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--Click here to see the news archive!-- 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
Production: New column from Tim Ritter and a new article on sound from Jeff Carney.Reviews: Since I'm not screening at CreepCon after all, check out the reviews for all the movies I planned to show.
Chapter Excerpt
June 18, 2002
Producer David S. Sterling has another slasher flick heading to video soon, titled MANIACAL. This gory tribute to 80's stalk 'n slash movies concerns mentally ill Gilbert Gill coming back to kill his father and his sister, after escaping from the mental asylum. Directed by Joe Castro (LEGEND OF THE CHUPACABRA, TERROR TOONS), produced by David Sterling (CAMP BLOOD, UNSEEN EVIL), and written by Eric Spudic (his writing debut). Stars Brannon Gould (SHRIKER, FINAL STAB).
***** Director Jeff Carney says that his "latest movie, Siege of Evil, begins shooting in Mid July. It is going to be a four week shoot in Illinois and Iowa about a young woman who dabbles in EVP (electronic voice phenomena) where she record the voices of the dead but the dead follow her home."
The Starring cast list includes Scott Naumann, Desire Muse, Jerry Wolking, Amy Foster, and Barbara Engstrom (partial cast listing).
Final casting is being done on some remaining parts (still reviewing 2000 video taped auditions - wheww..) - If you want to be considered - email me at AFPRODUCT@AOL.COM If you have previously submitted a head shot/resume to me you will still be considered as I keep them on file (no need to do it again).
Also some exciting news is that I was also able to get my next two movies financed after Siege of Evil.
***** RETRO EROTICO A-GO-GO
Thus far, fansupport has run high regarding Retro Seduction Cinema’s decision to release ahandful of 1970’s cult erotica with newly-produced remakes. Retro SC recently had acquired four filmsfrom the library of 70’s sexploitation director Nick Phillips – Roxanna, Pleasures of a Woman, Wendy’s Naughty Night, LustfulAddiction - and their unique and offbeat styleand downbeat subject matter immediately inspired the creative team at Retro SCto create contemporary “re-envisions” of the originals. With a release date of May 28, Roxanna(with Uschi Digart appearing in the original;Misty Mundae in the hot 2002 remake) was the first to be the beneficiary ofthis intriguing programming, and Pleasures of a Woman waits in the wings. Packaged as a DVD “extra” on each film is a videotaped interviewwith sexploitation film historian 42nd Street Pete, and Retro SCsincerely wishes to thank him for his participation in the project as well ashis invaluable knowledge and insights concerning the “Golden (and Lost!) Age ofGrindhouse Cinema.” …and Retro SC continues its acquisition of classiccult films from the Nick Phillips library with four new additions – Siv: ASwedish Girl, Les Chic, Fire in Her Bed, and Scyla . Naturally, tune in to future Retro SC Newsfor further information on the releases of these long-forgotten erotic gems.
A NICE RING TO IT
Seduction Cinema’s blockbustererotic spoof, The Lord of the G-Strings: Femaleship of the String , hasrecently begun principal photography in Northern New Jersey, and it promises tobe the erotica label’s most ambitious - and funniest - production yet. Writer/director Terry M. West (Witchbabe:Erotic Witch Project 3) helms the project that stars SC beauties MistyMundae as “Dildo Saggins,” A.J. Khan, Darian Caine, Allanah Rhodes, BarbaraJoyce, and Michael R. Thomas as the wise and inebriated wizard Smirnoff. The epic tale? In Diddle Earth, the diminutive female Throbbits and Smirnoff theWizard have been given the monumental task of destroying the fabled G-stringthat can grant its possessor untold powers. Together this band must face the most hideous lesbian evils (ok, maybenot so hideous!), surviving by the old adage, “If you can’t beat ’em, seduce’em.” G-Strings production willcontinue throughout May, so keep an eye out for more news and images from theset.
SC GIRLS DO TALK RADIO
On Tuesday, May 21, around6:00pm, Seduction Cinema stars Anoushka, Misty Mundae, and Darian Caineappeared LIVE in the Manhattan studios of 102.7 WNEW-FM on the top-rated,nationally syndicated talk-radio program “The Opie & Anthony Show.” The girls spoke about their work on Play-mateof the Apes and the sprawling Seduction Cinema spoof currently inproduction, The Lord of the G- Strings, and they had the chance to barea little skin and make a little love for the camera. All told, Misty, Darian, and Anoushka spent a fun-filled hour onthe air; even the cast and crew on the set of G-Strings had the chanceto hear the show!
To check out photos of the girls taken in the studio,go to Seduction Cinema thanks go out to Matt DeVoti,Rick Delgado, and, of course, the bad boys themselves, Opie and Anthony.
June 16, 2002
From Todd Sheets and Extreme Entertainment:FEAR OF THE DARK in Production!
Fear Of The Dark is the new directorial project from Todd Sheets. The film, produced by Chris Morrison, is a return to the traditional Horror film, about ghosts, hauntings and supernatural elements. No need to worry though, these ghosts are not trying to give people any messages, nor do they simply want help... These ghosts are angry and ready to enact revenge on any humans in their path. Shooting should begin in June.
LORDS OF CHAOS is put on HOLD!
Finally, the movie that seems to have taken forever to begin production is finally coming together for a planned Winter shoot. The film had to be held back due to the ambitious script, requiring almost double the initial budget. New budget plans are being written and the film should roll ahead with no further delays..
SAY IT AGAIN in POST Production Hell
The 2000 project from director Todd Sheets that just began editing is the comedy "Say It Again" Described by the Extreme team as a cross between Kevin Smith and John Hughes, the film is a major departure for Todd, who also scripted. Fans of Todd's gore filled Horror flicks need not worry. "It's an experiment and we wanted to do something totally different just to show people we have the talent in the company to do something like this." Todd said. "We want the people who claim all we can do is throw blood around to be forced to eat their own words... this will surprise a lot of people." The "daily footage" is incredible, with a huge growth in the acting and production design, as well as some very impressive composition and structure. It is a major step forward for the company in many ways, and a Spring 2002 release is planned.
EXTREME CHANGES!
Long time partners Todd Sheets and Brian Eklund have officially called it quits. It seems that "creative and business" differences have been cited, though Todd still considers Brian a good friend. "It was time I guess," Todd states. "Brian has his ideas and I have mine, and he dreams of Spielberg and "The Big Blue" while my heart is with "Evil Dead" and Italian Horror - I wish him the best in his future projects." The last Sheets/Eklund film to be released will be "WHISPERS IN THE GLOOM" and it should be done with sound work in June, with a late Summer release planned. Todd plans on having NO MORE partners and will continue Extreme on his own, with other companies distributing the films, such as Sterling, Encore, Salt City, Troma and others. Encore, the Orlando, Florida based company is funding "Lords Of Chaos" and will likely distribute through Sterling or Troma.
***** From Nightmare Productions:
After a long delay, Stevin Kassles "Twilight" will finally be released, this dark erotic vampire film star's the oh so popular Stephanie Beaton! Also on the horizon is "Hotel Hell" starring the beautiful and talented Kat Surth!You may remember her from Tortured Soul 3: The Willing Flesh, this is a Scream Queen you have to keep your eyes on!!
The latest feature from Nightmare Productions is set for a late 2002 release and includes an original score by Kevin K. Smith and make-up FX from K.S.B. Labs.
Produced by Michael W. Johnson and Stevin Kassle,Written and Directed by Michael W. Johnson
***** From Jeff Dylan Graham:
There is A LOT of news to report since the last update! Jeff has been keeping extremely busy in both his personal life, and his career. Many exciting things are coming up for this summer, so keep those eyes peeled.
In movie news...... Jeff just recently returned from a shoot in Woodstock, Illinois. He shot a role in "When Heaven Comes Down" for Minds I Productions and director Gary Lumpp. Jeff plays "Chad", a guy who is having serious relationship problems with his girlfriend. He goes to a bar to drink the depression away. "Chad" meets up with "McGinty", a bar regular played by Robert Z'Dar (Tango & Cash). You can see behind-the-scenes pictures at: lwlarsenphoto.com
Jeff will be joining the Full Moon Pictures and Tempe Entertainment gang for a few more projects. One of them will be a remake of a movie called KINGDOM OF THE VAMPIRE. It will directed by Matthew Jason Walsh (Bloodletting), and will feature an impressive list of popular genre talent. Jeff plays the lead role! Stay Tuned for much more information on this and other projects with these two companies soon!
***** Mark Baranowski of On Mark Productions:
Just wanted to inform you all that my first feature film, RUNAWAY TERROR, has just been completed! At your leisure, find out more at my site's "movies" page-- http://markbaranowski.faithweb.com/despair.html
Also, my short film, DESPAIR, is among the bonus material on Seduction Cinema's new ROXANNA DVD, just released on May 28th! Try to check it out...
June 14, 2002
This comes from J.R. Bookwalter. Our sympathies and well wishes go out to the entire Band family."I wanted to let everyone know that Charlie Band's father Albert passed away this morning in Los Angeles. He was 78.
"Many of you already know that Albert was the main influence on Charlie's filmmaking as a youngster, having directed hundreds of movies of all shapes and sizes including I BURY THE LIVING, DRACULA'S DOG and HERCULES VS. THE SEA MONSTER. Charlie hired Albert on many Empire/Full Moon flicks such as GHOULIES II, PREHYSTERIA! and ROBOT WARS, and father and son co-directed DOCTOR MORDRID which was always a personal favorite of mine.
"I had the good fortune of working with Albert early in my Full Moon days, where he acted in an advisory capacity during post-production of SHRIEKER and CURSE OF THE PUPPET MASTER. As his health waned over the years, he became less involved in the company and Charlie began to turn to me for the same type of input. But those were mighty big shoes to fill, let me tell you! The last project I got to work with Albert on was HORRORVISION, and I was quite pleased that he was thrilled with the movie.
"Today's news did not come as a shock but it's very sad nonetheless. I hope everyone will join me in remembering a very kind and wonderful man and a helluva filmmaker to boot."
*****
Blue November Creations is in production for the short film, ":This Way and That". With newcomer Becky Dennis added to the cast, opening footage was shot at Zink Park. Jessica York's footage was captured, just in time, prior to her departure for New Mexico!
***** Cranium Candy Entertainment recently finished production on NAKED SHADOWS. No plot info is available just yet.
***** Kinetic Image, the company behind the wonderful movie DRAINIAC, has two new releases
LOVE IN A STRAIGHTJACKET
Plot Synopsis:
18 yr old Julia Brunasky (Sonita Henry, "The Fifth Element") is sent to a mental hospital after she is diagnosed with borderline schizophrenia. She is placed in a group consisting of a paranoid schizophrenic yearning to watch X-Files (Ralph Waine "That 70's Show"), Jack and his invisible friend Tony (Weston Tausig) and Kate a manic depressant. Each patient's lives are changed due Julia's violent behavior, until she meets Shawn (William Arnold), a weekend patient suffering from claustrophobia. The two fall in love, but is it enough to cure them or will they remain forever locked up. Love in a Straitjacket is a combination of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Girl Interrupted also starring is Athena Demos (Starship Troopers), Walker Peacock (The Faculty), Lela Edgar, and Heather Hudson.
ROCK 'N' ROLL STARSHIP
Believed in several systems to be the cause of the famous "Ramses Colony Disaster" (Don't ask, it's too horrible to tell!), the band travels from gig to gig in the Starship Zep'Lin, a Yugo-class Starship.
Doug Froog is the pilot of the Zep'Lin, as well the Bass guitarist and keyboardist for the band. He likes big guns and big explosions, but he's really a sweet guy deep down inside...sometimes. His preferred weapon is the Corbomite Device.
Jorge Jettsonn is the science and maintenance officer on board and also plays the drums. He keeps busy because he has had to replace every interior piece of the Zep'Lin since coming on board! His preferred weapon is chewing gum.
Bob Dinver not only plays guitar and sings, he...well...he owns the Zep'Lin! That's it. He has appointed himself Captain even though Doug and Jorge will not allow him any working buttons on his console! After all, God only knows what kind of damage Bob could do if given the chance! Bob's preferred weapon is a slingshot.
Following a particularly bad gig at the Milkyways Cantina, the guys, at the bidding of Commander Deckins (and after naming their own price), travel to the Homeworld Space Station in order to check on the Priority Black Emergency. They are greeted by Zake, an android with an inflated sense of self-importance, and immediately set off in an unselfish search for the babe...er...agent to find out what has gone wrong at the station.
Jorge quickly makes a strange discovery and the guys stumble blindly across the truth which leads everybody on a race against time to save the universe!
June 13, 2002
4th Floor is wrapping up the last few shots of our latest flick "SERIAL KILLER" In the next few weeks we will be finishing up and heading to the editing room, where we will spend countless days and nights putting this master piece together. You'll love it... Special Cameo's from JOEL WYNKOOP, RON FORD, RON BONK... Plus the hottest scream queen girls. Such as Pamela Sutch and Rebecca Anderson. The Serial Killer web page should be up soon so keep checking back. For more info on this flick email us and we'll give you the dirt.The 4th Floor is also taking part in a short flick called MEAT HOOK. We have started shooting this little slasher flick. At the moment shooting has been delayed. We will let you know when shooting is back on. You can see a trailer on SERIAL KILLER. This short flick is being directed/produced by Eddie Benevich. I'll keep you posted on this one. It will also be added to the next "Tales for the Midnight Hour 2" which will start production, later this year.
4th Floor is also getting ready to do "EVIL TALES 3" We are looking for short scripts from who ever. We have already picked up two scripts called "The Trashman" and "The Drain" by Michael Hultquist. Cool stuff that you dead heads will love. This project what start until later this year.
***** The Ides Of March is the story of Thomas Cane who is an EX-S.A.S. Agent for the British Government, who gave it all up for a new life in the U.S. He lives in a quiet neighborhood with his wife and daughter, and works for a large corporation. However, his family is unaware that the corporation he is working for is a company of professional killers called "The Organization". He is a member of an elite group of hit men who are hired out to eliminate government officials, powerful business moguls, or anyone with a big enough price on their head. However, Thomas has his own agenda, and has been double-dealing the corporation by selling "life" to his targets. Collecting from both sides is making Thomas very wealthy. "The Organization" soon uncovers Thomas secret and he finds himself becoming the ultimate target.
***** Underground horror filmmaker Ron Atkins has completed his most recent effort, GRIP. The following synopsis comes directly from Ron's site.
Atmosphere has dramatic presence in this psychological tale where the viewer is asked to develop empathy for the lead antihero. Question your own standards and morals as you live character David Walker's nightmare...betrayal.
The director Ron Atkins' vision brings dark into light and insight into the whirlwind of madness where helplessness makes the antihero very, very angry. Atkins, who also wrote the script and musical score, collaborated with friend Terry King, who co-produced and played the lead actor, to create a fresh look at infidelity and its destruction. You may never look at cheating the same.
***** From Car School Films:
In a surprising and fortuitous deal, Carschool has signed two terriffic actors you might have heard of. TYRELL VENTURA will play the role of Syrus Theed, a nefarious junk dealer in the movie PLANETFALL. His father, of course, is the ex-pro-wrestler-cum-Minnesota Governor, Jesse Ventura. According to on-set sources, Tyrell has got the family skills to pay the bills. Look for him this summer in PLANETFALL
Additionally, British actor John Anthony Blake has shot a cameo for the film. Sci Fi fans may recognize him as SARGEANT BENTON on DOCTOR WHO (working during the Jon Pertwee years under the screen name John Levene). Producer Michael Heagle describes Blake thusly: "John is a gentleman and a professional. We are really lucky to have him, as he lends an air of credibilty to everything he does!"
The upcoming film PLANETFALL has wrapped principal photography and moved on to a solid rough cut, says Producer Michael Heagle. He predicts that the film will wrap post production in July of 2002, in time for summer release. "The performances are the best we've ever had, the story is exciting as hell," says Heagle. "This will be one to watch out for."
***** Currently Slava Siderman, Trent Shumway, and Tommy Watt (Associate Producer on Y2K) are involved in a new filmmaking legion Cerberus Films. Cerberus Films as of May 31, 2002 is in later stages of post production on a Psychological Action/Thriller feature entitled The New Chapter.
Currently doing research for a feature length werewolf script, The Shifters.
Along with the new script, Slava has started writing a book about their (Cerberus Films) experiences in creating The New Chapter.
Production on Jason Fenton's Shining On. Slava's participation on this project includes shooting and co-producing with John Gonzales and Jason Fenton (writer/director). The crew is heavily into production.
As of May 4th, John Gonzales, Slava Siderman, and Ramon Zuniga are the three filmmakers involved in this project. The production is tentatively entitled, Reseda Regents '02, and the production crew Run and Shoot Films.
CONGRATULATIONS to Trent and Melissa Shumway on a beautiful baby girl. Samantha was born at 4:00am on May 24, 2002.
June 12, 2002
ATTENTION: There is a casting call and a call for original music in the first news story!Time for Dinner!
MINDSCAPE PICTURES is proud to announce the company is moving ahead on two new productions, a science-fiction/drama called "Time Heals All Wounds" and an experimental mystery entitled "The Dinner." Both productions are scheduled to be shot in late June, early July and will appear together along with "Marisa" and "Here Comes Your Man" on the feature-length compilation "Bent" due out later this year.
"Time Heals All Wounds" tells the story of Mike and Ellen, two close friends who become trapped in time when Mike wishes he could have more time to figure out why his girlfriend left him several years ago. Starring Roman Berman, this production is actually a remake of a movie Berman and writer/director Jason Santo made back in 1998, but for reasons of technical inadequacy has never seen release. It is currently in the casting phase of production.
"The Dinner" is an experimental short revolving around a dinner party attended by two couples, each couple with a member who is having an affair with someone in the other couple. A silent, black and white movie, "The Dinner" concentrates on the body language, revealing the jealousy and competition that can underlie a seemingly normal conversation between four people. Though the male cast is still being chosen, signed to play the two female roles are veteran actress Tina Krause ("More Than Money's Worth," "Witchouse 3") and actress Jennifer Irizarry ("Here Comes Your Man.")
If you are a male between the ages of 28 and 35, please feel free to send along your headshot and resume to casting@mindscapepictures.com for consideration for "The Dinner." If you have hard copies only, see the CONTACT page on ourt website (www.mindscapepictures.com) for our snail mail address.
MINDSCAPE PICTURES is also currently looking for musicians interested in scoring both "Time Heals All Wounds" and "The Dinner." If you have a demo CD, please contact jsanto@mindscapepictures.com
Here Comes Your Money's Worth!
Over the weekend of June 8 and 9, MINDSCAPE PICTURES saw two of its larger productions move from the production phase to the post-production phase as "Here Comes Your Man" and "More Than Money's Worth" both wrapped principle photography. Each production wrapped shooting Saturday within hours (and a few blocks) of each other, with "Here Comes Your Man's" last shots taking place in the morning at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford, Massachusetts while "More Than Money's Worth" finished later that afternoon on the campus of Tuft's University. Cast and crew celebrated with some barbeque and volleyball after the shoots ended.
"Here Comes Your Man" began shooting in mid-March, features over 30 actors and actresses and spans a variety of Massachusetts locations including the Redline Restaurant in Harvard, Square, Cambridge, the Someday Café in Somerville, and the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford. The short, experimental movie stars Gene Dante as Michael Cross, a man who maliciously spreads the HIV virus to a variety of women he seduces. Once finished, the movie will run about 20 minutes.
"More Than Money's Worth" stars Tina Krause, Frank Parker, Neil O'Callaghan and Zach Lawrence in a story about a college golf team captain unable to play the game since his recent break-up, and the efforts of his "friends" to pay a woman to date the captain so he'll get his game back. Production began back in September of 2001, but was not finished until June of this year due to a casting line-up change that resulted in a number of re-shot scenes. The final cut of the film will run between 35-40 minutes.
Both movies now join "In a Sky With No Angels" and "Haunted" in the MINDSCAPE PICTURES post-production queue. Since February 1, 2002, MINDSCAPE PICTURES has now seen four movies enter post-production. "Here Comes Your Man" will be distributed later this year on the MINDSCAPE PICTURES' feature-length release "Bent" while "More Than Money's Worth" is currently slated for release on the "MINDSCAPE PICTURES Presents" feature-length short collection.
***** Carnage Road has pre-sold more than 10,000 units on VHS ! Holly wood Video alone bought 8,000 VHS (the double of what they usually buy!) and the release date on Hollywood Video will be July 9th (under the title of Carnage : The Legend of QuiltFace)
The DVD release date will be also July 9th (as soon as my sub-distributor send me some copies , I will send one to you!)
I have also opened an office in Bangkok and we will acquire B horror movies for the Thailand home video/dvd market.
**** LETHAL FORCE on the big screen.
The screening will take place Saturday, June 15 as part of the program beginning at 6:45pm @ The Alameda Theatre, 318 West Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas. Admission is $8 for each day. For more information, go to the official San Antonio Underground Film Festival website at http://www.safilm.com/, or the LETHAL FORCE website at www.divergentthinking.net
***** PRODUCTION STARTS ON FEAR FILM'S "REALMS OF BLOOD"
POMPANO BEACH, FL - FEAR FILM Independent Productions has announced that it's latest project "Realms of Blood" will start production on June 22, 2002 in and around the Fort Lauderdale area of Florida. "Realms" is an independently produced feature length horror movie being shot on miniDV for the direct to video market. The film has already been picked up by indie distributor B-MOVIE.COM which will also distribute FEAR FILM's earlier short films "When Shadows Lie Darkest" and "Blackout" as a double feature titled "PHOBIAS". The "PHOBIAS" title will be available sometime this fall through B-MOVIE.COM's website with the DVD version available nationally at local retailers BEST BUY and TOWER RECORDS.
"Realms of Blood" tells four different stories in the tradition of such movies as "Creepshow" and the "Twilight Zone". Orlando actress KATHARINE LEIS has signed on to the project and will be playing the character of "MARCY" in the "Try to Scare Me" segment of the movie. Katharine starred in the FEAR FILM short "BLACKOUT" along with local Florida actors JON FISH and NICK COLAMEO who have also signed on to act in the film. Veteran actor BOB GLAZIER, who was featured in the MIAMI VICE television series and acted in "Blackout", will be playing a deranged serial killer in the "PAIN KILLER'" segment of the movie along with actor/singer/model SHEYENNE RIVERS. The films director ROBERT J. MASSETTI is very happy to be working with the original cast of "Blackout".
"This is going to be our biggest film to date and our first feature length movie," said director Robert J. Massetti. "So I'm very happy to be working with the same people that made "Blackout" such a success." "South Florida has some of the most talented people working in the entertainment industry and we hope this film can bring some much needed attention to this part of the country."
The film also features a segment called "THE COLOGNE" that was written by Floridian horror filmmaker and novelist TIM RITTER. Tim produced several feature length horror movies in Florida back in the "80's including the titles "TRUTH OR DARE" and "CREEP" and has written the novel "THE HAMMER WILL FALL" for America House Book Publishers.
***** THE WIND CT PREMIERE - JUNE 15TH - DATE AND TIME CONFIRMED
Saturday, June 15th from 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
York Square Cinemas
61 Broadway, New Haven, CT
(A municipal parking lot is directly across the street.)
***** My name is Artie Knapp and I am an independent filmmaker in Columbus, Ohio. Former heavyweight boxing champion, James "Buster" Douglas made his acting debut in my feature film "Pluto's Plight". The movie has been mentioned on ESPN, and was featured in the May 21st 2001 issue of Sports Illustrated. As you can imagine, being independent is a lot different than Warner Bros, or Universal Studios. I am taking a grass roots approach to getting the movie out there. I think this is a great way for sports fans to see Buster in his film debut. I would sincerely appreciate your help with getting it out there. Pluto's Plight is a science fiction - comedy feature film and Buster portrays Agent Leis of the FBI. The plot of the movie centers on a young girl who has visions of life on Pluto. Meanwhile, actual aliens have left their Solar System, because their star is going to Supernova. The aliens want to make Earth their new home, but crash land on Pluto before they can reach their destination. Eventually the aliens make it to Earth and under the guise of offering helpful information about Earth's Ozone Layer, they try to con their way into taking over the planet.
Pluto's Plight does not contain any hard language, nudity, or violence.
***** Jason Pankoke says that the next issue of his fantastic magazine MICRO-FILM should be out shortly.
As always, I can't wait!
***** Yes, we're getting closer to "Vamps 2" being completed!
Currently we're waiting for our A-1 soundtrack to be composed. The portions I've heard are incredible! Can't wait until you hear it. You will love it!
Until then you may want to pop on over to our website. http://www.bplusproductions.com/ There's been some updates, including a h-u-g-e film gallery section with meg after meg of shots from the actual film! There are other new goodies here-and-there (like some new wallpaper for your computer!).
(A big "thank-you" to Jeff Menke for working so hard on the site update!)
Finally, if you're interested in a "Girls of B+ Productions" video, we now have copies available. It's not listed on the website yet, so if you'd like a copy, be sure to drop us a line at publicity@bplusproductions.com
Thanks!
June 7, 2002
Sharkey Video is happy to announce the completion of our first DVD, a special edition of Suzanne's Hypnosis.We plan to distribute it from Draculina and Sub Rosa Studios as well as from our own web site: www.sharkeyvideo.20fr.com through PAY PAL.
We will be selling it from our site (as well as future DVD releases for $25)
Suzanne's Hypnosis stars Dawn Murphy and includes a behind-the-scenes interview and an all new alternative ending that can be selected from the main menu. Dawn plays the victim of a crazed hypnotist stalker. You won't believe what he gets her to do in the new ending.
We hope to have this on the web for distribution within the next couple weeks.
We have finally began shooting on THE DEEP UNDEAD. We will continue to shoot in Baltimore, South Jersey and PA next month at different locations.
For now, our next DVD release is planned for Last Laugh.
June 3, 2002
I just wanted to let those that I haven't contacted via e-mail personally to know that I won't be screening independent horror films at CreepCon. After being told that what I bring will now be played at random, I decided I would rather not screen if I couldn't be as professional as possible. To those that made arangements to come to Baltimore for the event, my apologies. After debating whether to still attend, I'll be there in a fan capacity only, supporting my friends and colleagues. Stop by the Tempe booth, I'm sure I'll be there at some point, or drop me an e-mail and we can set up a time to get together.
***** PRESS RELEASE
Nashville's Blake Mycoskie and his sister Paige Mycoskie were hand-picked by producer Jerry (PEAL HARBOR) Bruckheimer to star in his hit CBS reality show "THE AMAZING RACE," and the team fininshed in third place on the show's May 15 finale. But Blake has another project on the horizon - he co-stars with Robert (MANIAC COP) Z'Dar in director Donald Farmer's new film DEADLY MEMORIES, which debuted this week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Blake plays "Eugene Lawson" in the gory mystery thriller filmed last year in Crossville, Tennessee. He's also the focus of the film's most graphic special effects sequence where - in a scene inspired by Lucio Fulic's CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD - a rotating drill bit slowly digs it's way through his skull.
After wrapping DEADLY MEMORIES with Z'Dar, William (RED DAWN) Smith, Tina Krause, and Playboy model Rachael Robbins, Blake got the fateful call from Jerry Bruckheimer which landed him on prime-time network television for three straight months as his team raced from Brazil, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, and to the finish line in San Francisco.
While awaiting the U.S. DVD release of DEADLY MEMORIES, Blake and Paige are now fielding offers to star in their own travel tv series. For more on the brother-sister team, visist www.blakeandpaige.com
***** "TOWNIES" SPECIAL EDITION ARRIVES JULY 23!
Welcome to Schlarb, Ohio...a small town overrun by misfits, freaks and weirdos! Our next Special Edition DVD & VHS release is a bit of a departure for us...it's not strictly horror and in fact it's more of a dark comedy shot entirely on location in Ravenna, Ohio called TOWNIES, based on the bizarre antics of real-life folks who inhabit this sleepy hamlet. Dickie (Toby Radloff, KILLER NERD) is a lonely dumpster-diver who finds companionship in his latest discovery?a young woman's corpse! Pricey (Lori Scarlett, OZONE) is a mute girl with a lookalike baby-doll. When she loses her doll after an unsavory encounter, she replaces it with the next best thing ? her neighbor's young son! Meanwhile, the enigmatic Caduceus sets out to cleanse a nasty high school girl of her wicked ways. Scenes to follow include necrophilia, marijuana-smoking lesbians, the sexual assault of a mentally-challenged girl and a dinner plate of skinned and cooked squirrels...not for the weak! This "magnum opus of CineTrash" comes courtesy of Wayne Alan Harold, the creator of the KILLER NERD films and the lesbian serial killer opus GIRLFRIENDS. The cast includes KILLER NERD and MTV News star Toby Radloff (the "Genuine Nerd"), who will be featured in the HBO film AMERICAN SPLENDOR this fall. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Digitally remastered from the original elements (1.33:1 aspect ratio)
- Dolby Digital mono mix
- Commentary with filmmaker Wayne A. Harold and stars Toby Radloff, Jay Geldhof and P. Craig Russell
- Outtakes & behind-the-scenes (20 mins.)
- "Toby Radloff, Genuine Nerd" bonus interview (10 mins.)
- Toby Radloff web segments (12 mins.)
- Original trailer (3 mins.)
- "Payback is a Bitch" - Short film written & co-directed by Wayne A. Harold (20 mins.)
- "Aberration Boulevard" preview scene (3 mins.)
- Production still gallery
- Tempe DVD trailers & coming attractions
- Insert with introduction by Tempe chief (and "Lurid pal") J.R. Bookwalter
VHS SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Digitally remastered from the original elements (1.33:1 aspect ratio)
- Outtakes & behind-the-scenes (20 mins.)
- ³Toby Radloff, Genuine Nerd² bonus interview (10 mins.)
- Original trailer (3 mins.)
TOWNIES pre-orders in our online store will begin Monday, June 3rd and will ship the week of July 1st...be the first kid on your block to own one! And look for our exclusive TOWNIES release party chat coming in early July...and catch a glimpse of the DVD sleeve artwork now online in the News section!
Meanwhile, head over to Wayne Alan Harold's Lurid Entertainment to read more about this flick: http://www.lurid.com --CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DVD COVER--
***** ICE FROM THE SUN was the first title to be released under the banner of Wicked Pixel Cinema, the company formed by Stanze and friends in the middle of the last decade. ICE FROM THE SUN had the honor of being the lowest-budget movie released to DVD at that time. It was also the FIRST Super-8 film to be released to DVD, beating both cult favorites NEKROMANTIK and THE DEAD NEXT DOOR. There were MANY technical problems that delayed the DVD release of ICE FROM THE SUN, and these delays were a sign of doom for things to come.
When ICE FROM THE SUN DVD's finally hit the market, they were far less than what they should have been. Stanze publicly criticized the poor picture quality due to sloppy encoding. The stills gallery was poorly assembled. And worst of all, the disc did not function properly on about half of the DVD players in people's homes.
Both the authoring company (Atlantic Coast Digital) and to some degree the replication company (United Systems) were the cause of all this misery. Stanze finally decided to learn from this mistake and start his own post-production and DVD company, Thrill Ride Media. This company would author ICE FROM THE SUN to DVD... AGAIN.
This new ICE FROM THE SUN DVD will be available next month (June 2002). Not only is the picture quality and functionality improved, but the new DVD's contain a bunch of cool hidden easter eggs.
So you know, the old discs (that look bad and function poorly) are printed in RED. The new, improved discs, are printed BLUE. The outside packaging will be the same; it is only this printing on the disc itself that will indicate if you have an old crappy disc or a new and improved disc. If you purchased one of the old (red) discs, Wicked Pixel Cinema will swap it out for the upgraded disc, free of charge. Simply send your red-printed DVD of ICE FROM THE SUN to:
Wicked Pixel Cinema
P.O. Box 160219
St. Louis, MO 63116Make sure you include your address (that the new disc should be shipped to). To protect the discs in shipping, please ship them in the original plastic DVD case.
Also, while supplies last, a free gift will be sent along with your ICE FROM THE SUN replacement DVD... a thank you for putting up with this hassle!
***** From POW Media:
we are currently working on a Stop Or I'll Shoot VCD, which should be ready early next month. We are just making a few adjustments to the final cut of the film, since we got denied permission for one of the songs we had requested. Jay is adding some original music that he wrote himself and recorded with the help of our good friend Anne. Luckily, we still have permission to use music from such cool bands as The Datsons, The Evaporators, Lofihi, and Matmos.
Anyways, what is a VCD? Well, I'm glad you asked. VCD stands for Video Compact Disc, and it is a way of putting moving pictures and sound onto a CD. It has many capabilities similar to a DVD, such as menus and chapter stops, although the quality is obviously not as good as a DVD because you can't store anywhere near as much data on a CD. (Luckily for us, and for you, our movie is only a half hour long anyways.) VCDs can be played on most DVD players, on stand-alone VCD players, and on any average computer that has a CD-ROM drive.
We will still be taping video cassettes for people, because we know that not everyone has a DVD player or a computer, but we are really trying to push the VCD for a few reasons. First of all, it's easier for us to make copies of it. Dubbing video tapes takes over an hour for one tape and it has to be monitored, whereas burning a cd takes like 10 minutes. Secondly, it's much better quality. Stop Or I'll Shoot was shot on digital video, so transferring it directly to a digital medium maintains the clear picture, and it will never wear out from repeated viewings (because we all know you're going to watch this movie over and over until your head explodes). Thirdly, because it's cool. We get to make nifty looking menus, and give you easy access to all the special features that are going to be included. You may not care, but we have repeatedly wet our pants at the thought of such a thing.
Speaking of which I will mention again that the VCD release of Stop Or I'll Shoot will contain the following special features:
* feature length audio commentary with writer/director/producer Jay Cheel and actor/producer Sean Dwyer
* special introduction by Albinoman
* outtakes/gag reel
* deleted scenes
* free condom and instructions on useNo sooner did we get dissed by the Niagara Film Festival than we got to work thinking of interesting new ways to revolutionize the no-budget film industry. Aside from the new Albinoman "episodes" that we have been discussing, there are a number of other unique movie ideas being tossed around. I'm not sure at this point which one will get the go ahead first, but I can give you a rundown on a couple, and hey, if you like the sound of one, let us know!
First of all, there is a dark teen comedy that Jay has been writing for a while now called A/V (Audio/Visual). It's kind of in the style of movies like Rushmore and Welcome To The Dollhouse, and it's about a young girl who moves to a new city and has to make new friends. She joins her new school's A/V club, but she soon learns that this is one club that you can never leave!
Secondly, there is another shorter film Jay has been itching to shoot. It is about a man who is terminally ill, who decides that before he dies he would like to experience the thrill of a real-life bank robbery. Along the way, he picks up a hitchhiker, who non-chalantly decides to come along for the ride. The funny thing is, the hitchhiker is a little bit loopy himself. The film is tentatively planned to feature rock legend Doug Nagy in the starring role.
The other movie idea that has been "given the lay" was actually inspired by a documentary on stalkers. We were thinking it might be cool to do a Blair Witch Project sort of thing, where there is a gritty, realistic home video found of a stalker planning to kill someone, and talking to the camera as they slowly spiral into insanity. The home video would be the actual movie of course. Wouldn't that just be eerie and chilling all at the same time? We thought so.
Speaking of documentaries, we have a few ideas for some amusing ones, such as one we want to do on obsessive toy collectors. We'll probably wait on that though. Real-life is just too damn depressing, you know?
Now once again, I know what you're thinking: Sure these guys talk a big game, but do they ever actually produce anything? Yes, yes we do. We just finished a movie called Stop Or I'll Shoot. Pay attention goober! Keep in mind, we also do other things besides making movies. Like playing high-resolution video games that involve explicitly graphic deaths and needless destruction.
Anyways, if you are interested in participating in the production of any of these movies, drop us a line. We are always looking for enthusiastic suckers to take advantage of.
***** Hey there . . . Derek M. Koch from Dead End Pictures here . . .
It's been awhile since we've used this Yahoo! Group to send any kind of update out. It's not that we've not been busy, mind you. It's just that things haven't gone exactly according to our previous plans. Dead End Pictures has been undergoing a lot of painful growing pains over the past year-and-a-half, and, admittedly, we've been a lot of talk and not a lot of action.
Well, this isn't an announcement stating that we're taking action.
We're just going to stop talking
At least for a little while.
Right now, we're choosing to take a step or two back so we can find new ways to do the things we set out to do when we created Dead End Pictures in 1998. Most of the core co-founders of Dead End have undergone several life-changing events (moves, a couple of family health crisis, a new baby being born, etc.), and it's made it difficult to carry on with what Dead End Pictures was supposed to be.
Dead End Pictures will honor all of our outstanding orders. This is at the top of our priority list, even through or restructuring.
You will be updated as to Dead End's progress and re-launch through this e-mail list.
With so many production groups out there setting up websites and spending more time talking about what they want to do as opposed to actually doing it, I personally feel it was a better decision to place DEP "on hiatus" until we can determine our next few steps.
Thanks for sticking around with us through all of our up's and down's.
We will be back.
- Derek M .Koch
Co-Founder, Dead End Pictures
***** THE WIND - CT Screening - Saturday, June 15th
Mean Time Productions'
THE WIND
CONNECTICUT SCREENINGWHERE: York Square Theater, New Haven
WHEN: Saturday, June 15th
TIME: Matinee Time, To-Be-Determined (Probably 1 or 2 p.m.)
WHY: Part of the New Haven International Festival of Arts & Ideas "The Edge" ScreeningsNOTE TO INVESTORS AND CREW: Most of you have only seen the preview/test audience cut of THE WIND, which only had the temporary score and sound design, and was also about fifteen minutes longer than the final cut. So, if you haven't seen the final cut, you might want to come see what all the fuss is about:
www.thewindmovie.com
www.meantimeprod.com
***** The Silk Stalking Strangler from Factory 2000 and starring the very hot Misty Mundae is now available and you have your choice of VHS and DVD. Check out the WAVE page at www.wavemovies.com.
And coming soon are some of our most popular titles on Video CD's which can be played on most DVD players. But we need to know which titles you want to see on Video CD. Let us know. And within a a few months, our titles will start appearing on DVD-R's
***** From Mark Pirro:
We started Rectuma on May 4th in New York, filming Michael R. Thomas as a demented lab assistant, Wanger. Michael was fabulous and I must say that I couldn't have imagined a funnier way to start our newest production. Michael was a make up artist on Saturday Night Live for 25 years, and his experience shows in the make up he did on himself for our film. He does a letter-perfect impression of Bela Lugosi as "Ygor" and his performance is a scream. Welcome aboard, Michael and thanks!
In addition to Michael, we are fortunate enough to have added a very talented actress named Jean Black from the L.A. Connection. She plays a homicide detective who was once traumatized so badly during a previous case that she now thinks she's Jodie Foster. I have to tell you that Jean does a perfect Jodie Foster. She had us in hysterics at the reading and I have no doubt that it will show through on film. Glad you're here, Jean.
Other cast members include J. Michael Ferniany as the terrorist Somma Cum Lauden (super funny!), Alex Chen as Dr. Wansamsaki and Robert Clements as M.C. Chisel.
Old Pirromount alumni returning for this feature are Dani Leon, Jim Rainey, Buddy Daniels, Ron Curtiss (Color-Blinded), David Chan (Nudist Colony of the Dead), Tyrone Dubose (Polish Vampire, Color-Blinded), Robyn Blythe (Deathrow Gameshow) as well as a lot of familiar people behind the camera. The Special Effects (and there are MANY!) will be rendered by Glenn Campbell of Area 51, and for the first time in Pirromount's history we have a professional casting director in charge of actors. We're still filling a few small roles left over and any union or non-union actors out there may submit their photos.
Congratulations to Rick Popko and Dan West on finishing your feature "Monsturd." Glad to have been a small part of it. Glenn Campbell and I plan to make it up to your San Francisco premiere this month.
Oh, one other little thing for this installment: Last month we made a little mention of our existing Pirromount "shit" list. Although we didn't mention names (unless you contacted us personally - we're always happy to tell you the facts straight up about who's on it when you ask us directly), a few people approached us asking if indeed THEY were on our shit list. I assured them that they were not. You have to understand that it is a rare and exclusive privilege to make it to the Pirromount shit list. You had to have reneged on a commitment, betrayed a trust, hurt anyone under the Pirromount blanket, abused a friendship or screwed one of our interns to have gotten there. It is a limited club and there are less than five members and believe me, they KNOW who they are. So to all of you out there who are concerned they may be on it, don't worry…we love you. Anyway, being on the Pirromount shit list isn't exactly like being on the McCarthy Communist list. No one is going to go to their trailer, no one is going to hurt their credit rating (we couldn't do any more damage to that anyway), no one is going to tarnish their name in the film business (again, we can't send them any lower). All we do if they're on this list is honestly tell our clients, patrons, assigns and friends what a shit they've been and why. That's it. We don't publish anything, we don't hand out anything, we don't mail out anything. We just convey information and allow our peers to make their own decisions. Okay, maybe we do make fun of them stealthily in our films. Anyway, I hope that lays many of your fears to rest.
***** This month's obits from www.Bmonster.com
Jack Kruschen
Character actor Jack Kruschen has died following a long illness. He was 80. Kruschen appeared in nearly 90 films, beginning with "Red, Hot and Blue" in 1949. Throughout the 1950s, he had small parts in major films, including "Young Man with a Horn," which starred Kirk Douglas, "Where Danger Lives," which starred Robert Mitchum, and "The Lemon Drop Kid," which starred Bob Hope. Kruschen specialized in playing toughs and ethnic types in both "A" and "B" features throughout his career.
Genre-film fans will recognize him as Salvatore, one of the Martian death ray's first victims in producer George Pal's 1953 classic "War of the Worlds." The same year Kruschen appeared in "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars." He later had a substantial role as space pilot Sam Jacobs in the 1959 cult-favorite, "The Angry Red Planet," with Gerald Mohr. The following year, Kruschen landed a plum role in director Billy Wilder's "The Apartment," which starred Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Kruschen was nominated for an Academy Award as best supporting actor for his role. He later appeared in such films as "Studs Lonigan," "Cape Fear," "The Happening," and "Freebie and the Bean." He also worked extensively in television, appearing in such series as "Gunsmoke," "The Adventures of Superman," "The Rifleman," "The Rockford Files" and "Lois & Clark."
John Nathan-Turner
Television producer John Nathan-Turner, who produced more than 130 episodes of the sci-fi, cult-smash teleseries "Doctor Who" died in Brighton, England, following a brief illness. He was 54. Known to devoted fans of the program as JNT, Nathan-Turner produced the show from 1980-89 and was responsible for casting three of the actors -- Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy -- who portrayed the beloved Doctor. During his tenure, Nathan-Turner infused the series with a sense of humor to the dismay of many hardcore fans who preferred a more serious tone. Many, however, appreciated his humorous spin on sci-fi. A former actor, Nathan-Turner became interested in TV production while working in the BBC costume department. At a friend's urging, he applied for a job as a floor assistant and joined the "Doctor Who" series in its sixth season, eventually graduating to producer in 1979.
George Alec Effinger
Noted science fiction author George Alec Effinger is dead at 55. The cause of death was not immediately known. The Cleveland native attended Yale University, originally intending to become a doctor. Effinger's first wife was a babysitter for authors Damon Knight and Kate Wilhelm, who encouraged him to pursue a career as a science fiction writer beginning in 1970. His works include "What Entropy Means to Me," "Utopia 3," "The Zork Chronicles" and "Schrodinger's Kitten," which won the Nebula Award for best novellette. Effinger also turned out many novelizations based on the "Planet of the Apes" television franchise. In the early 1990s, he created "Maureen Birnbaum, Barbarian Swordsperson." A collection of stories featuring the character soon followed. Effinger published 20 novels and six collections of short fiction in all, many of them nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards.
