The Mini-View Resurrection Featuring Tim Ritter

Tim Ritter is an independent filmmaker and heavy metal enthusiast who has gotten notoriety for writing and directing such films as the TRUTH OR DARE trilogy, KILLING SPREE, CREEP, and most recently, RECONCILED THROUGH THE CHRIST. He is also an obscure novelist, having recently penned THE HAMMER WILL FALL and the semi-autobiographical UNREEL.

TIM RITTER: B MOVIES THAT DESERVE AN "A"
excerpt taken from an article by Phil Hall

True addicts of contemporary B-Movies will genuflect at the mention of Tim Ritter's name. As the creative force behind contemporary horror cult classics including the "Truth or Dare?" trilogy or the grisly features "Creep" and "Killing Spree," Ritter has been terrifying and entertaining audiences with his intense, envelope-pushing approach to filmmaking that liberally mixes pulse-banging suspense with unapologetic violence. If Alfred Hitchcock and Herschell Gordon Lewis had their genes spliced together, the result would easily be Tim Ritter.

Born on a Friday the 13th back in 1967, Ritter was still in high school when he scripted, directed and edited his first feature, a 1984 Super 8mm production called "Day of the Reaper." Shrewdly recognizing the potential of the then-nascent direct-to-video market, Ritter self-distributed his production to video wholesalers and, in the process, helped lay the groundwork for what is now one of the most important facets of the home video market. He followed up "Day of the Reaper" by co-directing the video anthology "Twisted Illusions" (1985) and wrote and directed (albeit without director credit) the first installment of the "Truth or Dare?" series that introduced one of the most indefatigable serial killers to slash his away across the screen, The Coppermasked Madman.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Ritter helmed his own productions (including "Wicked Games" and "Screaming For Sanity") and also served a variety of function on other works including stints as writer, editor, second unit director, narrator, and even "creative consultant." In 1995, he directed "Creep," a horrifying adventure following the crime trail of sibling serial killers. Even in the no-holds-barred world of B-Movie filmmaking, "Creep" cut more than a few nerves and remains a popular cult film to this day.

In the twenty-first century, Ritter has turned his attention to creating a variety of new projects, including books and movies. His novels include THE HAMMER WILL FALL (2000) and UNREEL (2004). His latest productions are TWISTED ILLUSIONS 2 (Dexter Deadbeat segment) and RECONCILED, both produced by his new SRU Ventures, LLC distribution company.



http://www.timritter.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0728813/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deadly-Dares-Truth-Or-Dare-4/263180220366298

http://www.youtube.com/user/truthordaremovies




1. Having come from the golden age of the video market, and mom and pop video stores, do you think it's easier for a filmmaker now to self distribute using the internet through sites like Amazon and the aid of social media websites such as Facebook for promotion?


Yes and no. While it is easier to promote your movie to a potentially large audience using Internet tools, and it certainly beats putting flyers on cars or trying to sell your movie directly to small video stores, there’s just so much information out on the Net now that it’s very difficult to get noticed. There’s so much for people to look at now, so many things competing for entertainment time that it seems very easy to get lost in an oversaturated marketplace. The questions then become- “how do you stand out and get viewer’s attention with very little advertising dollars?” So you end up having to do all the same difficult promotional and hype work even more so. Unfortunately, for horror and especially slasher movies, I’ve recently found Amazon and Youtube to be very restrictive on content- ridiculously so, to the point where they are rejecting your work or banning it for no reason at all. I’ve had a couple of DEADLY DARES videos banned that were very PG-13 in content, but they seem to have these ridiculous standard where even the HINT of violence...the “negative tone” of a small clip where someone is put in jeopardy...is listed as pornography and taken down! Where the MPAA has gotten more lenient on horror movie ratings...the free social sites seem to be getting more restrictive, especially for the little guy. It can be very frustrating- you never know what anyone is going to complain about, and it seems they’d just rather take stuff down rather than even put an age restriction on it.

2. Also, do you think with the transition to digital film making over the past few years that it has opened the door to aspiring filmmakers? Or made it too easy for anyone to get into film making?

Yes, the tools are more accessible than ever. Anyone with the desire to make a movie can buy or borrow a decent video camera and edit your footage on a computer. I think it’s a great thing that anyone who has the desire to create can get the tools easier and cheaper than ever before. That being said, it’s still VERY difficult to plan and execute a low or no budget movie from beginning to end. The same obstacles that were there in the beginning are there now- finding a good cast, locations, shooting schedule, insurance, working around weather, finding the TIME to log your footage and edit it all. While basic editing is pretty simple, getting into the nitty gritty of sound mixes, color correction, ADR, music, contracts, right on into distribution---is still a very tough thing to get through. A lot of people don’t realize how hard it all is until they’re in the thick of it. And distribution- that can take years in itself...So if you’re planning to make a small movie, be prepared to live with it for a few years or more, from concept to distribution!

3. The past few years have seen a huge boom in VHS collecting, be it a hipster movement or general love of the format. Many of your old films have been seen on Ebay and through tape trading websites reaching several hundred dollars. Do you find this flattering and take it as a compliment? Or do you think it's just part of the trend making it hard for true fans to get their hands on your films?

I think it’s awesome that anyone is watching my movies on ANY format! It’s very humbling to know that fans are still watching my stuff and whatever the format, it’s great to me! I am surprised that some aren’t letting go of VHS- the quality and ease of use that DVD has is just so much better to me, but VHS...what can I say? It’s like vinyl records, some people just prefer “the old way” of delivery. Now if we start seeing a return to 8-tracks in music...I might start to worry! (laughs) But seriously, I always say...”shoot your movie with whatever you have access to, whether it be VHS or a RED cam.” Same goes with viewing- whatever your preference! There was a huge resurgence of interest in the original TRUTH OR DARE? when it appeared on Netflix Streaming when they first introduced it---so we were on there at the beginning of the whole streaming thing, for about two years. Thousands more people watched the movie or saw it again, so again, any way you can get an audience these days is good. As far as the inflated prices of VHS and OOP DVDs, it’s interesting...it’s a collector’s market and honestly, if people weren’t actually paying those prices for that stuff, then they wouldn’t ask that much. I’ve talked to many fans that purchased OOP TRUTH OR DARE? copies for $450.00 and up, soooo...as long as people are willing to pay those prices, then they’ll stay that way. All of my movies are pretty easy to find very cheap in the Amazon Marketplace or in Streaming places, so I don’t worry about it being too difficult for fans to find my old stuff if they really want to see it. Now it is harder to find some of the super unrated versions of the old stuff like CREEP and SCREAMING FOR SANITY and a few other titles because they were all released on DVD with different cuts- and in some cases, with scenes missing at the request of retail outlets a few years back. And there were only a few thousand copies of those originals made to begin with, so those are rarities!

4. On a very similar note, many of your films have recently turned up on YouTube and to download for free via Torrent sites over the internet. As a film maker how does this affect you? Do you see at as a positive, showing continued interest in your films after all these years? Or as a negative to the people who are trying to legitimately acquire your films?

Definitely as a positive that there’s still interest in the old movies and that people are still watching after 25 years plus! And it helps to promote the newer stuff I’m doing, hopefully leading viewers into checking out what I’m doing now. I think all artists just have to roll with the technology and we have to realize that not all of us are going to be able to make millions off their work...Especially in the SOV horror movie world with so many niche areas, there’s just so much to choose from. I do my stuff for the passion, because I love doing it, enjoy creating and collaborating with cool people, and feel very much alive when making a project. It’s not for the money, if it comes, fine, but if not...I did it because I had to create!




5. You recently completed your newest film, Deadly Dares: Truth or Dare IV, and had the world premier in Lexington, Ky on the 25th of this month. Can you tell us a little about how this new film came to be, and what the response was like from the crowd in attendance?

Well, after I made RECONCILED, I thought I had said and done all that I could in the underground, SOV market. I had homaged all my favorite horror movies, made some original flicks, and had a blast! So I turned to just writing books and scripts for awhile, and unfortunately, I wrote all these really fun scripts for various filmmakers and companies---and none ever got made! That became frustrating. In the meantime, there were some fans and filmmakers always in touch with me- like Matt Hill, Richard Anasky, Mario Dominic and a few others- that REALLY wanted to see another TRUTH OR DARE movie. Then that resurgence of interest in TRUTH OR DARE? came about that I mentioned, and we released a free documentary on the Internet (still on Youtube for the moment!) that got lots of views, especially through Fangoria.com. I ended up doing a lot of podcast interviews and talking to so many diehard fans that knew all about the movie and its sequels- and they had such fond memories of growing up with them and finding the treasured razor blade or Chas Balun box art covers on VHS, and the big question was always...”What about a 4th entry?!?” So the longer I thought about it, I hit upon a very cool story that I liked, one that was very simple to attack from a small budget, using video AS the format that it was intended in the story...and I said, “Why not? Let’s just do this and see what happens!” And as I started, it grew and grew, and we got so many great people involved and contributing to the movie, and it was this three-year-long experience from 2008-2011 that has just been awesome. There’s been ups and downs, of course, trials and tribulations, but at the end of the day, it was just so awesome getting out there and doing something for passion again, using the new HD video toys, and figuring out all this stuff as I went along. And so many friends and filmmakers joined the party, contributing and helping, that I was amazed! Scott Bullock shot some awesome crazy dare footage in Colorado, Richard Anasky let me use his short film remake of the original TRUTH OR DARE in this movie for flashbacks...I got Vanize, one of my favorite heavy metal bands, signed on to let me use some of their songs...I mean, as we went along, things just fell into play and it became more than a movie for me, just an incredible life journey with other like-minded people. Now Dann Thombs, a great indie moviemaker who just has a blast making things, is editing the HD cut and adding more stuff, and of course, Joel Wynkoop sent in some great footage...We just have so much footage, enough to probably cut three different versions, and it just continues to become more exciting with Silver Ferox making us all these great posters, and we’re trying to recreate the excitement of the past, the collectibility of whatever we release with just awesome artwork and pictures. We created all these really cool lobby cards for the theatrical release with excellent stills from the movie that Sean Patterson took, and people just ate em up, we gave them out for free! So we’re just trying for that magical experience- something made by fans, in collaboration with fans, for fans. I think sci-fi and horror fans are the most dedicated, and when you have just a small budget and say “hey, come on out and help us out!” and many of them do- on their own dime- they fly in, drive in from other states, and bring equipment, props, and themselves. It’s so amazing and humbling, and such great collaborating with like-minded people. I think the Internet has helped bring us all together in a way that wasn’t possible before, so in that aspect, the social sites and all are a very good thing!


We recently completed the “Underground Bootleg Cut”, which is essentially a very polished rough cut. We’re still working on the HD cut, and we figured why not have a couple of versions to peddle around? After, this was a movie made by fans, for fans, so let’s start the ball rolling now, on the 25th Anniversary of the original film! So we had the first showing, and everyone was jazzed after seeing the movie, it seemed. There was a definite buzz of excitement afterwards, in good way- people were talking about the movie, some of the gore scenes, the plot twists, so I was happy! You never know how things are going to go, especially after being with a project like this for three years now. I was amazed that some of the simplest gore effects really got people and had them hooting and hollering, so that was very gratifying! Our plan now is to just show the movie in small theaters and horror conventions for six months to a year, also doing a limited edition VHS release, to be followed by the official DVD release. Just have fun with it and hope people enjoy it!

And a couple of bonus Halloween questions.

6. What scares Tim Ritter?

Well, since moving up to Kentucky, tornadoes and ice storms! Mother Nature can be pretty terrifying, and in Florida, it was the hurricane potential. But lately, these big tornadoes are VERY scary and ice storms are so dangerous and inconvenient. You lose power for a few weeks or more and that temperature plummets below 30...it hurts! Give you a whole new appreciation on modern conveniences we take for granted! Gotta RIDE THE STORMS, man...No fun!

7. And lastly, do you have any certain Halloween traditions? Or certain films that you watch every year to get you in the spirit of the holiday?


Oh yeah, in September I watched all the FRIDAY THE 13th movies, followed here in October by all the HALLOWEEN movies. They’re great all year long, but especially in October, with the leaves falling and the whole ambiance of cooler weather and wind, there’s nothing better than Michael Myers fests! I love all the movies in both series and of course, while the originals are the best, I always appreciate the sequels and each year, I have new favorites in the sequel department. And can’t forget giving out candy to kids and putting on a mask to scare them- that’s always fun too!

The Mini-View Resurrection Featuring Eric Stanze

Eric Stanze is a director, writer, editor, and producer who primarily works on independent feature films. He has also worked as an actor, voice-over talent, and 2nd unit director. Stanze began interning on local commercials and music videos at the age of 16. He entered the industry professionally when he was 18.

Eric directed, wrote, shot, and edited the feature film Deadwood Park which received high praise in both Rue Morgue Magazine and Fangoria Magazine, as well as critical acclaim from many additional on-line and print publications. The movie premiered at the 2007 Freak Show Film Fest in Orlando, Florida, where Deadwood Park won Best Feature and Best Cinematography.

Eric directed the controversial and critically-acclaimed film Scrapbook. The movie was named Best Independent Film Of The Year by Rue Morgue Magazine.

Eric directed Ice From The Sun. The movie won Best Horror/Experimental Feature at the 2003 New York International Independent Film And Video Festival.

http://ericstanze.com/

http://www.fearnet.com/blogs/surviving_cinema/index.html

http://wickedpixel.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0822855/

1. Films like SAVAGE HARVEST and ICE FROM THE SUN were originally released on VHS.  What are your thoughts on the trend of VHS collecting that has occurred over the past few years? Do you find it humbling that your early films are still being sought after by these collectors?

I think it's interesting, this resurrection of VHS that is going on, especially since I was in grade school when the video boom began.  Renting piles and piles of VHS tapes from mom 'n' pop shops became a big part of my youth, and VHS represents a huge portion of my horror cinema education.  It rarely occurs to me that anyone would want to own my early movies on VHS.  I tend to think about such subjects more as a fan than a filmmaker.  When I consider something like the independent direct-to-video horror scene of the '90s, it's kind of a jolt when I suddenly realize, "Oh yeah, I was a part of all that."

2. Where do you draw your ideas for your scripts from? And do you have a certain process that you go through when writing them?

The process tends to change with each project, partly because I learn from past projects, and also because each new project tends to demand a different approach.

I like to explore and challenge myself, so my ideas for scripts are mostly born of my desire to try something new.  I appreciate the adventure of making each new movie, so I write what I'd like to experience and try to pull off as a filmmaker. 

Unfortunately, at the budget level I've been working at, the story tends to be shoved around a little bit - or a lot; as in, you can write whatever you want, but at the end of the day, the story is gonna go in the direction your limited resources dictate.  But that's part of the adventure too - staying on your toes and trying to make those limitations in budget and resources work for the story, instead of completely demolishing it. 

I know I would be a better filmmaker today if I settled into a routine, practiced the same techniques over and over, and just kinda made a string of similar movies - but I have no interest in that.  I'd rather be trying new things all the time, even if that means I make more mistakes.  Also, I think fans of my work would tend to say that's one reason why they're fans - ya never know what to expect, and each new movie will deliver a nice surprise - and feel inventive and intriguing instead of safe and stale.  There is plenty of safe and stale out there.  I'm trying to be an alternative to all that.

3. You're newest film, RATLINE, is more of a gritty grindhouse style film than some of your previous work. Is this something you've always wanted to do? Any specific films or directors who helped shape your direction?

I don't think goin' grindhouse was a priority of mine on RATLINE, but a lot of people have commented on RATLINE's grindhouse vibe.  It comes from my love of not just that kind of film, but of that era.  I consider 1968 through 1982 the peak of American filmmaking.  Obviously, there are many brilliant films made before and after this span, but this golden age, in which I include major studio films as well as indie horror and exploitation films, influenced the tone of RATLINE.  Not because I forced it.  It was just because I let my personal tastes as a film fan kinda color the project.

Story-wise, I was actually thinking more along the lines of doing a very gritty, very adult, and very violent version of an "X-Files" style story.  That's where all the paranormal shenanigans came from.  The crime thriller element probably comes from a wide variety of influences, including giallo films.  And maybe the Coen brothers?  Michael Mann?  Maybe Friedkin's THE FRENCH CONNECTION.  Walter Hill's THE DRIVER.  VANISHING POINT and DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY too, perhaps.  I had recently seen Mario Bava's RABID DOGS as well as HITCH HIKE starring David Hess for the first time when we started writing RATLINE.  Hard to say, actually, what fueled me to hit the crime thriller note so hard.

4. As a man who has taken on just about every role involved in film, do you have a certain seat you feel more comfortable in? And what do you find the most tedious and least favorite?

Directing is where I feel most comfortable.  If I had to choose one post, that would be it, and I'd leave cinematography, editing, and everything else to qualified collaborators.  Until recently, I found writing very difficult - mostly due to my inexperience and lack of education.  However, now that I've been at this a while, I've written a decent stack of screenplays.  Half of them are unproduced - and most of those unproduced scripts should stay that way.  That thing they say about writing - that you really have to do it constantly to get good at it - well, it's true.  So now, finally, I feel comfortable as a writer and I'd consider that my second most desirable position.

I really have done a bit of everything - from producing, cinematography, and editing, to acting, special effects, location sound, grip and electric.  I don't find any of it tedious, really.  I enjoy being on a film set - but I feel most comfortable doing what I’m most experienced at, so directing, writing, producing - that's where I'd rather be.  Can I function as your best boy grip on a low budget shoot?  Sure.  But I won't do the job as well as someone who works G 'n' E consistently. 

The only position that I dislike and don't want to do again is assistant director.  I AD'ed a short film once and I hated the experience, but maybe my unhappiness was specific to the circumstances of that shoot.  I don’t think I did a very good job, and I have not been interested in doing it again.

Also, as a side note: I've directed 2nd unit or FX unit on small films that I was a producer on, just to get the project completed more efficiently - but the first time I directed 2nd unit for other producers was on STAKE LAND, and I enjoyed the experience tremendously.  I definitely would not mind more 2nd unit directing gigs being thrown my way.

5. You've been working in film since the early 90's, which saw the peak and fall of the home video market. With sites like YouTube, Amazon, and social networking sites like Facebook being key in marketing do you think it is easier or harder for film makers to market their product to a potential audience?

It's much easier today, absolutely.  In the 90s we had these things called magazines, printed on a strange non-electronic surface called "paper" (pronounced "pay-per") so film reviews, director and actor interviews, and other film buzz moved very slowly.  Today, it's all available instantly, and horror fans all over the world are internet-connected, so "word-of-mouth" travels super-fast too. 

Marketing is easier, as is distribution.  In the old days, smaller distributors had to jump through a million flaming hoops to get Blockbuster or Best Buy to pick up a few copies of your movie.  Meanwhile, the big studios struck deals with the rental chains and retailers that dictated how many units of each of their titles would be visible to shoppers, and how few other films would be displayed on the same and nearby shelves.  The independents were choked out, even if they managed to claw their way onto the retail shelf at all.  Today, Blockbuster is dead, the Best Buy stores are ghost towns, and everything is purchased or viewed online.  It levels the playing field.  You can find a little indie film on Amazon just as easily as you find a 200 million dollar major Hollywood film: just type it in the search box and click "go". 

Bonus Halloween Questions

6. What scares Eric Stanze?

The major thing that upsets me is anything medical.  I hate hospitals, I am scared of doctors, and any discussion about the most common and mundane medical issue will get me woozy.  I can put blood-soaked, horrifying violence into my movies and enjoy every moment of it - but if I overhear someone discussing appendicitis or something, I'll probably pass out.

 

7. Over the years we have seen so many remakes in the realm of horror films. If you could, with no budget constraints and the cast and crew of your choice, what film would you love to remake?

Mario Bava's KNIVES OF THE AVENGER would probably be my top choice.  Actually, half of his filmography represents enticing remake opportunities.  I'd also be interested in taking a cult horror film from the 80s, something kinda campy, and remaking it very intense, shocking, and scary.

Many thanks to Eric for being a part of our Halloween special!

-  Brandon Bennett

The Mini-View Resurrection featuring Thomas Berdinski

Happy Halloween one and all!

As a special treat, and to mark the return of The Indie Film Revue I am bringing you a few new Mini-View's with directors whose work are generally in the realm of horror. So I hope you and enjoy!

Here is wishing you all a very spooky Holiday! Enjoy and please spread the word!

- Brandon Bennett

Thomas Berdinski is the writer/director/producer of “Zombie Abomination and Zombie Atrocity – The Italian Zombie Movie – Parts 1 & 2". This award-winning, two-part, no-budget homage to (and parody of) European horror movies has played conventions and festivals all over the midwest, has been on television on over 40 channels in 20 states on the Midnite Mausoleum TV show (www.midnitemausoleum.com) and has played nationwide on the interactive Internet show “100 Years of Monster Movies” (www.100ymm.com). Both movies were recently named to FangoriaMagazine’s ‘DVD Chopping List’ (May 2010). Learn more about the Italian Zombie Movies at www.italianzombiemovie.com, FACEBOOK: “The Italian Zombie Movie”, MYSPACE: “Italian Zombie Movie”. Learn more about Thomas Berdinski at FACEBOOK: “Thomas Berdinski” or email him at diretto@italianzombiemovie.com. “Zombie Abomination and Zombie Atrocity - Italian Zombie Movie Parts – 1 & 2” are available at www.italianzombiemovie.com, www.amazon.com and www.indieflix.com and select retail outlets. And more recently his short film "The Giant Rubber Monster Movie," was included on Jabb Pictures 'The Collective' (A collection of 10 short films by 10 directors on one subject). For more info on it, and the soon to be released 'The Collective Vol. 2,' check their website http://www.jabbpictures.com/. Finally, to stay up to date on everything Thomas has going on check out : http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cult-of-Moi-and-Vous-Film-Producioni-Company-LLC/157669997630032


1.Your films, The Italian Zombie Movie Parts 1 & 2, have been all over the place the past year: conventions, film festivals, and even allowing horror hosts (such as Midnite Mausoleum) to spin their take on them. What's next? And are there any plans for a third installment?

We've been promoting IZM since it came out on DVD late in 2009 and have attended dozens of conventions and film festivals and have had it screened at dozens more. Horror hosts from all over the country have been incredibly supportive, and let's not forget all the bloggers, podcasters, reviewers and the great horror fans fans who've reviewed (and almost always really enjoyed) our crazy homage to European horror. It's been an absolute blast for us! As the convention season in 2011 comes to an end, we've moved into pre-and-post production on two more movies – both of the horror/sci-fi/comedy variety. IZM 3 is on my radar for sure, but there are some casting situations that have held us back on that one so we're going to make a new short and a new feature first.


2. 'The Giant Rubber Monster Movie', your addition to Jabb Pictures short film collection 'The Collective', has been screening all over the place as well. How did the film, and your addition to 'The Collective' come about?


The film came about when Jason Hoover of Jabb Pictures contacted me and a slew of other indie filmmakers he'd met over the past year about the concept of ten filmmakers each making shorts with the same theme on an anthology DVD. I'd long wanted to pay homage to the Japanese giant monster TV shows I grew up with – Space Giants, Spectreman, Johnny Sokko and so on – and the theme that was agreed to by the filmmakers just happened to fit it! We shot the whole thing in about a month and I honestly couldn't be happier with it. The best part was it allowed me to collaborate with my favorite horror hosts on cameo roles: Marlena Midnite, Robyn Graves, Roxsy Tyler, the Count and Countess Gregula and, of course, the evil Dr. Sigmund Zoid. Dozens more horror hosts let me use pictures of them in an important sequence where Dr. Zoid chooses a monster to destroy the Earth! I have such good memories of that whole experience; especially working with my Italian Zombie Movie cast and crew again and the horror hosts!


3. Over the past couple years VHS collecting has become increasingly trendy. Perhaps because of the rarity of certain obscure films, the love of the artwork, the familiarity, or just a hipster movement that has seen a huge rise in the cost of these films. As a fan of horror, and obscure films yourself, what do you think of this movement?

I am of two minds on this... I love that the old “lost” shot-on-video movies are being recovered and rediscovered, and call me old-fashioned, but just like when albums disappeared in favor of CDs, and CDs are disappearing in favor of downloads, the artwork shrunk when VHS went to DVD (and Blu-ray cases are smaller still) and art-less movie downloads are on the rise! I know, less packaging is better for the environment, but I LOVED the box art! DVD and VHS cases are 80% of the artwork in my home! I think most would agree the picture quality of DVDs and Blu-ray discs are better than VHS, but darn it – I miss the artwork! Give me a DVD in a huge VHS case and I'd be happiest!

4. Who, in your eyes, are some of the most promising up and coming film makers in the realm of indie cinema?

Well, I don't know if he's still and up-and-comer but Larry Fessenden (“House of the Devil”, “I Sell the Dead”, “The Off Season”) is an amazing producer and indie filmmaker who I admire greatly and would love to meet at a convention some day. Of my personal acquaintances, I really enjoy Christopher Mihm's (“Monster of Phantom Lake”, “Attack of the Moon Zombies”) and Christian Grillo's (“Booley”, the upcoming “Deer Crossing”) work a lot and have high hopes for my friend Cameron Scott's upcoming epic “Post Mortem, America 2021”. I could go on and on – I've met so many indie filmmakers who's work just needs to get out there!

5. Being a film maker who has worked basically on no-budget for his films, do you have any tips or helpful advice for aspiring filmmakers?

Too much for one interview – LOL – but I'll try this one. When you're the filmmaker making a low-budget movie, always remember one thing: YOU are the person everyone else is looking to for leadership. Your actors need you to direct them, your technical people need your advice, the guy writing your music needs your critiques. Everyone involved in the film truly needs you so you need to be the last man standing every day. You can't be the one to give up first on a shot or take or a scene. Do it until it's right! You can't appear depressed or disinterested in anything you're working on. You, the filmmaker, are the the heart-and-soul of the movie. The minute you grow weary, everyone around you will lose the energy to continue. Eat right, get lots of sleep, take a Vitamin B complex! Never give up and your movie will be the best it can be. If you expect someone else to supply the energy or the leadership, you will probably be sadly disappointed.

Bonus Halloween Questions

6. What scares Thomas Berdinski?

To this day, the movie “Ghost Story” (1981 with Alice Krige and Fred Astaire) still makes me jump and send chills up my spine!

7. Do you have any Halloween traditions? Or perhaps a favorite memory of the holiday as a child?

My favorite Halloween memory – oh that's an easy one: When I was 11 years old, Jeff Bromley (star of IZM and GRMM) and I were taken by our Mom's to a midnight showing of “Night of the Living Dead” at the very indie theater where IZM premiered all these years later. Our Mom's had NO IDEA what NotLD was, it was the scariest thing ANY of us had ever seen! Both Jeff and I had zombie nightmares for weeks, no months, no years, okay, I even had one last night!

Many thanks to my good friend Thomas for being a part of today's celebration of Halloween here on The Indie Film Revue.