Official Stills For Tristen Risk's Directorial Debut "Parlour Tricks"

Bad Cookie Pictures recently send the horror chamber stills for their upcoming short film "Parlour Tricks". The short film is directed by actress Tristan Risk (American Mary, Harvest Lake) and stars  Gidget Gravedigger (Caravan of Creeps, Dark Entries podcast, Abracadaver Cabaret), Emma Eldritch( Abracadaver Cabaret, Dark Entries podcast, Osculum Infame), Tyler James Nichols (Howard Lovecraft and the undersea kingdom, 28 Geeks Later), and Sean Covernton (Princess Blasteroid, The Basketball Game, Trick or Treat:The Halloween Party).

"Parlour Tricks" is currently in post production and will have a film festival later this year.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/parlourtricksfilm


Press Release:

We are thrilled to announce that House of Hiss, in partnership with Bad Cookie Pictures has entered post production on Parlour Tricks, a new horror-comedy short from the wacky mind of Tristan Risk. Risk, well known on the horror scene from American Mary, Frankenstein Created Bikers, Aliens ate my homework, Ayla, and ABC’s of Death 2. Set in the 1920’s, Parlour Tricks follows a family who summon an unexpected guest during an unusual seance. The film stars several well known Vancouver performers such as Gidget Gravedigger (Caravan of Creeps, Dark Entries podcast, Abracadaver Cabaret), Emma Eldritch( Abracadaver Cabaret, Dark Entries podcast, Osculum Infame), Tyler James Nichols (Howard Lovecraft and the undersea kingdom, 28 Geeks Later), and Sean Covernton (Princess Blasteroid, The Basketball Game, Trick or Treat:The Halloween Party)

Also behind the camera, Cinematographer and Editor Jordan Barnes-Crouse (Extra-Ordinary Amy, Ghost Can, The Sleep of Endymion) and Producer/Production Designer Topher Graham (The Man in the Rabbit Mask, Punks Vs. Lizards, Madre De Dios) with additional support from Selena Raskin, Ben Gammound, and Burns the Dragon.

The film will feature an original score by Chase Horseman (La Quinceanera, El Gigante) and the poster was created by Bren Macdonald. Parlour Tricks will be making its festival run this year, you can follow news and updates on the facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/parlourtricksfilm or through bad cookie pictures at https://www.facebook.com/BadCookiePictures 

WIP Productions Announces "Amazon Hot Box"

WIP Productions recently send the horror chamber over information for their latest film "Amazon Hot Box". The film stars  Ellie Church (INTERSTELLAR CIVIL WAR), Tristan Risk (AMERICAN MARY), Kelsey Carlisle (HEADLESS), Jordan Phipps (CLOSE CALLS) and Jett Bryant (DEAR GOD NO!).

 "Amazon Hot Box" hits retail in July.

For more information on this film and how you can pre-order this film, you can go to: www.amazonhotbox.com

Press Release:

Work In Progress LLC has completed the genre feature AMAZON HOT BOX. The film, written and directed by James Bickert (FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS), stars Ellie Church (INTERSTELLAR CIVIL WAR), Tristan Risk (AMERICAN MARY), Kelsey Carlisle (HEADLESS), Jordan Phipps (CLOSE CALLS) and Jett Bryant (DEAR GOD NO!).

An American college student is apprehended during a dissident round-up in the banana republic of Rattica. She is incarcerated into the island penal system overseen by Wardress Von Krupp who is constructing the world’s greatest information extractor. Crocodiles, religious zealots, psychotic inmates and voodoo-based experiments block her every escape. Life is cheap and the jungle explodes in AMAZON HOT BOX.

Principal photography took place in the fall of 2017 on sound stages in Atlanta, Georgia and at Fort Pulaski National Monument built on Cockspur Island, Georgia in 1847. James Bickert co-produced the project with genre filmmaker Brian K. Williams (SPACE BABES FROM OUTER SPACE). The film was financed by Work In Progress LLC, in association with Concord Creative and Generativity Productions, with distribution being handled by Work In Progress LLC (domestic) and Dark Side Releasing (in Canada, United Kingdom and Australia).

“Our film is a unique approach to the women in prison genre that combines action, dark comedy, 70s Italian horror and an array of strong female characters. We’ve packed in a lot of entertaining surprises,” notes Bickert, AMAZON HOT BOX writer, director and co-producer; co-owner of Work in Progress LLC.

Pre-Order AMAZON HOT BOX Today Until now, the entire production has been kept a secret, and Work In Progress LLC is offering pre-orders of exclusive autographed media and other items associated with the film ahead of the AMAZON HOT BOX commercial release date scheduled for July 2018.

Bickert explains,“We’re experimenting with a new business model. Instead of building a buzz over the course of a year, we wanted to create a scenario where genre fans could have immediate access to the completed film upon learning of the trailer, casti and poster".

Brian K. Williams added, "From the conversations we've had with genre fans on the convention/festival circuit, we are hopeful that many will find the instant gratification refreshing. Rather than having to wait around for a year or more to see the film, they can make a purchase the second they learn of its existence".

Film lovers and collectors can grab AMAZON HOT BOX exclusives at www.amazonhotbox.com

Chilling Trailer for the Upcoming Tristan Risk / Elle Church Film "Mania"

Small Town Girl Productions recently released another trailer for their upcoming film "Mania". The film has won multiple awards on the horror film festival circuit. "Mania"is directed by Jessica Cameron and starring Tristan Risk (American Mary, Harvest Lake) and Elle Church (Headless, Harvest Lake).

No release plans were announced for "Mania" at this time. "Mania" is currently playing on the film festival circuit.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ManiaTheMovie/

Plot Synopsis:

Brooke makes a deadly mistake during a manic episode, forcing her lover and her to flee their home. But can Mel bring Brooke back, or is it too late...

"Mania": Official Trailer

Review: "Harvest Lake"

“Harvest Lake” is the latest film from director Scott Schirmer, who directed the excellent film “Found” back in 2014 and produced the ultra-gory film “Headless” which was released last year. This film boasts an excellent cast that includes Elle Church (Headless), Tristan Risk (American Mary, The Editor) and Kevin Roach (The Confession of Fred Krueger).

The film is about five friends who go vacationing in the woods. They are hoping to have fun and have a good time. But something is lurking in the woods, as they feel like they’re under the spell of someone or something. Soon their behavior starts to become erratic and having strange feelings towards each other as they try to find out what is happening to them. Can they find out what’s the cause of their strange behavior before they become lost in woods forever? This was the first film that I didn’t know what to think about the sex scenes as they felt very horrifying and different in tone. It was something where you couldn’t take your eyes off because of the horrific nature and the level of despair that it represents. That’s what makes “Harvest Lake” a very interesting and entertaining sci-fi horror film.

One of the things that makes this very good was the way director/writer Scott Schirmer directs the action. Everything had a dark and uncomfortable feel to it. Whether it was the film’s beginning and end to some of the dialogue scenes, everything had a dark and creepy presence. Those scenes were created and directed well enough to have a sense of dread to them as it’s the first film where the sexual encounter felt like it had a gloomy and eerie feel to them. It also helped that the cinematography was very good as it added to what Schirmer achieves. The other thing that he does very well is to make sure the performances work. I liked how he handles each of the film’s performance. They fit the film’s tone very well that it keeps you interested in what’s happening. It’s important for a film like this to have it, as it’s more focused on tone than action.

Speaking of the performance, they were good here. The cast that includes Elle Church, Tristen Risk, Kevin Roach and Dan Nye did a very good job with the way that they each approached their characters. It helped especially with all the dialogue scenes in the middle of the film. The performances kept me interested with the material especially when it sets up the third act.

The screenplay written by Schirmer does a very good job with making the film’s tone very dark and gloomy. He approaches each of the film’s scenes with importance as everything including the sex scenes felt very dark as this has a very different feel compared to other alien films where there’s a lot of action and intense scenes. Instead, none of that is present as it focuses more on the story’s darker elements. The other thing that I liked about Schirmer’s screenplay was the fact it focuses on the characters and story at hand. He spends a good time developing the film’s story and characters making sure that those elements are the focus of film. If that didn’t happen, this would’ve been boring. Thankfully, it wasn’t the case as this was a very good alien film.

Check this film out when it comes when it hits a film festival or DVD and Blu-Ray, as this is a great alien film. With it great direction and chilling screenplay, “Harvest Lake” is terrifying alien film that make you think about having sex again.

Review Rating: Five Stars.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/harvestlakemovie