Splat Chat: On D.I.Y. Horror

Scott and Dawson kicked off their film careers with the super-DIY anthology, Dead on Appraisal, and are now awaiting the release of their new shorts "Drumman's Palace," and "Routine." These guys are extremely proficient in building sets, and practical effects. For their latest effort, "Routine," the guys built an incredible space shuttle set in their garage that was able to be transported to a sound stage and specially designed to smoothly move the walls around to get all the right angles.

More than halfway done production on my feature debut WAKING NIGHTMARE, and I still don't hate movies. At this point, we've shot the opening and closing moments in the film, we have a good idea of how the movie will play out and how it will crescendo into horror. Watching the story unfold in the dailies is so damn exciting! If you've read my review of DECAY, you have a good idea of how I feel about the film. Speaking to director Joseph Wartnerchaney only reinforced my respect of his work. He was most modest, but also shows us the importance of seizing the opportunity to further his career.

Are you an aspiring horror filmmaker? Mesmerized by the tales of independent, microbudget fright flicks? Wondering how to stretch your dollar when it comes to creating your own chilling content? Well never fear, horrorheads: SPLAT CHAT is here to help! Hosted by YouTube personality and WAKING NIGHTMARE filmmaker "Cineman" Steve Craig, SPLAT CHAT provides listeners with tales from behind the camera, with tips and tricks of the trade to help you become a D.I.Y. filmmaking master. This week, Steve brings on filmmaker Adam Egypt Mortimer for a passionate discussion about Chainsaw Award-nominated SOME KIND OF HATE as well as HOLIDAYS, the horror anthology in which he served as contributor and producer. HOLIDAYS is now on nationwide VOD as well as select theaters, and you can watch SOME KIND OF HATE on Netflix as well as DVD/Blu-ray from Image Entertainment. You can also find out more about Adam's work at his official website HERE and be sure to follow him on Twitter HERE.

As I move forward in pre-production of my feature debut, I can't help but share the details of my journey. It is quite possibly the most thrilling experience of my life thus far, to secure a cast and crew with excitement for the project, and tremendous initiative. In this episode, I begin with a cast announcement, as well as explaining my ideals of an enthusiastic cast and crew. After another great tip from Matt Bauer on How to Be a Boss Ass Editor, I am most pleased to share my chat with director Matt Winn. Matt's new horror film, THE HOARDER is now on VOD and DVD from RLJ Entertainment, and as much as I enjoyed it, I'm more excited to see his future works. Like all my favorite guests, Matt was both honest and humble. But what stuck out most for me, was Matt's willingness to explore cinema beyond the genre-pigeonhole. You can find out more about THE HOARDER HERE and be sure to follow Winn on Twitter HERE.

The latest episode of SPLAT CHAT features Shant Hamassian, the filmmaker behind the festival favorite short film NIGHT OF THE SLASHER. Over the course of their chat, Hamassian and host “Cineman” Steve Craig talk about achieving the 12-minute single take horror comedy, which played at Mile High Horror, NYC Horror Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival in 2015, the latter where the film caught the eye of Henry Selick. You can find out more about NIGHT OF THE SLASHER HERE and be sure to follow Hamassian on Twitter HERE.

Horror fans are loyal, dedicated to their favorite works, and unsure how to feel about remakes. Alright, most of us straight up don’t like remakes, and struggle to maintain our open mindedness. On one hand, William Friedkin compares film remakes to various stage presentations of the same play. After all, is it so irrational for a director to recreate existing stories and characters in their own image, with the same artistic merit as an original? If it’s okay to adapt plays, comic books, novels, and video games, why not other films? On the other hand, when a film has already made a cinematic imprint for its distinct qualities, such as the 2008 French favorite, MARTYRS, fans are expected to approach a remake with hesitation - especially if the remake promises to omit the principal components of the original piece: THE GORE! Kevin and Michael Goetz are a pair of brother/directors, previously known for their feature debut, SCENIC ROUTE, and known still for their work in high-end commercial production. While the remake of MARTYRS was announced soon after the original’s release, the Goetz Bros were not attached until much later. The reason they were approached for this particular film, from what I gather, is on the strength of the psychological impact of SCENIC ROUTE. Before signing on, the duo hadn’t seen Martyrs, but in studying it, found a new angle to address the underlying human torment - an angle that would prove digestible to a greater audience. Make no mistake… I

With a few years spent in Los Angeles, it’s easy to become disenchanted by cinema as a form of art. Observing how success is measured by your peers, filmmakers or otherwise, one becomes more eager to spearhead sales, and compromise creativity for marketability. Certain goods can come out of this realization of commercialism. After all, the endgame is to create a visual work for the enjoyment of an audience, and salability is how one engages said audience — but let’s not confuse compromise with abandoning one’s individuality. Speaking to Patrick Horvath, and delving into his work, I was most appreciative of his willingness to explore his eclecticism and his inspiration from a variety both horror and auteurism. If you were to combine the budget of Patrick’s first two features, you’d still be touting a micro budget film. With his resources so scarce, he was able to create fresh products that garnered reactions and kept viewers talking. Patrick’s dedication to his visions, and creative momentum seem to have catapulted him quickly out of DIY territory, and into studio-backed films like “THE PACT 2,” and recently teaming up with the V/H/S team to create, “SOUTHBOUND,” available now on VOD. This episode features the segments: “5 TRAITS OF A BOSS ASS EDITOR,”by pro-editor, Matt Bauer “SCREENWRITING TIP,” by horror new-comer, Brian Farmer Music by “Starship Barlip”

The eighth episode of SPLAT CHAT features Lawrence Roeck, director of the psychological thriller/western DIABLO. Roeck discusses his beginnings documenting his friends snowboarding, eventually adding narrative to a piece entitled "The Search for Mountain Jim,” before thriving as a video journalist. His feature debut, THE FORGER, is a film he does not claim as his own after a hostile takeover resulted in a lawsuit. DIABLO, on the other hand, shows a side of Lawrence that he's been looking to express from the beginning. This episode also features segments from The Butter Boys, Producer Brian Farmer and a new segment entitled “Knobby Denata.”

The seventh episode of SPLAT CHAT features Jessica Cameron, the up-and-coming director/producer/scream queen who has striven and succeeded in establishing her unique new voice among the horror community. Over the course of their chat, Cameron and host “Cineman” Steve Craig talk about her upcoming films MANIA and TRUTH OR DARE as well as a painstaking documentary on her country-wide love affair with the horror genre. This episode of SPLAT CHAT also features an appearance from YouTube D.I.Y. comedy troupe The Butter Boys about their surreal short called BARKMAN, as well as some words of wisdom from producer Brian Farmer. You can find out more about Jessica Cameron HERE and be sure to follow her on Twitter HERE.

The sixth episode of SPLAT CHAT features Edward Payson, director of the 2009 microbudget horror film MORBID: A LOVE STORY. This episode is yet another uninterrupted edition of SPLAT CHAT that hits the hour-plus mark as Payson digs into his independent distribution nightmare.

The fifth episode of SPLAT CHAT features Chelsea Stardust, an independent filmmaker, producer and photographer who previously worked for Jason Blum and Judd Apatow. This episode is the first SPLAT CHAT to run over an hour long, and is a completely uninterrupted chat with the burgeoning horror helmer. You can check out Stardust’s official website HERE and find the new episode of SPLAT CHAT, hosted by “Cineman” Steve Craig, below! You can also follow Steve on Twitter, visit his YouTube Channel and leave your suggestions for future episodes at FANGORIA’s Facebook Feed! Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode of SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR! SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR is a presentation of the FANGORIA Podcast Network. SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR is executive produced by Steve Craig, Ken W. Hanley and Thomas DeFeo for FANGORIA Entertainment. For more information, press opportunities and advertising rates pertinent to the FANGORIA Podcast Network, please contact ken@fangoria.com.  

Are you an aspiring horror filmmaker? Mesmerized by the tales of independent, microbudget fright flicks? Wondering how to stretch your dollar when it comes to creating your own chilling content? Then this latest podcast from the FANGORIA Podcast Network is for you, as the inaugural installment of SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR is here to give FANGORIA and GOREZONE fans a look into the truly independent world of horror while making you laugh, scream and beg for mercy! The fourth episode of SPLAT CHAT features Mary C. Russell, director of the short film CARVED, which recently played at the New Filmmakers LA Film Festival to great acclaim. This episode also includes an oral history of Ed Wood as well as “Subtitle”, the new recurring segment about foreign cinema!You can also follow Steve on Twitter, visit his YouTube Channel and leave your suggestions for future episodes at FANGORIA’s Facebook Feed! Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode of SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR!

Are you an aspiring horror filmmaker? Mesmerized by the tales of independent, microbudget fright flicks? Wondering how to stretch your dollar when it comes to creating your own chilling content? Then this latest podcast from the FANGORIA Podcast Network is for you, as the inaugural installment of SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR is here to give FANGORIA and GOREZONE fans a look into the truly independent world of horror while making you laugh, scream and beg for mercy! The third episode of SPLAT CHAT features Lutfu Emre Cicek, director of the buzzworthy Turkish fright film NACIYE, which recently made its World Premiere at LA’s esteemed Screamfest. This episode also includes a prelude featuring R.A. Mihailoff sharing his favorite moment in horror history before a shockingly uninterrupted chat between host “Cineman” Steve Craig and Cicek!

Are you an aspiring horror filmmaker? Mesmerized by the tales of independent, microbudget fright flicks? Wondering how to stretch your dollar when it comes to creating your own chilling content? Then this latest podcast from the FANGORIA Podcast Network is for you, as the inaugural installment of SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR is here to give FANGORIA and GOREZONE fans a look into the truly independent world of horror while making you laugh, scream and beg for mercy! The second episode of SPLAT CHAT features Perry Blackshear, director of the acclaimed low-budget horror film THEY LOOK LIKE PEOPLE, currently digging its claws into the film festival scene at the moment. This episode also includes a jaw-dropping appearance from the one-and-only Clu Gulager as a prelude to “Cineman” Steve Craig’s chat with Blackshear!

The first episode of SPLAT CHAT features Acid Bath Productions' own renaissance man, James Balsamo, who talks about making low-to-no-budget fright features, getting name actors to appear in his films and finding small success in a broken distribution system. This episode also includes the inaugural segments of "Sexcerpts of Terror," "Lessons from Chris" and an interview-within-the-interview with TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 actor Bill Johnson!Half chaotic variety show, half in-depth interview show, SPLAT CHAT host Steve Craig (of the popular “Cineman Steve” Youtube Channel) sits down with some of the strongest voices in the world of super-low-budget horror cinema. With off-the-wall segments and candid, educational chats about the world of D.I.Y. horror, SPLAT CHAT is the independently produced podcast for the independent minded horror fans or aspiring fright filmmakers among FANGORIA’s vast fan base. No rules. No punches pulled. No apologies made. SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR is an absurd reality check not to be missed.The FANGORIA Podcast Network is executive produced by Ken W. Hanley and Thomas DeFeo, and curated by Ken W. Hanley. SPLAT CHAT: ON D.I.Y. HORROR is executive produced by Steve Craig, Ken W. Hanley and Thomas DeFeo for FANGORIA Entertainment. For more information, press opportunities and advertising rates pertinent to the FANGORIA Podcast Network, please contact ken@fangoria.com.