Epic Horror Interview With Thriller! Chiller! Festival Director A.E. Griffin

Epic Horror Interview With Thriller! Chiller! Festival Director A.E. Griffin

Today it's our pleasure to have a few words with my hometown film festival  Thriller! Chiller! Festival director A.E. Griffin was

nice enough to answer some question about the past and future of horror and Michigan's best horror/si-fi festival.

Epic Horror  Could you tell us about the history of the Thriller! Chiller! ?

Thriller! Chiller! Back in 2006, fellow festival director, Chris Randall and I were discussing the state of film festivals in our region and how they seemed to megalomaniacally focus on drama and comedy films, programming content in a way which played it safe and narrow with an audience's expectations. We weren't seeing any kind of significant attention in the programming of the kinds of movies we'd grown up with and admired as kids. Namely the edgier genres of action, horror, sci-fi and suspense oriented independent movies. So we built a film festival we'd want to attend where they recognized the craft and artistry our our favorite kinds of movies! Nowadays, every major film festival in the region includes an 'after dark' block of programming and we're proud that in part we helped to inspire their change of attitude!  It's a step in the right direction anyhow.

Epic Horror  So what really goes on behind the organization of a film festival like Thriller! Chiller! ?

Thriller! Chiller! As with any passion, it takes many, many hours of planning and dedication to make Thriller! Chiller! a reality every year. Our core team is comprised of indie filmmakers and we've been able to work together to create an adventurous and fun event our community deserves every year! I feel our indie film spirit binds our visions together and we approach Thriller! Chiller! with a sense of wonder and humility in our responsibility to each other, the festival and its part in our community.

Epic Horror Since 2006 are you where you thought you would be ?

Thriller! Chiller! In many ways, yes, we've accomplished the main goals we've set for the festival so far. Shirley Clemens of Twain Girl, our marketing director, has developed a system by which we accomplish the task at hand by week, month and year on behalf of the festival. We focus on those tasks and the goals are merely milestones on a longer timeline. She's phenomenal!

Epic Horror Is there a particular part of the program where you think you took a different approach then other festivals

Thriller! Chiller! When we started out we'd heard both directly and through the grapevine that our immediate region was too conservative to handle a "horror festival" and that misconception in part fueled our passion that much more to forge ahead. We're not a horror festival, we're a genre festival. And the fact of the matter is our community is not closed off - or 'afraid' of - a curated event which screens the very best independent action, horror, sci-fi & suspense movies from around the world. 

Epic Horror Will you continue using Grand Rapids historic Wealthy Theater in 2014 ?

Thriller! Chiller! In 2014, Thriller! Chiller! has relocated the festival to downtown Grand Rapids. Our main venue and headquarters will be at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts (UICA) on the corner of Fulton & Division, and our partnerships with other venues in the immediate area are currently coming online. Once we have programming secured for those venues we'll make those announcements shortly!  At some point we'd love to reincorporate the Wealthy Theater back into the fabric of our festival's mission on behalf of our community. 

Epic Horror How do you guys pick which movies get to be screened at the festival ?

Thriller! Chiller! We've developed a comprehensive screening process to program the festival with the very best content we receive from submitted movies from around the world. All submissions are watched at least three times - on average up to five times - by at least three different screeners and rated based on the merits of storytelling. We always take into account personal

preferences and are exceptionally careful about any individual's personal bias based on style over substance. We then match up the movies based on the vibe they give off as a collection of work representative of that particular year and discuss at length how we can market each movie as a unique endeavor and then as a whole to our audience. I won't kid you, it's tricky. I'm sure there are easier ways to do it but those ways typically come at the cost of one's integrity. And a festival that skimps on its integrity is doomed to fail. We've seen the results of this happen over and over again with our fellow festivals.

Epic Horror Who is the judging panel made up of  ?

Thriller! Chiller! Our judging panel, the people who decide the awards, are made up of a fluid group of film professionals and film critics in our area. It changes every year based on their ability to offer their time and consideration on behalf of the festival. However, with that all said, we've consistently asked for the assistance of John Serba of Mlive, Tim Doty of Fox17, Stephanie Webb of WZZM and our long time friend and filmmaker, Mark France to lead our panel.

Epic Horror With the rise of Indie Horror success will we see the next Ti West or Eli Roth this year ?

Thriller! Chiller! Most definitely! Check out the work of Mike Flanagan!  His short movie, Oculus, played in our first year of the festival and was recently expanded into a feature and it's fantastic! He's also been recently hired to adapt the Stephen King's novel, Gerald's Game, into a movie!

Epic Horror Merriam-Webster defines Horror as a very strong feeling of fear, dread, and shock. What's your definition of Horror ?

Thriller! Chiller! Loss. Pure and simple. In horror movies, the penultimate of terror is the threat of loss. It's when we realize this that we're probably most alive, and really become aware of what we have which defines us.

Epic Horror Best Indie horror movie of 2013 we haven't seen, and the worst ?

Thriller! Chiller! One of my favorites is Buck Wild! We had the good fortune to screen it at Thriller! Chiller! 2013 and it's now streaming on Netflix. Find it! Love it!  And one movie which didn't do it for me from 2013 was Gravity. Granted, not an outright horror movie, and yet if the context had been set up better the whole story should have been far more terrifying. Ultimately, it was far too self aware as the filmmaker's passion project, and in my opinion, was hung up on needless exposition. I felt like it treated the audience like we were too stupid to relate to what was going on just because the story was set in space.

Epic Horror To you what makes a film an Indie, budget, cast, or distributor ?

Thriller! Chiller! Any movie that takes charge of its fate outside of the mechanism of merely being a 'product' is operating with an independent spirit. If the movie has a release date before it even has a script, or a studio is sifting through its intellectual properties to package nostalgia for just the right demographic, it is not independent. They both have their place however, and I enjoy both kinds of movies at every chance I can get to watch them in the theater.

Epic Horror CGI or old school SPFX? And why ?

Thriller! Chiller! I prefer a blend actually, and when done properly, they make for a better story in a safer work environment. Its actually more creative to come up with an inventive solution which can be resolved digitally versus just throwing someone into a meat grinder to get the shot. No one should risk their life or die making a movie. And dying for something as meaningless as a stunt or special effect for a movie's sake is just plain stupid and foolish. Conversely, CGI has made many a studio and director lazy. That "we'll make it in post" attitude shouldn't be the reason to skip over a moment which could have been reached in the story on a practical level with the actors on a set.

Epic Horror And with the recent release of Godzilla, what's your favorite Tokyo destroying monster, and why ?

Thriller! Chiller! Godzilla. Because its Godzilla, of course!

Epic Horror Fast or slow zombie ?

Thriller! Chiller! Fast! Slow! Either way, I don't want them anywhere near me!

Epic Horror If people want to help how can they get a hold of you ?

Thriller! Chiller! They can reach us via our contact page at www.thrillerchiller.com 

Epic Horror Thanks for your time whats the one thing you want people to take away from this article ?

Thriller! Chiller! Thriller! Chiller! is adventure two hours at a time! A film festival turned up to eleven! And we'd very much enjoy the chance to meet anyone who loves these kinds of movies as much as we do! 

Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival!

2014 OCTOBER 22 - 25

WEDNESDAY to SATURDAY, baby!

Michigan's international film festival celebrating genre movies!

Named one of MovieMaker Magazine's Top 20 Horror/Sci-Fi film festivals of 2013!

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Jack Thomas Smith Writer/Director Of Infliction

We had a chance to sit down with writer and director Jack Smith to talk about his up coming feature Infliction and whats next from Fox Trail Productions

Epic Horror-With eight years between films, what have yourself and Fox Trail Productions been doing ?

Jack Thomas Smith - That's a great question. I've been in development HELL!!! I had a verbal commitment for the financing for my action/horror feature "In The Dark", but then it fell through when the market tanked in 2008. From there, I scrambled to find

investors and dealt with two different studios to put together the project. But after endless rewrites and delays, I shifted my focus and efforts to "Infliction."

EH - What lessons have you taken away from music videos for your films and vica versa.

JTS - I always try to keep it true to the movie... And true to the artist's vision. For example, we shot a music video for my last film "Disorder." The artist's name is Purple Pam. She's a rocker from NYC. The song "Take Me Away" is a beautiful ballad and was a change of direction for her. The song dealt with suicide, so I incorporated Pam's vision and meaning behind the song with 
  the same locations that we shot the film. It really came out great and tied both the song and the movie together.

EH - With Fox Trail adding more movies to it's stable, what genre are you most comfortable with?

JTS - I love thrillers. I'm a big Brian DePalma guy. I love 
  films that have a tight story and keep you guessing... And then right when you think you have it figured out... There's a twist ending. I love complex characters and actually CARING about characters... That way it makes it so much more impactful when you lose them. With that being said, those are the types of films I like to make... Films that will keep you on the edge of your seat and will have you talking afterwards.

EH - With films like Disorder, Infliction,and your upcoming In The Dark, What do you look for in a horror movie?

JTS -  I love horror films that have a strong story and suspense. If the movie calls for gore... Awesome.  But if it's not necessary, then it's not necessary. Personally, gore doesn't scare me. Suspense is what scares me. I love when you're on the edge of your seat... You 

  have no idea what's coming next... It's the anticipation of what's to come that I find to be scarier than splatter in your face without that suspenseful buildup.

EH - Most overused horror cliches

JTS -  I hate when tension is building during a scene... And then a cat jumps out of nowhere. Can't stand that. Lol.

EH - Was there a particular event or time that you recognized that filmmaking was not just a hobby, but that it would be your life and your living?

JTS - It's something that's always been in me. Writing and filmmaking is part of my DNA. It's all I know. When I was 8, I saw "Star Wars" and that absolutely blew me away. And shortly after that, I read "The Shining" by Stephen King and that knocked me off my feet as well. At a very young age, I wanted to write and make films. And as an adult, it's the only career I've ever pursued.

EH - How did growing up shape you as a filmmaker?

JTS - As a teenager, I obsessively 
  watched films by George Romero, John Carpenter, Martin Scorsese, Brian 
  DePalma, and Stanley Kubrick. I'd practically study their films... 
  Why did a particular scene work? How did they build the tension or develop the characters? Their styles of filmmaking were brilliant and helped set the moods of their films... But their styles never got in the way of the stories. It was during that time that my father bought me a super 8 movie camera and I started shooting horror shorts and comedy shorts with my brother and friends in my neighborhood. It was a lot of fun, but I also started to learn 
  the process even on such a small scale of working with actors, shooting coverage, locations, props, wardrobe, etc. We have those

old films on DVD and every once in a while we throw them on for a good laugh.

EH - Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?

JTS - It's really hard to break into the 
  entertainment business. When I was in my early 20s, I had completed my first screenplay and shopped it around to everyone and anyone -- studios, agents, etc. I was rejected by everyone. At that time, I had been introduced to Ted Bohus, who is an indie feature film director and producer, and we talked about doing our own film for a small budget. So we did just that... I co-wrote the screenplay with Ted and he directed "The Regenerated Man",  which was a sci-fi/horror campy type of film. We made the film for a small amount of money that we were able to pull together ourselves and secured a nationwide video deal for double our investment when it was complete. But then from there, it took another three years to put together the money for the next 

film that I produced for John Russo, who co-wrote and produced the original "Night of the Living Dead." The name of that film was "Santa Claws" and it was about a guy in a Santa Claus costume running around killing people. John directed it and I produced it and we ultimately secured distribution. From there it took six years to pull together the financing for my next film "Disorder", which I wrote, produced, and directed. "Disorder" is a psychological thriller told from the perspective of a paranoid schizophrenic... So you don't know what's real and what isn't... And right when you think you have it figured out... There's a twist ending. "Disorder" was distributed on DVD by Universal/Vivendi and on PPV and VOD by Warner Brothers. After "Disorder", I was in development hell for

years with "In The Dark" as I described earlier before I started "Infliction" in 2011. It's a long-winded answer... The bottom line is that it's hard to break into the movie business and it's equally as hard to stay in the movie business. You just have to keep moving forward and pushing your projects.

EH - What was the most important lesson you had to learn that has had a positive effect on your films? How did that lesson happen?

JTS - You learn something new with every film. I'm a firm believer in a lot of rehearsals with the actors... I storyboard every single shot and I walk through all of the setups with the DP in advance. The most important part of making a film is Pre-Production. You have

to plan and rehearse and prepare obsessively so that when you're on set you don't miss a beat. Things always happen when you shoot that you can't plan for, but if you have a solid plan in place, you can push through it. There's an old saying... "Fix it in post." And that's true to a certain extent... But you don't want to rely on post completely to make your film work. If you put in the work before you start shooting, it will make the entire process so much better and smoother

EH - What films have been the most inspiring or influential to you and why?

JTS - There's a lot. When I was a kid, it was definitely "Star Wars" and "Dawn of the Dead." For obvious reasons, "Star Wars" changed everything. George Lucas created something so original and unique... I loved the characters... The story... And the effects were amazing. It was a perfect movie. "Dawn of the Dead" is my 
  all-time favorite horror film. It was scary and the effects were off the charts... And you really wanted the characters to survive. As I got older, I realized the shot "Dawn of the Dead" took at American consumerism... We're all mindless zombies going to the malls to buy our name brands. Other films that I love and have influenced me are "Apocalypse Now", "The Crow", "Platoon", "Scarface," and "Goodfellas."

EH - “It all starts with the script.” Maybe not, but when do you know a script is ready to shoot, and what is your process of getting it there?

JTS - I guess the best way to answer this question is that I just know. When I write a screenplay, I'm conscious of the fact that there are certain plot points that need to be hit in the appropriate places and the story must flow. You're constantly tweaking 
  the script... Even when you rehearse right up to when you're on set... You can tweak and adjust the dialogue as it seems fit... And usually when I complete the script I storyboard my shots so that visually I have the film in front of me and I put together detailed shot lists so that i know the exact order how to shoot everything

EH - What do audiences want? And is it the filmmaker’s role to worry about that?

JTS -  I'm as guilty as any other filmmaker in that I want to make movies that I'd like to see and I want to tell stories that mean something to me. However, I also understand that audiences want to be entertained and that they want to see something original and thought provoking. Hopefully, the films that I make satisfy my needs as an artist, but more importantly entertain the audience and leave them discussing it and thinking about what they just watched.

EH - It is said that your upcoming film "In The Dark" was based on where you lived in Michigan, Any plans to shoot there.

JTS -  I'd LOVE to shoot there. In particular, I'd love to shoot on Grosse Ile, which is where I lived when I was a kid before moving to NJ. It all depends on the financing and Michigan's state tax credits if it makes sense to shoot there.

EH - If I walked up to an audience leaving one of your films, what would you want them to tell me

JTS - I'd like for them to tell you that they have very passionate 
  feelings about what they just saw. I want the audience to talk about my films after seeing them. We've had screenings of "Infliction" in different parts of the country followed by Q&A sessions and the discussions have been very lively. "Infliction" seems to be striking a nerve with people... especially with women... because of its disturbing subject matter

EH - One last question what can we look forward to from yourself and Fox Trail? 

JTS - I'm hoping to shoot "In The Dark" next year. That project has been a labor of love for years and I'm determined to make it happen. I'm also planning to start writing the drama "Illegals", which will be honest and unbiased in regards to the illegal immigration issue that effects us today. 

THE EPIDEMIC (2015) first Look

THE EPIDEMIC

The Beginning of the End...... or The Beginning Of A New Franchise

The new pre production film that will be filming in September 2014, The Epidemic scheduled for release in 2015 has all the makings of the next great zombie film. The 
premise giving a nod to the holy grail of of the genre has a virus coming from space but not from a satellite ala NOTLD but a

doomsday meteor that was broken up by missile strikes. That leads to thousands of small zombie stones landing everywhere and heres a nice new little twist on the zombie movie not only are the dead coming back but if you drink the water or breath the air you might get infected. It will tell the story of a group of survivors trying to outlast the outbreak.

And I must say from someone that looks at dozen and dozen of indie horror movies a week the make-up is looking top notch. With writer/director Nigel Hartwell at the helm the project should be in good hands with his extensive resume on both sides of the camera. They also have special effects whiz Michael Martin taken care of the visual effects  

And can we talk about the cast for a second it reads like a whos who of horror actors. They have Danny Trejo, Eric Roberts, Corey

Feldman, Tony Todd, Chris Owen, Larry Zerner(the person that gave Jason his hockey mask), and wrestling divas Barbie Blank and Angelina Love. 

With all that going for it what could they possibly need, well that would be you the film currently has a crowdfunding campaign on indiegogo. with a good story and great cast this would make a great investment in the zombie universe. so head on over and show some undead love to these guys.

The Rectory 10 Question With Writer/Director Jonathan Chance

The Rectory 10 Question With Writer/Director Jonathan Chance

We had the opportunity to catch up with Jonathan Chance the writer/director of of the new film in pre production The Rectory based on the true story of the most haunted house in England. See the original first look here The Rectory First Look. 

 Epic Horror(EH)-For those out there that don't know, who was Harry Price and why is important that he was holding the keys to Borley Rectory at the time your film takes place?

Jonathan Chance(JC)-He was publicly one of the very first Paranormal Investigators. He was a pioneer, inventor and former magician. Some years before the beginning of our story he discovered Borley Rectory after family members living there claimed it was haunted and then he experienced first-hand that it indeed was. It became one of his most prolific cases coining it “the most haunted house in England.” Whatever he saw there obsessed him for years that by 1937 he had one mission; to rent The Rectory for a year and run an experiment with willing candidates to prove the existence of the ghosts.

EH- Could you give us a little background on Borley Rectory itself., is it still standing, will you be filming any part of your project there?

JC- The story of Borley Rectory goes back as far as the 1600’s further even its thought. But let’s start at the 1600’s. There was once a sisterly Nun who was to elope with a neighbouring priest but they

were caught and murdered for their sins. In 1862, The Rectory was then built right on that very spot by Henry Bull for his growing family, around 1900 the daughters saw the apparition of the ghostly Nun for the first time. To whom that stayed there it increased in activity over the years in a series of terrifying events including sightings, levitation, bumps in the night you name it and more.

The Rectory itself no longer stands it was burned down due to strange circumstances in the 1940’s. Though the site and church opposite is still very much haunted people and certainly even Price’s successor Peter Underwood still claim.

We look to film for authenticity and that area would definitely be perfect we will film in Essex and England for sure. Nothing beats that creepy, gloomy woodland!

EH-Is it easier being both writer and director because you know what the writers vision was when he/you created it, or does that put added pressure on you?

JC-It puts more pressure on me because I see it a certain way. I can see what this can become, but in all honestly as I was writing it I was constantly visualising how it will look. That’s the film maker part of me. When you’re a writer / director I think you’re seeing the movie in your head and as an editor as well I can see it completed. It definitely isn’t a boring read so the film should be an exciting, and most of all scary!

EH-Growing up close to where the events take place, when did you know you would like to make this project?

JC-From an early age the fascination took hold with watching hammer horror videos, reading EC comics so this very living, breathing ghost story nearby it seemed natural now I look back to have had a vivid imagination. After doing art in college and then with my brother filmmaking it seemed was a natural step and this for me was personal – a story that has to be told. It’s too big not to. In 2003, I

wrote a short script called ‘The Ruin’ a modern day based very closely around it but my plan of action from about 2006-07 was always — “if one of my films take-off The Rectory is the project I want to bring to the big screen.” Now as an independent film its great –there’s less interference and it has a better chance of staying gritty, real to the subject and of course chilling!

EH-Could you tell us about the crowdfunding project your using to get "The Rectory" made, and where people can go that would like to help?
 
JC-Of course! We're currently on indiegogo trying to raise funds for pre-production. We have a great producer, an industry special effects artist and some extraordinary cast and crew set up and if you go over to our link and see what we have so far you'll see we're on our way, we just need some help to finish pre and push to production. I think this is quite possibly one of the most important paranormal cases of all time – and this is going to be big and we want people to be a part this and come on this journey with us. There are some really cool perks set up:

The Rectory Indiegogo Page

If you can't donate but are interested in this film there are always other ways to help! Firstly tweeting about our film (and including our twitter handle) really helps – and RT’s help too. The key is really spreading it everywhere so it’s up for all to see on the indiegogo boards. Sharing the indiegogo link on Facebook, Google and other social media sites all really helps. If we see your input you can bet we'll thank you and RT and share them of course – we appreciate all the support we can get to make this happen.

EH-All your cast so far has worked both sides of the camera, as a director does that make it easier for you or a little rough thinking there might be 6 other producers glancing over your shoulder?

JC-Haha! Now you make me think… no, I think they have faith in me or they wouldn’t be working on this feature film. There’s respect for the Director and his vision. I was taken aback by the compliments

for the script from them, so I think they can see what I’m projecting; they have visualized its potential. Having talented directors, producers on set (in their own right) is actually really good to have - other points of view and all coming from guerrilla filmmaking we’re all driving toward one goal; to find the most effective way of getting this the best and most realistic it can be. But we’re all on the same page - the Director needs his actors, his Producer and every one on set to play their role as best they can.



EH-If readers want to follow the progress of the film are you guys on any social media sites?

JC-Twitter @RECTORYFILM

Facebook

YouTube: (Original Pitch) 

(Jason Vail Pitch)

IMDB

Mostly Twitter and Facebook you'll definitely find us to reach out to.

EH-Could you give us a little background on you and your production team?

JC-I’m Jonathan Chance a British writer, director based in Orange County, CA. I make horror and sci-fi films and I've been lucky enough to have been awarded a few and nominated for my screenplays too. Maybe you caught one on the festival scene, but this one I plan for everyone to see in theatres, it’s a dream of mine. Calvin Vanderbeek is an award winning producer; he definitely sticks his nose out for independent film, and means it. He’s smart and I respect he sees what I’m trying to make and happy to have him fighting in my corner. Michele Mulkey was the first person on board this film and is another huge fighting force for independent film, the independent filmmaker and projects she believes in - very excited and happy to have her on this. Derek Sims is a wonderful DP and talented Director in his own right – I look forward to joining forces with him to create this monster. Some of the best actors we have on board are also some of the nicest, most generous people I've ever met - so it will be a pleasure to work with these award winning ensemble. Crispian Belfrage as Harry Price Jason Vail as Henry Tennison

David Hogan as Mark Kerr-Pearce Angela DiMarco as Stella Cranshaw I can't wait to soon bring more talented people on board to join them!

EH-When all is said and done what do you as the writer want people to walk away from this film knowing?

JC-That there was once this house full of mystery and these iconic fascinating people that were intertwined with it. To be taken on a journey that is all at once frightening, unique, and unusual. These people were certainly way ahead of their time – and because of these intrepid fellows we’ve enjoyed many a horror film and ghost story or two that could very well could have all thrived from this very source – the house which is back to claim it’s title for being most haunted possibly in the world and rightfully where it belongs on the big screen for all to see.

EH-Last Question, Zak Bagans or Harry Price?

JC-Harry Price! The one and only – I think his approach was a little more subtle. Actions speak louder than words – or shouting. 

And there you have it horror fans 10 question with Jonathan Chance about the new film The Rectory. It sounds like this film is just what we need in todays horror genre that puts CGI and gore over story. A good old fashioned ghost story. That uses Story Over Gory

Radio Spot                

Tom Slick at 92.6 THE BLITZ

Fan Made Indiegogo Video
Video                 

The Rectory First Look

The Rectory

In 1937, Harry Price held the keys to Borley Rectory. He then unlocked the evil...

The most haunted house in england and a maverick paranormal investigator .......what could go wrong......            

Harry Price

The new thriller/horror movie in preproduction from writer/director Jonathan Chance, Takes a look at a true story from the area he grew up in. The story of the Borley Rectory in Sudbury, Essex UK. In 1937 Price rented the Rectory for a year

Jonathan Chance

to run paranormal experiments.  And as the plotline states " his reputation may not be the only thing he will lose" Chance has put together a veteran starting line up including Crispian Belfrage as Price. Looking over Price's career you can safely say he was thee father of paranormal investigations and without him we don't have the TV shows or movies we have today. After extensive reading on Price and  Borley Rectory, I have no problem saying "If this movie isn't made all horror/ghost fans should be ashamed".  It has all the makings of a great film:

• Based on true events
• Pre WWII England
• The most haunted house in England
• A veteran cast and crew



The Rectory

• The maverick godfather of the paranormal

The project in 

pre-production has a crowdfunding campaign going on until June 20, 2014. It has great perks for all budgets from $5 up to $2500 so it truly is something anyone can be involved in and even if times are hard so them a favor and give them a shout out on social media and have your friends a followers do the same, The sooner they get filming the sooner we can leave the lights on when we sleep.

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The Other Side of Grace (First Look)

The Other Side of Grace (First Look)

A feature length documentary that charts the rise and decline of the most dangerous city in America-- East St Louis, IL.

A few disclaimers before I start here:

1. This is not a horror movie, however it is a subject I feel strongly about.
2. I am a dyed in blue Ronald Reagan conservative 
3. East St Louis, IL took the title of most dangerous city from the city of Highland Park, Mi where I worked as a paramedic for 15 years.
4. Goldie Taylor political views and mine do not match up on a lot of things this one however we are on the same page. 

While the documentary focuses on Goldie's hometown of East St. Louis it could in reality be any small urban enclave. Places like East St' Louis and other small cities don't get the press or help their bigger more powerful neighbors do. And in the end that just be America's greatest shame. When I was a paramedic the term hero was thrown out a lot towards the emergency services I use to tell people I'm no hero I'm just doing my job, the real heros are the people in places like ESL, the 8 year old girl that makes sure her 5 year old brother is ready to go to school because mom had to be to work at 7am, the 15 year old boy that walks home from school with his trumpet case though sidewalks littered with drug paraphernalia and not slipping into the pitfalls of easy money and flashy cars, or the 70 year old grandmother that still after all these years watching the world fall apart from her front porch isn't afraid to tell the thug she will have none of his nonsense on her block. Those are the real heros in America today. Urban areas today have already lost a generation if we let it continue we will lose the country. Remember the troubles of places like East St. Louis and Highland Park, MI are a microcosm of what is happening in every town and city in the US. Ok thanks for letting me rant now on to to the film.

Goldie Taylor is a veteran journalist and opinion writer. A former staff writer at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Taylor has been a working journalist and political consultant for nearly 25 years, including her current roles as an MSNBC contributor and a columnist at MSNBC.com. Taylor is a former editor-at-large for theGrio.com, the leading news and opinion site for African Americans, where she continues as a writer focused on domestic policy and social issues. She was also born and raised in East St. Louis so she not only has the journalist chops to tell the story but a vested interest on her subject that will only transfer to passion on the screen. With projects like this it's really easy to fall into the across the aisle finger wagging that sabotages so many debates. We can't let this happen with this film. Working with veteran and  awarding winning news producer and photographer Mario Page. The experience to have a great story brought to life is there.

With a kickstarter only needing for $53,000 to make a reality, the ROI in shining a light on what is becoming the USA's albatross of shame will be priceless. Looking over the kickstarter page she has also incorporated some great perks in the campaign.

In closing I would like to challenge both sides of the political spectrum to come together and make Goldie Taylor's dream come to life.

Kickstart Campaign can be found here

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Red Right Hand First Look

Red Right Hand (First Look)

In a dark forest, on a lonely road, something is waiting...

Well if the teaser are any indication the new film in pre production by writer, director, and producer Stuart Lawson is sure to send chills up and down your spine. Rounding out the pre-production team are director of photography Kupa Warner and SFX makeup artist Kate Griffiths(Filmblood - Makeup Artist of the Year award in 2013.). While none would be considered "known names" on this side of the pond. This project just might change that. 

The story in itself is enough to make you think "maybe I should leave a light on tonight". Based on an urban legend from Lawson's childhood. Living in a village, as a child, Stuart heard about this terrifying story of a daughter visiting her parents and the horrific event that took place that night. After years go by, naturally it's assumed that it was just an urban legend, Until he found a newspaper clipping. The script came about after Lawson returned to his hometown for a visit and became enthralled with the story of what happen to  Catherine when she was driving down a deserted lonely road at night. 
With a kickstarter that is only asking for 6000 pounds(10000 USD) We're hoping to see the script come to life.

The Horror of an Urban Legend. In a dark forest, on a lonely road, something is waiting....

Find The Kickstarter Here

RIGOR MORTIS Trailer (2014)

A washed-up actor, desperate and suicidal, moves into a haunted apartment building where supernatural creatures, ghost hunters, taoist exorcists, and the souls of the undead are among his neighbors.

RIGOR MORTIS Trailer
Directed by Juno Mak
Starring Anthony Chan, Siu-Ho Chin, Kara Hui, Hoi-Pang Lo, Richard Ng, Hee Ching Paw
Release Date : On Itunes & in theaters June 6th, 2014
Genre : Horror, Fantasy, Drama

RIGOR MORTIS Trailer
© 2014 - Well Go USA

In Development Chasing Deanie: A Michigan Mystery

Chasing Deanie: A Michigan Mystery


This is a story that just begs to be made not only as a documentary but as a "based on a true story" feature. They have secured rights from numerous people involved in the case and are working on more. They are looking for any help getting this done. Lets get this made,


In February 1981 a pretty young girl walked into a middle school in an affluent suburb of Grand Rapids Michigan to watch her brothers wrestling practice and was never seen again. For over 30 years this has hung over the area like an albatross. This documentary will explore the case that have gripped people's imagination for 30 years.


Recent News Story About The Film Mlive Article
See more here WZZM Ch13 Deanie Peter's Reports
Facebook  ChasingDeanie
Twitter https://twitter.com/Chasing_Deanie
Movie Blog http://chasingdeanie.wordpress.com/

The Woods Within First Look

The Woods Within

Only 24 Hours Left To Get A Great Deal On

Studio 605's Next Feature Film

From the people that brought you the award nominated film "The Campground" and the web series "Friday The 13th: The Curse Of Jason" comes their next chapter in the horror genre.

The Woods Within is a modern day slasher story with murder mystery elements. Eight high school teenagers go to the woods to have a party before graduation. They have one hell of a great time until one of their own is found dead the next morning. Tempers flare and fingers are pointed as no one is sure who to blame. It quickly escalates into a race for their lives as danger is everywhere in the woods within.

About Studio 605

This is the new face of horror

We here at Studio 605 are very passionate and headstrong about filmmaking, we truly are living our dreams. Horror is what we love and we aim to bring great horror to the fans. This will be our third overall project and second feature since our first project, The Campground. Our mission is to deliver amazing and original independent horror. 

We have been in pre-production on this project for about four months and are beyond excited to get started filming this summer to bring you a slasher you will never forget! Not only will YOU be helping us with our second feature, but you will be helping us invest in a future of horror filmmaking. We could not do this without you the fans. It means everything to us to have your support to help push us forward to bigger and better things.

Hurry Now Before You Lose Out

They have some of the best perks I've seen in a crowdfund project.

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(and have your friends share too)

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