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Post by petrolino on May 11, 2019 0:00:01 GMT
My favourite American independent filmmakers who are also prolific film producers are Roger Corman and Charles Band. In general, I'm interested to learn about any independent film producer who can amass an output like theirs' today, and the best contender I know of from the last 19 years would probably be Michael Raso. Active since the 1990s, Raso's produced movies for several leading indie horror filmmakers in the last 10 years, but the majority of his productions were greenlit in the 2000s through his own film production units and media distribution labels. In this regard, he was most heavily active in the 2000s. In the 2010s, he's often served as an executive producer, helping young filmmakers secure staff, resources and financial backing. Factory 2000 began releasing distinctly grungy horror product in 1998. Raso also established the Seduction Cinema label around this time, providing the horror community with a lighter comic alternative to Charles Band's slick, cable-orientated Surrender Cinema label which specialised in the creation of polished, assembly-line horror erotica. Factory 2000 and Seduction Cinema originated from either New Jersey or New York, but sensibly retained a foot in both states. Raso himself is from Jersey City, New Jersey.
I get a little confused by the different monikers used by Raso but I think E.I. Independent Cinema became the name of the actual film production company going forward, effectively superseding Factory 2000. Either way, there's overlap here, and Raso's tried out other brand monikers too. The central filmmaking unit at Factory 2000 / E.I. Independent Cinema consisted of John Bacchus, Johnny Crash, Ted Crestview, William Hellfire, Pete Jacelone, Tony Marsiglia and Terry West. During this fertile period, other prominent horror directors worked in conjunction with this unit, actors like John Paul Fedele and technicians like George Freeway were given opportunities to direct, and E.I. Independent Cinema provided a home away from home for veteran independent horror filmmaker Brett Piper, a special effects wizard from New Hampshire. The company also sponsored new kid on the block Brion Rockwell.
Michael Raso
Do you enjoy any of their movies?
Thanks.
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Post by petrolino on May 18, 2019 14:51:34 GMT
Staff Directors
John Bacchus
I'm not sure how the ball got rolling for Seduction Pictures and their associates, but John Bacchus' underground favourite 'Girl Explores Girl : The Alien Encounter' (1998) created a story template which he'd successfully expand upon with the suburban gothic 'Mistress Frankenstein' (2000). Bacchus was the comedian in the fold and the man who fired the engine room. He inaugurated the 'Erotic Witch Project' franchise which became the most successful series in E.I. Independent's history (~ Bacchus directed parts 1, 2 & 4, with Terry West [*] directing part 3).
Bacchus recently returned with the cosmic spoof 'Bravengers : Age Of Buldgetron' (2017) but this wasn't released through E. I. Independent. This leads me to presume the production label has now been officially retired.
'The Erotic Witch Project' (2000) / 'Erotic Witch Project 2 : Book Of Seduction' (2000) / 'Witchbabe : The Erotic Witch Project 3' (2001 *) / 'Lust In Space : The Erotic Witch Project 4' (2005)
'Play-Mate Of The Apes' (2002)
'Vampire Vixens' (2003)
Misty Mundae
'Summer Sun' - Baby Shakes
William Hellfire
William Hellfire was the label's east coast provocateur, crafting edgy basement pictures detailing horrific crimes, often with an accent upon kink and fetish. Like most of the directors involved, I believe he filmed predominantly in New Jersey and New York. I've not seen his supernatural drama 'Upsidedown Cross' (2014) which is highly regarded by some horror fans.
'Cannibal Doctor' (1999) / 'Dinner For Two' (2000)
'Flesh For Olivia' (2002) 'Silk Stocking Strangler' (2002) 'Orgasm Torture In Satan's Rape Clinic' (2004) 'Bikini Girls On Dinosaur Planet' (2005)
'The Devil's Bloody Playthings' (2005)
'An Erotic Werewolf In London' (2006)
Ruby Larocca & Shawn C. Phillips
Terry M. West
Terry West's pictures at E.I. Independent received the most critical acclaim, particularly the outrageous supernatural mystery 'Flesh For The Beast' (2003) which has become something of a cult favourite. His movies are witty, literate and entertaining. West's originally from Texas.
'Satan's School For Lust' (2002)
'Flesh For The Beast' (2003)
'The Lord Of The G-Strings : The Femaleship Of The String' (2003)
Darian Caine
Tony Marsiglia
Enter the freak studio stylist, Tony Marsiglia, who raised the label's artistic credentials to new heights. His films are intelligent and inquisitive, they look incredibly beautiful and he can definitely stretch a dollar further than most.
'Dr. Jekyll & Mistress Hyde' (2003) 'Lust For Dracula' (2003)
'The Witches Of Sappho Salon' (2003)
Ruby Larocca, Linnea Quigley & Victor Bonacore pictured at the Alternative Cinema podcast co-hosted by Michael Raso (who took the photo) - Quigley was invited to be guest host of Alternative Cinema's 'Chainsaw Kiss' event
Johnny Crash
You have to let the in-house editor direct at some point, it's practically horror cinema tradition ("let the drummer have some"). Johnny Crash served Michael Raso well and he made some fun pictures. I really like his colourful comedy spoof 'That '70s Girl' (2004) which boasts a killer psychedelic folk soundtrack.
'Spiderbabe' (2003)
The Gun Girls
Top 5 One-Hit Wonders
'Night Of The Groping Dead' (2001 - Rich Hillen) 'Mummy Raider' (2002 - Brian Paulin)
'Skin Crawl' (2007 - Justin Wingenfeld) 'Blood And Sex Nightmare' (2008 - Joseph R. Kolbek) 'Fire In Her Bed' (2009 - Brion Rockwell)
Suzi Lorraine
'Haunted House' - Sir Babygirl
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Post by FridayOnElmStreet on May 22, 2019 5:04:11 GMT
Been a fan for years!
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Post by petrolino on May 25, 2019 13:42:49 GMT
That's awesome. Got any particular favourites? Anything you feel stands out from the pack?
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Post by FridayOnElmStreet on May 25, 2019 20:51:59 GMT
That's awesome. Got any particular favourites? Anything you feel stands out from the pack?
Skin Crawl Shock-O-Rama Santa Claws Psycho Sisters The Lost Child (Short Film)
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Post by petrolino on May 25, 2019 20:54:46 GMT
That's awesome. Got any particular favourites? Anything you feel stands out from the pack?
Skin Crawl Shock-O-Rama Santa Claws Psycho Sisters The Lost Child (Short Film)
I don't think I ever met (or talked to) anybody before who's seen 'Santa Claws'. Back when I used to buy every edition of John Russo's 'Scream Queens Illustrated' magazine, I remember they pushed that film in the back pages towards the end of publication.
I like 'Psycho Sisters' too.
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Post by petrolino on May 25, 2019 23:18:56 GMT
Connected Directors
Pete Jacelone
Pete Jacelone co-produced some of the films distributed by Factory 2000 in the early days. At the same time, he was directing his own features in New Jersey. He left the company after 8 years of service to start his own production and distribution unit. He named it Screamkings Productions. This was a reasonably successful venture for those concerned.
'Psycho Sisters' (1998) 'Sculpture' (2009)
J.J North & Theresa Lynn
'Seventeen' - Sharon Van Etten
Alex Pucci
The two directors driving Screamkings Productions were Pete Jacelone and Alex Pucci who had some backstage involvement in Jacelone's work for Seduction Cinema. As the name suggests, Screamkings aimed to bring homoerotic content to horror cinema. The company rivalled David DeCoteau's indie juggernaut Rapid Heart Pictures for a brief moment in time, but nobody could compete with DeCoteau when it came to showcasing muscle men in their underwear. Pucci shot much of his screen work in New England before retiring in 2013, though he did maintain artistic sidelines in New York and New Jersey.
'Frat House Massacre' (2008)
Niki Notarile (aka. Niki Rubin)
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Brett Piper
Brett Piper is an experienced special effects artist who's been making low budget horror films since the 1980s. He found a regular backer for his films in Michael Raso and this led to him gaining employment on other pictures being produced at E.I. Entertainment. He's made some fun movies.
'Drainiac!' (2000) 'Screaming Dead' (2003) 'Bite Me!' (2004)
'Shock-O-Rama' (2005)
Misty Mundae
'These Words' - Lemon Twigs
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Company Performers & Directors (Zoe Moonshine, aka. Cherry Moonshine, worked on the production side)
'Lustful Additction' (2003 - Misty Mundae, aka. Erin Brown)
'Sociopathia' (2015 - Esmerelda Larocca, aka. Ruby Larocca)
Erin Brown meets a fan
Tammy Jean, Ruby Larocca & Asta Paredes attend the after-party for a public screening of 'Sociopathia'
'Tell The World' - Vivian Girls
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Post by Prime etc. on May 25, 2019 23:30:41 GMT
There should be a book on all these "lower tier" filmmakers to assess their cultural impact compared to the bigger players-or even how they stack up against Corman and co. in terms of cultural contribution.
It will probably be years before assessment of the digital wave of horror film can be critically appraised (I suspect there will be a lot that fall into the Larry Buchanan-Al Adamson range more so than an AIP-Hammer-Amicus..).
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Post by petrolino on May 26, 2019 0:01:02 GMT
Associated Directors
Jose Sombra
Freelance filmmaker Jose Sombra was apparently behind the short-lived Power Of 3 Productions which originated in Brooklyn, New York. I've not seen their production 'Apartment Of Erotic Horror' (2006) which utilises some of the same cast and crew members as Sombra's sole horror feature (which is enjoyably creepy).
'Knight Of The Peeper' (2006)
Niki Rubin
Bill Zebub
Bill Zebub is a famous metal dude based in New Jersey who specialises in making horror erotica built around intense theological discussion. His films are performed with a wry smile and laced with satirical content, though physical and emotional bondage are his central themes. I believe Zebub once worked as a magazine editor and hosted radio and television shows dedicated to metal machine music. I read that he was inspired to succeed by the work of legendary Jersey boy David Wojnarowicz who made the experimental horror short ‘Where Evil Dwells’ (1985) in the 1980s.
Now, I must confess I've never seen Zebub's notorious early works which were produced in conjunction with a crucifixion modelling agency. One film is titled 'Jesus Christ Serial Rapist' so it was never going to gain distribution here in the U K (even a homegrown horror director-distributor like Nigel Wingrove can't yet get a horror movie past the conservative British censors if it's deemed to be sacreligious, due to existing blasphemy and obscenity laws which continue to be strongly enforced in 2019). What we did get in the U K was some of Zebub's metal-orientated offerings which are actually remarkably silly. He's his own leading man, performing in the confessional style of Woody Allen, and he comes across as a total nerd (like so many of us!). Zebub has worked with many people connected to Michael Raso's enterprise and he's located in New Jersey, so I believe there's some kind of crossover at work here. He's also become an immensely popular figure at horror conventions.
'Scienceless Fiction' (2014)
'Nightmare On Elmo's Street' (2015)
'Frankenshark' (2016)
Lydia Lael
'Small Victories' - Lemon Twigs
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Post by petrolino on May 26, 2019 12:58:19 GMT
There should be a book on all these "lower tier" filmmakers to assess their cultural impact compared to the bigger players-or even how they stack up against Corman and co. in terms of cultural contribution. It will probably be years before assessment of the digital wave of horror film can be critically appraised (I suspect there will be a lot that fall into the Larry Buchanan-Al Adamson range more so than an AIP-Hammer-Amicus..).
There's a lot of good horror movie review sites that are easily accessible If you read the review sections, you see just how many horror movies are being put into production nowadays. In American alone, there's a staggering amount annually. Globally, I'm guessing the quantity is by now incalculable.
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Post by petrolino on May 27, 2019 1:25:42 GMT
Associated Directors
Donald Farmer
I wish I could say some genuinely positive things about filmmaker Donald Farmer, a veteran on the indie scene who hails from the state of Kansas. He's certainly an important journalist, his research stretching back to the release of Tim Ferrante's 'Drive-In Madness' (1987) and the landmark publication of the book 'Invasion Of The Scream Queens' complete with its accompanying 1992 documentary, and all the way up to the fly-on-the-wall piece 'A Drive With Linnea And Donald' (location date undisclosed). I just feel that Farmer can take a seemingly surefire premise and run it into the ground, examples of this being the underwhelming 'Dorm Of The Dead' (2006) and 'Chainsaw Cheerleaders' (2008). Despite my misgivings, I'd very much like to obtain a copy of 'Hooker With A Hacksaw' (2017) so I can witness the newly discovered archive footage he shot with Linnea Quigley. And to be fair, Farmer has directed one movie I enjoy a great deal, which just so happens to be an early film he shot on location in Paris, France for E.I. Independent.
'An Erotic Vampire In Paris' (2002)
Erin Brown meets a fan
'Dance Apocalyptic' - Janelle Monae
John Niflheim
I honestly have no idea who John Niflheim is, except to say that he's credited with two movies and features performers from the E.I. Independent stable. He's a fetishist like William Hellfire. I've not seen his movie 'Diary Of A Sex Offendor' (2009) which is said to be inspired by inspired by the myth of Persephone's abduction by Hades, but the trailer makes it look like a frantic urban thriller.
'The Sex Merchants' (2011)
Tina Krause
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Sean Weathers
I think Sean Weathers deserves to be mentioned here as he's another hard-working, independent filmmaker who forages across the east coast genre turf patrolled by Michael Raso. Born in Guyana, Weathers is an attention-seeking director-star who loves to photograph his own muscles. His films are pretty outrageous but I find they rarely leave a lasting impression. Like self-proclaimed b-movie king Bill Zebub and genre stalwart Mark Baranowski who was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Weathers sometimes allows his stories to descend into soap opera and he gives the impression he really loves posing for the camera. His controversial horror flick 'Bill Huckstabelle : Serial Rapist' (2015) seems to be stuck in legal limbo so we may never see it. I hope 'The New York Butcher' (2016) receives an official dvd release some time soon as I'm keen to see it.
'Scumbag Hustler' (2014) 'The Fappening' (2015)
Sybelle Silverphoenix
Official poster for 'The New York Butcher'
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Post by lostinlimbo on Jun 3, 2019 1:04:42 GMT
Associated Directors
Donald Farmer
I wish I could say some genuinely positive things about filmmaker Donald Farmer, a veteran on the indie scene who hails from the state of Kansas. He's certainly an important journalist, his research stretching back to the release of Tim Ferrante's 'Drive-In Madness' (1987) and the landmark publication of the book 'Invasion Of The Scream Queens' complete with its accompanying 1992 documentary, and all the way up to the fly-on-the-wall piece 'A Drive With Linnea And Donald' (location date undisclosed). I just feel that Farmer can take a seemingly surefire premise and run it into the ground, examples of this being the underwhelming 'Dorm Of The Dead' (2006) and 'Chainsaw Cheerleaders' (2008). Despite my misgivings, I'd very much like to obtain a copy of 'Hooker With A Hacksaw' (2017) so I can witness the newly discovered archive footage he shot with Linnea Quigley. And to be fair, Farmer has directed one movie I enjoy a great deal, which just so happens to be an early film he shot on location in Paris, France for E.I. Independent.
'An Erotic Vampire In Paris' (2002)
Erin Brown meets a fan
'Dance Apocalyptic' - Janelle Monae
John Niflheim
I honestly have no idea who John Niflheim is, except to say that he's credited with two movies and features performers from the E.I. Independent stable. He's a fetishist like William Hellfire. I've not seen his movie 'Diary Of A Sex Offendor' (2009) which is said to be inspired by inspired by the myth of Persephone's abduction by Hades, but the trailer makes it look like a frantic urban thriller.
'The Sex Merchants' (2011)
Tina Krause
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Sean Weathers
I think Sean Weathers deserves to be mentioned here as he's another hard-working, independent filmmaker who forages across the east coast genre turf patrolled by Michael Raso. Born in Guyana, Weathers is an attention-seeking director-star who loves to photograph his own muscles. His films are pretty outrageous but I find they rarely leave a lasting impression. Like self-proclaimed b-movie king Bill Zebub and genre stalwart Mark Baranowski who was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Weathers sometimes allows his stories to descend into soap opera and he gives the impression he really loves posing for the camera. His controversial horror flick 'Bill Huckstabelle : Serial Rapist' (2015) seems to be stuck in legal limbo so we may never see it. I hope 'The New York Butcher' (2016) receives an official dvd release some time soon as I'm keen to see it.
'Scumbag Hustler' (2014) 'The Fappening' (2015)
Sybelle Silverphoenix
Official poster for 'The New York Butcher'
I’ve seen Farmer’s ‘Dorm of the Dead’, but not ‘Chainsaw Cheerleaders’. Although I do own it. I remember picking it up with another Tiffany Shepis’ film ‘Hoodoo for Voodoo’ (2006). I found ‘Dorm’ to be somewhat a dreary slog to sit through... because of that it kinda made me sit on ‘Chainsaw Cheerleaders’. So it’s disappointing to hear you find both films on the same level.
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Post by petrolino on Jun 8, 2019 13:28:15 GMT
Associated Directors
Donald Farmer
I wish I could say some genuinely positive things about filmmaker Donald Farmer, a veteran on the indie scene who hails from the state of Kansas. He's certainly an important journalist, his research stretching back to the release of Tim Ferrante's 'Drive-In Madness' (1987) and the landmark publication of the book 'Invasion Of The Scream Queens' complete with its accompanying 1992 documentary, and all the way up to the fly-on-the-wall piece 'A Drive With Linnea And Donald' (location date undisclosed). I just feel that Farmer can take a seemingly surefire premise and run it into the ground, examples of this being the underwhelming 'Dorm Of The Dead' (2006) and 'Chainsaw Cheerleaders' (2008). Despite my misgivings, I'd very much like to obtain a copy of 'Hooker With A Hacksaw' (2017) so I can witness the newly discovered archive footage he shot with Linnea Quigley. And to be fair, Farmer has directed one movie I enjoy a great deal, which just so happens to be an early film he shot on location in Paris, France for E.I. Independent.
'An Erotic Vampire In Paris' (2002)
Erin Brown meets a fan
I’ve seen Farmer’s ‘Dorm of the Dead’, but not ‘Chainsaw Cheerleaders’. Although I do own it. I remember picking it up with another Tiffany Shepis’ film ‘Hoodoo for Voodoo’ (2006). I found ‘Dorm’ to be somewhat a dreary slog to sit through... because of that it kinda made me sit on ‘Chainsaw Cheerleaders’. So it’s disappointing to hear you find both films on the same level.
I have 'Hoodoo For Voodoo' on dvd. I remember my excitement over its dvd release back in 2006, hopes that were soon crushed upon seeing it. It's messy, technically inefficient; I don't think that film's director Steven Shea made another horror feature. Shea is from Louisiana but he wasn't able to capture the state's diverse culture and dense atmospherics on film.
Donald Farmer's warm, sincere and considerate in person, but his films can be dragged down by the earnest approach he takes to his art. They rarely catch fire and that's probably because he plays it safe for the most part. He's been a loyal friend to Linnea Quigley which I appreciate and done some sterling work in film journalism and the documentary field. I'd choose 'Shark Exorcist' (2015) as his career nadir and 'Vicious Kiss' (1995) as a sleeper worth seeing.
Dr. Gangrene interviews Jackie Lynn, Donald Farmer & Jim O'Rear; Farmer discusses the filming of 'Vampire Of Notre Dame' (aka. An Erotic Vampire In Paris)
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Post by lostinlimbo on Jun 11, 2019 6:59:45 GMT
I’ve seen Farmer’s ‘Dorm of the Dead’, but not ‘Chainsaw Cheerleaders’. Although I do own it. I remember picking it up with another Tiffany Shepis’ film ‘Hoodoo for Voodoo’ (2006). I found ‘Dorm’ to be somewhat a dreary slog to sit through... because of that it kinda made me sit on ‘Chainsaw Cheerleaders’. So it’s disappointing to hear you find both films on the same level. I have 'Hoodoo For Voodoo' on dvd. I remember my excitement over its dvd release back in 2006, hopes that were soon crushed upon seeing it. It's messy, technically inefficient; I don't think that film's director Steven Shea made another horror feature. Shea is from Louisiana but he wasn't able to capture the state's diverse culture and dense atmospherics on film. Donald Farmer's warm, sincere and considerate in person, but his films can be dragged down by the earnest approach he takes to his art. They rarely catch fire and that's probably because he plays it safe for the most part. He's been a loyal friend to Linnea Quigley which I appreciate and done some sterling work in film journalism and the documentary field. I'd choose 'Shark Exorcist' (2015) as his career nadir and 'Vicious Kiss' (1995) as a sleeper worth seeing. Dr. Gangrene interviews Jackie Lynn, Donald Farmer & Jim O'Rear; Farmer discusses the filming of 'Vampire Of Notre Dame' (aka. An Erotic Vampire In Paris)
I might just sit on ‘Hoodoo for Voodoo’ a little longer. There were a couple films there a didn’t realise Farmer directed; Demon Queen and Vampire Cop (and boy does he love to use slow motion here). I was confusing them for Nick Millard films.
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