Friday, October 24, 2014

Trailer Released For “Late Phases”


late phasesThe trailer for werewolf horror “Late Phases” has been released. The film is directed by Adrián García Bogliano and set to be released on November 21st. “Late Phases” stars Nick Damici, Ethan Embry, Lance Guest and Tina Louise. Check out the trailer below.

Crescent Bay is not the ideal place to spend one's golden years, especially since the once-idyllic retirement community has been beset by a series of deadly animal attacks from the ominous forest surrounding it. When grizzled war veteran Ambrose McKinley (Nick Damici) is forced into moving there by his yuppie son Will (Ethan Embry), the residents immediately take offense to Ambrose's abrasive personality. But that take-no-prisoners attitude may be just what Ambrose needs to survive as it becomes clear that the attacks are being caused by creatures that are neither animal nor man, and that the tight-knit community of Crescent Bay is hiding something truly sinister in its midst...





Official Trailer For “Agoraphobia”


AgoraphobiaCheck out the official trailer for Lou Simon’s “Agoraphobia” starring Cassandra Scerbo and Tony Todd. The film also stars Adam Brudnicki, Aniela McGuinness, Gema Calero, Maria Olsen and Harry Marsh.

An agoraphobic who is afraid to leave her house discovers that there is something far more terrifying trapped inside with her.














Trailer For Horror Film “Almost Mercy”


almost mercyA few weeks back the trailer was released for Woodhaven Films’ “Almost Mercy”. The film is due out sometime in 2015 and is directed by Tom DeNucci. “Almost Mercy” stars Kane Hodder, Bill Moseley, Nick Principe, Danielle Guldin, Sean Leser and Jesse Dufault.

Jackson and Emily aren't like the other kids. Two burgeoning sociopaths on the brink of total meltdown. Ticking time bombs seeking revenge. Who will unravel first?
















Almost Mercy Trailer from Woodhaven Productions on Vimeo.

Anchor Bay Picks Up “Muck”


muckAnchor Bay has announced its acquisition of indie horror “Muck”. The film is directed by Steve Wolsh and set to premiere a new trailer at Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo in L.A.  “Muck” stars Kane Hodder, Lachlan Buchanan Lauren Francesca Bryce Draper and Jaclyn Swedberg. Check out the early sales trailer below.

After narrowly escaping an ancient burial ground, long forgotten and buried underneath the marshes of Cape Cod, a group of friends emerge from the thick, marshy darkness, tattered and bloody, lucky to be alive. They have already lost two of their friends in the marsh, presumably dead. They stumble upon an empty Cape Cod vacation house alongside the foggy marsh and break in to take shelter. Whatever was in the marsh is still after them and soon after one of them goes for help, the rest of the group learns that the evil in the marsh is not the only thing that wants them dead. Something worse, something more savage, was lying in wait just outside the marsh, in the house. What happens next is unspeakable, horror that cannot be unseen. These unlucky travelers spend their St. Patrick's Day trapped between two evils forcing them to fight, die, or go back the way they came.

Release Date Announced For “The Last Witch Hunter”

VinDieselLionsgate has announced the release date for action/fantasy flick “The Last Witch Hunter” starring Vin Diesel. The film will land next Fall on October 23th, 2015, in time for next year’s season of Samhain! “The Last Witch Hunter” also stars Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood and Michael Caine and is directed by Breck Eisner.

An immortal witch hunter is tasked with the job of coming between the covens of New York City and their goal to destroy humanity by way of a horrific plague. In order to accomplish this he must partner up with a beautiful female witch, something that he thought he would never do.

First Teaser Released For “Insidious: Chapter 3”


IC3The first teaser trailer has been released for “Insidious: Chapter 3”. The film is slated for release on May 29th, 2015 and stars Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Lin Shaye, Ashton Moio, Tate Berney, Steve Coulter, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Hayley Kiyoko, Ele Keats. “Insidious: Chapter 3” is directed by Leigh Whannell.

A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.











Thursday, October 23, 2014

Lifetime Will Let Lizzie Borden Have Another Whack

It seems that Lizzie Borden is hitting far more than the 11 blows it took to kill her Dad, even beyond the 41 we sang about as children. She is truly the most infamous woman in American history. Which brings me to the news story about Miss Lizzie Borden. After the success Lifetime had with “Lizzie Borden Took An Ax” it seems the network has decided to bring Miss Murder back to the small screen.

Lizzie Borden
Lifetime has announced a six-episode limited series, ‘Lizzie Borden: The Fall River Chronicles’, with Christina Ricci set to reprise her role as the notorious murderer. The series will debut in 2015. Clea DuVall will also reprise her role as Lizzie’s sister, Emma.

Lifetime says the series “delivers an intense and fictionalized account of actual events and people surrounding Lizzie’s life after her controversial acquittal of the horrific double murder of her father and stepmother in 1892, when the exonerated figure lives a life awash in newfound celebrity.”

“For more than a century, the world has been captivated by the legend of Lizzie Borden.  But no one has captured her enigmatic menace as well as Christina Ricci,” said Vice President and General Manager of Lifetime Rob Sharenow. “This series will take viewers further down Lizzie Borden’s dark path, revealing what many people suspected about her mysterious life.”

Teaser No. 2 Released For “The Legend Of Kate Kensington”


TLOKK stillTeaser trailer no. 2 has been released for “The Legend Of Kate Kensington”.  The film is directed by Brad Castillo and stars Melony Daemer, Lisa Arcaro, Jackson Tessmer, Hayley Castillo, Lila Johnson, Alison Trado, Karrigan Powers, Gerald Wallens, Michael Radford, Ashley Sperrazza, Taylor Eve, and Kinley Rice. “The Legend Of Kate Kensington” is slated for a 2015 release.

The year is 1941 and a young woman, Kate Kensington, struggles with the loss of her fiancé who was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Due to her tragic loss she falls into severe depression. Sent away to an asylum for treatment only to be released nine months later, after treatment proves unsuccessful, Kate Kensington puts on her wedding dress, walks into the woods and is never seen again. The date is October 31st, 1942.


THE LEGEND BEGINS...
There has been speculation over Kate's disappearance which has fueled many rumors and stories throughout the years. There have been several eye witness accounts documented. Kate has been seen around the Kensington Estate, Hills of Rest Cemetery and the wooded trails.

TLOKK still2THE LEGEND GROWS...
The Legend of Kate Kensington grew. Each passing year new stories emerged along with new sightings of Kate's ghostly apparition. Many of the claims were made by very respected people in the small town of Inverness. The stories, the folklore, the legend would continue to grow for the next seventy-two years. Throughout all the stories the one question remained, "What ever happened to Kate Kensington?"

THE LEGEND BECOMES A REALITY...
Present day, a photo has surfaced by a respected local photographer, Ralph White. The photo shows what appears to be a ghostly apparition walking among the Hills of Rest Cemetery grounds. The story breaks when the photo is placed on the front page of the newspaper as a morning news crew reports the story on location at the Hills of Rest Cemetery.

The excitement escalates as three close friends go on a quest to discover the truth, as they begin to unravel the mystery of:

Release Date Announced For “Jody Wheeler’s “The Dark Place”


The Dark PlaceJody Wheeler’s thriller “The Dark Place” will land on DVD and VOD on December 2nd thank to Breaking Glass Pictures. “The Dark Place” stars Blaise Godbe Lipman, Timo Descamps, Sean Paul Lockhart, Eduardo Rioseco and Shannon Day. Check out the trailer below.

Keegan Dark returns to the the heart of California's wine valley to make peace with his long-estranged family. Instead, he finds a harrowing mystery that endangers his life and those he loves.
















New Poster Released For ‘Fear Clinic”

Check out the new official poster released for Robert G. Hall directed, “Fear Clinic”. The film is slated for a 2015 release and stars Robert Englund, Fiona Dourif, Thomas Dekker, Brandon Beemer, Corey Taylor, and Angelina Armani.

When trauma-induced phobias begin to re-emerge in five survivors a year after their horrifying tragedy, they return to the “Fear Clinic,” hoping to find the answers they need to get cured.

Dr. Andover (Robert Englund), a fear doctor who runs the clinic, uses his Fear Chamber to animate their fears in the form of terrifying hallucinations. However, the good doctor soon begins to suspect that something more sinister may be at work, something that yearns to be more than just a hallucination…

fear clinic


“The House At The End Of Time” Is Big Win At Screamfest LA.


thatetAlejandro Hidalgo's supernatural thriller “The House At The End Of Time” has won BEST FILM and BEST DIRECTOR at Screamfest LA. The film will be released in North America by MPI on November 11th 2014 via their genre label Dark Sky Films.

The first horror film produced in Venezuela smashed box office records when it was theatrically released in its home territory in 2013 and has since become the dark horse of the international genre festival circuit where it's unique combination of jump out of your seat thrills, pathos and empathy has won over audiences worldwide, including Fantasporto in Portugal, Fantasia in Montreal, FrightFest in London, FantasyFest in Germany and L'Etrange in France.

Ruddy Rodriguez (The Living Daylights) stars as a mother released on compassion after serving thirty years in prison for murdering her family, but when she returns home the supernatural events that led to the crime come back to haunt her and reveal a sinister secret about the building in which she lives.
"The success of The House at the End of Time has not gone unnoticed by Hollywood" said the films sales agent, Julian Richards, CEO of Jinga Films. "We have two significant genre producers vying for remake rights, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see a big budget, star driven re-make in the next few years."





Wednesday, October 22, 2014

New International Trailer For “V/H/S: Viral”


vhs viralCheck out the new international trailer for “V/H/S: Viral”. The film its VOD & digital platforms this Thursday, October 23rd with a limited theatrical release November 21st. The third installment to the anthology series brings together directors Nacho Vigalondo (Timecrimes, Extraterrestrial), Marcel Sarmiento (ABCs of Death segment “D is for Dogfight”), Gregg Bishop (The Birds of Anger), Justin Benson (Wrecked) and Todd Lincoln.

“V/H/S: Viral” stars Patrick Lawrie, Emmy Argo, Heather Hayes, Jessica Luza, John Curran, Justin Welborn, Mary Ralston, Michael Aaron Milligan, Gustavo Salmerón, Marian Álvarez, Xavi Daura, Esteban Navarro, Nick Blanco, Chase Newton, Shane Bradey, and Jayden Robison. Fame-obsessed teens hell-bent on capturing the next viral video discover they are the stars of the latest internet sensation.







New Official Trailer For “The Woman In Black: Angel Of Death”


TWIB AODA new official trailer has been released for Hammer Films’ “The Woman In Black: Angel Of Death”. The film hits theatres in the UK on January 1st with the stateside release following on the 30th. “Angel Of Death” is directed by Tom Harper and stars Jeremy Irvine and Helen McCroy.

As bombs rain down on London during the Blitz of World War II, a group of school children are evacuated with Eve, their young and beautiful schoolteacher, to the safety of the English countryside. Taken to an old and empty estate, cut-off by a causeway from the mainland, they are left at Eel Marsh House.


One by one the children begin acting strangely and Eve, with the help of local military commander Harry, discovers that the group has awoken a dark force even more terrifying and evil than the city’s air raids. Eve must now confront her own demons to save the children and survive the Woman in Black.




A Marriage Of The Paranormal With Tradition: An Interview With “Ghost Bride” Director David Blyth


david blythDavid Blyth’s “Ghost Bride” is a paranormal thriller that takes on struggles of the generational and cultural dichotomy. The film stars Yoson An, Rebekah Palmer, Fiona Feng, Ian Mune, Geeling Ng, Catheryn Wu and Charles Chan. “Ghost Bride” follows young Chinese immigrant Jason Chen who becomes entangled with two women, a New Zealand beauty and the Chinese bride he is promised to. Held between the modern and the living, two worlds collide-living and the dead.

David Blyth directed New Zealand’s first ever horror film, “Death Warmed Up”. which followed up his indie success of controversial, social commentary “Angel Mine”. Since then he has built a cult following with his documentaries and feature films, not just in his native New Zealand but worldwide. “Ghost Bride” is his latest film which is due out November 4th. Check out the interview with David Blyth about the film and read my review of “Ghost Bride” before the film’s upcoming release.

A Southern Life: Having reviewed “Ghost Bride”, let me say “what a film”! Where did the you get the idea?
David Blyth: I was surfing the Internet one night and found a Asian paranormal website that detailed the ceremony and circumstances around a Ghost Bride wedding. There were images of paper and cardboard effigies of the young couple being burnt releasing their spirits to the other side. Plus images of the double coffin to house the physical remains of the dead couple’s bodies. I was intrigued by this ancient 2000 year old ceremony largely suppressed in mainland China but still practiced.

A Southern Life: Do you believe in the paranormal yourself or are you a skeptic?
David Blyth: I have not had any personal revelations in the paranormal department but I am fascinated by the many manifestations of consciousness.

A Southern Life: Given the success of Asian paranormal horror in the west with films like “The Grudge”, were you influenced by these films at all?
David Blyth: Certainly I’m a fan of Asian Horror Cinema, but I wanted to explore cultural projections and how there’s a subconscious dimension, looking at the compulsions behind the actions of the characters.


A Southern Life: How hard was it to pitch this film’s story to the financiers? What excited them about the project?
David Blyth: I pitched them the Chinese Ghost Bride concept of being able to be married after you are dead for eternity, as opposed to the Western concept of marriage where you have to be alive to marry and it’s all over when you die. So a predestined Chinese supernatural marriage gets in the way of new immigrant Jason Chen’s love for kiwi girl Skye and the mayhem that ensures when Jason marries Skye.

A Southern Life: The location chosen for “Ghost Bride” was picturesque, where did you film?
David Blyth: At the township of Gulf Harbour and beaches on the Whangapaora Peninsular above Auckland city, where I also happen to live.

ghost brideA Southern Life: New Zealand has been getting pretty busy, film-production wise. Is that a help or a hindrance to the indie film-making community there?
David Blyth: There is a lot of International stuff going on here at the moment. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon sequel has just completed production and several US features are being shot here this year, with the Avatar sequels on the way.

These productions are great for the NZ film industry as they help up-skill the local industry, giving both actors and crew opportunities to work in the International arena.
Three of the actors from Ghost Bride got roles in the Crouching Tiger sequel.

A Southern Life: Did you happen to do a Hitchcock and discreet cameo in “Ghost Bride” ?
David Blyth: No , but an interesting footnote, Geeling Ching who plays Madam Yin the matchmaker in Ghost Bride happens to be the “China Girl” of David Bowie’s song and video “China Girl”.

A Southern Life: Horror films seem to be taking more of a supernatural “don’t-show-everything” approach in recent years, do you think that’s the way to go?
David Blyth: Story is most important and certain stories lend themselves to a more leave it to the imagination type of scenario, rather than the visceral in your face revelation. Both work so depending on the story and approach I’m open to working with both.




Tuesday, October 21, 2014

The Vincent Price Collection II Blu-ray Out Today


TVPC2Seven classic films, starring the ultimate horror film star of all time , on Blu-ray for the first time! Handsome slipcase packaging includes newly-designed illustrated art and a 24-page Collector’s book. Films included are: House on Haunted Hill (1959), The Return of the Fly (1959), The Comedy of Terrors (1963), The Raven (1963), The Last Man on Earth (1964), Tomb of Ligeia (1964), and Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972).











Special Features included:

THE RAVENIntroduction and parting words by Vincent Price
NEW Audio Commentary with author/film historian Steve Haberman
Richard Matheson Storyteller: THE RAVEN
Corman’s Comedy of Poe
Promotional Record
Theatrical Trailer
Still Gallery


THE COMEDY OF TERRORS
Introduction and parting words by Vincent Price
Richard Matheson Storyteller: THE COMEDY OF TERRORS
Theatrical Trailer
Still Gallery

THE TOMB OF LIGEIA
Introduction and parting words by Vincent Price
Audio Commentary by producer/director Roger Corman
NEW Audio Commentary with Elizabeth Shepherd, moderated by Roy Frumkes
NEW Audio Commentary with film historian Constantine Nasr
Theatrical Trailer
Still Gallery

THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
NEW Audio Commentary with film historian David Del Valle and author Derek Botelho
Richard Matheson Storyteller: THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
Still Gallery

DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN
Theatrical Trailer
Still Gallery

THE RETURN OF THE FLY
NEW Audio Commentary with actor Brett Halsey and film historian David Del Valle
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spot
Still Gallery

THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL
NEW Audio Commentary with author/historian Steve Haberman
Theatrical Trailer
Still Gallery
Vincent Price: Renaissance Man
The Art of Fear
Working with Vincent Price

Official Trailer For “Why Don’t You Play In Hell?”


WDYPIHThe official U.S. trailer has been released for Sion Sono’s “Why Don’t You Play In Hell?”. The film stars  Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaidô, Shin’ichi Tsutsumi, Hiroki Hasegawa, Gen Hoshino, Tomochika, Itsuji Itao, and hits theatres on November 7th. “Why Don’t You Play In Hell?” follows an amateur film production crew and a yakuza boss who try to make a movie during a decade-long battle between two crime lords.

There’s a war going on, but that won’t stop the inexperienced but eager wannabe film crew The F*ck Bombers from following their dreams of making the ultimate action epic. Ten years ago, yakuza mid-boss Ikegami led an assault against rival don Muto. Now, on the eve of his revenge, all Muto wants to do is complete his masterpiece, a feature film with his daughter in the starring role, before his wife is released from prison. And The F*ck Bombers are standing by with the chance of a lifetime: to film a real, live yakuza battle to the death… on 35mm! Endlessly irreverent and wildly, hilariously visceral, Why Don’t You Play In Hell? is a Tarantino-esque ode to the yakuza films of yore, and features an over-the-top, blood-soaked finale for the ages.


Eerie New Poster For “Ouija”

Check out the eerie new poster released for upcoming horror “Ouija”. The supernatural nightmare hits theatres on October 24th and is directed by Stiles White. “Ouija” stars Olivia Cooke, Douglas Smith, and Bianca Santos.

A group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board.

ouija poster

Poster Released For Supernatural Horror “The Ouija Resurrection”


theouijaresurrectionCheck out the poster art featuring a name change for supernatural horror sequel “The Ouija Resurrection”. The film is the follow up to “The Ouija Experiment” and formally known as “The Ouija Experiment 2: Theatre Of Death”. “The Ouija Resurrection” is directed by Israel Luna and stars Justin Armstrong, Swisyzinna,  Nicole Holt.

ITN Films Synopsis: Based on true events, The Ouija Experiment is the story of five friends who decide to videotape their experimental sessions with an Ouija board in hopes of creating a ‘sure-to-make-them-famous’ viral video. Caught up in their personal drama, the group looses sight of the all-important rules of the game and soon fall prey to the evil entities that occupy the board.

Synopsis: A fun filled weekend turns deadly when a group of unsuspecting theatre goers are trapped inside, after a ravenous spirit is resurrected and released from a Ouija board. They must confront their most terrifying fears and destroy the spirit before it finds and kills them first.






Monday, October 20, 2014

Playing With Death In The Face Of Desperation: An Interview With “Lead Me To The Dark” Actress Joanna Pickering


Joanna PickeringJames Twyman’s “Lead Me To The Dark” is an upcoming supernatural thriller that follows an investigative reporter journey into the unknown. Amy Cole is a woman desperate to find treatment for her ailing daughter, who unmistakably wonders into a world where monsters are real. The film is Twyman’s first feature film and slated for a 2015 release, Currently in production, “Lead Me To The Dark” stars Joanna Pickering as the lead actress portraying Amy Cole. Joanna Pickering is a British born actress and model who is best known for exploring experimental indie film choices.

As a model Pickering has been featured on magazine covers, as well as runway work. The first time that I interviewed Joanna Pickering was back in 2013 when Joanna was cast in a state-side indie horror that is currently held in pre-production status. However my interview with Joanna expanded far beyond that project alone. It is an in-depth discussion that covered her film work, her childhood and much, much more. I caught up with Joanna once more for her new role in “Lead Me To The Dark” while the actress was in the Welsh countryside working on a book with music and film producer Alan McGee . Here is my interview with Joanna Pickering about her current role as the Amy Cole in James Twyman’s “Lead Me To The Dark” :


A Southern Life: You are currently cast as lead in James Twyman's "Lead Me To The Dark", his first feature film which deals with a mother's struggle to save her child while battling darker forces that surround her, what drew you to the project?
Joanna Pickering: The dark forces definitely made me apply to the casting. Then James sent me his short films that have won festival awards, and we talked. I am happy to work with him to make his first debut. It's always a gamble working on someone's debut, but we talked about it, and a big factor for me was that the film already has a distribution deal in place based on his footage and hard work so far. I'm not scared of indie work - its as real as you can go. You don't do it if you need to look glamorous, and the journey has risk. You do it because you learn so much around you - hands on - you have maximum freedom for ideas and suggesting things on set, it's the best learning experience. It's a very different acting skill playing main lead, you drive and carry each scene, women very rarely get these roles to experience in Hollywood, yet it's where I am strongest, and want to be experiencing and preparing.

What drew me to James project specifically, is the character development and slow emotional build of the characters irrelevant of special effects and horror tricks. Many horror scripts going around don't have that. That appealed to me as a method actor. My daughter is dying in hospital - it's a very tough role. Everyone is aiming for a classic cult horror, but for me the risk is lessened as what is definitely going to happen is that I get paid an indie fee and tackle a challenging, difficult role as an actress. That will always be a solid experience for me.

After which it's over to the edit... and fingers crossed. I'm really excited to see.


JP_2A Southern Life: Your character is Amy Cole, an investigative reporter facing extraordinary circumstances, tell me about the character and what about her attracted you to the role?
Joanna Pickering: Well, she's been all over the world covering war zones, she's neglected her daughter. That means she'll do anything to save her daughter now and beyond rational decision making. That's dangerous. I was interested in this side of the character, what drives you to make constantly dangerous reckless fatal decisions, when holding on to a fundamental element of goodness. I also have to learn martial arts techniques, as a new skill.
 
A Southern Life: How have you prepared for the role, do you have a standard method of getting into a character?
Joanna Pickering: I tackled Amy's character through her past life and clues, and her time spent as a war correspondent. Why you choose that risk? And the effects it has after? My key into how I would play her character was through research on post traumatic shock lined to war zones. I realized although she is described as very tough and ruthless, its more in an endurance way. She is actually very vulnerable. Possibly from a low self worth, a secret death wish to be in these places, and her despair of the state of world, wanting to bring justice. Her strength is her unshakable endurance to pain or shockingly disturbing situations. This gives her the ability to go where most people won't, and to allow choices no one else would consider - including very bad ones. Although she begins as a good person, she can be very dangerous due to this lack of boundaries and judgments. She always has the potential to be led into the dark. And there things go very wrong. This was the preparation from which I can realistically drive my character to do the things she does, which are absolutely horrific, really, horrific!

A Southern Life: How was it researching the character and relating to the horror elements of the story?
Joanna Pickering: At first it was more the psychological research of the character I was interested in. But when the film switches in that Dusk To Dawn way, into Vampire-esque, it becomes a whole different experience. Who hasn't wanted to be in a vampire film?! So much fun - blood, horror make up, wax scars and teeth marks. The digital world hasn't killed everything yet. It's a real thrill getting to sit down at a bar and chatting to a vampire, actually. I'm glad I am experiencing it. Thanks Stuart Rees for making his vampire so damned real. I realize, of course, like comedy, it is important to stay serious, honest, and strong to your character goals, even when the horror is escalating beyond any real normality, or is dark humor, or halted by practical stunts.


A Southern Life: Have you met the other cast, and your "daughter" in the film? How has it been connecting with the other cast members, and the director James Twyman?
Joanna Pickering:  I've still got to meet all the cast. As lead role I'm pretty much in every scene. So far everyone has been fabulous. Maeve plays my daughter and studies at the acting lab, she's incredible. It's always an extra commitment working with children, as the on set responsibility is much higher, making kids relaxed, and comfortable, and not exposing them to the 18 certificate nature of the film. It's got to be fun to be on the set for them, it can't be too serious between takes, even if its a tough scene. You've got to fleet back and forth between moods whether it's cut or action. But then, acting with children is always the most magical when action is called. They have make believe so raw, it just happens as it should straight away, it's real energy. Maeve  is wonderful in her scenes, she's the central character, and a delight to be on set with. She really looks just like me, no one can believe it. I've also been having the best giggles doing improvisation with Gavin Morris who plays the doctor, and despite the most serious scenes together. I think we have outtakes for this. I love that about film sets, you know, knowing when to fall about laughing at yourself.

James as a director has been wonderful. He told me on the third day of shooting with me he already had some of the most powerful footage he had ever filmed in his 12 years of making his shorts. Those are the moments when budget and end result are not important. Confidence keeps you going as an artist. He has welcomed any extra ideas I have to my scenes, but importantly does not let me get my own way when he disagrees. I was in a thigh high split sexy white dress he wanted me in, to my horror, the other day. Yet it works perfectly on screen once covered in blood. It's sexy, hot, cult like.

JP_4A Southern Life: Any particular aspects of "Lead Me To The Dark" that hit a nerve, or touch to that deeper level of fear that we all have for the unknown? These vampires are described as darker and more sinister that the normal literary creatures.
Joanna Pickering: I was attracted to the vampires being a sort of mafia society with absolutely no emotion whatsoever. And the human race no different than a cattle herd to farm for food.There's an element of Orwell's 1984 - power over everything. I hope that is developed and really shown in post editing as a theme. It has great potential.


A Southern Life: How do the vampires differ in James Twyman's  mythos from the customary?
Joanna Pickering: They can go out in daylight, and they do die, just after thousands of years, but they definitely need to fed on blood, so they farm humans to survive, but in an old fashioned biting of the neck way.

A Southern Life: How scary does "Lead Me To The Dark" get with your character's conflicts in the story? How much of it feeds on the dramatic and psychological aspects?
Joanna Pickering: Because of the background of my character there is a lot of psychological realism throughout, which I have been told by many directors and coaches is my forte in acting, along with my capacity to show vulnerability. So yes, its very dramatic, in it's psychological aspects. The audience may be rooting for this character because of her vulnerability, I hope, she portrays also, so they could be shocked by her actions as twists happen.

Lila, her daughter, is the real drive at the horror story, and when children are involved, horror is always more terrifying. So yes, it has the potential to be very scary. It's hard to know when you are in a scene filming, until you see the post editing, where films are made again, but we have already had tears from our crew while we filmed some mother daughter scenes, and we have had some frights, bangs and and jumps already. We have just filmed on location in a hospital in Manchester that has an old abandoned hospital wing - long empty corridors - that was great drama right there, it was like being in The Shining.


JP_3A Southern Life: Finish this statement, "The vampires in "Lead Me To The Dark" are_____________
Joanna Pickering: Oh no , I couldn't possibly, that's one for my director, you have to ask James. I'm actually in love with them all [vampires], they add a dark sense of humor in their emotionless. I don't think even James was prepared for that on some scenes. I definitely flirted with a little death with my vampires in some of my scenes. I haven't met the main vampire yet. But really, they are heartless avaricious blood sucking murderous bastards. Finish it with that.

A Southern Life: Assuming that actors take away something from a role, What is the one thing that most connected with you from this character that will stay with you?
Joanna Pickering: Definitely playing a mother. I'm not a mother, as I want to keep exploring the world, and making film, so it's a delight to connect to that feeling of being a mother and understand it. I am exploring the mother daughter bond from the other way round. It's pretty special, and I will be taking that magical feeling away with me. It's still a huge relief to be able to let go of the responsibility of bringing someone through the world. I see how hard it must be. Sorry mum! Appreciation to mums! Yeah, so I am definitely connecting with Maeve. We are friends, she's very cool, but due to the role I do find myself looking out for her in a mum way between scenes. Her real mum is there too, and a fabulous lady, but Maeve definitely has two mums throughout shooting. We are both checking she isn't hungry and stuff. I'm also having to curb my swearing while on set, which is almost impossible. I hope that sticks.

Joanna w pumpkin


A Southern Life: With filming and Halloween taking place so close together, how do you intend on spending the holiday?
Joanna Pickering: I'll probably just come straight from set covered in fake blood and go to a bar, a dive bar in the middle of nowhere with a really good jukebox, ideally. Hopefully, I'll remember not to bite someone's neck and get locked up for it. I'll just take it easy you know...I've got a pumpkin already.

You can read my earlier interview with the Joanna Pickering at this link: An Indeterminate Exploration Of Life: My Interview With Indie Actress Joanna Pickering.
                                                                                             

(Photos in order as they appear in article: Joanna in producer Alan McGee's church; Shooting in role as Amy Cole; Joanna and the young actress Maeve Kelly on set; Amy Cole screen still from filming footage; Joanna- Photo by Esther Vardy; Getting in the mood for Halloween- photo by Alan McGee)



Official Trailer For ‘The Sleeping Room”


TSRA new official trailer has been released for “The Sleeping Room”, a supernatural horror thriller directed by John Shackleton. “The Sleeping Room” stars Julie Graham, Christopher Adamson, Joseph Beattie, Leila Mimmack. The film is described as an enigmatic, twisted nightmare.

In the 1900's, Brighton pimp Fiskin Swannell starts photographing his girls to make titillating Mutoscope (What the butler saw) movies. His obsession for the pornographic takes a dark turn and he becomes the unwitting pioneer of snuff movies. The girls fight back and kill him, hiding his body and possessions in a makeshift tomb above the 'Sleeping Room' within his brothel.

Present day, and the vengeful spirit of Fiskin is unleashed into the apartment when young prostitute Blue uncovers the room whilst visiting a client, Bill. Her situation is worsened by not-so-motherly role model and pimp Cynthia and local gangster Freddie, who earn good money from the teenager.

Blue must find the strength to tackle her emotions and the hidden demons within the Sleeping Room, and unlock the torturous secrets of the past, if she is to survive the evil intentions of Fiskin's spirit and her manipulative abusers.

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