A lift to work from a seemingly nice stranger turns into a mind-bending experience for one unlucky fish store employee in Waylon Bacon's new short film, The Ride, which you can watch right now on Daily Dead. In today's Horror Highlights, we also have details on a new story arc in the Cannibal comic book series, and details on the crowdfunding campaigns for The Misplaced and HoliDead.
Watch the Short Film The Ride: "In 'The Ride' we meet Greg, a disgruntled fish store clerk in danger of loosing his job. After missing his bus to work one morning, he meets Al, who offers to give him a ride.
Unfortunately for Greg, all may not be as it seems. Al is prone to explosive bouts of road rage. They seem to be going in the wrong direction. And the back of the van is filled with power...
Watch the Short Film The Ride: "In 'The Ride' we meet Greg, a disgruntled fish store clerk in danger of loosing his job. After missing his bus to work one morning, he meets Al, who offers to give him a ride.
Unfortunately for Greg, all may not be as it seems. Al is prone to explosive bouts of road rage. They seem to be going in the wrong direction. And the back of the van is filled with power...
- 3/29/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Help fund what promises to be one helluva strange trip!
The Ride is the next film by genre-bending filmmaker Waylon Bacon, who is currently raising funds through IndieGoGo to finance the pic.
Bacon has a highly imaginative filmmaking style that is uniquely hilariously surreal and entertainingly grotesque; and through the posting of extensive pre-production notes to his personal website, The Ride looks to have strong potential to be a positive addition to his filmography.
Based on a true incident in Bacon’s life, an innocent young communter, Greg, accepts a ride from a seemingly helpful driver, Al, who claims to be an espresso machine salesman. However, as Al’s creepy demeanor begins to shine through, Greg fantasizes about the horrible fates that may befall him.
Bacon describes the two characters:
Greg and Al are sort of like the odd couple; Greg is young, apathetic, and naive. Al is middle aged,...
The Ride is the next film by genre-bending filmmaker Waylon Bacon, who is currently raising funds through IndieGoGo to finance the pic.
Bacon has a highly imaginative filmmaking style that is uniquely hilariously surreal and entertainingly grotesque; and through the posting of extensive pre-production notes to his personal website, The Ride looks to have strong potential to be a positive addition to his filmography.
Based on a true incident in Bacon’s life, an innocent young communter, Greg, accepts a ride from a seemingly helpful driver, Al, who claims to be an espresso machine salesman. However, as Al’s creepy demeanor begins to shine through, Greg fantasizes about the horrible fates that may befall him.
Bacon describes the two characters:
Greg and Al are sort of like the odd couple; Greg is young, apathetic, and naive. Al is middle aged,...
- 8/27/2014
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
We return with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting the recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes first details on The Ride, Abruptio, and Howard Lovecraft & the Three Kingdoms hardback graphic novel, a trailer for Find Me and Trauma Dolls, casting news on Bad Kids Go 2 Hell, and much more:
New Casting Details for Bad Kids Go 2 Hell: “In Bad Kids Go to 2 Hell, it’s four years later and a new group of students has been placed in Saturday detention at snooty Crestview Academy. After one of the kids locks away the teacher assigned to watch them, the five of them very quickly find their ranks dwindling as each meets a gruesome fate. They may make it out of the library, but with a new threat revealing itself around every hallway, is there enough time and resources for at least one...
New Casting Details for Bad Kids Go 2 Hell: “In Bad Kids Go to 2 Hell, it’s four years later and a new group of students has been placed in Saturday detention at snooty Crestview Academy. After one of the kids locks away the teacher assigned to watch them, the five of them very quickly find their ranks dwindling as each meets a gruesome fate. They may make it out of the library, but with a new threat revealing itself around every hallway, is there enough time and resources for at least one...
- 8/24/2014
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Charles Pinion exists at a unique transection of the modern underground film scene.
A pioneer of the Analog Video Feature Film movement. (That never materialized.) Interaction with the Cinema of Transgression, but not a part of it. Screened back-to-back features at the then-nascent Chicago Underground Film Festival.
He’s been there. He’s done that.
To date, he’s made just three feature films. (Although, hard at work on finishing up his fourth.) And all three — Twisted Issues, Red Spirit Lake and We Await — deserve to be freshly rediscovered and recontextualized. These films put out vibes that stretch out and can be felt in work by makers such as Calvin Lee Reeder, Bob Moricz, Waylon Bacon and others, whether they were specifically influenced by them or not.
All of Pinion’s films can be purchased on DVD from the filmmaker’s website. Gross. Surreal. Unsettling. If that’s your bag...
A pioneer of the Analog Video Feature Film movement. (That never materialized.) Interaction with the Cinema of Transgression, but not a part of it. Screened back-to-back features at the then-nascent Chicago Underground Film Festival.
He’s been there. He’s done that.
To date, he’s made just three feature films. (Although, hard at work on finishing up his fourth.) And all three — Twisted Issues, Red Spirit Lake and We Await — deserve to be freshly rediscovered and recontextualized. These films put out vibes that stretch out and can be felt in work by makers such as Calvin Lee Reeder, Bob Moricz, Waylon Bacon and others, whether they were specifically influenced by them or not.
All of Pinion’s films can be purchased on DVD from the filmmaker’s website. Gross. Surreal. Unsettling. If that’s your bag...
- 4/28/2014
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Waylon Bacon says:
I’ve had three cats now, and each one was an accident. My first cat, Max, was given to me to hold onto until a friend got back from New Orleans. I’d just had my wisdom teeth yanked out, and bonded with him while doped up on Vicodin. Upon returning, my friend didn’t want the cat anymore, and I ended up with Max as a non-contributing roommate for the next four years. I now find myself with another two which came with my girlfriend. One of them is insane (she reminds me of Catherine Deneuve in Repulsion), but the other, Lou Rawls, is very chill, and often sits in my lap while I work on storyboards.
I am currently putting together my first Indiegogo campaign for a short film that has nothing to do with my cat, who currently would like his litter box cleaned.
I’ve had three cats now, and each one was an accident. My first cat, Max, was given to me to hold onto until a friend got back from New Orleans. I’d just had my wisdom teeth yanked out, and bonded with him while doped up on Vicodin. Upon returning, my friend didn’t want the cat anymore, and I ended up with Max as a non-contributing roommate for the next four years. I now find myself with another two which came with my girlfriend. One of them is insane (she reminds me of Catherine Deneuve in Repulsion), but the other, Lou Rawls, is very chill, and often sits in my lap while I work on storyboards.
I am currently putting together my first Indiegogo campaign for a short film that has nothing to do with my cat, who currently would like his litter box cleaned.
- 3/18/2014
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Take a nightmare ride on the Los Angeles subway in the dark and creepy music video directed by Waylon Bacon for The Lumerians’ atmospheric tune “Life Without Skin.”
A single gal riding the rails late at night — that’s never a good idea! — is pursued by ghoulish, inhuman monsters on the train. Then, after getting deposited in a desolate area of downtown, her journey continues into even darker territory until she is virtually consumed by malevolent forces.
Bacon, known for his twisted, grotesque comedy short films such as Help Wanted and Poster Boy, goes for a full-blown horror vibe here with spectacular results. His style also proves to be a perfect match for The Lumerians’ haunting melody, creating a unique piece that works just fine as both an original short film and a music video.
It’s a very disorienting video, heightened by the fact that the protagonist, who is never seen in full,...
A single gal riding the rails late at night — that’s never a good idea! — is pursued by ghoulish, inhuman monsters on the train. Then, after getting deposited in a desolate area of downtown, her journey continues into even darker territory until she is virtually consumed by malevolent forces.
Bacon, known for his twisted, grotesque comedy short films such as Help Wanted and Poster Boy, goes for a full-blown horror vibe here with spectacular results. His style also proves to be a perfect match for The Lumerians’ haunting melody, creating a unique piece that works just fine as both an original short film and a music video.
It’s a very disorienting video, heightened by the fact that the protagonist, who is never seen in full,...
- 7/17/2013
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
This week’s Must Read: A rare interview with one of the unsung legends of underground film research, history and promotion, Sheldon Renan, the author of the essential An Introduction to the American Underground Film and the “father” of several arts films centers in the U.S. that are still going strong.Jonas Mekas is set to turn 90 in just a few weeks and he’s having one of his biggest years ever with the DVD release of most of his films (unfortunately in all-region Pal format) and major retrospectives/showings in England and France. So, first, the Guardian has an incredible and incredibly lengthy article on the man who all owe such a debt to.Next, BBC Radio has an audio interview with Mekas.Fandor has posted a fantastic list of films most in need of restoration. Of course, I agree with Shirley Clarke’s Portrait of Jason, but...
- 12/9/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
This week’s Must Browse is a collection of VHS box covers created by modern cartoonists, including the brilliant The Holy Mountain II: Code Name: Alchemist. (Pictured above.) All artwork created for a silent auction to benefit Scarecrow Video. You can also browse some stuff at Facebook.At Fandor, Nelson Carvajal writes up Damon Packard’s Dawn of an Evil Millennium film trailer/film and places it within its appropriate lo-fi indie horror context.Robert Maier gives details on the casting of Ricki Lake in John Waters’ breakout hit Hairspray, where she was discovered in a case of rare luck.Temple of Schlock discovers that Seattle, Washington was a hotbed of indie film premieres in the early ’70s. Plus, Supersonic Supergirls! (Gotta love that title.)One+One Filmmakers Journal has notes on Peter Whitehead’s controversial statements about terrorism superseding cinema as art.Chopping Mall runs down a few horror...
- 11/4/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
So, I was on vacation last week and ill this week, so our links are kinda spotty…
This week’s Must Read: Jaimz Asmundson goes into great detail on the making of his amazing film The Magus, which he made in collaboration with his father, artist C. Graham Asmundson. Even if you haven’t seen the film — and you can here — the making of article is a fantastic insight into artistic process and choices one must make as a filmmaker.Electric Sheep reports on the Trent Harris retrospective at the 20th annual Raindance Film Festival, describing how his films “all easily engage the audience.”Jon Jost continues to up the ante in his efforts to get Ray Carney to return the films of Mark Rappaport to the filmmaker, saying he’ll start an online petition if Carney doesn’t step up.Donna k., like us, has been under the weather,...
This week’s Must Read: Jaimz Asmundson goes into great detail on the making of his amazing film The Magus, which he made in collaboration with his father, artist C. Graham Asmundson. Even if you haven’t seen the film — and you can here — the making of article is a fantastic insight into artistic process and choices one must make as a filmmaker.Electric Sheep reports on the Trent Harris retrospective at the 20th annual Raindance Film Festival, describing how his films “all easily engage the audience.”Jon Jost continues to up the ante in his efforts to get Ray Carney to return the films of Mark Rappaport to the filmmaker, saying he’ll start an online petition if Carney doesn’t step up.Donna k., like us, has been under the weather,...
- 10/14/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
This Week’s absolute Must Read proves exactly why you should never absolutely trust what you read on IMDb. You may think it’s a 100% accurate website, but you’d be wrong. How wrong? The Temple of Schlock runs down the data on a bevy of ’70s exploitation films that are mis-dated, mis-credited and mis-titled. Posts like this prove how invaluable a research website the Temple is. Invaluable, I tell you! Plus, they have the ad mat for ’72′s Outside In, another incorrectly credited film.The Village Voice wrote up a very lengthy profile of NYC icon Lloyd Kaufman. About freakin’ time they did!Plus, 366 Weird Movies has the full rundown of Troma movies on YouTube. And, is Meshes of the Afternoon a “weird” movie?Salise Hughes releases an original digital drawing based on her upcoming Charades project that is really, really cool looking.Aryan Kaganof posted up a scan...
- 7/8/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Our apologies, but with Bad Lit being in semi-hiatus, the Underground Film Links has been a bit wonky of late, as regular readers have probably noticed. Almost would have skipped it again this week, but these first couple ones are too great to not direct your attention towards:
This first one is an Absolute Must Read: Film preservationist expert Mark Toscano finally fulfills his promise to talk specifically about certain films he has restored. His first article is unbelievably fascinating in which he discusses restoring Robert Russet’s 1972 experimental film Neuron. The full restoration process is mind-blowing to read about. And if you want to request Mark to write up another film, you can do that here. We made our requests.In other Absolute Must Read news: Bad Lit is ecstatic for and thrilled for Usama Alshaibi, one of our favorite filmmakers, who was recently accepted into the Mfa in...
This first one is an Absolute Must Read: Film preservationist expert Mark Toscano finally fulfills his promise to talk specifically about certain films he has restored. His first article is unbelievably fascinating in which he discusses restoring Robert Russet’s 1972 experimental film Neuron. The full restoration process is mind-blowing to read about. And if you want to request Mark to write up another film, you can do that here. We made our requests.In other Absolute Must Read news: Bad Lit is ecstatic for and thrilled for Usama Alshaibi, one of our favorite filmmakers, who was recently accepted into the Mfa in...
- 6/10/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
This week’s Must Read isn’t about underground film at all, but it’s absolutely fascinating reading. Potrzebie has Tom Conroy’s wonderful memoir about providing movie stills to lurid men’s magazines back in the ’60s and ’70s. If you like a good story about sleaze, drug use, questionable business practices and more, then you gotta check this one out. (P.S. Can you pick out Jack Nicholson on the above cover?)This is great news! A documentary filmmaker actually sued the IRS and won! Filmmaker Magazine recaps the “documentary filmmaking is not a hobby” case fought by Lee Storey.Movie reviewer cartoonist Rick Trembles takes on Ron Mann’s documentary Tales of the Rat Fink in a Motion Picture Purgatory strip that gives a good, concise background on artist Ed Roth in its own right.Swerve Calgary interviews Found Footage Film Festival curator Nick Prueher on the...
- 4/22/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
This Week’s Absolute Must Read is Clint Enns’ extremely helpful guide for filmmakers submitting to film festivals, including tips on figuring out the essentials to put into your information packet and how to figure out which festivals are good for your film. Clint’s work screens in a ton of festivals, so the man knows what he’s talking about.This Week’s Absolute Must Listen is the Cinemad Podcast #7 in which journalist Mike Plante interviews two very fine fellows: Ed Halter and Thomas Beard of the Brooklyn-based microcinema, Light Industry. All three men discuss their experience curating for festivals and give tips on how to run a successful microcinema or screening series. If knowledge is power, this one is powerful enough to blow your head off.GreenCine Daily interviews Jonas Mekas about his recent film My Mars Bar Movie, which is running at the Anthology this weekend.Congrats...
- 4/15/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Waylon Bacon is going home again. Bacon, a graduate of Albany High School, will be showing his latest demented masterpiece, Help Wanted, and participating in a post-screening Q&A at the 2nd annual Albany Film Festival, which takes place on March 3.
Help Wanted is a horror comedy about the world’s worst job: Processing the dead victims of hit men and other hired killers. It’s a sick, twisted and absolutely hilarious epic short film. Bad Lit: The Journal of Underground Film reviewed it back in 2010, calling it “funny and frightening.”
Joining Bacon on-stage will be filmmaker Hoku Uchiyama, another Albany High grad, with his own short film, Rose, a rural American ghost story.
The Albany Film Festival is screening primarily short films from Noon to 8:00 p.m., kicking things off with the absolutely charming The Squash by Bobby Young.
However, there will be two special feature films on hand.
Help Wanted is a horror comedy about the world’s worst job: Processing the dead victims of hit men and other hired killers. It’s a sick, twisted and absolutely hilarious epic short film. Bad Lit: The Journal of Underground Film reviewed it back in 2010, calling it “funny and frightening.”
Joining Bacon on-stage will be filmmaker Hoku Uchiyama, another Albany High grad, with his own short film, Rose, a rural American ghost story.
The Albany Film Festival is screening primarily short films from Noon to 8:00 p.m., kicking things off with the absolutely charming The Squash by Bobby Young.
However, there will be two special feature films on hand.
- 3/1/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
This is from a few months ago, but is highly relevant: Laura Major of Colorlab wrote an article for Screen Slate about the restoration of the films of Jack Smith, work that began way back in 2010. I also want to note that Laura helped me identify the clips of Smith’s work found in this video put up by the Microscope Gallery. So, thank you Laura — and Colorlab!It’s been known for awhile that film distributor Canyon Cinema has been in critical condition, but their plight recently made the New York Times in a thorough article, which discusses their need to become a non-profit, an issue that has plagued the group since they founded in the 1960s.Donna k. launches her Women in Culture interview series with an informative chat with Nancy Gerstman, co-founder of the Zeitgeist Films distribution company.Robert Maier posted up two absolutely amazing photographs this week.
- 2/19/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Electric Sheep has an excellent profile of experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer, who is having a major retrospective of her work at the Tate Modern this month.For artforum, Ed Halter writes a touching obituary of George Kuchar, and reminds us of how neglected he and his brother were from the critical space early in their careers.In a strange twist of events, underground filmmaker Jon Moritsugu is up for a Grammy Award next week with his wife Amy Davis, who perform in the band Low on High together. Except, their Grammy is for directing a music video for the band TV on the Radio.The Caulfield Glen Eira Leader profiles local filmmaker Donna McRae, who won the Best Editing Award at the 2011 Minneapolis Underground Film Festival for her debut horror feature film Johnny Ghost. It’s always nice to get a little local love.Cineflyer profiles its own local filmmaker Scott Fitzpatrick,...
- 2/5/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
New feature that I tried out last week and which I plan on continuing into the future: Check Bad Lit: The Journal of Underground Film’s Facebook page tomorrow (Monday) to see which link got the most clicks.
The L.A. Times published an in-depth profile of filmmaker Nicholas McCarthy about his struggles in trying to get a feature film going. A coda that happened post article publication: McCarthy’s The Pact just got picked up for distribution by IFC Midnight after a few successful Sundance screenings. I remember reviewing the short film version of The Pact about a year ago…Speaking of Sundance, if you want an awesome “boots on the ground” report on what attending the festival is actually like, you have to scroll through donna k.’s tons of film reviews and photo posts about her adventures there. I’ve avoided all other Sundance coverage except hers.
The L.A. Times published an in-depth profile of filmmaker Nicholas McCarthy about his struggles in trying to get a feature film going. A coda that happened post article publication: McCarthy’s The Pact just got picked up for distribution by IFC Midnight after a few successful Sundance screenings. I remember reviewing the short film version of The Pact about a year ago…Speaking of Sundance, if you want an awesome “boots on the ground” report on what attending the festival is actually like, you have to scroll through donna k.’s tons of film reviews and photo posts about her adventures there. I’ve avoided all other Sundance coverage except hers.
- 1/29/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Want a taste of the deliriously delicious sights you’ll see at the San Francisco Underground Short Film Festival on Nov. 19 at the Victoria Theatre? Then watch the above trailer that features clips from the 33 short films — all created in the Bay Area — that will be screening at the fest.
This edition of the fest is divided up into two programs, an “early bird” program that runs at 7:30 p.m., and a naughtier “after midnight” program that will start at 10:30 p.m. Plus, the entire evening will be hosted by the S.F. hostess with the mostest, Peaches Christ, and her sinful cohort Sam Sharkey.
For the “early bird” program, be sure to check out Waylon Bacon’s sick black comedy Help Wanted, which has been reviewed on Bad Lit: The Journal of Underground Film.
Click here for the full festival lineup!
This edition of the fest is divided up into two programs, an “early bird” program that runs at 7:30 p.m., and a naughtier “after midnight” program that will start at 10:30 p.m. Plus, the entire evening will be hosted by the S.F. hostess with the mostest, Peaches Christ, and her sinful cohort Sam Sharkey.
For the “early bird” program, be sure to check out Waylon Bacon’s sick black comedy Help Wanted, which has been reviewed on Bad Lit: The Journal of Underground Film.
Click here for the full festival lineup!
- 11/11/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Peaches Christ does the unthinkable and returns with a second edition of the wild San Francisco Underground Short Film Festival in 2011! And this new event is a double blow-out with two back-to-back programs of shorts in one scintillating evening.
The fun starts on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at The Victoria Theatre with the more genteel “Act 1″ block of shorts, compared to the sexy and ultra-violent programming of “Act 2: Shorts After Dark” that begins at 10:10 p.m.
However, with “Act 1″ featuring Waylon Bacon‘s gory and disturbing — and absolutely hilarious — Help Wanted, there’s plenty of outrageousness packed into that first program, so be sure to not miss any of it.
And if 33 short films packed into one night isn’t enough, the entire evening will kick off with Peaches and her co-host Sam Sharkey performing in a live rock show.
The full film lineup is below, but...
The fun starts on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at The Victoria Theatre with the more genteel “Act 1″ block of shorts, compared to the sexy and ultra-violent programming of “Act 2: Shorts After Dark” that begins at 10:10 p.m.
However, with “Act 1″ featuring Waylon Bacon‘s gory and disturbing — and absolutely hilarious — Help Wanted, there’s plenty of outrageousness packed into that first program, so be sure to not miss any of it.
And if 33 short films packed into one night isn’t enough, the entire evening will kick off with Peaches and her co-host Sam Sharkey performing in a live rock show.
The full film lineup is below, but...
- 10/25/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
The B-Movie Underground and Trash Film Festival brings their unique collection of international sleaze on Sept. 7-11 in the city of Breda in the Netherlands. Violence, gore, general grossness and perversion are, once again, near and dear to the heart of this fun fest.
From the U.S., the But Fest is screening a few modern underground classics while also celebrating a few of the old masters. Included in the lineup are Usama Alshaibi‘s mind-blowing Muslim sex worker flick Profane, Zach Clark‘s wild weekend of debauchery Vacation! and Dan Nelson & Drew Bolduc‘s over-the-top The Taint.
Plus, But is honoring Cinema of Transgression mastermind Nick Zedd with several screenings of his classic works, such as Thrust in Me, Police State and Whoregasm, as well as his recent public access TV series Electra Elf.
Other films from around world include horror hits like César Ducasse & Mathieu Peteul’s Dark Souls,...
From the U.S., the But Fest is screening a few modern underground classics while also celebrating a few of the old masters. Included in the lineup are Usama Alshaibi‘s mind-blowing Muslim sex worker flick Profane, Zach Clark‘s wild weekend of debauchery Vacation! and Dan Nelson & Drew Bolduc‘s over-the-top The Taint.
Plus, But is honoring Cinema of Transgression mastermind Nick Zedd with several screenings of his classic works, such as Thrust in Me, Police State and Whoregasm, as well as his recent public access TV series Electra Elf.
Other films from around world include horror hits like César Ducasse & Mathieu Peteul’s Dark Souls,...
- 9/7/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
This week’s Must Read: Photographic portraits of the filmmaker as a young man: The early creative life of Nathaniel Dorsky. Pictures, yes, plus lots of great autobio info.Underground film distributor Canyon Cinema is moving this weekend and Maia Cybelle has some Flickr photos of the move. A brief post-move mention on the Canyon blog says they have moved to Yosemite Place in San Francisco, CA.The Melbourne Underground Film Festival, which begins this week, has an official blog written by Jj DeCeglie. Although the fest is yet to start, DeCeglie is already busy interviewing founder Richard Wolstencroft and Jury Head Jimmy Jack; and has written other articles.Cinemad has a new podcast up, this time with comedian, actor and filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait.Rick Trembles sends Final Destination 5 to Motion Picture Purgatory.The Arizona Underground Film Festival has a snazzy, newly redesigned website you need to check out.
- 8/14/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Filmmaker Waylon Bacon is now selling T-shirts on his official website. Yes, now you can wear a picture of a man missing the bottom half of his face proudly on your chest. That’s the coup de grace image from Bacon’s wicked black comedy Poster Boy. (Watch here.)
Plus, there’s also a shirt for sale featuring an original Bacon drawing.
Get yours now!
Read More:2011 Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival: Official LineupShort Film: Help WantedShort Film: Poster Boy2010 Movie Of The Year: Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then...
Plus, there’s also a shirt for sale featuring an original Bacon drawing.
Get yours now!
Read More:2011 Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival: Official LineupShort Film: Help WantedShort Film: Poster Boy2010 Movie Of The Year: Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then...
- 7/27/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Today marks Bad Lit: The Journal of Underground Film’s 3rd annual one-day trip to San Diego’s Comic-Con media convergence. One of these years, I’ll up it to two-days.
This year, I’m mostly curious about two things.
1. This is the first time I’m going on a Friday and not on a Saturday. So, I’m wondering if my experience will be less of the insane madhouse the place is on a weekend day.
2. This is also the first time I’m set up to post articles directly from the convention, instead of having to wait a day or two to write things up.
This post is itself actually a test of my mobile blogging capabilities. But, just because I can (possibly), will I? Will I find enough underground-worthy items to post up quickly? Will I be happy to type on my little pad in the crush of the moment?...
This year, I’m mostly curious about two things.
1. This is the first time I’m going on a Friday and not on a Saturday. So, I’m wondering if my experience will be less of the insane madhouse the place is on a weekend day.
2. This is also the first time I’m set up to post articles directly from the convention, instead of having to wait a day or two to write things up.
This post is itself actually a test of my mobile blogging capabilities. But, just because I can (possibly), will I? Will I find enough underground-worthy items to post up quickly? Will I be happy to type on my little pad in the crush of the moment?...
- 7/22/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
San Diego’s annual Comic-Con is mostly known for its major media spectacles, displays and panel discussions by major mainstream Hollywood studios and distributors. Lesser known is the Independent Film Festival that is hosted by and runs concurrently with the larger convention on July 21-24.
The film festival runs in a large meeting room at the Marriott Marquis Hotel and Marina, located right next door to the convention center. Each day kicks off with a “Film School” panel discussion at 10:00 a.m., then packs the late morning, all afternoon and night with independent films from all over the world.
Screenings are blocked by genre, such as Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror, Animation and Documentary. There’s also an awards presentation on the 24th, with repeat screenings of the winning films.
One of the highlights of this year’s Cci-iff is the screening of Waylon Bacon‘s fantastic and disturbing short film Help Wanted,...
The film festival runs in a large meeting room at the Marriott Marquis Hotel and Marina, located right next door to the convention center. Each day kicks off with a “Film School” panel discussion at 10:00 a.m., then packs the late morning, all afternoon and night with independent films from all over the world.
Screenings are blocked by genre, such as Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror, Animation and Documentary. There’s also an awards presentation on the 24th, with repeat screenings of the winning films.
One of the highlights of this year’s Cci-iff is the screening of Waylon Bacon‘s fantastic and disturbing short film Help Wanted,...
- 6/28/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
What with all the panels and screenings and more that take place during the San Diego Comic-Con, one of the best kept secrets about the show is its International Independent Film Festival (Cci-iff). The lineup for this year's event is now available, and we have for you both the horror/suspense and science fiction/fantasy schedules.
All screenings and panels for the Cci-iff will be held in the Marriott Marquis and Marina, right next door to the Convention Center (next to the Hall A end). Included in this year's schedule is the return of the popular "Comic-Con Film School" panels on all four days, along with an assortment of other film-oriented panel discussions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A special opening night event, the "Cci-iff Meet and Greet" party, will be held on Thursday, July 21, in the foyer outside the Festival room at the Marriott. This event is open to the filmmakers,...
All screenings and panels for the Cci-iff will be held in the Marriott Marquis and Marina, right next door to the Convention Center (next to the Hall A end). Included in this year's schedule is the return of the popular "Comic-Con Film School" panels on all four days, along with an assortment of other film-oriented panel discussions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A special opening night event, the "Cci-iff Meet and Greet" party, will be held on Thursday, July 21, in the foyer outside the Festival room at the Marriott. This event is open to the filmmakers,...
- 6/28/2011
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Unsettling. Sickening. Revolting. And that’s just to describe the make-up used on an actor in the first scene! Help Wanted is another thoroughly demented short film by master of the macabre, Waylon Bacon. James (Justin Lamb) is a fresh faced young kid looking to land a good job. Unfortunately, he interviews to work in the most vile warehouse on Earth. Yes, Help Wanted is creepy, gross and ghoulish — but it’s also absolutely hilarious.
This is Bacon’s most epic undertaking yet, in terms of scope, concept and execution. In his previous, shorter films such as Poster Boy and My Worst Nightmare, he’s always been great at combining the grotesque and absurd, then presenting those elements in an uncomfortable, deadpan style to create extremely original, humorous visions.
But, it’s nice to see the filmmaker push himself to see if that vision can sustain a much more complex scenario,...
This is Bacon’s most epic undertaking yet, in terms of scope, concept and execution. In his previous, shorter films such as Poster Boy and My Worst Nightmare, he’s always been great at combining the grotesque and absurd, then presenting those elements in an uncomfortable, deadpan style to create extremely original, humorous visions.
But, it’s nice to see the filmmaker push himself to see if that vision can sustain a much more complex scenario,...
- 5/25/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Only somebody who truly loves smoking could have directed the surreally grotesque short film Poster Boy, which is about the perils of maintaining the habit. In this nearly dialogue-free movie, filmmaker Waylon Bacon charts the course of an unlikely media celebrity, a nicotine addict whose lower jaw falls off from excessive puffing. After spotting his new deformity, anti-smoking zealots pursue him to be, well, their campaign’s new poster boy. Bacon crams a lot of humor, inventive special effects and a zippy soundtrack into this great 8-minute film.
I previously posted up Poster Boy a few years ago, but Bacon recently uploaded this sharper version, so I thought I’d spotlight it again since it’s so much dang fun. When Poster Boy’s jaw drops — literally — you want to see that in the best quality, highest res video possible.
Bacon is also going to release Poster Boy and several...
I previously posted up Poster Boy a few years ago, but Bacon recently uploaded this sharper version, so I thought I’d spotlight it again since it’s so much dang fun. When Poster Boy’s jaw drops — literally — you want to see that in the best quality, highest res video possible.
Bacon is also going to release Poster Boy and several...
- 4/8/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
After taking a couple years off to concentrate on his own filmmaking activities, Joshua Grannell, aka Peaches Christ, is reviving his San Francisco Underground Short Film Festival for 2011. Yes, the festival is currently open for submissions, but, as always, you have to live in the Bay Area to have your film get in.
The Sfusff ran for several years as the concluding event of Peaches Christ’s wildly popular summer Midnight Mass screening series, which began in 1998 and would screen several cult Hollywood and indie film classics over the summer. Along with the movies, there was also usually an accompanying stage show featuring drag queens and other performers, plus costume contests and filmmakers and stars in attendance.
The last year for Sfusff was in 2008 and, in 2009, Grannell announced it would be the last year for Midnight Mass. Afterward, Grannell became heavily involved in the production of his own feature film,...
The Sfusff ran for several years as the concluding event of Peaches Christ’s wildly popular summer Midnight Mass screening series, which began in 1998 and would screen several cult Hollywood and indie film classics over the summer. Along with the movies, there was also usually an accompanying stage show featuring drag queens and other performers, plus costume contests and filmmakers and stars in attendance.
The last year for Sfusff was in 2008 and, in 2009, Grannell announced it would be the last year for Midnight Mass. Afterward, Grannell became heavily involved in the production of his own feature film,...
- 1/17/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
My criteria for picking Bad Lit’s Movie of the Year is simple: First, I ask myself, “What movie has stuck in my head the most this year?” Then, whatever movie pops to mind first is my selection. But, at the same time, knowing how I think and all, some consideration goes towards what little-seen film do I think could use a little extra attention and a good publicity boost.
That didn’t happen this year.
Brent Green‘s live-action animated feature film Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then is about as close as an underground film can get to being a blockbuster. First of all, it had a theatrical run in NYC at the IFC Center, then Green and his live performance collaborators have been touring with it all over the country and screening the film to major audiences everywhere it goes. And it deserves every bit of attention and acclaim it has gotten.
That didn’t happen this year.
Brent Green‘s live-action animated feature film Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then is about as close as an underground film can get to being a blockbuster. First of all, it had a theatrical run in NYC at the IFC Center, then Green and his live performance collaborators have been touring with it all over the country and screening the film to major audiences everywhere it goes. And it deserves every bit of attention and acclaim it has gotten.
- 12/28/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Laughing at the grotesque is a good way to deflect our psyches from the harsh reality of the fragility of our corporeal bodies. However, the disturbingly hilarious short film Help Wanted by Waylon Bacon is an entirely different kettle of fish. A fetid kettle of rotting, decomposing fish, that is.
While Bacon’s films, in general, have a terrific sense of humor about them, that humor does not come from the easy place of most other horror comedies. Help Wanted is a physically gross film, featuring rooms literally stacked with corpses, and Bacon shows us these horrifying sights in a desperately serious, deadpan tone. Yet, the overall context in which these visions are presented is so outrageously absurd that it’s nigh impossible not to laugh at them.
James (Justin Lamb) is a clean-cut, earnest young man interviewing for his first real job as an adult. After a quick sit-down with the sweaty,...
While Bacon’s films, in general, have a terrific sense of humor about them, that humor does not come from the easy place of most other horror comedies. Help Wanted is a physically gross film, featuring rooms literally stacked with corpses, and Bacon shows us these horrifying sights in a desperately serious, deadpan tone. Yet, the overall context in which these visions are presented is so outrageously absurd that it’s nigh impossible not to laugh at them.
James (Justin Lamb) is a clean-cut, earnest young man interviewing for his first real job as an adult. After a quick sit-down with the sweaty,...
- 11/10/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
I usually link to Making Light of It in these posts — when Jacob’s not disappearing on me — but I really want to make sure people look at Jacob’s most recent article, so I’m listing him first this week. Jacob’s scanned a bunch of covers of old Film Culture magazines that are really sweet looking. I don’t recognize everybody’s picture, but I see Stan Vanderbeek, Harry Smith, Robert Breer and more. And, I think Jacob has the second only photo ever of Ron Rice on the Internet, after mine. Fangoria conducted a fascinating interview with one of Bad Lit’s favorite people, C.W. Prather of the Spooky Movie Festival, which is currently going on. Funniest thing I saw this week — hell, funniest thing I’ve seen in months! — was the Twitter stream of Ted Nope, a parody of indie film producer Ted Hope’s airless Twitter musings.
- 10/24/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Sept. 26
6:10 p.m.
Shattuck Cinemas
2230 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Hosted by: Berkeley Video and Film Festival
Bay Area underground auteur Waylon Bacon will be debuting his latest magnum opus, Help Wanted, at the 19th annual Berkeley Video and Film Festival. The 20-minute short film will be preceded by three of Bacon’s earlier, shorter works: Poster Boy, Bob and My Worst Nightmare.
Plus: Advance buzz on Help Wanted has been so intense that a second screening has been added for Monday, Sept. 27 at 9:00 p.m. at the Revolution Cafe in San Francisco’s Mission District. If you’re in the Bay Area, make it to one screening or go to both!
Help Wanted follows a young man on an interview for what appears to be the worst job of all time. While the details of that job are being kept secret, let’s just say it involves a warehouse and dead bodies.
6:10 p.m.
Shattuck Cinemas
2230 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Hosted by: Berkeley Video and Film Festival
Bay Area underground auteur Waylon Bacon will be debuting his latest magnum opus, Help Wanted, at the 19th annual Berkeley Video and Film Festival. The 20-minute short film will be preceded by three of Bacon’s earlier, shorter works: Poster Boy, Bob and My Worst Nightmare.
Plus: Advance buzz on Help Wanted has been so intense that a second screening has been added for Monday, Sept. 27 at 9:00 p.m. at the Revolution Cafe in San Francisco’s Mission District. If you’re in the Bay Area, make it to one screening or go to both!
Help Wanted follows a young man on an interview for what appears to be the worst job of all time. While the details of that job are being kept secret, let’s just say it involves a warehouse and dead bodies.
- 9/24/2010
- by screenings
- Underground Film Journal
July 21
8:00 p.m.
The Blue Macaw
2565 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Hosted by: Indie*Cine*Shack
Indie*Cine*Shack is a new one-night only screening of short films curated by San Francisco filmmaker Nara Denning. Included in the program will be two clips from the new film by Waylon Bacon, Help Wanted, a nightmarish tale about a man getting a job at a corpse-processing. This will be the first public look at the film before it’s world premiere at the Berkeley Video and Film Festival in September.
Bacon chronicled the making of the film in detail on his MySpace blog during production and pre-production in 2009. You can also click through to see lots of behind-the-scenes production photos and other promotional images. Although Bacon has directed numerous short films, many of which have been featured on Bad Lit and can be viewed on Waylon’s YouTube channel, Help Wanted is his biggest,...
8:00 p.m.
The Blue Macaw
2565 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Hosted by: Indie*Cine*Shack
Indie*Cine*Shack is a new one-night only screening of short films curated by San Francisco filmmaker Nara Denning. Included in the program will be two clips from the new film by Waylon Bacon, Help Wanted, a nightmarish tale about a man getting a job at a corpse-processing. This will be the first public look at the film before it’s world premiere at the Berkeley Video and Film Festival in September.
Bacon chronicled the making of the film in detail on his MySpace blog during production and pre-production in 2009. You can also click through to see lots of behind-the-scenes production photos and other promotional images. Although Bacon has directed numerous short films, many of which have been featured on Bad Lit and can be viewed on Waylon’s YouTube channel, Help Wanted is his biggest,...
- 7/18/2010
- by screenings
- Underground Film Journal
Here’s the first clip from a project I’ve been tracking for awhile on Bad Lit: Waylon Bacon’s Help Wanted. Bacon is a maker of short films (so far) out of San Francisco and Help Wanted promises to be his most epic project yet, about a dude who starts one of the worst jobs in the world. I’ve written before exactly what that job is, but this clip might play a little better if it’s left a little mysterious, so I won’t remind ya’ll what it is. Check the clip out, though. It’s got me very excited to see the final product.
Bacon has a great, grotesque sense of humor, which I’ve raved about numerous times, like when I posted up his Maggots and Poster Boy; or his short film My Worst Nightmare. I find his work very funny in the way...
Bacon has a great, grotesque sense of humor, which I’ve raved about numerous times, like when I posted up his Maggots and Poster Boy; or his short film My Worst Nightmare. I find his work very funny in the way...
- 3/18/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
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