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If you have a news item you would like to see posted please e-mail it directly to me at almaric@usa.net/.

Well guys, it's taken me a while, but I've finally got the message boards up and running. Do me a favor, check them out and let me know what you think.

New at B-Independent.com

Distribution: Mr. Black and Inquisition
Production: New columns from Tim Ritter, Jeff Carney, and Jessica Gallant.
Chapter Excerpt

July 23, 2002

ZOMBIEGEDDON shoot wraps!

After a week of 14 hour days in the blistering summer sun, the cast and crew of ZOMBIEGEDDON went underground ( http://www.jaegers.com/) to film the final, climactic fight scenes on Sunday July 21st. Chris Watson's ZOMBIEGEDDON is a Horror/Comedy starring Ed Neal (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Joe Estevez (Hell Asylum), Robert Z'Dar (Maniac Cop), William Smith (Conan), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Ariauna Albright (Polymorph) and Lloyd Kaufman (Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part 4). Shot in Southeast Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, ZOMBIEGEDDON is the story of two corrupt cops who try to save the world from a zombie invasion. ZOMBIEGEDDON goes into post with a Christmas release in mind (Hell yeah, we're taking on LOTR 2!) Look for news, pix, clips and updates soon at www.lanternjack.net. Also visit www.spaceboobs.com/zombie for a look at over 200 pix from the shoot.

*****

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we have postponed the release of the BLOODLETTING Remastered Special Edition DVD, originally scheduled on Sept. 24th, 2002. A new date will be announced shortly, and the VHS version has been cancelled. Thanks again for your support!

Regards,

The Folks at TEMPE ENTERTAINMENT

*****

Regarding a DVD debut of his seminal underground vampire film, Leif Jonker recently stated "at this rate it seems the film will come out next year as a 10th anniversary (from it's original release) Special Edition. We had a tentative agreement to enter into a deal that would release the film this December, but that company has experienced a few delays on it's next title which is pushing everything back. Right now we have three very strong scenarios for it's release, hopefully I'll be making an official announcement sooner than later.

"Till then, for anybody interested in seeing them, we've created two new key artworks to use on the advertising and dvd sleeves of the remastered and re-edited edition of the film now officially titled DARKNESS: THE VAMPIRE VERSION. We're planning on a double sided sleeve with an "UNRATED" artwork and an "ALTERNATE" more PG-Rated design. When we first released DARKNESS on VHS, it's artwork was so gory that some store chains who said they'd be happy to review the film sent the screeners back without even cracking the shrinkwrap! I figured this time we needed an alternative artwork that wouldn't instantly put off the more conservative buyers. You can check em out on the COMING SOON/UNDER CONSTRUCTION page of our in development website at: www.13thdream.com"

*****

Sub Rosa Studios, a leading home video distributor of contemporary independent and international features, announces the DVD premiere of Brian Clement's zombie lollapalooza "Meat Market." Named "Underground Film of the Year, 2001" by the online magazine B-Independent.com, "Meat Market" will be available beginning October 8 for $29.99; the trade pre-booking date is September 24.

"Meat Market" focuses on the dangerous investigative findings of two ex-security agents who discover what may be the real cause of what the TV news reports as animal attacks plaguing an unnamed Canadian city. Argenta (Claire Westby) and Shahrokh (Paul Pedrosa) are former employees of a company they knew to be conducting bizarre medical experiments. What resulted were not animal attacks, but attacks by humans who were turned into vicious, decomposing, cannibalistic zombies. Unable to stem the zombie-inspired violence and then hunted by the authorities, Shahrokh and Argenta escape the city just as it is engulfed by chaos. Their only hope lies in finding and organizing the few remaining survivors within the wreckage of the city. What they find -- three vampire women armed with high-tech weaponry, a deranged has-been Mexican wrestler, a wounded soldier, and a scientist who may know more than he lets on -- offers more questions than answers. Nonetheless, these few survivors must band together to defeat the hordes of the undead before they are consumed by the new order...the MEAT MARKET!!!

"Meat Market" is not rated by the MPAA, but contains cannibalism, graphic gore, nudity, male/female sex, lesbian sex, frequent foul language, graphic depictions of decomposing corpses, and Canadian women.

Sub Rosa Studios

July 22, 2002

For those of you reading this newsletter in countries that use the PAL video standard, good news for you! Eric Stanze's SCRAPBOOK has been released to PAL DVD by Crypt Keeper Films in the United Kingdom!

Initially, Wicked Pixel Cinema doubted that a U.K. company could release this movie without it suffering many cuts. U.K. censors are notoriously merciless. But thanks to Crypt Keeper Films (and the loopholes they found in the U.K.'s censorship laws) SCRAPBOOK has been released to PAL DVD completely un-cut, just as director Stanze intended it to be!

Crypt Keeper Films: "http://www.cryptkeeper.co.uk/

The Wicked Pixel Cinema website has been bombarded with email inquiries about an American DVD release of SCRAPBOOK. Well, if you're reading this newsletter from the U.S.A. or other country that uses the NTSC video standard, good news for you! The NTSC DVD of SCRAPBOOK just entered production!

Expect all kinds of bonus material on the U.S. SCRAPBOOK disc: Commentary track, preview trailers, behind-the-scenes mini-documentary, stills gallery, and hidden easter eggs! This DVD is scheduled for release before the end of 2002.

Also in DVD news, the SAVAGE HARVEST DVD is in the final stages of production! Eric Stanze's notoriously gory demon possession flick will be out on DVD by the end of 2002. Ya gotta be checkin' these newsletters for pre-order info!

Bonus material on this disc: Two commentary tracks, preview trailers, stills gallery, music video, easter eggs, and best of all, Tommy Biondo's 1993 documentary: HELL OR HIGH WATER - The Making Of SAVAGE HARVEST!

Speaking of SAVAGE HARVEST, the sequel to this cult fave just entered pre-production! SAVAGE HARVEST 2: OCTOBER BLOOD is being helmed by writer/director Jason Christ (actor in ICE FROM THE SUN and award winning director of CURVEBALL: PILE OF JUNK). Eric Stanze will executive produce AND play a leading role in the movie! Also set to star in this splashy sequel: Emily Haack, Julie Farrar, and Eric Spudic. Shooting will begin in September and wrap early next year. No post-production schedule or release date has been set.

On the Sub Rosa Extreme front, Jeremy Wallace's THE UNDERTOW wraps shooting on July 23, 2002. Writer/director Jeremy Wallace, producer Chris Belt, executive producer/DP/editor Eric Stanze, and a tough-as-nails cast and crew have braved the difficult shoot successfully!

THE UNDERTOW is an atmospheric and bloody fright flick with an '80's stalk 'n' slash vibe to it. It is being produced as part of the Sub Rosa Extreme line of slasher, exploitation, and Euro-styled horror movies.

For the past few months, the crew has been shooting THE UNDERTOW on a snake-infested river in Old Mines, Missouri. Halfway through shooting, the producers were informed that the location where they chose to shoot is the cottonmouth capital of the Midwest! Well, that explains all the unwelcome, venomous visitors on set! (To be fair, there were just as many water moccasins as there were cottonmouth on set.)

Holy crap, look at this line-up of actors starring in THE UNDERTOW!
Emily Haack (SCRAPBOOK)
Jason Christ (ICE FROM THE SUN)
Robin Garrels (INSANIAC)
Todd Tevlin (ICE FROM THE SUN)
Chris Grega (INSANIAC)
Julie Farrar (THE CHRISTMAS SEASON MASSACRE)
Joseph Palermo (ICE FROM THE SUN)
Jeff Atwater (I SPIT ON YOUR CORPSE, I PISS ON YOUR GRAVE)

THE UNDERTOW will be available on DVD sometime in 2003. One final note about other upcoming Sub Rosa Extreme movies executive produced by Ron Bonk and Eric Stanze... The slate as it reads now:

ANGEL, WHORE, KILLER! is currently in production. Director John Specht plans to be wrapped by the end of August. Look for the DVD in 2003.

INBRED REDNECK ALIEN ABDUCTION is a gripping drama (just kidding) currently in production. Patrick Voss directs this tale of hillbillies vs. aliens from outer space! On DVD next year.

CHINA WHITE SERPENTINE is a creative collaboration between Eric Stanze and Robin Garrels. DJ Vivona is set to star. Shooting begins August 1st. Expect this erotic, hallucinogenic nightmare of a movie to be released to DVD in 2003.

PUNCTURE, directed by Robin Garrels, will be a dark and gritty, very bloody horror flick about an apartment building that breeds murder. DVD release in 2003.

Plus new Sub Rosa Extreme flicks are being conjured up at this very moment! The rumor mill has it that Andrew Copp (THE MUTILATION MAN) will direct a movie under the Sub Rosa Extreme banner. Also, there are whispers of the most famous man in Mount Olive, Illinois - Mr. Eric Spudic - possibly directing a Sub Rosa Extreme flick.

Wicked Pixel
Sub Rosa

July 14, 2002

The now complete 38 minute drama, "In a Sky With No Angels" and the forthcoming feature-length release "Bent" both have new trailers that can be viewed on the MINDSCAPE PICTURES TRAILERS page.

The trailer to "In a Sky With No Angels" features original music by Alabama-based composer Annie Brunson while "Bent" features music by novice film composer Ming. More trailers will be featured in coming months to promote future MINDSCAPE PICTURES releases, but for now, the "Bent" trailer offers those who are curious a first look at the movies "Haunted," "More Than Money's Worth" and "Here Comes Your Man."

All multimedia featured on the MINDSCAPE PICTURES site is presented in both Quicktime and Real Player formats.

Mindscape Pictures

*****

Shooting for Sub Rosa Extreme's upcoming release "Inbred Redneck Alien Abduction" began June 30th. Written by Patrick Voss and Adam Hackbarth, this wild comedy is being shot by Robot Monkey Productions for Eric Stanze's Sub Rosa Extreme video catalog. Mr. Voss is also directing the redneck stomping madness.

What can you expect from these creative madmen? Adam Hackbarth has this to say:

"Finally we get to unite the two greatest champions of anal probing: aliens, and idiots from Arkansas."

Sub Rosa

*****

DUDEZ Productions is pleased to announce the completion of its brand new feature film THE FERAL MAN. The movie was written, directed by and stars Brett Kelly and the plot deals with a man who may or may not be a werewolf. The movie is currently being sent to festivals and to potential distributors.

DUDEZ Productions

July 8, 2002

Divergent Thinking Productions Announces Follow-up to LETHAL FORCE

Washington, DC- Divergent Thinking Productions, the makers behind the indie-smash LETHAL FORCE, are in the scripting stages of their new action epic tentatively titled CERTAIN DEATH. Like its predecessor, the film will be a straight-faced action send-up but on an exponentially larger scale with a globe-trotting story centering around two Interpol super cops and their attempts to foil the insane plot of their charismatic archenemy- a brilliant criminal scientist patterned after Fu Manchu, Dr. Mabuse and "Priest" from SUPER FLY. Although still in its preliminary scripting stages, Writer/Producer/Director Alvin Ecarma describes the film as "John Woo's The Abominable Dr. Phibes starring William 'Blacula' Marshall." Production is scheduled to begin in either late 2003 or early 2004.

Divergent Thinking Productions

*****

MTI Video has announced it will release director Donald Farmer's martial arts film "THE STRIKE" on DVD and video on August 13. Filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, "THE STRIKE" centers around an underworld "ultimate fighting" competition between two rival crime families. Star Andre Buckner previously appeared in Farmer's "DEMOLITION HIGHWAY" and "BLOOD AND HONOR." Among the cast are George Stover (from John Water's "DESPERATE LIVING" and Fred Olen Ray's "ATTACK OF THE 60 FOOT CENTERFOLD") and Jenny Wallace (star of Seduction Cinema's "VAMPS" and Retro Media's "HOOKERS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE").

Debbie Rochon will be starring in Farmer's next project "CHARLIE AND SADIE," which also features a cameo by "BLOOD FEAST" producer David F. Friedman. Farmer will immediately follow "CHARLIE AND SADIE" with "THE ROAD TO BOLLYWOOD," starring 60's actress Sky Aubrey, best known for her appearance as "Princess Primrose" on the Adam West "BATMAN" show. Farmer will co-direct along with writer Edward Jordon, whose screenplay for "THE ROAD TO BOLLYWOOD" won SECOND PRIZE at the Zoetrope Studios Screenwriting competition sponsored by Francis Ford Coppola.

Meanwhile, two veterans of Farmer's 1988 movie "CANNIBAL HOOKERS" have landed high-profile jobs this year. "CANNIBAL HOOKERS" star Matt Borlenghi has been cast as "Ziggy Deadmarsh" on the CBS soap opera "THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL," while "CANNIBAL HOOKERS" musical composer Ben Vaughn now composes all original music for the hit Fox sitcom "THAT 80's SHOW."

Donald Farmer's Vamp Video

*****

BLOODLETTING is the tale of two serial killers in love which one critic called "NATURAL BORN KILLERS done right!" Starring Tempe faves Ariauna Albright (WITCHOUSE 2: BLOOD COVEN) and James L. Edwards (POLYMORPH) with a host of genre cameos such as Sasha Graham (ADDICTED TO MURDER), Tina Krause (WITCHOUSE 3: DEMON FIRE), Scooter McCrae (SHATTER DEAD), FANGORIA magazine's Michael Gingold and many others!

We're happy to announce that this newly-restored film will include a 5.1 remix, cast & crew commentary, extensive making-of featurette, still gallery and the original short film from which BLOODLETTING was based, I'VE KILLED BEFORE as well as an insert with introduction by executive producer/editor J.R. Bookwalter.

This Region 1 NTSC DVD and NTSC VHS has a pre-order date of September 3rd and a street date of September 24th, and will be available for purchase from our online store and fine online retailers.

STREET DATE: Sept. 24th, 2002 (pre-order Sept. 3rd, 2002)
PRICING: DVD: $19.99 SRP • VHS: $39.99 SRP
CATALOG: DVD: TD-1108 (UPC #8-22928-11089-6) • VHS: 8998 (UPC 8-22928-89983-8 )
RUNNING TIME: 89 mins. (feature only) — DVD contains almost 3 hours of material!
OTHER: Unrated, Horror-Thriller, DVD Region 1 only, NTSC format

REMASTERED SPECIAL EDITION DVD FEATURES:

(VHS edition has same restored print with Dolby Surround stereo remix and “Building a Better BLOODLETTING” making-of featurette only)

SYNOPSIS: Serena Stalin wanted to learn from the best. So she tracked down Butch Harlow, one of the world’s most notorious serial killers, and blackmailed him into teaching her the fine art of murder. Now, as the lessons begin, as the teacher and his bloodthirsty student leave a trail of horribly mutilated victims in their wake, they are about to uncover the horrible secrets that bind them together, the unspeakable passion that forces them to kill, over and over again...

Tempe Video

July 5, 2002

FINALLY ! I can have the DVD of Oranges ready for January 2003 ! (acutally all my movies will be on DVD for that date !)

Plus, CARNAGE: THE LEGEND OF QUILTFACE will be in ALL the Hollywood Video stores July 9th.

Rounds Entertainment

*****

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GAME has been posted on the WAVE web site. It stars Dakotah, Pamela Sutch, Debbie D, Dawn Murphy, Ben Morgan, GW Lawrence, and Chuck Simpson. A beautiful woman is kidnapped and taken to a deserted island to be hunted down by the ex-wife of the man with whom she's having an affair.

WAVE Productions

*****

I'm pleased to say that "Rectuma" is moving along smoothly. We've shot five days so far and no problems. We had a great shoot June 30th in Calabasas with David Chan and J. Michael Raye. J. Michael portrays Summa Cum Lauden, the Afghani terrorist who is persuaded to come to the U.S. and blow himself and Rectuma up. J. Michael is quite funny and didn't complain when we attached pubic hair-like material to his face in the hot sun.

After a long debate with myself, it was decided to produce this movie in the 16:9 widescreen format. It's obvious that that is where television is headed, so it makes perfect sense to shoot in with that in mind. The difficult part is to compose a shot for widescreen when most digital cameras have a flat aspect ratio for a viewfinder. It takes a little imagination and forethought, but it's working out ok.

We also shot a beautifully photographed rainstorm scene earlier in the month. The footage is fabulous and I dare say some of the best looking footage in a Pirromount film (ok, that's not a huge feat, but I'm also referring to the 35mm footage we've shot in the past). There has never been a rainstorm in a Pirromount film before and I was a little reluctant to try in this one. Anyway, the fears were laid to rest once I saw the first shot lined up. Special thanks to Bruce Heinsius for all his help in shooting that scene. Bruce has the distinction of having shot the best looking footage in any Pirromount film. Don't get too big headed, Bruce, you're also responsible for some of the worst looking footage in a Pirromount film (okay, that was 15 years ago though).

On the DVD report for Polish Vampire and Queerwolf: I now have the OFFICIAL release dates. They will be released on October 29th. Pre-orders will be October 10th. If you want to pre-order any through this website, it may be possible after August. I'll keep you posted. I've seen the finished product and for the most part, it's pretty good. There are a few broken links and glitches which will, I'm sure, be worked out long before the street date. Also, the additional material has finally been decided upon: Polish Vampire will include the director's commentary track, behind the scenes documentary, deleted scenes, trailer, teaser and some t.v. spots (including an early interview on Mid Morning L.A.) The Queerwolf DVD will have a director's commentary, making of documentary, trailer, and the Queerwolf introductory scene from Polish Vampire. Sorry, we didn't have much extra stuff from that film.

Mark Pirro

*****

"In a Sky With No Angels" Completed!

After being intermittently in production for over one year, MINDSCAPE PICTURES is proud to announce the completion of the 38 minute drama "In a Sky With No Angels." Starring Kathy Nestor (Joey & Maria's Comedy Wedding) and writer/director Jason Santo, "In a Sky With No Angels" tells the twist-ridden story of two high school acquaintances who meet years after graduation under mysterious, possibly dangerous circumstances.

The movie's long production schedule was the result of it being first caught up in a shuffle of other projects with which director Jason Santo was involved throughout last year, including the feature length Jodom Pictures, Random Foo Pictures release "After Midnight." Once in post-production, the decision was made to re-shoot a number of scenes, replacing cast members and obtaining permissions for new locations. Production officially wrapped in April of 2002.

"In a Sky With No Angels" co-stars award-winning actor Anthony Villa (Kilroy was Here, After Midnight), Sheri Carter and Roman Berman. Original music for the movie was composed by Annie Brunson. The movie will be released sometime in the early fall on the MINDSCAPE PICTURES feature-length anthology "Bent: Volume One."

"Time Heals All Wounds" Wraps!

The short movie "Time Heals All Wounds" became MINDSCAPE PICTURES' fifth production to wrap since the company opened its doors on February 1, 2002. Starring Roman Berman and Alecia Batson, "Time Heals All Wounds" is an older Jason Santo movie that was originally shot in 1998 with Berman and actress Cassie Ross (Marisa.) Because the original version was compromised by an impossibly tight production schedule as well as by amateur video equipment, the decision was made to update the picture rather than try to re-edit the original.

Now playing the role of Ellen is Alecia Batson, a Texas-born actress/singer who recently graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a Masters Degree of Music in Vocal Performance. Alecia has appeared in a number of musical theater and operatic stage roles (including Ophelia in the New England Conservatory of Music's 2001 production of Hamlet), and has been featured in several films (most notably the 1999 film Where the Heart Is starring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd.)

Production on "Time Heals All Wounds" took place primarily on the weekend of June 15 and 16, 2002 with some loose ends being tied-up on Monday, June 24. A "Twilight Zone-like" story about two friends trapped inside an apartment when time suddenly stops and the outside world becomes frozen, "Time Heals All Wounds" will appear on the upcoming feature length release "Bent: Volume 2" during the late Fall/early winter of 2002.

"His Life" to Debut in South Dakota!

MINDSCAPE PICTURES is pleased to announce that "His Life," starring Roman Berman as a man who has known his whole life exactly when he is going to die, is an official selection of the 2002 REwind Video Magazine International Film and Video Festival. The festival, taking place in Rapid City, South Dakota is an annual celebration of achievement in microcinema sponsored by REwind Video Magazine (www.rewindvideo.com) and the South Dakota-based production company Linn Productions (www.linnproductions.com.)

"His Life" writer/director Jason Santo is no stranger to this festival. Last year, his screenplay "Transients" was chosen as the official production of the 2001 Camp REwind portion of the festival. "Transients" debuted in Rapid City on the final night of the festival. Santo's 2001 movie "Marionettes" also showed at the 2001 festival.

In addition to "His Life" being shown this year, Santo was nominated for a REwind Movie Award for his work as director of photography on the Jodom Pictures/Random Foo Pictures feature-length movie "After Midnight." Also, a movie Santo produced for Random Foo Pictures entitled "Inquisition" was nominated for 8 awards including Best Short Film.

The 2002 REwind Video Magazine International Film and Video Festival will be held between July 22 and 28 at the Elks Theater in Rapid City, South Dakota. MINDSCAPE PICTURES congratulates all invited producers and nominated parties, and wishes the organizers all the best on this year's festival.

The Table is Set for "The Dinner!"

Come July 13-14, 2002, MINDSCAPE PICTURES will descend upon Worcester, Massachusetts to produce the experimental, silent, short movie called "The Dinner." Joining already announced cast members Tina Krause (Witchouse 3) and Jennifer Irizarry (Here Comes Your Man) will be actors Paul Sarkis and Chris Soroka.

Sarkis is no stranger to the Boston independent movie-making scene, having appeared in a number of local productions including "Working Stiff" and "The North End." He is also the veteran of numerous Boston and New York City stage productions including "The ABC's of Selling" and "Guardians of the Sidewalk."

Chris Soroka is an actor and model hailing from south of Boston who has worked on a number of commercial and television productions, including "Family Law" for CBS Productions and Columbia Tri-Star Pictures. Chris has also acted in leading roles for several independently produced pictures, and has been featured in several larger-budget movies such as Walt Disney Pictures' "Goodbye Hello" and Lookout Entertainment's "R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse."

"The Dinner" is scheduled to appear on the MINDSCAPE PICTURES feature-length release "Bent: Volume 3" sometime in early 2003.

Mindscape Pictures

July 1, 2002

SUMMER 2002 UPDATES FOR TWISTED ILLUSIONS ENTERTAINMENT AND TIMRITTER.COM:

Tim Ritter's first novel, THE HAMMER WILL FALL, is selling quite well! It is now available through walmart.com. Amazon.com is still the best place to get the book for a low price! Pick your copy up today---the good reviews keep coming from fans and critics alike! Book stores across the country are slowly stocking the book, and don't be afraid to go into your favorite bookstore and have them special order it for you! Fans, keep reading alive!

Unfortunately, Tim Ritter hasn't been able to do any book signings or appearances as of yet due to his numerous movie commitments:

Ritter contributed a story and script to the new Robert Massetti anthology film which is shooting on the mean streets of South Florida now. The picture is called REALMS OF BLOOD and is in the best traditions of CREEPSHOW and THE TWILIGHT ZONE. Ritter's story is called COLOGNE and deals with a man who can't get a date...until he buys a special bottle of men's perfume...which gives him way more than he bargained for! The terror begins!

Ritter is also listed as an associate producer on Michael Hoffman's upcoming SCARY TALES 2, which is shooting under the Florida-based TWISTED ILLUSIONS banner. Word has it that the sequel includes appearances by JOE ESTEVEZ, ROBERT Z'DAR, and JOEL D. WYNKOOP.

Ritter is also penning a treatment and possible first draft screenplay for director Robert (PHOBIAS) Massetti's upcoming film, THE WOODS ARE ALIVE. This flick promises to be an intense gorefest in the traditions of CREEP and THE HILLS HAVE EYES. It's about a family of cannibal killers! Stay tuned!

The official DVD release for BEYOND THE LOST WORLD: THE ALIEN CONSPIRACY has been moved to sometime in early 2003. This flick contains the much-anticipated MONSTERMAN segment, where Cope (Joel Wynkoop) Ransom returns! We apologize for the long wait, but it is coming and will be worth the wait! Scream Queen Favorite Debbie Rochon co-stars! John (HOUSEBOUND) Bowker contributes a segment as well!

Speaking of HOUSEBOUND, Ritter makes a cameo appearance in this monster movie that director John Bowker recently wrapped. It's entering POSTPRODUCTION this summer! A DVD release will happen in early 2003.

On the directing front, it's rumored that Tim Ritter, Joel Wynkoop, and John (THE EVILMAKER) Bowker are collaborating on an official TWISTED ILLUSIONS sequel! It's been almost 18 years since the original anthology movie premiered on video and the threat of a follow-up has been a long time coming (see end credits of 1985's Twisted Illusions)! Wynkoop has already shot his segment, it's in postproduction now. He stars as a wannabe who tries out for a movie role...and loses his mind! Ritter and Bowker have both committed to shoot their segments in the upcoming August-October months. Editing will be completed in the winter months with a targeted release of late 2003. (On another note, the original TWISTED ILLUSIONS has been totally re-edited and digitally remastered and will be included on the DVD of the sequel's release! And Ritter's 1984's super-8 epic "Ed Wood" gore classic has been re-released through B-Movie Theater in a "letterboxed" edition with pop-up trivia at the bottom of the screen.

Finally, Ritter is hard at work on his second novel. It's a "fictional autobiography" that deals exhaustively with his real-life experiences working in the independent B-movie scene for the last twenty years and things that almost and could have happened. Ritter says that he "hopes to complete it by the year's end and begin shopping it around." More news as it develops!

For further information on all these projects, head to:

www.TimRitter.com
www.FearFilm.com
www.B-Movie.com
Scary Tales
Pipedreams Entertainment

*****

ALEX MICHAUD LAUNCHES HIS NEW SHORT FILM; BEAST Last Friday, Helltimate Studio presented it's brand new short film BEAST in front of an enthousiastic crowd in Montreal. The reaction was very positive and the whole cast and crew was very pleased with the final result. The movie has been qualified as "impressively stylish and daring" and "disturbing and serious". As a matter of fact, BEAST is Helltimate's most mature movie and Michaud's most personnal work to date.

The whole cast and crew attended the screening. BEAST stars both headliners from Alex Michaud's previous gore-fest URBAN FLESH; MIREILLE LEVESQUE and MARC VAILLANCOURT. Formely lead singer from the Montreal-based hardcore band B.A.R.F., VAILLANCOURT delivers are powerful performance as the deeply disturbed lycanthrope killer. The cast is completed by another URBAN FLESH veteran: ANTHONY PEREIRA and also by newcomer BLAIR THOMAS. NEIL NAPIER from Maurice Devereaux's SLASHERS and from the upcoming SAMHAIN also appears in the movie.

The movie is 40 minutes long and features an original music-score by DANGENOIR from the band INSANASOMNIA.

*****

Sal Ciavarello's short horror film "BLUE SHADOWS" Starring Nina Garbiras (George A. Romero's Bruiser, Fox's The $treet, and the upcoming NBC Fall TV series Boomtown) will be available exclusively at www.hpemovie.com. The VHS will be $7.00 plus shipping and handling. See www.hpemovie.com for details on pre-ordering the VHS coming soon.

*****

INQUISITION DVD NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS!

Blind dates are always tough, especially when you awaken the next morning to find you're the prisoner of a serial killer. Now, Daniel and Jennifer are trapped at the mercy of Travis Krieger - the so-called 'Angel of Death', one of two killers going around committing violent murders throughout the city. Twists abound in this dark tale which will blow your mind.

This Special Edition DVD is slated to be released on August 6, 2002 and will contain the following bonus features:

Specially Priced for a Limited Time at only $12

http://www.inquisition-themovie.com

*****

Shooting has finally began on THE DEEP UNDEAD. And we are wrapping up the first diving scene next week. Mick McCleery (TRACK 16, ADDICTED TO MURDER) has joined the cast, and we have some other shooting dates we're tossing around for July.

Also, Sharkey's first DVD release SUZANNE'S HYPNOSIS is now in the beta testing phase and should be ready for distribution on DVD-R shortly. We are basically touching up the audio portion on the new ending that we added as a bonus feature to the DVD. Also, featured is an interview with star, Dawn Murphy.

Dawn also stars in upcoming DVD versions of LAST LAUGH, BACKWOODS MARCY, and FEMPYRA.

THE DEEP UNDEAD will be Sharkey's first digitally produced video and will be available in VHS and DVD when production is complete.

Sharkey Video

*****

We are getting ready to start principle photography on Zombiegeddon and I didn't know if you had much information on this picture. Or if you wanted any. This is the Chris Watson picture and it has a great cast: Joe Estevez, Robert Z'Dar, Conrad Brooks, Felissa Rose, Lilith Stabs, Jeff Dylan Graham, Paul Darrigo, Julie Strain, Ed Neal, William Smith, Former World Kick-Boxing Champion Nick Phillips, and myself.

Thanks,
Ari Bavel
Lantern Jack Films
www.lanternjack.net

*****

As we do each month, we would like to take a moment and remember the pioneers of low-budget cinema who have moved on to the next life. Thanks to The Astounding B-Monster for making the info available in their monthly newsletter.

Herman Cohen One of the most influential figures in genre-movie history, producer Herman Cohen died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 76. The classic B-movies he produced bore such lurid, eye-catching titles as "I Was a Teenage Werewolf," "I Was a Teenage Frankenstein," "Blood of Dracula" and "How to Make a Monster." He revolutionized low-budget filmmaking, reinvigorated the drive-in movie industry, and left an indelible mark on baby boomers who discovered his films on the late, late show. "In the '50s, he was one of the kings of the drive-in horror movies," said film historian Tom Weaver, neatly summing up Cohen's impact. "His pictures helped put American International Pictures on the map."

The Detroit-born Cohen grew up with the movies, working his pre-teen years at the Dexter Theater as an usher and sometime "gofer." As a young man, he was named assistant manager of Detroit's Fox Theater. Following a stint in the Marine Corps, he became a sales manager for Columbia Pictures' Detroit branch. Soon after, he moved to Hollywood to work in Columbia's publicity department. He first tried his hand at producing for Jack Broder's Realart Pictures in the early 1950s, going on to produce for Allied Artists and United Artists, before making his reputation at American International Pictures. AIP co-founder James H. Nicholson, an old friend of Cohen's, invited him to produce something for the fledgling operation. Accepting the offer, Cohen brought his unique show-biz savvy to bear. He determined that more than 70% of moviegoers were between 12 and 26 years old. He also realized how popular horror films were with young audiences. Monsters+teenagers=exploitation-film history! Cohen proceeded to blaze a bloody new trail beginning with "I Was a Teenage Werewolf," starring an unknown named Michael Landon. Before its release, industry friends warned Cohen that having his name attached to a film with such a title would ruin him, and Cohen entertained the idea of a pseudonym. But the "buzz" was incredible. Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Time and Look magazines all made reference to the outlandish title before the film was even released. It was a smash. Produced for less than $100,000, it took in $2 million. Perhaps no other film better captures the feel of the genre and the climate of the times. Even people who know nothing about genre-films know "I Was a Teenage Werewolf."

Following the aforementioned teen-horror classics, Cohen set up shop in England, producing such cult favorites as "Horrors of the Black Museum" and "Konga." The British productions ranged in quality from effective ("Horrors of the Black Museum") to execrable ("The Headless Ghost"). Cohen's nadir was arguably "Trog," starring Joan Crawford as a nurturing scientist who befriends a recently discovered troglodyte. In 1981, after returning to the states, Cohen and business partner, Didier Chatelain, formed Cobra Media, a film distribution company which, not surprisingly, listed several horror films among its titles.

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