Interview with Mark Bessenger, writer/director of "Bite Marks"

If you're wondering why I didn't post anything about new horror DVD's on Tuesday, it's because... amazingly... only 1 new horror DVD came out - "Voodoo Cowboys" - and it's currently out of stock. "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" also came out, but I don't really need and/or want to talk about it. "Voodoo Cowboys" is a micro-cinema horror and it looks great - has Debbie Rochon in it, lots of zombie killing by backwoods hicks, what else do you need? However, instead of me talking about it, you should just go to The Dark Roast Releasing site, where you can read all about it AND check out the trailer. Why do the work when they can do it for me?

Now that I've got that out of the way, let's get to the main event - our interview with Mark Bessenger. We had the chance to talk with him about his upcoming film, "Bite Marks". Now, I haven't seen it, as they're currently in post-production, but I have seen the trailer and I'm really looking foward to checking it out. Production value is high, the acting looks superb and Bessenger seems to mesh together a lot of different ideas while keeping genre fans happy. It's a great interview, so make sure you give it a read!

So, tell us about “Bite Marks”, what’s it all about?

BITE MARKS is a horror-comedy about a truck driver named Brewster whose brother has disappeared and must take over his cross-country delivery of a load of coffins to a funeral home. Along the way, to help stay awake, he picks up a pair of gay hitchhikers who are having relationship problems. He immediately dislikes Cary, but is uneasy that he finds himself attracted to David. When their GPS misleads them into a junkyard and the truck breaks down, nightfall reveals that the coffins contain vampires. Hungry ones! Now, the mismatched trio must barricade themselves in the cab of the truck and try to survive the bloodsuckers--and each other--until dawn.

Now, you’ve mixed two genres together that usually don’t get mixed together ‘gay indie’ and ‘horror-comedy’. When you came up with the idea, what came first? The gay angle or the horror angle? Where did the whole idea come from?

My cousin Jennifer (who was hired as unit production manager) married a man whose family owned a scrapyard. The idea of setting a horror movie there tantalized me, and the thought of defending yourself from monsters in that location grew into the story that I wrote. Originally, the hitchhikers would be a straight couple, boyfriend and girlfriend. When we started our company, Blakk Flamingo Pictures, the executive producer asked me to pitch him two ideas. He liked them both, but wanted our first film to have some gay characters in it. I could do it for BITE MARKS, but not the other movie, so we went with BITE. Boyfriend/girlfriend Jack and Angie became Cary and Vogel, and that was that.

You managed to secure horror veteran Stephen Geoffreys, from “Fright Night”, “976-EVIL” and “Sick Girl”, for a role in the film. How did that come about?

I was discussing with a friend whether or not having a "name" in low budget films like you saw in the 80's straight-to-video releases was still relevant. My friend thought it couldn't hurt, and we began speculating on who would do something like this. Several names were tossed out, but then I remembered that I had seen Stephen Geoffreys in SICK GIRL mere days before and realized that he would be the perfect actor for our "name". I found him on MySpace, he asked to read the script, and then he was in! I was elated! His films, especially FRIGHT NIGHT, are truly favorites of mine.

If you don’t mind us asking, what was the budget for the film and how did you secure financing?

I can only say that it was under $250,000 (waaaay under), and we had to apply for the Screen Actors Guild's Low-Budget Independent Film Agreement to get a couple of SAG actors on board, and that is the budget limit to be able to do that. As to the financing, a friend of mine who owns a very successful bar put up the funds after reading the script.

What state are you at with the project right now and talk a bit about getting to this stage.

I did a several months of pre-production and we shot in southern Indiana for 17 days with mostly Los Angeles talent and an Indiana crew. The film stars Windham Beacham of LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP and BACK SOON fame. Porn starlet Krystal Main plays our vampire girl. Most of the supporting actors were also local. It wasn't an easy shoot, but it wasn't as hard as most films I've been on. Filming was done on the Canon 5D Mark II, which looks like a still camera but shoots true HD and at 24p. The footage is amazing. The movie is funny, scary, sexy and gory, and it is currently nearing the end of post-production. The picture is almost locked. At the last minute, I decided upon an animated opening credits sequence a la NIGHT OF THE DEMONS, so that put us behind schedule. The film is also being scored, so we're waiting for that, as well.

What are your goals for “Bite Marks”? Is it to get a festival run? Are you looking to just get distribution? Are you looking to turn a big profit? What would be your benchmark for success?

I would love to see the film get a festival run. I think audiences will enjoy it. We want it to be distributed, of course, and though I suspect it will be strictly dvd and On Demand, the ultimate goal for me would be a theatrical release of some sort, no matter how small. That would make my day, night and another day.

Where can people find out more about “Bite Marks” and is there a trailer that people can check out?

People who are interested can find out more about the film at our website, blakkflamingopictures.com, where they can see photos and read blog entries by myself and the cast. The trailer is posted there, but they can also see it on YouTube by doing a search on "bite marks teaser trailer". They can also join our Facebook Fan Page by searching on "Bite Marks" the Movie".

Now, tell us a bit about yourselves. How did you get in to indie horror and film?

I've always been a horror fan ever since a young age. One day, when I was six, I came home from school and found my mother watching THE REVENGE OF THE CREATURE on the Channel 3 Afternoon Movie. I was hooked from then on. I collected books, records, posters, magazines, everything I could find on horror. I bought all the Aurora monster model kits (both regular AND glow-in-the-dark versions!) and when I got a Super 8mm projector for Christmas, I started buying the old Castle Films compilations of classic Universal monster movies. Once, when I was snooping in the hall closet, I found a case with my mother's old 8mm home movie camera in it and got her to buy me some film. I began shooting my own little movies, which were all horror or fantasy-related. In 1980, I dropped out of college and opened one of the first home video stores in the area, which I ran for a year, then decided to try my hand at being a filmmaker, so I sold the store, went back to school and got my bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and my master's in Film. I shot two indie features, but couldn't find distribution for either, so I came to Los Angeles and opened a video production company that makes industrials and training films. The opportunity to make features came along, and here I am!

Film school: yes or no?

I'm not sure if you're asking me if I went or if I recommend one to go, but in either case, the answer is "yes." I went to Columbia College Chicago for my master's specializing in screenwriting. Would I recommend it? I think so. You do get hands on experience with equipment and professionals helping you learn what to do, but the best thing is the contacts you will make. People who think like you and are willing to help you make your films. This can be invaluable. I met Mark Pavia, the director of THE NIGHT FLIER, there, and we've been best buds ever since.

Talk about the indie horror scene, where do you think it is now and where do you see it going?

Well, as exploitation films were incorporated into Hollywood moviemaking, so is the indie film scene. You have big studios making small pictures, so they are kind of drawing the same ideas that normally only indie filmmakers would/could do. Plus, now with HD camcorders and Final Cut Pro so affordable, you are seeing a glut of indie product. The problem is, most filmmakers are only interested in doing gross makeup effects or getting girls to show their boobs onscreen, not caring about the story. That's why whenever I see another indie zombie film on Netflix, I cringe, because I know it's going to be all about "How can we show zombies eating people in a new way?" and they can't figure it out and shoot anyway, and you get the same old thing, resulting in the indie horror film scene spinning its wheels in the same muddy hole. There are some filmmakers doing new and interesting stuff, but they're few and far between.

Are there any other projects in the works?

Yeah, I have two projects buzzing around the greenlighted starting line. One, the most likely to go next, is the other picture I pitched, a spin on the slasher genre, but more like PSYCHO than FRIDAY THE 13TH (which I both love). It's more terror and suspense than gross-out. The other is a gay romance set during WWII. Whichever one I do next, I know it will be a blast to do and hopefully, the audience will think so, too.

Interview with Asif Ahmed, Festival Director of The Vampire Film Festival

I believe the future of entertainment will be niche. It will be specific and cater to your individual tastes. I mean, you can be a general horror fan, but you can also be a fan of 'zombie survival horror' or 'teen slasher flicks'. Where as we used to have only a handful of genres and categories, say... drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi and documentaries, the categories will be endless. Just think about how you can break out your choices on Amazon now... I think we'll get even more precise.

The way I look at it, as the people who sell, rent and stream content and films continue to categorize and specify genres, it's only a matter of time before the festivals do, too. It almost seems archaic to have a genre neutral festival, doesn't it? Like, "Hi, we're the ABC Film Festival and we accept ALL genre's and they'll ALL be competing for the same prizes." (I mean no offense to any existing festival that may or may not be called the ABC Film Festival) Right now, we have hundreds of horror festivals every year, but even those are becoming a bit too general. So, when I heard about The Vampire Film Festival, I really thought they were on to something...

The Vampire Film Festival takes place in New Orleans this Fall and it's not open to JUST vampire films, but all vampire related films... which can incorporate lots of things, such as goth, werewolves, zombies, etc. If you're working on something that could be considered vampire related, you're into vampires or the goth scene, this is something for you. Hey, even if you're just interested in how the festivals work, you'll want to give this a read, as we had the opportunity to discuss it all with the festival director, Asif Ahmed...

Tell us about yourself, how’d you get into the indie horror scene?

I’ve been working on small horror films since I was in grade school. My first film was about a killer bunny rabbit that sucked blood. We created a monster bunny from a stuffed toy, added fangs and the engine from a remote control car. It was great! One day I want to remake this film. Growing up I made vampire shorts, gothic films, and more.

Some purists might consider horror the “easy” way to make a film, just mix some corn syrup with red food coloring but I don’t. You learn the essentials of character, plotting and story from horror.

Tell us about the Vampire Film Festival. When and why did it get started?

We had our first in Los Angeles in 2003 at the Los Angeles Film School. Short Vampire Films and video of the event are on our site. The Red Cross blood mobile was parked on Sunset Blvd in front of the theatre. We had a gothic music performance artist in the theatre performing live between films and a red-carpet Vampire costume ball. Our plan was to always bring the festival to New Orleans but Katrina got in the way. We are looking forward to bringing the festival there this year and making it a permanent fixture of the city and we plan to travel with this festival to many other cities around the world – the touring Vampire Festival.

There’s a lot more to the festival than just films, tell us a bit about what you have going on.

First we want the festival to be part of the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. It’s very difficult to go back to the city and see the parts that are still devastated. The Lower 9th is an open field with a scattering of homes and it’s depressing.

Our mission with the festival, beyond the films, is to showcase vampire art, screenplays, novels and theater as well as have some great parties! We also plan to use some of the local bands and hope we can attract some New Orleans vampire writers. The event will include panel discussions, meetings with filmmakers, parties, fashion shows, music and some surprises.

Why vampires? Talk a bit about vampire films and what they mean to the horror genre.

Vampires are an enduring cultural phenomenon and are found in every culture. The literary genre, and it truly is a separate genre, can encompass horror, romance, humor and the erotic, really whatever you want. Regarding films, Nosferatu and Dracula actively engaged the world audience to the joys of being scared to death and they are still enjoying it. Regarding horror, the classic Hammer vampire films with Christopher Lee, some of the lesser know films like Near Dark and the newest classic, Let the Right One In show what the vampire film genre can be. I’m also looking forward to Johnny Depp’s Dark Shadows.

From the perspective of the filmmaker, what can I expect to get out of attending and/or having my film screen at the Vampire Film Festival?

Attendees are going to have fun. This is going to be an international film festival in one of the greatest cities in America. Attendees will be meeting filmmakers from around the world- we already have submissions from 4 continents. Filmmakers will get a chance to showcase their works in the vampire, gothic, supernatural genres. We want ghost films, werewolves, witches, mythic creatures, films that span these genres will all be considered. We are talking to some distributors who want to see what films get selected.

As a horror fan, what can I expect to get out of attending the festival?

The audience gets a chance to let their hair down, wear costumes, drink some booze and have a truly visceral experience. We will have panels, filmmakers, live music and more and of course you are going to see some trendsetting, genre defining films about Vampires, ghosts, werewolves from filmmakers around the world and might get a sneak peak of some of Hollywood’s latest offerings as well.

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

Submissions are now OPEN. You can submit from our site or on Without A Box. We want creativity above anything else, a coherent plot and story, good photography and acting. Audiences are tired of stupid horror films and I’m wondering about the future of slasher films and remakes of Asian horror films too… unless the filmmakers start using more creativity. A good story is a good story….

Does budget come into play when you’re considering films?

No, absolutely not - a big budget is just that, more splash but it sure can’t guarantee a good film. We’re looking for artistry, a good story, creativity, not bucks splashed across a screen.

So, in general, why should indie horror filmmakers try to get their films into festivals?

It’s very difficult for indie filmmakers of any genre to get their films seen. There are more and more films being made and less outlets for them. The Internet has been a game changer but how can one distinguish their work from thousands if not millions of other films online. The majority of films end up as a dusty dvd. Filming in the horror genre makes it even harder as a lot of critics come out with their fangs out without knowing anything about the film.

Festivals give filmmakers a forum, more options for distribution, a chance to build a fan base, and more exposure for their film. The more a film is seen, discussed and critiqued the better.

Festivals are also the way to get the kinks out of a film especially with digital editing being the norm now. Once a film goes before an audience, all those little flaws you never noticed suddenly pop out. Festivals allow you to erase them before they are distributed.

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

Make a great film and be willing to submit to festivals. Some filmmakers are hesitant to get their film out there or worse don’t know what to do once they complete their film. Filmmakers need to believe in their film and push it every chance they get.

At what point in the filmmaking process should I be thinking about the festivals?

From day one. As a filmmaker you need to understand your film and which festivals match its style, genre, and tone. A filmmaker should never rush their film to meet a festival deadline.

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

Study the great films of horror including ones from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. Read about film and see everything. Who would have thought the one of the classics in vampire cinema would come from Sweden in 2008. There are new films coming out everyday and it’s important to see them. A lot of people don’t want to hear this, but it’s also very important to learn the nuts of bolts of filmmaking, including marketing. Some don’t think it’s creative but you can’t have show business without the business.

Where do you think the indie horror scene is now and where do you see it going?

With the new digital cameras, editing equipment, power computers, the sky is the limit. Also a lot of noted directors and actors who were initially put off by the idea of horror are looking at it with kinder eyes. I think a new wave of horror classics is just on the horizon

What’s next for you and Vampire Film Festival?

We’ll continue expanding our site and make the Vampire News Network a reality on the web. We also want to have on-going Vampire Fests in other cities – Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston and maybe go to Europe. We also want to look for scripts and novels too. It’s hard to believe it but American vampire lore is still untapped. There are legends with historical roots that haven’t even been touched yet.

Where can people find out more about the festival and how can they go about entering their film?

Vampirefilmfestival.com - Look at our articles on film and television and expect a lot of surprises in the future – We’re trying to expand our content on a daily basis. And if you are interested in being a contributing writer, please contact us!

Interview with Christopher DiNunzio, writer/director of "Livestock"

Holy hell, have I had computer issues this morning... unbelievable. I was really considering not posting this, but I did get to it. Anyhow...

So, we recently checked out Christopher DiNunzio's film, "Livestock", and did an interview with him, but before we get to it... the film got me thinking about a particular sub-genre in horror which I like to call the gangster-horror. Now, I could be making up a new sub-genre here, but it does exist, whether you know it or not.

Gangster films are fairly closely tied to horror films, most likely due to the fact that they're both violent in nature and, therefore, they tend to get similar audiences. I mean, I'm sure there's gangster film fans that don't like horror films and horror film fans that don't like gangster films, but the two bubbles certainly overlap a lot more than, say... slapstick comedy fans and historical drama fans. We can look at this logically, really. Gangster films are about, well... gangs. Gangs, by definition, are groups of people who band together for mutual benefit, usually through illegal activity. Knowing that, there are certain archetypes or characters in the horror world that emulate those characteristics, as well. Werewolves, for example, are dogs... who roam in packs and are, therefore, technically, a gang. This has been exploited in a few gangster-horror films, such as "Wolves of Wall Street" or even the "Underworld" series. The other horror character that shows gang-like characteristics is the vampire and this has also been exploited in a few gangster-horror films, such as the "Blade" films, "Nightwatch", "From Dusk Till Dawn" and, now, DiNunzio's "Livestock".

I'll admit that I'm a huge gangster film fan, films such as "Scarface", "Meanstreets", "The Godfather" and "State of Grace" (mostly the ending of "State of Grace", what an ending...) were major influences and are personal favorites. But, obviously, horror's my thing. So, when watching DiNunzio's "Livestock", I came to the realization that I'm a fan of gangster-horror films and I hope to see more of them...

As for "Livestock", it's a really well put together film, rich with a variety of characters and a weaving plot. From the beginning, you're drawn into the gangster side of the film and the film slowly divulges it's more occult-like roots. Whereas some gangster-horror films would lean more on the horror side, DiNunzio does a great job of leaning on that gangster side, which creates a well balanced film that holds you till the end. It's a great indie-horror, done on a low budget, and it's definitely worth checking out. He did so much with so little and I'm very anxious to see what he comes up with next... So, do yourself a favor and check "Livestock" out.

First off, tell us a bit about yourself. What are your influences and what got you into indie horror?

I've always been a huge fan of movies but became interested specifically in horror when I was a little kid when my dad showed me Creature of the Black Lagoon on his projector. Also my mom was always showing me movies that I should not have been watching at such a young age, like Alien and Friday the 13th. I think what attracted me to Indie films was the fact that I think they allow more freedom of creativity that is lacking in most mainstream Hollywood films. I look at Indie and foreign films as more of an art form.

I am influenced by Dario Argento. I love his use of colors and all of surprising twists and turns that are usually in his films. I'm also very influenced by Italian cinema in general from Fellini to Bava. I'm really into old Christopher Lee and Vincent Price films They are two of my favorite actors.

Film school: Yes or No?

Yes and no. I've taken some classes in film school and have read tons of books on filmmaking. I still consider myself a student of filmmaking because I'm constantly learning new things and try and keep and open mind about things. I think film school is a great way to learn the fundamentals of filmmaking, but four years to me is unnecessary. I don't think that a person needs to go to school to learn a craft like filmmaking. I just say get out there and start making a film, even if you fail. Failing is a hard thing to deal with but you learn so much from it.

Tell us a bit about “Livestock” and where the idea came from.

It started out as a story about online dating where something bad ends up happening. But after writing a few ideas down I realized that it was too cliched and not going to work. Me and my brother Ralph talked a lot about old horror films. He also brought my attention to different films I like in different genres. I thought I could blend my story with a couple of new ideas that came from this so I started doing research. I found these interesting characters and the story started transforming into what it is now.

What was the approximate budget and how did you secure the financing?

The budget was $3,500 I believe. I saved up for almost all of it and also had some help from friends and relatives. I was lucky to get a lot of free locations and borrow a beautiful camera from one of our producers Jason Miller.

What did you shoot on and how long was the shoot?

We shot HDV on a Cannon XLH1. The shoot took 16 days. We shot on weekends and a few weekdays.

I was probably most impressed by the acting. Fiore Leo was particularly good in the lead role. How did you go about casting the film?

We were very lucky to find Fiore Leo and cast him in our film. I believe that I'm gonna walk into a movie theater one day and see his face up on the big screen. We found him and the rest of the cast using various online casting resources and we kept auditioning people until we could find the best actors for the role. We were lucky enough to find a cast that not only could act but fit into my biggest philosophy of filmmaking which is having good chemistry. Everyone was willing to work hard and work together and have fun while doing it.

There were lots of characters and various story lines. Talk about your directing style and how you managed the shoot.

We did a lot of rehearsing, which allowed me to do most of my directing then. When we were set to shoot everyone was already prepared, which allowed us to knock down takes and keep moving according to schedule. I think rehearsing is great. It allowed me to spend more time communicating with our DP (Nolan Yee) who did a great job. It also kept me from over directing the actors since they came in to the set well prepared. Filmmaking is such a collaborative effort. I expect everyone to give the best they can to their ability. I always tell them that I'm going to give them all the info I have then let them do their thing. But, I make sure they know that I'm there for them at all times.

The film is part gangster film, part occult/vampire film. Talk about blending those two genres together.

For one they're two of my favorite genres. When I decided to make a film with vampires I wanted to make sure that it was very done very subtly. Coming up with the idea of how we would represent "the pack" in a modern setting in Boston the vision was clear that they should operate more like a present day mafia would rather than what you're used to seeing in older horror films dealing with the occult.

I want to ask about the artwork that was created for the film. The opening sequence pulled you into the whole world and it was all really well done. Who did that and was this something that was an afterthought or did you know you wanted all that from the beginning?

My brother Ralph Di Nunzio did the artwork. I asked him specifically to do it not because he is my brother but because he is a talented artist. I knew from writing the script I wanted to open up the film with these types of images. However I wanted to avoid dealing with copyright issues and didn't want to risk being unoriginal by using stock images. I had this talent right in front of me, so months before we even started shooting I had him start working on the artwork. Also I like sharing this experience with my friends and family so I like to get them involved.

Talk about some of the hurdles you overcame to get the film made. Any advice that you could pass on to other indie filmmakers who might be just setting out to make a film?

The biggest hurdle for me personally is financing the film. Having shot some short films before I knew what I would be able to accomplish with little money. It's very easy to make a low budget film these days with the availability of inexpensive cameras and editing equipment. That doesn't mean that anyone can or should just pick up a camera and make a film. You should study film as much as you can and shoot as many short films as possible that way you can get a feel for the hard work that goes into it, and a feel for how much things will cost and what your limitations are. One thing I will say is don't let anyone tell you how to make your film. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take advice, but try to keep true to your vision and make the film that you set out to make. And don't be afraid to ask for help. No one gets anywhere by themselves.

Did you enter “Livestock” into any festivals? If so, how did it do? What are your thoughts on the festival circuit?

I just started submitting to festivals. Hopefully we will get into some. It's hard to get into festivals these days with a feature film since anyone can make a film and submit it. But if you can get in it is a great sense of accomplishment.

Tell us about the process of finding distribution. How did that go and what insight could you pass on to other filmmakers who are looking for distribution?

As of right now we don't have a distribution deal. However our Executive Producer R. Harvey Bravman runs a great company Advanced Digital Replication and they helped us make a bunch of professional DVDs that we will try and sell on on our own while we figure out what is the best route to getting a distributing deal. Harvey has been great by helping us with this since we don't want to sit on our butts waiting for a deal. This allows us to keep spreading the word on "Livestock" in the meantime.

Where can people find out more about “Livestock”, check it out and/or get their hands on a copy?

They can visit creepykidproductions.com to pick up a copy. To check out info on our cast and crew they can visit our IMDB page.

Talk about the indie horror scene. Where do you feel it is now and where do you see it going?

I have always felt that the horror scene is what punk rock was supposed to be. It is a community with a lot of people that are very creative and supportive. They are willing to help out and spread the word of indie horror films to one another. It's a beautiful thing. As of right now I think people are getting very tired or remakes. I definitely think that Indie horror can play a big role in the future of the horror genre. I think what you see now and will continue to see is the rise of more foreign films. They seem to be very creative and original. Even people that were once unwilling to sit through a film with subtitles is now willing and eager to do so.

What’s next for you? Do you have any projects in the works?

I'm in the process of finishing up a few scripts. Also, me and two of the crew members from "Livestock" are looking to make a feature film by telling the tale of 3 short horror stories. Hopefully a company or someone likes what they see with "Livestock and realize that we're worth investing in, which would allow us to grow and continue making well made films. .

An introduction to Doug Hutchison's "Vampire Killers"

One of the best perks, for me, of doing this site is people bringing their projects to our attention. First off, we're more than happy to promote any new project you're working on. If you've got something that you'd like to promote, get in touch with us, we're more than happy to write about it and, hey, more than happy to give our thoughts, if you care. Secondly, I heart checking out new projects... especially when they're doing something new and cool with it. That's precisely the case with "Vampire Killers", from Doug Hutchison, which is being distributed online and through Youtube. Also, it has hot chicks, vampires and hot chick vampires in it, of which I'm a fan of all three. I'll break out what they're doing here for you, but I'm hoping to talk with the guys behind it and give you a bit more later...

ABOUT VAMPIRE KILLERS: Armed with a skeleton crew of guerrilla film soldiers, Hutchison has created an engaging, gritty web series based on his intense vampire mythology. VAMPIRE KILLERS involves a ruthless cabal of alluring female vampires and the relentless stalkers who want to take their empire down. The midnight streets of Los Angeles are the location for this epic struggle between the righteous and the undead. VAMPIRE KILLERS features a stunning cast of 13 sexy blood-obsessed night dwellers fighting to stay "alive" at all costs. The streets of Los Angeles just got a lot less safe. Check out Hutchison's vampire epic and study up on the vampire lore that surrounds their world -- it may be your only hope for survival! You have been warned. WWW.VAMPIREKILLERS.TV is online...

And here, embedded, is VAMPIRE KILLERS, EPISODE 1:


Now, having said all that, don't go over to their Youtube page to watch the next episode, because they banned episode 2. Here's the press release that followed...

YOUTUBE CENSORS STRIKE AGAIN

Actor Doug Hutchison [THE GREEN MILE, PUNISHER:WAR ZONE,LOST] thought YouTube would be the ideal platform to share his new internet-based webseries, VAMPIRE KILLERS.

With this year's insatiable appetite for vampires [ie. HBO's TRUE BLOOD and the upcoming TWILIGHT], Hutchison's gritty sexy dark series features a coven of 13 alluring blood-sucking vixens and the four vampire killers dedicated to hunting
them down ... by any means necessary.

The question was: How to reach out to Worldwide fans?

The obvious answer: YouTube!

So Hutchison posted episode #1 of VAMPIRE KILLERS and -after a glowing reception -- followed with episode #2 ... which YouTube swiftly yanked claiming it had violated their strict "Terms and Conditions" by featuring "Graphic Material" [a scene in which a kidnapped young woman is ravaged by a vampire in a motel bathroom]apparently "unsuitable" for YouTube's global audience.

Would-be viewers are now re-directed to Hutchison's site[WWW.VAMPIREKILLERS.TV] where they can watch the series uncensored.

Fans of VAMPIRE KILLERS are filling forums with their outrage over what they're deeming: "A digital gestapo".

Hutchison is disappointed episode #2 cannot be shared with the YouTube community, but is hoping the scandal may work in his favor. "My VAMPIRE KILLERS website has experienced a significant spike in foot traffic since the ban, so I'm encouraged", Hutchison said, "but still ... without YouTube, our base is greatly compromised".

So far, subsequent episodes of VAMPIRE KILLERS have not met with YouTube's clamp down.

I watched everything that they have available and I have to say, it's a wicked idea and definitely worth checking out. So, here's some links for you.

To check out the show, go to their home page: VampireKillers.tv.
For their Youtube page, go to: YouTube.com/VampireKillersTV