Indie Spotlight

2014/08/31 19:22:26 +00:00 | Tamika Jones

We're back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting the recent independent horror news sent our way. Today's feature includes release details for Out of the Dark, Travelogue of Horror, and The Hunted, a trailer for The Scribbler and The Pyramid, a look at The Walker Stalkers's music video Talk Dead to Me, advanced screening details for L.A. Slasher, and much more:

Out of the Dark Release Details and Photos: "Vertical Entertainment and Participant Media today announced that Vertical has acquired U.S. rights to Participant’s supernatural thriller Out of the Dark, and slated the film for an early 2015 theatrical release.

Starring Julia Stiles, Scott Speedman, and Stephen Rea, Out of the Dark is a ghost story set in South America, where a young family’s new life turns from promising to terrifying when they are forced to confront ancient legends, ghosts, and a haunting family secret.

Out of the Dark will be presented by Vertical in association with Participant Media and Image Nation. It is a production of Apaches Entertainment, Cactus Flower, and Fast Producciones, in association with Dynamo and XYZ Films. The film was Executive Produced by Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Roy Azout, and Nick Spicer, Produced by Belén Atienza, Cristian Conti, Enrique López Lavigne and Andrés Calderón from a screenplay by Alex Pastor & David Pastor, and Javier Gullón, and was directed by Lluís Quílez. Out of the Dark was shot on location in Colombia and is a Spanish-Colombian co-production.

“We are delighted to have our first affiliation with both Participant and XYZ Films”, said Vertical’s Co-President Rich Goldberg. “Out of the Dark is much more than it seems on the surface. We think it will surprise genre fans with its ability to reach beyond just the scares and great storytelling, and have a thought-provoking motif that will stay with them well after they see it.”

Goldberg and Peter Jarowey negotiated the deal for Vertical, with Nate Bolotin at XYZ Films and Jeff Ivers for Participant. Bloom is handling international sales for Out of the Dark."

---------

Travelogue of Horror Release Details: "Looking for a new angle on everyone’s favorite horror movies for Halloween? Check out Travelogue of Horror by Tony Urban. Join Tony on every horror buff’s dream road trip across the country hunting down the exact locations where his favorite movies were filmed.

Here is a travelogue for those whose idea of a perfect vacation doesn’t involve amusement parks and tourist traps, a guidebook for fans of horror and the macabre. Ride along with the author to ghoulish destinations, such as where fright flicks like Friday the 13th and Jaws were filmed, Jeffrey Dahmer’s childhood home, UFO crash sites, and macabre graves, to name a few. See the sites in over 70 vivid color photos. Fifteen states were visited from Maine to Georgia in search of iconic filming locations from movies such as The Exorcist, Silence of the Lambs, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Evil Dead. Along the way, monsters were hunted, vampire graves tracked down, a strange mix of paranormal and odd locations across the Eastern US were visited, and Stephen King was met. Hitch a ride, but remember that you never know what you might find–or what might find you!

Travelogue of Horror book launch party [was held] on August 29th."

To purchase this item, or to learn more, go to: www.schifferbooks.com

---------

The Hunted DVD and VOD Release Date Announced: "The Hunted follows family-man, hunter, Jake, played by Josh Stewart, alongside his best friend Stevie (Ronnie Gene Blevins) as they journey deep into the Appalachians of West Virginia on the hunt for a legendary buck. Chasing their dream of landing a television hunting show, the duo head into the dense, secluded mountains armed with only their bows and camera equipment. The friends quickly realize there is something else that stirs within the woods. Something that, turn by turn, begins to hunt them.

Written, directed and starring Stewart, The Hunted was inspired by the actor's desire to spark his creativity and bring home his talent after spending months on the high-budget set of The Dark Knight Rises. Growing up in rural West Virginia, Stewart spent much of his youth fly-fishing and hunting in the sprawling woods where the film is set. An outdoorsman at heart, the first-time director made every effort to ensure the film would feel as authentic as possible to fellow hunters. Everything from the equipment, apparel and even safety measures were true to form - a quality only found on hunting shows, not in fictional work.

Before shooting began, the filmmakers reached out to the most respective hunting brands in the industry. Moved by Stewart's passion and dedication to the sport, brand leaders Realtree, BowTech Archery, Scentblocker, Trophy Ridge, Leupold and Cabela's quickly signed on to be a part of the project.

Cast: Josh Stewart (The Dark Knight Rises, "No Ordinary Family"), Skipp Sudduth ("The Third Watch", Ronin), Nikki Deloach ("Awkward" Love & Other Drugs), and Ronnie Gene Blevins ("Kingdom", "Criminal Minds").

The Hunted arriving on DVD and VOD September 9, 2014.

Bonus Features: Audio commentary with Josh Stewart and Producers, and "The True Story" Featurette."

---------

First Details on The Gates of Misery: "The Gates of Misery is a horror anthology comic set in Mount Misery Cemetery. The comic features three unique tales of terror, each illustrating a different character's journey to the grave and how their souls came to be trapped within the Gates of Misery. Issue #1 features tales by genre filmmakers Steven Kostanski (writer/director Manborg), Brandon Cronenberg (writer/director Antiviral), and Jon Knautz (writer/director Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer). Each story is illustrated by Matthew Therrien (Manborg: The Official Comic) and coloured by Shira Haberman (Manborg: The Official Comic)."

To learn more about this project, or how to support its progress, visit the comic's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thegatesofmisery or Twitter page at: www.twitter.com/Mt_Misery

---------

Northbound, Part II Episode Details: "In the second installment of stories that lead into the feature film "Northstar", we return to Alex after he has found temporary shelter for his sick daughter, Crystal. But in this abandoned, post-cataclysm wilderness, he soon realizes he's not the only survivor."

---------

Sam Haynes's Spine Chillers Release Details: "On September 13th, Sam Haynes will release his fourth studio album, and second album of 2014 "Spine Chillers." This is Sam's third Halloween themed LP and features dark electro horror instrumental music and ambient orchestral soundtrack music designed to give the listener maximum chills. Sam's music is influenced by classic 70's and 80s horror music including composers such as John Carpenter, Alan Howarth and Simon Boswell. The album has references to great horror icons, Zombies, Serial Killers, Ghosts, Carnival Clowns and creepy lullabies all make an appearance.

The CD artwork features original Halloween themed artwork from reknowned horror artist Kachenstein. Listeners will hear the influence of the of classic 70's and 80's horror, each song is designed to create an atmosphere. Sam's music is used by Theme Parks and Horror movie producers worldwide to create chills and atmosphere. Welcome to the Horror Show, Sam's 2013 album recently won a Frightee award for Best Halloween Song.

The new album not only provides a dark menacing atmosphere for haunted attractions and horror movies, it contains 19 unique and original Halloween songs that build on the traditional Halloween haunt music themes.

The CD is available for pre-order now and will be released on September 13th. Haunt Music will be releasing a limited edition black CD which can also be pre-ordered. Anyone pre-ordering the album will be entered into a draw to win the entire Sam Haynes back catalogue and Halloween treats!"

To pre-order this album, go to: www.samhaynes1.bandcamp.com or www.Hauntmusic.co.uk

---------

The Anatomy of Fear Novel Details: "During in-depth conversations with 21 horror and science-fiction film writers and directors, filmmakers Chris and Kathleen Vander Kaay get the inside story on the inspiration, creation, and behind-the-scenes experiences of box office blockbusters.

Horror movies have a shady reputation because of their flaws and eccentricities. Horror wants us to laugh when we’re uncomfortable, keep looking when we want to turn away, and live with a total lack of happy endings. Perhaps that’s why we respect these films as a subculture. And because no one expects horror films to toe the line, they get to flirt with madness and imperfection while making the most interesting, controversial observations.

That’s why this book exists. Part of the subject matter in horror films is blunt and graphic and doesn’t need further illumination. Other parts are brave, transgressive, explorative, and restless. While exploring these themes with 21 artists, Chris and Kathleen Vander Kaay uncover a surprisingly honest appraisal of the human psyche.

The Anatomy of Fear is essential reading for every horror movie buff!"

For more information on this novel, or to purchase it, visit: www.theanatomyoffear.com

About the Author - Tamika Jones

Tamika hails from North Beach, Maryland, a tiny town inches from the Chesapeake Bay.She knew she wanted to be an actor after reciting a soliloquy by Sojourner Truth in front of her entire fifth grade class. Since then, she's appeared in over 20 film and television projects. In addition to acting, Tamika is the Indie Spotlight manager for Daily Dead, where she brings readers news on independent horror projects every weekend.

The first horror film Tamika watched was Child's Play. Being eight years old at the time, she remembers being so scared when Chucky came to life that she projectile vomited. It's tough for her to choose only one movie as her favorite horror film, so she picked two: Nosferatu and The Stepford Wives (1975).

Read Tamika's Articles | Follow on Twitter