The Walter Paisley Movie House – Détails, épisodes et analyse

A Ben Evans Film is a short movie that my son and I worked on back in 2019. We met and became friends with many of the movie's crew and talent, including one of the directors, James Henry Hall, and the star, Sky Elobar. Tody, James and Sky join me to tell me about their work in trying to make a feture length version of the movie happen.

Based on a story by Josh Malerman (Birdbox), A Ben Evans Film follows an obsessed amateur filmmaker determined to fulfill his cinematic vision, even though his two main stars, his own parents, are now dead. Both horrifying and funny, the short movie brings viewers into the world of Ben's madness.

To contribute, reach out to Anthony DiMaria at, [email protected]

See the short:

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Find out more about James here.

Find out more about Sky here.

Today I get to talk to one of my favorite artists and pop culture\sleaze encyclopedia, Mitch O'Connell. From a very early age, Mitch knew he wanted to be an artist, and his love of watching The Ghoul and Svenghoulie became his muse. From the utterly hilarious to the outright bizarre, if it's kitschy or cult, Mitch is likely going to draw it.

He tells me about being a teenager travelling alone to NYC to schlep his portfolio to comic book publishers, magazines, and anywhere else he thought might need art, all while taking time out to avoid the rats in the movie theaters of Time's Square. He tells me about dropping out of art school, because he had begun working professionally, which was way better. We talk Tor Johnson, John Waters, and the spritual joy and comfort we both find in the cheapest of B-movies. He also tells me about his wonderfully infamous Time's Square billboard mocking the then Presidential candidate Trump.

Find out more about Mitch here:

Mitch O'Connell

Etsy

Threadless

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You can also hit up my friend Elysia at Irvington Vinyl and Books. She can get you a copy of any of Mitch's books, and you'll be supporting one of the last independent book stores in Indiana.

John D. Hancock has directed everything from critically acclaimed theatrical productions, to award winning films, to made-for-TV movies, to producing his own movies in LaPorte, IN. His Academy Award nominated movies, Sticky My Fingers... Fleet My Feet and Bang the Drum Slowly both showcased his ability to ground the action in the reality of the film while humanizing even the vilest of characters. His 1971 cult classic horror pic, Let's Scare Jessica to Death continues to pull in new fans from all over the globe.

John talks to me about his life, his work in Off Broadway theaters in NYC, his stint in Hollywood, and why he came back to Indiana. We talk about how music and directing relate to one another. He tells me stories about Charles Durning, Tyne Daly, and Michael Moriarty. We talk about him being fired from Jaws 2 only to be brought in to take over on final production of Wolfen. We commiserate on the many pitfalls of widowhood and how directing his late wife, Dorothy Tristan, in her last, deeply autobiographical film, which she also wrote, The Looking Glass, helped them both come to terms with the inevitable.

Find out more about John and his Indiana-based production company here:

Filmacres

Michael Francis Dailey is a young filmmaker who recently won the Audience Choice Award for his short movie, How Was Your Summer? at the Phantoscope High School Film Festival. He joins me to talk about his influences, his process, and his plans for the future. (It's not often that I get to talk Kurosawa with an 18 year old, so this was an especially satisfying conversation for me.) Check out Michael's photography and movies here. You can also follow him and his filmmaking progress on Instagram.

Larry and I continue our conversation where we left off with his attendance at Lenny Bruce's last performance. We then get into what it's like for an actor in the trenches constantly hustling for work. He tells me about freaking out Jerry Paris, learning from James Garner, and working on Escape From Alcatraz. Bonus: Clint Eastwood recites limericks, Edie McClurg's comedic chops, and the surreal atmosphere of interviewing people at an orgy.

His new memoir, The Guy: A Cautionary Memoir, is available now and I can not recommend it enough. Find out more about Larry here:

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The Guy: A Cautionary Memoir  (If you don't want to support big companies like Amazon, check out Irvington Vinyl & Books. Elysia will happily get you a copy and send it your way, and you are supporting the last independent book store in Indianapolis, IN.)

Larry Hankin has appeared in over 200 movies, television shows, and short films. He's an accomplished writer, Academy Award nominated filmmaker, founding member of the famed improv troupe The Committee, and all around raconteur. He joins me to talk about his life as a journeyman actor and artist, and what a great conversation it is. In this episode we talk his youth in Far Rockaway, Queens, his begrudging college career, and his time as a standup in Greenwich Village where he rubbed elbows with every cool person who came out of that scene in the 60's. He tells me about working with Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson, opening for The Loving Spoonful, and hanging out with the legendary Lenny Bruce.

His new memoir, The Guy: A Cautionary Memoir, is available now and I can not recommend it enough. Find out more about Larry here:

IMDB

Patreon

The Guy: A Cautionary Memoir  (If you don't want to support big companies like Amazon, check out Irvington Vinyl & Books. Elysia will happily get you a copy and send it your way, and you are supporting the last independent book store in Indianapolis, IN.)

Eddie and I pick up where we left off, talking about the late, great Dick Miller. We also discuss Eddie being an honorary Walter Paisley, himself. Eddie tells me who his favorite directors to work with are, stories of all the great character actors he's gotten to share the screen with, and why he loves voice work so much. We also talk Christmas movies, Shemp Howard's gift for memorization, and Ed Wood. Bonus: Kissing Morgan Fairchild!

Brought to you in partnership with Scarlet Lane Brewing, the Official Beer of Horror!

Find out more about Eddie here:

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Eddie Deezen has appeared or done voicework in almost 100 movies and tv shows, and he has worked with some of the most legendary actors of all time. He joins me to talk about his youth in Maryland, growing up watching TV, his first trip to NYC, and being fresh-faced, naive young lad in LA. He tells me about seeing Monkey Business on the big screen, how made Steven Spielberg laugh, and how a dollar changed the course of his life. And, of course, we talk about The Beatles.

Brought to you in partnership with Scarlet Lane Brewing, the Official Beer of Horror!

Find out more about Eddie here:

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We pick up where we left off, talking about the legendary Bill Weeden. We then get into the joys and headaches of distribution, what makes a film a cult movie, and also mention Indiana film folks like my old friend Scott Schirmer (Forbidden Films) and Josh Hull (Glorious). We also talk Hammer movies, convention culture, merkins, and dicks on screen.

Thank you to our partner sponsor, Scarlet Lane Brewery. With five Indianapolis locations, you can always find a place to enjoy the Official Beer of Horror.

Find out more about all of my guests here:

Sophia:

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Launch Over Productions

Michael:

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Launch Over Productions

Julie:

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Today I talk to two of the most prolific and busiest independent filmmakers working. Between them, Michael and Sophia have over 70 credits ranging from writing, directing, cinematography, acting, editing, and scoring. We are also joined by professional makeup artist, Julie Powers. We talk about how the pandemic affected the business and the things they did to continue working despite being locked down. We also talk about their influences, how they learned as they created, and why it's sometimes just best to make a movie about your dog being a vampire. We also discuss the cheesy joy of The Prisoner, making music, and why gore is always more fun that dialogue.

Find out more about all of my guests here:

Sophia:

IMDB

Facebook

Launch Over Productions

Michael:

IMDB

Facebook

Launch Over Productions

Julie:

IMDB

Instagram