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

John Isberg director of Final Summer, took time out of his busy schedule, while the set was being prepped, to talk to us. He started making short films in high school and wanted to go to film school but only managed Intro to Film before he dropped out because of the expense and his ADHD. In his 20s he was in bands and during the process of making music videos he became very interested in the cinematography and lighting aspect of it. During the second music video while he was helping the director, it ignited a renewed interested in film. After moving to Champaign, Il and playing in bands and teaching middle school, a movie was being made in town called Consumed (directed by Daryl Wein and co-written, co-produced and starring Zoe Lister-Jones) and John joined the crew as Grip and he loved it, even though his interest was really lighting. [Grip - A grip is a technician who sets up, operates, and maintains the rigging and equipment that supports the camera (i.e., dollies, cranes, tracks, jibs, tripods, process trailers, etc.) and lighting (stands, diffusers, nets, etc.) to achieve the director and cinematographer's desired shot.] After wrapping Consumed he developed depression even in the midst of the euphoria. He had the bug, bought a camera and started shooting music videos for bands around town. Then he interned with a local production company, Shatterglass Studios where he helped on commercial shoots until he went out on his own. This is part one, don’t miss part two coming up soon! Get ready for a physical release of Final Summer in the Fall of 2024! There’s talk of a 3D addition in the release. Keep an eye out!! Find Jon Isberg here: https://www.instagram.com/finalsummermovie?igsh=bjMzNmlha21lNnI5 https://www.instagram.com/swedefilmscu?igsh=MTlhZXN4MXpxODB4Yw== His work: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm6533367/ And find us: Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish

Diane Foster is the director of Easter Bloody Easter and founder of Wallybird Productions. But before she became a filmmaker, she was an actor, singer and dancer. She trained her entire life in New Jersey, where she grew up in Union in a large family. She started performing at 8 and was Little Miss Union and she did lots of regional theatre. Diane later went to the Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey every Summer throughout high school. Diane went to conservatory for years with Anne Hathaway and after winning an award, she realized, acting, could be a career. She moved to New York and did lots of off Broadway and a stint on Law and Order: SVU. By 21, she was living in LA and after 2 weeks there, she met Robin Antin who created The Pussy Cat Dolls. Diane became a dancer for the live show, Pussy Cat Dolls Live at The Roxy. Prior to becoming a group and it was a revue with 20 dancers. When she wasn’t dancing Diane was auditioning for independent films, her first role she was in a movie called Iowa and a documentary called Dying For Meth, she was 24 years old and Iowa was selected to show at Tribeca. Soon the Orphan Killer franchise began and after the sequel, she moved on to create her own production company called Wallybird Productions in 2018 and so far has 17 projects completed. Easter Bloody Easter was inspired by a play that began in an acting class. So Diane and some other actors (Allison Lobell and Miles Cooper) from the play got together and took the show on the road but then the pandemic put a stop to that. So Diane decided to turn it into a film, Allison wrote the script and she, Diane and Kelly Grant hit the ground running. This was Diane’s directorial debut. Easter Bloody Easter is an indie holiday film with physical effects, lots of hilarious killer bunnies and a monster jackelope. It’s a slow burn that only gets better as you watch it. Plus if you like music, this one has plenty of it. Rocky Horror and Little Shop of Horror Fans, this one is for you! And Diane and Co. has already started working on the sequel. Ms. Foster does not just do horror, she is socially conscious and Wallybird Productions is about giving people opportunity who are too often overlooked, in front of and behind the camera. It’s her contribution to change the landscape of the film industry and you can expect every one of her productions to be diverse. If you like docudramas, keep an eye out for My Home Unknown, in keeping with Wallybird’s dedication to change, this film is an eye opening story about a houseless woman struggling with mental illness. Last but not least, Easter Bloody Easter is out and streaming on itunes, apply play and Amazon on March 26, 2024! There will be physical copies that begin releasing on April 2nd and pre-orders are open! And keep an eye out for the soundtrack. Find all things Wallybird Productions right here: https://wallybirdproductions.com Find Diane Foster’s socials here: https://www.instagram.com/wallybirdproductions https://www.facebook.com/dianefosterofficial https://www.instagram.com/dianefosterofficial/?hl=en Find the rest of 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

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

Carlos and I talked to Don Thacker and Adrian Di Giovanni from Motivation Growth. They became such good friends from working together on that film that they are now business partners at Imagos Films. Mr. Di Giovanni is from Philadelphia and was originally in theatre and comedy improv in Chicago and just before he was about to give up the entertainment business for a career in insurance, he took one last audition and read for Ian in the independent horror, Motivational Growth. We talk about what the inspiration was for them going into film. For Don it was tv as a little kid and the story is really intriguing! For Adrian, it was being in theatre, in school. Mr. Thacker originally made and shopped an entirely different script about physics that would have been much more expensive. Don talks about the very unique way he pitched the physics movie. That movie did not happen but the compromise was another much smaller film made of an amalgamation of ideas which turned into Motivational Growth. Don explains the effort it took to make the film and only masterful artistry of an incredible crew could have made that happen. He also explains his inspiration for The Mold and Ian. Don talks about his goal and philosophy about art and how being compelling is the most important thing, any reaction is a win. If you’re still thinking about it later, even if you hate it, it’s a win. It doesn’t matter what it compels. “Art should compel.” Support the arts and support indie films!! 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

This is Part 2, Behind the scenes of Erzulie with filmmaker Christine Chen. Christine talks about the making of the film, the pitfalls and struggles, the changes that had to be made and what the cast had to suffer because of the weather/flooding. Erzulie was filmed in a swamp and there was constant flooding, freezing water and cold nights. Christine worker on three other features on the same property. The script was written with this location in mind which had it’s pros and cons. Almost all leads on the crew were women and this is the first black mermaid film and first black mermaid horror film. Christine even consulted a priestess to get the makeup right and researched history and culture to honor it as much as possible. Christine also never forgets all those who helped her along the way. And she expects to makes two more sequels. Also, horror is not her the only genre she works with. Look her up, support indie films and women filmmakers. Her links are below. Find Christine everything, here: https://mothtoflamefilms.com https://www.erzuliefilm.com/director https://www.christinewchen.com Find The Rest of 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 Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/

Christine Chen has always been in film in some capacity since college. She got her start in documentary filmmaking. Also making a lot of shorts, including A Bird’s Nest. She went to grad school at UT and started hustling in the Austin film scene. She then started making films and submitting them to a Louisiana film festival called Film Prize. All shorts have to be made in Louisiana and the big prize is $50,000. So from Austin, Christine moved to Shreveport for a year to work and submit to the festival. While there, she built her team and network. Christine talks about how she eased her parents into her wanting to be a filmmaker. She also has advice for college students who want to go into film. She talks about the difference between a director who earns their way and those who don’t. The reason she made her film, Erzulie (Er-zuh-lee), and how that went from distribution deal to funding. The pandemic has a lot to do with it, of course. She wrote a script in a month that spawned from a short, and it was accepted so now they were suddenly making a feature. It’s quite a wild ride. Plus how they were able to shoot in 11 days despite problems. This is part one… Find Christine everything, here: https://mothtoflamefilms.com https://www.erzuliefilm.com/director https://www.christinewchen.com 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 Carlos Ibarra on Twitter & IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/

Part 2: Bordello of Blood came to be. Another movie was supposed to be made in it’s place but the machinations of Hollywood turned and suddenly everything changed. They had a script called Fat Tuesday, a psychological thriller which was changed to Dead Easy. Gil had no interest in directing Demon Knight, so Ernest Dickerson was brought in. And Gil planned to direct Dead Easy afterward, set in Louisiana and got the green light from Universal and while scouting locations for weeks, the plug was pulled and it was decided that Bordello of Blood would be done in it’s place. Then Steven Spielberg started Dreamworks and because of fear of losing Robert Zemeckis, the studio made a deal, which included buying a student script that Zemekis actually cowrote, for a ton of money and they ended up using that script that turned out to be Bordello of Blood. They had 3 weeks to rewrite and start shooting. With the making of this movie, they became pawns to everything. And not in Louisiana but in Canada. And instead of Bridget Wilson they got Erika Eliniak as the female lead. Al and Gil they wanted Robin Givens as the villain but, the boss, Joel Silver, cast, then Sylvester Stallone’s soon to be ex fiancée, Angie Everhart instead. A part written for Daniel Baldwin was replaced with Dennis Miller by Joel, who improved all of his lines and didn’t even want to be in the movie. But he got a million bucks to do it. Bordello was doomed from the very beginning. They were thwarted until the bitter end and by then, Al and Gil’s friendship and business partnership was over. This story is a wild ride, you have to hear it! Find A L Katz https://howtolivebullshit-free.com/ On Mastodon: https://lor.sh/@Alan And his podcast, How Not To Make a Movie Podcast, is wherever you get your podcasts! Remember on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 at NOON PACIFIC TIME, there is a table read of the movie that never was, Dead Easy, for the charity The Motion Picture Home (the MPTF). For retired entertainment industry artists who need help. https://mptf.com/ways-to-give/ Find out more at the link below… https://how-not-to-make-a-movie.com/2022/11/26/the-dead-easy-table-read-for-charity/?amp=1 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