Book author David Grann, Marty, Casting director Ellen Lewis with editor Thelma Schoonmaker and DP Rodrigo Prieto, Fessenden sneaks a shot with fellow cast member Gene Jones (Ti West’s THE SACRAMENT). Scorsese ends his intro with: “Leo, Bob, Lilly and the rest say ‘hi.'”

Nightshoot 9/27/23 (clockwise from top): Fessenden on set with long-time collaborator, makeup man Brian Spears, favorite monster pal from yester-year, DEPRAVED star David Call and new pal Toby Poser from DIY horror maestros The Adams Family. Look forward to sharing more about the project when the time comes…

“one of the most uncomfortable and cringe-inducing films to screen this year…
Crumb Catcher is an insanely impressive directorial feature debut for Skotchdopole.
It’s funny, bizarre, uncomfortable,
and an absolute cringe-fest for all the best reasons.
Skotchdopole has secured himself as a writer-director to keep an eye on,
as he continues to refine his skill and explore the depths of depravity
with a clever, humorous voice.”
—Maggie Lovitt, COLIDER

“Deliciously Devious…
there’s plenty to fall head over heels for in the satisfying thriller.”
—Stephen Saito, Moveable Feast

“begins as a cringe comedy and becomes a truly suspenseful thriller.
It is equally relentless at both.”
—Fred Topel, UPI

pictured: Chris Skotchdopole and producer Chadd Harbold

by BRIAN ACCARD

With hundreds of films made about vampires, it’s obvious that some are going to fly under the radar. While these films may not have enjoyed mainstream acclaim or box office success, they have left their mark on the genre, tantalizing those with an appetite for the unusual and offering fresh perspectives on ancient mythos.

Just in time for Halloween and the need for something new to watch. From forgotten classics of the past to contemporary hidden treasures, here are 12 obscure vampire movies you’ve probably never heard of but definitely need to check out.

 Habit

Indie horror maverick Larry Fessenden wrote, directed, and starred in his 1997 vampire horror film Habit, in which he plays Sam, a self-destructive alcoholic who meets the beautiful but mysterious Anna at a Halloween party. The two are immediately drawn to each other and embark on an all-consuming romance. But Sam starts to suffer from a strange illness and soon begins to suspect Anna is actually a vampire, and he’s been turned.

Like Abel Ferrara’s The Addiction, it’s pretty obvious just by the title alone that Fessenden’s Habit is more or less an allegory for alcoholism and the self-destructive lifestyle of addicts. It’s grim, dark, and gritty, with a heavy atmosphere that’s hard to shake.

 Stake Land

Jim Mickle’s indie post-apocalyptic vampire film Stake Land has gone underseen and underappreciated since its quiet release in 2010. Set in a dystopian world overrun by vampires following a viral outbreak, the film centers around a young boy named Martin who, after his family is killed by vampires, joins forces with a seasoned vampire hunter named Mister. Together, they embark on a perilous journey through the desolate American landscape, searching for a rumored safe haven known as “New Eden.”

Despite its obvious low budget, Mickle mines the most out of his limited resources via strong characterization and powerful performances from his two leads, Connor Paolo and Nick Damici. The direction is assured, and Mickle’s ability to maintain a brooding atmosphere – thanks in no small part to Jeff Grace’s fantastic score and Ryan Samul’s crisp cinematography – really helps Stake Land stand apart from other low-budget post-apocalyptic monster movies (of which there are many). It’s a unique take on the vampire mythos, with more in common with The Walking Dead than Dracula, and is well worth checking out.

Check out cool list at movieweb

WHAT DOESN’T FLOAT Directed by Luca Balser
Written by Shauna Fitzgerald
Pauline Chalamet, Larry Fessenden, Roger Howarth, Cindy De La Cruz
In theaters on September 22

“In What Doesn’t Float, director Luca Balser and writer Shauna Fitzgerald
set the stage with seven vignettes, each about the mistakes and heartaches
of various New Yorkers who can’t seem to make the right decision,
whether it’s the socially acceptable call or not…”
—Magan Robinson, MOVIEJAWN

“What Doesn’t Float is a wonderfully crafted series of stories
– each finding a different meaning to its place, to its character,
to its exposure of the life of this corner of the city, and what it means to be a part of it.
All the vignettes are strong, but highlights include one in which …
a seemingly insignificant moment between
Marco (Larry Fessenden) and the young girl (Chanel & Dior Umoh)
that turns both violent and compassionate.”
—Shelagh Rowan-Legg, SCREEN ANARCHY

Submarine Entertainment Secures Worldwide Sales Rights on ‘Crumb Catcher’ Ahead of Fantastic Fest (EXCLUSIVE)

By Brent Lang

Submarine Entertainment is picking up worldwide sales rights on Chris Skotchdopole’s feature directorial debut “Crumb Catcher.” The move comes just ahead of the darkly comic thriller’s Fantastic Festworld premiere.

Skotchdopole wrote, directed, edited, and produced the movie and Submarine Entertainment, a notable sales and production company, will launch sales out of the festival, which runs from Sept. 21 to Sept. 28 at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas. “Crumb Catcher” was described by Fantastic Fest programmer Anna Bogutskaya as a “chamber piece that melds extreme anxiety with the worst salesmanship imaginable.” The film follows a newlywed couple held captive by an entrepreneur desperate to finance his outlandish invention with a blackmail plot.

With ten years of experience working with Glass Eye Pix, the New York independent genre production outfit led by horror auteur Larry Fessenden, Skotchdopole has amassed numerous credits on several films, including working as the cinematographer on Fessenden’s “Depraved,” as co-producer on Jenn Wexler’s “The Ranger,” and associate producer on Robert Mockler’s “Like Me” and Jack Fessenden’s “Stray Bullets.” Prior to his feature debut, Skotchdopole wrote and directed the short “The Egg and the Hatchet,” which screened at the Oldenburg Film Festival and Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, among others. 

Fessenden and Garay also share story credits with Skotchdopole, and Adam Carboni shot the film.

Following the world premiere at Fantastic Fest, “Crumb Catcher” will screen at the Woodstock Film Festival and at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, with further festival engagements to be announced.  

Here’s the teaser trailer: 

Crumbcatcher

A crumbcatcher lets a waiter clean your table in one quick swipe, hence its nickname, the silent butler. But what if there was a crumbcatcher that caught more than just crumbs? And what if the not-so-silent obnoxious inventor of this device showed up unannounced late one evening, grumpy wife in tow, determined to prove his idea will revolutionize the restaurant industry?

Produced by indie legend Larry Fessenden, Crumbcatcher is rumored to be a wild ride full of unpleasant characters doing unpleasant things to one another. Which is one way of saying it sounds like it absolutely belongs at Fantastic Fest. – Dave Canfield

Read whole list at Screen Anarchy

A work is never finished, only abandoned:
Fessenden looking forward to abandoning BLACKOUT
after edit and mix tweaks following world premier at Fantasia Film Fest.

New cut will unspool at
Woodstock Film Festival, Brooklyn Horror, and Sitges overseas.
Check it!

Fessenden with longtime Glass Eye Pix collaborator Tom Efinger
after the mix 9/19/23

Fessenden with thespians Alex Hurt and Barbara Crampton
day one of principal photography 9/19/22