Effects (film)
| Effects | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Synapse Films DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Dusty Nelson |
| Produced by |
Pasquale Buba John Harrison (as John S. Harrison Jr.) |
| Screenplay by | Dusty Nelson |
| Based on | Snuff by William H. Mooney |
| Starring |
Joseph Pilato (as Joseph F. Pilato) Susan Chapek John Harrison Bernard McKenna Debra Gordon Tom Savini |
| Music by | John Harrison |
| Cinematography |
Carl Augenstein (as Carl E. Augenstein) Toni Semple (as Toni Semple-Nelson) |
| Edited by | Pasquale Buba |
Production company |
Image Works International Harmony |
| Distributed by | Synapse Films (DVD) |
Release date | October 2005 |
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $55,000 (estimated) |
Effects (also released as The Manipulator) is an American horror film. It was filmed in 1978 but wasn't released until October 2005, when it received an official DVD release by Synapse Films.[1] It features make-up effects by horror FX legend Tom Savini, who also appears in the film.
Plot
The film centers on a filmmaker (John Harrison) who is making low budget horror film in rural Pennsylvania. Over the course of filming, the cinematographer (Joseph Pilato) and a female gaffer (Susan Chapek) begin to enter into a romantic relationship. Unbeknownst to them, the film's director is secretly making a snuff documentary with an unwilling cast and crew.
Production
In the behind-the-scenes documentary After Effects on the Synapse DVD, the three principle filmmakers involved - Dusty Nelson, Pasquale Buba, and John Harrison - discuss the film's evolution. They had met while working at a television station in Pittsburgh and later apprenticed under horror filmmaker George A. Romero on his 1978 film Martin. Using that film as an inspiration, they started a LLC and raised $55,000 from family and friends to fund the film.
Release
The film received its world premiere at the Kings Court theater in Pittsburgh on November 9, 1979. Following this premiere, the film was signed for distribution to International Harmony and received limited distribution.[2]
According to director Nelson, the film purportedly screened at the Sundance Film Festival, which at the time was known as US Film Festival.[3][4] Effects later screened at Three Rivers Film Festival in 2011.[5]
References
- ↑ "Effects (1980) - Trivia - IMDb". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ "Movie Ad of the Week: EFFECTS (1979/1980)". templeofschlock.blogspot.com. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ↑ 2005 Synapse Films DVD commentary.
- ↑ "Dusty Nelson - Historical Commercial Reel". dustynelson.com. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ "pittsburgharts.org/sites/pdf/20113RFF_sm.pdf" (PDF). pittsburgharts.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2012.