I have loved horror films since I was 8 years old. It started with the Kaiju (giant monster) films that were shown on Saturday mornings in the NJ/NY metro area. Then it was Chiller Theatre. Then it was going to the movies with friends to be scared witless. Over the years, my love of horror has just grown and grown, to the point where I now consider myself somewhat of a subject matter expert. To be sure, there are many, many people who have forgotten more about horror films than I will ever know, but I still consider myself well versed on the subject, as opposed to most of the people who call themselves horror fans.
Up until about 15 years ago or so, I was probably part of the "mainstream" horror audience. I went to the theater to see the latest horror release, and I wasn't too familiar with the independent horror scene. As I started to host more "horror movie nights" at my house, and as I started to go to more and more conventions, my eyes were opened to what else was out there. Namely, I discovered the independent horror scene.
Wow, what I world it is! I am astonished by how many creative, hard working people there are out there trying to make films that are something different, and something the true horror fan can enjoy. People like Chris LaMartina, Evan Makrogiannis, Brian Weaver, Ti West, James Balsalmo, Alan Rowe Kelly, Bart Mastronardi, Debbie Rochon, Suzi Lorraine, Jimmyo and April Burril and many, many more. Many of them are people that I have come to know personally, and I hope that anyone I missed mentioning by name doesn't kill me. These are people that are out there trying to make films, mostly on shoestring budgets, so that we horror fans are not forced to swallow whatever current shitty remake, sequel, prequel or reimagining is currently festering in the theaters.
There are also events out there designed to promote indie horror. One of the best is the Macabre Faire Film Festival, organized by my friends LC Macabre and Adam Ginsberg. There are also the Buffalo Screams festival, Pollygrind, New York City Horror Film Festival and many, many more events designed to showcase these independent films.
Anyway, this brings brings me to my point. Over the years I have heard a bazillion (yes, that's a number) people say that the "support indie horror", but what do they really mean by that? Sadly, I think it's something that many of them say just so they can "fit in" among certain circles and so they don't have to admit that they just got back from seeing "Saw 26" or "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Revenge of Leatherface's Illegitimate Love Child".
On the rare occasion that a theater will actually show an unrated, independent horror film, there are usually never more than ten people in the theater with me. I go to some film festivals and screenings, and I have also hosted my own screening events, and I am always shocked that there are not more people there. Yes, yes, we all have lives and responsibilities, but if enough people can go out to the theater to ensure that the latest crappy remake does $45 million dollars, then aren't there 40 people who can attend an indie horror film screening?
Oh, and my biggest pet peeve of all. (Actually, it's more of a major psychotic hatred), which is downloading. Whenever I see someone on Twitter or Facebook bragging about how they downloaded some indie horror film, I want to drive to their house and pull their beating heart out of their chest. Well, maybe that's a little extreme, but I would help myself to whatever is in their fridge because that's what it is, stealing, period. Don't give me some bullshit first amendment crap either. If someone put time, effort and money into creating something and you download it for free, you're stealing. Period. End of Story. You suck and you ought to crawl under a rock. If you don't have $5-$10 to order a copy of the film or to purchase it at a convention then tough shit. Times are tough for all of us. Go and see it at a friend's house.
In any case, I think I have rambled about this long enough, but I am very passionate about this topic. I have become very involved in the indie horror community, and I will do anything and everything to help and promote the friends that I have made there.
So, don't just say that you support indie horror. GO OUT AND DO IT!
Up until about 15 years ago or so, I was probably part of the "mainstream" horror audience. I went to the theater to see the latest horror release, and I wasn't too familiar with the independent horror scene. As I started to host more "horror movie nights" at my house, and as I started to go to more and more conventions, my eyes were opened to what else was out there. Namely, I discovered the independent horror scene.
Wow, what I world it is! I am astonished by how many creative, hard working people there are out there trying to make films that are something different, and something the true horror fan can enjoy. People like Chris LaMartina, Evan Makrogiannis, Brian Weaver, Ti West, James Balsalmo, Alan Rowe Kelly, Bart Mastronardi, Debbie Rochon, Suzi Lorraine, Jimmyo and April Burril and many, many more. Many of them are people that I have come to know personally, and I hope that anyone I missed mentioning by name doesn't kill me. These are people that are out there trying to make films, mostly on shoestring budgets, so that we horror fans are not forced to swallow whatever current shitty remake, sequel, prequel or reimagining is currently festering in the theaters.
There are also events out there designed to promote indie horror. One of the best is the Macabre Faire Film Festival, organized by my friends LC Macabre and Adam Ginsberg. There are also the Buffalo Screams festival, Pollygrind, New York City Horror Film Festival and many, many more events designed to showcase these independent films.
Anyway, this brings brings me to my point. Over the years I have heard a bazillion (yes, that's a number) people say that the "support indie horror", but what do they really mean by that? Sadly, I think it's something that many of them say just so they can "fit in" among certain circles and so they don't have to admit that they just got back from seeing "Saw 26" or "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Revenge of Leatherface's Illegitimate Love Child".
On the rare occasion that a theater will actually show an unrated, independent horror film, there are usually never more than ten people in the theater with me. I go to some film festivals and screenings, and I have also hosted my own screening events, and I am always shocked that there are not more people there. Yes, yes, we all have lives and responsibilities, but if enough people can go out to the theater to ensure that the latest crappy remake does $45 million dollars, then aren't there 40 people who can attend an indie horror film screening?
Oh, and my biggest pet peeve of all. (Actually, it's more of a major psychotic hatred), which is downloading. Whenever I see someone on Twitter or Facebook bragging about how they downloaded some indie horror film, I want to drive to their house and pull their beating heart out of their chest. Well, maybe that's a little extreme, but I would help myself to whatever is in their fridge because that's what it is, stealing, period. Don't give me some bullshit first amendment crap either. If someone put time, effort and money into creating something and you download it for free, you're stealing. Period. End of Story. You suck and you ought to crawl under a rock. If you don't have $5-$10 to order a copy of the film or to purchase it at a convention then tough shit. Times are tough for all of us. Go and see it at a friend's house.
In any case, I think I have rambled about this long enough, but I am very passionate about this topic. I have become very involved in the indie horror community, and I will do anything and everything to help and promote the friends that I have made there.
So, don't just say that you support indie horror. GO OUT AND DO IT!
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