Bloody Bloody Bible Camp - an interview with Director and Co-writer Vito Trabbuco

 


 Horror movie fans prayers look set to be answered with upcoming slasher flick Bloody Bloody Bible Camp. The movie features a crazed nun (2001 Maniacs' Tim Sullivan) offing the residents of a 1980s religious camp with a gruesome past. Throw in the one and only Reggie Bannister as Father Cummings who presides over the camp and campers alike and you have a perfect recipe for gorily fun mayhem........

Hacked in the Head: Hi Vito! Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to me about your upcoming movie Bloody Bloody Bible Camp. The film is described as a throwback to the fun slasher flicks of the 80s and promises blood, boobs and jokes (which it certainly looks set to do!). Firstly I wondered how you came up with the idea for the film? Setting it at a bible camp is nice and original and the killer is certainly innovative – what made you decide to make a movie about a crazed nun? Also, is BBBC the kind of movie you yourself would enjoy? The look and sound of the film really takes me back to being 12 years old and trying to watch all the Friday 13th films and anything that sounded remotely like them (which is great thing!). Do you have any favourite horror movies and did any of them inspire this film?  

Vito Trabucco: Hi Mark! Well if you’re going to compare it to any film it’s going to be Friday the 13th …or Meatballs. We just followed the formula. No rocket science here. Shelby McIntyre (co-writer) and me pretty much have the same sense of humor, and the same taste in films. This was very easy for us to write together. He came up with the title. The script followed about 2 weeks later. I think the main inspiration behind writing it was just to make each other laugh.


HitH: Tell me a bit about the casting process for BBBC? Did you have Tim Sullivan and Reggie Bannister in mind from the outset for their roles or did you hold auditions? What were the guys like to work with? I attended the UK premiere of 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams which Tim introduced and he was fantastic – very naturally funny.

VT: When it came time to cast Sister Mary Chopper I think a few names were tossed around, but I really had no one in mind. It was Gigi Bannister who suggested Tim to me. She and Reggie are friends with Tim, and he was nice enough to do it for us. I never met him before BBBC, but I really liked him a lot. I thought he did a fantastic job as our killer. He’s a great actor actually. Any man who shaves his arms and wears fingernail polish for me is OK in my book! The cast in a whole were all very talented. Very easy to work with too. 

HitH: Could you share any memorable on set experiences?

VT: Well I might get in trouble if I do that ;)  Actually one that pops into my head is when our FX artist, Marcus Koch, had to apply a “70’s bush” in the opening scene on Julianne Tura.  His hands were sweating during that one let me tell you!  In the end I thought it turned out great though.
 
HitH: Were there any performances from the cast that really stand out in your mind?

VT: There are definitely a few that stick out for me and are my personal favourites, but everyone in it was really good.  I’d feel bad leaving anyone out.
 
HitH: What kind of budget were you working with on the film? The gore effects in the released preview look really effective. Also how long did the entire filming process take?

VT: The shoot itself was 10 days total.  We were definitely very limited on budget and time.  What are you gonna do though?  That’s the way it goes.
 
HitH: What are your future plans for a wide release for BBBC following festival submissions? Can fans expect a DVD release (and possibly theatrical?) in the coming year?

VT: Right now we’re in submission mode.  Festivals, distribution, reviews, etc.  I hope we have more information on that coming soon.  People are going to have to keep posted on our website.  Also, if there are any festivals reading this that are interested in playing BBBC, just send us an email through our website.
 
HitH: Finally...what is in the pipeline next for you guys? Any new movies already in the works?

VT: Yes, a lot of us from BBBC did another feature called Never Open the Door.  The trailer just went up online and it’s on the BBBC Facebook page.  Also in February we’re going to announce our next film which I am super excited about!  I wish I could tell you more about it now, but I can’t unfortunately.

HitH: Thanks again for you talking with me Vito and I wish you all the best with the release of Bloody Bloody Bible Camp.

VT: Thanks much Mark!!!

Witch's Brew (2011)

(Screener Copy)


Directed by Chris LaMartina


Written by Chris LaMartina


Stars: Chris Magoria, Gary-Kayi Fletcher, Ryan Thomas, Megan Rippey, Michael Brecher, Helenmary Ball, Lauren Lakis, Virginia House, Seregon O'Dassey, Lee Armstrong, Nicolette le Faye, Shawn C. Phillips, Ruby Larocca








Chris LaMartina of Midnight Crew Studios (creators of comic slasher flick Presidents Day) was nice enough to send me a screener of latest flick Witch's Brew.I was very excited to see what was up the sleeves of these horror enthusiasts next since I love a horror movie with a supernatural element to it. I also love the blending of horror and comedy when its done correctly so Witch's Brew ticked lots of my boxes.

The film tells the story of Jeff and Preston, two friends out to make a fast few bucks by selling their home-brewed 'Slacker larger'. Jeff, a nice kind of guy who is horribly put upon by his father, is already having a bad day after smashing a mirror (he is very superstitious) so what happens next is only going to make it so much worse. After accidentally killing a cat, Jeff and Preston do the honourable thing and return the corpse to its owner. Bad news for these dudes though as the cats owner is anything but honourable - she's an evil old witch, whose deadly coven have been getting up to some extremely questionable activities in the local town. Safe to say the witch is not at all impressed by the pairs honesty and see's fit to curse their beer before they head off.

From here on out its a balls to the wall explosion of comic gore and gross out horror as individuals begin to consume the brew and die horribly afterwards. These deaths are pretty much all insane - characters go in ironic ways based on their personalities or something they may have said right before they drink the beer. I don't want to go all spoiler heavy but I will highlight the punk kid who gets eaten by vines after littering and peeing in a forest and also a consummation by snot monster!! But there are many many more of these and horror fans should get a real kick out of the creativity on display throughout.

There is a wide variety of quirky and fun characters - this is an area that Chris LaMartina is clearly an expert at writing when you consider this film and the abundance of fun characters in Presidents Day. Chris Magorian plays the *quite rightfully* paranoid Jeff brilliantly - bewildered or horrified facial expressions and deadpan one liners ("That was my ex girlfriend") are definitely his forte. Helenmary Ball is excellent as the snarling and spiteful head witch and you just can't help but wait for her to get what's coming to her. Also Nicolette Le Faye and Ruby Larocca pop up to play a wacky artist and glamour model respectively, two fun roles which further highlight the movies twisted sense of humour.

Just like its predecessor Presidents Day, this indie effort is really professionally shot and avoids many of the usual micro budget trappings. The sound is perfectly audible, the spooky soundtrack is effective and a lot of the acting is spot on. Special mention also has to go to the comically nasty special fx which only go to prove you don't need big money or CGI to create a cool death scene or ugly transformation.

So you have laughs, a few scares, outrageous death scenes and for the inclined viewers: boobs! What's not to love? I strongly encourage you to follow the movie on Facebook and keep your ears to the ground for an official release date once its had some more screenings. This is one flick that is well worth your money to kick back with and watch with a nice six pack - just be sure liver damage is all you are letting yourself in for !!!

Raymond Did It (2010)

Directed by Travis Legge


Written by Travis Legge


Stars: Lindsay Felton, Kyle Hoskins, Elissa Dowling, Jessica Palette, Steven Lee Edwards, Ty Yeager and Jake Skiba


Release: 22 November 2011, US (DVD)





A childhood accident sets the scene for bloody mayhem in Travis Legges independent slasher pic Raymond Did It. In the tradition of old favourites such as Prom Night (and clearly influenced in terms of style by Halloween) Raymond Did It tells the story of mentally delayed 'Raymond' (Kyle Hoskins), a kid mercilessly picked on by the neighbourhood kids, who all happen to be good friends with Raymond's younger brother Bryce. A freak fall caused by group ringleader, and all round bad girl, 'Paige' (Elissa Dowling) leads to a grossly false accusation leaving poor, innocent Raymond in a mental hospital.

Six years later, the young group have grown up (well some of them have) with nice girl 'Tammy' (Lindsay Felton) now on the outside, trying to avoid the painful memories which have haunted her since Bryce's death. As for the others? Well there is not so much conscience involved here. Party girl 'Jayme' ( Jessica Palette) and her jock boyfriend 'Tim' (Steven Lee Edwards) are only interested in having a good time; whether it be drinking, dancing or sex. Laid back and lazy 'Edgar' (Jake Skiba) just seems to want a quiet and easy life, while Paige has just grown into a nastier, colder version of her younger self.

A shock announcement that Raymond has escaped and injured two orderlies in the process, sets the young groups teeth truly on edge as it dawns on them pretty quickly that they could well be in danger, considering the far reaching consequences of their lie. Its not long before one of the group is dispatched, in a cruelly creative manner, and those remaining prepare to fight, lie, kill, or all of the above, to survive. From there on out we get gory deaths and witty one liners aplenty making for a sure fire great time in the slasher flick department.

There is some fantastic acting in Raymond Did It. First and foremost it has to be said that Lindsay Felton is incredible as the guilt ridden Tammy. She portrays an authentic mix of haunted yet tough and her place as second runner up in VH1's 'Scream Queens' is well justified although watching her in this movie...I just wonder if she was robbed? Although I found her character Jayme a little confusing at times (ditzy followed by emotional and compassionate followed by sex crazed) I really enjoyed Jessica Palette in this movie and thought her acting was likewise impressive. She also gets one of the best scenes in the film...but that's towards the end.... so I cant say what it is! Kyle Hoskins was quietly effective as poor Raymond and I enjoyed all of his scenes whether it be killing or just talking in his slow and resigned manner. Elissa Dowling also makes her mark as the vindictive and heartless Paige - she is far more of a bad guy than Raymond is and the only death she causes in this film was an accident!!

Raymond did it is also very well shot, with lots of nice Halloween style touches. This includes sparsely populated streets, bringing back old memories of wondering where Michael Myers could possibly be lurking 'out there'. This time however its Raymond who could be literally anywhere...waiting to strike. There are also many decent POV shots of Raymond lurking behind trees and outside houses (or inside!). A really great job by Travis and crew.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of this well made, well acted and very fun indie slasher. The official DVD is out now on R Squared Films so what are you waiting for?