JOE OSTRICA
(writer/director/producer)
www.oldschoolsinema.com
1. Tell us a little about your film “The Horror Convention Massacre”
The premise is simple, basically, but it’s definitely something you’ve never seen before. There is a mass murderer on the loose at a horror convention, bumping off the celebrity guests, fans and hotel employees. Meanwhile, one of the hotel employees is called in to work at the convention by his unbearable assistant manager. He’s having the day from hell and a lot of the film’s humor comes from the conflicts between him and his boss, as well as their observations of the “freaks” that attend the horror convention.
2. How did the film’s premier at Cinema Wasteland go?
It was fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better response. Not only were the two screenings of the movie packed houses, at the second screening there were over 30 people standing in the hallway watching the film through the doorway. One of the best things about making a horror film is to see and hear an audience react to your grisly scenes, and the people who saw our movie were really into it. They also really got into the premise and humor, as it’s essentially a film about the scene they are into, which is horror conventions.
We also sold out all of our DVDs. The amazing thing is we didn’t even have a booth or table in the show room because Cinema Wasteland books those up one show in advance and we weren’t sure if we’d have the film done in time. The success of the DVD sales and the screenings was from strong word of mouth. The fans really got behind the film and thought we did an amazing job. It was a very satisfying feeling, to hear such great feedback.
But we’ve now got a new bulk of DVDs in and they can be ordered through PAYPAL on our website www.oldschoolsinema.com or you can message me at My Space to see how to send in a check or money order at www.myspace.com/ossprojects. The DVD is only $15 plus shipping. We know what it’s like when finances are tight, so we wanted to give our fans a fair price.
3. How cool was it to be showing your movie at the exact location it was filmed at?
That was perfect. We shot at least 80 percent of the movie at the April 2006 Cinema Wasteland show, so to have it premiere at the very next show was a blessing. Ken Kish, who runs Cinema Wasteland, put complete faith in me delivering the film on time (and we were very close to the deadline!) and also coming up with a final product that the Cinema Wasteland attendees would enjoy.
When we were shooting it last spring, so many people were asking us about it and excited for us. To run into several of those same people and see smiles on their faces after our screening was great. I’m proud of our cast and crew and that we were able to deliver something the horror fans really enjoyed. There were definitely a lot of high expectations for this film and we did not want to disappoint anyone.
It was quite a quick turn around to shoot the movie at the last show in April of 2006 and then have the DVD completed and ready to show it at the fall 2006 show. We’re very excited about having it at Cinema Wasteland. It’s my favorite convention and I’ve been attending it regularly for about 5 years now. The fans and Cinema Wasteland regulars are the best. I highly recommend your readers check it out. It’s very well run and extremely well attended, not to mention a great party.
4. Who is your favorite character in this movie and why?
Wow. That’s a tough one. I don’t know if I have a favorite. We’ve got so many colorful characters that are unique and stand out from one another. It’s hard to pick one. Working with the guys from Uncle Scratch’s Gospel Revival (a cult favorite underground musical duo from Cleveland, OH) was a blast and I hope to work with them again very soon. They basically steal the movie. Bryan Jalovec, who plays the main character of the disgruntled hotel employee, starred in my movie “GUYS” (see www.216films.com) and is always a pleasure to work with. He and Ted Wodoslawsky, who plays the jerk hotel manager, are terrific and viewers are always complementing their acting.
A Cleveland-area stand-up comic named “Hot Carl” (Carl Ferrera) is also in the film and has some very funny moments. Alicia Kenney, who plays a B-movie scream queen diva also does a great job. It’s really hard to pick one. Audiences seem to like all of the characters and I’m very proud of our cast for their great efforts.
5. I hear there are a few celebrity guests that make appearances in the film, was this planned or did it just happen as you went along?
Oh yes. Part of the plan in shooting our film in a live convention was to try to land some cameos. We’ve got Lloyd Kaufman as the hotel general manager. Audiences love his scene and cheer when they see him and when he exits. Lew Temple, who has been in some huge horror movies lately like “The Devil’s Rejects” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning” has a hilarious improv moment where he just unleashes his anger at Bryan’s character.
Ari Lehman, who horror fans know played the first Jason in “Friday the 13th,” also appears in the film. He was a real hoot to work with and is very supportive of independent artists. We also got to shoot a scene with Syn Devil, who is one of the biggest B-movie stars in the independent scene.
6. How did you come up with the idea for this movie?
I’ve been attending horror conventions for quite a while now and when you are at these things, you see a lot of people walking around in makeup and outlandish outfits. One time I saw someone covered in fake blood and my creative mind took over and I asked myself, “What if that wasn’t makeup? What if that was real blood?” Then I started thinking a horror convention would be an ideal place to shoot a movie for so many reasons, not to mention a great place to have a maniac on the loose killing people.
7. Old School Sinema is planning on venturing down the same road as filmmaker Roger Corman- Violence, nudity and trashy humor.
=”text-align: left”>You are right, to an extent. Roger Corman is definitely a major influence for Old School Sinema, as are Russ Meyer and several other pioneering filmmakers who were big in the cult cinema world. While “The Horror Convention Massacre” (THCM) is definitely got all of the things you mentioned (violence, nudity, trashy humor), I don’t expect all of our productions to be that way necessarily. “THCM” was meant to be a homage to slasher exploitation films of the 70’s and 80’s, so all of those elements were necessary for this film. I plan on producing 3-4 movies a year and directing 1, if not 2, of them myself. But not every single film will fall under that category.
We’re definitely going to continue to produce horror films, B-movies and cult cinema, but I want to tell other stories too and explore different types of films within those genres. Corman is more of an influence in that he made some very low budget films in quick fashion and created a massive l library of films. That’s what we want to do. And just because they are cheap and quick, it doesn’t mean they have to be bad or cheesy. We want to entertain our viewers and exceed expectations. So far we’re off to a great start!
8. Why do you think these type of B movies become so addictive to us fans?
First of all, they are rare. The mainstream films are constantly being recycled and remade and ripped off. It’s boring and predictable. Cult cinema is the way to go and find unique stories, actors you don’t see popping up on TV every five minutes and some of the most creative filmmaking around. Discovering an entertaining B-movie for the first time is like finding a little treasure. It’s like you are in on a secret that nobody else, or not too many others, know about.
I also don’t think the “B” in B-movies has to stand for “Bad movie.” Audiences want to be engaged, entertained and have a fun ride. Not all B-movies have to be poorly produced and cheesy. No matter what your budget is, you have to come up with creative ways to utilize your resources and whatever you do, don’t bore the viewers!
9. If you had to pick a favorite among ALL of Roger Corman’s titles, what would it be?
(Laughs). Boy, that’s a really tough one. The man has done hundreds of films. His work in the early 60’s with Vincent Price, Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson are classics, of course. He’s responsible for some cool biker movies, women in prison flicks and exploitation movies. The man has done every genre and is the B-movie King without a doubt. I grew up a big fan of his New World Pictures library too and the cult classics he produced in the 80’s through that labe.
I also admire that he had a great eye for discovering new talent and always seemed to be willing to give young filmmakers their first big break. Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Demme are just a few of the dozens of filmmakers he helped launch the careers of.
I hope someday Old School Sinema will be looked at like that, a place where some successful filmmakers and actors got their early break. For me, collaborating with crew members and actors is the best part of the filmmaking process.
10. What’s next on the agenda for Old School Sinema- working on any new projects?
That is an understatement! I’m looking into producing 4 movies in the next 12-15 months, one or two of which I’ll direct. The next film I’m writing and directing is in the spirit of some 80’s zombie films, with horror comedy elements like you see in “Evil Dead 2,” “Return of the Living Dead” and “Night of the Creeps.” Just like “The Horror Convention Massacre” we have a unique setting once again and think the fans will really get into this one.
I expect it to be much more ambitious that “THCM” and hope to have it out by Summer 2007 or Fall 2007. I’m also producing a film for Darrin McDonald, who was a key crew member on “THCM.” He’s writing and directing it and that might be our next release.
11. Do you plan on staying within the horror genre or will you venture off into Drama or say Sci Fi?
I’m a film lover first and foremost, so I love all genres. I definitely hope to explore the crime genre someday soon. Some of my all time favorite movies are those from Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma and Quentin Tarantino, so doing something within the criminal element with a lot of gun play and double crosses is definitely in the cards for me someday.
12. Of course I have to ask you the infamous question “What’s your all time favorite horror movie?”
I’d have to say “Phantasm.” I mean, I love a ton of horror films and of course movies like the original “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and John Carpenter’s “Halloween” are right up there, but there’s just something about “Phantasm.” Not only is it scary, but it’s completely original and one of those movies where you’re asking yourself, “What the fuck is that?” (laughs). I love movies that are mysterious, creepy and scary. It’s very original and I never grow tired of it.
All of us here at www.hmandm.com would like to thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us. Congratulations on your big weekend at Cinema Wasteland and we wish you all the best in the future as well…Hmm, you think I’d make it as a Sinema Siren?
I can see it now “The Angry Princess…”
Thank you for supporting independent filmmaking and this opportunity. I can’t wait to do it again…and yes, “The Angry Princess” or any other models or aspiring models are more than welcome to submit photos to be featured as a Sinema Siren. Check them out at www.oldschoolsinema.com. You can submit pics to sinemasirens@yahoo.com. Sorry fellas, Sinema Sirens are ladies only. (laughs)
(Click on the pics for larger images)
