Waaaaay back last July, we here at Backwoods Horror told you about an independent successfully Kickstarter financed film titled HYBRID VIGOR. It seemed like a weird sort of film, original, and new, so we’ve been following little rumblings here and there, though the crumbs have been few and far between. But now, finally, an official trailer has been released for the film. Check it out after the break below!
Voted IndieWire’s PROJECT OF THE WEEK and with a twitter following of over 250,000 followers (good GAWD!), HYBRID VIGOR surpassed its initial kickstarter goal of $50,000. This is all incredible news as it is so incredibly difficult to get an independent film made these days, funding always being such a problem to get things off the ground. Fowler even had to leave the US, going to a country few people other than Latvians ever even think about to get the film made. That’s f-ing dedication if I’ve ever heard it. So what is HYBRID VIGOR?
SYNOPSIS:
HYBRID VIGOR is a feature film about life, death, violence, morality, immortality, love, and loss in the USSR during Soviet times and in present day Latvia. It opens on frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia during Soviet times. Most of the film takes place in present day Latvia. More details about the plot will be revealed in the coming months.
After the atrocious NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET REMAKE, I would shudder at even the slightest thought of anyone else touching the franchise. All that was left, aside from yet another sequel or remake, would be a film about the very beginning (touched slightly upon in the remake and spoken of throughout the original series). Folk often forget that Freddy Krueger was, as a child molester and murderer, just as horrifying before his death at the hands of the angry parents of Springwood as he was after.
Now, independent filmmaker Andrew Daniels has created a fan film that serves as a sequel to the franchise titled SON OF A HUNDRED MANIACS that goes into deeper into Freddy as the child defiling Springwood Slasher.
We here at Backwoods Horror just received news from star Damian Maffei that New York City-based genre production company, Sideshow Pictures, has announced their second annual Halloween short film, THE HOUSE THAT CRIED BLOOD.
The film was written and directed by Frank Sabatella (BLOOD NIGHT: THE LEGEND OF MARY HATCHET &the tongue in cheek HALLOWEEN short NIGHT OF THE PUMPKIN) and produced by Frank Mosca of Harrington Talents.
This is the awesome email we received from Damian. Check it out and look for a formal press release soon!
I just finished a movie called THE HOUSE THAT CRIED BLOOD. Now, this is about a short film, BUT HOLD UP. This is no regular short. I don’t push regular shorts (or do them). It is a Halloween short of badass proportions. I guarantee it.
Due to premiere this month online (a press release will be sent out by them when all that’s solid)
Here are the essentials:
The newest Halloween short from Sideshow Pictures and director Frank Sabatella The House that Cried Blood follows four young adults, who, through a dare by their leader Lynch (Damian Maffei), venture into “Old Lady Death’s” house in search of her rotting corpse. What begins as regular Halloween tomfoolery turns into a night of terror as what awaits them within the walls of The House that Cried Blood… Is an evil none of them could ever fathom in their wildest dreams.
The approach taken in The House that Cried Blood is almost the exact opposite of that in Night of the Pumpkin. Whereas NotP delivers the goods through a tongue-in-cheek, wild retro-splatter ride, THTCB builds the tension and mounting fear through atmosphere, performances, and gen-yoo-ine thrills. And blood and some guts, sure.
THE HOUSE THAT CRIED BLOOD -Directed by Frank Sabatella (Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet, Night of the Pumpkin) starring Damian Maffei (Christmas with the Dead, Closed for the Season) Andrea Boehlke (Survivor: Redemption Island) Ray Zupp, Ashlee Mundy. F/X handled by Emmy Nominated Jeremy Selenfriend (Boardwalk Empire, Blood Night, Men in Black 3) and Monster in my Closet FX. From Sideshow Pictures.
Yet another independent feature has flown, until recently, under our radar that looks as though it may be very interesting. Directed by Ryan Smith, AFTER stars Steven Strait, Karolina Wydra, Sandra Lafferty and Madison Lintz. AFTER is set for a limited theatrical release September 14, 2012.
SYNOPSIS:
When two bus crash survivors (Steven Strait, Karolina Wydra) awake to discover that they are the only people left in their small town, they must form an unlikely alliance in a race to unravel the truth behind their isolation. As strange events begin to unfold, they start to question whether the town they know so well is really what it seems.
Check out the two trailers and poster below and be sure to check back here, the official Facebook Page, and the Official Website for more information as it develops.
First, CONGRATULATIONS to Brandon Fowler, the writer/director/producer of the upcoming Latvian horror/drama HYBRID VIGOR on successfully achieving, in fact surpassing, his fundraising goal on kickstarter to get this film made, no doubt through a remarkably successful internet crowd sourcing campaign and the hard work of everyone involved in the film! This is always incredibly exciting news for independent filmmakers.
I have been seeing news of the film HYBRID VIGOR for a few weeks now but had yet to post anything about it until I had a clear understanding of everything involved. All I had gathered up until this point was that it was a genre film made in LATVIA of all places, which had me assuming it was a Latvian film. I was dead wrong. So now, boils ‘n ghouls, you’re going to get the full story.
Recently voted IndieWire’s PROJECT OF THE WEEK and with a twitter following of over 250,000 followers (good GAWD!), HYBRID VIGOR has surpassed its initial kickstarter goal of $50,000 and filming has already begun. This is all incredible news as it is so incredibly difficult to get an independent film made these days, funding always being such a problem to get things off the ground. Fowler even had to leave the US, going to a country few people other than Latvians ever even think about to get the film made. That’s f-ing dedication if I’ve ever heard it. So what is HYBRID VIGOR?
Excerpted from the Press Release:
Hybrid Vigor Films, LLC announced that Brandon Fowler, the director of the upcoming Latvian horror/drama HYBRID VIGOR, has just surpassed his fundraising goal on crowd funding platform Kickstarter raising additional funds from a wide Twitter fanbase. The film stars an emerging Latvian cast that includes Velta Buka in her feature film debut and also co-stars Jevgenija Mirosnicenko and Aleksandr Ivanov. All three actors are native to Latvia and no other parts have been officially cast. Fowler (Executive Producer of “Loren Cass”), who wrote the script, is also serving as the film’s producer.
The film, which began principal photography in March, has already shot large portions on Lake Peipus in Estonia, and also in several locations in Latvia. The film is scheduled to complete shooting later this year. Specific release dates and markets will be announced shortly thereafter.
HYBRID VIGOR is a feature film about life, death, violence, morality, immortality, love, and loss in the USSR during Soviet times, and in present day Latvia. It opens on frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia during the Soviet era, but most of the film takes place in present day Latvia. More details about the plot will be revealed in the coming months.
HYBRID VIGOR offers unique perks to its members who sign up to pledge money to the production. Donors will have their photo added to the film’s photomosaic movie poster as well as have their names listed in the end credits. With over 250,000 followers on Twitter, the production raised a majority of the funding directly from their followers.
“We are at the beginning of what will be an independent filmmaking renaissance period. Crowfunding/crowdinvesting coupled with open access social media sites and affordable, professional quality cameras are going to empower a whole new generation of indie filmmakers,” said Fowler.
HYBRID VIGOR is a feature film about life, death, violence, morality, immortality, love, and loss in the USSR during Soviet times and in present day Latvia. It opens on frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia during Soviet times. Most of the film takes place in present day Latvia. More details about the plot will be revealed in the coming months.
Velta Buka, the star of Hybrid Vigor, has something she wants to tell you…
Scott Goldberg and the rest of the cast and crew (including composer/producer Mark Nadolski, Ed Demko, Hugo Fernandez, and actor Chris Margaritis) need you, the horror film fans of the world, to help make the feature length version of THE THREE a reality.
You Are Invited: “Us and Floyd” Pink Floyd Tribute Band Halloween Show/Halloween Costume Party at the Glen Cove Moose Club at 22 Continental Place in Glen Cove, New York on Saturday, October 20h, 2012. There will be free food, candy, fundraising raffles and more! Invite your friends to this event and help spread the word. Us and Floyd (the band I lead sing and perform in) www.UsAndFloyd.com will be doing three full sets of live Pink Floyd music, jamming out the classic tunes of Pink Floyd.
We are fundraising for our feature length version of THE THREE and hope that you will join us on Saturday October 20th, 2012 in Glen Cove, New York at the Glen Cove Moose Club.
The filmmakers have also started a kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary $250,000 goal by October 31st, 2012.
Your contributions will go towards building the underground bunker set in the Wampum Mine Facility that serves as the centerpiece for the entire film. Your contributions will also go towards necessary production related costs such as camera and equipment rentals and post productions costs. Any level contribution is incredibly appreciated by the filmmakers and, as with other kickstarter campaigns, not only will you help contribute to an independent, high quality, dark, and thought provoking film, but at certain levels, you will also receive benefits such as a copy of the completed film with a collector’s edition 11×17 poster signed by the cast and crew of the film. At higher levels you can get your name in the credits as a special thanks or producer, as well as two tickets to the NYC premiere of the film with access to the V.I.P. section and an invitation to the after party with cast and crew.
Independent horror cannot exist without you, the fans, making it all possible. So head on over to the official THE THREE site for more information and to help contribute to modern, intelligent, independent cinema!
Taking place on LONG ISLAND, New York at the signature art house theatre THE CINEMA ARTS CENTER on Tuesday, July 3rd at 7:30pm in Huntington. Starting off with an exclusive video introduction by Jim Vanbebber himself, this event will feature the short film MY SWEET SATAN (about Long island serial Killer Ricky Kasso) making its long Island Premier, and a super rare, 35mm print screening of his cult film THE MANSON FAMILY. The film that Roger Ebert said “…has an undeniable power and effect, but be sure you understand what you are getting yourself into. This is not a “horror” film or an “underground” film, but an act of transgression so extreme and uncompromised…”- 3 stars.
This event is $14 with a portion of the proceeds going towards the production of GATOR GREEN.
GATOR GREEN is a horror/thriller about a Veteran who returns from the war to take over the operation of an alligator farm in Florida. Much madness, mayhem and murder ensues. This will be Jim Vanbber’s first film since THE MANSON FAMILY, which was completed almost 10 years ago. Its begins shooting this September in the swamps of Florida. Being made the Jim Vanbebber way, completely independent and being shot on 16mm film.
If you are in the area, please come out to one of these exclusive events, be a part of American cinema history and keep independent film alive!
About a week ago, we introduced you to a conceptual short horror film written and directed by Scott Goldberg titled THE THREE. Scott Goldberg, for those who haven’t heard of him, has made a name for himself within the indy horror community by writing, producing, and directing many award winning and festival favorite films. Much like what Sam Raimi did when he created WITHIN THE WOODS, Goldberg filmed the short film THE THREE (filmed in the Wampum Mine storage facility where DAY OF THE DEAD was shot, and stars DAY OF THE DEAD Romero alumni Lori Cardille (DAY OF THE DEAD) and John Amplas (MARTIN)) as a concept film to raise the funding necessary for a feature length version of the film.
Now Scott Goldberg and the rest of the cast and crew (including composer/producer Mark Nadolski, Ed Demko, Hugo Fernandez, and actor Chris Margaritis) need you, the horror film fans of the world, to help make the feature length version of THE THREE a reality. The filmmakers have started a kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary $250,000 goal by October 31st, 2012.
For several years, the feature length version of THE THREE has been a dream for the filmmakers involved, and with your help they can make this dream a reality. In the video above, filmmakers Scott Goldberg and Mark Nadolski talk about the lack of originality in many modern horror films, as well as having what it takes (the right mindset and ideas) to make dark, original horror films.
Your contributions will go towards building the underground bunker set in the Wampum Mine Facility that serves as the centerpiece for the entire film. Your contributions will also go towards necessary production related costs such as camera and equipment rentals and post productions costs. Any level contribution is incredibly appreciated by the filmmakers and, as with other kickstarter campaigns, not only will you help contribute to an independent, high quality, dark, and thought provoking film, but at certain levels, you will also receive benefits such as a copy of the completed film with a collector’s edition 11×17 poster signed by the cast and crew of the film. At higher levels you can get your name in the credits as a special thanks or producer, as well as two tickets to the NYC premiere of the film with access to the V.I.P. section and an invitation to the after party with cast and crew.
Independent horror cannot exist without you, the fans, making it all possible. So head on over to the official THE THREE site for more information and to help contribute to modern, intelligent, independent cinema!
FILMMAKER’S DISCLAIMER:
We appreciate Lori Cardille and John Amplas’s involvement in the short concept version of THE THREE. However, due to independently producing the feature length production of the film without studio backing, we unfortunately will not be able to cast them in the final film due to Union restrictions. We will, however, be working with up and coming talent and appreciate your contributions for the feature length production of THE THREE.
Thanks to the Cannes Film Market, it seems like a new horror trailer or poster is coming coming out every day. Rumors about Todd Levin’s STATIC 3D began at last year’s American Film Market and now, thanks to Cannes, a new trailer has been released for the film with just enough to have us here at Backwoods Horror wanting to know more. Staring Milo Ventimiglia, Sarah Shahi, and Sara Paxton, and with a budget under one million dollars, STATIC is the first independent feature to be shot in 3D using two Sony PMW-F3 cameras – Sony’s version of the RED camera – rigged specifically to to film in 3D (similar, if on a smaller scale, to Peter Jackson’s setup with the RED cameras for the upcoming HOBBIT feature). I can’t wait to feast my eyes on the work they’ve done with such limited resources as it could herald in a new wave of low budget, independent 3D horror films.
Synopsis:
As a young novelist and his wife are coping with the loss of their child, their lives are turned upside down when a panicked girl appears at their home in the middle of the night with stories of masked intruders stalking her. That night the stalkers strike, sending the couple on an horrific game of cat and mouse, where they are forced to uncover shocking details from their past that may be the reason for the attack.
Ok, ya’ll know I’m just a sucker for bigfoot flicks. Hell, I’m one of the only people I know who absolutely fuckin’ LOVE THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK. So, of course, I watch just about every movie made about the big, hairy bastard (even the piece of shit flicks that dominate the genre these days…poor Lance Henriksen). That being said, I’m looking forward to another one, this time about the legendary Grassman, Ohio’s Bigfoot legend (on which there was an episode for the show Monster Quest). Obviously a heavily independent flick, I look forward to giving it a shot. So far, I don’t have much information on the flick, but check out the production blog HERE.
