“The Devil’s Tree” – A Brand New Horror Film That Needs Your Help!

Posted by lahorror on March 18, 2013

Nobody wants to leave a house party, right? If it’s a really good one, odds are you won’t leave until the next morning, until the police bust it or until you’re brutally murdered by the Devil himself! Well, at least that’s the type of fate that Josh Petrino’s characters in his film “The Devil’s Tree” may have to face.

“After visiting a landmark tree rumored to be a gateway to hell, a group of friends hold a small house party where, without explanation, they realize they mentally can’t bring themselves to leave. Shortly after this revelation, torment and slaughter begins at the hands of a supernatural killer with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.”

Sounds promising, eh? Well this film needs your help and there’s only a few days left to jump on board. We got the low down from director Josh Petrino about his new film and invite you to read some of his insight for yourself. If it sounds like something you’d dig (and if you’re here already then you know you already will), then do the right thing for Satan’s sake and SUPPORT INDIE HORROR!

LAHORROR: You guys have a lot of movie influences listed for this film, from “The Devil’s Rejects” all the way to “Clerks.” What kind of film are people going to see when they watch “The Devil’s Tree”?

Josh Petrino: I’m a movie nerd through and through so I think everything I love and have watched over and over again will have an influence on this but fans of those films are sure to enjoy it. That is the crowd we are going for. We want to establish our characters as quickly as possible so we can get right to their downfall. Why should we bore you with a long set up, long dialogue and semantics? Let’s try to make you like these poeple ASAP and then take them away from you.

LAHORROR: Good man Josh, get to the good stuff. What kind of characters are we going to meet in “The Devil’s Tree?”

JP: All the characters are based on people I know with the exception of the killer. We’ve written them in a way where they could each have their own movie. I think it’s important that our characters are interesting enough to deserve their time on screen. They’re not really kids to be honest. They’re old friends that are kinda forced into hanging out again despite all of them growing up and going their separate ways…They aren’t idiots, in fact most of them are above average intelligence and most of them would react how any person would.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnwWy-rQY8U

LAHORROR: And why do they go messing around with things that they probably shouldn’t be…?

JP: They go to the Devil’s Tree, which is a landmark with some mythology behind it, just to check it out. A lot of people visit abandoned places or creepy landmarks, but nobody REALLY expects anything to happen. These people live within our own universe, they’re aware of horror movies, they live life how we do. If someone were to tell you, going to a tree could open a gate to hell, would you actually believe them? No. Some people might get spooked but none of us have seen a demon or real evidence of anything of the sort. It’s a place to go to get a fun scare and have a good time. I’m a very skeptical person and most of this group is too, I think if a demon or something supernatural ripped my heart out, I’d spend my last waking seconds confused and trying to figure out a reasonable explanation for it. This group doesn’t instigate anything at all. They’re just an unlucky few out of many. Extremely unlucky…

LAHORROR: Supernatural killers are always exciting because the deaths can be as crazy as your imagination lets you be. Without giving too much away, what kind of carnage are we going to see in “The Devil’s Tree”?

JP: All kinds. Some of the deaths are going to be pretty damn unique. I’m a fan of the unorthodox and bizarre…

And with the previous talk of hearts being ripped out, we’ll leave that at that…….

Please visit “The Devil’s Tree” on Kickstarter and show your support for indie horror! Please follow “The Devil’s Tree” on Facebook for all the latest news and info!

NEW TRAILER FOR “LESSER MIRACLES”

Posted by lahorror on March 7, 2013

Hey horror lovers! Just wanted to drop a line and show some love to the cast and crew of “Lesser Miracles,” a disturbing and original horror film that we totally dug. They just got a distribution deal and released a brand new trailer!!! CHECK IT OUT AND KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR THIS MOVIE!!

Tons more stuff coming up, including but not limited to monsters, ghosts, violence and murder…

xoxo,

LAHorror.com

“Don’t Go To The Reunion” (but go check out this film!)

Posted by lahorror on January 28, 2013

We’re baaaack!!

It’s been a while since our last post, horror lovers, and for that we apologize! With all of the holiday travels, crazy life and pre-production of our upcoming horror film series, it’s glad to finally be back from the dead to share with you some excellent horror projects coming your way from some seriously talented artists. And what better way to ring in the New Year than with a good old fashioned 80’s throwback slasher flick, from Slasher Studios:

LAHorror.com got some insider information on this film from the filmmakers themselves Kevin Sommerfield and Steve Goltz, who are currently raising money for this gory feature film, and trust me, these guys know how to make a slasher flick. So do yourself a favor and check out this project, because, let’s be real, there hasn’t been a great slasher flick in far too long…

LAHorror: I know you guys are the slasher experts, so tell me: What’s going to make Don’t Go to the Reunion stand out from the crowd?

Kevin Sommerfield: Don’t Go to the Reunion is really our ultimate 80’s slasher homage to everything that we love and cherish about the slasher genre. We are going back to the basics: a likable final girl, characters you actually care about, a ruthless, nonstop killer. We also plan to use all practical effects on this slasher. CGI has it’s place in film but I don’t think it really belongs in the slasher genre. The blood, the gore, the carnage…everything is going to be done on set with some great deaths planned out.

Steve Goltz: This upcoming film will give our fellow slasher fans what they have been craving. With a slasher drought among us, horror fans are in need of a fun story with likable characters and creative deaths. This is exactly what we will give them. The story itself will give the movie goers something to talk about after the film and the fact that this will be made by slasher fans, for slasher fans, will make this all the better.

LAHorror: Tell us a little bit about the set-up and the characters. And what’s the deal with this killer??

KS: Don’t go to the Reunion centers around a horror loving geek named Scott. He cherishes horror movies more than life itself. When the popular kids at his high school decide to play a prank on him, Scott thinks his life is over. Skip ten years to present day and the popular kids from high school are getting together for a little class reunion. Little do they know, someone may have followed them there and they mysteriously disappear one-by-one. Throughout this all, the audience is left to wonder if Scott has come back for revenge or is it someone else all together. Possibly even one of the original popular gang…

SG: The true horror fans will love the characters. I am so excited to see the characters take life and watch the performances on screen. We definitely have the go-to slasher characters, but some with a modern twist. They are fun and clever and all bring something to the table that helps out the story.

LAHorror: Without spoilers, what kind of gore can we expect from Don’t Go to the Reunion? Can you give us a peak into your favorite kill from the script?

KS: Without a doubt my favorite death from the script involves a split open torso and a fire poker. I’ll leave the rest up to the audience’s imagination…

SG: Well, we don’t want to give too much away, but the fire poker death will be a great visual experience and the final death of the film will definitely leave the audience in awe. All in all, lots of blood and gore and as with every Slasher Studios film, all practical effects!

LAHorror: All the slasher greats have a memorable final girl. In Don’t Go to the Reunion, what’s your final girl’s motto: Fight? Or flight?

KS: Definitely fight. Our final girl Erica is no shrieking violet. I wrote her as a testament to my favorite final girls in slasher history. Much like Ginny in Friday the 13th Part 2 or Nancy in A Nightmare on Elm Street, Erica isn’t about to go down without a fight and, in the end, she realizes it is up to herself to survive the night.

SG: This final girl encapsulates all the great, strong, independent final girls who came before her. We were not looking for a weak final girl or performance. This girl is rough and tough.

LAHorror: Your short films pack a lot of punch in a little time. How are you guys approaching this project differently than something shorter? Are you ready for the challenge?

KS: It was definitely a change of pace. Between Teddy, Blood Brothers, and Popularity Killer, we killed a series of a dozen characters in a total running time of about 40 minutes. Here we had a chance to give the characters a little more depth and flesh out the back story of each. I want the audience to get to know these characters so they actually feel something when they die.

SG: What I love about shorts is that a lot can happen in a little amount of time. This really helps keep the audience glued to the screen and their interest level high. Teddy moved at a break-neck speed and really sold a lot of people on the film. No downtime to bore the viewers. So, we know going to the feature, we had to keep up a steady pace. With the serious parts, the outrageous deaths and the comedy squeezed in as well, this script really has a great mix of emotions and will for sure keep the audience on their toes.

LAHorror: Anything else you’d like to share about Don’t Go to the Reunion?

SG: Don’t Go to the Reunion has been on our minds nearly every minute of every day for longer than I can even remember. Film is our passion and this feature is something we have worked so hard on and will continue to do so. We are both overly excited to begin filming and can’t wait for that first screening with an audience full of horror fans like ourselves!

KS: All I can say is that this script and this movie has been my baby for the past year. I can promise that fans of the 80’s slasher will find a lot to enjoy here from the creative death scenes to the shocking ending. To quote Cotton’s character at the end of Scream 2, “It’ll make a hell of a movie.”

Intrigued?? Please visit the “Don’t Go to the Reunion” kickstarter page! There you can not only help this film get made, but you can view all of their short films mentioned in this interview. So do yourself a favor…and Don’t Go to the Reunion…

You can read LAHorror.com’s review of Slasher Studio’s film Teddy here. For more non-stop slasher goodness, visit their official website, follow them on Twitter and “like” them on Facebook!

LA Horror Review: “Dead Inside”

Posted by lahorror on December 4, 2012

“Dead Inside” is an interesting little horror film with a fresh perspective and a brooding sense of atmosphere. This happens to be the film’s strong suit as it more than compliments the film’s jump scares. Often, it overshadows them. The film centers on a group of party-goers haunted by their impending doom and provides a healthy dose of supernatural goings-on while maintaining an overall ambiguity.

The film introduces Sarah (Hannah Ward AKA Lala Hensely), a quiet girl raging war with her inner demons. When those demons come to light, bad things happen. There are a few good ideas here and a few questionable ones, but all in all, the film just does things differently. Popular high school students crash Sarah’s house expecting a party and she timidly agrees to play host. The setup is seemingly “outcast versus the world,” but much of the scorn and bullying associated with this dynamic is substituted for indifference and, occasionally, sympathy. It’s a pleasant turn from the norm.

While the characters are treated to a decent amount of development, the soap opera dramatics to which the film often deviates take “Dead Inside” down a notch. The actors handle the material well, though, and Lala Hensely is superb as Sarah. It may not be a showcase of her range, but what she does deliver is genuine. There is a standout moment on a staircase where she turns to her friends and shares an ominous message. It is terrifically creepy and a highlight of the film.

Another interesting layer to this film is its refusal to designate a threat. There is most certainly a threat present, but it is tantalizingly mysterious. Any sense of villainy is juggled between all characters and the supernatural aspects of the story are kept in the dark. I mean that literally and metaphorically, but it is the former that may actually work against the film.

Sarah has some serious issues in “Dead Inside…”

“Dead Inside” is shot well throughout and makes expert use of shadows and silhouettes. It is a dark vision and a justified representation of Sarah’s dismal outlook. However, it is at times too dark. On a practical level, a few key shots are so underexposed that they obscure all information. However, it is not without its qualities. Director Pearry Teo carefully treads a line that aims to only hint at things unseen. It may not always be the perfect execution but it is always scary. After all, that is the wonderful, alluring thing about the dark.

Teo has a good eye for creepiness and an acute handle on suspense. The soundtrack is minimal but effective, especially the soft lullaby that opens the film and revisits us throughout. With elements of “Carrie” and “Identity,” this film is a slow burner worth seeking out. If you’re looking for an eerie supernatural drama or if you have any appreciation for dark irony, “Dead Inside” is for you.

For more information about “Dead Inside,” please visit the films official website. Also, be sure to check out “Dead Inside” on Facebook. This review was written by Levi Caleb Smith.

LA Horror Review: “The Employer”

Posted by lahorror on October 29, 2012

Finding a job these days is tough, especially one that actually pays the bills. The search could even be described as a “true horror story” for some; even if you do land an interview, often you can get beat out by a more qualified candidate. Frank Merle, the writer and director of the new horror thriller, “The Employer,” takes this idea to a whole new level: in this interview, you either get the job or die…

It’s a now classic set-up. Five strangers wake up in a locked room. Before long, they realize they have something in common: they have all recently interviewed for a position at the mysterious Carcharias Corporation, and today is supposed to be their final interview. Unbeknownst to them, The Employer (Malcolm McDowell) has a very sinister way of choosing the perfect candidate for the job. You see, at Carcharias Corporation, having a well-rounded resume is only half the battle. What’s the other half? It’s killing the competition before they kill you first. Last one standing gets the job of their dreams…

The great part about a film like “The Employer” is that it takes a familiar premise and gives it its own unique and rather intelligent spin. Yes, pitting people against each other in a locked room has created some pretty grisly horror films, but “The Employer” isn’t about the gore; it’s about the characters. Merle creates a group of very fleshed out young professionals who have every reason in the world to try to get ahead. It’s more fun to get to know the characters first before they’re brutally murdered as opposed to watching strangers get hacked up; it makes for a much more satisfying viewing experience.

But while Merle crafts characters who are undoubtedly justified in their reasons to despise each other, he also brings out strong performances by five very talented actors. The scenarios he sets up for these interviewees are amplified by their terrific performances. Everyone brings something to the table, and everyone has a secret.

James, played by David Dastmalchian, is our Everyman and is wonderfully naïve and hopeful that in this terrifying scenario maybe, just maybe, nobody has to die. It really feels like at any moment Dastmalchian could break out and become a recognizable face for frequent moviegoers, and a film like “The Employer” certainly allows him to show some great range. Opposite him is the beautiful Paige Howard who plays the kind and caring Sandra. It’s hard not to root for these two; their chemistry is strong, especially when the going gets tough.

Mike (Matthew Willig) tries to silence the trash talking Keith (Michael DeLorenzo) much to the horror of the level headed Sandra (Paige Howard)

Juxtaposed against this optimistic, seemingly level-headed pair are our other three captives: the sexy and ass-kicking Billie (Katerina Mikailenko), the bruising and massive Mike (Matthew Willig) and the loudmouth Kieth (Michael DeLorenzo). Five very different people in one nightmarish interview, “The Employer” creates a tense and unnerving experience that gets to be a real free for all with plenty of twists to keep you guessing who’s going to get the job.

Which brings us to our last and most important piece of this puzzle: The Employer himself, Malcolm McDowell. As the puppet master of this whole scheme, it’s extremely fun to see The Employer get inside of the heads of these characters and find out exactly what makes them tick. It’s always fun to see McDowell play a bad guy, but in “The Employer” he’s even more dementedly charming than usual. Every time McDowell is on the screen he steals the show, which is understandable given his ultra-talent. He embodies the mission of the Carcharias Corporation and adds a level of mystery and intrigue that we can only hope for a sequel (or two) to expand upon.

Only The Employer knows the secrets of the Carcharias Corporation…

And maybe that’s the real reason this movie was so enjoyable: the fact that it asks more questions than it answers. While Merle’s intentions for making this film are unknown, “The Employer” raises a lot of questions not only about its own reality but also our own, and frequently plays with moral questions that we deal with on a daily basis. How often do we see people doing anything to get ahead of the competition, or a massive corporation treating its employees like pawns in its own sinister game? Merle has created a film that is modern, violent and full of nasty twists, “The Employer” grabs you and won’t let you go.

Lastly I’ll leave you with this, the same thing that Merle told me before I watched the movie and the thing that probably intrigued me the most: at the end, only one person walks out of that room alive…

Be sure to watch our exclusive interview with filmmaker Frank Merle. For more about Frank Merle and “The Employer,” visit the film’s official website. Be sure to check out “The Employer” on Facebook.

LA Horror Review: “The Los Angeles Ripper”

Posted by lahorror on September 6, 2012

Los Angeles has been home to some of the most prolific serial killers in American history. There was, of course, the night stalker, the hillside strangler, the freeway killer and now another, Craig McIntyre’s “The Los Angeles Ripper.”

Kristy (Celeste Martinez) is an aspiring singer who has just arrived in Los Angeles for a fresh start in life. Living with her lazy cousin and horror fanatic Aunt, things are looking up for Kristy as she makes new friends and begins to take singing lessons. However, drug dealer Grahm (Randy Tobin), The Los Angeles Ripper, has other plans for poor Kristy. You see, Grahm likes to torture, rape and murder young women, and he’s damn good at it…

“The Los Angles Ripper” starts with a bang and ends with a bang, take that how you will. From the very first scene of the film, you know what you are signing up for: a low budget, gritty serial killer story with a director unafraid to show you the good stuff. And what else would you expect from a movie called “The Los Angeles Ripper?” While the body count isn’t necessarily the highest, when Grahm does reveal his sinister intentions to his victims, the intimacy of the filmmaking makes for a quite unnerving experience. The camera is always no more than a foot away from the victim, often in a cramped room or a van, and catches every grueling detail of the torment of the victims. The style is reminiscent of the ultra gory 70s exploitation flicks, with a little dab of some zombie feasting as well. McIntyre is clearly well versed in the horror genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKtubYCtTbs

The problem with this film is not in the kills, however, but in the killer himself. No doubt Tobin is a talented actor, and his character is quite memorable but also kind of a…well…a douche bag. He’s the guy who’s at the party that you didn’t really invite. He’s the drug dealer that insists that you hang out with him when you only want your fix. He’s the guy at the bar that just doesn’t catch a hint. No means no, Grahm…well, kind of. At times his awkwardness is hard to watch, but when he starts to turn into the Ripper, it’s night and day. The douche becomes a monster and that’s when the performance really takes off.

The main meat of the story is when Grahm meets, and ultimately becomes obsessed with, Kristy. He brazenly stalks her, is constantly showing up wherever she goes and ultimately puts her in a rough spot near the end of the film. Their chemistry is awkward, but that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be, so in that regard, it works. The supporting cast behind these two is also quite enjoyable, in particular a couple of characters that show up to Kristy’s music lessons add a light hearted break to the carnage in this film.

Indie horror fans should appreciate this film, especially ones in the Los Angeles area. It does give you a feel for this city and there are some moments that legitimately made me cringe. While the film isn’t necessarily as deep as it could have been, the gore is intense and the soundtrack is excellent. The final shot of the film is also one that will stick with you, a serious gut-wrencher. I’m a huge fan of serial killer films, and while “The Los Angeles Ripper” isn’t necessarily the scariest, it certainly is worth a look for indie horror lovers and newbies to LA. So go get ripped already.

Be sure to check out “The Los Angeles Ripper” on Facebook and twitter.

LA Horror Review: “Day Job”

Posted by lahorror on August 23, 2012

I knew I was going to have a nightmare about 45 minutes into Dave O’Shea’s film, “Day Job.” It was just one of those feelings I had, and it came true. A couple of hours after finishing the movie, I found myself in bed, startled, after reliving some of the moments in my dreams. It’s now been 24 hours since I watched it, and I’m slightly anxious to go to sleep again.

Nick (Dave O’Shea) is your struggling, lower-to-middle class cable guy. He drives the van, fixes your signal and connects your TV, nothing unusual there. However, its Nick’s hobbies outside of his day job that really make this film an experience, including but not limited to rape, torture and necrophilia. We quickly realize that Nick is certainly not the normal guy he appears to be to his clients, and that his world outside of work is less than savory.

A film like this deserves recognition, and I certainly hope it eventually gets it. Quadruple threat O’Shea (writer, director, producer, actor) has put together something incredibly disturbing and original – a story so flush with true characters, absolute savage violence and unforgettably disturbing imagery throughout. Simply put, “Day Job” is unlike any horror film I’ve ever seen before and completely caught me off guard. This film, much like the main character, invades your space and imposes its will upon you.

Now that being said, a film of this intensity is certainly tailored for a specific audience – this is NOT your average serial killer film and its rawness will no doubt turn off casual horror viewers, but that’s quite all right. This movie was never intended for them anyways. Only the most depraved, disgusting and deeply disturbed horror fans will see this film for what it truly is: an unrelenting tour de force of violent perversion and terror. This was my kind of movie!

Now don’t get me wrong, this is not one of those films that is violent for the sake of violence, and while it is extreme it always serves a purpose to the story, and this story is good. The script for “Day Job” is the film’s biggest strength. Each character, big or small, is relevant to the overall arc of the story, and there is absolutely no fodder in this film. The story plays like a drama, or even a mystery, in the sense that each relationship is important; there are many little things that come back to slap you in the face. There were many “Oh, hell no; how did I not see that coming?!” moments in this film and the ending was simply jaw dropping. I found myself watching re-runs of “Seinfeld” immediately after viewing this film to try to get my mind on something a little lighter.

The only problem with this film, and unfortunately one that may turn off less patient viewers, is its appearance. This is a low budget film, but it’s watchable. In fact, the gritty texture adds to its perverted charm – there are many horror films of similar quality that could only hope to be as good as “Day Job.” But even through all of that, it’s clearly a labor of love for O’Shea and he succeeds where he needs to – you can see every frame and you can hear every line.

Now I say this with the utmost sincerity: I LOVED this movie. I intend on watching it again in the very near future and highly recommend it to anyone who has a morbid curiosity for the filthiest of horror. Given the right opportunities, this film could send an oily shockwave through all those who dare seek it. My challenge to you if you do eventually have the pleasure of viewing this film: watch every single scene and don’t look away. Trust me, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Sweet dreams.

“Day Job” will be hitting festivals this year. For more on Dave O’Shea, please check out his official website. Also be sure to follow “Day Job” on Facebook.

LA Horror Presents: Will Penny

Posted by lahorror on May 30, 2012

Cookies and milk. Cream and sugar. Jason and a machete. Some things are just meant to go together, and Will Penny shows us exactly that in his ridiculous and hilarious comic strips titled “Sex and Monsters.” We must warn you, fair reader, “Sex and Monsters” is by far the least frightening but potentially deadliest thing ever featured on this website. Be careful to not die laughing…

Penny’s comic strips are full of, well, sex and monsters, two of every true horror fans favorite things. He was the campus newspaper cartoonist in his college days, and though he works as a professional in law now, he uses his extra time to continue his passion for art and horror through his comic strips.

“I’m a big horror nerd. I’m a comic book nerd, but actually I was a horror nerd first. And I think that comes out of growing up on the old classic black and white Universal horror films,” Penny told LAHorror.com. Yet, movies alone didn’t do it. Penny was an avid horror comic book fan growing up and draws much of his inspiration from the comics that used to spook him. “And of course anytime you mention comic books and horror you always have to drop in the EC comics, you know, the first and last name in horror comics. So, of course, I was heavily influenced by ‘The Crypt Keeper,’ ‘The Vault Keeper’ and ‘The Old Witch.”

Other notable influences Penny taps into are “Cracked,” one of his favorite horror magazines as well as several writers/illustrators from Playboy. Together, these pieces are put together in Penny’s “R” rated comics in a ghastly fashion. (Speaking of which, “Sex and Monsters” was recently nominated for a Ghastly Award, which celebrates excellent up-and-coming horror comics).

Penny is not simply the writer of these strips, but also illustrates and colors each one in a process that can take over a week to complete. But that is only the tip of the iceberg for “Sex and Monsters.” Penny also creates hilarious “Crack-Ups,” montages of images from the very same horror movies he grew up watching with hilarious and unexpected punch lines. Penny has successfully transformed so many once-horrifying characters into the butt-end of some zany humor. Check out a couple of our favorites.

“Sex and Monsters” is without a doubt one of the silliest things we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing, but the true punch line of all of this is in how Penny came up with the idea for this strip. You see, “Sex and Monsters” was created by accident in a strange way only just over a year ago. Penny was trying to get tickets to last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, but they were all sold out. Determined to attend, Penny got creative.

“I looked online [and thought], ‘What are other ways to get tickets,’ and one of the ways they said you could get into the show, the convention, is if you were an actual professional. And you applied for a professional pass, but to do that you had to have an actual comic strip up on the web or a book published in your name. I was like ‘crap, I only have a few months to get something started so I could get tickets to this show.’ That’s basically the genesis of ‘Sex and Monsters,’” Penny told us laughing. For the record, it totally worked.

Check out Will Penny’s full collection of “Sex and Monsters” at www.SexandMonsters.com.

LA Horror Presents: “The Funny Man”

Posted by lahorror on May 3, 2012

Anybody want to hear a joke? What did the deranged, psychopathic masked murderer say to his helpless victim?

“Say something funny…”

Okay, that wasn’t a very funny joke, but it really isn’t intended to be because those are the last words that countless victims heard in writer/director Jake Barsha’s “The Funny Man,” a ten-episode horror web series produced by Daily Motion and Right Hook Films.

Originally, “The Funny Man” began as a feature length screenplay of the same title. “I had this idea for this story about a serial killer, kind of a comedian who is also a killer. And that eventually became ‘The Funny Man,’” Barsha told LAHorror.com. And though the title suggests it’s humorous, don’t be fooled. This is a super gory horror show that isn’t afraid to pull any punches. You’d be surprised how many people you can kill in just ten short episodes.

This was not Barsha’s first plunge into the macabre. After directing his first feature film,“Eugene,” he went on to create a web-series entitled “Leidy’s New Boyfriend,” another creepy show about a psychopathic woman who meets the boy of her dreams. Naturally, she locks him up in her basement and keeps him as her captive.

It was then that the door opened for Barsha to make “The Funny Man.” “Around 2010, I made a video content, like a web series, called “Leidy’s New Boyfriend,” and it was about a guy who gets kidnapped by a woman and held in the basement, and she basically captures him as her new boyfriend. And this company called Daily Motion found “Leidy’s Boyfriend” on Youtube and asked if I would upload it on to Daily Motion…I did, and somehow, I think I put out a newsletter or something describing “The Funny Man” or what I was up to and somehow they got wind of it, and they contacted me and asked me if I wanted to make it into a web series…they were basically offering to finance it.”

After some creative re-writes and adaptation, Barsha took his feature film script and made it into an episodic format. And with the help of Daily Motion, production for “The Funny Man” began. In just three short weeks, Barsha and his crew shot and edited the entire series. It premiered on line last fall during Halloween, and since then has garnished over 250,000 hits. The series has also recently won five awards at the Los Angeles Web Festival, including Best Director and Best Horror Series.

“I’m super excited that it was received well, that people seem to like it a lot, and that’s really motivating because I really want to do some more stuff…I think that there’s a lot of horror material out there and there’s a lot of people making horror and doing stuff, but it’s such a dynamic genre to think creatively, you know, to really think about different ways to do something or different ways to make something scary…It’s a really exciting platform to lend your energy to,” Barsha said.

The energy that “The Funny Man” delivers is intense; it’s raw and its, well, not very funny.

Watch “The Funny Man.” For more information on Jake Barsha and Right Hook Films, please visit their official website. You can also connect with “The Funny Man” on Facebook as well as “The Funny Man” blog. Please read LAHorror.com’s full review of “The Funny Man” here.