Welcome to the Independent Film Corner, formerly 10 Questions. The reason for the change was the fact that my interviews as of lately have made no sense with the title of the column. The Independent Film Corner also has a myspace page where I provide the latest news from the underground and independent scene and links to my interviews here on FilmArcade.net. So check that page out at http://www.myspace.com/filmindex. Without further ado, here my interview with Joshua Neslon.

Joshua Nelson is actor, writer, and producer from New York City who starred in such underground horror films including "Zombie Anonymous" and Alan Rowe Kelly's "The Blood Shed". Today, he is here in The Independent Film Corner to talk about two of his recent films "Pink Eye" and "Skinned Alive".

Tell my readers about yourself.

I have a sick fascination with midgets and giant moths… but not at the same time in the same place. Actually I’m an actor turned filmmaker, born and raised in The Bronx, NY, lifelong horror film fan since I was VERY young, married with a 2 year old daughter who already loves witches, monsters and zombies!!!

You have a new film from Halo–8 Entertainment called "Pink Eye" that comes out on September 30th. Tell my readers about that film.

Pink Eye is set in a small town in upstate New York, at a prison-like, dilapidated insane asylum where secret drug testing has gone inexplicably wrong. Patients are dying in sick and twisted ways and those who survive are becoming raging, homicidal lunatics. It's only a matter of time before all hell breaks loose and the patients begin to crave freedom to take their vengeance out on the world outside. When one patient does escape deformed, angry and far beyond insane, he brings death and terror to an unsuspecting town and everyone in it. It’s a very low-budget film but it’s different enough to be very entertaining.

Tell me about your character that you play in the film?

To be honest it’s one of the more boring characters I’ve played… I have done some really fun, cool and sick roles and have no clue why I wrote myself such an average role… sorry. I play Brandon, a guy whose girlfriend has to move away and once she does he begins to get visions and feelings that something terrible is going to happen to her… and he was right! But my character aside, the rest of the people in film, especially the main villain are VERY cool!

"Pink Eye" is one of the weirdest titles that I've come across this year. How did you come with the film's title?

Well, it was originally written about a lunatic Albino, hence the “Pink Eyes”…but when we couldn’t fine an albino actor that was good enough for the role, we changed the main character…but I loved the title, so we found a way to make it work. (PS, I also found out that there are SEVERAL porno films called "Pink Eye".)

The film's story was very creepy and terrifying. How did you come up with this terrifying story and what movie influenced you when writing the screenplay?

Thank you… I’ll be very honest… I have no idea! When I start to write I usually don’t know where any of it comes from. I just write and the stories come out! I did have a good feel for the lead character of EDGAR. I knew he was very smart yet very deranged, and the way he spoke and what he said is what actually makes the film quite creepy.

The mental hospital used in the film brought a very dark setting that was very effective. Tell me about the place and what was it like to film there?

That place ROCKED!! It was a real, I’m sorry, IS a real psychiatric hospital in New York City that just happened to have one floor that has been completely vacant for many, many years now and we were able to shoot there. It was very surreal shooting scenes about insane people in the actual rooms where they slept and received shock treatment. Not to mention that was had to have an armed guard escort us to our floor, they locked the elevator so no one could get in and they warned us “Not to let our actors wander”… in a VERY ominous way.

The beginning of the film really set the tone for what was to come, as it was very gory and shocking, it's indescribable (see the film's poster to see what I'm talking about). That was so horrifying. What was the process like shooting that scene where the girl is poking her eyes out?

I give all the credit to Jeremy Selenfriend of Monster in My Closet. He is our special FX guy and he not only did a great job with that scene, but he let us know the best way to shoot it. We did it a little at a time, starting with a few drops of blood, and then some more and then it got very gross… We have an animatronic head that looked EXACTLY like the actress playing the role, so much so that she didn’t know when it was her and when it was the prop head!

I managed to a copy of the film from your distributor (even though I didn't request it) and listened to your commentary track, which was very good. In that track you mentioned that the film took 9 days to film. Which was a more difficult to shoot, this film or "Skinned Alive", and why?

This film was because it really, really needed much more than 9 days. 9 days for a feature is crazy short but sometimes you can make it work and sometimes it needs more… I really like Pink Eye and it’s a really good horror film, but it needed another week to be amazing! It’s also a very different film than Skinned Alive. SA is a love story/dark comedy with horror splashed in and a some very cool gore. PINK EYE is a straight up horror film…

Also when watching this film from the same copy, I found out that Joshua James, who played the film's villain Eagar, passed away after the film was completed. One of the things that I didn't mention in my review and wished I did at the time, after viewing it again, was the fact that the villain was very creepy, most of that had to do with the way James had this dark tone to his voice. Tell me what was like onset during the film and as a person off set, if you knew him elsewhere?

Joshua James was a fantastic actor. He was such a nice guy and loving father but was able to become such a creepy psycho; it was amazing! My wife said we could have filmed him without the mask and it would have been just as creepy, and she was right! We auditioned some great actors for that role but ultimately because it came down to his voice, he got the part. I sent the callback tape to the star & executive producer Melissa Bacelar and she said just the sound of his voice gave her a nightmare the night she watched it… now that is how you book a job!

Now, on to "Skinned Alive". Tell my readers about that film?

Ahhh, Skinned Alive…well, that’s the title that Lions Gate gave the film which is odd because NO ONE GETS SKINNED ALIVE in the movie! But hey, it’s Lions Gate. Originally titled “Eat Your Heart Out”, it’s about a sexy, flesh eating hooker that is ripping up and devouring the men of New York City! It’s filled with some very dark humor and great gore… oh, and a LOT of T&A! (What more do you need to go buy a copy!)

The film's story and tone is completely different from "Pink Eye". How did you come up with the story for that film?

It was completely based on the concept of how far one would go and how much one could accept in the person they love. Some people deal with and accept drugs, alcohol, gambling addiction, violence… so I wanted to know if a man in love could accept the fact the woman of his dreams kills and eats people?

The next couple of questions are the same that I asked your co-star Melissa Belclar a month ago when I had the chance to interview her. What was the process like getting these two films picked up for major distribution?

Difficult. The distribution process for low-budget films without stars SUCKS! The horror market is very oversaturated now so distributors can offer you next to nothing for your film and if you say no they will find someone else’s. We made no money… on either film!!! So we REALLY need people to get out there and buy copies so we can make at least half of our money back!

What was your favorite moment on the set of both of these films?

Hmmm, good question. My favorite moment on SKINNED ALIVE was when we went right the middle of Times Square on a busy Saturday Night and shot Melissa standing right in the middle of the street. She stood there is such a skimpy, slutty hooker outfit (not wardrobe, she actually owned this… God Bless her) There were people and tourists everywhere taking her photo, asking for autographs, blocking traffic… it was amazing! For Pink Eye, it was just being in the mental hospital. There were so many dark, decrepit areas that really lent themselves to the film! One very memorable moment was during a scene where the detective (Frank Campagna) puts his gun in the mouth of one of the nuts there and blows his brains out. I told Jeremy I wanted something really strong and gross! You can’t really tell from the scene in the film but Jeremy loaded up the effect with so much blood/brains/gore and I believe a can of Chef Boy Ardee meatballs & spaghetti and when it exploded it went EVERYWHERE… I mean it covered the entire ceiling and half the walls. It looked like a massacre and it smelled like a damn Tomato Sauce factory. To be honest, after like 2 hours of cleaning, we couldn’t even get half of it off… it’s STILL on the ceiling today!!!!

For those who don't know "Skinned Alive" was originally titled "Eat Your Heart Out". What are your thoughts about the title change?

For some reason, Lions Gate thought Skinned Alive would sell better than my original title perhaps. But I also dealt with my film No One Gets Out having Anchor Bay re-title Aunt Rose…yeah, there’s a really scary title! About as scary as Driving Miss Daisy!

Finally, can you give us an update on how "Skinned Alive" is doing on DVD?

Not nearly well enough and that’s because for some reason Lions Gate dropped the ball and it’s not in stores, except for Virgin Megastore. And even Blockbuster isn’t carrying it… can you believe that? They carry some TERRIBLE low budget films but not this? Hey Blockbuster, because you didn’t carry my title I ripped up my card and now ONLY use Netflix! But what we really, really need is people to buy Skinned Alive and Pink Eye online from places like Amazon, TLAvideo.com and newburycomics.com.

What future projects are you working on at the moment that you want to tell my readers about?

Well I'm focusing on booking acting jobs right now… I need to make some money so I can finally get a “real” budget and make a horror film that is bigger and better. But as all horror fans know, you can have millions and still make a garbage movie! But to make things a step above what I’ve done I do need a bigger budget.

In closing, let me say THANK YOU for covering indie horror and letting people know about the films that don’t have the money to promote themselves the way they should. WE APPRECIATE IT!!!!!

Mr. Nelson, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat about your two recent films. “Skinned Alive" is now available on DVD from Lionsgate and “Pink Eye” will be available from Halo-8 Entertainment tommorow.

To read my review for also "Pink Eye" and "Skinned Alive", just click on the film title to read my review.

Also, you check out my interview with Joshua Nelson's co-star in "Pink Eye" and "Skinned Alive", Melissa Bacelar. You can goto to: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/08/10-questions-with-melissa-bacelar.html.

You can keep up with the latest news in the underground and independent film world at http://www.myspace.com/filmindex.

Until then, my name is Anthony Thurber. Until next time, have a good day.

Melissa Bacelar is an actress in Hollywood that got her start as an actress right out of college when she had the chance to work with Lloyd Kaufman on Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV. Since then, she’s had guest appearances on TV’s shows like “One Live to Live” and "Without a Trace" and has had serval comic book heroines based after her. Today, she is here to talk about “Skinned Alive” which comes out on DVD this Tuesday and “Pink Eye” due out on DVD September 30th from Halo-8 Entertainment.

1) Tell my readers about yourself.

I live in LA by way of Dirty Jersey. I have 7 dogs that are my life and 3 bunnies. I act, model, produce and run a crazy acting school. Life is hectic but I love it.

2) I noticed that you run your own production company called Los Angeles Films. Tell me about your company?

I started Lost Angeles Films with Jeff Spinner a few years ago. So far we have produced two horror films, a webseries and a reality show. We look for projects that we believe in and try to enjoy everything we do.

3) You have two films that are coming out on DVD in a month's span your film "Skinned Alive" that comes out on DVD on August 26th from Lionsgate and "Pink Eye" which come out on September 30th from Halo-8 Entertainment. Tell my readers about these films.

Well these are both amazing horror films that we made 7 months apart. And they could not be more different. Skinned Alive is a quirky story about a Zombie Hooker..It's a bloody love story and it is fun and gruesome.

Pink Eye is terrifying. Also extremely bloody it has a very real feel to the story and is focused around an insane asylum and a masked killer. Both have lots of nudity and gore.

4) For those who don't know Skinned Alive was originally titled "Eat Your Heart Out". What are your thoughts about the title change?

I wasn't sure at first...I didn't get it. But once I saw the trailer I realized that Skinned Alive gave the movie the creepy edge it needed.

5) What was the process like, getting these two films picked up for major distribution?

Long..It's alot of work. We have been in festivals, promoted, done 100's of interviews, radio shows and it was still difficult. We were lucky enough to have both films represented so they did most of the pitching.

6) I noticed a common thread with "Skinned Alive" and "Pink Eye" that both director James Tucker and actor/writer Joshua Nelson are involved in both film. Tell me how you first met both of these gentlemen?

Well Joshua I met 10 years ago in NY. He wrote a play that I auditioned for and he cast me on the spot. There was literally a waiting room full of potential actors and as soon as I read he handed me the script. We have been friends ever since. I actually have no idea how he met James. But Joshua cast me in Addiction which James directed and that was it.

7) How did you become involved with both of these projects?

Basically, Joshua sent me the scripts to read. I did and we made them.

8) Tell my readers about your characters Pandora in "Skinned Alive" and Delilah in "Pink Eye ."

Pandora is a sexual predator. She is strong and controlling and she eats flesh. She knows how to get what she wants.

Delilah is a regular girl. She has a big heart and she always puts her families needs before her own. She is strong as well but in a much different way

9) What was the shooting for both of these films like?

To fast. Filming is so fun...You are working insanely hard but you are having a blast. When its over it's super depressing.

10) What was your favorite moment on the set of both of these films?

On eat Your Heart Out it was all fun. The cast and crew just got along really well and we had an amazing time everyday. Pink Eye was alot of work....We had no time to mess around but in the end it was worth it.

11) What was working with James Tucker and Joshua Nelson like, on both films?

They are great. They each have such amazing talents and they are really great with the actors. Joshua amazes me on set. He handles everything, organizes everything, schedules everything, makes sure everyone is ok and then acts??? I mean it's ridiculous. He is insanely talented.

12) Before I end this interview, I was looking at your filmography on imdb.com and I noticed that you were recently interviewed for the Lloyd Kaufman documentary Tromatized: Meet Lloyd Kaufman. Tell me how you became involved with it and your thoughts on Mr. Kaufman?

The director contacted me through my site, http://www.melissabacelar.com/ We met and talked about Lloyd. It's so easy to tell a Lloyd story after you have worked with him. He is such a character all the time. Smart, funny and he knows what the fans want...

13) I noticed online that you host a show called "The Blood Stream" at http://www.thestream.tv/. Tell my readers about that show.

This is very cool. It's on Wednesday nights at 10pm. It's fully interactive and you can im in your questions for me or the guests. We talk about horror news, play games and have cool directors, actors ect.

14) Are there any upcoming projects that my readers and I should be on the lookout for?

Well of course the 2 films that are about to come out!! I also am shooting an interactive horror DVD called Slaughterhouse Slumber Party!!! Check out my site for details.

15) What advice do you have for any actress, who's looking to become an actress?

Get used to no sleep, hard work and alot of corn syrup in your mouth.

Ms. Bacelar, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk about your two films "Skinned Alive, which comes out on DVD, this Tuesday from Lionsgate and "Pink Eye" comes out on September 30th from Halo-8 Entertainment.

To read my review of "Skinned Alive", you can goto: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/04/reviews-from-horror-chamber-kinky.html

And my review of "Pink Eye" at: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/06/reviews-from-horror-chamber-otis-pink.html

Also don't visit Melissa Bacelar's official website at: http://www.melissabacelar.com/

Until next time, my name is Anthony Thurber and that's 10 Questions

Welcome to Reviews from the Horror Chamber. I am your chamber keeper, Anthony Thurber. I have some news on a couple of films that I’ve reviewed in the past, so it’s time for another edition of News (N) and Thoughts (T).

(N) Eat Your Heart Out was recently review in the horror chamber back in April, now the film has been picked up by Lionsgate and they re-titled the film “Skinned Alive” The movie will be out on DVD August 26th.

(T) I enjoyed this film, as this was a different type of zombie film. You can check my review of the film including the updated info at: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/04/reviews-from-horror-chamber-kinky.html

(N) It didn’t take long for one of the best horror films of this year so far to find a distribution deal. 13 Hours in a Warehouse, a film I reviewed back in late March now has release date. The film which was picked up by Maverick Entertainment will be available on DVD on October 28th (3 Days after my birthday, Had to throw that tidbit in there) .

(T) If you closely at the poster, which you can find on the film's myspace page, your truly is quoted in the poster. This is one of those films where, you will hear me talk about it more near its release date. But for now, you can read my review of the film at: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/03/13-hours-in-warehouse-review-by-anthony.html

And that’s it for news and thoughts. Now on to the reviews.

Otis
Year: 2008
Director: Tony Karntz
Stars: Daniel Stern, Illeana Douglas, Kevin Pollak
MPAA Rating: R
Studio: Warner Brothers / Raw Feed
Running Time: 100 Mins
Review Rating: 4 Stars
Official Website: http://www.otisdvd.com/



Otis is the fourth entry in the Raw Feed series. The film is about a part-time pizza delivery guy who is shy and thinks that he’s wicked cool and oh by the way he’s a complete psycho who calls the women that he abducts Kim. This time around he abducts a woman from a happy suburban family. Unlike the previous abductions where the families of his previous victims did nothing, this family decides to fight back. They do that by using array of weapons that you would thing of using. The film also co-stars Jere Burns, Ashley Johnson and Bostin Christopher, as Otis.

Otis is easily a more accessible film than Karntz’s last film Sublime (which I recommend). Director Tony Kartz does a good job directing this dark comedy. He nails the dark humor and the subject matter very well, as the humor didn’t feel stupid. Karntz also goes a very good job with the film’s tone. It was one of those films, where there a lot of sub-genres are being used. To his credit, Kartntz goes a good job balancing it, so that the tone isn’t off base. His direction of the actors was very good especially Bostin Christopher, who makes his character’s state of mind, very disturbing with his presence. It was very nice to see Daniel Stern (City Slickers, Home Alone), Illena Douglas (To Die For, Ghost World) and Kevin Pollak (The Usual Suspects, The Whole Nine Yards) headline a film, as I’m a fan of each of the actor’s works. Each of their performances was very good, as they played a vital part of the film.

The screenplay was written by Thomas Schnauz and Erik Jendresen was very good. They developed the title character very well. They focused on his state of mind, as it wasn’t too comical or light. They made him out as a sick individual that nobody loves. They save the comic tone for the development of the family. The screenwriters do that so the film doesn’t get too dark or to the point where the film is just another of those abduction / torture porn films. They also use the humor in proper places, as it didn’t feel disturbing. Most of the dark humor, in the film is satirical. The writers would use in scenes, in which the family or the FBI were in the scene. It was done to spoof procedural cop shows and the media’s obsession with these missing person cases.

Otis a dark and twisted comedy – horror film that will make you laugh and make you feel disturbed.


Pink Eye
Year: 2008
Director: James Tucker
Stars: Melissa Bacelar, Joshua Nelson, Joshua James
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Los Angles Films
Running Time: 78 Mins
Review Rating: 5 Stars
Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/pinkeyemovie

Pink Eye reunites Director James Tucker with stars Melissa Bacelar and Joshua Nelson who all worked on Skinned Alive (aka. Eat Your Heart Out), a film that I reviewed inside the horror chamber, a couple of months ago. The film is about an upstate New York asylum where doctors are testing a top-secret drug. Soon the subjects are starting to lose their mind and killing themselves in horrible ways. The project gets worse when one of the angry patients escapes the hospital. All deformed and everything, he starts to go on a killing spree until he comes across a family in the woods. He then, begins to stalk them. Can he be stopped before he strikes again?

Pink Eye is a frightening and suspenseful horror film. Director James Tucker creates this gory/suspenseful horror film to perfection. He does that by creating a dark atmosphere in the way he has the scenes shot. It gives off that dark and creepy vibe that haunts you through out the film. His direction with the actors was very good. I thought Melissa Bacelar and Joshua Nelson’s performances were very good. They are both maturing into good solid actors, as the performances were one of the main factors that contributed to the success of this film.

Joshua Nelson’s Screenplay was very good. He goes a very good job developing the characters, as you cared for them. Another thing that was done right was that he balances his focus on the struggles of the family and the chaos that ensures. Nelson’s creation of characters were very good, especially the main villain, as he made the character creepy and frightening. It also helped, the tone of the film become dark. He also adds a lot of suspense and gory moments to the story. Nelson does that so the viewer is terrified and shocked with the events.

Pink Eye is a frightening and suspenseful with an ending that will leave you in shock.

If you’re a filmmaker and interested in having your horror film reviewed in the horror chamber, you can reach the Chamber Keeper himself at horrorchamber@filmarcade.net or if you have any film in any genres that you want Film Arcade to review. Send us an email at screeners@filmarcade.net.

Also, don’t forget to add the official myspace home of Reviews From the Horror Chamber at http://www.myspace.com/reviewsfromthehorchamber.

Until next week, have a frightening day.