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November 2000
The following is taken from the Washington Psychotronic Film Society website.
"Melanie Scott, our friend and founder of the Washington Psychotronic Film Society, passed away on Saturday September 23, 2000. The WPFS will honor her for the work she did to create and continue our film society on January 30, 2001, during our film festival for short films.
"Around 1988, Melanie asked me if I thought people would be interested in getting together to watch Psychotronic Movies in a garage or a bar. Of course I told her "Yes!" and "Where would we find them?" She put a notice in the papers seeking out fellow Psychotronic film lovers and received 100's of positive responses. She contacted Michael Weldon (who coined the phrase for Psychotronic films and created the Psychotronic Encyclopedia) and asked if we could use the name 'Psychotronic' for our film society. He gave us his approval and the rest is history.
"Melanie and I both volunteered our own television sets to display films on. At one point we were in the garage of DCAC with no heat watching 'Spider Baby' with a few dozen Psychotronic film fans. Another time had us renting out UDC auditorium for a double bill of 'Invasion of the Bee Girls' and 'Robot Monster'. Ahh! Those were the days. Then it was onto D.C. Space and Chief Ike's Mambo Room. From then on, it was nightclub after nightclub especially when Chief Ike's kicked us out because we wouldn't do a 2nd screening of a banned movie. We were now a traveling microcinema. Our trail led us to Las Cruces, where we lost everything after the owner closed shop without telling us. Luckily, the people at Planet Fred (now known as The Lucky Bar) opened their door to us and we've been there ever since. Melanie, what a strange trip it has been. You were our friend and founder. The WPFS salutes you. The WPFS loves you. The WPFS misses you. Farewell."
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I recently spoke with one of the men who run EI Cinema concerning Alternative Cinema. It appears the magazine is no longer associated with the company and is run by Alternative Cinema Inc. The new company is based out of Seattle, while the EI offices remain in New Jersey. No word on when a new issue will be ready.
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EI Independent Cinema recently announces the acquisition of the comedy RULES FOR MEN, directed by Robert J. Capelli, written by Robert Capelli and noted author/attorney Kenneth Del Vecchio, and produced by Del Vecchio in association with Palisades Pictures (Ten Benny, Restaurant). RULES FOR MEN details the daily life and travails of a Manhattan attorney who has his own ideas and rules about being successful and conquering women.
I recently spoke with one of the men who run EI Cinema concerning Alternative Cinema. It appears the magazine is no longer associated with the company and is run by Alternative Cinema Inc. The new company is based out of Seattle, while the EI offices remain in New Jersey. No word on when a new issue will be ready.
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EI Independent Cinema recently announces the acquisition of the comedy RULES FOR MEN, directed by Robert J. Capelli, written by Robert Capelli and noted author/attorney Kenneth Del Vecchio, and produced by Del Vecchio in association with Palisades Pictures (Ten Benny, Restaurant). RULES FOR MEN details the daily life and travails of a Manhattan attorney who has his own ideas and rules about being successful and conquering women.
The film stars the director as well as Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling (of The Howard Stern Show), Vincent Pastore ("Big Pussy" from The Sopranos), Frank Gorshin, and Nancy Sirianni. The film will be released in early 2001. Robert Capelli is currently in production on the thriller Red Square with shooting locations in Moscow. Producer Del Vecchio is in pre-production on the film Pride and Loyalty based upon his own crime novel.
Shock-O-Rama Cinema, EI's label for horror, has recently acquired the grim and gruesome short film LOST FACE written and directed by Rob Fitz. A period piece set in late 1800s America, LOST FACE employs a visual look reminiscent of 70's exploitation films to tell its story of four murderous fur trappers imprisoned and tortured by a Native American tribe. Lost Face will be released as part of the horror shorts compilation tentatively titled CUTTING MOMENTS 2 due out in 2001. Other films in the collection include Douglas Buck's HOME, Sal Ciavarello's BLUC SHADOWNS, Daniel de la Vega's THE LAST SUPPER and DEEP DREAM, and Rajesh Murthy's THE OTHER GUY AND A SHOVEL.
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Loads of news from the Todd Sheets and the Extreme Entertainment team.
Catacombs is finished in post production and will be available very soon from a very special distributor that will be announced soon, Negotiations have been ongoing with various distributors and it looks as if a deal will be signed in the next 30 days. The video cover will feature artwork from the incredible CHAS BALUN and the movie itself features music from some of todays hottest metal acts such as Impaled, Blood Storm, Witchery, Tartaros, Dark Oasis and many more!
Extreme Entertainment is finished with the editing on ZOMBIE BLOODBATH 3. The behind the scenes segments, as well as other special features, are finished as well. Distribution of the film is almost sealed for all markets and should be available very soon. After a few delays, this sought after, and eagerly awaited, film will finally be available in the deluxe editions everyone has asked for. Many great bands have been signed for the soundtrack (including BLOOD STORM and IMPALED) and negotiations are ongoing to cram the film full of music from Necropolis Records, who may also be putting out the soundtrack. Trailers for ZB3 are going out on 100,000 DVDs from Troma films this month and there is also going to be a Zombie Bloodbath comic series.
The newest project from director Todd Sheets 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 dailies are 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 will begin editing the first week of November, with a March release planned.
LORDS OF CHAOS is currently in pre-production for a February/March start date (weather depending). The film, based on the book about the Norwegian Black Metal scene, will have music and appearances by many stars of that scene. It is described as "a brutal film, uncompromising and full of some very horrible things. A full-on return to true horror," Todd calls it. Another recent film has been added called DREAMING PURPLE NEON to be directed by Todd and produced by Ari Bavel from a script that is being collaborated on by both of them. Other films in the planning stages are: CATACOMBS 2: IN THE BEGINNING, VIOLENT NEW BREED 2, WOLFSBANE AND ZOMBIE WRANGLERS, and a comedy about making a low budget undead epic.
Monumental Pictures to become a part of the Extreme Team. Blake Washer, young director, has merged with Extreme Entertainment. Blake will be directing a producing a line of ultra-low budget gore-filled shot on video features for distribution in various world markets for Extreme. Among his films planned is FLESH EATING FREAKS.
Brian Eklund Project has been put on hold due to unforeseen complications with a start date now uncertain for his Vampire Epic. Also, perhaps directly related to this situation is Brian's recent decision to withdraw as Executive Producer of Extreme Entertainment. Brian and Todd are best of friends and like brothers, and he will more than likely still be a part of the Extreme Team in one form or another in the future, just not in that particular capacity. More on this situation as it develops. As of now, we at Extreme all offer Brian our support and love and wish him the best and a complete recovery.
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FilmKitchen.com principles, Kirk Harris and Jack Rubio, have joined Tom Pellegrini to form an independent production company called Rogue Arts. The trio plan for FilmKitchen.com to continue on as an online part of Rogue Arts. Says Rubio, "Kirk and I are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish in the difficult indie world and are looking forward to new opportunities with Rogue Arts".
Launching the company is HARD LUCK which was lensed last fall in Oregon with producer Rubio making his feature directorial debut. The film was written by and stars Harris. The cast includes Sundance Jury Acting Award Winner Renee Humphrey (FUN), Spirit Award Nominee Matthew Faber (WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE), star of the new dogma 95 film LIKE A ROCK, Gareth Williams (THE CELL), and Academy Award Nominee Karen Black (FIVE EASY PIECES). Pellegrini executive produced with Annemarie and Mark Curry.
Actor-filmmaker Harris was recently signed for representation by Herb Nanas and Scott Hart of Moress Nanas Hart Entertainment. Manager-producer Nanas is known for having managed the careers of Albert Brooks and Sylvester Stallone. He also produced DEFENDING YOU LIFE and FIRST BLOOD, among others.
Next up for Harris is a starring role in the Johnny Harrington and Vernon Mortenson written action/drama LONE WAY DOWN. A former navy seal, Mortenson is attached to direct the film. Rubio is will produce the film which goes before cameras in the spring of 2001.
Harris and Rubio's first film loser is being re-released to home video November 21rst under an exclusive deal with the Hollywood Video Chain. The picture premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival on its way to a fifty-city theatrical release and starred writer/director Harris and Peta Wilson (La Femme Nikita).
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It's been a while since we've heard from Starlight Productions on their long in development film THE STRANGER. Let's hope they can finish it sometime soon. The following is pulled directly from the Starlight Productions website.
Nearly one year later, production on THE STRANGER continues despite various disparate projects. Starlight Pictures' partners Gabriel Campisi, Anje Campisi and Julio Espinoza continue production on their psychological terror film even though production was delayed on various occasions due to third-party productions that required their full resources. "For a film company our size," says Espinoza, "delays are to be expected."
Espinoza says, "otherwise the production is moving ahead slowly and, beautifully."
During the past year, Espinoza also notes the bringing aboard of producer Billy Karl to helm specific projects. "Karl is a man with many talents," says Espinoza. "His strengths lie in his connections to the industry as well as his instinct for marketing and promotion. He is a valuable asset."
Espinoza declined to speculate on when THE STRANGER may wrap production and be ready for release.
Synopsis: To Marcos Malone, all turn-of-the-century concerns were discounted as fanatical hysteria or religious nonsense. The end of the Millennium was nothing more than the passing of another uneventful year at his dead-end job...
Until the night The Stranger appeared and beckoned him.
Until the night The Stranger brought his worst nightmares and fears to life.
Until the night The Stranger threatened to steal his sanity.
Gabriel Campisi
Starlight Pictures------------------
The WPFS will be hosting a mini-film festival on January 30, 2001. It will be an open-house event for all short filmmakers with works under 30 minutes. All films must be on standard VHS. We will accept submissions through the mail and on the night of the show. Our address is:
The Washington Psychotronic Film Society
Box 65955
Wash., D.C. 20035Please add proper info/items if you would like your tapes returned. The event will be held at 8PM at the following location:
The Lucky Bar
1221 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C.