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Horror Fuel

Exclusive Interview With Writer, Director, Producer Juan Gonzalez

Juan Gonzalez’s new horror film, The Ghost Hunt, will begin filming this fall. The film, based on true events, follows five friends who go on a ghost hunting tour, then are followed home by one of the spirits they encounter. Today I had the opportunity to speak with Gonzalez about his upcoming project, The Ghost Hunt, and his first horror film The Awakened and about his life. I learned a lot about his writing process, his hopes for his film and his dedication as a father. I have to admit, it was a very pleasant conversation. Gonzalez was friendly, funny and eager to talk about his projects (That’s always a good sign). His enthusiasm about The Ghost Hunt and filmmaking were refreshing. Juan Gonzalez’s debut in the horror genre was with 2013’s The Awakened, which he produced and received story credit for. The film follows five friends who decide to wait out a hurricane in Miami and throw a party.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 11, 2016
Horror Fuel

Road to Death House Part 2

I’ve attended a lot of Hollywood meetings. Creative. Business. Social. In every one of these, ideas and projects get thrown around. People get excited. Plans are made. I usually wait until the very end to ask the most important question. If it is not mentioned up front, you kind of have your answer, but it’s a game in the end to see if you’re as smart as you think you are. That question is: Is the financing in place? You get either leaden silence as if you committed some grave social faux pas, or you get the “well, we are talking to so and so…” Translated: there is no money. Don’t believe the Hollywood fables of making a film for $15,000 and making $400 million. With all legends there is a grain of truth, but like an oyster makes a pearl, it’s slathered with layers of mucus and shit. No, your $7000 movie is not going to make a million.

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jun 15, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Director Jonathan Patrick Hughes Plus Exclusive Set Photos From (S)aint Nick

Tonight I spoke with an up-and-coming writer and director Jonathan Patrick Hughes about his latest project, the 20 minute short horror film (S)aint Nick, which is being eyed for a Horror Christmas anthology titled The 12 Slays of Christmas by Body Bag Films . Hughes was kind enough to share never-before-seen behind the scenes photos from the set of (S)aint Nick, which is his first film out of Film school. Hughes graduated from “The Factory”, a program at The Douglas Education Center, the same school where Tom Savini’s School of Make Up Effects is located. (S)aint Nick , filmed in Canonsburg, Pittsburgh, stars Leeana Hergenreder, John Seese and Chaise Thompkins and follows a kid named Billy who asks Santa to kill his abusive stepfather. KM “How old were you when you realized you wanted to be a director?” JH “When I was four my mom bought me The Making Of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. By the age of 5, I was

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
May 8, 2016
Horror Fuel

The Road to Death House Part 1

Let’s build on Eli Roth’s prescient observation. I have written quite a bit on cynicism in filmmaking. If you are just coming to my series, stop here. Go back and read my other pieces. Then you can read this in context. However, he is talking about a SMALL percentage of fans. This is not a general description at all. We prefer to focus on the majority of horror fans that do the opposite of Roth’s comments. I have provided an open door, a very wide door, into the production of a movie since “Death House” started filming. “Death House” is my fifth feature film: the fifth I have written and the third I have directed. It’s been a long road, and frankly, I am doing what no one else is doing in Hollywood, making consistent, high quality product on very low budgets. I’ve made one film a year since doing this profession full time. “Death House” was brought to me

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
May 4, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Australian Actress Natalie Gerace

I recently spoke with Australian actress Natalie Gerace, who is set to star in Victor Miller and Kerry Fleming’s Rock Paper Dead. This young actress has a distinct, beautiful look and fabulous accent to match. KM “You’re far from home. How did you end up in LA?” NG “Well, the biggest drawcard for me moving to LA was acting. After all, it’s the hub for the entertainment industry. But nonetheless, I’ve always wanted to live here. I love the lifestyle, not to mention the glorious weather year round. It’s such a great city. There’s always something to see and do. Never a dull moment in La La land! It’s definitely very different to where I grew up. I’m a small city girl from Adelaide, South Australia. Coming from a smaller city in Australia, there really isn’t a lot of opportunity to pursue a professional career in the entertainment industry.” KM “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you named after

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 18, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Award Winning Horror Author Owl Goingback

I spent much of last night talking with a very charming, intelligent, and funny horror author by the name of Owl Goingback. Owl is not only a witty multi award winning author, and speaker, he is also a paranormal investigator, who sometimes helps families and businesses deal with things that go bump in the night. You may have guessed by his name that he is Native American, and you would be right. Goingback is half Cherokee and half Choctaw, yes like the song. Every novel he writes is infused with the legends and teachings of Native Americans along with terrifying creatures and killers. He also tours and lectures on the subject. You might find Goingback at one of the horror conventions or a Pow Wow, where both his sons compete as dancers, in and around Florida. I talk to a lot of people in the horror industry, but I’ve found it rare to meet someone with such love and zest

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 14, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Horror Author Scott M. Baker

I recently sat down with Scott Baker, an author and ex CIA man, to talk about his many novels. And boy does he have many. The subject matter differs between his books and trilogies, but they all have one common element, horror. KM “Tell us about your time in the C.I.A. if that is something you can talk about.” SB “Sure, I spent much of my time monitoring terrorist groups. I spent the last ten years going after cyber terrorists.” KM “What is your latest novel THA: Trans Human Assassins about?” SB “It’s about the government making trans-humans, taking humans to the next level. I read about these zombie ants made by a fungus that drives the ants to serve a single purpose. The trans-humans are like that. They’re not zombies so to speak, but the government has reprogrammed these people to serve only one purpose, to assassinate targets.” KM “Where did the inspiration for your novel Yeitso come from?”

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Mar 18, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Filmmaker And Emmy Award Nominee Cameron McCasland

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing award-winning writer/director Cameron McCasland. Last year I stumbled across McCasland’s fantastic short film Tailypo (below), which took home many awards from many film festivals. McCasland, owner of Red Headed Revolution, has had a great deal of success in the film industry, including six Emmy nominations. KM “Please tell us about Red Headed Revolution.” CM “Red Headed Revolution is the banner I use to put my films under. I first used it as the name of a blog years ago, and at some point I needed a name to put on things so I went with that. I have been a red head my whole life, and if you look at the statistics we are a very small minority on the planet. When I was a kid, I only had one other child that was red headed. So in a way you get to feel isolated. But then when look at history, you see

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Feb 20, 2016
Horror Fuel

You’ll Know His Name

You’ll Know My Name Drama 2010 Not Rated Directed, Written & Produced by Joe Raffa Starring: Joe Raffa, David J. Bonner, Alexander Mandell, Mianna Saxton, Chuck Connors, Tommy Sztubinksi, Brian Gallagher, Davy Raphaley, Nicole Cinaglia Website: YKMN Cynema is not about reviews. While a critical look is often afforded to specific films, this is not about whether a film is “good” or “bad.” It’s about how they are MADE. My previous entries looked at wide ranges from Jurassic World to Halloween III.This is a look at a young filmmaker who has taken risks and made a film that is outside the realm of what is popular or what studios are developing. Joe Raffa is anti-Cynema because he does what few others are doing: he takes real risks. Thanks to the digital revolution, anyone with a camcorder and computer thinks they’re a filmmaker. Shooting your video and putting it up in ten minute bites online does not make you a professional.

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 4, 2016
Horror Fuel

The X-Files Re-Opened

The truth is out there… and Fox has the inside story on the return of The X-Files. Go behind the scenes with the creator Chris Carter, stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, and all the key players as they reveal secrets from the set and take you on the epic journey of bringing the classic series back to life. The X-Files returns January 24th on Fox. X-Files First Look Gillian Anderson’s Show & Tell X-Files Trailer

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Dec 28, 2015

More from Interviews

Horror Fuel

Exclusive Interview With Writer, Director, Producer Juan Gonzalez

Juan Gonzalez’s new horror film, The Ghost Hunt, will begin filming this fall. The film, based on true events, follows five friends who go on a ghost hunting tour, then are followed home by one of the spirits they encounter. Today I had the opportunity to speak with Gonzalez about his upcoming project, The Ghost Hunt, and his first horror film The Awakened and about his life. I learned a lot about his writing process, his hopes for his film and his dedication as a father. I have to admit, it was a very pleasant conversation. Gonzalez was friendly, funny and eager to talk about his projects (That’s always a good sign). His enthusiasm about The Ghost Hunt and filmmaking were refreshing. Juan Gonzalez’s debut in the horror genre was with 2013’s The Awakened, which he produced and received story credit for. The film follows five friends who decide to wait out a hurricane in Miami and throw a party.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 11, 2016
Horror Fuel

Road to Death House Part 2

I’ve attended a lot of Hollywood meetings. Creative. Business. Social. In every one of these, ideas and projects get thrown around. People get excited. Plans are made. I usually wait until the very end to ask the most important question. If it is not mentioned up front, you kind of have your answer, but it’s a game in the end to see if you’re as smart as you think you are. That question is: Is the financing in place? You get either leaden silence as if you committed some grave social faux pas, or you get the “well, we are talking to so and so…” Translated: there is no money. Don’t believe the Hollywood fables of making a film for $15,000 and making $400 million. With all legends there is a grain of truth, but like an oyster makes a pearl, it’s slathered with layers of mucus and shit. No, your $7000 movie is not going to make a million.

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jun 15, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Director Jonathan Patrick Hughes Plus Exclusive Set Photos From (S)aint Nick

Tonight I spoke with an up-and-coming writer and director Jonathan Patrick Hughes about his latest project, the 20 minute short horror film (S)aint Nick, which is being eyed for a Horror Christmas anthology titled The 12 Slays of Christmas by Body Bag Films . Hughes was kind enough to share never-before-seen behind the scenes photos from the set of (S)aint Nick, which is his first film out of Film school. Hughes graduated from “The Factory”, a program at The Douglas Education Center, the same school where Tom Savini’s School of Make Up Effects is located. (S)aint Nick , filmed in Canonsburg, Pittsburgh, stars Leeana Hergenreder, John Seese and Chaise Thompkins and follows a kid named Billy who asks Santa to kill his abusive stepfather. KM “How old were you when you realized you wanted to be a director?” JH “When I was four my mom bought me The Making Of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. By the age of 5, I was

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
May 8, 2016
Horror Fuel

The Road to Death House Part 1

Let’s build on Eli Roth’s prescient observation. I have written quite a bit on cynicism in filmmaking. If you are just coming to my series, stop here. Go back and read my other pieces. Then you can read this in context. However, he is talking about a SMALL percentage of fans. This is not a general description at all. We prefer to focus on the majority of horror fans that do the opposite of Roth’s comments. I have provided an open door, a very wide door, into the production of a movie since “Death House” started filming. “Death House” is my fifth feature film: the fifth I have written and the third I have directed. It’s been a long road, and frankly, I am doing what no one else is doing in Hollywood, making consistent, high quality product on very low budgets. I’ve made one film a year since doing this profession full time. “Death House” was brought to me

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
May 4, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Australian Actress Natalie Gerace

I recently spoke with Australian actress Natalie Gerace, who is set to star in Victor Miller and Kerry Fleming’s Rock Paper Dead. This young actress has a distinct, beautiful look and fabulous accent to match. KM “You’re far from home. How did you end up in LA?” NG “Well, the biggest drawcard for me moving to LA was acting. After all, it’s the hub for the entertainment industry. But nonetheless, I’ve always wanted to live here. I love the lifestyle, not to mention the glorious weather year round. It’s such a great city. There’s always something to see and do. Never a dull moment in La La land! It’s definitely very different to where I grew up. I’m a small city girl from Adelaide, South Australia. Coming from a smaller city in Australia, there really isn’t a lot of opportunity to pursue a professional career in the entertainment industry.” KM “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you named after

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 18, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Award Winning Horror Author Owl Goingback

I spent much of last night talking with a very charming, intelligent, and funny horror author by the name of Owl Goingback. Owl is not only a witty multi award winning author, and speaker, he is also a paranormal investigator, who sometimes helps families and businesses deal with things that go bump in the night. You may have guessed by his name that he is Native American, and you would be right. Goingback is half Cherokee and half Choctaw, yes like the song. Every novel he writes is infused with the legends and teachings of Native Americans along with terrifying creatures and killers. He also tours and lectures on the subject. You might find Goingback at one of the horror conventions or a Pow Wow, where both his sons compete as dancers, in and around Florida. I talk to a lot of people in the horror industry, but I’ve found it rare to meet someone with such love and zest

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 14, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Horror Author Scott M. Baker

I recently sat down with Scott Baker, an author and ex CIA man, to talk about his many novels. And boy does he have many. The subject matter differs between his books and trilogies, but they all have one common element, horror. KM “Tell us about your time in the C.I.A. if that is something you can talk about.” SB “Sure, I spent much of my time monitoring terrorist groups. I spent the last ten years going after cyber terrorists.” KM “What is your latest novel THA: Trans Human Assassins about?” SB “It’s about the government making trans-humans, taking humans to the next level. I read about these zombie ants made by a fungus that drives the ants to serve a single purpose. The trans-humans are like that. They’re not zombies so to speak, but the government has reprogrammed these people to serve only one purpose, to assassinate targets.” KM “Where did the inspiration for your novel Yeitso come from?”

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Mar 18, 2016
Horror Fuel

An Interview With Filmmaker And Emmy Award Nominee Cameron McCasland

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing award-winning writer/director Cameron McCasland. Last year I stumbled across McCasland’s fantastic short film Tailypo (below), which took home many awards from many film festivals. McCasland, owner of Red Headed Revolution, has had a great deal of success in the film industry, including six Emmy nominations. KM “Please tell us about Red Headed Revolution.” CM “Red Headed Revolution is the banner I use to put my films under. I first used it as the name of a blog years ago, and at some point I needed a name to put on things so I went with that. I have been a red head my whole life, and if you look at the statistics we are a very small minority on the planet. When I was a kid, I only had one other child that was red headed. So in a way you get to feel isolated. But then when look at history, you see

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Feb 20, 2016
Horror Fuel

You’ll Know His Name

You’ll Know My Name Drama 2010 Not Rated Directed, Written & Produced by Joe Raffa Starring: Joe Raffa, David J. Bonner, Alexander Mandell, Mianna Saxton, Chuck Connors, Tommy Sztubinksi, Brian Gallagher, Davy Raphaley, Nicole Cinaglia Website: YKMN Cynema is not about reviews. While a critical look is often afforded to specific films, this is not about whether a film is “good” or “bad.” It’s about how they are MADE. My previous entries looked at wide ranges from Jurassic World to Halloween III.This is a look at a young filmmaker who has taken risks and made a film that is outside the realm of what is popular or what studios are developing. Joe Raffa is anti-Cynema because he does what few others are doing: he takes real risks. Thanks to the digital revolution, anyone with a camcorder and computer thinks they’re a filmmaker. Shooting your video and putting it up in ten minute bites online does not make you a professional.

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jan 4, 2016
Horror Fuel

The X-Files Re-Opened

The truth is out there… and Fox has the inside story on the return of The X-Files. Go behind the scenes with the creator Chris Carter, stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, and all the key players as they reveal secrets from the set and take you on the epic journey of bringing the classic series back to life. The X-Files returns January 24th on Fox. X-Files First Look Gillian Anderson’s Show & Tell X-Files Trailer

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Dec 28, 2015
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