Last weekend was Horrorfind Weekend.

As always, Timewarp Films had a table and we were hawking our films. It was nice to actually have a new one to offer. We weren’t able to get copies of Dead Hunt for last August’s show.

We shared space with our sister organization, Scares that Care (also run by Joe Ripple, our director). It really stole the show. We raffled off Ichabod, a creepy looking head on a stick, and conducted a silent auction–all for charity. It was a great success! We took in over $2000.

I spent most of the weekend hiding behind my laptop. I was updating a script for submission to the Bluecat Screenplay Competition. But I did pop my head up every once in a while to chat with fellow filmmakers, fans of Don Dohler and Timewarp Films (always a pleasure to speak with people that like your stuff), and, of course, the other Timewarpers helping out: Stewie, Rob (pictured; right), Zig, Colleen, Leanna (pictured; center), Eric, and the man himself, Joe Ripple.

Overall it was great fun. Unfortunately, the turnout wasn’t what they hoped for. But this was the first time in a new location, and March doesn’t bring out the fans like August does.

One highlight for me was getting to meet George Romero (pictured below). As a low-budget filmmaker, getting to meet a legend in the field is a real treat. He was taller than I expected, and a great guy to talk to. We shared our opinions on filmmaking, and he told me his favorite of his own films is Martin, a film I’ve wanted to see since watching Document of the Dead. Needless to say, I jumped on Amazon when I got home and ordered a copy.

Here’s a pic of the table. The barely visible Zig is behind the TV, Stewie is filming Rob taking the picture — exciting footage, it must be — and that’s me in the center, face buried.

Colleen, Leanna, and Eric pose to promote Dead Hunt.

And finally, a bunch of us went to the local Outback on Saturday to celebrate my wife’s birthday.

A very busy and tiring weekend, but a fun one.

Thanks to Rob and Stewie for the pictures.

Saturday we shot a commercial for the March Horrorfind convention in College Park, MD. Since George Romero is one of the guests (along with cast members of the Dead movies) we wanted to do a zombie- themed commercial. One with some zip.

Joe, our director, came up with a great idea: a hip granny reminisces about Romero movies and then kicks some zombie ass. And there was a lot of ass to kick. We were expecting 10 extras at the most, but wound up with at least 25–plenty to pull off a Romero-esque horde. Of course, we only have 30 seconds to work with–it’s amazing how short that really is–so we couldn’t do all that we wanted.

Overall, the shoot went very well. The weather was cold but clear, and not too sunny; too much sun wreaks havoc with digital video. And the setting was awesome. We have to shoot there again.

To be honest, I was a little nervous going into the shoot. This was my first time behind the camera for Timewarp. That role was always reserved for Don Dohler, our mentor–and this was the first shoot since he passed away in 2006. I was fully aware of the large shoes I was filling. But just kept thinking about making him proud.

Many thanks to Joe for keeping the zombies under control, and for checking to see if I focused the lens , and thanks to Stewie and Zig, our faithful crew, for helping out. Zig actually reminded me about the ND (neutral density) filter on the XL1. It helps with overexposure so you don’t have to stop down too far. That was a big duh.

I mentioned earlier that 30 seconds is a very short time. Well, I did my first pass cutting the commercial, and it came in at 45 seconds, an eternity in editing. After a couple more passes, I’m down to 34 seconds. I’ve had to chop some lines, and make some shots shorter, and generally be creative. But it’s not over yet. I guess I need a chainsaw. Luckily, we plan to make an extended version so we can put the rest in. We filmed a ton of zombie footage. No way we waste that.

And, by the way, everything was in focus.

I’ll post the final version of the commercial when I’m done.

From director Joe Ripple:

Timewarp Films is proud to present its latest two-disc Horror DVD release, entitled “Dead Hunt.”

Synopsis;

Ten movie reviewers are invited to a party by the host of a website devoted to horror films. The party is in full swing when the power - and the lights - abruptly go out. A mysterious, black-hooded figure has cut the main wiring.

The party’s over.

After the host goes to check the circuit breakers, the guests are shocked when they find one of their fellow reviewers dispatched in a grisly fashion. Panic sets in after another reviewer is found killed in a bizarre manner. Cryptic notes left with the bodies hold the only clue to the reason for the psychopath’s rampage.

The terrified group try to evacuate the building, only to find that they can’t - all the doors have been electrified. Realizing they are trapped in a dark, foreboding warehouse with a madman, the survivors look for another way out. Their search leads them to the creepy older section of the building, where danger and death lurk in every shadow.

Can they find another way out? Can the y hide from the demented killer? Or are they all destined to become targets of the DEAD HUNT?

This two-disc special edition DVD set contains the movie, a “Behind the Scenes” featurette, deleted scenes, two alternate endings, Bloopers, a stills gallery, and the audio commentary with co-directors Joe Ripple and Don Dohler. Sadly, this was Don Dohler’s last film, as he passed away from lung and brain cancer in December, 2006. (I miss you, my friend!)

DJ Benz, a reviewer for www.Horrortalk.com writes -

“…a fun ride and one I genuinely enjoyed. I have no hesitation in recommending Dead Hunt.”

This film Premiered to a standing-room only crowd during Horrorfind Weekend, 2005.

You can purchase your copy today, by going to: http://www.createspace.com/Store/ShowEStore.jsp?id=228629

Don Dohler’s legacy is going strong. Here’s the latest news, including showings of Blood Massacre and John Kinhart’s documentary, Blood, Boobs & Beast, about the cult filmmaker’s trials and tribulations in low-budget filmmaking.

From John Kinhart’s Newsletter:

There’s a lot of really great news this month and more to come soon!

++7 New Film Festivals!++
- Coney Island Film Festival (screens Sunday, September 30th at 5PM) http://www.coneyislandfilmfestival.com
- Atlanta Horror Film Festival (screens Friday, October 5th) http://www.atlantahorrorfest.com
- Secret City Film Festival (screens Friday, October 5th 11:30AM) http://www.secretcityfilmfestival.com
- Freakshow Horror Film Festival (screens Friday, October 20th 6PM) http://www.freakshowfilmfest.com
- B-Movie Film Festival (screens Saturday, October 27 11:30AM) http://www.bmoviefest.com
- Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival (schedule not yet released) http://www.thrillerchiller.com
- Asheville Film Festival (schedule not yet released) http://www.ashevillefilmfest.com

++2007 Fantastic Fest++
The wonderful staff at the Fantastic Fest and The Alamo Drafthouse are flying Director John Kinhart down to Austin, Texas to be in attendance. He’ll be flying down there tomorrow and staying with BB&B composer Christian Brown. BB&B will screen on Sunday, September 23rd (6:30PM) & Monday, September 24th (1:30PM) Tickets can be acquired at http://www.fantasticfest.com. Stay tuned to http://www.bbbmovie.com for UPDATES, PHOTOS AND VIDEO OF AUSTIN as it happens!!

++Don Dohler Halloween Gore Fest!!!++
This October 26th at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore get ready for a special double feature: Blood, Boobs & Beast and Don Dohler’s Blood Massacre. In the style of Grindhouse we’re showing Baltimore-made trailers between the two features AND we’re even having a BLOOD MASSACRE DRINKING GAME!!! Tickets can be acquired by following the link on this page: http://www.creativealliance.org/events/eventItem1207.html

TIMEWARP FILMS, LLC

PRESS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Come scream for a good cause!

Don Dohler, King of Baltimore Indie Horror: A Double Feature Benefit Screening

Cult hero filmmaker Don Dohler (1946-2006), master of low budget sci-fi and horror films and co-founder of Baltimore?s Timewarp Films, produced 11 movies and influenced generations of DIY (Do It Yourself!)
filmmakers.

Celebrate Dohler’s life and work with a double feature of his first and last films.

In Alien Factor (1978), an alien spacecraft makes a crash landing in Baltimore, releasing its bloodthirsty cargo of beasts?the lizard-like Leemoid, slimy Inferbyce, and wild and wooly Zagatile!

And in Dead Hunt (2006), ten movie reviewers at a horror film convention find themselves victims of gruesome traps and danger lurking in every shadow!

Beer, wine, liquor, sodas, juices, sparkling water and, of course, popcorn, will be available at the theater concession area.

Proceeds from the screening benefit the Joyce Dohler Foundation, a charity providing continued care for Don?s sister Joyce, who is developmentally disabled and for whom Don was guardian.

Date: June 23, 2007

Time: 7 PM

Cost: $15 general admission, $12 for Creative Alliance members

Location: Creative Alliance at The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore Maryland 21224

Parking info: ample street parking, especially bordering Patterson park, only a block from the theater

Creative Alliance contact: 410-276-1651 or www.creativealliance.org

Tickets may be purchased in advance from the Creative Alliance in person or by phone or by mail. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.
Tickets may be purchased online in advance through MissionTix.com.

Of course, tickets may be purchased the night of the event at the box office, if it is not sold out.

More detailed Ticket purchase information can be found at:
http://www.creativealliance.org/tickets.html#advance

More details on the Don Dohler double feature benefit screening can be
found at: http://creativealliance.org/events/eventItem1041.html

I’m sure Don would have been honored to know that a documentary about his life, and careers in filmaking and publishing, was accepted into the Maryland Film Festival. Though, we that know him know he wouldn’t have made a fuss about it. He’d probably have said, in that calm, low Baltimorian drawl of his, “hey, that’s great,” and would have offered a genuine smile.

But his family, friends, and fans were elated. We couldn’t wait to see what documentarian John Kinhart had put together, and we weren’t disappointed. We were able to spend 90 minutes re-living fond memories of a man we all admired.

After the Friday showing we were invited to a party hosted by Greg Dohler (Don’s son) and his wife Cindy France. I had a great conversation with John, absorbing all the inside information on how the film came together. I also got to meet Christian Brown, the film’s composer. We compared notes (as it were), me being a wannabe composer myself.

I also met one of John’s friends, Rich, who gave up a major in political science (thank God) to pursue filmmaking and writing. We talked shop for quite a while–he seems to think I know what I’m doing behind the camera

Also, Rob Long presented Don’s wife Leslie with an original painting of Don.

We stayed out way too long, the old farts that we are, and were dragging all the next day, but it was worth it.

The next showing was Sunday. This time I brought my own entourage, and some folks from Horrortalk (Steve, Eric, and Robert) also made an appearance.

When the weekend was over, I was exhausted, but felt as if I had spent the time hanging out with Don, like I used to. If only that were true.

All photographs provided by Leanna Chamish.

Greg Dohler has launched a site dedicated to his father’s creative legacy. Check it out: http://dondohler.com/

Don, best known for writing and directing the 1977 low-budget film The Alien Factor, also helped start the underground comic movement with his unique character Pro Junior, and published the filmmaker how-to magazine Cinemagic.

In 2000, he co-founded Timewarp films with partner Joe Ripple. In all, Don produced 11 films, including Fiend, Night Beast, Harvesters, and Stakes.

Last summer, Don was diagnosed with cancer, and passed away in December. But his legacy continues. A documentary about Don, produced by filmmaker John Kinhart, is premiering at the Maryland Film Festival the weekend of May 4th, 2007. For details, visit John’s site: http://www.bbbmovie.com/

John Kinhart has been putting the finishing touches on a documentary about Don Dohler. He’s just announced that it’s complete.

Posted with permission from John Kinhart

I’m happy to announce that our documentary about Don Dohler is complete! It will be titled Blood, Boobs & Beast, which are the three components needed to make a successful b-horror movie. The documentary follows Don and his collaborator, Joe Ripple, as they make their latest low-budget film, Dead Hunt.

The movie also features:

• key moments in Dohler’s career, such as his pioneering underground comix character ProJunior, and his influential Cinemagic Magazine.
• behind the scenes footage of his low-budget films from the 70s and 80s
• interviews with J.J. Abrams (Creator of TV show Lost), Tom Savini (Effects artist for Dawn of the Dead), Tom Sullivan (Effects artist for The Evil Dead), Lloyd Kaufman (Director of The Toxic Avenger), and underground comix artists Jay Lynch (Nard n Pat) and Skip Williamson (Snappy Sammy Smoot).

Visit the website at http://www.bbbmovie.com to view the trailer. The website also has more information about the movie and will be updated weekly.

Thanks!

John Kinhart, Director Blood, Boobs & Beast

Don Dohler, the producer for Timewarp Films, passed away on December 2, 2006 from cancer. He was 60.

Don was my producer, my mentor, my friend.

I’ll miss working with him on film projects, his greatest passion. No matter how much he wanted to take a break, or wait to see how a recently completed project would fair in the market, he couldn’t help nurturing a new movie concept. I guess it didn’t help that he knew so many people that loved talking with him about movies. How could he not be inspired, or inspire us.

I’ll miss our weekly hour+ chats on the phone–which are not uncommon for either of us separately, so imagine the two of us together. My wife, of course, never had to imagine, since I always seemed to get on the phone with Don 15 minutes before dinner, forcing her, groaning, to keep the pork cutlets warm for another 45 minutes.

I’ll miss his honesty. A straight shooter, he always said what he meant, and never shied away from what he meant. In the creative business, the worst thing you can do is tell people how good their creation is when it really sucks. If I want someone to tell me my effect is great no matter what, I’ll ask my mother (my wife’s a straight-shooter too,God bless her). Don always told me the truth, the constructive truth. Even if he didn’t know exactly what was wrong, he could still point me down the right path. I’ll really miss that.

But, most of all, I’ll miss my friend. I hope he’s at peace.

Don worked as the managing editor for the Times Herald in Baltimore County. They posted a wonderful article about him:
http://www.timesheraldnews.com/2006/12/08/times-herald-editor-don-dohler-dies-at-60/