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Among other consumer benefits, one major upside to the increasing niche-ification of popular culture has been the continuing emergence of esoteric micro-genres of film and TV. Twenty years ago, you might not necessarily think of “horror documentaries” as its own subgenre. Sure, there were documentaries that maybe fell a little more on the creepy/unsettling side, but it was rare that a nonfiction film would be tailored to appeal to a horror-first genre audience. Now, of course, things are different. In recent years, a robust tradition of terrifying nonfiction films have emerged, many as terrifying – or even more eerie – than their traditional narrative counterparts.
Among other consumer benefits, one major upside to the increasing niche-ification of popular culture has been the continuing emergence of esoteric micro-genres of film and TV. Twenty years ago, you might not necessarily think of “horror documentaries” as its own subgenre. Sure, there were documentaries that maybe fell a little more on the creepy/unsettling side, but it was rare that a nonfiction film would be tailored to appeal to a horror-first genre audience. Now, of course, things are different. In recent years, a robust tradition of terrifying nonfiction films have emerged, many as terrifying – or even more eerie – than their traditional narrative counterparts.
- 7/27/2023
- by Matt Warren
- Film Independent News & More
Three years before Garrett Bradley made her vérité documentary Time, about Rich Fox's two decade fight for her husband's release from jail, she made this equally affecting short film that was released as part of the consistently strong New York Times Op-Docs series.
Bradley met Rich during the making of this 12-minute short, which is shot with the same intimacy and in black and white. Aloné Watts is considering her future, in voice-over, she contemplates what marrying her boyfriend Desmond while he is behind bars would be like. Considering the dress and the ceremony itself, she says, "I want to be able to say, 'I feel happy'".
This is the personal, but as with Bradley's feature, the political is working in tandem. Rich notes the parallels between now and the oppression of the past, saying the judicial system "is designed, just like slavery, to tear you apart" - a...
Bradley met Rich during the making of this 12-minute short, which is shot with the same intimacy and in black and white. Aloné Watts is considering her future, in voice-over, she contemplates what marrying her boyfriend Desmond while he is behind bars would be like. Considering the dress and the ceremony itself, she says, "I want to be able to say, 'I feel happy'".
This is the personal, but as with Bradley's feature, the political is working in tandem. Rich notes the parallels between now and the oppression of the past, saying the judicial system "is designed, just like slavery, to tear you apart" - a...
- 12/21/2021
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Persistently avoiding their deepest psychological fears is a natural instinct many people cling to throughout their lives. But some brave individuals instead bond as they defy their anxieties, and wholeheartedly accept their deep-rooted angst. To showcase how people are embracing what brings them the most terror, Shockya is premiering a first-look exclusive clip from the upcoming horror documentary film, ‘The Blackout Experiments,’ which is titled ‘Survivors.’ The clip is supporting the release of the acclaimed movie, which will be distributed in select theaters and On Demand on Friday from Gravitas Ventures. The release comes after the documentary, which was directed by Rich Fox and produced by Kris Curry, had its [ Read More ]
The post Exclusive Clip for Horror Documentary The Blackout Experiments Plays on Psychological Fears appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Exclusive Clip for Horror Documentary The Blackout Experiments Plays on Psychological Fears appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 7/20/2016
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
In the first trailer for the horror documentary “The Blackout Experiments,” director Rich Fox goes inside “Blackout,” an adults-only hardcore haunted house in Los Angeles and New York that has gained a reputation for providing a borderline traumatic experience for those who dare sign up to go inside. The film follows a series of subjects who pay for the opportunity walk alone through the infamous “Blackout.” The house has an application process that includes a questionnaire and a release form. If they get accepted, they are given directions to an empty building space that has been covered with plastic tarp.
- 5/20/2016
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
“I start to have some second thoughts about whether or not I should do this…” There is no turning back in the first official trailer for The Blackout Experiments documentary, hitting select theaters and VOD on July 22nd from Gravitas Ventures:
Synopsis: “The most extreme immersive horror experience in America is called Blackout. Not for the faint of heart, it is a terrifying, psycho-sexual thrill-ride designed to play on our deepest psychological fears. Rich Fox’s innovative horror documentary follows a group of friends whose experience with Blackout becomes deeply personal, developing into an obsession that hijacks their lives and blurs the line between reality and paranoid fantasy. Revealing an underbelly of private rituals and personal nightmares with shocking footage that is 100% real, The Blackout Experiments is the story of our collective obsession with the darkness inside us.”
The Blackout Experiments was directed by Rich Fox and produced by Kris Curry.
Synopsis: “The most extreme immersive horror experience in America is called Blackout. Not for the faint of heart, it is a terrifying, psycho-sexual thrill-ride designed to play on our deepest psychological fears. Rich Fox’s innovative horror documentary follows a group of friends whose experience with Blackout becomes deeply personal, developing into an obsession that hijacks their lives and blurs the line between reality and paranoid fantasy. Revealing an underbelly of private rituals and personal nightmares with shocking footage that is 100% real, The Blackout Experiments is the story of our collective obsession with the darkness inside us.”
The Blackout Experiments was directed by Rich Fox and produced by Kris Curry.
- 5/20/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Our own Heather Wixson was pleasantly surprised by The Blackout Experiments when it premiered at Sundance earlier this year, and those in North America will be able to see it for themselves this summer thanks to Gravitas Ventures:
“Press Release: Los Angeles, CA (April 14, 2016) — Gravitas Ventures has secured all North American rights to “The Blackout Experiments” following a successful premiere from the Midnight Section at Sundance 2016. Directed by Rich Fox, the terror-inducing documentary focuses on a culture that has embraced fear-seeking, interactive entertainment.”
The most extreme immersive horror experience in America is called “Blackout.” Deemed “the extreme event of the year” by The New York Times, it is not for the faint of heart; it is a terrifying, psychosexual thrill-ride designed to play on people’s deepest psychological fears.
Fox’s innovative horror documentary follows a group of friends whose experience with Blackout becomes deeply personal, developing into an...
“Press Release: Los Angeles, CA (April 14, 2016) — Gravitas Ventures has secured all North American rights to “The Blackout Experiments” following a successful premiere from the Midnight Section at Sundance 2016. Directed by Rich Fox, the terror-inducing documentary focuses on a culture that has embraced fear-seeking, interactive entertainment.”
The most extreme immersive horror experience in America is called “Blackout.” Deemed “the extreme event of the year” by The New York Times, it is not for the faint of heart; it is a terrifying, psychosexual thrill-ride designed to play on people’s deepest psychological fears.
Fox’s innovative horror documentary follows a group of friends whose experience with Blackout becomes deeply personal, developing into an...
- 4/15/2016
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Gravitas Ventures has picked up North American rights to the Sundance Midnight horror documentary The Blackout Experiments, with release plans to be announced later. Directed by Rich Fox, the film follows a group of friends obsessed with “Blackout,” an immersive horror experience designed to play on people's deepest psychological fears. Using footage that is 100% real, it tracks the increasingly personal experience that hijacks their lives and blurs the line between…...
- 4/15/2016
- Deadline
Plus: The Orchard takes Jeremiah Tower doc; Abramorama expands; and more…
Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures have begun production in New Zealand on the action thriller starring Scarlett Johansson.
Rupert Sanders directs Ghost In The Shell based on the Kodansha Comics manga series about an elite group led by a human-cyborg. Paramount will release the film in the Us on March 31, 2017.
The Orchard has acquired worldwide rights to Lydia Tenaglia’s documentary and imminent Tribeca world premiere Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent. CNN retains North American broadcast rights to the film about the celebrity chef and will air the documentary following its theatrical release via The Orchard in early 2017. Abramorama president Richard Abramowitz has unveiled a major expansion of personnel and event cinema slate. Evan Saxon has joined the executive team to handle acquisitions, business development and distribution. First on the Event Cinema spring calendar is the Royal Exchange Theatre production of Hamlet starring Maxine Peake.[link...
Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures have begun production in New Zealand on the action thriller starring Scarlett Johansson.
Rupert Sanders directs Ghost In The Shell based on the Kodansha Comics manga series about an elite group led by a human-cyborg. Paramount will release the film in the Us on March 31, 2017.
The Orchard has acquired worldwide rights to Lydia Tenaglia’s documentary and imminent Tribeca world premiere Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent. CNN retains North American broadcast rights to the film about the celebrity chef and will air the documentary following its theatrical release via The Orchard in early 2017. Abramorama president Richard Abramowitz has unveiled a major expansion of personnel and event cinema slate. Evan Saxon has joined the executive team to handle acquisitions, business development and distribution. First on the Event Cinema spring calendar is the Royal Exchange Theatre production of Hamlet starring Maxine Peake.[link...
- 4/14/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
I really had no idea what to expect going into The Blackout Experiments, all I knew was that it was a documentary centered around the popular experiential “Blackout” attraction that has taken over Los Angeles and New York City during the last few years, and that was about it. As it turns out, the project from director Rich Fox ended up being so much more than just another talking heads piece about two guys who love to torture folks and push them to their mental limits.
To me, The Blackout Experiments evolved into a surprisingly transformative journey for the participants, exploring their connections to Blackout and demonstrating just how the haunt has become something more personal to many who have dared to take its challenge.
I’ll admit that it was my own morbid curiosity with Blackout that made me interested to see just how far The Blackout Experiments would...
To me, The Blackout Experiments evolved into a surprisingly transformative journey for the participants, exploring their connections to Blackout and demonstrating just how the haunt has become something more personal to many who have dared to take its challenge.
I’ll admit that it was my own morbid curiosity with Blackout that made me interested to see just how far The Blackout Experiments would...
- 2/1/2016
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
One of the more intriguing Midnight movies featured during the 2016 Sundance Film Festival was Rich Fox’s documentary, The Blackout Experiments, which follows participants of the popular experiential haunt known as Blackout as they navigate their way through the psychological torture bestowed upon them during their immersive experiences.
Daily Dead had the opportunity to speak with Fox, as well as with The Blackout Experiment’s producer Kris Curry, about what inspired the documentary, how the focus evolved throughout the process, the challenges of going deep into such a secretive haunt experience, and the surprises that popped up along the way as well.
Your subjects are very integral to this; how early did you guys get involved with them in terms of telling their story and how early did you guys start working on The Blackout Experiments?
Rich Fox: I discovered Blackout personally at the end of 2012. I came across an article on Extreme Haunts.
Daily Dead had the opportunity to speak with Fox, as well as with The Blackout Experiment’s producer Kris Curry, about what inspired the documentary, how the focus evolved throughout the process, the challenges of going deep into such a secretive haunt experience, and the surprises that popped up along the way as well.
Your subjects are very integral to this; how early did you guys get involved with them in terms of telling their story and how early did you guys start working on The Blackout Experiments?
Rich Fox: I discovered Blackout personally at the end of 2012. I came across an article on Extreme Haunts.
- 1/29/2016
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Sundance begins today, and that means we all wait with bated breath about the next films to get excited about this year, but in the meantime, here’s a few early clips that have snuck out for films premiering at Sundance. First up, Southside With You is based on the origin story of the relationship between President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Richard Tanne‘s debut feature premiering at Sundance certainly has a relevant hook, and this clip gives the best sense of the flirty rapport between the two budding politicians, played by Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter.
Next up, Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown To Off the Wall, directed by Spike Lee, shines a light on the decade plus period between Michael Jackson’s Motown records days and the release of his landmark album, Off the Wall. The first clip shows Jackson in 1979 strutting in an impossibly shiny suit,...
Next up, Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown To Off the Wall, directed by Spike Lee, shines a light on the decade plus period between Michael Jackson’s Motown records days and the release of his landmark album, Off the Wall. The first clip shows Jackson in 1979 strutting in an impossibly shiny suit,...
- 1/21/2016
- by Michael Snydel
- The Film Stage
The first clip from the Sundance midnight movie “The Blackout Experiments” has made its way online and it really “pulls you in,” so to speak. Directed by Rich Fox and produced by Kris Curry, the film follows a group of friends who discover the dark underworld of the ultra-scary, psychosexual horror experience called Blackout. But what starts as a thrill ride through the unknown becomes deeply personal, developing into an obsession that hijacks their lives and blurs the line between reality and paranoid fantasy. Sundance Film Festival attendees with an appetite for fright would be wise to check out Blackout Park.
- 1/19/2016
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
The Blackout Experiments – World Premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival
The most extreme immersive horror experience in America is called Blackout. Not for the faint of heart, it is a terrifying, psycho-sexual thrill-ride designed to play on our deepest psychological fears. Rich Fox’s innovative horror documentary follows a group of friends whose experience with Blackout becomes deeply personal, developing into an obsession that hijacks their ...
Hnn | Horrornews.net - Official News Site...
The most extreme immersive horror experience in America is called Blackout. Not for the faint of heart, it is a terrifying, psycho-sexual thrill-ride designed to play on our deepest psychological fears. Rich Fox’s innovative horror documentary follows a group of friends whose experience with Blackout becomes deeply personal, developing into an obsession that hijacks their ...
Hnn | Horrornews.net - Official News Site...
- 12/19/2015
- by Horrornews.net
- Horror News
Kate Plays ChristineThe lineup for the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, taking place between January 21 -31, has been announced.U.S. Dramatic COMPETITIONAs You Are (Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, USA): As You Are is the telling and retelling of a relationship between three teenagers as it traces the course of their friendship through a construction of disparate memories prompted by a police investigation. Cast: Owen Campbell, Charlie Heaton, Amandla Stenberg, John Scurti, Scott Cohen, Mary Stuart Masterson. World Premiere The Birth of a Nation (Nate Parker, USA): Set against the antebellum South, this story follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. After witnessing countless atrocities against fellow slaves, Nat devises a plan to lead his people to freedom. Cast: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley, Gabrielle Union, Mark Boone Jr. World PremiereChristine (Antonio Campos,...
- 12/7/2015
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Is it really almost time for Sundance again? For the last few weeks, I've been discussing Sundance strategy with Richard Rushfield, my editor-in-chief. He and I are attending at least part of the festival together, and it's going to be a very different year for us. HitFix looks different than it did even a year ago, and the way we approach festivals in general is going to be different starting in 2016. That doesn't mean I'll abandon the things that I think are interesting about a fest. I've always been drawn to the midnight programming at the different festivals I attend, and I'm intrigued by the differences in the way each section is programmed. I think the king of the midnight sections is, without question, Colin Geddes. His Midnight Madness selections may not always work for me, but there is a personal touch to the way he curates the ten nights...
- 11/23/2015
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
The Sundance Film Festival's announced a first round of nine titles for its 2016 edition running from January 21 through 31. All nine are slated for the Midnight program: Rob Zombie's 31, Danny Perez's Antibirth, Rich Fox's The Blackout Experiments, Mikey Keating's Carnage Park, Jim Hosking's The Greasy Strangler, Jt Mollner's Outlaws and Angels, Richard Bates Jr.'s Trash Fire, Babak Anvari's Under the Shadow and Kevin Smith's Yoga Hosers. We've got a first round of synopses. » - David Hudson...
- 11/23/2015
- Fandor: Keyframe
The Sundance Film Festival's announced a first round of nine titles for its 2016 edition running from January 21 through 31. All nine are slated for the Midnight program: Rob Zombie's 31, Danny Perez's Antibirth, Rich Fox's The Blackout Experiments, Mikey Keating's Carnage Park, Jim Hosking's The Greasy Strangler, Jt Mollner's Outlaws and Angels, Richard Bates Jr.'s Trash Fire, Babak Anvari's Under the Shadow and Kevin Smith's Yoga Hosers. We've got a first round of synopses. » - David Hudson...
- 11/23/2015
- Keyframe
In an unusual move, the Sundance Film Festival revealed the nine-strong genre strand line-up late on Sunday night with little warning.
The section includes Rob Zombie’s 31, Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers (pictured) — the second in his True North trilogy that began with Toronto 2014 entry Tusk — featuring Johnny Depp and Babak Anvari’s Tehran-set Under The Shadow.
Midnight selections appear below with full synopses as provided by the festival. All films hail from the Us and are world premieres unless stated otherwise.
This year’s festival will include a programme of Midnight short films. Those and other Sundance selections will be announced in the weeks ahead. Sundance will run from January 21-31 2016.
31, Rob Zombie
Five friends are kidnapped on the day before Halloween and are held hostage in a terrifying place named Murder World. While trapped, they must play a violent game called 31, in which the mission is to survive 12 hours against a gang of evil clowns...
The section includes Rob Zombie’s 31, Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers (pictured) — the second in his True North trilogy that began with Toronto 2014 entry Tusk — featuring Johnny Depp and Babak Anvari’s Tehran-set Under The Shadow.
Midnight selections appear below with full synopses as provided by the festival. All films hail from the Us and are world premieres unless stated otherwise.
This year’s festival will include a programme of Midnight short films. Those and other Sundance selections will be announced in the weeks ahead. Sundance will run from January 21-31 2016.
31, Rob Zombie
Five friends are kidnapped on the day before Halloween and are held hostage in a terrifying place named Murder World. While trapped, they must play a violent game called 31, in which the mission is to survive 12 hours against a gang of evil clowns...
- 11/23/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
In an unusual move, the festival revealed the nine-strong genre strand line-up late on Sunday night with little warning.
The section includes Rob Zombie’s 31, Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers (pictured) — the second in his True North trilogy that began with Toronto 2014 entry Tusk — featuring Johnny Depp and Babak Anvari’s Tehran-set Under The Shadow.
Midnight selections appear below with full synopses as provided by the festival. All films hail from the Us and are world premieres unless stated otherwise.
This year’s festival will include a programme of Midnight short films. Those and other Sundance selections will be announced in the weeks ahead. Sundance will run from January 21-31 2016.
31, Rob Zombie
Five friends are kidnapped on the day before Halloween and are held hostage in a terrifying place named Murder World. While trapped, they must play a violent game called 31, in which the mission is to survive 12 hours against a gang of evil clowns.
Cast: [link...
The section includes Rob Zombie’s 31, Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers (pictured) — the second in his True North trilogy that began with Toronto 2014 entry Tusk — featuring Johnny Depp and Babak Anvari’s Tehran-set Under The Shadow.
Midnight selections appear below with full synopses as provided by the festival. All films hail from the Us and are world premieres unless stated otherwise.
This year’s festival will include a programme of Midnight short films. Those and other Sundance selections will be announced in the weeks ahead. Sundance will run from January 21-31 2016.
31, Rob Zombie
Five friends are kidnapped on the day before Halloween and are held hostage in a terrifying place named Murder World. While trapped, they must play a violent game called 31, in which the mission is to survive 12 hours against a gang of evil clowns.
Cast: [link...
- 11/23/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
In an unusual move, the festival revealed the nine-strong genre strand line-up late on Sunday night with little warning.
The section includes Rob Zombie’s 31, Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers — the second in his True North trilogy that began with Toronto 2014 entry Tusk — featuring Johnny Depp and Babak Anvari’s Tehran-set Under The Shadow.
Midnight selections appear below with full synopses as provided by the festival. All films hail from the Us and are world premieres unless stated otherwise.
This year’s festival will include a programme of Midnight short films. Those and other Sundance selections will be announced in the weeks ahead. Sundance will run from January 21-31 2016.
31 (USA), Rob Zombie)
Five friends are kidnapped on the day before Halloween and are held hostage in a terrifying place named Murder World. While trapped, they must play a violent game called 31, in which the mission is to survive 12 hours against a gang of evil clowns.
Cast: [link...
The section includes Rob Zombie’s 31, Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers — the second in his True North trilogy that began with Toronto 2014 entry Tusk — featuring Johnny Depp and Babak Anvari’s Tehran-set Under The Shadow.
Midnight selections appear below with full synopses as provided by the festival. All films hail from the Us and are world premieres unless stated otherwise.
This year’s festival will include a programme of Midnight short films. Those and other Sundance selections will be announced in the weeks ahead. Sundance will run from January 21-31 2016.
31 (USA), Rob Zombie)
Five friends are kidnapped on the day before Halloween and are held hostage in a terrifying place named Murder World. While trapped, they must play a violent game called 31, in which the mission is to survive 12 hours against a gang of evil clowns.
Cast: [link...
- 11/23/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Tumblr round-up is a compilation of images, links, posters, stories, videos and so on, taken from the Sound On Sight Tumblr account. We simply do not have the man power nor time to write articles on every interesting movie related goody we find, so this is our way of still promoting some of the stuff we love.
If you have any interesting items that you think we should plug, please email us at admin@soundonsight.org
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Noam Murro directed quite a few Super Bowl ads including the Pepsi “King’s Court” spot which featured X Factor 2011 winner Melanie Amaro and Elton John, as well as the Chevy Sonic “Stunt Anthem” as and the Kia “A Dream Car. For Real Life” commercial.
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Finally, Murro also directed the Chevy Silverado “End of the World” spot.
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This is amazing – A London-based film PR company recently held a screening of Lady And The Tramp for dogs,...
If you have any interesting items that you think we should plug, please email us at admin@soundonsight.org
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Noam Murro directed quite a few Super Bowl ads including the Pepsi “King’s Court” spot which featured X Factor 2011 winner Melanie Amaro and Elton John, as well as the Chevy Sonic “Stunt Anthem” as and the Kia “A Dream Car. For Real Life” commercial.
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Finally, Murro also directed the Chevy Silverado “End of the World” spot.
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This is amazing – A London-based film PR company recently held a screening of Lady And The Tramp for dogs,...
- 2/7/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
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