Dead Hooker Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap & Right

Ben Bussey's latest for Brutal As Hell - DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP: When Microbudget Horror Gets It Right. And fucking awesome - our DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK makes the cut!

Dead Hooker in a Trunk (Jen & Sylvia Soska, 2009)
Production budget: $2,500  

I rather doubt this film or its writer-directors require any introduction at this point. However, I’ll be the first to admit that on seeing the film at its world premiere over two years ago, I was initially dismissive of it, owing largely to that knee-jerk reaction to DV that I spoke of earlier. It was only when I took a step back that I realised just how much Dead Hooker In A Trunk breaks with conventional wisdom. Where so many first-time filmmakers restrict their action to a single location and a minimal cast, the Soskas keep things moving at all times, hopping locations as gleefully as they cross genre boundaries.  

Once again, good writing and acting really saves the day, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that there are stunts and special effects which are significantly above average for films made at this budgetary level, not to mention how good CJ Wallis’ soundtrack is.

Fucking awesome to be included on a list with some great indie gems like: ABSENTIA, BLOOD CAR, SMALL TOWN FOLK, COCKHAMMER, and COLIN. Check out the whole rad piece here.

And if you haven't heard of or seen these flicks - go ahead and treat yourselves, they will renew your love of the genre with the fine work of these filmmakers! Thank you to Ben for getting the word out about these films.

-Sylv

Take a Seat Under the Haunted Tree

Along our travels and business in the film, more specifically horror films, I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people in the industry. One individual who I would like to share with you, boys and girls, is Andrew James Crandall and his Haunted Tree Productions. He is an insightful, kind, hard-working visionary and his work is pretty fucking rad. Check it out for a boo or two!

Also, if you see something cool that you'd like to see get some attention, tell us about it. We indie film makers need to stick together.

~Sylv

Twisted Twin lends a hand on Indy Zombie Flick

Being true enthusiasts and endless supporters of anyone with the courage and balls (and you gotta have big brass ones!) to go out and make film independently, twisted twin, Jen Soska, came out to help on a Zombie short film this past weekend supervising the blood and gore effects. Despite the challenges that the crew professionally tackled without missing a beat, the project was a huge success. A special thanks to executive producer Matt Pegues and director Dylan Parke Horne Thompson for the irresistible invitation. And thank you to the amazing cast and crew for a gore~geous day on set. To see all the photos from set, look here!!

~Jen