I had the pleasure of watching Getting Schooled by Chuck Norfolk, it isn't released yet but my assessment of this film is definitely worth viewing.  High school detention in the 80's was never so frightening as the five students stuck there on a given Saturday with substitute teacher ex-vet with some serious PTSD going on.  As things progress he feels the teens (such awful hair, and clothes we'd wish weren't really us in the 80's) killed his platoon.  This rag-tag assortment of characters find themselves trying to survive the crazy vet.  It is a classic throwback to 80's film's in it's comedy and overtones.  I suggest anyone around this time in school has to bring back the awful memories and enjoy the horror elements, it gets quick bloody at times, but is very decent film.  I give it 7 and would love to see more work from him.  SUPPORT INDIE FILMMAKERS  Oh yea I forgot to mention Ron "Hedgehog" Jeremy is in it


Trailer #2 here:     https://youtu.be/DEVNEBHbuYY

     This review of Innsmouth by Izzy Lee stars Tristan Risk, whom I interviewed early and have photos of her to post at end of review.  I didn't know when I purchased it was a short, my bad, but is no excuse to not support indie filmmaking.  This film was awesome for being a short the story was excellent the ending left me in awe which is great.  I hope to see more from Izzy Lee in the future she has an eye for IT, and has some supreme filmmaking skills.  With a great script, whether she writes it or not, she has unlimited potential.  As the same goes for Miss Risk, she is very talented in everything she has done.  I just heard she has been picked by Universal to be in one of their future films, an aspiring star on the rise!!!!!!!!  Unlimited potential abound support indie film!!!!!

      The bottom photo is from James Bickert's Frankenstein Created Bikers coming Valentines Day ordered mine how about you?

    This is another great interview with an up-n-comer in the indie filmmaking scene, a triple threat, if you will, he has composer, actor, and director.  Tim Novotny has done all of this, he is a great dude and is doing a new film now, Pharisee, and one being released soon called Vile Prey.  He is all about helping in the indie scene whether he is needed to act or direct, he loves to help out.  Tim is a special guy with what it takes to get the film done.  Here are his ten questions:

     

     1.  You must have a full plate in movies with being a triple threat composer, actor, and director, how many films have you worked on?

     Tim Novotny (T):I’ve worked on about 16 films including 2 web series, a few music videos, and a television pilot. I suppose you could call it a bit of an obsession really. If I’m not creating something for myself or for someone else, I feel as if I’m wasting valuable time. I believe in not just advancing myself as an artist, but those around me as well.    

     Steve (S):  Your have a full series of film work doing pretty much everything  which is awesome to always be expanding your resume.

2.  Which do you prefer acting, directing, or composing?


     T:  I actually prefer directing and writing. Acting is something I love almost as equally as I have been doing it for about 11 years in both theatre and film. When acting,  I really enjoy the process of becoming someone or something other than myself, kind of makes life a bit more fun in a way. Composing is something that takes me out of life entirely (editing film as well). Creating music for me is a bit of a languid and meticulous process that requires a lot of patience. I rarely compose music for films other than my own anymore because of the amount of projects I have on my plate now vs. 6 years ago.

     S:  I had the experience of acting in a series, that never seen light of day) but I feel the same way about acting becoming someone your not was fun, the rest I haven't had the pleasure yet (always willing to learn) so I will take your word for it.

3.  What is your favorite horror film?

     T:  Alien is my favorite horror film as well as my first. I saw the film when I was 4 years old and I was intrigued with the creature designed by the late H. R. Giger. It was the ultimate monster movie, and the way the film was made inspired me to become a filmmaker.

      S:  I can't disagree with that it was inspiring H. R. Giger was a one-of-a-kind artist.

 

4.  Did you have any professional film experience through school or college?

     T:  I was a Theatre major in college so I had most of my acting training there, but no I did not go to school for it. I pride myself in saying that I didn't learn how to make a movie in a fancy film school with bureaucratic policies and expensive equipment. 
I learned how to make a movie on the streets and in the dirt, financially broken and covered in blood.

     S:  That seems to be a rule with indie filmmaking no one has the great money to go to school would rather learn with the money they have and start campaigning for supports, which is awesome to get fans involved.

5,  Who introduced you into horror?

     T:  My parents did really. They would always take me to Blockbuster or the library as a child and let me rent all kinds of films. I would always pick the horror or action films. In a way it isolated me a bit from other kids my age because I was watching movies like The Terminator or Silence of the Lambs and they couldn’t because of their parents. Then again, I was always a bit more curious then other people my age as well. 

     S:  Great parents mine wouldn't let me see R-rated movies until I was seventeen, but got to watch all horror films on TV so I saw a lot of hammer horror in my younger days.

6.  How long have you been doing films?

     T:  Since 2007. I began acting and composing for many local film directors and as time went by I had the opportunity to direct my own.

     S: I wish I had the time for that family came first and then life somewhat took a detour.

7.  What do most people not know about you?


     T:  Most people don’t know that I have a black belt in Kenpo. I really enjoy martial arts.

     S:  So if we don't like your movies you can kick our ass, too lol.

8.  How did you get into the haunted house acting gig?

     T:  I’ve been acting in haunted houses since I was in high school. I will on occasions find a haunted house to work for and join their acting team. I’ve always had a knack for scaring the hell out of people, even when I’m not in a costume. I get a total thrill out of it.


     S:  Family responsibility has stopped me from doing that too, I did have an offer to do it cause they were desperate, I want the joy, not desperation, of doing it with a good group.

9.  Who would you consider your favorite director in film?

     T:  It’s difficult to just pick one, but I’m gonna have to go with Ridley Scott since the films Alien, Blade Runner, and Legend were all the reasons I wanted to make movies.


     S:  That's hard to argue he does awesome work and produces some great TV now along with movies.

10.  Did you get your start directing shorts or start head-on full-length features?


     T:  I began with short films. I wrote and directed my first one in 2012 titled ‘Twisted Fate’ along with another the following year titled ‘Syndrome’, both 30min short films along with a 48 hour horror film titled ‘Sonny’s Guest’. After Sonny’s Guest won 3 awards at the 48 hour film festival, I knew that I was ready to make my first feature ‘Vile Prey’, which was based off a script I wrote 7 years prior to production. Vile Prey is currently in the process for distribution on streaming video and DVD.


     S:  I never knew you before I was directed to you by fellow interviewee Ron George, but I am grateful for the interview and I can't wait to see what you have done and will be purchasing Vile Prey as soon as the deal comes through.  I'm glad to hear your an award winning film director you have a great future ahead of you.


Thanks for the great interview Tim, I hope more success in the future and maybe someday we might get to work together sometime.  Peeps SUPPORT INDIE FILM

   This is the special review of Dear God No by James Bickert, his love of 70's grindhouse films of that era came through extra vivid in this piece.  I being born in 1970 never have seen any of those types of films till later in life, this film came across to me like it was made in that bygone era.  from the soundtrack music, to the film they used, to the brutality of the movie itself, everything was on target.  It was all about a group of bikers, some were family, who wanted nothing more than a good time, which included girls, guns, and dinking a lot.  There was violence everywhere from family feuds, to discarding the women they woke up next to, and of course the police.  This movie felt so old it deserves to be seen.  I must say never seeing one in a seedy theater disappoints me now.  But alas with the likes of Bickert and his passion only makes me more excited to see his latest, the award winning Frankenstein Created Bikers, which earned him a filmmaker of the year award also.  Frankenstein comes out on Valentines Day and is sure to warm the heart of your sweetie.

https://www.facebook.com/frankensteincreatedbikers/photos/a.1489941334629795.1073741828.1488986021391993/1688349971455596/?type=3

That is the FB link if interested in pre-ordering your copy.  I did why haven't you SUPPORT INDIE FILM.

Thanks again Steve

    Happy New Year folks I will be posting once a week now as a new year's resolution to you, this week is a double treat I have a movie review and a 10 question segment with the writer/director of film.

     The movie is Room For Rent a supernatural horror film from writer/director Richard Tanner, it revolves around David Bagley looking for aa roommate for a home he just purchased.  All shot POV style it builds and builds the supernatural suspense as strange things keep happening.  His sister and best friend get involved and more creepy stuff keeps the pace of the film moving.  I found it generally spooky and the characters very involved.  It also had a fitting ending to what you watched that made the film a nice piece of writing, I would say 8 out of 10, solid filmmaking.


     I knew nothing of Richard Tanner prior to viewing his film, Billy Pon shared a piece on Facebook that Richard was looking for people to review his film prior to it's release and so I asked, I am very thankful Richard was nice enough to accept and I am truly indebted this film was great and he agreed to do interview therefore I consider him a friend now.  Here are his ten questions:

Question 1:  Have you had any schooling or background in film?

     Richard Tanner (RT):  Schooling? Oh god no!  The only thing I know about filmmaking comes from hating sports and spending my childhood and teenage years going down the aisles of mom and pop video shops and watching everything.

     Steve (S):  Me too although not the sports part, inspiring for me maybe I'll get there sometime.

\

     Q2:  What led you into filmmaking?

     RT: I have a background in writing and I think deep down I've always just been a story teller.  As I've gotten older, My dreams of being a novelist started to fade because I met too many people who didn't read.  People only read what fits on their phone screen.  Hell, even now I type this from my phone.  But movies have never dwindled.  No matter the economy, no matter the mood or atmosphere... Movies still rock.  I tried talking about films with a few podcast and then this prick (I say this with love), Jason Hoover, told me to go out and make my own. You have him to blame for my films lol.

     S:  Never heard of him but will be sure to look him up, and have tried writing several times since middle school just haven't been able to get the length of a novel done shorts yes but novel no way near that.

     3.  Is there one person you look up to as the best filmmaker?

      RT:  I will always look up to Hoover for opening my eyes to indie filmmaking.  I love his punk rock do it yourself attitude and the way he's willing to help anyone.  I love the indie guys that look out for me as well, Billy Pon, Fred Vogel, Brian Williams, Chris Woods, Stephen Biro and Marcus Kock.  That counts as one right?

     S: good enough for me I don't have "boundaries" every individual helps along the way.  Have done interviews here with Billy Pon, and Brian Williams both class acts I am always looking for more great interviews.  Sometimes tough love gets you where you need to be.

     4.  What lead you into the horror genre?

     RT:  That had to be my father.  He worked a lot when I was growing up so I didn't get to see home much.  Movie nights became special and man did my dad love some old universal monster flicks or atomic age sci-fi films!  I watched all those with him and loved every minute of it!

     S:  I understand that all to well.  My dad and I stayed up late and watched these two hosts on late-night TV with there special brand of comedy and films (mostly horror) and it is the fondest memory I have of me and my dad.

     5.  What is your favorite horror film?

     RT:  Jaws, hands down.  I still question it before ill even jump into a pool.

     S:  I feel ya there I never saw the ending until way later in life and always had a fear of water, still do sometimes today.

     6.  Do you prefer writing over directing?

     RT:   A year ago I would have said yea bit now I don't know.  Directing gives me a chance to fix anything writing missed and is a very gratifying thing.  Writing is your mind alone... Directing is physical thing that comes to life for everyone.  That sounds a bit pretentious... Lets dial it back...directing is aight.

     S:  I try to do both directing is yet a dream of mine but I feel I need to fulfill before I can say either way.

     7.  Who is the one actor/actress that you want to do a movie with?

     RT:   Big name has gotta be Jack Black... Could you imagine?  Indie world would have to be the wonderfully talented Ellie Church.

     S: That answer truly surprised me he is nuts though I think his head (now) might be too big for his britches, Ellie Church is right on she is amazing actress.

     8.   What do most people not know about you but should?

     RT:  Ya know that scene in Armageddon where Bruce Willis throws Affleck back into the space ship because he's gonna sacrifice himself and Affleck starts crying "I love you, Harry!" ... Yeah, that makes me cry like a baby everytime.

     S:  I had heard a lot of answers to that one but that is special a grown man crying about an action film awesome.

     9.  Did Room For Rent do well in the festival circuit?

     RT:  We've only had one showing so far in my home town of Atlanta but it did great.  We have a huge line up of shows for 2017 and its going to be pretty cool to see what happens.

     S:  I feel as though this film is award worthy, so the accolades should be coming for a great festival circuit run. 

     10.  Saying no budget restrictions, what type of horror film would be next for you (I.E. supernatural, blood and guts gory, or a monster of sorts)?

     RT:  Supernatural without a doubt.  Like a straight up satanic story where Satan actually shows up... Maybe he fights bigfoot... Maybe he fights Jack Black... Who knows?!? With no restrictions, Id be insane!

     S: Great answer with your mind I expect more awesome things in the future, grasp on and hang tight your in for a great ride!

That was a great interview (not to toot my own horn) he seems to have it together and what he feels we need.  I would suggest going to see this film if you get the chance on the festival circuit if you can, or keep an eye out for some sort of DVD or Blu-Ray release.  Until then check out his website Abuckshortproductions.com for future endeavors by him and look up him on FB.