A message from the editor
The Indie Digital Buzz is a new feature from Monsters at Play and Horrorview that allows our readers to get the inside scoop straight from the source in the world of indie horror. I felt that indie horror was an untapped medium and not given the proper respect it surely deserves. Yes, there are those indie horror flicks out there that are slapped together in a heartbeat and passed off as quality cinema, while they remain complete and utter garbage. Then there are those who really enjoy the craft of filmmaking and pour their heart, sweat and tears into each production. Most of these people work normal 9-5 jobs and make movies on the weekend as a hobby. They spend little money on these flicks and they make little money from them, but the films speak for themselves. I felt our readers could benefit from some inside knowledge including anecdotes from the indie movie set and info on upcoming titles that may be of interest. I hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as I have. Expect to see 3 or 4 of these a month, enjoy!

...and don't forget, Beware the Monsters!!!
Lawrence P. Raffel, Editor-in-Chief, Monsters at Play

Hello! Busterface here! I have employed the creative hand of indie queen, Ms. Emily Haack to write a bit about her experiences on set. Ms. Haack has starred in such movies as the critically acclaimed SCRAPBOOK, the rough and raunchy I SPIT ON YOUR CORPSE, I PISS ON YOUR GRAVE, the upcoming 2003 release of THE UNDERTOW, and the upcoming SAVAGE HARVEST 2. Emily is one of the most accomplished, talented, relentless, and daring actors in the indie scene. I hope you enjoy the writings of Emily Haack.

IT WAS A DARK AND HORROR-IFIC NIGHT An account by Emily Haack

The first time I laid eyes on the boys of Wicked Pixel Cinema, I knew I was in for a ride that would change my life. After July of 1997, there was no turning back for me, my fate had been decided. Through the wonderful and talented Mr. Tommy Biondo [may he rest in peace], I became fast friends with Mr. Eric Stanze, Mr. Jeremy Wallace, and Mr. Todd Tevlin. I had known Mr. Jason Christ from college; we graduated together.

In May of 1998, Tommy, Eric, Jeremy, Todd, and I began making SCRAPBOOK. This was my first time in front of the camera for a feature-length movie. The first day of shooting, I was a bit overwhelmed and somewhat nervous, but the guys really made me feel confident about what I was about to do. The first scene to be shot was the initial rape scene between Clara [my character] & Leonard [Tommy's character].

Before we began the shoot, I talked extensively to both Tommy and Eric about my character, what she goes through in the movie, and how much of Emily is really in Clara. I also spoke with them about my past experiences as they related to the events in SCRAPBOOK and how I could use that to my advantage. Eric was adamant about making sure I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. As a first time actor, I was nervous about what lay ahead for me. I had never worked on this scale of a production before or with professional people like this. It was a bit intimidating! I didn't want to let them down. But, for the most part, I was very excited and motivated to begin this movie. For the first rape scene, I start out in a dress in the kitchen and end up completely nude with urine all over me in the "bedroom." Physically, I was ready for the scene. I didn't mind being duct-taped to the chair, I could struggle as hard as anyone, I had the stamina for the fighting and struggling and screaming. As far as the nudity was concerned, I was a bit uncomfortable being completely nude in front of friends I'd only made several months prior, but that strangeness soon wore off.

Mentally, however, I was not prepared for how I was going to feel after Eric yelled "Cut." From the moment Tommy's character threw me down on that dirty cot to, probably, 10 minutes after "cut", my mind went to a different place...I detached myself. It was almost automatic. My body took over and relived my past experiences for me, allowing me to react as realistically as humanly possible. I know it was difficult for Eric and Jeremy to watch Tommy and I do that scene, but they were amazingly supportive. They made sure I was alright and let me have time to myself after the scene.

Since that time, I haven't had to detach myself like that when I've been acting. However, I do draw from my life experiences to make the character I'm portraying more realistic. That is of utmost importance to me as an actor. I have to really be able to feel what's going on with my character. I want every emotion, every facial expression, every action to be coming from within Emily, not just from the character I'm playing that's on the surface. I learn so much about myself with each movie and I hope to keep learning for as long as I can. My time on the set of SCRAPBOOK brought me closer to everyone in Wicked Pixel and bonded me to them in a way I'd never been bonded to anyone before. I had exposed most of psyche and soul to them, stood in front of them naked and vulnerable, screamed and cried and been pissed on for them, and they were there the whole time supporting me and are still by my side to this day. I would do anything for those guys...those Wicked Pixel Cinema hunks. They are all incredibly talented, creative, caring, and loving in their own right and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

www.wickedpixel.com.

Featured Title this Week: THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED

THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED DVD DETAILS

Directed by: Mark and John Polonia

Run time: 90 minutes

Layer Format: DVD-9

Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo

Extras: Tour of "The House that Screamed". Commentary. Interviews. Bloopers. Trailers. Documentary. Stills gallery.

Synopsis from the back of the box:
The old house on Wingate Road has had many tenants over the past hundred years... most of them still live there! Marty Beck, a down on his luck horror novelist, faces terror head on when he rents the house for inspiration to complete his latest lurid book. Hour by hour he is drawn into a nightmare world of ghosts, monsters and gouls. Death will be the only release from a mortgage on his soul as he learns the shocking truth of his final days!

What the critics are saying:

"From the creepy introductory sequence, until the intelligent and well thought out ending, this is one engaging movie."
-b-independent.com

Available at www.b-movie.com!