Indie
‘Ratred’ Director Takes on Magic in ‘The Disappearing Act’
From the director of the forthcoming 3-D indie film Ratred comes The Disappearing Act, a new thriller that blends murder, resurrection and magic into one film (kinda reminds me of Clive Barker’s awesome Lord of Illusions). Directed by Tone Purzycki, you’ll find the full press release beyond the break.
“On the run from the police after killing her husband, Diana Michaels winds up at the theater of the reclusive magician, Xanthus. But Xanthus is not as mild mannered as she thought. He uses Diana in a sinister ritual designed to bring the soul of his lost love, Aura, back from the dead. It seems to work, as her entire demeanor changes, but she can’t remember anything about their life together before her death.
In the meantime, a relentless detective is tracking Diana, and he will stop at nothing to bring her in. But will he find Diana? Or just an innocent lost soul inhabiting her body?
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Mikrotone Concepts feature film `The Disappearing Act’ has the greenlight! The film being directed by Tone Purzycki & Frank G. Lawrence has added quite a few other production members this month, including Pixo Factor Entertainment, Director of Photography Trevor Tong, Emmy Award winning composer Michael Whalen, and Special Makeup Effects Artist Brian Wade.
The film stars Paul Molnar from the Batman fan film Patient J as The Magician Xanthus, as well as Lou Martini Jr. (The Sopranos) as Detective Mackleroy, and introducing Dennis Blackmen as Ian. The producers are currently putting out offers for the lead role of Diana Michaels. Production is slated to begin in June in Royal Oaks Michigan.
Her House of Horrors, the horror division of Independent Production House WOMXNOGRAPHY, has launched its Bite Size Short Grant Program, ahead of its film festival Dollhouse of Horror, which will take place in March 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Bite Size Short Grant Program awards $2,000 film grants to female-identifying and queer horror filmmakers. Shorts must be able to be made for $2,000, with a minimum runtime of 8 minutes. Submissions are now open on Filmfreeway, and are being judged by a panel of horror lovers and content creators.
The 2024 Bite Size Short Grant Program judge lineup is as follows:
“James H. Carter II- A documentary director, film producer, podcaster, marketing specialist, and writer. James is the founder and co-owner of Creepy Kingdom. Creepy Kingdom was founded in 2011 and is a multimedia website, and production studio specializing in creepy content. Their primary focus lies at the intersection of childlike fantasy and the macabre, covering horror films, theme parks, haunts, and much more. Beyond their extensive media coverage, Creepy Kingdom hosts events, offers original merchandise, and engages in film production under the Creepy Kingdom Studios brand producing original films like “Foolish Mortals”, exploring Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” fan culture, and “Georgie”, featuring Tony Dakota from the original “It” miniseries.
“In addition to founding Creepy Kingdom, James has won awards for his documentary work, including the award-winning “Foolish Mortals,” which has earned him recognition. He has been featured on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween special.
“Ashleeta Beauchamp is the editor-in-chief of Peek-A-Boo! Magazine, a cheeky horror magazine created to uplift marginalized writers, artists, models and other creators within the horror community. She also runs The Halloween Coalition, a community group to provide support and marketing for horror and Halloween events around the Southern California area.
“Titeanya Rodríguez is a multi-hyphenate creative, and the founder and owner of HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, home of DOLLHOUSE OF HORROR and the horror division of WOMXNOGRAPHY. As a fellow storyteller and a self-proclaimed artivist, Titeanya’s mission is to create opportunities for women of color and queer women, across film, tv, sports, music, and beyond. She is also the creator of the BITE SIZE SHORT grant program.”
Winners will have a one-night theatrical screening at Regal Cinemas. Submissions Close April 8 at Midnight. Winners will be announced on May 27, 2024. Shorts must be shot and through post-production by June 30, 2024. The screening will take place on July 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.
WOMXNOGRAPHY, HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, and Rodriguez are represented by Azhar PR, Granderson Des Rochers, and Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir.
To submit your short to the Bite Size Short Grant Program, go to the FilmFreeway link here.
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