  The stories were so short they hit the nail on the head and ended quickly.  And they range from man eating pumpkins to kidnapped children held for ransom.  Great amount of directors took there parting shots in this one also.  A must see this Halloween season.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

     Day 9 brings us a special film James Bickert's "Frankenstein Created Bikers" shot in 35mm film, not new digital.  This gives it James special 70's grindhouse feel.  Starring genre faves Jett Bryant, Laurence R. Harvey, Tristan Risk and Ellie Church.  The main outlaw (Jett Bryant) finds himself reanimated after his stint in James's other film "Dear God No" and is addicted to a strange substance.  While looking for the creator he finds his gang being chased by a topless stripper hit squad, a rival motorcycle gang, the law, bounty hunters, mutations, and the ever so beautiful grenade tossing femme fatale (Tristan Risk).  This film has it all explosions, beer guzzling, despicable monster mutations, and a love story.  What more could you want.  It was a thrill a minute with unexpected twists and turns galore.  If interested in buying one BigWorldPictures.com may still have a few if not keep eyes peeled on Ebay.

Monday, October 9, 2017

     Day 8 I bring you "The Devil's Candy".  I heard one person say it was good on FB and figured what the hell it's on Netflix, rare night alone with TV to myself.  I gotta say I was highly impressed with this movie Ethan Embry sold his performance to me.  I was completely enthralled, his supporting cast of actors/actresses pulled their weight to, it was a solid film.  It starts with a mother and son arguing then the "accident" happens, and house goes up for sale.  Embry's family barely getting by finds the low-ball offer on the house, because of the deaths.  They move in and try to start anew, he is a struggling painter, she works a job in town, now which she will take two buses to get too.  He drives the beat up station wagon to take their teen to and from her new school.  Then the son comes back because he has nowhere to live.  Then things get hairy, blood and violence erupts and Embry is drawn into this painting zone, like possession.  Highly recommend this film even with it's heavy metal soundtrack is great.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

     Day 7, I took advice from FB friends who've, for the most part, said good things about "Cult of Chucky".  I can't even tell you which number this is I haven't seen one since Tiffany showed up.  But I must say if this is any indication of how there going to be I'm in. I really thought the concept was great the acting was top notch, and the storyline all fit.  It was good to see Brad Dourif's daughter started acting, he is the voice of chucky, for those unfortunate.  Seeing Andy all grown up was a nice surprise, to me anyhow, he has grown a lot since I remember him.  The overall feel of the movie was great, and the amount of blood/gore, actually surprised me.  It wasn't over-the-top but a nice compliment to the movie.  If you haven't seen a Chucky film, like me, you should enjoy this as a comeback of sorts.  Mr. Mancini did a great job bringing Tom Holland's original concept new life I believe.  It is on Netflix or available for purchase now, good Halloween treat.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

     Day 6 I feel critics are going to be the death of me.  This entry is another highly recommended horror film "Excision".  It has a lot going for it acting wise, it is filled with TV stars and great B-listers, but somehow feels like they were going through the motions.  Obviously I wasn't impressed, the story revolves around a high school girl who has psychosexual fantasies, that revolve around graphic surgical procedures, which sounds good, but nope.  She has an uptight mother, who she hates, a chronically-ill sister who she adores and wants to lose her virginity to the popular guy in school.  She has trouble dealing with reality, and in the end, does unspeakable things.  But it all feels unengaging to me, I wasn't impressed like the critics.  Enter at your own risk, it's a yay or nay thing.

Friday, October 6, 2017

    Day 5 of Halloween special, I witnessed the remake of "Maniac" with Elijah Wood.  As far as remakes go nothing new we all know the story of the original, and this brings nothing new to the table.  Except extra blood, more graphic killing, but I felt what was truly missing was the soul of the movie.  The original had a "feel" to it between actor and director that had a special bond between them.  Not to say the acting wasn't good in the remake, but the "feel" wasn't there this time.  I like Elijah and it was just a paint by numbers performance I thought, no extra umph.  It is watchable but not worthy of searching out.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

    Day 4 I ventured into "The Autopsy Of Jane Doe" yet another film I heard great things about, even a blurb by Stephen King on box.  I went into this with high hopes, and it did not disappoint in the slightest, Jane Doe arrives at the father and son team of morticians for examination.  With no visible trauma, they have little to go on upon further inspection things get surreal.  Is she dead?  She was found in the basement of a home of brutally murdered family.  But no clues as to who, why, and how she died.  this film is a creeper slowly developing into something you can't stop watching.  Powerful acting abound with some A-listers from some small to big hits.  But overall I can't stress enough to see this one. Is a top ten of 2016 in my book.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

     Some say this isn't a horror film technically, but I believe with the amount of violence and gore, this can be a horror film.  I speak of "The Belko Experiment", it has all that and more.  The premise is everyone working at Belko has been there many years, and one day it just "happens" to go total lockdown.  Then comes the voice over the speakers, informing them that only one person shall live.  You can use anything at your disposal to kill everyone in the building, only one survivor.  As bodies begin to pile up small groups form, but only one survivor is allowed so.......  Greg Mclean of "Wolf Creek" fame directed this onslaught, which I found very entertaining to say the least.  And not to spoil the end, but it sums up the whole idea, just awesome all around film.  Must see if you ask me.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

     I don't need to have anyone say I'm a day off, I watch them at before bed and review them over the day, in my mind, to be able to give my thoughts.  So day 2 brought on one I had heard great things about "Cell Count".  Looks awesome but fell flat, I expected more, the effects were great, the story and acting lacked substance.  After finding out his wife was dying, he lent her to an experimental treatment facility, that was more built like a prison.  His wife mysteriously got better quickly, but wasn't allowed to leave.  Then they meet the others and realize something is wrong.  Clocking in at a mere 95 minutes it felt like over 2 hours.  Very slow paced leading to an unfulfilling end.  I would recommend it if you have nothing else to watch.

Monday, October 2, 2017

     I have seen a bunch of other folks doing the 31 days of Halloween films, so I figured I have more than probably over 100 horror films in my collection I haven't seen.  What the hell my 31 day challenge, I accept. Day 1 I started with something I had heard was extremely gross and unsettling, "Inside" a film by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, released through Dimension Extreme in 2007.  This piece of work is extremely brutal, violent, and very disturbing.  I was absolutely shocked by what was put forth by the main actresses Beatrice Dalle and Alysson Paradis, some of the scenes were very hardcore.  It was by far one of the films that grabs you and never lets go, if you can handle it.  A woman loses her husband by accident, and gets a strange visitor on Christmas Eve and wants her unborn child.  What ensues is extreme in every sense of the word on what a woman will do to save her unborn child.  I highly recommend this film to anyone who believes they can stomach it.  It shows great courage in filmmaking and the power we possess to save family at all cost.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

     This interview was brought on by unexpected circumstances I had tickets to a concert and fellow interviewee Ron George had a shoot to film prior.  So I tagged along and met Mikhail Tot, a director/actor, from the film "In Guns We Trust", and I stayed and helped (very little, other than staying out of the way) prior to show.  Then was invited to the premier party, here in Cleveland, and bought a ticket just for shits and giggles.  Really wanted to see what had it turned into.  I was blown away by the attendance and the reactions of the people, and truly how much I enjoyed the film itself.  I hung around the after-party cause I've met and worked with a few of the cast, just to network with new folks and get the word out about the film and actors/actresses along with the crew, such a great production on a shoestring budget.  But everybody involved used their A-game material and this turned awesome.  Ron proceeded to tell Mikhail about my blog and the rest is history.  He is such a great honest man I have to give him his just deserts, he is King of film in Cleveland as far as I'm concerned.  So my interview goes as such:

     Steve (S):  1:  Born in Russia, when did you leave?

     Mikhail (M):  1:  I was born in a small city called Dalnegorsk. I lived there for a while then I moved with my grandmother in Novosibirsk (It's in Siberia, for those who fucked off in Geography) then I moved to Moscow while my mom and I waited for our Visa to come through. By the time I stepped foot on American soil I was 14 years old.

     S:  Wow, your mom did the best for you, I believe,

     S:  2:   What is the earliest memory of you wanting to become an actor/filmmaker?

     M:  2:  When I was about 7 I found a VHS tape with Zombie film that my parents use to have. It scarred me so much that I had to burn it. (I was a little bitch) I think it really messed me up because I keep freaking my self out. After a while I though "How the hell a VHS cover can scare me so much?!" and I start looking into how they make film make up on monsters. One thing lead to another, now I make movies!

     S:  You would think monster movies not hilarious gang films, but to each his own.

     S:  3:    You went to Bowling Green college, what was your major?


     M: 3:  My major was Russian Language... because I'm a lazy fuck. I didn't want to go to college, but my parents (bless their heart) made me do it. The sold me with "you can party and do whatever you want there!" So I took a bull shit major and partied for 5 years straight. But looking back at it I should of majored in film. I found out I wanted to do film by my junior year, but it was too late for me to switch the major so I took a bunch of film/acting/writing classes.

     S:  You spend 13+ years in Russia/Siberia but come to America to learn Russian language, haha, at least all your parting lead you into something productive, learning the easy way out lol.


     S:  4:    How did you become affiliated with the Cleveland filmmaking scene?

     M:  4:  After finishing up college, my friends and I moved to Cleveland. I networked my ass off and helped a lot of people on their projects.... and that's how I become friends with most of them. 

     S:  You do know a lot of people (good ones to boot) and have the skills to know hard work pays off, and helping the new generation.

     S:  5:  How many shorts/films have you done other than "In Guns We Trust"?

     M:  5:  I made bunch of shitty short films/videos in college. But I started to take my films serious when I moves to CLE. I did a short film "Cleveland Allegories" and a full feature "In Production" and now also "In Guns We Trust".


     S:  I will need to find "Cleveland Allegories" and I also saw "In Production" trailer and announcement that the premier is coming soon, I am eager to see that and what else you have in store for the future.


     S:  6:  I attended your premier after Ron George invited me, and my on-set visit.  I was honored to see the hard work all came together seamlessly.  What I bared witness to was absolutely outstanding.  How much joy was it to see your movie on the marquee, and watching it with such a great crowd, and a pre- and- post party?

     M:  6:  Oh man, not a single drug in the whole world can top the feeling of premiering your film in front of hundreds of people. I was so nervous you have nooo idea. My co-Director Donn R. Nottage did an amazing job by helping me hold my shit together by continuously drinking with me.


     S:  It was a night to remember good thing plenty of pictures were taken, for your sake, I can only imagine.

     S:  7:  Who would you consider your directing icon?


     M:  7:  I don't have a particular "icon", I enjoy each directors for certain thing thing. For example I LOVE Edgar Wright's editing, but I love Scorsese's story telling, I love Tarantino's ultra violence but I love Wes Anderson's weird characters. I like to combine all of those things in my films.


     S:  That would be a hard choice for one single person, but your choices are great in their own right, good answer.


     S:  8:    Given the chance to remake any movie, of your choice, which would it be?

     M:  8:  World War Z... It has to be done.

     S:  It was that bad, I haven't had the privilege yet, but I own a copy lol.


     S:  9:    How did you sell your huge idea to producers, and got your pennies worth out of everybody?

     M:  9:  A lot of hand jobs...... Just kidding. We actually didn't raise enough money to make a film at first. Then we thought about it and said "Fuck it! Lets make a movie!" All the actors and crew (Which pretty much consists of Donn R. Nottage and Renne Nottage) did all for pizza and Chinese food. Everyone loved the script and idea so much that we finished the whole film on a micro budget.


     S:  That is awesome you are a special individual in likable sense, your a great guy and you showcased a lot of their talent in acting.  They should be proud of themselves too, and Donn and Renne did a helluva job with helping you along the way.  I was only on set for one scene and I could feel the relaxed atmosphere and everybody had this feeling of ease, like no biggie let's knock this bitch out and on to the next scene.


     S:  10:  You had such a great group of actors/actresses, how did you pull off the great cast?

     M:  10:  We did a casting call and we got most of them from there. Then I went on Facebook, Craigslist, Film Mixers and other places to look for more. I honestly was honored to work with these amazing people. Everyone was positive and fun and it was a pleasure to work with them all!


     S: They seemed to enjoy you also, and gave you loads of credit at the after party which by far says a lot about your character and how your work ethic is.

     S:  11:   When I spoke to a few cast members they all agreed the table read helped them get into character and feed off everyone's energy.  How important do you feel that was, and why did you feel it was needed?

     M:  11:  Table read was great because everyone developed such a quick connection, it was epic! Some of the actors didn't even have scene's together so I had to re-write a script so they can work together. It was amazing experience.  Plus after people read out loud the script it's easier to find where I messed up. My grammar is terrible.


     S: Is that why you majored in Russian lol, all I can say is the finished product speaks for itself, awesome job.

     S:  12:  What's next for Tot Productions, now that your group has a stranglehold on the Cleveland film scene?


     M:  12:  As if now I will be laying low and writing scripts. I will be submitting IGWT to numerous film festivals and I'm planning on doing a short film in November called "I'm a Good Boy" and next summer I would like to shoot another feature! So keep your eye out!

     S:  My eyes are peeled,  I can't wait for more!

Here is Mikhail's youtube channel which you'll find other great things  www.youtube.com/setfree732







I wish to thank Mikhail for the interview and I believe friendship he is a great man with a eye for talent and for film many great things to come from this man and his production company I failed to mention Tot Productions


Sincerely

Steve
     This is an interview I had with part-time actor George (Gendy) Mwangi who lives in Nakuru, Kenya.  He has his own production company Gendy Productions, specializing in music video's and such but acting is his passion.  These are his ten questions:

     Steve (S):  1:  Did it come as a real challenge to break into acting?

     George (G):  1. It has always been a challenge to me because, I am not yet at a certain point in the acting arena that I would be proud of.  So for me its still a challenge more so in our country where there are limited opportunities.

     S:  I can understand that dilemma.

     S:  2:  Would you like more acting gigs or was a taste enough?

     G:  2:  That's what I would die for.  I love acting with all I got, its in me and I believe God made me to act, so I would take any opportunity for any gig to grow.

     S:  I feel ya on that one I've had a taste and want more, too.

     S:  3:   Does being from Kenya only enhance your love of music?

     G:  3:  At least music has a spreadsheet of opportunities, so anyone would be in music while awaiting that golden opportunity in acting, so I have a studio called Gendy Records.

     S:  And with that you're always helping indie artists.

     S:  4:  Is the music scene huge where you are now?

     G:  4:  It's not that big, but at least its coming through very fast.

     S:  Music does seem to be growing huge these days even through the underground scene.

     S:  5:  If you could act alongside anyone famous, who would you choose?
                                    
     G:  5:  I have always dreamt to work alongside Vin Diesel coz I love acting with action and this guy is just what I definitely want to be.

     S:  Who could argue about that tough and soft. 

     S:  6:  I saw on FB Gendy Productions celebrated it's 4 year anniversary, did you ever expect it to be so success?

     G:  6:  Gendy Productions is my young film company I started back in 2012 to nature young acting talents and also grow mine, we are not yet successful but we always work hard day in day out to make it a great brand.

     S:  Hard work will always pay dividends in the end.

     S:  7:  Does Gendy Productions cater to one style of music, or have a huge variety of artists?

     G:  7:  We at Gendy Productions are based on production of all genres of music, so we are always welcoming anyone in the music arena regardless of their type of music.
 
     
     S:  8:  What do most people not know about you?

     G:  8:  Mr. Hergina, I am a great asset to the industry, passionately I have written movies,  produced and I am a business minded young man with great ambitions.

     S:  Now that's what real people need to hear.

     S:   9:  Is acting or music producing tougher?

     G:  9:  Lemmi say both are tough in the sense that you always do what you do to showcase to the world about it, in the music production its tough because of the competition which of course is healthy, so you always strive to be the best in the game.  In acting its tough because there are no opportunities to expose my relenting talent.  I always feel pretty bad when I am stuck onto the same position I was years back without a great platform in the film arena.

     S:  It is a tough world to crack and you have it harder by your location, in Kenya, but I always believe someday it will get better.

     S:  10:  With the final product done is acting, directing, or producing more personally gratifying? 

     G:  10:   My world is in acting Mr. Hergina, I would trade all my expertise in music just to be the best actor, if today Hollywood called me to act I wouldn't think even for a second coz that's what I like.  Leave alone Hollywood even you if you called me over there I would come over without a second thought.  Hope one day to meet you and work with you on a movie or in music.

     S:  It would be an honor to work beside you, someday let's hope it happens.

I wish to sincerely thank George for his time and the interview, wishing him all the luck in the world.  Please visit his company Gendy Productions for all your needs, he looks forward to get into more acting roles, check him out for sure.

Thanks hope you enjoy
    This is a new dawning for my blog, I have decided to incorporate not only horror related films but all independent productions seeking encouragement.  And by this also will include actors/actresses who want to expand their reach to directors and producers, also including new authors or writers of independent publications.  I still prefer horror related stuff but will do all I can for independent media.  And so the next couple of interviews may seek different aspects of independent works.  I have a special horror related surprise coming for Friday October 13th, this is fair warning.

Saturday, September 9, 2017

     I saw IT (2017) version Friday night, not expecting it to live up to the hype.  I have been disappointed too many times in the past 20+ years of film watching to expect everything is awesome.  I was honestly surprised it did live up to the hype, the suspense, the scariness, and the new pennywise were done justice.  I would actually like to hear what Tim Curry thoughts were on the new Pennywise.  I barely remember the first one, which I plan on rectify soon.  That might of actually helped me enjoy this one more, I'm not completely sure on that.  The little things in this movie shocked me most, when Pennywise spoke he was always drooling, ugh, and his tone of voice at times could send shivers up ones spine.  I know every movie has it's haters, but this movie just hit me at the right way at the right time.  From beginning to end the Losers were a great group of lovable kids, and Henry was a vicious bastard.  I know some of the updated language might upset people but it's an updated version, which happens to be Hollywood's calling card now.  Remake this, redo that update everything to make it relevant today...........why don't they just call it what it is a rehash, cause we're too lazy to let "the new guy" in with his "new ideas" just keep churning out the old cause CGI is cheap now.  All I want to say to them is soon "You'll Float Too" once your stale ideas get you the book.  Cause every squirrel finds a nut sooner or later, this is yours.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

    A very short, but very effective, film was given to me by George James Fraser and his company Stained Glass and Bloodbaths productions called "My Little Miracle".  It clocks in at under 8 minutes, but has it all great story, blood, gore, and a very unique story.  It starts with a mother putting her child to reading her a story.  Beautiful little background for what it turns into, which I cannot say because of the length of the film.  What I can say is I loved it, from story to gory it was effective and somewhat disturbing, my type of film.  And for some reason I keep feeling the effectiveness of the music and the score of this short was spot on, loved it.

Thank you to all invested there time to make this so grandiose

Steve

Sunday, September 3, 2017

  This short film For Her..... was brought to my attention by the filmmaker himself  Daniel Mark Young.  It is clocking in just under 20 minutes, and is compelling to say the least.  I know very little about the filmmaker himself (soon to change, I hope).  So I will just cut to review.


  For Her.... tells the tale of a normal couple, normal problems and all.  Just when you think all is normal he heads out for a peaceful night by himself, wife is sick and she fell asleep all good to go.  That's about all I can say but he looks for a hookup after a while and trouble ensues.  The cast was great, the filming was spot-on not so not long perfect set-up.  I personally found this short to be excellent very compelling, and very well acted.  Found myself watching it a second time to catch the little things I missed during my first viewing.  For Her.... was a great supernatural horror film with a unexpected twist I would give 5 bones out of 5.


I wish to thank Daniel Mark Young and his crew at Viral Films UK

Saturday, July 22, 2017

     This  interview comes from the land down under, he has turned his calling into a career, I speak of Itai Guberman.  Not exactly a household name yet but with his newest work Ivy winning multiple awards on it's festival circuit run, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming work from him.  He even created his own production company along the way, MyIndie Productions.  Itai has set a high bar for himself and he looks like he has a handle on it and is going full speed ahead.  Watch out for his future everything is looking great.  Without further ado I give you his questions:


     S:  1:  What was your primary reason for becoming an independent filmmaker?



     Itai (I):  1:  Well, that question can be answered from two directions. First, my reason for becoming a filmmaker is something that I’ve been thinking about ever since I can remember. I have been obsessed with film from a very young age, yet started making films fairly late (I made my first short when I was in my 30’s and went to film school at 36 or 37). Somehow, even though I started on a completely different career path (I completed a Business Degree at the age of 21), I still found my way back to film. I believe that in some way, it is my calling and what I love to do and so I simply have no choice. I have all these ideas and stories in my head that need to come out, so I must let them and film is my conduit for that.



Now, why I became an “independent” filmmaker is an almost separate question. The need to work freely and keep ownership of my ideas has prompted me to begin working independently. After starting my own production company, MyIndie Productions, the search for much needed funding for early projects was taking too long, so I decided to bite the bullet and self-fund in order to move forward. Thus far, I self-funded most of my projects, either by paying for them out of my own pocket, borrowing, or finding personal investors who so graciously agreed to support my work. This has allowed me the freedom to do what I do.

     S:  That is awesome.  To own your own and be your own boss, and to stretch yourself in self-funding is very heroic indeed.  That shows true passion for what you have done.



     S:  2:  You write, produce, and direct some of your films, any background in schooling for any of this?



     I:  2:  I started in film as a hobby, working completely from instinct and learning by watching and reading about film and production. In 2010, I finally made the decision to enroll in Film School and hone my skills. I completed my Masters in Film and Television at Tel-Aviv University in 2015.


     S:  Wow this is inspiring to all young filmmakers, with or without college passion and desire will take you to sometimes unfamiliar ground but it's baby steps turning into leaps and bounds.  Schooling obviously helped hone your skills.



     S:  3:  Which of your films is your best to date, you believe, from whatever you did for it (write, direct, or produced)?



     I:  3:  That is a tough question. Working with my production partner, Asaf Angel, our goal is to improve from project to project. In that regard, I feel that the psychological horror short, “Ivy”, which we recently completed, is our best thus far. My writing is improving, as do our abilities on set and even the equipment we use from film to film. “Ivy” has been a combination of these things which have resulted in the highest visual production value and complex storytelling we have produced thus far.


     S:  It has to be hard to deny after all the awards it is winning on festival circuit.


     S:  4:  Is there a "job" in filmmaking you like best?



     I: 4:  The areas I enjoy most are both writing and directing. I hope to concentrate on these more in the future and slowly do less of the producing, promoting, etc., which I do now out of necessity.


     S:  I can see why it's the most creative aspect of a film, without a great story, or direction, a movie can fall flat.


     S:  5:  What is your all-time favorite horror film?



     I:  5:  Another tough question. If I absolutely had to name a few, I’d probably go with John Carpenter’s “The Thing” (1982), Edgar Wright’s horror comedy “Shaun of the Dead” (2004), Kubrick’s “The Shining” (1980), Danny Boyle’s “28 Days Later” (2002) and Neil Marshall’s “The Descent” (2005). Though not considered specifically as horror by some, I’d also include “Aliens” (1986), “Pitch Black” (2000) and “Predator” (1987).


     S:  All great films couldn't go wrong any night with one of those.


     S:  6:  What do most people not know about you?



     I: 6:  For the most part, I’m an open book. What you see is what you get, whether in person or online. Most of my friends know that, but some of my online friends might not know, I obsessively follow the NBA. I have been a huge basketball fan for over 30 years now and I also used to play on various teams in Australia up to my early to mid-30’s.



In addition, I am also very much into Rock Music. Have been for many years and still am. I still enjoy listening to classic rock, hard rock, metal, grunge, alternative, etc.


     S:  I would have never seen that coming, and that's my music baby.


     S:  7:  You've worked with a wide variety of people, is there someone you would love to work with in front, or behind the camera?



I guess you mean people who have been out of reach for someone like myself thus far… Well, behind the camera, I’m not sure. There are many great directors and cinematographers, make-up people, stunt people, etc., that I hope to have the chance to work with one day. As for in front of the camera, I have some script ideas that would be perfect for actors like Michael Fassbender, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Ben Foster, Thomas Jane, Kristen Stewart, Natalie Portman and Elisabeth Moss. One can dream 😊


     S:  Dream big my friend all are quality actor/actresses couldn't fault any choice there.


     S:  8:  Has there been any one person who has affected your filmmaking career in the best way?



     I:  8:  My entry into the world of filmmaking was greatly affected by my first production partner, Peter Angel. Our shared love of cinema got us to the point that we began writing scripts and shooting films. Having the support of a partner at the time, was invaluable and it may not have happened the way it did had Peter not been there. Once Peter and I parted ways, due to family commitments on his part, I put filmmaking aside for a while before certain books and films assisted in reigniting the creative juices.



Indie filmmakers such as the Duplass Brothers, Joe Swanberg and Andrew Bujalski helped me realize that I can do more with less and I began writing scripts in a variety of genres, from comedy and drama to thrillers and horror, keeping in mind that if I keep the locations, number of actors, crew, etc., contained to as little as possible, I may be able to make these films.



With that in mind, I made a few shorts in film school - two thrillers in particular (“Dolphin”, a revenge thriller and “Third Temple”, a political thriller) - which made me understand the production requirements for making higher production valued films. Both films mentioned are currently on Stream Now TV, an indie film streaming site run by Ron Valderrama (the Founder and CEO), whom I befriended online and after we chatted, wanted to see the films. After seeing them, he liked them so much that are now exclusively featured on the site.


     S:  that is networking at it's finest.  Every person you meet or talk to has good things to say I would friend them, we need to keep things up no bashing of films.  This is a niche group of individuals that look to inspire I haven't seen a independent film that doesn't have some merit.


     S:  9:  What director has inspired you the most?



     I:  9:  My favorite director is probably Krzysztof Kieslowski. I think he was an absolute filmmaking genius and is grossly underrated. Because I follow a varied array of genres, I have also been inspired by the liked of Sergio Leone, Sam Peckinpah, John Carpenter, Jim Jarmusch, John Sturges, Sidney Lumet, Walter Hill, George Romero, The Coen Brothers, Mel Brooks, David Fincher, Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino and Denis Villenueve, among others.


     S:  I have heard that name before but never had the chance to look him up, I think it's time that's changed.


     S:  10:  You have many films done and out, I will give you the stage, to speak of future projects you have lined up to do in the future, because I feel you've built a solid fan base and they would love to know what's coming soon, me too?



     I:  10:  A couple of months ago, under MyIndie Productions, we released the short psychological horror, “Ivy”, which is currently doing the festival rounds. It has, in a short time, been made an official selection at five festivals, thus far.



For our next project, I have written a feature-length horror anthology that we are in the process of shooting. We have thus far completed principal shooting of two out four stories and intend to look for funding to complete the remaining two next year. The film is a post-apocalyptic horror that we hope will strike a chord with a large audience of horror followers as well as ones who are not specifically horror fanatics.


If we do not manage to find the funding necessary, we will likely try the crowd funding route. Either way, as I have done with all my recent projects thus far, I intend to complete this horror feature and get it out to audiences as soon as possible.

     S:  I love post-apocalyptic horror and action films, I can't wait for that to get done and out.

Well I hope you've enjoyed this conversation with Itai Guberman, his Ivy has won awards on the festival circuit and still has more festivals to cover.  This interview I found insightful and inspiring, I hope you've enjoyed it also.  Below are pictures that were passed along for all to enjoy hope everything is going well my friends.














Just a few of his posters for previous movies and Ivy on festival circuit now with added credits to festivals and just won another award in Hotlanta Horror film fest for ensemble cast!!!!!






I wish to thank Itai Guberman for taking the time for this awesome interview and many a great films coming from him soon!!!!!!!


SUPPORT INDIE FILMMAKERS

Thursday, July 13, 2017

     Sorry for all the delays have had more medical issues come up but enough, he isn't new to filmmaking but still hasn't gotten the recognition he deserves yet.  I speak of Lewis Leslie, he has been out there making damn quality films for years, with some decent, lesser-known actors in the biz.  I personally hate that word, everybody is good, they need the right direction to bring it out.  But Hollywood is such a "name" game it irritates me.  After all people like Lewis know what they want and pull it out of his actors for your screen enjoyment.  I hope this interview you find insightful and check out his work, if nothing else.  He won't quit so stand up and take notice.  His ten questions are as follows:


     S:  1:  When did you decide filmmaking was your calling?

     Lewis (L)  1:  I've been studying and practicing screenwriting for over a decade, and I dabbled in producing on a couple of small projects before realizing that I wanted to take a shot at directing. In 2010, I directed the grindhouse/horror film "Killer Ink", which features a cameo by Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in Star Wars. After that, I was hooked. I started doing film contests, where I would write, produce, and direct each project. To date, I have directed fourteen short films, and four features, with the fifth filming by the end of the year.

     S:  That is awesome I only found you on Facebook and still need to practice what I preach and look up your films for my personal enjoyment.


     S:  2:  Did you ever attend a film school or screen writing classes?

     L: 2:  I did not attend film school, but I have taken some online screenwriting classes, and read numerous books on the subject. I like to keep up to speed by reading screenwriting books and online articles, though I find the best way to improve is by writing. I have written around 20 features, and Lord only knows how many shorts. I don't write every day like some people recommend, but when I do wrote, I dive in, and can churn out pages like nobody's business.

     S:  I tried that and I agree everyday something comes up but I continue to plug away at it someday I hope one of my stories strikes a fancy and can get filmed.

     S:  3:  Have you ever used a crowdfunding campaign to assist in funding?

     L:  3:  I have tried crowdfunding a few times with minimal success, although I do plan to use crowdfunding to partially fund my next feature film "The Dying Fields", which we're shooting this fall. That should be live some time in July, so keep an eye out for that. I find that it works better when you have a team working with you to get the furthest reach.

     S:  Well it took so long for me to get this up, it may be up now or soon, check it out and reward yourself by helping get quality films made.

     S:  4:  What is your favorite horror film?

     L:  4:  That is a very good question. There are so many that I enjoy, but if I had to choose one, I would choose two: A Nightmare on Elm Street & Evil Dead. The character of Freddy Krueger is the definition of iconic, and the style and mix of terror and comedy displayed in Evil Dead have been copied for years since. Both films are tons of fun, and they never get old.

     S: These two choices are great for exactly what you said, love both myself.

     S:  5:  When did you come up with the idea to start Dream Hero Productions? 

     L:  5:  I had actually been operating another production company for a few years, but when my then business partner turned what could have been a great production into an absolute nightmare by lying about funding, locations, and contracts, it was definitely time to move on. I was down in the dumps, and my dream needed saving; thus birthing Dream Hero Productions, and a new partnership with producer Tim Koger that has been going very well for a couple of years now.

     S:  Sometimes all it takes are the right people in the right position to make everything go as planned.

     S:  6:  You've had the pleasure of working with Peter Mayhem (Chewbacca), and the B-movie legend Bill Oberst Jr, If you had your choice, who would be your greatest actor/actress to work with?

     L:  6:  Without question Jake Gyllenhaal. Donnie Darko is my favorite film, followed closely by Fight Club. Jake always pours his heart and soul into every role, and he has portrayed a wide variety of crazy, complex characters. For my money, he's the best actor of our generation, plus he's not afraid to go dark, which is something that has always interested me. If we're talking more on the indie level, Bill Moseley is at the top of my bucket list. Let's make a movie, Bill!

     S:  I can't agree more Jake has something about him that turns every character he plays real.  And Bill what more could you ask for he is twisted professional.

     S:  7:  Who would you consider your directing hero?

     L:  7:  Wes Craven, John Carpenter, JJ Abrams, Spielberg, and so many more. But, if I had to choose one, I would have to go with David Fincher. Fight Club, Seven, The Social Network, Gone Girl, Zodiac (with Jake Gyllenhaal), Alien 3, The Game. All of these movies have rocked my world in one way or another. Fincher's style is undeniable, and his eye for talent is unmistakable. While I haven't loved 100% of the films he's made, I have to say that I am always intrigued by his dark atmospheres, and the dynamic depth of characters in his films.

     S:  You and thousands of others he can take any subject and twist it to love or hate certain people, he has that quality I spoke of pulling out the character of everyone.

     S:  8:  What do most people not know about you?

     L:  8:  While I am more well known for my horror and thriller films, I am a family man, and I also work on faith-based films. I'm a lover, not a fighter, but I do enjoy delving deep into the psyche of morbid characters, who commit atrocious acts that I myself could not imagine seeing in person.

     S:  I see your point you can't just create the horror, when kids get involved they want to see good quality films too.

     S:  9:  Of any movie, which would you like to write and direct a sequel to?

     L:  9:  It's not the biggest franchise or anything, but I have always loved the story and creature in Jeepers Creepers. I would love to work on a Creeper film. I know a lot of people have issues with the current writer/director, so hey, why not give me a shot? They are supposedly going to be releasing a new film soon, but I'd be happy to take the reins after that.

     S:  I do have issues with him once the information was released, but was a big fan of them earlier.  You taking over as the writer/director would greatly please this fan.

     S:  10:  How would you label your directing style?

     L:  10:  When I direct a film, I put the largest part of my focus on working and adapting with the actors involved in the project. We have table reads, meetings, and phone calls to make sure we're on the same page. I want to ensure that my vision is clear, and that we are here to tell the same story. You can have amazing cinematography for affordable prices these days, so what really makes you stand out, in my opinion, outside of the story, is the performances by the actors. Everything about filmmaking is a collaboration. Writers, directors, and actors get far too much credit for successful projects, and too much blame for ones that are not seen as a success. It takes a group of people working toward the same goal to get a movie made, and if you're not all making the same movie with the same vision, it's going to be a lot harder to get your film to come out the way you want it to.

     S:  That is absolutely right, the same goes in Hollywood, I believe they love to rehash the same old story with new actors.  And all the blame goes to the stars he/she can't open a movie.  How about your retread vision for the umpteenth time.  Independent filmmakers get no credit in Hollywood but the film festivals are where it's at.  Word of mouth is worth more than babble babble babble.

Hope you fully enjoyed that interview, was awesome I think below is a list of his films available, check out "Dying Fields" on the crowdfunding front, help a fellow filmmaker out.  All is appreciated we all someday want more great films to be made.  Thank You Lewis Leslie it was my pleasure to interview such a class act.

"Killer Ink" (grindhouse/horror) available on Amazon, as is "Tales From the Vault", a collection of short films that I wrote & directed. I have directed numerous shorts, and I have 3 features in post-production:

"Strange Company" (psychological drama): After the apocalypse, a grieving recluse is visited by a desperate woman who draws him out of his home, and forces him to confront his inner turmoil.

"Battered (female-led revenge thriller)": After Piper's alcoholic boyfriend sends her to the hospital, she joins a group of battered women who decide to kill their exes, only to discover that these guys won't go down without a fight.

"Visceral" (supernatural thriller): When eight strangers wake up in a room with no windows or doors, they must work together to determine why they are there, and how they can escape.



Wednesday, June 28, 2017

     I have been doing my best as the Lone Wolf on this blog since It's inception.  I feel I've done a decent job considering my health issues, but anyhow this wolf has been thrown, what I feel is a thick meaty thigh bone.  This newest one has the most meat on it yet.  My friend David Black and Tritia DeViSha (Trish) gave me the opportunity to announce that their newest project as horror hosts of the newest horror compilation show Horror House has been picked up by Foxtel Aurora and will be seen all over Australia.  They also allowed me to witness the depravity of their pilot episode.  WOW.  This would never flu on American TV at all, blood, guts, nudity.  The stories highlight some of the great talent Australia has to offer.  They were all awesome and given this highlight, the rest should be great, too.  As far as Horror Hosts go these too have great chemistry and the strange ability and twisted sense of humor that fits between each short just right.  They offered me another round of 10 questions so of course I accepted so her we go:

     Steve (S) 1:  How long have you both been in the film industry?

     David (D) 1:  For me one year in film industry as an actor/producer/director, but I go way back to the entertainment industry's to the 1980's.  I've also been in a horror rock band Darkness Visible since 1994 and organized our first of 9 music videos.

     Trish (T) 1:  1. Quite a while… I started acting in 2003, & presenting & producing from 2004, so it’s easily well over a decade, though I’ve had various breaks in between doing other things like travel & live performance for a few years.

     S:  Wow that's been awhile for both of you I wish to get into the "biz" at some time.


     S: 2:  Is this the first horror TV show made by Australians for Australians?

     D: 2:  The first hosted horror show made by Australians  that I can remember was Deadly Earnest.  It was a TV that ran from around 1961-1978.  It didn't feature Australian horror movies though.  Prior to our project, there have been other that only know I am becoming aware of such as Dark Carnival https://www.facebook.com/groups/darkcarnivalshortfilms/,

     T:  2:  2,3,4,5. David can answer those ☺ He’s more versed up on the history of the Horror shows, he’s like the horror show history guru, & Horror House is his brainchild ☺ The amount of work he has put into it has been amazing.

     S: David you know your history pretty well for falling into it.

     S: 3:  Who inspired you to this sort of TV/film work you have done?

     D: 3:  I can't say anyone inspired me.  I sort of fell into it when I was invited to be an extra on Cult Girls.  It came along at just the right time as I was just getting over bouts of exhaustion that I had been suffering from when I had cancer.  Suddenly a whole new world had opened to me with acting in the local movie industry, and I was off and running. https://www.facebook.com/cultgirlsfilm/.

     S:  Glad to hear your cancer free bud, and I also fell into it when an old friend said she wrote a TV/Drama that she wanted to pitch and wrote the asshole role cause she knew I could do it. lol.

     S: 4:  Who came up with the Horror House idea initially?

     D: 4:  I came up with the idea of Horror House. It started off with thought that producers of short horror movies were not able to get DVD distribution because you need a feature for a DVD. By joining them together in a hosted horror show, I would be able to do this. After making enquiries with distributors, it seemed that the cost involved in authoring, getting artwork made, getting ratings done vs returns from distribution, made this unlikely. Creating this as a TV show was more doable.

     S:  That is awesome cause those shorts were excellent and people need to learn the up-and-comers by name to look out for future projects.
    

     S: 5:  Did you both contribute to the Horror House show before it was decided to pitch it to TV
executives and eventually picked up by Foxtel Aurora for broadcast across Australia?

     D:  5:  Trish has contributed quite a bit, but she was brought in after it was decided to pitch it to Foxtel Aurora. The plan on where to pitch it was put together within a minute of me mentioning that I would like to do this show on my Facebook page. I am good friends with Adam of Bosworth Entertainment and he contacted me immediately to say that the idea was a winner and his entertainment company wanted it. He already had his plans in place.

     T:  5. (additional) Hahaha, my original contribution to horror house was my experimental short film “The Kali Geisha Erotica Grotesque”, which David asked if he could screen as one of the shorts on his pilot, when he was conceptualizing, way before I was brought on as Co-host!

     S:  Well at least he brought in the best quality host he could you two have great chemistry on screen.

     S: 6:  Was there a group of some sort to pick the shorts for the pilot or just you both?

     D:  6:  The selection of films has been open to all in the work group since the beginning. Not everyone has chosen to watch films and give feedback, but for those who have, the decisions have been made by consensus.

     T:  6:   This is David’s brainchild like I said, so basically I only came on board towards the end when the pilot was nearly ready to be shot & needed a Mistress Boobyanna, so besides knowing that my film & David’s were going to be screened, I was not really involved in the selection process for the shorts in the pilot.

      S:  Well I must say he made great choices all around from the films to his co-host.


      S: 7:  How do you feel this is making you grow as a filmmaker, sorting through the hundreds of
shorts submitted trying to find the most intense ones for airing?

     D:  7:  The whole process has been helping me grow as a film maker because I am working with a great team. Everyone has been patient with me and I am learning from everyone from my co host to the sound guy, to the editor ... basically from everyone.

     T:  7:  I have a short attention span, if something doesn’t grab me within the first 20-30seconds, I tend to turn it off. lol. Especially for short films. Features I tend to give them maybe 2-3minutes leeway before I turn it off. Unless it has been highly recommended to me to watch to the end. We are only given so much time in this world.  Reminds me of when I was hosting a music TV show years ago, we’d get thousands of music videos in from bands regularly. For short films I would watch for things like acting, production quality, storyline, artistic merit, creativity, originality, etc. & then you can also create subsections or specials, so I guess as we have access to a wider catalogue we can maybe start to theme our shows as well. So I don’t think I’m particularly growing as a filmmaker watching them, but I guess for me it’s just another avenue to be able to have fun with cool people & be part of a great project & another avenue to express creatively & play a fun character.

     S:  You both had solid answers to that being from two very different perspectives, I like the honesty.


     S: 8:  You obviously have a lot looser executives in Australia cause this show would have never
made the air in American TV households?

      D:  8:  Aurora is a community channel with Foxtel. I grew up with our community channels having an "everything goes" attitude. If it was foreign, weird, full of sex and violence, it was always on the community station.

     T:  8:   I don’t know, I have no idea what execs want, but wouldn’t necessarily say that it wouldn’t make it to US screens, because even though the content on HH is more MA/R rated, mainstream timeslot shows, even like Game of Thrones on HBO are pretty graphic these days, so never say never.

     S:  Yeah but that over here Is a premium service channel, so it costs extra to have with your normal cable, due to some extreme programming.


     S: 9:  Who is your filmmaker idol?

     D:  9:  I have 2 idols for Australian film makers. Both active and both in Ozploitation,  Daniel Armstrong and Stuart Simpson. Daniel has produced at least 4 features and my favourite so far is The Sheborg Massacre. My favourite Stuart Simpson movie is Chocolate Strawberry Vanilla.

     T:   9. Australian filmmaker idols? Hmmm… I never thought about it. I don’t actually have an Australian filmmaking idol tbh. I am predominantly an actress first, & so my idol was always Angelina Jolie, and as I get older, Jada Pinkett. My filmmaking idols are Quentin Tarantino & Guy Ritchie, but Australian I guess maybe Baz Lurhman because of his beautiful imagery & I am a very visual person. & whoever made Bad Boy Bubby (1994) way back in the day cos that movie is so twisted I still remember it to this day. & the guy who made Gods of Egypt. Kudos to him for getting such a budget to make the film. We need more budgets like that in Australia & I would love to get a budget like that to make a fantasy film one day.
Though I would have to say my Indy Australian filmmaking MENTOR, not necessarily idol, is definitely Nathan Hill, I have learnt so much about making Indy films from working with him & watching him work.


     S:  I honestly have never heard of most of those, of course Tarantino, Ritchie, Pinkett, and Jolie I've been watching since Cyborg days, but the others I will need to look up, from your recommendations of course.


      S:10:  As the Horror House Host/Hostess who comes up with all the jokes in your skits?

     D:  10:  Trish and I have both come up with the material. I've provided the start with each segment, but then we discuss it, try things out and alter it. Some is also really on the spot. E.g. Trish was supposed to squirt milk in my face with a fake penis prop. It was her idea, straight out of the blue, to shove the penis in my mouth and move it in and out.


     T:  10:   Hahaha most of the jokes originate out of David’s twisted little mind. He has all the props, & writes a whole list of joke ideas around them, so once he’s compiled a list of jokes, then I just go over & bounce ideas & then we expand the jokes & script, try them out to see what works & then lock in the best things for the show. I love it cos it’s ‘no holds barred’ and we can just take it as far as we want. It’s so fun & crazy!

     S:  That is lovely blame it all on David, being sick and twisted, lol, and who jammed what, where in the impromptu moment, lol.


     That was a great interview between the three of us.  They have the great ability to joke around like kids, and their choices on films were excellent.  I look forward to seeing what either Twisted David, and Tantalizing Trish has in store for the future of film.  I hope everyone searches them out and supports them and the many others keeping independent film alive.  Thanks David and Trish for the interview and patience with me.

Pictures coming soon