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Sandy Collora Challenges the Hollywood “Recycle Machine” with NEW Creature Movie

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It seems that Hollywood is only interested in producing movies that are guaranteed money makers in today’s world. You may say that this has always been the way, but you can’t deny there are far less chances taken on new ideas. Remakes, reboots, and recycles are the safe way to make big money, bottom line.  Sure, if you’re Tarantino or Wan then there is no end of wallets waiting to open for your new ideas, but when was the last time you’ve seen a potentially iconic villain comparable to Freddy, Jason, or Leatherface? Or even creatures, such as Predator and Alien?

If you have an idea for a new antagonist and you are not already rubbing shoulders with the big guys, your only realistic shot at getting your story out there are crowd funded communities such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. A fellow indie lover pointed out a project on Kickstarter by a guy with similar views to my own, and I think it will prove there is still room for new ideas. He has the message, “If Hollywood won’t do it, I will!”

Sandy Collora

Sandy Collora
Collora started his journey on the path to making movies at the young age of 17, where he moved to California and managed to get work at Stan Winston Studios. Working as a Sculptor and Creature Creator, his portfolio includes movies such as Total Recall, The Abyss, and Men in Black. He has had success using Kickstarter to produce two volumes of The Art of Creature and Character Design, and he has experience in the director’s chair, having made the very successful feature film Hunter Prey in 2009.  And even if you haven’t come across any of these projects, you may have heard of his short film Batman: Dead End (2003), which was at the time the most downloaded short film in history. The fact that he is a world-class practical effects artist means that he can make exactly what he wants without the obstacle of relaying his vision to someone else first.

His idea comes from his love of the ocean, the environment, and most importantly, the horror genre.  He believes that when the environment is abused, our damaged ecosystem can become host to creatures that we can not even comprehend.

His Kickstarter intro video shows plenty of footage of his monster, and I am told none of it is for the final movie. It has been shot solely for Kickstarter backers as a concept and to give a preview of the rewards for getting involved. These include resin busts, action figures, and full body Marquette’s of the creature.  However, the horror and sci-fi genres don’t generally get the same attention on Kickstarter as do the documentaries and celeb-based dramas and we normally only see success in small projects. This limits the standard of production in order to tackle the mainstream.  Sandy Collora wants to smash through this ceiling with his project and prove that artists don’t always need Hollywood’s pockets if the public is behind you.  Collora is asking for quite a sum of money in comparison to most projects we have seen, but with the project already raising over $90k and almost 30 days left to go, it doesn’t seem unattainable.

By watching his concept intro video it is easy to see that Collora is experienced, enthusiastic, and passionate. I for one will be happy to back his project knowing my money would be put to good use.

Shot of Creature

Shallow Water by Sandy Collora
Shallow Water tells the story of a seemingly innocent adventure. Six fishermen embark on a fishing trip to a remote and mythical fishing hole nestled deep in the Sea of Cortez. They scour the Baja peninsula to find this magical place, but when they do, they encounter unexpected sea life, which puts them at odds, and it becomes every man for himself. Adds Collora: “It’s Mother Nature versus Human Nature.”

This might be a turning point in indie horror where we see better effects, better production, and more elaborate but achievable content from what was once only available to the wealthy filmmakers. If Hollywood wasn’t paying attention before, they will be with this one!

If you would like to read more about Sandy’s project and maybe get involved click here!

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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