Indie Spotlight

We're back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today's feature includes photos from Chainsaw Sally: The Animated Series, the first two chapters from the novel Survivor Max, the uncensored trailer for Smothered with Bill Moseley and Kane Hodder, Camp Dread DVD release details, and much more:

First Two Chapters of Survivor Max: "Meet Max, an 11-year old boy who was stuck in another boring day at school when the lock down alarm went off. They were under quarantine. He escaped and made it home, only to discover he'd have to find a way to survive this plague alone. Little did he know his father, his only parent, was among the infected. Slow-moving and non-thinking, the "lamebrains" swarmed his apartment complex, hunting survivors to feed their insatiable hunger for living flesh. Now he must apply his Porcupine Freedom Scouts training to gather supplies and improvise his escape. A chance discovery reveals his father's research on the virus, which in the right hands may be the key to a cure, but first he must prove that he's too smart to die."

There are many ways to purchase Survivor Max. For Paperback, head over to Amazon or to purchase with Bitcoin, head over to BitPay. You can read the first two chapters by visiting the following link:

• http://dailydead.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Survivor-Max-Intro.pdf

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Barbara Crampton Joins the Cast of Love Sick: "Polluted Pictures is proud to announce that Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, You’re Next) has been attached in role of Mother in their feature film production, “Love Sick,” Co-Starring American Mary’s Tristan Risk and Here Comes the Devil’s Francisco Barreiro.

“Love Sick” is the story of Rebecca and Marcus who “have been together for 10 years and after much deliberation have decided to part ways. After separating and being with others, they quickly realize how hard it is to disconnect from one another. The pain, lies, and betrayal all begin to manifest physically within the both of them as well as infect the others who have become involved with intimately. They love each other so much that it hurts... some more than others.”

“I wrote the role of Tristan’s Mother with Barbara in mind,” says Writer / Director Todd Freeman, “ but the reality that she’s actually going to be in the film is a little surreal.  I would go through and name every movie that she’s been in and tell you what that movie meant to me when I first saw it… but I’m afraid that would take too much time.  That and everyone knows who she is and the amazing things that she’s contributed to the horror genre throughout the years.  This is a very special movie to me and I can’t even imagine having a better cast assembled to help bring these atrocities to the screen.”

Also joining the cast are Augie Duke (Bad Kids Go To Hell), Andrew Sensenig (Upstream Color), and Ruben Pla (Contracted, Big Ass Spider).

Andrew Sensenig says, “Imagine if the feelings of true heart ache could manifest itself into a physical illness so grotesque that virtually no one infected would want to continue breathing. Well, you've just imagined Love Sick. Todd has created a hauntingly beautiful story that takes affairs of the heart to an entirely new level."

Polluted Pictures completed a proof of concept piece showing a 3 minute peek into the world of Love Sick with the short film “M is for Marriage,” which will also be included in the upcoming ABC’s of Death 2.5 anthology film released by Drafthouse Films.  You can see the peek into the world of Love Sick here:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=471qjcbP3JQ"

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FEARNET's April Twisted Comedy Block: "FEARNET launches into April with the “Twisted Comedy” block — a special week-long event airing midnight to 2 a.m. ET from Tuesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 5. The “Twisted Comedy” block is a celebration of dark and depraved humor from our Neighbors to the North, Across the Pond, and Down Under, featuring the complete FEARNET original series Inside No. 9, Watch with Mother, and S.O.S. — for the first time ever in the United States — as well as five episodes of the FEARNET fan-favorite PSYCHOVILLE. In conjunction with the event, fans will be able to access a live “Twisted Comedy” simulcast on FEARNET.com. Additionally, all episodes will be available on FEARNET’s VOD platform in a special “Twisted Comedy” folder, the day after they air on the linear channel.

The “Twisted Comedy” block is highlighted by the six-part genre-bending anthology series Inside No. 9, created by and starring Psychoville masterminds Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. Each episode presents a different spooky tale full of dark humor and surprising developments, with storylines revolving around a game of ‘sardines’ that brings secrets and sins to light in a wardrobe; a hilarious silent-movie homage about thieves trying to steal a priceless painting while avoiding a variety of obstacles; and a primary school teacher who becomes the victim of a good deed. The series also boasts guest appearances by a variety of top British talent including Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace), Katherine Parkinson (The It Crowd), Anna Chancellor (The Hour), Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax), Tamsin Grieg (Episodes), Ben Willbond (Horrible Histories), Marc Wooton (Way to GO), Timothy West (Exile), and Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner Tim Key.

Australian sketch horror show Watch with Mother follows, a provocative “exercise in experimental entertainment” exploring the dark side of suburbia, and challenging viewers to be disturbed by what is innocent, while laughing at the horrific. Subjects include a Good Samaritan with bad intentions; a sweet old couple who is anything but; and vengeful roadkill. The series was created, written, and directed by The Glue Factory, one of Australia’s most celebrated creative collectives, and produced by Revolver, Australia’s leading commercial production company.

Next, is the apocalyptic web series S.O.S., following Ben and Stephen—two geeky Brits who are desperate to meet their idol, Xena: Warrior Princess, at a fan convention in New York City. Their plans are quickly ruined, however, as they discover that society has completely vanished. Determined to unravel the mystery, the two men embark on a road trip to Canada, meeting a blue monster, a sexy serial killer, and other crazies, along the way.

Rounding out the block is the hit BBC series, Psychoville, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s creeping tale about an odd bunch of citizens—the serial killer-obsessed David Sowerbutts; the bitter one-handed clown Mr. Jelly; blind millionaire Oscar Lomax; lonely midwife Joy Aston; and the dwarf Robert Greenspan, who believes he is telekinetic—whose lives are entangled when an unknown blackmailer sends them a mysterious message: “I know what you did.”"

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New Clip from Harold's Going Stiff and DVD Release Details: "Harold's Going Stiff takes place in grey-skied, rural England and centers on Harold (Rowe) who is suffering from a new disease that is slowly transforming him into a zombie. A young, lonely nurse, Penny (Spencer), is sent to help ease the symptoms of Harold's frightening illness and they quickly and unexpectedly become very close. After an experimental treatment fails, Harold's condition deteriorates rapidly and the two end up on the run from a group of violent vigilantes seeking to rid their town of zombies.

The critically cheered British horror “mockumentary,” Harold's Going Stiff, is now available on DVD from Level 33 Entertainment. Following a successful multi-platform run, the title makes a unique and worthwhile addition to the DVD collection of zombie-lovers everywhere.

Written and directed by Keith Wright and produced in the U.K. by Richard Guy, Harold's Going Stiff stars newcomers Stan Rowe and Sarah Spencer. During the movie’s theatrical run, the film’s trailer ranked #1 on iTunes Trailers."

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Uncensored Smothered Trailer: "“Smothered” flips the classic horror set up were young sexed up girls are slaughtered by a masked madman by having some of the biggest horror slasher actors taken out by a bodacious vixen.

John Richard Schneider III (born April 8, 1960) is an American actor, singer, writer, and director. He is known for his portrayals of Bo Duke in the 1980s American television series The Dukes of Hazzard, and as Jonathan Kent on Smallville, a 2001 television adaptation of Superman.

John, who has appeared in many feature films, has just finished directing the movie titled, “Smothered,” which he also wrote [and] filmed at the John Schneider Studio in Holden, LA. [It] is due for release this Fall.

The film stars horror icons Kane Hodder (Jason X, Hatchet), RA Milhailoff (Leatherface, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3), Bill Moseley (Devil's Rejects, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Don Shanks (Halloween 5, Ride with the Devil), and Malcolm Danare (Christine, Ride with the Devil), as well as Brea Grant (Halloween 2), Amy Brassette (Ghost Shark, Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators), Shanna Forrestall (The Last Exorcism, Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators on Syfy), and Dane Rhodes (The Last Exorcism 2)."

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Update on Chainsaw Sally: The Animated Series: "After revealing artwork and the intention to animate just last month, Bloody Bombshell Entertainment and Fatality Films are pleased to announce that April Burril, the original Chainsaw Sally, will be voicing the animated version of herself. Also bringing their vocal talents to the series will be Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1) and Tristan Risk (American Mary).

Jimmy-O Burril, the series’ creator and mastermind behind the original project, will be working alongside director Mike Disa (Dead Space: Aftermath, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto) to bring these characters to life.

Bloody Bombshell Entertainment and its subsidiary, Fatality Films, are owned in part by Andrea A. Albin and Scott Spiegel. Albin will helm Chainsaw Sally: The Animated Series as Executive Producer."

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Camp Dread DVD and Digital Release Details: "Image Entertainment, an RLJ Entertainment brand, announces the DVD and digital download release of Camp Dread. The horror thriller is written and directed by Harrison Smith (6 Degrees of Hell) and stars Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, The Expendables), Danielle Harris (Halloween), and Felissa Rose (Under Surveillance).

The "Summer Camp" horror trilogy was one of the most popular franchises of the 1980s. However, the decade ended and so did director Julian Barrett's career. Now Barrett plans to resurrect his gory series via a modern reboot patterned after reality filmmaking. With his former leading lady and an eclectic group of 10 young “contestants,” Barrett returns to the same locale where his old splatter-fests were filmed. When one of the campers is found savagely murdered, they realize there’s more at stake than just fame and fortune. Each of them is in a fight for their lives as they realize summer is over – forever."

For more information, visit: http://www.us.rljentertainment.com/product/camp-dread/b8e2abf5-472c-e311-92d1-020045490004

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New Trailer for Acting Dead: "A deathly funny dark comedy about the world of Hollywood zombies. Premieres April 22, 2014."

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First Details on Massacre: "Imagine waking up buried in a pile of bodies, completely drenched in blood, not knowing if the blood is yours, if the blood is theirs, and more importantly, not knowing how you came to end up buried in bloody body parts! That exactly, is the premise of Massacre, a brief and bloody horror film, currently in development though Minonina Films in Los Angeles, CA.

This independent horror film is directed by Joe Hendrick (Ditch Day Massacre, Skitta Merink) and produced by Michel Rangel (Smiley, Instructions Not Included). Massacre centers around one Marianne James, played by New Zealand-born actress, writer and Suicide Girl, Pandie Suicide (Ditch Day Massacre, David Lynch’s “Crazy Clown Time”) and its main themes include mayhem and mass murder, along with blood, blood and more blood. But there is of course, that all important twist to the story."

For more information, or to help the progress of this film, visit: http://www.MassacreTheMovie.com or on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/MassacreMovie

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House of the Witch Doctor Trailer, Premiere, and Distribution Details: "Evil wreaks pure havoc and bloody murder upon Leslie Van Hooten, a beautiful young girl, and her unsuspecting fellow grad students as they make their way to her family’s extravagant and yet isolated estate. Peter (Bill Moseley — Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D, House of 1000 Corpses) and Irene Van Hooten (Leslie Easterbrook—The Devil's Rejects), the young girl’s mother and father, leave the group alone for the weekend, so that she may mourn the anniversary of her boyfriend’s shocking murder. But the peaceful weekend soon turns to hell when they find themselves being savagely terrorized by Cliff Rifton (Allan Kayser— Night of the OF THE Creeps), a crazed and recently released career criminal, and Buzz Schenk, his drug addict side kick whom are hell bent on raging a torturous killing spree. But as the horrifying acts begin to unfold, the killers soon realize all is not as it seems in this house. And when some strange people from the neighborhood show up, Rose (Dyanne Thorne—Ilsa She Wolf of the SS) and Emmett (Howard Maurer—Ilsa Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks), the tables are turned. Now everyone is trapped inside and as the unheard screams and the body count begins to rise, it seems that death is now the only real escape from the “House of the Witch Doctor".

We are premiering at Horror Hound Weekend this month, hitting some other major conventions, and festivals and then meaningful distribution later this year."

For more information, go to: http://www.houseofthewitchdoctor.com

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Sorority of the Damned Details: "By the request of his dying grandfather, Trevor Harmony (Joe Davison) takes up the family business of being a handy man leaving his dreams of a biologist behind. Now looking after the Sorority house of Sigma Sigma Sigma he hates his life; but all that changes when he discovers a hidden room in the basement and unleashes four elemental witches Earth, Air, Fire, Water who under the spell of an Immortal Witch, (played by Leah Cevoli), begin to possess the sorority sisters. Now it's up the Trevor to stop her and close the door to this other dimension for good! This horror comedy is sure to pack a punch, spill some blood, and leave your guts hurting for more.

Red Gears Studio announces their first feature film; Sorority of The Damned. Executive Producers Joe Davison and Megan Chapnick team up for their first feature, a horror/comedy that takes a look at the age-old good girls gone witches theme with a modern twist. “Megan has a fresh new look at the genre.” says Davison, “and she brings a humour to it that I think horror fans will really enjoy.”

An ensemble cast starring Mindy Robinson (King of Nerds, Blood Sucka Jones, V/H/S/2, Live Nude Girls), Tara Cardinal (The Legend of the Red Reaper, Wrath of the Crows, Apocolypse Z, Scarlet Samurai), Leah Cevoli (Robot Chicken, Deadwood, My Name is Earl, Body of Work), Cassandra Leigh (Frost Bite, Proper Binge), Joe Davison (As Night Falls, Beast, Fearmakers, Who is Delsin?) and introducing comedic actress Megan Chapnick is sure to attract a wide-range of both independent and mainstream horror fans.

Alex Vincent, star of Child's Play 1 & 2, Curse of Chucky and House Guest has been added to the cast list as Devon, the quick witted best friend to Joe Davison's Trevor Harmony character. But not only will Alex Vincent be in the film he also be producing the score for the film.

Davison a well-respected and awarded Florida Indie Filmmaker (100 Tear, Frost Bite, Experiemnt 7, As Night Falls), will also star and direct.

Chris Wyatt, producer of such films as Eleven Eleven, Murder in the Dark, Napoleon Dynamite, just to name a few has come on board to produce the film."

To learn more on all things Sorority of the Damned, visit the film's IMDB page at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3498690/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1 or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SororityoftheDamned

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First Details on Vamprechaun: "A special St. Patricks day treat from Leprechaun creator Mark jones. The team behind the new Vamprechaun film is launching a campaign to give fans the chance to be part of the legend. Perks include exclusive set tours, pre-orders of the film, and passes to a special screening in Los Angeles, California. The team is currently in talks with Warwick Davis to play the lead role of Vamprechaun!"

For more information, and to keep up on this film's progress, visit: https://www.facebook.com/Vamprechaun

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The Legend of the Psychotic Forest Ranger DVD Release Details: "Full of plot holes & cheesy dialogue, The Legend of the Psychotic Forest Ranger is a B horror movie straight out of the 1970s and ‘80s. After taking a wrong turn down an abandoned road, the Jock, the Joker, the Blond Bimbo & the Paranoid Brunette run out of gas and find themselves stranded in the middle of the woods. What a total bummer! What’s that noise? Why is everyone vanishing? Is it all one of Bradley's dumb practical jokes, or could The Legend be true? Your compass can't help you in these woods!

Written, directed, and produced in Canada by Brad Mills, The Legend of the Psychotic Forest Ranger was an official selection at the Atlantic Film Festival. The movie is a fun, campy throwback to those old 80’s VHS horror flicks that you would rent at your local video store."