Macabre...ish Cults, Classics & Horrors – Details, episodes & analysis

Elliott Lester got his start making music videos for everyone from Jessica Simpson and Selena Gomez to Alicia Keys and Method Man. He got his start as a filmmaker with funding from an unusual source. But then the big break came when he was offered a movie called Blitz, starring Jason Statham and Paddy Considine, it's about a serial k!ller who hunts cops.Later, after his divorce, Elliott was offered a script for the movie, Nightingale, starring David Oyelowo and he could not get the funding, everyone turned him down. But he did have another interesting source to fund the film. Once the movie is done, Elliott, once again, hit a wall and couldn’t get the film into any film festivals.But with the help of Brad Pitt and his company Plan B, the film’s trajectory made a complete 180. The film went on to win awards and nominations (Golden Globes, Emmys) and David Oyelowo, the star, earned a Best Actor win at the Critic’s Choice Awards. And Nightingale was picked up by HBO.Mr. Lester also talks about the difficulty of working in television and one of his films called Sleepwalker (2017). Then one day he gets a phone call from Darren Aronofsky, wanting to know if Elliott would like to direct a drama, Aftermath, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and so he goes to a meeting with Arnold.You have to hear about that and the story of how he got the script for The Thicket, the meeting with Peter Dinklage, you have to hear how Juliette Lewis (who goes on to play, Cutthroat Bill) and James Hetfield (Metallica) came to be in film. Then Tubi came along and the movie is greenlit.The Thicket was a huge hit getting 127 million hours in its first week on Tubi..You’re in for a great and hilarious story! Enjoy!Also, watch Elliott Lester’s movies...Blitz, Sleepwalker, Nightingale, Aftermath and The Thicket.

And find us:

Kimberly at ⁠http://www.macabreish.com⁠ and IG @macabre_ish. ⁠https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish⁠

Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and

 https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ 

Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__  

Paul Andrew Williams got his start in acting having landed a place in a prestigious drama school in London at age 18. But he became disenchanted, was side tracked and returned home to start over. But he returned to London to make a short film and music videos, little by little each small project brought in more money until one of his indie shorts got the attention of Fox Searchlight Director’s Lab where he created, It’s Ok To Drink Whiskey and it premiered in the Sundance Film Festival. 

After a stint in LA, Paul returned home and the entire time he was trying to get The Cottage made but it kept stalling. In the mean time he was offered the Wild Things 3 but severe anxiety attacks forced him to quit.

But then he wrote a script called London to Brighton from that Friday to Monday, then got the funding (£60,000) to make it and the gritty thriller ended up being a success! Paul decided to finally make his horror comedy. The Cottage. While it was well received at festivals, the critics back home didn’t get it. 

While his first feature, a gritty thriller, London to Brighton, was a critically acclaimed hit that made him an indie darling, this horror comedy, cost him and changed the trajectory of his career. First, was a rating system choice because of one word and had the word been removed, Paul believes it would have a different outcome. It was a big lesson to learn.

The next movie was like starting over. It was another low budget indie thriller, Cherry Tree Lane which was better received. 

Paul changed direction again to TV and making dramas then he created Bull. And if you are a fan of the film The Children, that was based on a script he wrote and sold. 

Paul Andrew Williams is one of my favorite filmmakers and one of my favorite comedies is apparently his worst feature, The Cottage! Check out his other work if you haven’t already, London to Brighton, which put him on the map. Watch the more recent Bull and Cherry Tree Lane! Watch everything and support indie films.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Find Paul Andrew Williams’ filmography here:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1440314/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

And find us:

Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and

 https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ 

Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__  

Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

Jill ‘Sixx’ Gevargizian is the director of The Stylist that first showed up as a short, in the 2018 anthology, Watch If You Dare. It was co-written by Eric Havens, who is also co-writer on Call Girl, Jill’s debut film and this year is the 10 year anniversary! Jill talks her secret to success and why she surrounds herself with people who are good at what they do and who are better at it than she is. It’s been her version of film school. She points to her having a good network to source from when thinking about a project and that project’s success. Knowing people like Laurence Harvey (from Human Centipede) who she met at a convention and Tristan Risk (from American Mary) who she met through working with the Soska Sisters, knowing the right people just made it easy to execute her movies. Jill brought her years of experience in her trade as a hairstylist in her film, The Stylist, to make it as realistic as possible. So she created the first hairstylist slasher flick! She talks about other amazing films and franchises that also got their starts as shorts like Saw and The Babadook. Jill’s film career really began with the creation of Slaughter Movie House where weird indie horror shorts are shown. She is producing on a film doing festivals right now (as of Summer 2023) called Black Mold, so keep an eye out!! Check out the Texas Chainsaw Massacre documentary, The Legacy of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Jill is also on that as a super fan and contributor! There are some secret projects coming up including one produced with Ed Sanchez (Blair Witch Project) and written by Adam Cesare (Clown in the Cornfield book), so keep an eye out! Support indie filmmakers! Find Jill at: https://www.sixxtape.com And As usual find us here: Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

Robbie Lopez grew up poor and idolized Tom Savini, he always knew he wanted to be an artist. When he was 13 and was accepted into the Tom Savini School of Special FX with a scholarship he was elated but soon, crushed when he realized his family still couldn’t afford the $40,0000. Robbie gave up on that pathway to becoming an artist. But he drew constantly and was supported by his art teacher who kept his art, that he’d thrown away over the years. She even helped him print out his comic strips and had them put in ‘zines that were distributed through the coolest places in town. He was just 14 years old. A year later, Robbie got a letter from Kitchen Sink Press out of San Francisco, an adult comic publication, he became a paid illustrator. He drew comics he wouldn’t have been old enough to buy. Then he took his first check and moved out, his first place he had roommates, two 30 year olds and he drew tattoos for them. That’s when Robbie got into tattooing. He worked for a parlor for a year and later travelled the world tattooing. Robbie’s first feature was about his comic book company, Crude Comics and Cinema. The dream was to make animated movies but it was too expensive and too much effort so he changed direction to features, the first was called Texas Death Trippin’. It was filmed on a road trip and is only the second film created on a road trip, (the other is National Lampoons Vacation) it was a two week trip, with 19 people. He talks all of the trials and tribulations of the film industry including his time working on Troma’s Mulligan’s Monsters series. By his third feature film, it all starts coming together, it will be out on September 26th, 2023! Then another film, Protege Moi will be released in October, plus an accompanying game. Robbie is also going to be making a sequel to Critters 2 called Critters: All You Can Eat! It takes place 35 years after Critters 2. (This is a SAG approved production.) He talks all about who might return from the originals, pre-production, including building crites which is inspired by the Chiodo brothers’ design. And you can be a part of it too! Help us get the funding to get it feature length. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/duck-and-cover-post-production-fund/x/29269334#/ Let’s support our indie filmmakers to get the movies made we want to see. Even if you only buy a pre-order, that goes a long way! Also, our Carlos is on his second fundraiser for Duck and Cover, a zombedy! Click the link and help him out too! Every dollar helps. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/duck-and-cover-production-fund/x/29269334#/ Find Robbie Lopez and his comics and releases here: https://crudecomicsinc.com Critters Instagram: https://instagram.com/critters2024?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== CrudeComicsCinema Instagram: https://instagram.com/crudecomicscinema?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== And find the rest of us: Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ and mastodon @https://mastodon.world/@WestReAnimated Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

Justin’s dad would sneak horror movies home for him to watch on his sick days and it sparked the dream. He started making movies at home, remaking horror film scenes complete with physical effects. He talks about meeting his former writing partner, Kevin Hutchison, who was an FX artist, they met as roommates and began collaborating on projects. But after 10 years, how was gone. Now, Justin has a new writing partner, Serena Whitney. And though he’s made horror and thrillers, he has made three documentaries (and a fourth in production), Working Class Rockstar, Skullworld and Clapboard Jungle which are excellent. I highly recommend, Clapboard Jungle is a must see for fledgling filmmakers. And get the Arrow Blu Ray if you like commentary, there’s 26 hours worth, on it. He explains his reasoning for making the documentaries and his format that he uses. Justin also explains that the business is completely different now after the pandemic. He talks his Arrow deal and it shows why it’s important to go to festivals and to submit your films to festivals. And how the right distribution can get your projects in front of the right eyes for future projects. Justin also explains how he filmed Broken Mile on a one day budget. And I wondered if he ever just wants to quit but he explains filmmaking is his calling. It’s tough but it’s all he wants to do. Even his work that pays the bills is still in the film industry for other entities. And in between, he works on his own stuff. And stay for valuable advice for new filmmakers and screenwriters plus his argument in support of shorts and the shorter, the better. And why Justin says they are so important. He also gives important notes for contracts so you still have some control over your work. Justin’s other features are Lifechanger and Broken Mile and check out other works, anthologies he was involved in like Blood, Sweat & Terrors, Minutes Past Midnight and Galaxy of Horrors, you can find them all on Tubi. Support independent filmmakers and keep your eyes open for Justin McConnell’s future releases: It Came From Within, Clapboard Jungle series, Feed The Dark and Mark of Kane. Find Justin McConnell at http://www.unstableground.net And find us: Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ and mastodon @https://mastodon.world/@WestReAnimated Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

Duck And Cover by Filmmaker Carlos Ibarra Our own Carlos Ibarra is making his 3rd project after the soon to be released anthology, Pendulum, directed by Mitch Wilson. He is half of the dynamic duo of Fill in the blanks productions with Christina Parker. Who’s also introduced in this episode. Carlos talks a little about how he got to this point and what’s next. This project is a zombedy from the point of view of the zombie. He has a fundraiser live at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/duck-and-cover-post-production-and-distribution#/ Let’s support indie horror and support the films we want to see! Get yourself or a friend a blu ray, get a signed one, or do you want something a little different? Like your photo in the movie. Peruse the perks and help Carlos make it to his goal! Thanks so much for your help and please share! Support indie filmmakers! We always say we want to see something different, so lets support something different! And find us: Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Christina Parker on IG @parkertown Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ and mastodon @https://mastodon.world/@WestReAnimated Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

This is our first podcast on a train! Scott Goldberg is a writer and the director of The Forest Hills! This feature is not released yet but will be shown at the Salem Horror Fest on April 30, 2023. It’s a werewolf film with an impressive line up of horror alum, including, Edward Furlong, Shelley Duvall, Dee Wallace, Felissa Rose and Debbie Rochon. With Chiko Mendez in the leading roll. Scott talks about how he was able to get Shelley Duvall in the film who was originally supposed to just be a cameo but he got lucky and she’s in a few scenes. Scott talks about the rough beginnings of this film and the falling out he had with a producer. The filming location had to change from Michigan to the Catskills. The film went from having a $20,000 budget to a $200,000 budget as the bigger names were attached. He developed a love of film as a kid with a Vhs camera, filming family moments and recreating iconic horror moments. He was inspired by a Steven Spielberg and is a very technical filmmaker and just enjoys learning the ins and outs of filmmaking. He’s always been an independent filmmaker because he never felt moved to move to New York or LA and work his way up from a P.A. He just wanted to direct. Scott explains that it might be 8 to 10 months before it is seen outside of the festival rounds because it takes a while to secure deals with streamers plus determining if he’ll have to release it himself or sell to a distributor. This will be a different kind of werewolf movie that is connected to mental health struggles. Support indie filmmakers and put The Forest Hills on your watchlist! Find Scott Goldberg: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1546298/ https://instagram.com/scottgoldbergofficial?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= And find us: Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ and mastodon @https://mastodon.world/@WestReAnimated Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

This is part 2 with Dave Made A Maze filmmaker, William Watterson He explains the ending of Dave Made A Maze and what he would change and why. How the ending credits was an homage to the end credits of Buckaroo Bonzai and it was animated and why. His belief that our society is not encouraged to be creative and that people are far more creative than we think. And that people, especially horror fans, do not get nearly enough credit for their creative intelligence. And a lot of his work is about being creative as an adult and coming to terms with it. Bill puts a premium on working in spaces where creativity is the point and creative intelligence is valued. He pitched and was hired on by Universal to make a Tremors but it was not to be. He talks being of service and the struggle to be creative in corporate America. I asked if he’s thought about fundraising and he explains his struggles with that option and i how it clashes with who he wants to be. Bill talks about the opportunities he’s had that fell apart. It’s just the nature of the business. He’s currently working a job he loves with miniatures and stop motion with Mattel. I think Chris and I successfully changed his mind about crowdfunding and we’re excited about what’s to come! Support indie filmmakers and watch Dave Made A Maze!! Find William Watterson here: https://www.williamwatterson.com And find us: Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ and mastodon @https://mastodon.world/@WestReAnimated Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

William had the idea that he’d go into advertising because he could be artistic and make a living. But after a conversation with his best friend’s dad, he decided to be in a band and pursue music. He was in a few bands and life took a different trajectory when he moved to L.A to start over. Because L.A. is where people get paid to be creative. He talks about fighting through decades of disappointments and his insecurities in the entertainment industry. Three bands later, with the help of a friend, he lands a production assistant job. One of Bill’s first jobs in LA was as a P.A. (Production Assistant) for the directors of American Splendor for another movie that was narrated by James Urbaniak. Then he got quite a bit of work as an actor, during all this he started to learn about the movie business. He then made some short films, learning the lessons and thinking about who would be on his team if he made a feature film. But he really started directing and editing on Youtube and he produced, hosted and directed a vaudeville show. All the while he connected with the writer of what would become Dave Made A Maze, Steve Sears. While Bill talks he connects how he played as a child, is how he directs films. It’s a great and fascinating story. He likes to make something cool with his friends, whether he’s directing or not. He just enjoys the act of collaboration and creation and you can tell in Dave Made A Maze! Bill credits production designer, Trisha Gum, with much of the ‘mazification’ of things like blood and how it was presented. And he explains that John Sumner is responsible for making all the puppets and that the most imaginative parts of the film were conceived of when production was all but complete. Bill had an opportunity with the Jim Henson Company and for a new Tremors film but those projects fell through. Let’s see if we can convince him to try for a Dave Sequel. Support indie filmmakers and watch Dave Made A Maze! This is Part 1, follow us for Part 2. Find William Watterson here: https://www.williamwatterson.com And find us: Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ and mastodon @https://mastodon.world/@WestReAnimated Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

Filmmakers, Don Thacker & Adrian Di Giovanni, Motivational Growth | Part 2 Part 2 Motivational Growth Director, Don Thacker and Lead, Adrian Di Giovanni, plus an amazing pep talk for aspiring filmmakers out there. Don Thacker grew up, not rich, in Detroit and escaped into films because for him, movies are places you go and experience. Adrian Di Giovanni never thought about why he liked movies, he just did and always has. The theater, for them, is like church. Adrian talks about giving up acting for a career in insurance. The one last part, he had no expectation because he already made up his mind to quit, so there was no pressure. He had one call back after another but still had no idea until he asked and one pivotal and hilarious moment got him that part. Don and Adrian talk about their company Imagos and what they do. Don gives Carlos an epic but eye opening pep talk about being a filmmaker, if you like Alec Baldwin’s speech in Glengarry Glen Ross, you might enjoy it. This episode is especially for all the aspiring filmmakers. This might be one of the most important monologues you ever hear. Don tells the story of how Motivational Growth was not meant to be a horror movie but he found out it is definitely a horror film after showing it in a horror film festival. Adrian explains the difference between the kind of director Don is and Kevin Smith is. And Don explains how much the business aspect of filmmaking impacts the process and the final result. He mentions the film Millenium based on the short story called Air Raid. He explains it’s a great concept but it was changed a ton by the director and they turned a great story into a mediocre film. He’d love to make Air Raid the movie but the business aspect of filmmaking makes the prospect probably unattainable. And how being a working director can also be an impediment to writing. Watch Motivational Growth, it won best foreign feature in The European Independent Film Festival!💥Support independent filmmakers💥 Find Don Thacker and Adrian Di Giovanni at Imagos Films: https://www.imagosfilms.com https://instagram.com/imagosfilms?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= And find us: Carlos Ibarra on Twitter & IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish