Tales From the Set: An Actor’s Take on “Blood Brothers”

Slasher Studios*Blood Brothers

This past weekend, I had the privilege to be involved in Slasher Studios’ latest short film, Blood Brothers, and I’m so glad I did because it was the best time I’ve had in a long time! Everything about the work Slasher Studios does reminds me why I love horror and acting in the first place. Getting to work with and learn from such talented people is such an honor. Kevin is one of the most creative, and passionate people I’ve ever met, and it definitely shows in his scripts and all the other work he does and Steve is a genius when it comes to directing! Those two are no lie the best filmmakers I’ve ever worked with. They are so professional, and they are great at giving feedback and listening to the actors’ ideas and concerns to make sure everything goes well, and everything certainly seemed like it went well! Dan also is brilliant behind the camera and great at deciding unique ways to shoot scenes that just look amazing. Then, there were the other actors! It was almost a little intimidating to work with such a talented group, but well worth it because I feel like I’ve learned a lot just by watching them.

Hannah Jaye of course is always a joy to be around and has great ideas about her character. Matty is also a blast and such a unique person, some of his choices were something I would have never imagined from the script, but when I see it done, can’t imagine it any other way. And Mike, well, in my last scene, he really terrified me which is an amazing compliment coming from me; he is always so convincing! And of course there was the amazing Kyle, makeup and sound guy extraordinaire! I’m so glad to have gotten to see each and every one of these people, and I would not be surprised if they all ended up in Hollywood one day working on the next big horror flick.

As for the shoot itself, I feel so blessed to have ever gotten involved with Slasher Studios. It was actually a random Google search that led me to the website, of which I became a fan and then learned of auditions for their second short, Popularity Killer which I was lucky enough to get to play Courtney in. That felt like such a once in a life time experience that when I heard about Blood Brothers auditions, I thought no way would I be that lucky again. But I was, they chose me to play Rachel, and I am so grateful! At first I was so nervous, because I was very late (as usual) on the first day of shooting, but it all turned out ok, and the second day, we knocked it out of the park! My favorite thing about working on their projects is how much fun we all have. I instantly felt like part of the group, which is rare for me. Nothing ever felt like it was too serious, meaning that we could laugh and joke around between takes and have a great time, and when it came time to get stuff done, we all got down to business. It was a great balance between work and play which is something you don’t find very often. I also always feel like I step up my game each time I get to act for these people; the amazing characters make it very easy! I especially like playing Rachel because she’s so different from me, and there was also a lot that wasn’t in the script so I got to play around with it and really make it my own. I can only hope that it came across on camera!

And of course, I can’t mention a Slasher Studios production without bringing up the gore. Popularity Killer was the first time I got to die on camera, and I was very nervous and felt that it showed. This time though, I got to step it up a notch. I love the really bloody scenes and although it was a bit awkward to have Steve duct tape tubes of blood to the back of my neck (not to mention the pressure of having to get it right in only one take), it really turned out to be a lot of fun! There are not many people who I would lie face down on the floor in a puddle of blood for, but for these guys, I would do it no question! Even getting blood in my eye (and up my nose and in my mouth… and everywhere else) was very worth it because I know it will be an awesome finished product! I would expect no less from these guys!

Wow, this is getting a little long, but that just goes to show how much I truly love Slasher Studios, not only the work they do, but the people that do it. It was amazing to be involved on this project. Thanks so much for having me, and I really hope to continue to be involved in the future!

–Hannah Herdt

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Horror Sequels We Love: “Friday the 13th Part IV: Jason Lives”

Slasher StudiosFriday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

Here is another first for, shortly after seeing Nightmare 4, I had heard about Jason, mainly through the name Friday the 13th, since by 1988 it had turned into a TV Series. I was flipping through the channels and saw this on TV, forget the channel, but I remember noticing Thom Matthews from Return of the Living Dead and than a reanimated corpse named Jason. I have loved the franchise since, from its gory nature to the attempts it makes at telling a story in a couple films.

The other reason I note this film over the others(which I may get too later)is that this begins a new era in the franchise, its a misconception that Jason is an immortal killer since the beginning, when he didn’t actually drown, the killer from part 2-4 was in fact a living psychopath, this film introduces him as a being with supernatural elements, such as rising from the grave and not easily defeated. Also we get Tom McCloughlin’s blend of comedy and horror, which is always fun, if done right (see Seed of Chucky to know what NOT to do).

Like Nightmare 4, this was when the franchise became a parody of itself, once again showcasing an amazing soundtrack, led by Freddy’s stepfather himself Alice Cooper with “He’s Back(The Man Behind the Mask)” a cool ass video with it(which I’m still pissed hasn’t been released on DVD, but hey its on my Ipod)and an opening title scene references another great franchise, Voorhees, Jason Voorhees.

The characters in this film are what you expect, they are mainly just here to die, however, we do get a bit of a twist, the crazy and wild child is a survivor and the caring and good teen is not one(if you haven’t seen it, you’ll see). Tommy Jarvis and Megan are a great combo, having not seen any other films the first time I saw this, I had no prior knowledge of Feldman or the Jarvis character, but Thom Matthews does a great job with playing the hero role.

The effects are cool too, I really miss the practical effects the 80’s and before gave us, the CGI really doesn’t add anything to it, except maybe a bigger budget. CJ Graham isn’t a bad Jason either, I know the thing people don’t realize is that, while a stunt man playing a role mainly consisting of walking and killing isn’t that hard, giving the character a personality is, Kane Hodder has done the best, with Ted White (Part 4)and Derek Mears(Remake)coming behind him, CJ is definitely part of the top 5 and while this isn’t the best sequel, its still part of the top 3.

—Eric Curto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u7H6Rk_59M

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Horror Sequels We Love: “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master”

Slasher Studios*Great Horror

I will say this, I don’t think this is the best of the series, so before you say “WTH WHY IS THIS POSTED BEFORE SO AND SO. ” The reason I am posting this is for one simple reason, this was my first exposure to horror, I wasn’t scared when I saw this, but I knew it was wrong to watch(I was like 6 years old). I can remember sitting down one night, my mother having gone out and a babysitter watching me and my sister and baby brother and suddenly WPIX (my channel 11)airing this, grant it it wasn’t unedited and many of the cool FX scenes were taken out, but when I saw Freddy stalking and toying with his victims I remember loving it, now it may sound sick that I got joy from it, especially since those who know me, call me a goody good, bu I loved the idea of him basically teasing those he was about to kill and than to see Alice kicking his ass like she was Bruce Lee (I loved Enter the Dragon already )was fucking awesome.

I still love this film, its definitely the pop star of the franchise as it had a killer soundtrack and was made to capitalize on the franchises fame it had recently garnered. Tuesday Knight, Lisa E. Wilcox, Robert Englund and the rest of the cast were amazing in the film.

The writers, although, there were script problem, still managed to get out a somewhat cohesive story and let you care for the people. Of course, the scene that comes to mind, aside from the kick ass ending was the roach motel and the movie theater scenes, the scenes are played so well, from a pop/R&B death scene to a tense scene between the heroine and killer.

Alice Johnson is played very well by Lisa Wilcox, who really comes into the role, its a shame that her character, while still strong is easily “defeated” in the fifth film and needs to be rescued in a sense, although, I guess you can say the same for the Dream Warriors who die so easily in this film. While I do know Patricia Arquette is usually peoples favorite Kristen, Tuesday was my first Kristen and played the character strong and assertive, Patricia’s Kristen is whiny, even after Nancy appears, while she does grow later on in the 3rd film, she still cries a lot(I guess if I were chased in my dreams by a killer, I’d cry too), but Tuesday plays a more developed character, someone who is taking responsibility for her gift/curse, its sad to see her character go. Its even more upsetting when the back of the VHS and DVD’s reads that Freddy is going up against Kristen, when she is not the main hero against him.

Robert is of course incredible as always and makes you really get into the character, especially for a first timer like I was. Its an easy film to get into, if your mind is open to this type of entertainment(its hard when your father, who you live with can’t stand horror and thinks its a waste of time).

–Eric Curto

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The Best of the Best Slashers: “Halloween” (1978) Review

Slasher StudiosHalloween (1978)

The film starts out on Halloween 1963 when an unseen person sneaks into the home of a young teenage girl. The stranger puts on a clown mask and proceeds to the teen’s room and stabs her to death. When the stranger leaves the house, we see a car pull up and a man pulls the mask off revealing 6-year-old Michael Myers, who has just brutally murdered his sister. 15 years later Michael escapes Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and returns to his home town of Haddonfield, Illinois. It is here where we meet Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), and her friends Annie (Nancy Loomis), and Lynda (PJ Soles). Throughout the day we see Michael stalking Laurie and her friends, even to the home where Laurie is babysitting. During this time, Michael’s doctor Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasance), is hot on the trail, along with Annie’s dad Leigh Brackett (Charles Cyphers), to stop Michael once and for all before the three girls discover the real trick this Halloween will be to stay alive.

Right from the opening credits of the movie, it gives a clear sign this movie will be suspenseful. To this today, the famous score for Halloween still gives me the chills. In my eyes, Halloween is the perfect horror film. We are given characters that we get to know pretty well before they bite it. It’s also a movie where it relies completely on suspense rather than blood, gore, and an over abundance of jump scares. It gives us a fear of the unknown and tops it off with an actually creepy score. In horror films today, that is either rare to non-existent to find. Hands down the creepiest scene in the movie and maybe even of all horror movies is when Laurie has just discovered 3 dead bodies and is crying in front of a dark doorway. Suddenly the figure of Michael slowly emerges from the darkness with the eerie score playing the background.

I could go on and on about this amazing film, but that would take quite a bit of space. As far as it’s sequels, I, for the most part enjoyed them. However, I thought Part 6 sucked, and I have no interest in seeing the third. Rob Zombie’s versions, I also find very good and well-done, but does not compare to the original and it’s greatness.

–Cody Landman

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Tim’s Slasher Tweet Reviews: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2” (1986)

Slasher Studios*Slasher Tweet Review

Our resident Twitter reviewer Tim Schilling is back with another slasher review, this one for the underappreciated sequel “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.” The first one was a huge hit with both horror fans and critics alike receiving rave reviews and huge box office ($30 million on a budget of less than $1 million is pretty damn impressive). Will the dark comedy of the sequel sit well with Tim or will he “buzz” it to shreds?

Thoughts before the film:
I watched The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for the first time (don’t judge) a few weeks ago & LOVED it, I hope #TheTexasChainsawMassacre2 holds up!

Thoughts while watching:
0:02 Why did I not know Tom Savini did the makeup for this!? I love him.
0:03 So far, I’m diggin this music. A lot.
0:06 I have a feeling… That these guys are gonna die.
0:10 This bridge is pretty damn long.
0:19 That chili looks terrifying.
0:19 …and there was a tooth in it.
0:24 I’m not sure if the guy selling the chainsaws was scared or getting turned on by the cop…
0:36 This guy in the radio station is seriously freaking me out. Why is he lighting the hanger!?
0:36 Is he one of the brothers from the first movie? I can’t remember.
0:37 Never mind. I always answer my own question.
0:46 Hey stupid bitch, you’ve had like ten minutes to run away now.
0:48 This girl must have watched a lot of horror movies. She knew that if she called the cops, they would do nothing.
1:02 No way is he still alive. He got beat with a hammer, his face ripped off and most of his skin ripped off. Bs.
1:19 How is grandpa still alive!?
1:26 That chicken shit burrito man!
1:29 Why is Bill Moseley so good in this movie?
1:31 No Leatherface. You have a chainsaw in your stomach. You can’t fight anymore.

Overall:
#TexasChainsawMassacre2 had a very different feel from the first one but in this case it worked. It was creepy, funny & I liked the story a lot. I also thought it was shot very well, like the first. I liked the lighting and the sets were really cool.

To follow Tim on twitter: https://twitter.com/schillingt
To follow Slasher Studios on twitter: https://twitter.com/slasherstudios

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A Look Back on the Filming of “Blood Brothers”

Slasher Studios*Blood Brothers

As many of you know, we just finished filming our latest short film BLOOD BROTHERS. BLOOD BROTHERS tells the tell of two brothers who are reunited after many years when a hostage situation goes terribly wrong. I will be completely honest with you horror fans and tell you that preproduction on the film was a mess. A huge mess. How big of a mess, you ask? Well, it went through 19 rewrites—no that is not an exaggeration–a loss of a major location, and a lack of behind the scenes support. One week before filming, we had no location, no sound person, and no one to do makeup. Going into the production, I was stressed. Being a producer, a lot rides on you. A production can only go smoothly if everything is put into place for the actors, director, and crew. I felt as though I had failed. Everything that I tried to plan out went crashing before my eyes. Ahh..the joys of working in independent film.

With a lot of work and a final rewrite done hours before the production was to be filmed, we were ready to go. Thanks to Kyle Conn, who graciously stepped in to do some excellent FX makeup and sound, we were ready behind the scenes. Steve Goltz and I watched and waited to see how everything would turn out and IF it would turn out at all. After three days of filming, I can safely say that it was by far and away the smoothest film set that I have ever been a part of. I’m not going to lie to you and say that we didn’t have any hiccups here for there. Let’s just say that filming in a garage in the middle of summer with film lights is not exactly the most “relaxing” set that I have ever been on but we powered through it.

I have so many people to thank for making this film what I think it will be…our best short film to date. Daniel Delaye, we couldn’t have done it without you and your expertise as Director of Photography. You made the script come to life in ways that I never thought possible. A big thank you to Matty Dorschner and Mike Goltz for playing one wicked brother team. You guys were fearless and up for anything and the film is all the better for it. Another big thank you to Hannah Jaye and Hannah Herdt for playing Lindsay and Rachel. One sweet and innocent, the other doing anything to get another heroin fix. Both playing their respective roles perfectly.

The last thank you that I want to give is to my producing partner Steve Goltz. Without you, this film could have NEVER have been made. Your last minute creative ideas regarding the gore effects is what will have audiences talking for weeks. Basically, this is a love letter to everyone who worked on this film. This film is as much yours as it is mine. It was an honor working with you all and thank you for making my script come to life.

—Kevin Sommerfield

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Tim’s Slasher Tweet Reviews: “Urban Legend” (1998)

Slasher Studios*Slasher Tweet Review

After a week of working on the Slasher Studios short film Blood Brothers (more news as well as pics on this in a bit), we are back with a brand new Slasher Studios tweet by tweet review from the one and only Tim Schilling. Today Tim is taking a look at the 1998 slasher “Urban Legend.” The film preformed moderately at the box office ($38 million on a $15 million budget) but has been seemingly forgotten by horror fans. How does this little slasher flick hold up 14 years later?

Thoughts before the film:
I actually haven’t see this movie yet. I liked the sequel, so I’m assuming I’ll like this one? #UrbanLegend

Thoughts while watching:
0:01 How did I not know that many people were in this movie!?
0:08 The legend this first kill was based off of always scares the crap outta me and always has. I have no idea why.
0:16 What kind of college do I gotta go to to take a class about urban legends?
0:20 They actually made that seem like he was gonna blow up instead of making it obvious that it was faked.
0:27 Never trust a guy with bleached hair.
0:31 What legend was Damon’s kill based off of?
0:40 What a stupid hoe. You can’t tell that someone is getting strangled 10 feet from you?
0:50 This movie reminds me a lot of Scream for some reason. Anyone else get that feeling too?
1:04 This school has an abnormally large amount of goths.
1:07 Fuck you, the dog did nothing. I hate when movies kill animals just to shock you
1:12 Can’t tell if Tera Reid is annoying or actually good in this movie…
1:16 How you gon explain that dead body in your car dude.
1:29 They said the titles they said the title!
1:30 Not really feeling the motive behind all the killings.
1:32 Honestly, this movie is just like Scream.

Overall:
#UrbanLegend had a great story that was actually very interesting and smart, similar to Scream. And kind of creepy some points.

To follow Tim on twitter: https://twitter.com/schillingt
To follow Slasher Studios on twitter: https://twitter.com/slasherstudios

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Worst Horror Sequels: “The Final Destination” (2009)

Slasher Studios*Bad Horror

When it comes to bad movies, I really can’t think of too many that are just terrible movies period because I find most movies enjoyable so I am going to go with a movie that can be considered “so bad, it’s good”.

The fourth film in the series, The Final Destination was supposed to be the finally film in the franchise. But I could say that I am happy they made “Final Destination 5” in 2011 because “The Final Destination” turned out so weak compared to the other films in the series.

The plot is simple because every film overall in the franchise has the same idea about “Death” going after, and killing each person off who survived a terrible accident in the beginning, and you have the “lead” character in every film who could could see when “Death” was around and how a person was going to die. But this film opens with a Race-car track accident, and some survivors making it out alive till “Death” comes after them.

“The Final Destination” was released in August 2009, which was the same weekend that “Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2” came out as well. Of course I passed on “The Final Destination” to see “Halloween 2”, and I was happy I waited till I got the film on Blu-ray because overall it is a mess of a film, and the weakest film in the franchise. I feel that this film just missed what the other films brought in so many ways. First, I dislike a lot of these characters in this film ,besides the lead actor and lead actress, because you really don’t care for any of them, and when they meet their deaths you really don’t feel sorry for them. Second, the script is just a mess because this film really doesn’t focus on story and just focuses on the deaths. Even when you are leading up to someone’s death, it just tries to hard to make the audience think on how this person is going to die.

The story is weak, and I just feel overall the story was a mess. Third, when it comes to the kills in the film they aren’t too special. The opening scene, and one death involving an escalator are the only ones I really like. Fourth, the director is one of my problems because he did a great job with “Final Destination 2” then he went on to direct this weak film in the franchise. At times, it just felt like he didn’t care about the film compared to Part 2. Now, there are a lot of reasons why “The Final Destination” is a mess. But besides that, I have it on Blu-ray, and it is a fun “popcorn flick”. It’s enjoyable, and fun to watch. But in the end, it’s nothing special. In 2011, I was so happy with “Final Destination 5”, and I am so happy they went with a fresh director, writers, crew, and story. Now that is a perfect way to end the series.

–Justin Rhine

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Worst Horror Movies Ever Made: “Rise of the Animals” (2011)

Slasher StudiosRise of the Animals

I recently had the pleasure of seeing this movie several weeks ago. I recommend it to all of you bad horror lovers out there. It’s bottom of the barrel trash in every way. The “animals” are basically stuffed animals (those are the best) or very badly computerized effects. The acting is terrible, the characters are stupid, the dialogue is painful, and the comedy is so unfunny that it’s funny (the music is also delightful- not necessarily bad- just very weird and silly).

I think the thing I love the most about this movie is the gore effects- which at one point are seemingly just buckets upon buckets of fake blood being thrown on scene by people standing off to the sides. It’s fantastic. It’s hard for me to watch extremely gory movies, but this? I could watch it all day. There is a scene with a mad horse galloping around with half of a torso on it’s saddle, blood spurting everywhere. Need I say more?

I love these kids for what they created. It is a pleasure. Below is a link for the teaser trailer, since I chose a pretty obscure (albeit AWESOME) photo shot from the movie to accompany my review. The guy in the picture caught a full bucket for that shot.

—Catherine Kincannon

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Terrifically Troma: “Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV” (2000) Review

Slasher StudiosCitizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV

I love the Toxic Avenger franchise, each one of them deserves this spot as well as a few other Troma Films(Terror Firmer, SGT Kabukiman NYPD and more), but I thought I’d mention this one cause it really is the best of the sequels as well as my personal favorite.

The film starts off letting you know that the studio heard how everyone freaked on the 2nd and 3rd films and uses Stan “The Man” Lee give a monologue of apology simply stating “Sorry about that, this is REAL sequel” that is the best opening. Now if you are aware of these films you know nothing makes sense and everything is so overly exaggerated that you can’t take it seriously. However, this film seemed different to me, I mean we still have the absurdness, the exaggeration and more, but its feels like they took even more care in making the film, anyone who has gotten this on DVD, you might have noticed an entire disc devoted to the making of this film, so we see all the hell they go through and unlike Hollywood films we don’t get a bunch of happy faces and constant praise, its all business and truth and you gotta respect the Troma team for that.

This film plays very much like a comic, with Toxie being blown into an alternate universe where he is known as the Noxic Offender and his evil counterpart in his world. Its even funnier when see all the characters alternates, including his wife’s alter self being that of the girl from the 2nd and 3rd films and seeing as this is meant to be a bad version, that is telling you how the makers felt about that film.

he effects in the film are pretty great for such a low budget, no matter how much money a film makes Troma has always made sure to stick to a budget as not to be Hollywood and thinking money will solve everything(however the budget was slightly higher, but that is ok).

The acting is what you would think it is, crude, lude and at times laughable, to think Hollywood wants to remake it into a big budget film, I mean what would that look like, they are afraid to release R-Rated films nowadays, but to release a film, so X Rated would be impossible, so you know they’d screw it up.

I also like how this film also includes a sequel element to SGT Kabukiman NYPD, it does it in a way that makes you interested in seeing the film, but not making it necessary to have seen it to enjoy. I love the scene where he walks drunk over to Toxie’s girl with a paper slong hanging out, lol.
We get some amazing cameos as well, aside from the Stan Lee voice cameo, we also get some playboy bunnies(at the playboy mansion, along with Hugh Hefner), Ron Jeremy and even Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmeister, who really steals the show, Corey Feldman. There is another cameo that I won’t ruin for anyone, cause its unexpected, but very welcome and funny.

If you love bad films that are great to watch, I’d say do it, but make sure you do it with a crowd, cause its just not the same without others. The film even leaves a nice open ending for a sequel in which is now in the making.

NOTE: Watch the documentary as well, its really good, its title Apocalypse Soon: The Making of Citizen Toxie, which is a parody title for Apocalypse Now, just as the Citizen Toxie is a parody title for Citizen Kane.

–Eric Curto

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