Indie Spotlight

We're back with the latest installment of our Indie Spotlight. Today's feature includes a write-up and interview from Kristian Hanson's visit to the Dead Inside premiere:

Mega Shark vs Mecha Shark Announced: The Asylum officially announced the third film in their Mega Shark series:

"The Asylum has officially greenlit production on MEGA SHARK VS. MECHA SHARK, a much anticipated third installment in the 'Mega Shark' franchise, following Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus in 2009 and Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus in 2010. When Mega Shark returns in this all-new feature film, the government releases the top-secret Mecha Shark to defeat the franchise’s popular monster in a fierce battle that threatens the planet.

'The fan response to the Mega Shark franchise has been rabid,' said The Asylum partner Paul Bales. 'In addition to a very persuasive online petition, we found that Mega Shark has taken on a life of her own. We’ve received photos of Mega Shark cakes, toys and games on a near-daily basis, and we thought it was high time she did battle with an iconic Mecha monster.'

But one question remains – who will be Mega Shark’s next victim? The Asylum will begin casting later this year."

Convention Girl: Shivers Down Your Spine is a free monthly horror webseries that has just released their 4th episode:

"Episode 4: Convention Girl has just been released and is about a horror fan attending a convention who accidentally kills a hooker...or does he?"

Watch the new episode at: http://www.deadlantern.com/2012/03/20/convention-girl-is-live/

Mutant Girls Squad Blu-ray/DVD: "Three leaders in the Japanese splatter movement -- Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police) and Tak Sakaguchi (Yoroi: Samurai Zombie) -- join forces to bring three times the heart-pounding action, three times the jaw-dropping comedy and three times the head-exploding splatter of your average action/horror/comedy with Mutant Girls Squad, debuting on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD May 22nd from Well Go USA Entertainment.

A soon-to-be cult film from the prolific Japanese cult film label Sushi Typhoon, Mutant Girls Squad is touted as a warped version of X-MEN, adapted into the violent, body-horror-filled universe of the three directors. Mutant Girls Squad focuses on Rin, a beautiful 16-year-old who experiences one hell of a coming-of-age when her birthday present from nature comes in the form of a shocking revelation. The film stars Yumi Sugimoto, Yuko Takayama, Suzuka Morita and Naoto Takenaka.

Bonus materials include the “Opening Day” and “The Making of Mutant Girls Squad” featurettes, interviews with the filmmakers and the short film Yoshi Zero, a prequel by Noboru Iguchi focusing on the character portrayed by Suzuka Morita."

Sector 7 Blu-ray/DVD Release: "This summer, brace yourself for non-stop action, suspense and edge-of-your-seat thrills as something unknown strikes terror into our hearts from 8,000 feet under the deep sea. On June 26, 2012, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with CJ E&M, will unleash Korea’s first 3D sci-fi thriller SECTOR 7 on Blu-ray 3D™ and DVD, as well as being made available on digital entertainment platforms. SECTOR 7 Blu-ray 3D includes the movie in high-definition 3D and on high-definition 2D. Both Blu-ray 3D and DVD editions boast English and Korean audio tracks, English subtitles and insightful bonus content. A must have home entertainment collection for sci-fi horror movie fans, collectors and world cinema enthusiasts, SECTOR 7 Blu-ray 3D is priced to own at $29.97 SRP; the DVD has a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Movie fans and collectors can pre-order SECTOR 7 now on Amazon before the Blu-ray 3D and DVD hit store shelves nationwide. Amazon pre-order link: http://www.amazon.com/Sector-7-3-D-BluRay-Blu-ray/dp/B007I1Q58K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331917440&sr=8-2

Starring popular international female action star Ha Ji-Won and directed by Kim Ji-Hoon, SECTOR 7 delivers blockbuster home entertainment, boasting fierce action, daring stunts and spectacular CG and 3D technology. Hae-jun (Ha Ji-Won) is working as a marine equipment manager on an old oil prospecting platform stationed at Sector 7, the mining area in the vast open sea located off the southern tip of Korea’s Jeju Island. One day, a new recruit sinks to the bottom of the sea. Evidence suggests that it was not an accident, and other crew members begin to turn up dead. The few survivors soon discover an underwater creature roaming the rig. The viral monster infiltrated the ship through the drilling pipe and has been feeding on crew members to survive. As Hae-jun and her remaining crew lose all communications to the outside world, a frantic fight for their lives begins."

It’s Friday night on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood California and I was asked to go to a screening of a new film titled Dead Inside. The weather is nice as I step into the red carpet lobby where I had the privilege to interview the stars of Dead Inside, along with the talented writer (whom also stars in the film) Jenny Zhang.

Synopsis: “Sarah, a mentally-disturbed teen, has a jarring premonition of her friends' impending deaths one night at a sleepover. As her house guests begin to turn murderously against each other, Sarah must determine whether her visions represent the preventable or the inevitable... or something entirely more sinister.”

The description of the film seems simple enough, but what lurks within the shadows is what caught my eye and kept me interested until the end of the film. This is a low budget horror film, but the actors and writing helped bring this film to life and show that a small indie project can bring quite a punch if done with love and passion. After interviewing the actors of the film, there was no doubt that this was a passion project for them as they answered some questions about the film and about their own love for the horror genre.

What brought you to this project?

James: It was the director. A lot of the writing as well but the director mostly. He is a very inspirational guy and I have seen most of his films. I loved the visuals and the story plots that he created. Jen came up to me and pitched me the idea and wanted me to audition. When the director came up, I said: "Hell yeah, I will audition."

Hannah: An audition (laughs). It was just fun and I am really drawn to characters who are the sad character, the loner.

Shanda: I was a good friend with the director and he asked me to audition as Sarah’s mother, so of course I obliged and was lucky enough to be cast.

Jimbo: I love new and young filmmakers. They are all so creative and their energy is out of the atmosphere in a lot of ways. The writing is also really good and I was fortunate to be a part of it.

Matthew: I previously had the privilege of working with Jen on another project for the web. It was a film called Street Fighter High: The Musical. She brought me on board because I did a voice for the Street Fighter Game as a character so it was like a secret little Easter egg for the fans. We had such a fun time working on that project that when she started producing this, she had me in to audition for Malcolm and I ended up booking it.

Rayne: So I was browsing Craig’s List one day for no apparent reason and I saw this casting notice for a film. I got an email from Jennifer and she asked to submit a video so I did, and then I came in for a call back and I met Matt there and we had this great chemistry and I got the roll that night.

Are you a fan of horror films?

James: I can’t really watch horror films; I’m kind of a pansy in that aspect.

Shanda: Absolutely a fan. My first film almost fourteen years ago was a horror (Paranoia) that I was the lead in so I have been a fan for a long time

Was it different being in one then watching one?

James: It is, because I now know how the behind the scenes things are done, so I am not as scared or spooked out watching them now.

What film scared you away from Horror movies?

James: The Exorcist, definitely.

What would you say is your all time favorite horror movie?

Shanda: The Shining is one of my favorite movies that scared the bejesus out of me.

Jimbo: My favorite horror film is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. I am the hide behind the covers guy, and The Amityville Horror was another one that scared me.

Matthew: Friday the 13^th, but that was forced by a babysitter so wasn’t a fan of that so much, but I am definitely am now. I really love Let The Right One In. I liked the remake, but prefer the original version. I also love Event Horizon because I love the sci-fi horror genre and films.

Rayne: My first horror movie was Rosemary’s Baby. It really is hard to pinpoint a favorite. I would say right now the Human Centipede is my favorite. It is a great horror film. It turns your stomach.

Do you have anything in the works for the future?

Hannah: We are currently waiting on funding for a new film titled Carn-evil. It is about a girl who is scared of clowns. I am waiting for the picture to be picked up so I can put myself through hell of all the scary clown movies.

Tara Strand, Sage Howard and Writer Jennifer Zhang

Jennifer, What inspired you to write this film?

Jennifer: I am primarily a writer with a producing background. I knew I wanted to film something in a confined space with an ensemble cast. So that was the challenge I set forth for myself to keep production costs low because I knew I wanted to make this film. So the main way to pack as much drama in a setting like that is to do a horror film. What is more dramatic then death and betrayal and blood lust? So it was that combination of things that meshed together to make this Dead Inside baby.

What drew the two of you to this project?

Sage: I went in and I had such a good feeling when I read. Actually a dear friend and someone I work with, Adrian who is our acting coach, he recommended me to Jen and I came in and read and I nailed it. Jen’s writing is amazing and its something you can get into. It was really easy and natural like it was meant to happen.

Tara: I’ve known Jen for awhile and I was really flattered to come onto this project. I have done a lot of theater and films that are silent and experimental, so it was really exciting to do a feature. This kind of character is really fun to play and I would like to think I am a bit opposite of her. It is always fun to play on that other side. She gets to say what you wish you would say on your darker side.

Would you say you are all fans of the horror genre?

Tara: It’s funny because I don’t dig a lot of horror. I have been trying to watch a lot more because I keep doing horror projects. The cool thing is that this is the kind of horror that is up my alley to watch because it is psychological and spooky.

Sage: I think when I was growing up I was affected by it. I have an over active imagination. After I would watch the movies, it would plant a seed to where I would wake up thinking my dolls were coming alive and were going to cut me open. I had this nightmare that if I fell asleep at family reunions my cousins would open me up and take out my insides so I didn’t want to feed that over active imagination. I find myself enjoying it more and more now that I can control my brain.

Jenny: As a teenager, I was really into horror as a social activity. In all honesty, I’m the biggest chicken shit ever and I am that girl in the theater that screams and you wish would leave. I like the exploration of bad human behavior in horror. You seem to see that a lot in the worst dire situation to see how badly someone will behave. I haven’t always been a fan, but the genre is definitely growing on me.

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For more information on Dead Inside, watch the trailer below and visit: http://www.deadinsidemovie.com/