Chatsby Films Wraps on It's First Horror Feature 'Death on Demand'
Chatsby Films, Westchester's award-winning production company, has just completed principal photography of its first horror feature film, and is moving quickly to finish the project in time for next year's major film markets. "Death On Demand" is the title of the comedic slasher film, and producers, Adam Matalon, Kevin Burke, and Esther Raphael are confident that the film will resonate with fans of the genre.
(PRWEB) November 8, 2006 -- Chatsby Films, Westchester's award-winning production company, has just completed principal photography of its first horror feature film, and is moving quickly to finish the project in time for next year's major film markets. "Death On Demand" is the title of the comedic slasher film, and producers, Adam Matalon, Kevin Burke, and Esther Raphael are confident that the film will resonate with fans of the genre.
"Making "Death On Demand" was kind of like filmmaking on a dare," said Burke, referring to the film's miniscule budget. "We pulled off the principle photography portion of the shoot in twelve days, and looking back, I'm still amazed we stayed on schedule."
"Death On Demand" was created under the company's new horror division, Evil Twins LLC. The story concerns six people who spend Halloween night locked in a haunted house, competing in a live webcast to solve the mystery of the murders that took place there 20 years earlier. When the group accidentally brings the killer's vengeful spirit back from the dead, the night becomes a fight for survival.
Burke and Matalon returned last May from the Cannes Film Festival, where they met with several distributors following the success of their short film comedy Sex & Camping (38 Minutes) which was part of the Short Film Corner at Cannes 2006. They confirmed the growing and potentially lucrative business model in both the domestic and international markets for horror films. "The horror genre is very well represented at the international film markets and we feel it will benefit both our infrustructure and our growing list of potential new investors" said Matalon. Both Burke and Matalon were involved in pitching several ideas alongside Sarah Matalon who runs the company's European office in Paris. Together the three producers secured distribution for their first two (as yet) unfinished films. The fact that they are fans of the genre made the deal even sweeter.
"The guys came back all fired up about making horror movies," remembers producer Raphael. "I wasn't so sure at first, since I'd never really been into those kinds of films. But, I think half the fun of horror films is actually making them. I'm kind of a fan now, myself."
Once in production, the "fun" included fourteen to eighteen hour work days, making a toilet in one of the locations functional with a complex network of garden hoses, filming in an abandoned house, and slogging through four gallons of fake blood. The film's budget should have made assembling a cast and crew a challenge, but the lack of restrictive budget didn't dampen the commitment or the spirits of those involved. The three acknowledge that everyone brought a great energy with them to the set.
"We always maintain a high level of professionalism in everything we do," said Matalon, who also directed the film. "We had great crew and everyone there really met the challenge, and kept their sense of humor. This wasn't an easy shoot for anyone."
Production took place a stone's throw from Metro North's Peekskill train station, in two abandoned houses owned by Ginsburg Development Companies. Secured literally days before filming was to begin, the houses will likely be demolished as Ginsburg begins its development of the Peekskill waterfront, so the properties were ideal for the film.
"You can't buy art direction like this," enthused Matalon. "The house was beautifully 'pre-distressed.' All we had to do was add some actors, set dressing and a little movie magic."
Of course, Matalon went on to say that it's never that easy, and the filmmakers are very grateful for the assistance of many other people and area organizations. The City of Peekskill, The Peekskill Police and Fire departments and several local businesses were extraordinarily helpful to the production, from location permitting, parking, to providing temporary water service on location. Division Street Grill lent chairs used in the film. Amici's Pizza gave the producers a great deal on catering.
"Film crews run on their stomach. We promised them great food, and Amici's delivered," said Raphael.
Post-production on the film is scheduled to be completed by mid-December, and the producers plan to take the film to several international markets. But this is only the beginning, they say. Evil Twins is now raising money to finance their projects, the next of which is set to begin shooting in spring 2007.
"With any luck, there'll be a 'Death On Demand 10'," says Burke, who hopes that their bad guy, the ice axe wielding Sean McIntyre, inspires a franchise. "I know I've done well when people are sifting through the bargain bin at Wal-Mart, and they find our movie."
For more information please contact Chatsby Films.
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