Indie Horror's New Media Landscape

There's a lot to love about this new media landscape that's forming around us. It's never been easier to create, market, discuss, find and distribute content. The ongoing problem is with monetization, but I do believe that all the tools you need to succeed are in front of you... literally, as I'm assuming you're reading this off your computer. Ever toil over something for months, or even years, only to actually get off your ass and do it... then realize, why the F did I wait so long? That shit happens to me all the time and solutions are aplenty online. It's all out there and there's plenty of ideas out there, too. So, I wanted to bring a few projects to light and maybe they'll show you something that you didn't know or even give you a new idea.

This new web series, “Helena, Hussy of Horror”, was recently brought to my attention. As for the content of the series, it's a cool throwback to that 80's style of horror commentary and, in my opinion, it's very well produced and looks great. However, what I really like about this is how they put it together. Go check out the site, see how they're integrating Youtube with their web interface. They're using a lot of simple platforms, but it fits together really well and creates a nice user experience. If you're looking at creating a web series, you'll want to check it out. Here's their press release:

Hey there, doll babies! There's a new horror hostess in town. “Helena, Hussy of Horror” has launched her new monthly web series with “Drinks With Swamp Thing,” a brief look at finding the perfect cocktail for your spring party, as well as a “review” of the 1982 cult classic, Swamp Thing. “Drinks with Swamp Thing” can be viewed here. Originally done as a one shot for last fall’s Miss Horrorfest contest, Helena soon found new life by shooting an introduction for the festival run of the upcoming Anthem Pictures DVD release, Deadlands 2 and Trapped.

New Videos will be posted monthly. On the docket are shows about the original Friday the 13th and Jaws 3. Produced in conjunction with ilikethe80s.com, "Helena" is the brain child of Cindy Marie Martin, co-owner of Ningen Manga Productions. Their first feature film, Women's Studies, will be released on DVD this fall through MTI Home Video. For more on Helena and to watch all her videos, check out HussyOfHorror.com

I've also been noticing that short film is coming back... or it's getting popular, not sure if it was ever 'in'. Anyhow, I think that people are figuring out that our current media consumption habits are making short film more popular, even more saleable. They're watched on Youtube, you can watch them on your iPod or phone, you can even watch them at work. Not only that, short films are as easy and cheap to make as ever, so... there's a perfect storm brewing for short format film. Because of that, a lot of festivals are beefing up the shorts category. So, if you're looking to make something, think about making a short film. Easy to pump out and it could get the ball rolling. Here's a press release from The NYC Horror Film Festival and Monster Mania Con:

The NYC Horror Film Festival 2009 (nychorrorfest.com), in conjunction with Monster Mania Con (monstermania.net) & sponsored by FEARSmag.com, is offering short filmmakers a unique opportunity to have their short film viewed by a live audience - THE KILLER SHORT SUDDEN DEATH COMPETITION. The Monster Mania audience will select one winner that will be part of the 2009 NYC Horror Film Festival programming. The audience will have their say on Sunday, August 23, 2009.

Submissions will be accepted via the mail from Monday, July 20, 2009, and postmarked no later then Monday, August 17, 2009. Films maybe submitted on site at the Monster Mania Convention from the opening Friday, August 21st, 2009, until 3:00 pm Saturday, August 22nd, 2009.

Lastly, as we're talking about short film, I wanted to share something that I received from friend of Dead Harvey, Alex Masterson. If you remember, we talked with him, a while ago, about his awesome, award winning short film, "Mr Video". You can read more about that in this post. He recently made another short film called "Log 159" and he sent us the link here. Great use of tension, lighting, etc. Really well done.

NY City Horror Film Festival Indie-fest

Well, here we are... another Friday. Thank baby Jebus, I've actually got jack shit to do this weekend, except for watching football on Sunday. Can't get out of that. Must do. So, basically, that means that over the next 48 hours or so, I'll be doing a bunch of drinking, catching up on some horror flicks and working on the site. However, I've still gotta get through today.

I kinda blew my load talking about the festivals last Friday, when I mentioned every festival that's coming up for the rest of October. Kinda leaves me high and dry when it comes to talking about the festivals today. Lucky for me, Indieflix, a company that I just discovered and covered around a week ago, is doing something really f'ing cool over the next few weeks that starts today AND involves horror film festivals.

First off, a litte reminder about who Indieflix is... they're a forum for indie filmmakers and their audiences and they "promise to build a fair and open market to empower filmmakers to be the engine of their own achievement". You can find their site here and if you've just finished a film, there's no reason to not check them out and get involved.

Now, here's where things get pretty cool... for over half a year now, they've been running something called indie-fest, which started at The Seattle International Film Festival and now has around 40 festivals signed on. Indie-fest is sort of like American Idol for indie-film, done online. It's completely free for the audience to watch and vote, choosing the winning filmmaker to receive cash awards, theatrical screenings and preferred distribution deals. Now, I'm not asking you to watch a bunch of artsy shit... I would never do that. I promise. Today, on indie-fest, is the first day you can watch and vote on 8 short horror films from the New York City Independent Film Festival, it runs from now until November 3rd.

It's really easy to log-in and watch and vote on them for free... in fact, I'm watching "Redskins Revenge" as I type this. It took me less than a minute to set it all up. Your votes will pick the winner and the winner will get a theatrical screening at the NYCHFF and a 90/10 distribution deal with IndieFlix. So, to go to the indie-fest @ NYCHFF page and start watching and voting, click here.

Check 'em out, it don't cost nothing.

Interview With Michael Hein, Festival Director of the NYC Horrorfest

If you're a regular reader, you're probably aware that we talk to a lot of indie filmmakers, trying to get insight and information to pass on to other indie filmmakers. Well, we're going to start branching off every once in a while, by interviewing people in other areas of the indie film world in an effort to show you insight into all these other facets, as well... the area we're going to look at this time? The indie horror film festival. More specifically, The New York City Horror Film Festival, which has been going on since 2001. It takes place in New York, obviously, and runs for a week in October. They currently have a call for submissions going on and there's lots of categories to win awards in. With lots of screenings, parties and things to do, it's one of the best festivals of the year to get involved in as a filmmaker or fan. Dead Harvey talked with Michael Hein, the founder and festival director...

Tell us a bit about yourself. How’d you get into indie horror?

I'm a New York City based Producer / Director. I've been working in the indie film scene going on 18 years. From PA to Special Effects work, and now Directing & Producing, I worked my way up the production ladder, and now run my own production company; MooDude Films. While horror films are not all we do, it has always been my passion. When I was 13, I caught a George Romero double feature of Dawn of the Dead and Creepshow and I was hooked from that day on. You can check out my recent films at Moodudefilms.com

Tell us a bit about NYC Horror Fest. When did it get started and why did you start it up?

I founded the festival in 2001 to help other like minded filmmakers get their work seen, not just by the fans, but most importantly, by the industry and contemporaries. At the time there were only two other festivals (also in their first year) but they were both out in LA, so building an event like this in the worlds largest media market seemed like a no-brainer. Now it seems that every state has a horror film festival, but we like to think the NYCHFF stands out as an important global film festival. We get acquisitions reps from every major distribution company in the world, from Universal and Lionsgate to NBC and HBO.

From the perspective of the film, why should indie horror filmmakers try to get their films into festivals?

It's a great place for your work to be seen, meet reps, set up connections that could lead to selling your film. I try to point out to all filmmakers, a film festival is supposed to be about making connections. A lot of film festivals out there are really only about screenings for horror & sci-fi fans and that's great, but we try to make the NYCHFF all about the industry.

From the perspective of the filmmaker, what can I expect to get out of having my film screen at the festival?

We work very hard to make sure the attending filmmakers have a great time at the event. Parties, panels, etc. Of course, I’d like filmmakers to also make some good contacts with distribution companies, producer reps, and other filmmakers.

When you’re accepting films, what are you looking for?

The same thing everyone looks for in a good film; A solid story, good directing, and talented acting. We honestly never look for bigger budgets or name actors. The NYCHFF is all about the genre and we expect a little genre knowledge from our filmmakers. We like to program an eclectic festival, so send us the best of horror, sc-fi and thrillers.

As a filmmaker, what can I do to make my film more festival friendly? Should I even be thinking of that?

No, you shouldn’t be thinking that way at all. As a filmmaker myself, my advice is never compromise your art. Make the film you want to make, never change things because you THINK a festival would be more friendly to it if you did “this” or “that” differently.

Are there any particular success stories from films that screened at NYC Horror Fest?

I’d hate to single out any one filmmaker for another, but there have been many alumni filmmakers that are now doing big stuff. The one thing I will say is that every feature film that has screened at the NYCHFF in our seven years has been picked up for distribution. I don’t think any other genre film festival can say that and we are very proud of that fact.

What advice can you give to an up and coming filmmaker in the indie horror genre?

Make your film…..period! I’ve know a lot of people that talk and talk about they are going to do this or that and it never happens. If you want to be a filmmaker…….be one!

Tell us about the future of indie horror, where do you see it going?

Who knows? Right now (I hope) we are coming to the end of this “lets go out and remake every horror flick from the seventies, but change everything about them that made them great” attitude from the Hollywood studios. I see some great indie films every year and one thing is for sure, the new Romero’s, Carpenter’s and Craven’s are not going to be found on a studio lot.

What’s next for you and the NYC Horror Fest?

Same as always, onward and upward! Great films, great panels and great parties!

Where can people find out more about NYC Horror Fest and how can they go about entering their film?

NYCHorrorfest.com. You can also google us and film a ton of press and stories on past film and filmmakers. You can also watch some great past shorts from the fest at Openfilm.com