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iHorror Spotlight: Interview With Horror Film Producer & Director P.J. Starks

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Born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky PJ Starks became interested in film at an early age. With the success of Volumes of Blood and the constant buzz of the film’s sequel, Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories it should come to no surprise that Starks has his plate full nowadays, and it is stacked pretty damn high! We had the chance to check in with Starks and speak with him about his upcoming film projects and pick his brain a bit to find out what led him on this path to filmmaking. Be sure to also check out our review of Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories. 

 

Interview With Horror Film Producer & Director: P.J. Starks

 

Ryan T. Cusick: I have always been intrigued with a person’s story, the story of how their love for the horror genre began. Tell us your story P.J. how did your love for the genre begin?

PJS: My love for horror started when I was a little kid. Every weekend I’d go to my grandparent’s house to stay the weekend and my grandmother Almeda, we call her Gi-Gi, is an avid horror fan. Even now at 89 years old, she watches SyFy constantly. She just loves that stuff. Every Saturday night we’d stay up watching Monsters, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Hitchhiker and Twilight Zone. It became a ritual. We’d go rent movies and, of course, we’d rent whatever new horror movies came out. It’s because of her that I grew to appreciate films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Night of the Demons, the Friday films, Halloween and so many others. She also loved the Trancers franchise, which of course led into watching all the other Charles Band movies. She even took me to see horror in the theater so I can remember watching stuff like Jason Takes Manhattan, From Dusk Till Dawn and a bunch more on the big screen. When writing the scripts for Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories I dedicated a character in ‘The Deathday Party’ sequence to her, because had she never allowed me to experience this genre first hand I may not have ever conceived the VOB films, so it just felt right.

RTC: How did you become involved in film production?

P.J. Starks: My first real effort was a horror comedy supernatural/slasher hybrid that I wrote/directed back in ’08 called Hallows Eve: Slaughter on Second Street. It was also an adult version of Scooby Doo. It’s one of those films where you can tell I was just starting to get serious but compared to my stuff now is nowhere near as polished. After that, I kept persevering and networking and now here I am with the Volumes of Blood franchise and producing multiple projects.

RTC: P.J. you are super busy right now, actually a more suited term would be, “You are on fire right now!” You have several projects in various stages of development. What can you tell us about –

PJS: First off, thank you so much for the kind words. My adult ADHD won’t allow me to be live a stagnant lifestyle for too long.

Butcher The Bakers?

PJS: It’s a hysterical horror comedy directed by Tyler Amm, about two losers who are chosen to fight a rogue Grim Reaper hell bent on stealing souls for his own sinister purposes. The film recently premiered in its hometown of Ottawa, IL. Now it’ll be hitting the festival circuit, so keep your eyes open for a screening near you.

Close Calls?

PJS: A suspense, thriller full of twists and weird characters. The film is a throwback and I think genre fans will definitely sink their teeth into this one.

 10/31/16?

PJS: Rocky Gray’s creation of a Halloween gone straight to hell. I’m a fan of anthologies, so producing this was an easy choice. It’s still in production, but their aiming for an October ’17 release and I couldn’t be more stoked about it. Tons of talented directors on this one from Justin M. Seaman who made The Barn and Brett DeJager who directed Bonjangles.

Cryptids?

PJS: Created by Justin M. Seaman and Zane Hershberger, it’s creature feature anthology that I’m definitely giddy to be working on. It’s multiple twisted tales involving more obscure beasts of legend. That alone offers something completely different that genre fans haven’t seen. It too has a lot of talented people involved.

 Deimosimine?

PJS: This project recently hit a major snag and had to reshoot, but it’s back on track and for fans of psychedelic demonic drug trips I think they’ll be down for this. The practical effects are fantastic. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.

VOB3?

PJS: Right now we’re in early development on the film, but I have the concept and story arch completely fleshed out. We’re still accepting pitches from horror fans for anyone who has a story that might make a potential sequence. They can email us at [email protected] for guidelines and rules for submission. We’ve partnered with Petri Entertainment who will help us produce the third and final outing. It’s going to be a lot of bloodshed and hopefully, fans of the previous two efforts will be excited to see where we go with this one.

RTC: I am a sucker for anthologies, so personally I am stoked that you are creating another Volumes Of Blood film! I heard that you are also exploring the idea of a role-playing card game based on the Volumes of Blood universe, can you tell us about that?

PJS: Absolutely. We’ve partnered with Mythmaker Games to create a unique gaming experience where you utilize characters, killers, locations, weapons, deaths and so on from the VOB films to create original scenes of carnage. Players are more like Directors and you’re trying to produce and wrap a scene, before your opponent does, in order to rack up the most kills. It’s called VOB: Body Count and the Kickstarter for the project will go live in June. It’s tested well so far and we’re excited to get it out there into people hands.

RTC: Do you see an even wider expansion of this VOB “Universe,” such as comic books? Graphic Novelizations?

PJS: Actually yes. I can’t say too much just yet, however, we are in talks with some artists now about the potential of this kind of venture.

How do you find the time to balance everything between your personal life and these wonderful projects that you are giving life to?

PJS: It can be a struggle for sure. Just when you think you might have a grasp you find out you don’t. The key is having people who support you. My wife Katrina, we actually just celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary together, is very supportive. She’s what I call a “normal” because she’s not an artistic individual and sometimes it’s hard for her understand why I think the way I do. Nevertheless, she’s stuck with me through all the failures and successes and I love her very much for that. As a matter of fact, she’s taken on a larger role with the VOB films as production manager. She’s also become great friends with our wardrobe designer Barbie Clark and special effects guru Cassandra Baker, which always makes things easier.

RTC: I gotta ask, what is your favorite scary movie?

PJS: That’s a loaded question. I own nearly 4,000 movies, the bulk of which are horror. I’m a slasher nut so a log of my repeat views are Hell Night, The Prowler, The Burning, Madman, My Bloody Valentine and Stage Fright. Some others I love are The Return of the Living Dead, 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, Murder Party, Phantasm; the list goes on and on.  Pretty much anything John Carpenter and Wes Craven are consumed regularly. I’ve just always been a big fan of horror. I can remember sitting in front of the television when I was around six years old watching the original Dawn and trying to eat spaghetti. The genre is just in my blood.

RTC: Have you ever come across a film and absolutely did not care for it, and then returned and felt the opposite?

PJS: I get a lot of flak for this from friends, but Eli Roth’s Cabin Fever is probably THAT movie for me. I like Roth’s other films and respect him a lot as a filmmaker, but I had such high hopes for CF. My grandmother is my scary movie buddy, so we went and saw it in theater together. She really got into it, but the over campy nature kept taking me out. I would have walked out if it weren’t for her. I recently saw the remake and I enjoyed it a lot. It was the version I wanted back in 2002. Mean spirited. That’s what I wanted and instead, I got, “squirrels are gay!” Anyway, because I enjoyed the remake so much I’ve decided to give the first one a second try since it’s been fifteen years since I saw it. I’ll let you know what I think when I finally devote the time.

RTC: What element is your absolute favorite in the creation of film? (Writing, Directing, Producing, Casting Process, etc). 

PJS: I’ve had my hand in many areas since my first film, but producing has been my favorite. I absolutely love collaborating with other artists and bringing something to life. There’s a real rush when you get to watch a final cut and know that you helped birth this into existence. Right now I dabble in various capacities of producing from advising and marketing, but being a part of something from script to screen like I have been with Volumes of Blood is where it’s at. You get to experience all aspects of filmmaking and help keep things on track or make sure that a film gets wider exposure. VOB opened a lot of doors for me to network. I’ve been given the opportunity to work on some awesome projects with some of the most creative people I’ve ever met. I’m always keeping an eye out for other talent and other solid projects. Plus, with Volumes of Blood 3 coming up around the corner we’ll get to work with more talented and passionate artists. I can’t wait.

RTC: Thank you so much for speaking with us, hopefully, we can do it again real soon! Keep kickin ass!

-About The Author-

Ryan T. Cusick is a writer for ihorror.com and very much enjoys conversation and writing about anything within the horror genre. Horror first sparked his interest after watching the original, The Amityville Horror when he was the tender age of three. Ryan lives in California with his wife and Eleven-year-old daughter, who is also expressing interest in the horror genre. Ryan recently received his Master’s Degree in Psychology and has aspirations to write a novel. Ryan can be followed on Twitter @Nytmare112

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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