All posts by Kenna

About Kenna

Kenna McHugh is an established freelance writer living in California. Her writing credits include the published book, BREAKING INTO FILM, Film Production book for inner-city kids, three screenplays, seven produced plays and hundreds of how-to videos on the Internet. "I love the challenge of writing because the end does satisfy the means. The writer is a valuable being. If the words aren't there the message isn't received. It is as simple as that. Give me a circumstance, a theme and away I go at my keyboard."

50 Horror Movies: Dare You to Watch Alone

classic, cult movie, horror, sequel, slasher, ,

You might not have heard of these horror movies. This article dares you to peek.

“Texas Chainsaw Massacre” follows Leatherface, who slices his victims with a chainsaw.
Source: Kenna McHugh

Comprehensive List of Horror Movies

Lock the doors. Turn off the lights. Grab your snacks. It’s time to watch your favorite horror movies for many reasons. Sometimes, it’s to seek the adrenaline rush, thrill, and suspense that rivets us in a movie theater or at home. Then, we want entertainment through clever storytelling and cinematic elements, such as films like The Sixth Sense or The Others. Some horror films, like Blumhouse’s Happy Death Day movies, offer humor, which is an appreciation. There are so many to choose from. Below is a comprehensive list of horror films. That way, you have many choices of horror movies to enjoy in the safety of your home.

1. The Prodigy

Like every parent, she knows her child is a saint and tries to be a good kid. But what happens when something takes over the child, and he no longer controls his intention?

I enjoyed the horror movie directed by Nicolas McCarthy because it’s beyond creepy figures lurking in shadows. Sarah’s only son, Miles, is acting up too much, which is disturbing. It’s a sign of evil with a supernatural force that overwhelms him.

2. Anna and the Apocalypse

Anna and the Apocalypse is a musical horror movie where zombies roam in the backward town of Little Haven. The undead people are causing all sorts of crazy stuff. But all that Anna and her friends do is dance and sing while trying to handle the Apocalypse. The worst part is that it is happening during Christmas time.

That’s right. The movie is a horror, comedy, and musical. I watched the trailer to take a break from work because it’s so much fun.

3. The Possession of Hannah Grace

A father claims his daughter’s life while performing an exorcism to drive the demons from her body and soul. The daughter ends up in the morgue when it is Megan’s shift. The body looks disfigured but is not dead. Megan is unaware of the young woman’s condition until they are locked in the basement with the two inside the corridors.

4. Slice

The movie poster says, “Dead in 30 Minutes or Less” and “A Way Out Alive.” The movie is a horror film, but it is also a comedy, which I enjoyed.

Austin Vesely wrote and directed this movie about a pizza delivery driver murdered on the job. The city tries to find the culprit with the usual suspects, such as drug dealers, ghosts, and a humiliating werewolf.

Did you recognize Joe Keery from Stranger Things? His role is the photojournalist, and he looks pretty good—Katherine Cunningham, Zazie Beetz, Hannibal Buress, and other quirky cast members star in this movie.

5. Ganja & Hess

Ganja & Hess is a horror movie filled with metaphor and allegory. Produced with a budget of $350,000, Ganja & Hess arrived in 1973 with accolades from the critics and won the Critics’ Week choice during the Cannes Film Festival the year it was released.

I found the movie dated, but you will appreciate it if you’re a devoted horror fan.

Sam Waymon, Mabel King, and Leonard Jackson also star in the movie.

“The last thing I want to do is make a black vampire film… If I had to write about blood, I was going to do that, but I could not just make a movie about blood.”

Bill Gunn told a friend explaining why he didn’t make another black vampire movie like “Blacula.”

6. Unsane

The most unjust and scary situation anyone experienced was being involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital. If you are in this situation, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights is your recourse.

It was hard for me to watch this movie because I felt vulnerable and trapped. It’s how Soderbergh used the iPhone, shooting each scene tight and sometimes with a wide-angle lens.

Soderbergh is a revolutionary filmmaker and doesn’t mind crossing cultural or social barriers.

7. No Solicitors

John Callas writes and directs this eerie but campy terror of a movie. Political satire weaves through the storyline, yet as a horror fan, I only wanted the scary stuff, which is pretty cheesy. Still, it is a festival winner at both Scare-A-Con and Fright Night festivals.

Nobody told the real estate agent about the “no soliciting” at the Cutterman’s home. They seem friendly and helpful, but an invite to dinner means corrupt under-the-table dealings. Drugging the guests tells the story of the horrific family business.

They soon undergo the frightful experience of slowly being eaten piece by piece. The family business is nothing but a farm for selling their internal organs.

8. Hostile

Written and directed by Mathieu Turi, Hostile is a creepy horror movie starring Brittany Ashworth, Grégory Fitoussi, and Javier Botet.

The story takes place after a worldwide epidemic has killed most of the population. The handful of those still alive struggle to survive by searching for shelter and food. A strange and creepy creature roams the area.

Juliette finished her scavenging and headed back to camp. She is in a terrible accident and stranded in her car because of a broken leg.

She is right in the middle of a hostile desert. She must focus on surviving the danger of the post-apocalypse while the creepy creature lurks around the car.

The special effects are decent, and the story moves along with plenty of intense situations and a backstory. The creature lurking around the car is too much for me, so horror fans need to see this movie.

8. Hostile

Written and directed by Mathieu Turi, Hostile is a creepy horror movie starring Brittany Ashworth, Grégory Fitoussi, and Javier Botet.

The story takes place after a worldwide epidemic has killed most of the population. The handful of those still alive struggle to survive by searching for shelter and food. A strange and creepy creature roams the area.

Juliette finished her scavenging and headed back to camp. She is in a terrible accident and stranded in her car because of a broken leg.

She is right in the middle of a hostile desert. She must focus on surviving the danger of the post-apocalypse while the creepy creature lurks around the car.

The special effects are decent, and the story moves along with plenty of intense situations and a backstory. The creature lurking around the car is too much for me, so horror fans need to see this movie.

9. Greta

Neil Jordan directed Greta. His credits include Interview with a Vampire, The Crying Game, The End of the Affair, and Mona Lisa. The story is an idea by Ray Wright, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jordan.

It focuses on Frances, a young woman who becomes friends with a widow. The widow tricks and manipulates Frances to the point where Frances’ life is in danger. The movie trailer is worth watching because it tells most of the story.

10. Gretal & Hansel

It’s not a fairytale or a horror movie for the lighthearted. Gretal & Hansel follows a young girl with her little brother into a dark, foreboding forest. While looking for food and possible work, they fall upon the darkest core of terrifying evil.

Osgood Perkins, the son of Anthony Perkins (Psycho), does an excellent job directing the horrific and chilling story. And yes, there is a witch in the movie.

11. Arrebato

Ivan Zulueta directed this Arrebato in 1979. The 4K restoration Blu-ray means the quality of this classic film is worth buying for diehard horror fans. This horror movie is a blend of Super-8, sex and heroin, following Jose Sirgado, a horror movie director. Jose lives a life of drugs and doubts while he tries to complete his second film.

His ex-girlfriend shows up, and a package from an old friend is at his doorstep. The package contains a door key, an audiotape and Super-8 film. Next, the movie is the ultimate hallucinogenic catharsis from a vertigo strip of filming more and being filmed.

12. Red Snow

Filmed in just 13 days, Red Snow is a low-budget horror movie with a talented cast, making the cinema nightmarish and stiff. But it’s funny as a dark comedy about vampires and lots of blood.

Sean Nichols wrote and directed this film about Olivia Romo, a struggling writer of vampire romance novels. Shut in at a cabin at South Lake Tahoe, she defends herself against actual vampires during Christmas.

An injured bat named Luke crashes into her living room. He turns into a handsome vampire, and a romance blossoms. The problem is that he has vampire friends who want to suck Olivia’s blood while he tries to keep himself from taking a bite out of her.

13. Nope

Jordan Peele wrote and directed Nope, the award-winning director’s stab at the phenomenon of being horrific. Before the film arrived in movie theaters, it was all hush-hush.

The story is about a brother and sister who run a horse ranch and stumble upon something fantastic and horrific in the skies above. An owner of a theme park next to the farm tries to captialize on the mysterious and otherworldly phenomenon.

14. You Won’t Be Alone

Goran Stolevski helms this horrific, creepy tale about a witch. The horror movieoccurs in an isolated mountain village in 19th-century Macedonia, Southeast Europe. It tells a bizarre story about a young girl kidnapped by an ancient spirit and turned into a witch.

15. Halloween Kills

Gleaned from the characters John Carpenter and Debra Hill created, “Halloween Kills” brings back Jamie Lee Curtis in her iconic role and Judy Greer with Anthony Michael Hall.

Fed up with Michael Myers hunting them, the citizens of Haddonfield decide to pursue Myers and hunt him down. Some may think Myers will never die, no matter how hard Laurie Strode tries.

16. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

Michael Chaves masterminds The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, which displays a chilling tale of terror, a true story. The story spends time with real-life paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren, starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson.

Believed to be one of their most sensational cases, they fight for the soul of a young boy. For the first time in the U.S., a murder suspect claims demonic possession as a defense.

17. The Night House

David Bruckner brings us The Night House. A widow discovers her deceased husband’s disturbing secrets, which turn horrific and diabolical. Rebecca Hall is believable as the widow. The trailer shares more details.

The movie focuses on past events without flashback scenes. It’s all linear, and the special effects make it terrifying.

18. The Empty Man

The Empty Man will fill your horror obsession with the mysterious disappearance of teenagers. James, an unsettled retired cop, gets thrust into motion to investigate these disappearances. He follows leads, tying a secretive occult-determined group to a frightening provincial legend. James admits that his life — those nearest to him — is in horrific danger.

19. Spiral

Having a stand-up comedian, Chris Rock, portray the brazen Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks in a SAW spinoff movie is pretty spectacular. Zeke works in the shadow of a respected police veteran, played by Samuel L. Jackson.

Zeke has a rookie partner, played by Max Minghella. Both take over a grisly investigation into murders eerily reminiscent of the city’s gruesome past. Zeke ends up at the core of the killer’s macabre game, unknowingly entrapped in an intensifying mystery.

20. Abigail

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett directed the horror film. The cast includes Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud and Giancarlo Esposito.

All the kidnappers need to do is collect a $50 million ransom after abducting the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of an influential underworld figure. Monitor the girl throughout the night in a remote mansion.

As the captors diminish one by one, they gradually realize with increasing terror that they have trapped themselves with an abnormal little girl.

21. Red Letter Day

Red Letter Day is a raucous horror-comedy but still scary. Cameron Macgowan wrote and directed the movie about a divorced mother who adjusts to a new life in a quiet suburban community. Her two teens receive eerie red letters demanding they kill each other or get killed.

Macgowan crafted a true neighborhood nightmare, and the acting is convincing.

The low-budget movie is scary and funny. Diehard horror fans will have a kind heart for the film.

22. Marrowbone

You will see some familiar faces in Sergio G. Sanchez’s Marrowbone, such as Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton and George MacKay. A screenwriter for such haunting films as The Orphanage and The Impossible, Sanchez has made a name for himself.

Marrowbone follows four siblings filled with secrets, enticing you to live inside their world. The siblings cross the Atlantic, escaping from a mysterious trauma that has a life of its own. They find refuge in an old home after the death of their mother, then uncover something horrific about the house, a more sinister occupant, and it turns into a haunting tale.

The siblings are lively, like kids, but also display uneasiness, coming across as an unusual romanticism and a beautifully framed movie.

Another character in the movie is the house, semi-abandoned with an unkept yard that marks the boundary between the home and the outer civilization—isolated with no signs of modern life.

23. The Last Witch Hunter

Breck Eisner directs The Last Witch Hunter as a large-scale and admirable movie, taking a distinct urban fantasy-horror universe. The film looks different from other films of the same genre.

It begins in the past with silver-haired warriors on a vital journey to slay the evil Witch Queen. She placed a curse on the whole countryside. The warriors fight bravely with suspense and terror as if fighting a monster, not a witch. All in all, this part of the movie is outstanding.

Come forward and meet Kaulder, played by Van Diesel, an immortal hero with a very complicated or uneasy personality. Michael Caine and Elijah Wood also star. If you are familiar with Diesel’s characters, you know he is still arrogant and badass.

Eisner uses a lot of action scenes with some horrifying scenes, a solid supporting cast, and CGI with animated monsters and crazy spells.

24. The Quiet Ones

The Quiet Ones is a horror film similar to The Sixth Sense or The Others, based on a true story. John Pogue directs this horror movie, which is worth seeing for fans of the genre.

An actual experiment at Oxford in 1974, this film brings to light the profound notion of what the supernatural experience might manifest in the minds of believers who have a few screws loose.

We watch Professor Coupland, graduate students Krissy and Harry and videographer Brian (Sam Claflin of The Hunger Games franchise). They investigate the psychic phenomena of the destructive young Jane with the rationale of treating her. Like all psychiatric treatment, it’s brutal and inhumane.

You’ll jump out of your chair or skin, whichever comes first.

25. Prey for the Devil

Daniel Stamm directed Prey for the Devil, and the movie begins with a worldwide upsurge in demonic possessions. The Catholic Church renews exorcism schools to instruct priests in the Rite of Exorcism.

An unlikely serviceperson, a budding nun, Sister Ann, rises on this spiritual frontline. Propel onto the spiritual battleground along with fellow student Father Dante. Sister Ann struggles for the soul of a young girl.

Sister Ann acknowledges that the same demon that possessed the girl is the same one who plagued her mother years ago. Sister Ann discovers the Devil has her exactly where he needs her, and he craves to get into her soul.

26. Candyman

Anthony’s painting career has stalled, and a fluke encounter with an old-timer reveals the tragically horrific nature of the actual tale behind Candyman.

Anthony wants to maintain his status in the Chicago art world, so he explores these gruesome details in his workshop.

He sees it as a refreshing way to restart his career and paint again. Unknowingly, he opens the door to an intricate past that tatters his sanity and releases a terrifyingly viral surge of violence, putting him on a collision trajectory with destiny.

Nia DaCosta wrote and directed Candyman, a horror movie with a bona fide story worth following.

27. Fantasy Island

Welcome to a spin on the television series Fantasy Island, a horror film. Jeff Wadlow directed the movie, which he also wrote, and Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs co-wrote.

The obscure Mr. Roarke makes the secret dreams of his fortunate guests come true. With a luxurious but remote tropical resort as the background, one can’t help but feel it’s a true fantasy.

But the fantasies turn into nightmares. The guests have to decipher the island’s mystery to flee with their lives.

28. The First Omen

Arkasha Stevenson directed The First Omen, an American horror film written by Stevenson, Keith Thomas, and Tim Smith. It is based on a story written by Ben Jacoby.

In the film, Nell Tiger Free portrays an American woman in a prequel to The Omen. Upon arriving at a church in Rome, she stumbles upon a sister conspiracy plotting the birth of the Antichrist.

Bill Nighy, Ralph Ineson, and Sonia Braga are among the cast members.

29. Slender Man

Eric Knudsen created Slender Man. A mythical character spun on Something Awful, an Internet Forum. Now, a horror movie was written by David Birke with the same title.

The movie follows four high school girls living in a small town in Massachusetts. The girls conduct a ritual to unveil the lore of Slender Man. One of the girls disappears, and the others suspect she is Slender Man’s latest victim.

30. Smile

Dr. Rose Cotter witnessed a bizarre, terrifying incident involving a patient. After experiencing frightening circumstances, she can’t solve them.

As an overwhelming terror takes over the doctor’s life, she must face her troubling past to survive and escape her horrifying, twisted reality.

It appears the film is popular with horror fans because a sequel soon followed.

31. The Black Phone

The horror movie focuses on a dead phone that rings and rings to save a boy’s life.

The horror film follows a shy but intelligent 13-year-old boy named Finney, who a perverse killer abducts. Screaming does little good because the killer trapped the boy in a soundproof basement. Screaming does little good.

A disconnected phone rings. Finney picks up the phone and hears the killer’s previous victims, ensuring what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.

32. Last Night In Soho

The film descends into terror and mind games, following a young girl named Eloise. She’s intense about fashion design. Yet London is puzzling for her because it differs from where she grew up. There is a bad side to London, which is horrific.

Edgar Wright directs a stellar cast that includes AnyaTalor-Joy, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg, and Thomasin McKenzie.

Eloise can time travel to the 1960s, where she meets her idol, Sandie, a striking up-and-coming singer.

It’s a psychological horror movie that gradually builds like a Hitchcock thriller.

33. Fear of Rain

A teenager, Rain Burroughs, becomes caught in the synthetic psychiatric balderdash of labeling and being diagnosed with the made-up illness called schizophrenia.

Rain grapples, trying to figure out which of the harrowing voices, disturbing images, and traumatic feelings she goes through are genuine and which are all in her mind, imagination.

She sees shadows and hears cries from her neighbor’s attic, hiding a horrific secret. Caleb, a charmingly uneasy new boy, says he’ll help Rain. Yet, she wonders if he is even real.

The movie is a frightening thriller, taking you inside Rain’s mind as she confronts the terrifying hallucinations to determine whether genuine horror exists and hides right next door.

34. Freaky

Freaky gets entangled as a body-swap movie where a teenage girl switches bodies with a persistent serial killer. The cast looks promising with Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton, and Celeste O’Connor.

It’s horrific and funny as seventeen-year-old Millie tries to survive the lethal halls of Blissfield High.

It’s the inhumanity of the popular crowd that gets her down. Yet she becomes the latest target of The Butcher, her town’s notorious serial killer. Her senior-year angst soon becomes the least of her worries.

Mille becomes trapped as a middle-aged maniac, and she looks like a massive psychopath who’s the mark of a city-wide search. Now, The Butcher looks like her and has brought his longing for more bloodbaths to the homecoming dance.

35. Goodnight Mommy

The film stars Naomi Watts, and it’s a remake of the Austrian movie with the same title.

The horror movie follows twin brothers arriving at their mother’s country home. They discover she has covered her face with bandages, explaining she had cosmetic surgery.

The boys immediately discern something amiss with her odd behavior, setting strange new house rules, smoking in her bathroom, and secretly ripping up a drawing they gifted her.

Her conduct grows increasingly eccentric and unpredictable. A terrifying thought festers in the boys’ minds. A sinking apprehension that the woman underneath the dressings, preparing their food and sleeping in the next room, is not their beloved mother.

36. The Grudge

The storyline is derived from the Japanese film Ju-On: The Grudge, written and directed by Takashi Shimizu.

Horror movie alums Sam Raimi produced the American version of the Shimizu film, a twisted take on the horror classic. Yet, Raimi’s version is scarier. If you worship horror, you will treasure this movie. The bathtub scene is visually more sinister than all the clips I’ve seen — it’s super frightening.

37. Black Christmas

Here’s a horror holiday movie for us diehard horror fans. Who wants to watch White Christmas!?

It’s a timely horror movie that looks like a 1974 slasher classic. But as a present tone, a campus killer faces a formidable sisterhood.

Hawthorne College closes for the holidays, yet Riley Stone and her Mu Kappa Epsilon sisters, including athlete Marty, rebel Kris, and chef Jesse, prepare a series of seasonal parties.

A black-masked stalker kills sorority women, and the body count advances. Riley, with her squad of sisters, asks themselves if a man is trustworthy or if they are all killers.

Whoever the killer is, he realizes that young women of this generation aren’t about to be victims.

38. The Turning

Inspired by Henry James’ milestone novel, the haunted-house horror thriller The Turning is a beguiling tale starring Finn Wolfhard from Stranger Things.

The story begins at a mysterious estate in the Maine countryside. A newly appointed nanny, Kate, takes charge of caring for two disturbed orphans, Flora and Miles. Shortly, she learns that the children and the house conceal dark secrets. Things may not be as they seem.

39. Countdown

The Countdown is a techie horror movie that follows a nurse who downloads an app, claiming to predict when an individual will die. The app tells her she has three days to live.

A figure haunts her as the clock ticks, noting her death is near. She has to find a way to save her life as time runs out.

The trailer is acutely frightful, and horror buffs will get their blood pumped.

40. Antlers

The horror movie surpasses others with excellent direction by Scott Cooper. It has a stellar cast, including Keri Russell and Jess Plemons.

The movie follows a young, creepy boy in a small town in Oregon. He reads his story to his teacher, and it’s so sinister and undeniably horrifically evilly wild.

His story is so sinister that it is deniably evil and wild. The town’s sheriff and teacher investigate the possible horrors within this boy’s life.

41. Underwater

Underwater is a horror movie about a crew of underwater researchers who must scramble to safety after an earthquake destroys their underground laboratory. But something has awakened.

The horror movie stars Twilight‘s Kristen Stewart, and she looks good in the trailer, wearing a bra and cropped blonde hair.

Though the movie follows Stewart, she has a talented cast supporting her. Its style looks terrifying.

42. The Hunt

The studio had shelved The Hunt for a long time because of the political climate in the United States. An accurate parody of the dark internet conspiracy theory, a globalist elite group gathers at a remote Manor House.

Here, for the first time, they hunt humans for sport. But the Illuminati’s master plan goes off the rails because a hunted woman is better at the hunters’ game than they are.

Crystal turns the tables on the killers, picking them off one by one as she makes her way toward the mysterious woman at the center.

For a horror movie, you’ll experience underlying humor with an intensity that boils to eruption.

43. Ready or Not

Ready or Not is a bizarre horror movie where you know you shouldn’t take it seriously. The story follows newlyweds who must suffer through a deadly ritual with their fiancé’s family after the wedding.

For obvious and horrific reasons, the family is not only eccentric but wealthy, implementing a dangerous, time-honored game in which not just the newlyweds fight for survival.

You might see familiar faces, such as Andie MacDowell and Adam Brody.

44. Crawl

The horror film is about a giant hurricane crashing into a Florida hometown. Haley ignores evacuation directives and searches for her missing father instead, which makes for an intense horror thriller.

She locates him severely injured and stuck in the family home’s crawl space. The two become cornered by swiftly advancing floodwaters. Their period to flee runs out, and the intense storm with surging water levels is not what causes the threat to survival. They must deal with a massive and savage alligator.

The horrific film stars Kaya Scodelario, Barry Pepper, and Morfydd Clark.

45. MA

It seems like it’s all for fun and games. But soon, it turns into a horror movie. Ma welcomes everybody to her home to party and drink, yet good luck making it home.
Sue Ann is an outsider in a quiet Ohio town.

One day, she buys alcohol for Maggie, a new teenager in the city, after Maggie asks her. Sue Ann takes advantage of the trusting teen and some of Maggie’s friends.
She allows the teenagers to hang out in her basement.

But they must follow some house rules, such as staying sober, not cursing, calling her “Ma,” and never heading upstairs.

But as Ma’s friendliness changes to obsession, what begins as a teenage fantasy becomes a horrifying nightmare, and Ma’s place goes from the funniest hangout to the worst place in the world.

Tate Taylor directs Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, and Juliette Lewis.

46. Child’s Play

It’s the contemporary remake of the 1988 horror classic.

If you loved Chuckie, you’d love this movie about Karen, a single mother who gifts her son Andy a Buddy doll, heedless of its more demonic nature.

Now, Andy and his friends try to destroy Chuckie. But he’s one tough buddy doll. He even wields a kitchen knife.

47. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

You might have heard about these scary stories before, and boy, are they creepy! These old and simple horror stories told over a campfire are captivating, with a lesson learned.

Alvin Schwartz wrote the frightening children’s book series. Famed horror filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is one of the producers.

The large cast includes Zoe Colletti, Michael Garza, and Gabriel Rush.

48. Us

Jordan Peele wrote and directed the horror movie Us, which follows a family on a wicked summer vacation, expecting to have a great time with friends. Still, their tranquillity turns to anxiety and chaos when some creepy visitors arrive without being invited.

The horror film is well-thought-out and has enough horror to keep you hiding behind your popcorn. Elizabeth Moss co-stars in the movie, and she brings a sinister character to a whole new level.

49. Alien: Romulus

Alien is a franchise, which Ridley Scott first directed in 1979, that introduced Sigourney Weaver. The franchise has lasted decades and is now a streaming series.

Fede Alvarez helmed Alien: Romulus, a horror movie set in space written by Dan O’Bannon, Fede Alvarez, and Rodo Sayagues. In the film, a group of young people encounter an unimaginably terrifying alien life form. Ridley Scott began the franchise in 1979 with Alien. Then, James Cameron brought us Aliens in 1986, and David Fincher delivered Alien 3 in 1992. Alien Resurrection, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, arrived in 1997.

50. Immaculate

Immaculate follows Sister Cecilia, played by Sydney Sweeney. A devout American nun journeys to a distant convent in the Italian countryside. What starts as a warm welcome for Cecilia quickly spirals into a nightmare as she realizes her new home holds a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors.

Michael Mohan directs the horror movie that twists, dips and turns for 89 minutes, leaving traumatized and haunted.

Kids Modeling and Acting Jobs

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Winston and Khan

Modeling for Babies, Toddlers, and Children

A baby and teen modeling career requires certain factors besides your child being the cutest thing you have ever seen. This article explains how to get your kid into modeling and acting.

Are you sure your baby or child is photogenic and has the most beautiful smile, but are they willing and excited about modeling?

If not, don’t encourage them until they are enthusiastic about the modeling business. You have to be ready, too.

You will take time out of your schedule to take your child to agencies to meet potential clients. As long as you can handle dragging yourselves to and fro, you and the child will reap the rewards of a successful career.

Full-Time Job

Parents with full-time jobs can’t develop a modeling career for their children. The shuffling around takes hours and hours in the middle of the day. You have to be ready at a moment’s notice. Working a 9-to-5 job is not practical.

Baby Acting and Modeling

You need to consider how well your baby can handle modeling demands. Observe your baby with strangers or the babysitter. How do they behave? Keep this question in mind as you consider baby modeling. A baby who handles changes in their napping and feeding times is great for acting and modeling.

Living an hour away from a modeling agency is a good idea. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, and Dallas are the top cities for modeling and acting work. In minor cities, agencies might have a satellite office.

Casting Calls

Portfolio Is Not Necessary at First

Get a couple of good photos of your baby. You can even take the first photos to see if any agency calls you back. The images could be three-quarter shots or headshots.

Send the photos to a couple of agencies with a letter of introduction. It would be best if you earn some callbacks. If not, send pictures to other agencies until you get an interview.

Be ready immediately—some acting and modeling jobs need to be filled immediately. If you and your baby stay prepared, you’ll get a lot of work done.

Your baby will receive offers for modeling, film, and television work by keeping your horizons open.

Baby Ads Agencies

Remember, legitimate modeling agencies will never ask you for money.

They give you money for the work they get you and your child.

No matter your child’s age, opportunities are available for them to model. The growth of film, television, cable, and Internet industries makes it worthwhile. That means more opportunities for modeling and acting jobs.

There are countless movies with child actors starring in small and large roles. Most of them were baby and child models. Oscar-nominated Little Miss Sunshine is one example. Dakota Fanning, who worked with notable stars such as Tom Cruise (War of the Worlds) and Denzel Washington (Man on Fire). Her sister, Elle Fanning, also stars in movies.

Model and Acting for Kids

You receive many rewards for helping your child pursue a modeling or acting career. You get to spend quality time with your child. They will learn something new every day on the set.

Children who work in modeling or film develop self-confidence. They have a better understanding of others. Working in modeling or film is an effective way to pay for your child’s college education. Most parents act as the child’s manager and earn 20% of the child’s income.

Artifex

Getting Your Kids in the Film Business

What does having a child “make it” in the film business? That is half the battle if a child is willing and excited about modeling and acting. But the parent needs to be as prepared and excited as possible. Both are taking time out of their busy schedules.

They go to auditions, shoots, and film sets. Transporting your child actor or model around town can take all day. The work is longer than eight hours, and both get paid for it. It is part of being successful as a model, actor, and parent.

Do You Need to Move to Hollywood?

Moving to Hollywood is not necessary to get your child started. Many cities have a film production community. At times, major film companies come to cities and towns across the United States to film on location. San Francisco, Miami, New York, Austin, Texas, and Seattle are popular locations.

Develop a Career in Acting or Modeling

Here are some suggestions to get your son or daughter started in modeling or acting:

  • Encourage your child to enroll in the drama department at her school. They can enroll in a local acting class for children.
  • Before enrolling in a private acting class, ask to sit in on a course. You talk to the class parents, get feedback, and ensure it is a suitable class and teacher for your child.
  • Research and find a legitimate agent. Agents who register with the union are the ones your child should see. They follow the laws and regulations. If they don’t, they get fined.
  • Make sure you practice with your child on being in an interview with an agent or casting director. Have them practice talking about themselves. They need to practice to be comfortable and make a solid first impression.
  • When you meet with an agent, find out what they need regarding headshots and resumes. Sometimes agents have standard handouts they give their clients with specific instructions. Make sure you read these instructions and understand them. If you have any questions, ask them right away.
  • Always be very encouraging with your child – always on the positive side.
  • Remember to have fun!

Support Your Kids

Give support to your son or daughter. They will become models and break into the film business. It is a competitive field and a commendable act.

The rewards are plenty. The best you can do is keep researching and staying on top of the business. It can only make your job a lot easier. Good Luck!

How to Develop a Film Production Budget

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Learn the ins and outs of creating a film budget. It leads to less stress and more success. This article shares key points for a successful film production budget.

Mastering a film production budget gives you the power to produce fantastic movies.
Source: RDNE Stock project

Budgeting is an integral part of becoming a successful filmmaker. Developing a budget for your film requires you to forecast the costs of producing the movie—the more complex the project, the more specific details you need to set within the budget. In a nutshell, the film’s budget is your guidebook. Your success is based on how well you can follow your budget and prevent production costs from escalating. The budget is simply a guidebook that controls costs and safeguards the money needed to produce and bring the film to the silver screen.

The budget is all about listing every expense involved in making the film before production. The filmmaker can create a complete and thorough budget after breaking down a script and organizing a production board. The filmmaker working with the line producer does the task, which saves the producers a lot of heartache.

The budget is based on the screenplay you choose to produce. A story with few characters and locations in your hometown is cheaper than one with many characters and locations worldwide. Developing a sound budget depends on how well the script is broken down in terms of cost.

Example of Budgeting a Film Script

For example, a screenplay may appear simple with only one, two or three characters, yet it may include a scene that describes:

53. EXT – FARM – NIGHT

Flashes of lightning cover the night sky. Three Horses race out of the barn as lightning strikes the giant oak tree. Helen comes out of the farmhouse to face the burning tree and watch the horses run off.

Even though the “flashes of lightning cover the night sky” and “Three Horses race out of the barn as lightning strikes the large oak tree” offer stimulating visuals, they could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to create. Filmmakers may need to rewrite a dramatic scene to fit a smaller budget.

53. EXT – FARM – NIGHT

Flashes of lightning light up the farmhouse. Horses squeal and roar from the barn as Helen hears lightning strike the giant oak tree. Helen comes out of the farmhouse to face the burning tree. She crosses to the barn and sees the empty stalls. The horses have run off.

Going with the first attempt would have resulted in higher costs. The creation of lightning, horses racing out, and lightning strikes on the giant oak tree would have required additional crew, a special effects coordinator, and computer-generated imagery. The second attempt keeps the storyline with flashes of lightning on the house, not in the sky. The burning oak tree can easily be a prop in the dark. Hearing the horses and Helen seeing that they had run off doesn’t require horses. A creative filmmaker can keep the budget down as long as the storyline moves forward. In other words, more money spent on a film means more problems to solve.

Several Budget Top Sheet templates are available online. Find the one you’re most comfortable using.
Source: Fillm Proposals

Budget Top Sheet Organizes Expenses

Filmmakers work off a Budget Top Sheet. It provides a summary of how the money is allocated during the filmmaking process.

At the top of the top sheet is the general information used in forming the budget. The names of the producer and director are listed at the top because they are responsible for overseeing the overall budget. Other information given is the start date and completion date of the production. It is imperative to understand the top sheet, as any changes to it will affect the entire budget dynamic. The top sheet will inevitably change because the production stage of a film is the most liable aspect of the process. Unknown factors, such as location, weather, actors, stunt performers, and production issues, can cause liability.

Above-The-Line vs Below-The-Line Costs

Two distinct divisions separate the budget: above-the-line and below-the-line. Based on the early days of Hollywood, the positions above the line were the more important creative elements in the production, such as screenwriters, producers, directors, and actors. Any costs relating to these categories were above the line. The below-the-line division is subdivided into the production period, the editing period, and miscellaneous overhead expenses associated with the entire production process. Obviously, a production designer, an art director, a cinematographer, a sound designer, a composer, an editor, and a costume designer are all important creative forces. Still, their costs fall below the line. It is a wise filmmaker who recognizes that everyone working on the production is an innovative resource because filmmaking is a collaborative process.

Each production has unforeseen costs.
Source: Cottonbro Studio

Above-the-line production positions recognize the four guilds that classify certain creative personnel on a project: the Screen Actors Guild, the Directors Guild, the Producers Guild and the Writers Guild. We find all the rest of the union and federation members below the line.

Adding the above-the-line costs and the total below-the-line costs presents the direct cost for the whole production. Remember, this is not the final budget, as other unforeseen costs may arise. A contingency line is added to the top sheet for those unexpected elements. The contingency is predetermined as a percentage of the overall budget. Ideally, a 10 percent contingency fee should work. However, some productions have been as high as 30 – 40 percent. A contingency fee is the requirement for procuring a completion bond. Therefore, the direct cost, the contingency fee, and the completion bond make up the total cost for production. The top sheet of the budget also includes “other fees,” such as bank interest or other indirect costs that the filmmaker may not be aware of until after the budget is finalized.

What are Deferments in Film Production?

On the top sheet of the budget, you can include deferments. This is when the filmmaker determines that the available funds for the production are insufficient to cover the talent or services. The idea of deferred payment was introduced and developed in the 1970s. The advantage of deferred payment is that one doesn’t have the money or wherewithal to pay for the talent or services. As a result, they can pay them later. The disadvantage is that the talent or service can charge interest on the deferred payment, which will cost the production more money than if they had paid them upfront, and deferred payments are added to the negative cost. Then, the filmmaker will have a reputation for exceeding the production budget. Negative cost is the expense of producing a film. It excludes such costs as distribution and promotion. An example of a sound deferment is the Directors Guild allowing producers to hire its members based on the project’s budget. If the amount is less than $6 million, they pay 70 percent of the salary to the director, while the remaining 30 percent is deferred. In the bargain, they pay an additional 25 percent to the director for agreeing to the deferment.

The filmmaker should explore all options to keep the project within its budget while maintaining creativity. Yet, the producer pays attention to innovative suggestions that deviate from the original financial plan. It’s their job to help the project stay within its financial limits.

Although a budget is created for the overall production, it serves primarily as a guidebook for making decisions within the budget’s parameters. The budget must always stay within those parameters. If it does, the filmmaker must seek additional funding to complete the project.

As the project moves into production, it will take on a life of its own. You must safeguard your creative vision while avoiding getting lost in budget misfortunes. That is where the line producer comes in and manages the overall production flow.

The Indie Producers Handbook: Creative Producing from A to Z

The Indie Producers Handbook: Creative Producing from A to Z

This is my go-to book for film production. I recommend reading The “Indie Producer’s Handbook: Creative Producing from A to Z,” written by a film producer, Myrl A. Schreibman. It delivers a comprehensive and practical guide to running a film on a budget.

Film Career: Professional Set Painter

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What is a set painter?

Set Painter Jobs

If you are a professional painter and want to expand your career, consider being a set painter for the film industry. This article explains how you can become a set painter on a movie production.

Being a set painter is not being a painter of army paint sets. Though young and old kids enjoy the hobby of painting a whole regiment of army paint battlefields set, this is a real job on a film set design.

When hired, you arrive with your paint supplies ready to paint the set or stand by if they need a quick touch-up while filming a scene.

If you are a professional painter or like to paint houses, buildings, and fences, and want to expand your career, consider being a set painter for the film industry.

You meet talented people from all over the world. The pay and benefits are exceptional, and you work in a very creative environment. You’ll meet movie stars!

Runaway Productions Create Local Film Production

“Runaway productions” is a term used to describe films produced outside of Hollywood on location. The film industry coined these words because productions often move away from Hollywood to make more money. It is not profitable for Hollywood, but it is excellent for you to live outside Hollywood and get a job in film production as a set painter.

Certain cities, like Seattle or San Francisco, invite runaway productions to film in their area because they want the money. Some, including states, offer credit or tax incentives, like Massachusetts or Georgia, to save film production money.

Build your contacts—use business cards—to procure more work after the film wraps.

Cold Call Film Offices

How Do You Get Hired onto a Film Set?

Pull out your yellow pages phone book and call film commission offices to see if they can add you to their list of set painters available for work. The idea is to get a set painter job on a film production that comes to town or within a 100-mile radius. Work on the production to start developing your resume, including film credit.

Start as a set painter on a film as a non-union member. Build your contacts—use business cards—to procure more work after the movie wraps.

You might get a gig as the head painter or standby painter.

Become the Lead Painter

Discover how quickly you will advance to another production. You might even get a gig as the head painter or standby painter. The secret to doing this is getting to know the production designer of each job you get in film production. Say something like, and mean it, “I want to work with you again.” It can escalate from there.

Carve a little niche for yourself as the only painter in a 100-mile radius who works for films, television, and commercials.

Work Within a 100-mile Radius

Establish yourself as the lead painter in this 100-mile radius. That way, your reputation leads you to more work. One production designer will tell another production designer, who will tell another, and well, you do the math—that’s a lot of painting gigs.

Remember that word of mouth is the best impression of whether or not you work in this industry.

Keep in mind that word of mouth is the best impression on whether you work or not in this industry.

Painter’s Success Story

Steve is a scenic artist and head painter who paints movie sets. He makes the wood look like metal. Metal looks like wood, the old look new, and so on.

In the movie production of Don Juan Demarco, the crew painted the whole town while Steve put moss in the fountains and used dark green auto paint on the water.

How did Steve get his first job? He told a carpenter he worked with, who was going on to a TV series production, to call him if they needed any painters. They did, and he went to work in the paint department.

Steve studied art in high school and worked as a construction draftsman and illustrator in the Army. He then attended the Art Institute of Chicago for a year. For over fifteen years, he has designed and painted television sets.

He joined Seattle IA Local 15. However, the union was not doing what the members needed to find work in the film industry, so Steve pitched in and helped form Local 488, a local union for studio mechanics. After he moved to L.A., he joined 729 local painters but kept his membership in Local 488.

How Much are Union Fees?

Fees vary by the location of each local union in each city. The LA Local 729 is the best union to contact for more information.

Steve says working in films is a team project. If you get the reputation of being hard to work with or self-centered, the word gets around. Dealing with high pressure, tight deadlines, and last-minute changes is essential.

“But, those in my position, a seasoned set painter, at my level get jobs on our own.”

Film Production in Various Cities

Steve says the union has helped him get work by being a member. “But those in my position, a seasoned set painter, at my level get jobs on our own.”

In addition to Seattle and Portland, Steve worked on features in Minneapolis, Memphis, Cincinnati, Salt Lake City, Hong Kong, and Twin Falls.

Of course, he always worked on shows in Hollywood, even before moving to Los Angeles, the heartland of moviemaking.

How to Become a Location Scout

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Production designers, artist directors and directors need competent location scouts. Source: Rafal Maciejski

Have you ever thought of being a location scout or manager?

Location Scouts and Location Managers

Do any of these jobs interest you in having a career in film? Read on and let me know your thoughts on being an art director, location scout, or location manager. All three jobs place you right in the film industry—right on the set, working with the producer and director.

Location Scouting: A True Art Form

Location scouts get hired early in the pre-production phase of making a movie. Location scouts or location managers work with the art director and director to find the ideal location for a particular shot in a film scene.

Nathan works all over the world as a location scout. “You are trying to interpret the script while finding the right location that can make all the difference in the movie.”

He makes the director’s job easy because he finds the environment suitable for the story. A location scout finds the house for the perfect location to shoot the scene. It makes all the difference in the world to be sharp and intuitive as a location scout.

Norman Reedus of “The Walking Dead” gives homage to the location scout.

The Ingenuity of the Location Scout

While it’s true that the art director and director get all the credit, it all starts with the ingenuity of the location scout.

The location scout will find the location for the director and then get the director’s approval. Usually, when the film goes into production, the location scout will switch hats and become the location manager.

Location Scout Salaries

A location scout is a glamorous job, but the pay is not outstanding. On average, an independent contractor location scout makes around $81,000 to $111,000 a year.

Location scouts who work for a production company will make about half of what an independent contractor does, but working for a production company guarantees a steady paycheck.

Do Location Scouts Travel?

Some reports on the internet state that location scouts travel around the world. If they work for a production company, of course, that could be true. But most location scouts work in their local area.

If they are independent contractors, they work in their local region.

One particular scout works in the Northern California area and rarely travels. He would only if a former client asked him to scout for production outside of his jurisdiction, but that was very rare.

Financially, it is easier for a production company to hire a local scout because they are familiar with the area.

There are times when a production company cannot hire a local scout because no local scout is available in the area. Then it would make sense to hire one the company has worked with before since they have an established rapport and work ethic.

Being a location scout for a film can be a rewarding experience.

Scout to Manager

Some location scouts stay with the production after scouting and become the location manager. The reason for this is that a location scout often helps with permits and other city regulations for the production even before filming begins.

Since the location scout is familiar with the locations and working permits, it makes sense that the production company keeps them on the payroll.

The location manager handles all the logistics of using the location, such as permits and approval from local governments. Whenever problems arise on-site, it’s the location manager’s responsibility to handle them.

Such things that could arise are noise control or crowd control. Even when the electricity goes out, the location manager quickly remedies the problem.

They are responsible for ensuring that filming can continue at that location—because time is money in film production.

Being a location manager is a bit tense at times. Nathan is an independent contractor, and he has a lot of freedom. “I am pretty much my own boss.”

Location Scouts Work With The Artistic Director

Art directors work closely with the production designer. Together with the location scout, they design the physical environment of the film set. Their job is to create the mood that the script dictates to the director.

Art directors supervise many different people in the production, such as illustrators, scenic designers, model makers, carpenters, painters, electricians, laborers, set decorators, costume designers, animal makers, and makeup and hairstyling artists.

Art directors are architects or come up through the ranks of theater designers or set designers. It is not uncommon to hear how an art director favored carpentry or stagecraft in school.

After finding the location and working with the location manger, the artistic director molds any area and turn it into what gives life to the characters and energy to the story. They take an exterior location of a building and match the interior of the same building on a soundstage.

They stay on top of the latest techniques for creating any visual look the producer, director, or production designer needs to ensure the movie’s success.

Getting a Job in Hollywood

Any one of these positions provides an entry to the motion picture industry, whether in a major city or on location. You can move up to being an art director, production designer, or even a director from these positions.

Many begin these jobs in theater productions, move to film and television, and then move back and forth between the stage, film, and TV.

For these people, happiness is working in the entertainment field and making a living at what they like to do best—creating an environment that helps tell a story and make it real for the audience.

Being a makeup artist

How to Be a Successful Makeup Artist

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Renae Goodhew is one of the most in-demand VFX and makeup sorcerers in Hollywood. Horror is her specialty.

Being a makeup artist in the industry gives you a chance to live your dreams. Hear how the pros built their careers working in film.

Makeup Artists on Movie Sets

I know some talented makeup artists in the industry, some in San Francisco and others in Hollywood. Being a makeup artist can be a fun and challenging job.

The hardest part is establishing yourself in the industry. You start at the bottom and work your way up to the top. If you appreciate working with people intimately and helping them look their best for the camera and fans, you will do fine.

But you must be willing to work hard and be on your feet all day. You will most likely be one of the last people to leave the set. The job is yours if you can handle its responsibilities.

Once you have your foot in the door with steady and well-paid work, you can keep it glamorous by setting up appointments with celebrities before red carpets, interviews, and the like. Or you can work on a film set. Whatever you desire.

Whatever you choose as a makeup artist, you must keep your integrity and never bank on your profession. Keep your cards to your chest and your nose clean. You will succeed far more than your dreams could imagine.

Makeup artists enjoy themshelves and know they are taking a step in the right direction.

Reana Goodhew Makeup Artist: Independent Horror

Reana Goodhew’s credits include One, a Lance Henriksen horror movie; a horror movie with Eric Roberts called 7 Deadly Sins; William Baldwin and Bill Moseley in Minutes to Midnight; Tony Todd, Bill Moseley, and Kane Hodder in Harrison Smith’s Death House. She also worked on the “555” video by Jimmy Eat World.

“I’m a huge horror fan. The first horror film I saw was The Exorcist, with Dick Smith’s makeup. From there, I fell in love with all the Hellraiser movies, Halloween, and so forth.”

Goodhew talks about becoming a professional makeup artist in Hollywood. “I like the challenge of creating good horror makeup. Making something horrifying look truly believable is a challenge,” she exclaims.

She also enjoys working in horror because “you’re able to create things aside from application makeups.” She is talking about creating body parts, wounds, dead bodies, fake heads, and so forth.

“I definitely get to use my artistic background to create and color, which I enjoy,” adds Goodhew.

She has been working as a special effects makeup artist for seven years. Her background comes from art in painting and sculpting, but she attended the Cinema Makeup School.

Creating Body Parts, Wounds, Fake Heads, and Dead Bodies

The advice Goodhew gives to those who want to work in Hollywood:

“Work hard, be persistent, and always keep pushing yourself. As an artist, we never stop learning or growing in our career. Always try to build on your skills, even when you’re not working on a job. Not everyone will have the same path pursuing makeup as a career. There are so many options. Ultimately find your path and go with it.”

See the Echoes of Fear trailer below to see some of Goodhew’s creature work.

Laura’s Stage Jobs

Laura lived in Los Angeles and worked at a cosmetic counter when she got involved in doing makeup on performers for school plays.

While putting makeup on the performers, she studied and learned various stage makeup techniques, and eventually knew how to apply all types of makeup on a performer.

In the process, she discovered how much she liked doing makeup and flourished in her career.

Makeup artist can live in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York

Makeup Artist Movie Jobs

Deciding that she wanted to make this her career in films, Laura got in touch with some major studios.

However, they wouldn’t hire her because she wasn’t a union member and needed a job to be in the union.

The common problem for most novices in film careers is that you need the experience to get a job, but you can’t get experience unless you have a job.

Laura decided to contact several independent movie companies because independent films often have agreements with the union that they don’t have to hire union members.

With some persistence, she talked her way into a job on a biker movie as a makeup assistant, helping the makeup artist do whatever she wanted her to do.

Another essential point to breaking into the film business is to do whatever the production needs to help get the movie made. You have to be willing to work hard and be ready to serve your immediate boss.

Oscar Winner Joe Harlow Sets the Tone

The remake of Hellboy revamped the character and makeup design with Oscar-winning Joe Harlow set the tone for the crew to create a new Hellboy character.

In a press junket interview, Harlow talked about designing the look of Hellboy and imagine how much work went into creating the comic book anti-hero.

Lucas Godfrey’s Special Effects Makeup for Hell Fest

In an interview with Lucas Godfrey, who did special effects makeup for the horror movie Hell Fest and The Walking Dead series, talks about his experience with special effects makeup during the production of Hell Fest.

Watching these types of interviews helps you understand what these people do and who they are. The more you know about them and their credits, the more chances you have of recognizing them and their work.

Nothing impresses an artist more than someone truly recognizing them for their work in films.

Reese Witherspoon looks dazzling because of her talented makeup artists.

One Way to Get Started as a Makeup Artist

Laura’s advice for those who want to do special effects makeup is to get a job selling cosmetics.

“Once you learn the basics,” she says, “you can offer to do makeup for school and community theaters or talk to your friends into letting you practice on them.

The important thing,” she asserts, “is to practice your craft.”

Depending on the production, makeup artists on a film set make roughly $40–$50 an hour. They make $73,250 to $88,200 or more a year.

Working With Sir Anthony Hopkins and Anne Hathaway

Makeup and hair designer Nana Fisher worked with Sir Anthony Hopkins on Armageddon Time. In an interview, Fisher discussed working with the actor and their steps to show his character’s health decline.

Fisher talks about the skin color choices, such as yellow, green and grey.

In another interview, Fisher talked about matching the hair colors of the family. She talks about working with Anne Hathaway.

Makeup Artists Salaries

All in all, you can live your dream and become a makeup artist in any field. Laura entered a fabulous field that is rewarding artistically as well as financially. The same thing can happen if you learn your craft and start finding jobs.

Sean Patrick Flanery

Sean Patrick Flanery Movies

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Sean Patrick Flanery, who stars in The Boondock Saints and other movies, has a black belt and teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This article covers Flanery’s career and passion for martial arts.

Actor With a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

Sean Patrick Flanery has acted in numerous movies, including Saw 3D and Boondock Saints, but he is an action film star. The actor holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Find out he keeps his movie career while he teaches and competes worldwide.

I highly recommend you see The Boondock Saints. The original is a phenomenal movie with such a strong following. It’s fun to watch and hilarious in its shocking way. I mean, honestly, you can’t take this stuff seriously.

The Boondock Saints Full Movie

Quite some time ago, The Boondock Saints cast joined the USO tour. They made the long-distance journey as a service to entertain the US troops and promote the 10th anniversary of their action movie.

Actors Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, and Brian Mahoney, along with the film’s writer and director, Troy Duffy and producer, Chris Brinker, hopped on a plane to visit multiple military bases.

The visit with the troops proved fruitful. Troy Duffy signed autographs, posed for photos, and answered questions. Someone asked if Troy Duffy worked out at all. He laughed and said, bellowed, “No!” He mentioned that the star of the movie, Sean Patrick Flanery, possesses a black belt in jiu-jitsu and teaches martial arts at his academy in Los Angeles.

“And Shepherds we shall be For thee, my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand. Our feet may swiftly carry out Thy commands. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee And teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomeni Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti.” Sean Patrick Flanery as Conner MacManus

Action Film Star

Flanery does his fair share of acting in movies like Saw 3D, but he is an action film star. In his late forties, the actor holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

His journey in martial arts began at the age of nine. He started with Taekwondo because he believed it was the ultimate fighting technique. He wanted to beat up guys like David Carradine in the television show Kung Fu.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

The action film star found his calling in martial arts. He trained in a variety of styles. He furthered his training when he attended his first UFC event in 1993. Flanery saw Royce Gracie dominate the competition with his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gracie’s discipline excited him, so he gave up all other martial arts and mastered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

His acting career started taking off, and he won the lead role in the action television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. After the series, he captured several notable movies such as Powder, Simply Irresistible, and The Boondock Saints.

Despite his busy acting career, he wanted to master his newly discovered martial arts discipline. He started his formal Jiu-Jitsu training in 2001 to become a champion himself.

Sean Patrick Flanery Exercise Regimen

Flanery began as a white belt, training three times a week like all beginners. It was an intense training regimen that consumed his life. However, he continued acting, signing on to Stargate SG-1, The Dead Zone, and Charmed.

His dedication to martial arts helped him focus on his acting roles. The two fields fit hand in glove, enabling him to develop his concentration skills and master his control over the dynamics of his body.

Acting Career Break

Flanery’s dedication and goal of becoming a champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brought him to the crossroads of his career in movies and martial arts. They tended to interfere as his success in each field overlapped.

He decided to take six months off from his acting career to master the discipline and become a champion. He also entered the Pan Ams Jiu-Jitsu tournament and other meets.

He successfully took the first annual Inland Empire Champion in 2002. He also won the American National Champion and the Pan American Champion in 2003.

Will There be The Boondock Saints 3?

Flanery says he will always be a master of Jiu-Jitsu and trains even when he goes to movie locations worldwide. The Boondock Saints movies have placed him in the spotlight.

The cult movie keeps him trending on social media outlets, where fans cannot get enough of the vigilante action film. Keeping their ears to the Internet in hopes of announcing that The Boondock Saints 3 is in production is imminent.

Surprisingly, with the grandeur and luxury of the movie business, Flanery places martial arts ahead of his film career. He drives his desire to maintain his mastery of Jiu-Jitsu and shares his craft with his students. If you ever want to meet up with him, you can visit him at his Jiu-Jitsu academy in Hollywood.

“Dolphin Tale” Is a True Story

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Based on a true story, Dolphin Tale is a movie you and your kids will love.

Movie That’s a Family Story

If you’re looking for a movie to share with someone special, Dolphin Tale is an excellent choice for the whole family. Yes, it’s a “family-friendly” movie, but the story is about overcoming mental and physical challenges. It is a film that quickly wins your heart, as the inspirational story immediately draws you in.

The film centers on a true story about a boy named Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) and his friend, Winter, a dolphin whose tail was lost after becoming entangled in a crab trap. With the boy’s help, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium nursed Winter back to health. Winter plays herself in the movie, which is pretty impressive.

The Blu-ray/DVD combo release includes several aspects of Winter’s story. The Blu-ray and DVD include behind-the-scenes footage and educational material. Imagine working with a dolphin, teaching her how to use a prosthetic fin – the first time it has ever been done. A Dolphin Tale is the best family film of the year – a movie worth watching over and over during the summer or Winter. I highly recommend Dolphin Tale.

The behind-the-scenes featurettes are educational because you get to see how they developed the prosthetic fin. Imagine working with a dolphin for the first time, teaching her how to use a prosthetic flipper.

Dolphin Washes Up on the Beach

Sawyer discovers Winter washes up on the beach. He helps her, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s emergency response team arrives to help the injured dolphin by bringing her to the aquarium.

Sawyer is the movie’s focus as we meet the Clearwater Marine Team led by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.) and his daughter, Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff).

Hazel and Sawyer become fast friends. We see Sawyer’s transformation into a more responsible person with a purpose in life. He changes from an apathetic boy with no real goal to a high-spirited, action-packed person ready to help Winter. He has a strong desire to help her get healthy so that she can live a long and happy life.

Winter is a camera charmer because she draws the viewers into her life. You cannot help but feel empathy for her plight. The animal is doing all the movements with and without the prosthetic fin – brilliant. For comical relief, the film has a puckish pelican named Rufus – he is hilarious.

Writing Genuine Dialogue

The dialogue is genuine and propels the story forward at a meaningful and brisk pace. Never second-guessing if the story is real or spun from a simple story about saving a dolphin.

Sawyer and Hazel’s dialogue effectively conveys the challenges of growing up with one parent, yet makes them light and easy to confront.

The writing is so good that the scientific discoveries developed and engineered through Dr. McCarthy take historical precedence in helping our animals on the planet.

Winter is a camera charmer; she draws the viewers into her life. You cannot help but feel empathy for her plight.

“Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean you’re broken.” Dr. Cameron McCarthy, played by Morgan Freeman

Dolphin Without a Tail

AFI Lifetime Achievement recipient, Morgan Freeman, brings a whole new level to the movie. Cast as Dr. Cameron McCarthy, a military prosthetics doctor who is sufficiently “out of the box” to make a prosthetic for a dolphin. We see an authentic Freeman character, adding the anchor to the whole process of developing a prosthetic fin for a dolphin. The McCarthy character was formulated from two prosthetic makers who had the mind’s eye to help Winter overcome her physical barrier. Both the Blu-ray and DVD offer “At Home with Winter” and “Winter’s Inspiration” featurettes, showcasing all the work that went into creating Winter’s finale. It is worth mentioning that the prosthetics makers volunteered their time to design new prosthetics as Winter grows.

The Blu-ray also features two additional extras: two animated shorts, “The Hutash Rainbow Bridge,” which tells the story Dr. Clay related to Sawyer in the movie. “Ormie and the Cookie Jar” — viewers watch an original short in the style of Pixar.

You can even visit Winter in Clearwater by visiting Seewinter.org and viewing Winter live on the webcam.

The film also stars Ashely Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and Nathan Gamble.

6 Skateboard Movies Worth Watching

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Skateboard movies show tricks on the board while offering a story to keep you entertained.

Skateboarding is an adrenaline high!

Skateboard Movies Worth Watching

Skateboard films produce creative tricks, thrilling stunts, and high-energy circumstances that draw an audience. These movies often showcase the talent and subculture of skateboarding, engaging and entertaining those interested in extreme sports. Combining visuals, music, and decent storytelling also contributes to their appeal.

Get ready to swoop into the culture of tricks, actions and storytelling. Check out this list of skateboard movies. Enjoy the action and drama.

1. Lords of Dogtown (2005)

2. Thrashin (1986)

3. Mid90s (2018)

4. Skate Kitchen (2018)

5. Paranoid Park (2007)

6. Gleaming the Cube (1989)

1. Lords of Dogtown (2005)

Lords of Dogtown is a memorable skateboarding movie based on a real-life story. The film follows the development of the skateboarding culture and its personalities. We meet four young boys in the 1970s, living in California, who hang out together and skateboard.

The movie touches on the innocence of the young at heart, living free without the burdens of adulthood.

Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke cut her teeth, helming this iconic movie about skateboarding. The late Heath Ledger shines under her direction as Skip, the owner of a surfboard and skateboard shop. The kids look up to him because he’s the oldest and knows more about surfing and skateboarding than anyone in the area. Skip is also wild and crazy, making his scenes enjoyable.

During a Director’s Cut podcast, Hardwicke talked about using skateboard fans as the background for the competition scene. She was amazed by their enthusiasm for the extreme sport, which was so genuine.

What is Dogtown in Santa Monica?

In the movie, these young skateboarders eat, sleep, breathe and live skateboarding.

The boys hang out with other skateboarders and surfers at the famous Dogtown in Santa Monica — a coffee, breakfast, and lunch spot. Here, American skateboard and surfing nostalgia percolates, keeping the traditions alive.

It’s all about skateboarding in empty pools.

Empty Swimming Pools

The young, blonde-haired boys with their vans, sneakers and boards ride their skateboards throughout Santa Monica. They want something more from their skateboarding- empty swimming pools- a higher purpose in life.

One boy discovers a dried-up, abandoned swimming pool.

Empty swimming pools become the next wave of skateboarding. The four boys search the neighborhoods for every abandoned pool to conquer and skate.

The young boys skate the empty pools with the drive to find a bigger and challenging cement hole. They glide on their boards to wild parties, pick up cute, tanned girls, and await the next step toward their higher purpose.

2. Thrashin (1986)

Directed by David Winters, this 1986 movie follows how some Valley boys deal with punk rockers. Billed as a teenage adventure, Thrashers received 72% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The skateboarders called “The Ramp Locals” use their skateboards against the punk rockers. Corey Webster, played by a young Josh Brolin, leads the group, while the street punks follow Tommy Hook, played by Robert Rusler.

The difficulty begins when Corey falls in love with Tommy’s little sister, played by Pamela Gidley, who is visiting from Indiana. It builds during the severe “LA Massacre,” a 20-mile downhill skateboarding race, like all gang conflicts. The prize is a corporate sponsor.

The best scene for any skateboard fan is the final race. A camera is strapped to the front of a skateboard, creating in your seat thrills as an exhilarating sense of the gallant “thrashers” — hence the movie’s title.

3. Mid90s (2018)

Mid90s follows Stevie, a thirteen-year-old living in 90s-era Los Angeles. He spends his summer navigating between his troubled home life with his brother and a group of new friends he hangs out with at a local skate shop.

Jonah Hill wrote and directed this film. We know him for his acting talent in 21 & 22 Jump Street and Money Ball.

The coming-of-age movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Hill received a standing ovation.

4. Skate Kitchen (2018)

Crystal Moselle directs Skate Kitchen. The movie focuses on Camille, played by Rachelle Vinberg. She skateboards but is introverted, so she keeps to herself. She hooks up with an all-girl skateboarding group after cutting ties with her mother. She becomes friends with the girls and develops confidence.

She also meets Devon, played by Jaden Smith, a skateboarder who isn’t as he seems. As the story unfolds, Camille learns about true friendship and self-discovery.

What is so remarkable about this skateboarding movie is that it is about a teenage group of girls who skateboard together, compared to Lords of Dogtown, which is about all boys. The only girls in the cult movie are cute and suntanned, lacking depth and intelligence.

The girl’s group is called Skate Kitchen. They are talented and outgoing, and being cute or suntanned is the least of their concerns.

An all-girl skateboard group is about self-discovery and friendship.

5. Paranoid Park (2007)

Another skateboard movie that caught my eye is Paranoid Park, directed by Gus Van Sant, based on the book by Blake Nelson. The popular book makes it to the silver screen smoothly with an entertaining appeal.

In the story, we meet a teenage skateboarder named Alex, played by Gabe Nevins, a withdrawn 16-year-old boy who has recently discovered Paranoid Park — a massive skate park in Portland, Oregon. The Portland unruly skateboarders built Paranoid Park to create a place to cruise the concrete without being constantly harassed by the cops.

Alex hooks up with another skateboarder at the park, quickly becoming friends. His new friend is known for being an anarchist at the park. But that doesn’t stop Alex from being his friend because he feels he needs more drama to forget about his troubles back home.

The theme is there are consequences to your actions.

Making the Right Choices

Making the right choices defines the story in the movie. Alex and his new friend take a wild shot and hop on a train. A security guard sees them and chases after them. But tragedy falls upon the two teens when the security guard gets killed because he pursued them, and they are angsty over the consequences of their youthful waywardness.

Alex doubts he can convince anyone of what happened that night. Who would believe him if he told the truth? The local authorities investigate the death while troubled Alex expresses himself in a journal. We get to experience his hardship and personal pain, wearing the same shoes as an adolescent boy who only sought to escape from the troubles of home and the concept of mortality.

6. Gleaming the Cube (1989)

Gleaming the Cube is a coming-of-age movie. The action-drama stars a young Christian Slater playing a skateboarder named Brian. Brian’s adopted brother disappeared, and the authorities found him dead. The police say it’s a homicide, but Brian doesn’t believe it.

Brian skateboards around the city, searching for answers about how his brother died. He investigates and discovers that his brother works in a shop that sends weapons to Vietnam.

Gobots: 1984 Saturday Morning Cartoons and Toys

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The 1984 animated cartoon series stood the test of time, with die-hard fans appreciating the talking machines.

Gobots

Gobots Look Like Transformers

Gobots fans are out there, and I am excited to share Challenge of the Gobots: The Original Mini-Series with fellow fans. The 1984 animated cartoon has stood the test of time with those who appreciate the cartoon look of talking machines.

Challenge of the Gobots: The Original Mini-Series is the original five-episode mini-series. The 80s cartoon in the DVD package offers eternal life to the Gobots. Any Gobots enthusiast treasures the opportunity to watch action cartoons.

The DVDs are few and far between, but worth the find because the stories are entertaining when cartoon quality may get you down.

As you watch the Renegades follow Cy-kill when they embark on their mad quest to conquer the galaxy, starting with Earth, only Leader-1 and his Guardians can stop the Renegades and Cy-Kill.

Leader-1 is the hero, and his band of Guardians is all set for the task of saving the universe.

Leader-1 is a Legend

Back in the 80s, the question all the kids asked every Saturday morning while they played with their Gobots toys and watched the Gobots cartoons was, “Can Leader-1 and the Guardians save the true last Engineer?”

Watching now, you see the poor quality of the cartoons. Somehow, the kids were fascinated by the stories and facial expressions, and they sat in front of the television every Saturday morning for one year, watching 65 episodes, each lasting 22 minutes.

It reminds me of the good old days on Saturday mornings when you could watch mediocre cartoons in your pajamas, and it was still a cool thing to do while the parents slept. Just think, kids, watching the Gobots, never thought about how Leader-1 is a legend. But he is because this mini-series launched him as a legend. He is far better than any Transformer.

The story of the Gobots portrayed in the series “Challenge of the GoBots” and the follow-up film “GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords” mentions the alternative universe.

Transformers

Those who are not familiar with Gobots should know they are not robots. They are aliens that need your support more than anything right now. Tonka brought them into existence in the 1980s, but now, they are non-existent. They are a collector’s item and sell for a pretty penny on eBay.

Gobots are far superior to the Transformers because Hasbro bought Gobots in the early 1990s. Leader-1 and Bugbite are some of the Gobots’ names given to Transformers. That means the Gobots came before the Transformers. They saved Earth before the Transformers.

Seeing “Gobots” instead of “Transformers” in the movie marques is the only way they could have survived. I am sure it was a copyright issue. The two entities were so similar that they competed for attention. Transformers won out in the long run.

The Gobots toys fashioned the robot phenomenon that grabbed the kids’ attention for a brief time in 1984.

Who Owns Gobots?

The Gobots and the Transformers looked a lot like each other. Both competed as franchises until Hasbro purchased the intellectual property – the invention or idea, not the toys – when they bought out Tonka in 1991. Gobots became part of the alternative universe of the Transformers franchise.

Hasbro never purchased the Gobot toys or likenesses. The company owned the fictional aspect of the property. Bandai, a Japanese company, initially owned the toys, and Tonka never acquired them.

“You’re bluffing, Cy-Kill. You wouldn’t dare shoot with the Last Engineer, and we won’t give him to you.”

Gobot Children’s Books With Illustrations

Two books about the Gobots in 1984, authored by Robin Snyder and illustrated by Steve Ditko, War of the Gobots and Gobots on Earth, told the backstory of the talking machines.

The first book tells the story of the Guardian battling with the Renegade GoBots. The war comes to Earth after the Renegades disturb a space shuttle mission. The story is comparable to the Transformers because they fight on Earth frequently. The second book is not as good, but kids found both books entertaining. Today, they are out of print and hard to find.

Where to Find Gobot DVDs?

The Gobot products sold well. Then they phased out when the Transformers took over the scene. Hasbro created personalities for each of the Transformers with character profiles, unlike the Gobots.

Gobots came across as simple machines that looked like their names, such as Tank and Dozer. Transformers arrived as complex machines with names like Megatron and Optimus Prime.

Even though the Gobot books are hard to find, Amazon offers DVDs, coloring books, and games. The collector items go fast, and it’s a hit or miss on Amazon.