Macabre...ish Cults, Classics & Horrors

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

Christopher Sheffield is a filmmaker who’s been in the film industry for 13 or so years, a decade in LA and three in Arizona. As soon as he graduated film school, he hit the ground running as making commercials for a trucking company. But the dream began when he was a kid and received two video recorders, one that could record and one that could actually play the tape. He made shorts with his friends until he realized film school was an option. Christopher or Sheff, saved a lot of his money from making commercials and used that to make his first feature at the end of that year, called Run For Your Life. Sheff has a Youtube channel where he has shorts that he started back in film school called Split Lip. And inspired the name of his first action film called Split Lip. He talks about how a feature fell through and he made a short instead called Welcome To The Sting. It was choreographed and co-produced by Billy Smith. A lead actor, James M. Black pulled a hamstring but the entire cast rallied and made it happen. This great short could one day become a series! Sheff talks about navigating the pandemic and the strike and having to pivot and regroup. Much of his work is examining mental illness and the struggle. Making it tangible and his upcoming film Eigengrau puts faces to mental illness by making them real life monsters. It’s an idea that lingered since he was a child and the concept grew as he approached his film career and his first stab at it was his first project, Run For Your Life. But as the concept evolved and coalesced, it’s culminated in his feature to come, Eisengrau. Which is a German word that means the color of darkness behind your closed eyes. Sheff explains the concept and story behind the film and it’s an exciting story! There are plenty of projects in the works! Keep an eye out for Christopher Sheffield! Support indie filmmakers and check out the campaign for Eigengrau! This might be the only way to get a physical copy so there’s a blu ray pre-order and other perks. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/eigengrau-horror-film-monster-fund/x/29269334#/ Find Christopher Sheffield here: http://www.christophersheffield.com Instagram: sheff_shoots_indie Tiktok: sheff_shoots_indie 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

Our Carlos Ibarra catches us up on his progress of his current project, a zombie comedy horror, Duck & Cover. Some of the struggle, timing and filming in 3 days. But it’s just the beginning, editing is next, coloring, sound mixing etc. A band will even being making music for the short and Carlos will be making a music video for them. The hope was to get it done by Halloween but it’ll get done when it’s done. We also talk about short films and the purpose of them and the opportunity they could create. Challenges and pitfalls that are just a part of filmmaking. But Carlos and the crew are still grinding and if you can help, please do, a pre-order, merch, anything helps. Please support our indie filmmakers because let’s be honest, they’re the one’s bringing us new horrors and they need our support. Support a horror fan in making horror films that we want to see. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/duck-and-cover-post-production-and-distribution#/ Find Carlos here: Carlos Ibarra on IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ And me, Kimberly: 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

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

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

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

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

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/

A L Katz’s love of film began as a child in Baltimore with Laurel & Hardy and Groucho Marx. He went to college in Vassar and really learned story telling there. After one audition, he decided he didn’t want to act but write. After a high school friend moved to L.A. to be an agent and Mr. Katz was trying to put together a play in New York, she convinced him to write a screenplay and go to L.A., which of course he thought was ridiculous but he was convinced, won over by the people and the weather, after a short visit. The first week, his agent set up a meeting with the first producer he ever met, Gilbert Adler, in 1985. Who was instrumental in Alan’s move to California and they were good friends for a decade. They co-produced and wrote together on the job of his dreams, Tales From The Crypt. But by the release of Bordello of Blood, their friendship was over. Alan and Gil reconnected 25 years later to create, How Not To Make a Movie Podcast. Where they talk about their work together and have guests they once worked with to tell their stories. Gil was hired by HBO to do something with More Stories, he worked on The Hitchhiker and the 3rd season of Tales From the Crypt that was struggling and was slated to end. Alan and Gil resurrected the concept of Tales from the Crypt. Alan reimagined the Cryptkeeper played by John Kassir and his role in the series. Plus balancing the show with the budget, which priorly was always in a deficit. They corrected it by hiring Gil. And Gil brought Alan on as a story editor. (“You manage the budget by managing the script!”) Alan’s first experience with the show was as a judge for the Cable Ace Awards and he viewed the first 3 episodes of the Tales from the Crypt and he loved them! Since Alan was a DC comic and Mad Magazine fan and he wanted the show to be more black comedy than horror. How it was working with Robert Zemeckis and Joel Silver? How HBO’s ad slogan came out of a screening of Tales with HBO executives? Great stories about MeatLoaf, getting Kirk Douglas for Yellow. And how 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 but this story is for part 2. This is a great story from a great story teller!! 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! Also 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. 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

Part 3! Jason gives us excellent incite and advice on our own projects. Carlos, the fledgeling filmmaker and his million dollar movie get’s solid info. His respect for filmmakers and the process of editing and reminiscing about Cracked’s youtube channel and all the effort it took. We talk NDA’s, in light if Chris’ secret project and how you know it’s the real deal and great news. The importance of doing what we live for its own sake and having that be enough. Plus he talks supporting small independent artists especially during this tough time. With a final reminder that it’s the indie artists who need our support not the giant corporations. Jason’s book, If This Book Exists You’re In The Wrong Universe, is out Tuesday, October, 18th 2022! Find all things related to him at https://johndiesattheend.com If you were a Cracked fan, he writes the same kind of articles here, sign up! https://jasonpargin.substack.com And find us: Carlos Ibarra on Twitter & IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and Twitter, IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish Thanks for listening, support indie artists!!

Part 2 🚨Adult Language 🚨 Peter Atkins, screenwriter for Hellraiser 2, 3 and 4, The Wishmaster franchise plus acting credits in Hellraiser and Nightbreed and many more. Plus published author, his work includes Morningstar, Big Thunder and Moontown. Tired of the same questions interview after interview, so we had an hours long friendly chat. We start strong with Canadian food and geography. And end up talking about Video Nasties, the X rating and Video store/ direct to video era. Generational differences and their approaches to horror and cinema in general and consuming them. How the theaters were when Peter was a child and how movies worked. The 4K backlash online started by Chris. Remastering of movies, the complaints and the decay of films. How he came to write the screenplay with Clive Barker and what the process was. And the only other work he’s done concerning the Hellraiser mythos. How the name Inferno came to be. Where he thought Wishmaster was heading. Making movies the hard way with Clive Barker. Words about the horror author Ramsay Campbell. Plus His views on opinions about bad movies. I could listen to Peter talk about anything so here’s his youtube channel, follow him!! Rolling Darkness Revue https://youtube.com/channel/UCLZZMp6Y5GrOH9yqm-kvyWg And below are his other links. Peter Atkins - @PeterAtkins | Linktree And find us: Carlos Ibarra on Twitter & IG @jekyl6669 and https://www.fillintheblanksproductions.ca/ Christopher Thompson on IG @theauthor__ Kimberly at http://www.macabreish.com and Twitter, IG and Tiktok @macabre_ish. https://linktr.ee/macabre_ish