This is an INCREDIBLY cool book by author J. A. Kerswell. I did up a review of it (you can read it HERE) and the good folks at  IPG Distribution gave me two copies to give away in a contest – and I have! The drawing was Friday – June 15th at midnight. The two lucky winners are Annette Sowell of North Hollywood, CA and Shannon Kinney of Queen City, TX. Congrats to you both! The prizes will be going out soon!

Those wild slasher movie guys over at The Hysteria Continues (Erik, Joseph, Nathan and Justin) give a little love to an indie slasher I worked on: Timewarp Films’ DEAD HUNT. Plus they review Joseph’s pick of the week RUSH WEEK, an under appreciated fun slasher from 1989.  Go check out podcast 35 over at iTunes for all fun, insights, and banality. These guys are great!

A new independent thriller is coming our way the Summer of 2012.  Baltimore area independent filmmaker Wes Kotansky, Jr.and his production company WESKO Pictures, LLC. have officially wrapped on a short film called “The Missouri Strain”. The crew are currently in post production and are looking at a summer release around the Baltimore and D.C. area. They plan to submit it to film festivals on the East Coast as well. The theatrical trailer was released on Vimeo (great trailer by the way!) and the WESKO Pictures website. Along with the trailer and teaser, there are promotional posters and photos (found on their website and facebook page). From the trailer it looks to be very well acted, and one of the stars is Frederick Cowie (Sealed Fates, Witch’s Brew, Bounty, and Garden of Hedon) so I am excited to see this film in its completed form! Here are some more links to these talented people! 

The Missouri Strain
WESKO Pictures, LLC. 

The very talented Mitch Klein has been busy on Timewarp Film’s CRAWLER, but has also given a little of his time to help do some effects for Midnight Marquee’s Stellar Quasar and the Scrolls of Dadelia. Pictured above is an excellent old school spaceship that he rendered for the film. More information as it develops…

In other news  Producer Lee Doll tells us that the latest Fixer movie DANGEROUS DECEPTION should be coming freshly minted from the DVD works soon. We’ve been assured that this films delves deeper into supernatural sci fi horror – I can’t wait to check it out! The talented Paul R Sieber is in the lead role of the Fixer, with Alfred Guy returning as his partner Yeb-beb. The special guest villain is George Stover, and he does his nastiest turn in a role since he played Rizzo in BLOOD MASSACRE.

NIGHT TERRORS BECOMES IN THE DARK

 The web series, Night Terrors, created by writer/directors David Buchert and Chris St.Croix has changed its name to IN THE DARK and is about to become a full-length feature anthology film.

When the Tales From The Crypt-styled horror anthology series launched in November of 2011, the first episode, “The Keeper” was immediately banned from Youtube and Vimeo for nudity and violence. Soon after, the production teamed with the popular horror website DreadCentral.com and it enjoyed a successful web run with over 80,000 views. In January the second episode, “Dummy” premiered to even larger numbers. Starting on April 24th, the IN THE DARK Indiegogo fundraising campaign begins. With two of the film’s four episodic stories already completed (Fifty minutes of the final ninety minute film) the budget for the remaining two stories will be raised by pre-selling the finished IN THE DARK DVD. As a thank you and to tide supporters over until the film is completed in October, buyers will receive a private link to watch the first two stories now and for the first time in their full HD resolution.

They are also offering some additional one of a kind items to supporters like the actual “Dummy” mask and axe and the full size creature costume from “The Keeper”. “Expect completely different stories, styles and looks for the next two. And we promise, they’ll still be as sexy, bloody and uncensored”, says St.Croix. As David Buchert explains, “We hope that fans of the first two episodes and all fans of indie horror check it out, pre-order the DVD and they’ll get to watch half of the film now! We can’t wait to show them IN THE DARK.”

So head over to www.indiegogo.com/inthedark, watch the brand new trailer, pre-order a DVD and be a part of this new way to support indie horror.

Hello Hello! Well there are a few more things to update this week – let’s get started. First up a sincere congratulations to Joe Ripple and the staff of Scares That Care – a national charity. This past Friday the 13th they we able to raise several thousands of dollars for people in need. Score a 10 out of 10 for this great organization!

     Speaking of Mr. Ripple, what has been going on with Timewarp Films? Well, Mitch Klein and Robert Long have been continually working on CRAWLER and are making progress. What is also very cool to see is that JEBEDIAH has a brand new trailer! I’m really looking forward to seeing a premiere for this.

     Also in the feature news is that the trailer for the next FIXER film is now live! Starring Paul R. Seiber, Alfred Guy and George Stover, this adventure focuses along the lines of the horrific world of H.P. Lovecraft. Be looking for it to hit DVD in the near future from Lee Doll Film Productions.

     A shout out to our friends over at THE AFTER MOVIE DINER for winning the prestigious 2012 TLA CULT AWARDS for best podcast! Richly deserved and our best go out to Jon Cross and company! Be sure to check out these talented folks – stop by their store and buy a coffee mug! Always something cool and zany going on at the diner.

     On the design front I’ve been busy getting merchandise together for the Smash or Trash Independent Filmmaking SHOP. We are almost done with the Don Dohler art, which will go well with the George Stover line we already carry. Stop by the shop and pick up a t-shirt, poster, or coffee mug. Remember that part of the proceeds will go towards Victim’s of Violent Crimes Organization as well as for a cure against cancer.

     Lastly, don’t forget about our current giveaway, the independent-filmed teen mystery “Little Bit of Love” that we are drawing names for the 1st of May. It received a favorable review from Joseph Henson of THE BODYCOUNT CONTINUES and will be reviewed on the AFTER MOVIE DINER podcast. Our thanks to Lee Doll Film Productions for the DVD, and I want to see you indie fans send in your name and address to rembrandt36@earthlink.net for the upcoming drawing.

     Keep supporting independent filmmaking!

HEY! It’s giveaway time at the site again! Filmmaker Lee Doll has provided us with a copy of the 4th installment of ADVENTURES OF LOUANNA LEE “Little Bit of Love” as well as a poster! Everyone’s favorite teen detective is at it again – and this time it’s a whodunit! You can check out the trailer HERE. (Check out Smash or Trash’s Robert Long in the Rod Stewart fright wig – yikes!)

PLOT SUMMARY: A party is planned for Louanna’s grandpa (George Stover), to be held at the Wittingham Manor. But there is tension in the air at the stately home. When the lights suddenly go out, the bodies start to pile up. Can Louanna and Vicky discover the killer’s identity before they become the next victims?

Starring Louanna Lee 
Also starring George Stover, Leanna Chamish and Victoria Lynn 
Guest Starring Jennifer Rouse, Paul R. Seiber, Dylan Hintz and Sam Lukowski
Featuring Les Bradley, Bob Creager, Erik Kristopher Myers, Alfred Guy and Wayne Shipley

Produced and directed by Lee Doll

Screenplay by Mitch Klein 

Associate Producer Wayne Shipley 
Director of Photography Jeff Herberger You know the drill by now! Send your name and address to rembrandt36@earthlink.net. On May 1st a drawing will be done and the copy of this show will go out to some lucky winner of our website. This Louanna Lee installment is also going to be reviewed by Jon Cross of THE AFTER MOVIE DINER – so don’t delay and sign in for a chance to get your own free copy! 

Wow! What a week! Lots of updates! How’s that people? It’s Saturday – so let’s post something to end the week. Visual Effects Artist Mitch Klein has released a sneak peek of what the creature looks like for Timewarp Film’s CRAWLER. This wire frame animation can be seen HERE. I have seen this animal fully rendered and it is BAD -ASSED. Huge kudos and credits go out to Mitch – whom has done one hell of a job with it! I plan to post an updated interview with him in the future. Fantastic job Mitch!!!

Next is the very good news that actor Adam West FINALLY got his Hollywood Star this week.  The star of the1960s television show BATMAN has been in the business for 50 years – entertaining millions around the world. This award is looooooooooooong overdue. You may ask what does Adam West getting his star have to do with indie filmmaking? Not a damn thing – but it is my site, he’s my childhood hero, and is very deserving of all credit and appreciation due to him. Congrats Mr. West!

1974 brought the world one of the first Star Trek fan films that went to the point of creating realistic sets, costumes, special effects and miniatures. Paragon’s Paragon was the brainchild of John Cosentino (Alien Factor, Galaxy Invader, Blood Massacre) and starred his family and friends as members of Star Fleet as well as on the side of the Klingons.Much of this project was covered in the original  CINEMAGIC by Don Dohler. The film itself is 100 minutes long. I received a truncated version of 30 minutes from Don Dohler. From that I have made an 8 minute highlight reel. It can be viewed on YOUTUBE (sans sound) and on VIMEO (with a soundtrack).It would be incredible to see John’s work restored and in its original 100 minute format. Perhaps some day he will get a kickstarter project for it going. I for one would put money towards it. Paragon’s Paragon is an incredible Super 8mm feat considering it was done well before the days of CGI. I urge you to check it out.