Kevin Lane's Spill Your Guts

In 2006, a new horror icon was born. Fatigued by the endless defanged remakes and sequels of the time, lifelong horror fanatic Adam Green set out to create a new unstoppable killer very much in the mold of beloved slasher superstars Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger and most of all, Jason Voorhees. In fact, his film would not only feature such genre royalty as Robert Englund and Tony Todd but Jason himself, Kane Hodder as the films deformed giant, Victor Crowley. Green’s film, set in the New Orleans swamps where an ill-fated tour boat is wrecked and its passengers are left stranded with much more to worry about than alligators, was a spot-on love letter to 80’s slasher classics. As you have probably guessed by now, that film was “Hatchet”. Filled with insane gore set pieces, hilarious dialogue and a totally game cast, the movie succeeded in creating a new franchise and has so far been followed by 3 sequels. Only one actor other than Kane Hodder has appeared in every film in the series. A scene-stealer with many of the best lines in the series, this actor has cemented himself as a fan favorite. Our guest today is Parry Shen. Parry is a busy man. He loves to work and one need only check out his IMDB profile to see he has had a rich and varied career as an actor. From a starring role in Justin Lin’s critically acclaimed crime drama “Better Luck Tomorrow” to a series regular on “General Hospital”, to his many credits as a voice actor - Parry cannot be stopped. And who would want to? He’s a welcome presence in anything he’s in. Terrific timing and presence to boot. Parry has made a name for himself with genre fans with credits in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, Full Moon’s “Shrieker” and “The Hazing”, but it was his work in the “Hatchet” series that has cemented him as a genre name. Parry talks with us on some of the challenges he has faced as an Asian American actor and how the business has changed, the pitfalls of confusing being strategic with your career to being perhaps more particular than you can afford to be and how his love for the movies means he’s always the consummate professional on set but always excited to be there. It’s time to return to the swamps and the turf of Victor Crowley with our guide, Parry Shen. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Imagine your favourite horror movie if instead of yelling at your screen “Don’t go in there!” or “Don’t drop the knife!”, you could actually have the choice to run out of the house or chop the killers head off while he’s lying on the ground pretending to be dead. Horror movies offer a lot in terms of an experience but one thing they don’t offer is choice. For that, we look to genre gaming. The birth of survival horror in gaming broke out with the success of Capcom’s iconic “Resident Evil” in 1996. This was for many, the first video game that really embraced the influences of classic horror films while offering a gaming experience that was both edge of your seat suspense and exciting action. Not to mention its fair share of camp with memorable lines like “It’s a weapon. It’s really powerful. Especially against living things.” And “I’m sorry for my lack of manners, but I’m not used to escorting men.” “Resident Evil” has of course gone on to become a horror gaming staple but it also helped create an entire genre of gaming where you make the choices that will keep your character alive until sunrise or… you know, get eaten or decapitated or filleted or impaled or exsanguinated. You get the idea. And choice offers a level of immersion that is different to film. Gaming is participatory whereas film is more passive experience. In gaming you are affecting the outcome and in a good game, your decisions matter. One of the most successful examples of survival horror gaming in recent memory is the 2015 PlayStation 4 game “Until Dawn”. Written by genre legend Larry Fessenden and frequent collaborator Graham Reznick, set in a blizzardy mountain top ski resort, a group of friends (which includes Oscar winner Rami Malek and fan favourite Hayden Panettiere) must survive the night against a masked killer, something lurking in the woods and each other. It’s a wild ride full of twists and turns and particularly effective scares. The game was a surprise hit for Sony and game developer Supermassive Games and has gone on to become a horror gaming classic with people even having “Until Dawn” gatherings where everyone plays the game and decides as a group what choices to make. The games director is Will Byles. Will is the Studio Director for England based game developer Supermassive Games. With the success of “Until Dawn”, Will and his team at Supermassive went to work on developing their next big horror title “The Quarry”. Fully embracing the classic tropes of the summer camp slasher, the game features an all-star genre cast including David Arquette, Ted Raimi, Grace Zabriskie, Lin Shaye and Lance Henriksen and the would-be victims are all played by likeable and engaging young actors. A love letter to many of your favourite woodsy slasher films and filled with truly surprising twists, “The Quarry” was one of the best games of 2022. Will’s immense talent and passion for both games and film is felt all through “Until Dawn” and “The Quarry”. These games don’t give the illusion of choice (a cheap trick pulled by many genre games), your choices actually matter and drastically change your experience. Seeing your favourite character who you’ve fought hard to keep alive suffer a terrible fate because you chose to run instead of fight back can be devastating and there’s no respawning. They’re dead… like dead dead. Will dives into how he developed a passion for developing and creating games, charting out the many different branches the story can follow and how to keep it all making sense and working with actors to create a performance using motion capture. Take notes if you want to keep your characters alive but remember, if you do, you’re going to miss out some wonderfully horrific death scenes lovingly crafted by one of the masters of gaming horror, Will Byles. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Many horror fans have been known to describe one of their favourite movies as “underrated”. Typically, it describes a movie that took time to find an audience, was well received by audience and/or critics but didn’t find financial success or were under-seen because of a bungled release by the studio or distributor. Films like “John Carpenter’s “The Thing”, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”, “The Exorcist 3”, “The Frighteners” and “TrickRTreat”. All examples of films that didn’t perform when they were first released but found a following over time. Primarily for the simple reason that they are all damn good movies that deserved better. Let’s add another under-seen gem to the list of greats that deserve more attention than they got. Released in 2010, “YellowBrickRoad” is a nightmare inducing, reality shattering descent into madness. Part “Blair Witch”, part “Wizard of Oz” … all relentlessly terrifying. Written and directed by team Andy Mitton and Jesse Holland, the film came out to strong reactions from audiences and most critics but despite a theatrical release, came and went with little fanfare. And yet, as more and more people stumbled upon it over time and word of mouth spread among genre fans, the film has continued to receive a much-deserved re-evaluation. Much like the titular path in the film, this movie has many dark secrets that once unearthed, are impossible to forget. Our guest in this episode is filmmaker Andy Mitton. Andy discusses his background in theatre growing up in Massachusetts, the way his love of horror and theatre found a natural rhythm, why often times a genre filmmakers influences aren’t necessarily horror films (a reoccurring theme for SYG listeners) and his haunting new Pandemic horror film “The Harbinger”. Andy is a visionary filmmaker with a tremendous eye for detail and a finely tuned skilled for finding the truth in his characters and the actors portraying them. That’s one of the things that gives Andy’s work such resonance. Characters in his films never do what the plot requires of them and you will not find yourself yelling at the screen over their idiotic decision making. It’s clear that Andy loves and respects his audience and the stories he is telling. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Under the umbrella of horror, you find many different sub-genres that make up this diverse film genre. From monster movies to slasher films, from the supernatural to giallo, horror has many faces. In 1999, we saw the emergence of a sub-genre that wasn’t exactly new but certainly had never made such a splash. When three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland while shooting a documentary, audiences had no idea what they were in store for. As the iconic poster ominously revealed, their footage was found. “The Blair Witch Project” was not only a box office smash, it will also the beginning of a new wave of found footage horror. A sub-genre that allows a fertile proving ground for independent filmmakers not only for its budget friendly framework (usually handheld camera work, no need for elaborate effects or name stars, typically common locations) but also because with the right hook, the found footage sub-genre has the potential to feel more real and immersive then the high gloss films made in Hollywood. Though there have been plenty of great found footage films since “Blair Witch” (here’s looking at you “Paranormal Activity”, “REC” and “Lake Mungo” to name a few), few have got under my skin as much as the new found footage film “The Outwaters”. The films creator is Robbie Banfitch. When a group of four friends head out into the Mojave Desert on a camping expedition, we know it’s probably not going to go well for them. However, Robbie Banfitch isn’t content to give us the usual redneck cannibals or ghouls in the hills… oh no. He’s planning to drag us kicking and screaming into the abyss. This film takes no prisoners. It’s steeped in dread and offers no hand-holding. Robbie delves into what makes the found footage sub-genre so unique, why “The Blair Witch Project” remains as relevant as ever, working with what you have on location and why he’s not a fan of catering to audience expectation. Charge your camcorder batteries and grab your flashlight as we explore the terrifying world of “The Outwaters” with filmmaker Robbie Banfitch. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

FRIDAY, MARCH 10th Kevin Lane's Spill Your Guts (@spillyourguts_podcast) and the Rick or Treat Horrorcast (@rickortreatpod)have collaborated for the first annual DEAD CARPET HORROR AWARDS! Recognizing remarkable contributions to horror cinema that other award ceremonies choose to ignore. All the glitz and glamour but with chainsaws!Original music by Mike HaddenTrophy art designed by Ricky Mestre (@rickymestre) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We’ve all heard the stories of an actor who caught their big break walking the dog town the street and catching the eye of a big shot casting director. Or happened to be the kid of a prominent mom or dad. Or booked a major role on their first audition because of plain old fashion good luck and being in the right place at the right time. My guest today is NOT one of those actors. He achieved his success through a tireless work ethic and sheer talent. Our guest today is Randy Wayne. Randy is the kind of person working in show business that makes it looks easy. It isn’t, but he makes it look that way. As an actor and producer who has worked predominantly in the horror genre, Randy has played everything from heroes to villains, leading man to supporting. He’s always 100% committed and his versatility has served him well. You’ve seen him in studio horror, indie horror and television horror where he had a recurring role on HBO’s hit “True Blood”. Randy discusses his beginnings as an athlete who stumbled into acting quite by accident and quickly discovered it was his calling, the joys of location shooting, working with genre veterans like Dee Wallace and Lance Henriksen and preparing for playing a serial killer who loves to drown his victims in “Death Pool”. Looking through Randy’s credits, it’s clear to see he loves what he does because he keeps a tireless pace. He’s always shooting. Either in front or behind the camera. On top of this, he’s a caring husband and father. We don’t really know how he does it but this conversation got us a little closer to figuring it out. We’re all very familiar with the term “Scream Queen”. Let’s talk some shop with one of the great “Scream Kings”… Randy Wayne. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Odd as it may seem today, there was a time when sequels were considered inferior rip-offs by studios and critics alike. A desperate ploy at milking the success of likely superior original film. Rarely was a sequel directed by the film’s original director (of course there are many notable exceptions such as Evil Dead 2, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Dawn of the Dead) with the filmmakers having concern that there wasn’t artistic value in returning to the well or that the studio execs would see them as one and done type creatives. And yet, that didn’t stop many of the genres most successful franchises from soldiering on. Jason, Freddy, Chucky, Pinhead… to name a few. All continued on with involvement from their creators at some level. One of the most resilient has been the Halloween franchise. The first sequel was written and produced by the creators of the original, John Carpenter and Debra Hill and directed by relative newcomer Rick Rosenthal. The film also saw the return of stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence and continued directly where the first film left off as Michael Myers’ continued his night of terror. The film was a success and Carpenter and Hill were asked to come up with a third. So, having seemingly killed off both Myers and Loomis in the previous film, they decided to try something different and create a completely new story with new characters set on Halloween. The idea being that if this model worked, you’d have a formula for an anthology Halloween horror film you could release every couple of years. It didn’t. The fans were puzzled and pissed at the absence of beloved villain Michael Myers and the movie soon became persona non grata with fans. That would change over the years as the film, titled Halloween 3: Season of the Witch and well directed by Carpenter pal Tommy Lee Wallace and staring genre greats Tom Atkins and Dan O’Herlihy, would go on to become a fan favorite. Long live Silver Shamrock. A few years later, undeterred executive producer of the series Moustapha Akkad felt that it was time to bring Michael back. Carpenter and Hill had moved on and stepped away from the series. Who was going to bring back the Shape for another terror filled night of treat or treating? Enter Dwight Little. Having directed 3 action-adventure films prior to signing on to do Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Little didn’t necessarily seem like the obvious choice. However, one thing anyone could see by looking at his first three films was a strong eye for big set pieces and a deft way with suspense. Halloween 4 also sees the return of Donald Pleasence as Doctor Loomis and Little and writer Allan B. McElroy give this genre legend more to do here than in previous films. It’s a smart move and Pleasence gives a knockout performance. Halloween 4 has a strong cast all around with Danielle Harris beginning her career as a Scream Queen playing the 7-year-old Jamie Lloyd, Ellie Cornell in a relatable and strong protector roll (an underrated contribution in many ways) as Rachel Carruthers, Jamie’s step-sister and great supporting cast including Beau Starr as Sheriff Ben Meeker and veteran character actor Michael Pataki as Doctor Hoffman. Dwight Little found just the right balance of the controlled and deliberate tone of Carpenter’s original film and his own sensibilities as a filmmaker. Cutting down on the gore of Halloween 2 (which was really there as response to the popularity of the “Friday the 13th” films and doesn’t quite fit the Halloween series) and playing up the tension, “Halloween 4” also captures the spirit of Halloween itself. The opening montage of fall imagery rooting the film firmly in the season in a way few of the many oncoming sequels would recapture. “Halloween 4” is not only the best of the Halloween sequels, it’s a testament to Dwight Little’s skill as a filmmaker that the film has become a traditional selection in many genre fans seasonal film playlist. Dwight has gone on to direct plenty more films and television series in the genre including the vastly underrated 1989 version of “Phantom of the Opera” starring Robert Englund (no points for guessing which role he plays), the extremely fun and well directed “Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid”, “the X-Files” and the brilliant “Millennium” (for which he did one of its best episodes, a Christmas episode featuring Darren McGavin as the father of Frank Black, series lead Lance Henriksen) and “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series”. All of this on top of an extremely successful career as an action film director, of which he’s made many greats! Dwight and Kevin talk on the high jinks of shooting a crazy movie like his early action adventure film “Bloodstone, why he approached Halloween 4 as though it were a detective movie, working with the late legend Donald Pleasence, getting around Andrew Lloyd Webber while making his version of “Phantom” and his new horror film “Natty Knocks” which has him reuniting with both Danielle Harris and Rob

Few mediums can capture the abstract and often contradictory nature of “dream logic” the way film can. Particularly genre film. Anyone familiar with the works of David Lynch knows that well. And to define the dream logic, perhaps Lynch summed it up best when he said “Cinema can say abstract things. It can say things that are difficult to say with words. And sometimes, if I’m lucky, ideas come for those types of things in the middle of the story – things that are difficult to say with words.” Occasionally, a filmmaker comes along who takes all the preconceptions we have about our beloved genre and flips them on their head. By ditching the safety nets we’re used to – the tropes, the narrative beats, in this case…THE SCORE! – well, all bets are off. We’re now in the hands of someone who wants to show us things we may not understand but if we can be open to it and connect with the film on its terms, the results can be nerve shattering. Which is exactly what has happened with the film “Skinamarink”. Kevin sat down to watch this movie knowing next to nothing about its premise or style, he just knew that its eerie poster (a child sitting on the floor, his back to us, in a blue tinged dark hallway, the image upside down) and the title which touched upon childhood memories of sing-song that shouldn’t be unsettling but are when placed in this context, had him more than a little intrigued. This isn’t a film you watch. It’s a film you surrender to. The films creator is Kyle Edward Ball. We highly encourage all our listeners to watch the film (it’s available now on Shudder) before listening to this discussion with Kyle. “Skinamarink” is an experience you want to have with as little knowledge of its machinations as possible. Kyle and Kevin explore Kyle’s love of 70’s cinema, both genre and otherwise, why a filmmakers influences may not come from genre filmmakers, the impact having his movie leaked online before its release had on his film and making a movie that is deliberately loaded with contradictions. Turn of the lights and throw on some public domain 1930’s cartoons and let’s immerse ourselves in the upside-down world of “Skinamarink” with Kyle Edward Ball. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode is special not only as we celebrate Christmas, a time of year rife with Ghosts and the jingle of Krampus’ bells, but also because this marks the end of Season One of Spill Your Guts. We hope you have enjoyed getting to know some of the most talented artists working in horror and look forward to seeing you all again in Season Two. We’ll be back a little later in January bringing your more conversations with the titans of terror. Until then, we thank you for listening.Now, let’s talk about one of the most beloved sub-genres in film, Christmas Horror.Though it may seem a little dumbfounding that a holiday about love and giving and goodwill towards men could be rife with so much potential for terror, it’s all those traditions and rituals that make it perfect for exactly that.A strange man who slides down your chimney and makes moral judgements about children. Haunting bells and eerie choirs. One of the most famous ghost stories of all time also happens to be one of, if not the most famous, Christmas stories of all time. If you’re a horror fan, you know what we’re talking about! But here’s a hint, “there’s more of gravy than grave about you”.For this final episode of Season One of Kevin Lane’s Spill Your Guts, Kevin Lane is joined by author Matthew Dupee. Matthew is an aficionado of all things Christmas Horror, and recently published an extensive and wonderful book on the subject titled “A Scary Little Christmas: A History of Yuletide Horror Films”.Matthew and Kevin discuss why Christmas Horror has such resonance with audiences, the beginnings of Christmas Horror on film, and discuss their top 5 Holiday Horror movies in their Naughty and Nice list. And provide a couple of honorable mentions and a few recommendations for your Holiday Horror lists.From all of us at Spill Your Guts, we wish you a very merry Christmas, filled with cheers and frights. Now, let’s get some milk and cookies and curl up by the Christmas tree as we explore Christmas horror with Matthew Dupee! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Of all genres of film, few genres match horror for giving strong roles to women for as long the horror genre has. Elsa Lanchester, Bette Davis, Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Dee Wallace and Neve Campbell… all examples of actors who portrayed women of strength and power. In a genre that so many associate with women in peril, these women reminded audiences that not only could a woman survive the night, she could do so with depth and ferocity. Our guest today is one such actor. Though she has worked in a wide variety of genres, she has earned her place in the horror hall of fame through her work with filmmakers like David Lynch, J.S. Cardone and Mary Lambert. Always challenging, mysterious, unexpected and grounded in the role she is portraying, she is an actor that demands your attention as soon as she enters the frame.Spill Your Guts is pleased to have Lori Heuring with us today.Lori is an actor whose work we have always greatly admired. There’s an intrinsic strength and integrity she brings to her work. She’s played many different kinds of characters and all of them are unique and different. Some of them good, some bad and some in between and Lori always finds the in-road to creating a character that we end up rooting for.This has a lot to do with who Lori is as a person. Lori is a caring, razor-sharp, funny, genuine thoughtful person and she compels filmmakers to cast her in roles that show those qualities in the role. Though she’s of course beautiful, this ain’t your gal if you’re looking for the archetypal slasher fodder.Lori and Kevin discuss her formative years developing her craft while growing up in Texas, why she is drawn to working on darker stories and why she enjoys the challenge of working on edgy, independent films over big studio projects.Kevin had the great privilege of directing Lori in Lineage, where her tremendous talent as an actor was also matched by her equally tireless work ethic.So, let’s get into what it takes to become a Scream Queen with Lori Heuring.Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Matthew Therrien: Meet The Creative Mind Behind Some of Horror's Most Iconic Movie Artwork There are few things in popular culture more iconic than the movie poster. Movie posters have become more than just a way to advertise the titular film, but a form of art all their own. Think of some of your favorite horror movie posters and chances are some of them aren’t even for your favorite films. Whether it’s Stephen Frankfurt’s chilling poster for Rosemary’s Baby or Drew Struzan’s classic for John Carpenter’s The Thing, the posters for these movies have become as integral in popular culture as the films themselves.The 90’s saw a glut of photoshopped movie star face posters, and for a while it looked like the art of the movie poster had lost out to the marketing departments. Boy has that changed!The horror movie poster is back and it’s back with a vengeance. The last two decades have seen the rise of the more painterly quality of the classic posters and the decline of the photoshop floating heads - though occasionally terrible photoshop posters have their own merits! There are many great artists leading the charge, and in today’s episode SYG host Kevin Lane is joined by the virtuosic Matthew Therrien.From his stunning new takes on classic films like Halloween and Friday the 13th, to his beloved poster for Psycho Goreman, Matthew doesn’t stop. He’s a tireless creating machine, and when you look at the quality of the work he’s doing, it’s hard to imagine when he has time to do things like sleep or eat or watch movies. Once you get to know Matthew and find that he’s also a devoted family man and a caring friend, well how can you not be cheering for this guy? One of the genre’s most talented artists also happens to be one it’s loveliest people.Matthew and Kevin talk about his influences, his technique and how to decide what to distill about a movie when creating a poster. You may recognize Matthew’s work from other segments on the show and Matthew himself, as he has had other guest appearances on SYG. This interview was how Matthew and Kevin got to know each other, and since then they have become friends and collaborators. We hope you enjoy getting to know him as well as we have. Well no doubt you’re already surrounded by some of your favorite horror posters, so let’s get into the art of getting spines to tingle and gooses to bump using a paintbrush with Matthew Therrien.Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Charles Band Is The Celebrated King of B Horror MoviesIn the world of horror, there are a handful of great showmen whose influence has had such an impact on the world of genre film that they changed the way horror films were made. These are people whose innovation, creativity, business acumen and courage have given of us some of the most influential and iconic genre movies of all time. People who see every obstacle as just another opportunity to show that they will not take “no” for an answer when it comes to getting their vision out in the world. I’m talking about people like Roger Corman, Robert Shaye and Lloyd Kaufman.For us at SYG, and many other fans of the weird and fantastic, there is really only one man who reigns supreme. The King of gonzo filmmaking. The legendary Charles Band.And when we say legendary, it’s not an exaggeration. Charles Band’s insanely prolific output of horror and sci-fi films is beyond comprehension. Many of them made on a shoestring budget. Many of them great. Most of them weird. All of them, and we’re talking nearly 400 films, willed into existence by a man whose infectious positivity and otherworldly talent for creating something that most would think couldn’t be done.Whether through his company Empire Pictures, who made classics like Ghoulies, Robot Jox and Trancers, or Full Moon Entertainment - who in the 90’s gave us genre classics like the Puppet Master series, Subspecies, Pit and the Pendulum and Demonic Toys - Charles Band continues to be the ultimate showman to this day.Charles and host Kevin Lane talk about his early days on set with his father, Albert Band, how the world of independent genre filmmaking has changed since he began, his love of bringing to life inanimate objects, and what the future holds in store for Full Moon.Kevin adores Charles Band. When he first discovered Full Moon in the early 90’s, it was a game changer for him. At the end of every Full Moon movie there was a "making of" segment where Charlie would tell you what was going on with Full Moon and then we’d get to see interviews with the filmmakers and on-set footage of the movies being made. This is WAY before DVD and the idea of special features being a part of your home video experience. Videozone became Kevin's film school and he's sometimes wonder if he would have pursued a career in film if it wasn’t for Charles Band giving him that window into the process.This episode is especially exciting as we have permission from the great Richard Band for the special music cues we've used. You'll notice that we've used a modernized version of the classic Puppet Master theme that Richard did for the film “Puppet Master: Axis Termination over Kevin's intro to the episode.We've used the Full Moon’s Video Zone theme to transition from Kevin's intro into into the conversation. Videozone was a “making of“ featurette included at the end of all Full Moon movies released during the Paramount eta (early 90’s)We've also added the “Full Moon vs Full Moon” main theme from Charles Band‘s hit 1985 film “Ghoulies” which was a surprise success at the box office and has an incredibly famous poster. The film was made under Charles' company Empire Pictures which was a precursor to Full Moon.As always, Charles Band was way ahead of his time. Okay dudes, it is with great pleasure that we present to you the man himself, Charles Band.Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Vampire Radu Vladislas Talks Horror, Character and The 2023 Release of Subspecies: BloodriseEvery generation has their monsters and while the 70’s and 80’s saw the monsters moving away from the gothic castles of Transylvania to the suburbs, there is one monster from the 90’s that reigns supreme in the mold of the classic vampires going all the way back to Max Schreck’s iconic performance as Orlok in F.W. Murnau’s masterwork Nosferatu.Produced in 1991 by genre royalty Charles Band’s Full Moon Entertainment and directed by Full Moon veteran Ted Nicolau, Subspecies has become a beloved franchise spawning multiple excellent sequels including series highlight Bloodstone: Subspecies 2 which may be Full Moon’s best film.There’s a lot about Subspecies to admire from Nicolau’s assured direction to the stunning location shooting in Romania and the rock-solid performances from Denice Duff and Kevin Spirtas as the heroes but the star of the show is unquestionably the series antagonist, Radu.A centuries old vampire, Radu is grotesque and vile, usually gore dripping from his fanged maw while he speaks in a rasping, decrepit voice. This is not the romantic vampire of Hammer films but a force of evil that will stop at nothing to reclaim his birthright, the bloodstone. He’s one of SYG host Kevin Lane’s favorite monsters. Radu is played by Anders Hove.A Danish actor, Ander’s deftly manages the balance of keeping Radu sinister and menacing but also imbues the character with an unexpected empathy and a haunting past. It’s a truly remarkable transformation when you find that Anders himself is a lowkey, kind, thoughtful man.Anders and Kevin Lane talk about his years growing up in Greenland as well as his father’s significant political impact, why he thinks there’s far more important things to life than being an actor, the challenges of shooting in Romania and how important it is to find the humanity when playing a monster.SYG will have more interviews with the folks behind the Subspecies saga, including Charles Band, Ted Nicolau, Denice Duff and Kevin Spirtas as we all prepare for the much anticipated Subspecies: Bloodrise, which sees the gang all returning after a more than 20-year gap since the last film. The film has been shot and will be released in 2023. Without further delay my fledglings, let there be a bloodbath with Anders Hove.Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Whether it’s the endless terrors waiting around every corner in Raccoon City in the beloved Resident Evil franchise, or the fog shrouded streets of the nerve frying Silent Hill series, horror in video gaming has become one of the most popular and effective ways to scare audiences. You’re not just watching and waiting to see the grizzly fates of the characters, you’re controlling it.And as technology has allowed gaming to become more sophisticated and immersive, it has created a relatively new stage for performers. Using technology like motion capture, characters in games are now not just voiced by actors but also performed by them. It’s exciting in gaming to watch some of the great work actors are doing.This year Supermassive Games released The Quarry, a spiritual follow-up to their surprise 2015 hit, Until Dawn. Directed by Will Byles and written by Graham Reznick and Alex Farnham, it’s an edge of your seat ride set at a summer camp and populated by some of your favorite genre faces like Lance Henriksen, Ted Raimi, Lin Shaye and David Arquette.It’s a total blast and is filled with great characters and performances, though, in our opinion, the character Jacob steals the show. Jacob is sort of the classic slasher jock character on the surface but it’s one of the game’s best sleight of hand tricks that he is nothing like what you expect. It’s a wonderfully nuanced performance and one of gaming’s best. The character is played by Zach Tinker.Zach has an extensive background doing short films and in television but we weren't familiar with his work before getting into The Quarry. He enters the game and is funny and charming, and you immediately like him. Then he says or does something idiotic and you think “ah, here’s the meathead of the group,” but it’s all a very clever bit of misdirection in Zach’s performance. As you play the game further, the depth and nuisance Zach brings to this character is one of the games many pleasures. In short, he’s a scene stealer.Zach and SYG host Kevin Lane chat about the challenges of working with motion capture, the many ways the pandemic almost kept this game from happening, how to love your character even if he is a dumbass, and working with genre royalty. Zach is fun and warm, but unlike his character in the game, very thoughtful and curious. If you haven’t played The Quarry, here’s your spoiler warning as Kevin and Zach do give things away. And if you haven’t played the game you’re missing out on one of the year’s best horror offerings. So, grab your swimsuit and mosquito repellent and let’s head off to summer camp with Zach Tinker. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Today on Kevin Lane's Spill Your Guts, we’re talking to one of the great chameleon actors working today. You’ve probably heard that term before when it comes to actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, John Turturro, Sam Rockwell and maybe the most versatile of performers in show business, Gary Oldman. The chameleon actor has the uncanny ability to play both leading man or supporting actor with the same degree of immersive skill. They are usually very different in every role, because whereas some actors are hired to bring their persona to the work (think Jack Nicholson or Tom Cruise), these actors mold and sculpt all aspects of themselves to become the character they portray. Kevin first saw this actor in the groundbreaking 2004 series Battlestar Galactica, in the role of Anders. He was strong and stoic, while also raw and vulnerable. It was a balancing act few actors could have achieved.This has continued to be the trajectory of Michael Trucco ever since. You’ve seen him on countless network series such as the male lead in Fairly Legal, reoccurring roles on shows like How I Met Your Mother, Revenge and Castle, and many more. Never the same, always at the top of his game.In the world of horror, Michael first appeared in Wishmaster 4, in a scene stealing role as the film’s villain. But it was when he was cast in genre master Mike Flanagan’s Hush that Michael really cemented himself as a genre favorite. Now a regular in Flanagan’s ensemble of actors, you have got to see Michael in Midnight Mass. We're guessing you already have, because who didn’t watch it. Midnight Mass is a darkly beautiful series full of big questions and imagery that stays with you long after you’ve finished watching. Michael’s role as the town mayor Wade Scarborough, is a stunning performance. You can't stop watching Michael in this series or help but admire the transformation he makes. This guy didn’t just look and sound completely different than Michael Trucco, he felt like a completely different person.In this conversation with host Kevin Lane, Michael discusses in detail his ongoing work with Mike Flanagan, including his role in the highly anticipated The Fall of the House of Usher. We should mention this conversation was recorded before the highly publicized removal of Frank Langella from the show. Kevin and Michael also talk about working with Doug Jones in the underrated monster movie The Bye Bye Man and his role in Through The Glass Darkly. They also discuss Michael's role in Kevin's 2009 horror movie Lineage, which we've added to the bonus content on our Patreon page. If you get a chance, you should really listen. It includes a very Canadian moment for Kevin as he talks about his inability to accept the idea that Michael said “yes” to the film. We should also mention that this conversation is a little looser then some of our other episodes. Michael and Kevin have become really great friends since their work together in 2009, so this time together was an opportunity to not only talk about his work, but also throw back a few drinks and just hang out together.So, fix yourself your beverage of choice and let’s get into all things Michael Trucco. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ted Raimi is a badass. We all know it. If you’re a horror fan, chances are you know and love him. For decades now, he has been one of the go to actors in the genre. He’s one of those actors who shows up in a movie and you hear a collective outcry from the audience of something like “awesome!” or “I love that guy!”Often in supporting roles - and often scene stealing supporting roles! - Ted has become an audience favorite for his roles in films like Spider-Man 1 and 2, the classic Candyman and Wishmaster. His lead role as a serial killer in the pitch-black film Skinner, showed audiences that Ted could carry a movie and he sure as hell did. It's a mesmerizing performance.And though Ted is always engaging in his onscreen work, it’s also the way he tirelessly champions the horror genre that makes him a great ambassador for fans. Ted wears his horror badge with great pride and knows horror inside and out. He should. Anyone who has seen Skinner knows what I’m talking about.Ted and host Kevin Lane discuss his formative years in the Detroit genre film scene, moving out to Los Angeles and making the life changing commitment to a career as an actor, his love of old school actors and the exciting and challenging differences to creating a character for a video game which he does in the hit horror game The Quarry. And there’s a story about a police car that’s bonkers and had me equally shocked while also laughing out loud. You know Ted Raimi. You love Ted Raimi. Who doesn’t? Ladies and gentlemen, Ted Raimi.You’re welcome. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Captivating, Challenging and Always Entertaining, Dee Wallace Is The Grand Dame of HorrorThere’s an old adage that says never meet your heroes. We’d like to make an amendment to that phrase and change it to never meet your heroes unless they work in the horror genre. Host Kevin Lane has had the great privilege to have friendships with most of his heroes in the world of horror cinema, and to work with many of these friends. And though he cherishes all of those friends and colleagues, there is no one who has made a bigger impact on his life and career than Dee Wallace.Anyone listening to Spill Your Guts is likely a fan of Dee’s vast and astonishing body of work. From the game changing Steven Spielberg blockbuster E.T., where she plays the loveable and entirely authentic single mother of two boys who encounter you know who, to lead roles in smash hit horror films like Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes, Joe Dante’s The Howling, and Stephen Herek’s Critters.The film that made Kevin fall for Dee (and boy did he fall hard!) was Lewis Teague’s film adaptation of Stephen King’s Cujo. In an Oscar worthy performance, Dee plays Donna Trenton, a mother who must protect her child from a rabid Saint Bernard. Almost half of the film features Dee trapped in a Ford Pinto and it is some of the most harrowing work ever put on film. It is no wonder that Stephen King himself has said that Dee’s performance is his favorite of all the performances in film or television based on a character he wrote.And that’s just scratching the surface of Dee’s career which spans over 250 film and television roles, including work with genre legends Peter Jackson in The Frighteners, and an ongoing collaboration with Rob Zombie. However, it isn’t just Dee’s tireless work ethic and standout performances that makes her so special, it’s also a lot to do with the quality of person she is. You will never meet a more genuine, sincere, funny, caring and generous person than Dee Wallace.Dee and Kevin discuss her early years as a girl in Kansas who dreamed of being on the stage, how she has always managed to persevere despite an inordinate amount of loss and hardship, the exhaustive and exhilarating lengths she will go to embody a character. They also discuss her healing work and the incredible impact it has had on some many people both through her speaking engagements and her books. Oh, and they also play a fun game!Though she has played many dark characters, Dee is a bright shining light so sit back and prepare to be inspired.Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to the Spill Your Guts Halloween Special!The Man Behind The Masks: Doug Jones Talks About What It's Like To Truly Embody A MonsterFrankenstein’s monster, the wolfman, Nosferatu (or Count Orlok to be precise) and the Phantom of the Opera. All iconic monsters of early cinema played by equally iconic actors such as Max Schreck, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney Jr. These performances have stood the test of time not only for their inspired makeup and design but because the actors portraying them found the heart in the monster. Whether it’s Karloff’s touching humanity as Doctor Frankenstein’s shunned creation or Max Schreck’s spidery skulking as one of cinema’s earliest vampires, these are the monsters that paved the way for countless monsters throughout film history.In the current landscape of cinema monsters there is one man who casts a very, very long shadow. He has portrayed so many memorable characters that will endure that it’s hard to count. That actor is Doug Jones.For some, Doug’s first stand out role will be as Billy Butcherson in the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. For others, it’s Abe Sapien in Guillermo Del Toro’s hit Hellboy. For Kevin Lane, it’s his dual roles as the Faun and Pale Man in Del Toro’s dark fairy tale masterpiece Pan’s Labyrinth. And it’s in Doug Jones that Del Toro found his muse. Doug’s almost supernatural way of communicating through movement what most actors could not say in a monologue has created a celebrated ongoing collaboration between one of genre cinema’s best filmmakers and best actors. This episode is very special because not only do we adore Doug, but host Kevin Lane had the opportunity to sit down with Doug in person in Toronto. Listeners of Spill Your Guts may know that most of our conversations are recorded remotely. There isn't a better guest for us to have had the opportunity to speak to in the flesh! Doug and Kevin discuss his childhood self-consciousness about his body, his early mime work and sort of meeting Christopher Walken on the set of Tim Burton’s gothic masterpiece Batman Returns, his deliciously evil role as a cannibal in Larry Fessenden’s episode of Fear Itself and his many collaborations with Del Toro, including their best picture Oscar winning film The Shape of Water.As much as Doug has portrayed characters in many magical films, there is nothing more magical then the man himself. Welcome to wonderous world of Doug Jones! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Host Kevin Lane sits down with Neil Marshall, writer/director of The Decent and Dog Soldiers, in anticipation of his new movie The Lair, in wide release October 28, 2022.When asked, SYG host Kevin Lane is often at a loss to name his pick for the scariest movie of all time. It's impossible to answer. However, he will tell you which movie affected him the most of any genre film he's seen in the last 20 years; it's the The Descent. And it's on his short list of what he believes is a film that has it all. Story. Craftsmanship. And heart. With films like Dog soldiers, about a group of soldiers trapped in a cabin surrounded by werewolves; and, Doomsday, a loving tribute to the great work of John Carpenter; to his celebrated work on shows like ABC's Hannibal and HBO's Game of Thrones, Neil has become one of the most accomplished directors working when it comes to spectacularly suspenseful and explosive action and suspense. His work is so exhilarating, it sometimes isn’t until after the film that you realize how much heart is in there too.Neil and Kevin talk about his formative years learning all the crafty tricks making low budget films, how one of said tricks saved a ton of time and money when executing a major moment on Game of Thrones, utilizing a wide frame to create tension and how to shoot in real darkness.So, let’s descend into the darkness with Neil Marshall and prepare to be illuminated! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A Chilling On Screen Presence In The Lost, Cabin Fever 2, Red White & Blue, and The Devil's Carnival Belies This Thoughtful, Creative ActorIn 2006, Kevin was invited by his friends at Anchor Bay Entertainment to attend the Toronto premiere of prolific genre writer Jack Ketchum’s new film “The Lost”. Directed by Chris Sivertson, the film is loosely based on the Pied Piper of Tucson murders. The films antagonist is an eccentric and sociopathic young man named Ray Pye. It’s a challenging character to play as the whole film rests on his shoulders and the audience has to stay with the character but is never charmed by him like they are with Hannibal Lecter or sympathetic toward him like with Noman Bates. The character is played by Marc Senter and it’s a staggering performance. Kevin said to several people after the film, “I can’t wait to see what he does next!”From his role as the damaged and vulnerable Franki in “Red, White and Blue” to “The Scorpion” in Darren Lynn Bousman’s bonkers musical “The Devil’s Carnival”, Marc is an actor who brings something new and surprising to every role. He’s one of those actors that when they appear on screen, you see everyone in the audience sit up as they know something special is about to happen.Marc and Kevin talk about doing your homework as an actor, using a hangover to craft a part of a performance and how deep to dig when playing a real-life psychopath. And unlike the many dark and sinister character’s Marc has played, he a lovely guy who’s open and always present.So, put some crushed beer cans in your boots and let’s explore the mysterious mind of Marc Senter! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

It’s not easy being a leading man in a genre that is primarily known for Scream Queens and masked maniacs. But Thom Mathews is truly one of the great leading men of horror.As Freddy in the beloved zombie classic Return of the Living Dead (Joey in its sequel) and Friday the 13th series hero Tommy Jarvis in franchise favorite Friday The 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, Thom has managed the difficult balance of being both heroic and vulnerable in films that are often thought to be populated by stock characters.Thom and I chat about his experience on Return of the Living Dead, learning comedic timing from heavyweights like James Karen and Clu Gulager; his days running around LA auditioning while rooming with pal George Clooney; making a huge rock designed to drag Jason Vorhees to the bottom of Crystal Lake NOT look like it was made of Styrofoam; and his love of being creative not just as an actor, but also building homes for the who’s who of Hollywood.For Kevin Lane, one of the joys of hosting this show is getting to meet the icons of his childhood, and Thom is certainly one of them. He brings a ton of heart to his work and plenty of BRRRAAAIIINNNSSS. Yep, we went there. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Horror writer Soren Narnia is a bit of a mystery. Not just because as an author and podcaster he keeps his personal life completely tucked away, but also because there’s an enigmatic quality to him as a horror writer and voice over performer that makes him so incredibly compelling to listen to.In fact, Soren’s beloved podcast Knifepoint Horror was the reason Kevin Lane fell in love with the podcast medium to begin with. On Knifepoint, Soren writes and performs all his stories told by a single voice from a first person perspective. There’s a stripped down simplicity to the presentation of his stories that works beautifully, even if though the stories themselves are often far from simple. There’s a campfire tale quality to Soren’s writing and storytelling that elicits a reaction in the listener that reminds us of the great story tellers of our formative years. That and that Soren is a writer whose stories are so often just plain scary. They crawl into your head and have you thinking about them for days, the way most great horror stories do. Soren also has a wickedly dry and droll sense of humor and has you on the edge of your seat one moment and laughing out loud the next. He and host Kevin Lane talk about why he allows people to use his stories without having to pay him anything, his love of 70’s filmmaking and even do a bit of acting.We’re also joined by another star of the narrative horror podcast world, my trusty supervising producer Jason Hill.So, grab yourself a slice of pie and let’s get a glimpse into the wild and wicked mind of Soren Narnia. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Steven Kostanski is one of the most exciting directors currently working in the genre. He’s one of those guys whose love and respect for genre films is absolutely infectious. He began his career like a lot of young filmmakers - rounding up his friends, grabbing a camera, a few gallons of fake blood and just shooting. But horror wasn't his first passion. He tells Kevin Lane that as a kid he was scared just going into the horror section of his local video store. His love of the movies really began with fantasy films, which you can still see the influence of in the horror films he’s made. Specifically Psycho Goreman! The influence of iconic studios like Troma and Full Moon Entertainment (which he and Kevin geek out about a fair bit) is all over his films. Films that capture the spirit and batshit craziness of movies like “The Toxic Avenger” and the “Trancers” series. Steven’s work always demonstrates not just a filmmaker with great skill and a keen eye for the absurd, but characters you really like, so even if they are a melting, depressive “Bio Cop”, you’re rooting for them.Steven Kostanski is a much watch horror director! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode we do something a little different. Kevin Lane finds himself on the other side of the table as it’s him who is the one being interviewed. And interviewed by one of the greatest of interviewers - a prolific filmmaker, writer, journalist and former Fangoria editor-in-chief - the great Chris Alexander.We thought it might be informative and fun for you to get a sense of the beginnings of this show and Kevin's own personal journey into the realm of horror.Thanks again to Chris Alexander for doing this. Chris has been a tremendous supporter of this show and I think he’s one of the greatest spokesmen for the horror genre. We’re very fortunate to have him! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In 2009, Kevin Lane's friend, the brilliant Stuart Gordon, invited him to see his new play, a one man show playing at the Steve Allen Theater in Los Angeles called Nevermore. The star of the show, was the great character actor and star of Re-Animator, Jeffrey Combs.Sitting in the theater, Kevin watched as Jeffrey not just captured Edgar Allan Poe, but as one critic put it “seemed to be channeling him”. It was remarkable to see Jeffrey in the role. As tortured and tragic as he was funny. But that’s the thing with Jeffrey, he’s very much that chameleon actor. We never know what we’re going to get with Jeffrey but we always know it’ll be a hell of a show.From his iconic role as Herbert West in Re-Animator to his bravura performance as the nutty Milton Dammers in Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners, Jeffrey has become one of the most recognizable actors in the genre, something he didn’t really set out to do but has certainly earned.Jeffrey Combs is not just one of the greatest actors working in the horror genre, but one of the greatest actors working period. His work has always excited and inspired us because as you’ll hear, Jeffrey doesn’t just play a part… he gives them life. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of Kevin Lane's Spill Your Guts, we delve into the varied and often surprising career of one of the original queens of scream, Adrienne Barbeau. It’s a bit of a misnomer to call Adrienne a scream queen, because Adrienne prides herself on playing women in horror who aren’t victims. With iconic characters like Stevie Wayne in the The Fog and Maggie in Escape from New York for master of horror John Carpenter (and former husband, but more on that later), Adrienne has never been comfortable portraying women who run from the evil. She prefers to come at it guns a blazing as she did in the The Convent, playing tough as nails survivor Christine.Adrienne’s early career didn’t point to a specialty in films of the macabre as she began on stage with roles like her Tony nominated role as Rizzo in the original Broadway production of Grease. Plenty of other roles on stage followed before Norman Lear choose her to star opposite Bea Arthur in the television classic Maude.Her casting in John Carpenter’s Someone Is Watching Me, playing one of television’s first lesbian characters (played sensitively and free of the clichés that often-marred early television portrayals of gay characters) began her journey down the road of becoming an icon of horror.And working for many of the masters of horror is another highlight of Adrienne’s body of work. From Wes Craven’s Swamp Thing (which during production, Adrienne thought was going to be a total bomb) to George Romero’s Creep Show (playing the delightfully vile Wilma) and Two Evil Eyes to Rob Zombie in his remake of Halloween, Adrienne has truly earned her role in the horror hall of fame.Adrienne and I dig into all these films as well as the role she cherished playing on HBO’s masterful (and unbelievably canceled!) Carnivale and why she thinks every actor is deeply insecure at heart.So, keep an eye out for those fog banks and listen in. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★