Got a news scoop? Send it now! NEWS HUB December 2004 - ARCHIVED BACK TO CURRENT THE PIT INTERVIEWS DICK WARLOCK The Pit caught up with Dick Warlock recently. Incase you didn't know he played Michael Myers in Halloween II, and is widely regarded as the best man to play the part by many a fan. He was also Kurt Russel's stunt double for most of his career up until "Tango & Cash" and was a Stunt Co-ordinator on movies such as Spielberg's original Jaws, Friday the 13th Part 5, Pumpkinhead and Childsplay II and III to name just a few. Click here to read the interview. Much thanks to Dick for being so courteous. Also be sure to check out Dick's website: www.dickwarlock.com SHOCKING XMAS SLASHER “SLAY BELLS” FLICK TO OPEN IN L.A. CHRISTMAS EVE “Heading out for the holidays” Takes On New Meaning LOS ANGELES, December 15, — Black Watch Cinema announced today that “Murder-Set-Pieces” will open at The Vine Theatre at 6321 Hollywood Blvd (near Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood) on Christmas Eve, followed by a January 7 opening at New York City’s prestigious Cinema Village East. Having premiered internationally at the Sitges International Film Festival in Barcelona, Spain in December—the world’s oldest and leading horror-and-thriller film festival--“Murder-Set-Pieces” is from director Nick Palumbo (“Nutbag”) and holds the distinction of being the only film rejected for processing by the trifecta of Tinseltown labs: Technicolor, DuArt and Deluxe. The highly eroticized story of a homicidal fashion photographer, critic Heidi Martinuzzi of the respected Film Threat Magazine says, “”Murder-Set-Pieces’ is so much more violent and so much better than anything I’ve seen before in this genre. I can not stress how shocking and unsettling (it) is and how terribly moved I was…”. Filmed in Las Vegas, Palumbo was not only able to cast and direct real Vegas showgirls, strippers and prostitutes --- all of whom meet grizzly gore-spilling ends --- but such horror genre stars as Tony Todd (“Candyman”), Gunnar Hansen and Ed Neal (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”) and Cerina Vincent (“Cabin Fever”). Sven Garrett stars as The Photographer, perpetrator of the series of monstrous and erotic murders that sweeps through Sin City. Appropiately, special effects for the film were provided by Toe Tag Productions. “Murder-Set-Pieces” is a Blackwatch Cinema release of a Fright Flix Productions, executive produced by Thomas Quinlin and Erlich Livingston. View Film Clip Source: Murder Set Pieces FREAK OUT GETS DISTRO At long last the independent Brit horror comedy, "Freak Out" has secured a distribution deal, and with none other than Anchor Bay Entertainment, the official press release is below: Cult indie comedy-horror ‘FREAK OUT’ has finally gained: DISTRIBUTION. Anchor Bay Entertainment UK and Anchor Bay Entertainment USA have acquired the film for a Spring 2005 DVD release, simultaneously in the UK, US and Canada. The disc promises to boast a wealth of bonus-features as well as a remastered version of the film itself. The film is no stranger to horror-movie fans in the UK and USA as it has been causing quite a stir when shown at conventions, genre festivals and college tours, (including Montreal’s FanTasia Festival, Manchester’s Festival Of Fantastic Films and The Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival where the movie won an award). ‘Freak Out’ has received unanimously stellar reviews from almost every established genre movie website and fanzine. Amongst it’s supporters the film can count acclaimed director Mick Garris as one of it’s fans; ‘a wild, woolly sledgehammer to the face of Hollywood conformity!’ declared Mick. ‘Astoundingly funny!’ says Film Threat. ‘I loved every minute’ cries BBC Radio 1. A bizarre achievement when you consider the lowly roots from where the film began. It’s been almost 4 years since the camera started rolling on ‘Freak Out’. The film was shot in Southern England. It was shot on 16mm film. The passage of time from beginning to completion was lengthy as shooting only took place when money was in the bank, when money ran out, shooting halted until further investment could be found and so on. ‘Freak Out’ is the brainchild of Beyond Therapy Entertainment who primarily consist of threesome Christian James, Dan Palmer and Yazz Fetto. ‘Freak Out’ was written by James and Palmer, it was directed by James and stars both Palmer and Fetto. The entire cast and crew were all first time filmmakers with no industry contacts whatsoever. With a heady cocktail of ambition and naivety they just got on with making their fast paced, ludicrous movie which appeals to both comedy and horror nuts alike. “I think I speak for everyone who had anything to do with ‘Freak Out’ when I say we are totally erect…I mean…ecstatic about Anchor Bay picking up the movie” says Dan Palmer. “Anchor Bay couldn’t be better for ‘Freak Out’” director Christian James stated “they are the Rolls Royce of horror movie distributors, with the likes of ‘The Evil Dead’, ‘Bad Taste’, ‘Halloween’ and ‘Dawn Of The Dead’ they obviously KNOW their horror. But they have also corned the cult market with movies such as ‘Withnail and I’ and ‘Heathers’”. ‘Freak Out’ was initially discovered and brought to the attention of Anchor Bay Big-Cheese; Mo Claridge by Martin Myers, son of acclaimed producer MICHAEL Myers, the man who launched ‘Assault On Precinct 13’. John Carpenter named the now legendary ‘Halloween’ maniac after the man who kick-started his career! A strange turn of events when considering that ‘Freak Out’ was greatly inspired by Carpenter’s work. “This year alone we have travelled thousands of miles” explains Yazz Fetto “to festivals such as FanTasia in Montreal to Cannes and all over England taking ‘Freak Out’ to university campuses and getting an amazing student response to the movie. It may not sound it, but at times it was pretty tough going and news like this has made every journey worth it.” To view all of ‘Freak Out’ 23 stunning reviews, please follow the link below: Freak Out News A PORNO / HORROR MOVIE? A Spine Tingling Horror Film Dares to Embody Sex and Death on the Same Screen San Diego, California (November 15, 2004) - Steel Web Studios is pleased to announce that production has begun on the erotic and macabre tale of "Slaughter Disc". Mike loves porn. Unfortunately he is blinded by his addiction to XXX entertainment as it slowly eats away at every aspect of his life. One day a mysterious DVD arrives in the mail featuring a beautiful, gothic woman (Caroline Pierce, The Fashionistas). As the DVD plays, the body count starts to grow and Mike quickly realizes there is a much darker side to the world of adult entertainment. "Most of the people who have read the script admitted that it freaked them out or gave them nightmares, then they turn around and tell me it's one of the coolest things they've ever read - even people who hate porn," said Writer/Director David Quitmeyer. "I take that as a compliment since this feature is first and foremost a serious horror film. I want it to scare the hell out of you." Slaughter Disc is scheduled for direct to DVD release in early 2005. The Ultimate Director's Cut will be loaded with disturbing scenes of un-rated gore and XXX hardcore sex, plus bonus features such as a "behind the scenes" documentary, outtakes and a few surprises for those who are clever enough to find them. Curious individuals may log onto www.slaughterdisc.com, if they dare… Source: David @ Steel Web Studios CHRIS DURAND DID NOT SUCK AS MYERS! After much debate on Guts and Gory, I decided I would publish an article to the Pit in regards to Chris Durand and his stellar performance as Michael Myers in Halloween: H20, how I see it. Click here to read more... DEAD HORSE PRODUCTIONS PROVE INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING IS BLOOD DEEP The Filmmkaers of BLOOD DEEP are Small Fish in Universal Studios’ Big Pond FOR AFM 2004: LONG BEACH, CA (October 13, 2004)—Dead Horse Productions—a virtually unknown name in motion picture production—announced today that they are nearing completion of principal photography on their first feature length motion picture suspense-thriller, BLOOD DEEP. BLOOD DEEP is currently seeking U.S and international distribution. BLOOD DEEP is a 35 mm feature length suspense thriller about a childhood reunion of friends that turns deadly when one of the guests unwittingly admits to murder. A continuing student at the American Film Institute, and an alumn of California State University at Long Beach, Todd Kniss found a friend in Terri Melkonian, Universal Studios Production Services Representative, also a CSULB graduate. Melkonian was able to secure a shooting location on the Universal Studios lot at an affordable price that also included prop and equipment rentals. “In search of our main location, and running out of affordable options, we came to Universal Studios expecting to be turned down. With little more than a pipe dream and a handful of change in our pocket, our movie was looking for a handout,” says Director and Producer Todd Kniss. BLOOD DEEP is being filmed at the “Chicken Ranch,” an old Victorian style home most recognized as the The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, starring Dolly Parton, BLOOD DEEP is a more than ambitious first film for new filmmakers Todd Kniss, Katherine M. Kniss, and their partner, and CSULB classmate, Brian Gork. “We didn’t want to remake Clerks,” commented Gork. The group will film over 300 scenes in 29 days on a physical budget of less than $75K. They will film extensive underwater and stunt scenes with a principal cast of over a dozen. “Universal Studios really opened a door of opportunity to us. Our production value has increased tremendously, and we’re receiving great exposure,” notes Katherine Kniss, Executive Producer. Several more hands have since reached out to the group offering services in the form of camera rentals to catering at discounted rates. Sterling Tech Services based in Garden Grove, offered the group a generous 50% off rate for the rental of their grip and electric equipment. A sister company to the more well-known industry provider ACDC lighting in Los Angeles, Sterling Tech Services provides discounts to film students of southern California and independent film companies with limited budgets. “Looking out for the little guy—that’s good business,” said Wil Fabrizio, Sales Associate, Sterling Tech Services. BLOOD DEEP stars Gerald Hopkins (“General Hospital”), Jeridan Frye (“Sex in the City,” Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills), Femi Emiola (The Living Silence, ABC’s “The Practice”), Bo Foxworth (Summer Dreams: The Story of the Beach Boys), Cameron Zeidler, Jordan Belfi (HBO’s “Entourage”) Amy Christine ( The Mortuary), and Ben McCain (“Lois & Clark,” “Black Scorpion”), with Peter Onorati (“Sex in the City,” Goodfellas), Wendy Kaplan (Halloween 5, “The Guiding Light”), Wendy Braun (Paparazzi), Kim Delgado (Life as a House), and Suzy McCoppin (Undefeated, “Entourage”). About BLOOD DEEP A reunion of childhood friends turns deadly when one of the guests unwittingly admits to murder. In 1985 a missing boy’s charred remains are found in a vacant field. Nineteen years later a gathering of old friends reveals a deadly secret behind the teenager’s disappearance. Katie Spencer returns to her estranged hometown for the first time since leaving for college, fifteen years earlier. Bequeathed her recently deceased Grandmother’s estate Katie is soon overwhelmed with nostalgia and childhood friends. In attendance are Cal, who still carries a flame for Katie, although he is recently married to Allison; Sean and Jacob, brothers who have suddenly, and tragically, inherited an enormous family fortune; Wil, a long time suitor of Katie’s; and Katie’s best friend, Robin, who brings along college roommate Eliza, a psychology student trained in hypnosis. Eliza’s talents soon become the life of the party, but, while under hypnosis, one of the guests unwittingly confesses to murder. Before the night is over the killing will begin again. About Dead Horse Productions Headquartered in Long Beach, CA, Dead Horse Productions is an independent production company producing original material for television, film and video distribution. DHP is a full service production company providing everything a filmmaker needs from pre-production to post. DHP is dedicated to helping student, novice, and independent filmmakers create masterpieces in light and sound. Founded in 2003, DHP is owned and operated by a partnership group made up of an eclectic assemblage of talents in screenwriting, directing, cinematography and producing. The original material comes from in-house writers and outside submissions to the company. For further information, or to see a clip from their upcoming film BLOOD DEEP, please visit the company’s website at www.DeadHorseProductions.com Source: Katherine @ Dead Horse Productions CONTEST UPDATES As you know already, the Pit has been running a helluva lot of DVD contests and such over the past few months. Just to give a little something back to the loyal regulars of the website and messageboard. We will have two new contests ready to go this week including the opportunity to win the new Shaun of the Dead DVD (this contest is now ready). So stay tuned for that the "Dawn of the Dead" and "Unspeakable" contests will continue to run for now so hurry up and enter! In the meantime here are the winners of the other contests we have been running for a month or so: Species 3 DVD (Special Edition) Cody Hamman Spencer Gray (johnjaspers666) Residential Evil Daniel Gray (420) Saw CD Soundtrack Serial Killer 2000 Daniel Gray (420) Residential Evil Dave Bauer Seed of Chucky (Get a Load of Chucky) T-Shirts Dave Bauer Serial Killer 2000 Daniel Gray Endochrist (Uber) Residential Evil Ben Carlin (you rock dude) Van Helsing DVD (Special Edition) Kristie (lillolitahaze) Thanks to all who entered! Got a news scoop? Send it now!