The Dark Cinema Releases First Trailer

For a while now, we have been telling you about a new half-hour anthology show featuring short horror/thriller/sci-fi films from around the globe. Not only will the series highlight Independent films but it will be hosted by Twisted Central favorite and Indie horror icon Bill Oberst Jr.. Well, now we finally get a taste of what's to come with the release of their first trailer! I'm super excited about this and can't wait for it to air!! Check it out and be sure to visit their Facebook page to keep up with all the cool happenings!!

First Peek Inside Dark Cinema

The Dark Cinema releases first publicity photo of host Bill Oberst Jr.

Los Angeles, CA – After a successful shoot on Halloween day, The Dark Cinema – hosted by indie horror actor, Bill Oberst Jr (Take This Lollipop, Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, Dismal, Scary or Die) – is now in post-production. Producer Cheryl Compton and Director of Photography George J. Toland III expect to have the project edited and ready for prospective buyers by the first of the year.

The Dark Cinema is a half-hour anthology show featuring short horror/thriller/sci-fi films from around the globe. The pilot episode, which centers around the theme “Evil Toys” boasts award-winning shorts from the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal and the United States.

“Bill did a wonderful job of channeling his inner Rod Sterling. I can't wait until everyone gets to see what a great host he is.” Compton continues, “The look and feel of the footage and photographs George captured is exactly what I envisioned when I came up with the concept for the show. We like to call it crushed velvet with a hint of visual mildew. George, along with set decorator Maureen McGuire, brought what was inside my head to life.”

The concept for the production set is very simple, explains Compton, “McGuire (who has worked on such films as Iron Man, Ocean’s Thirteen and Cast Away, just to name a select few) found the beautiful theater seats in a Los Angeles area prop house. They have just the right patina and scuffs to make the set look like a vintage movie house.”

The Dark Cinema will be releasing preview trailers very soon – not only in English, but, in keeping with the international flair of the show, also in Spanish and German.

Anyone who contributed to The Dark Cinema’s IndieGoGo crowd funding campaign at the appropriate level will receive this official photograph, autographed by Oberst, as part of their incentive package.

The Dark Cinema Announces Pilot Films and Directors

An international cast of talented filmmakers headlines the pilot episode of The Dark Cinema 

Los Angeles, CA – After a several month selection process, THE DARK CINEMA has announced their final slate of films to be included in the half-hour pilot episode of the horror/thriller/sci-fi anthology, which will be hosted by indie horror icon, Bill Oberst Jr. (Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, Dismal, Scary Or Die; as well as the Daytime Emmy-winning Facebook App, Take This Lollipop) 

Producer Cheryl Compton describes the curation experience: “I was overwhelmed by the response to our project. For several weeks, I watched short films from the moment I got up, until the moment I went to sleep – but it was well worth it because I believe we have a strong line-up, which will grab the attention of viewers.” 

The international roster of critical and festival favorites includes two films from the United Kingdom – Transmission directed by Brett Young, and 2:20 by Jason Wingard; from Italy, The Puzzle by Davide Melini; representing Portugal is O Risco (The Line) with Jose Pedro Lopes at the helm; and finally, from the United States is Daniel MacMunn's Out of Placement. All the films in the pilot episode are tied to the theme “evil toys and possessed objects.” Compton continues, “there are so many talented filmmakers all over the world – and now with the relatively inexpensive resources available to them, it's much easier for directors and producers to bring their stories from conception to completion.” 

THE DARK CINEMA will shoot the wrap-arounds on Halloween day and immediately head into post- production. In keeping with the worldwide flair of the pilot, Bill Oberst Jr will also be hosting the trailers in English, Spanish and German. “Horror is international. Humans are all fearful of the same things, so these films are very translatable and accessible to a broader global market,” explained Oberst. 

In the collaborative spirit of filmmaking, THE DARK CINEMA has launched their own crowd-funding campaign to cover the production basics. They're offering a wide range of incentives, including promotional DVDs, autographed 8x10 publicity photos, t-shirts – as well as IMDB special thanks and executive producer credits. (http://www.indiegogo.com/thedarkcinema) and (http://www.facebook.com/TheDarkCinema).

Indie Horror Actor Bill Oberst Jr To Host Pilot Episode of THE DARK CINEMA

Prolific horror favorite, Bill Oberst Jr (Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, Dismal, Scary Or Die; as well as the Daytime Emmy-winning Facebook App, Take This Lollipop) is set to host the pilot episode of THE DARK CINEMA, a horror/thriller/sci-fi anthology television series, which will feature the short films of independent filmmakers in bite-sized half-hour segments.

Oberst, who has been dubbed “the new Karloff,” and also unanimously declared “the nicest guy in horror” by nearly every single industry person who comes in contact with him, had this to say about the project: “I can't wait to make like a modern-day Vincent Price. This is the creepy stuff kids dream of. I really love the short film format. It forces a director or writer to have a concise point-of-view. The films in the pilot pack a powerful punch in just a few minutes.”

THE DARK CINEMA was created by producer Cheryl Compton (writer of the upcoming paranormal thriller, Within The Darkness), who after nearly five years of working in mobile content distribution, saw that there was an untapped market for short horror films. “There are so many great short genre films out there. However, after their initial film festivals runs, they often end up fading away on a YouTube or Vimeo page. THE DARK CINEMA will bring these films to a wider television audience, not just the hardcore fans who frequent the film festivals and conventions. Most of these filmmakers made their shorts to showcase their talents, so we're hoping to get more eyes on their product.”

Compton continues, “we are so excited to have Bill on board the project. He will make a great horror host. Not only is he beloved by the horror community, he is is a passionate fan himself. He'll be able to speak about the genre and its history with respect and intelligence.”

Compton and Oberst have also teamed up for EVIL'S TOY, which is a full-length horror feature about a young college woman who becomes obsessed with a Ouija board and unwittingly unleashes a demon through the world of social networking. Compton penned the screenplay and Oberst is attached in the lead as the Demon Gadriel. They are currently seeking investors and production partners.

THE DARK CINEMA is accepting submissions from filmmakers. All horror/thriller/sci-fi sub-genres are welcomed. The producers are especially interested in films that have a possessed toy or evil object theme for the pilot, which will be filmed in early October. At this time, all films must be seven minutes or less and in a broadcast-ready format. Please see their Facebook fanpage for submission details and FAQs.