Race with the Devil, Fonts and Music

Just to prove that yesterday wasn't a mere flash in the pan, I thought I'd make another brief update today and let you know what I've been up to. I've been hard at work, and a fair percentage of the footage we've acquired is pieced together in a rough cut now; however most of the footage still needs the orchestral score sorting out. I'm planning on creating two versions of the movie - one using a minimalist electronic score a la Tyler Bates' work in Rob Zombie's Halloween (2007) remake, another with deliberate roughening of the footage reminiscent of the drive-in fare the original Torso was most definitely a part of, complete with the original score by the de Angelis brothers. Kyle Webster, who plays Stefano in the movie, has expressed interest in forming his own cut of the movie - which would be interesting to see what someone else does with the story. That's a possible three alternate versions of Torso - more information on this as it becomes available.

Speaking of drive-in movies, I watched 20th Century Fox's 1975 effort Race with the Devil today, a film that I haven't seen since I was around six, and remember being distinctly petrified of. Of course, the effect of sixteen years of horror movies has jaded my interpretation of the movie. However, the film is the perfect example of mid-1970s genre fare, whilst being a new genre all in itself - an action/thriller/horror/satanist ritual/car chase movie, if you will. All of that, with a funky '74 RV complete with mini-bar (didn't spot any J&B, sadly), and the ever-lovely Loretta Swit in a starring role. You simply can't go wrong, and I'd recommend checking it out. I'd love to use the font from the opening credits of that movie in Torso, so I guess that means trawling the internet for who-knows how long. I'll let you know how I get on.

Anyway, I've just got my hands on a copy of Chi Sei? (1974), so I'm off to watch that.

Billing Block

You lucky, lucky people.

I realise I'm toying with your emotions, leaving you for three months and then coming on strong all at once, but I just thought I'd make one more post for the day just to make up for lost time.


Here's the billing block for the Torso 2008 remake. Expect to see more promotional materials appearing in the blog over the upcoming weeks.

Casting Alterations

There's so much to update you with owing to the fact I haven't updated the blog in three months, hence the second post in the space of an hour.

For a start, there have been several major cast changes in the project. Caroline Webster, originally slated to play the supporting lead Daniella, has switched roles with Jennifer Brook, who was to play Stefania, Jane's older sister. Jennifer had actually filmed a large percentage of her role as Stefania before the change was made, so there is a rough cut in existence. These scenes may make the DVD release of the picture - Jennifer Brook fans, look out!

Emma Tollefson now plays the role Ursula, a combination of both Ursula and Katia from the original Torso script. Don't worry, fans of Firefly regular Jenna Mount, she'll still have an involvement in the project. It wouldn't be a Firefly Media movie without her!

As for the men, both David Waidson and Rory Bampton have almost completed their roles as Luca and Roberto, respectively. Since the last cast update there has been a new suspect added to the list; Stefano, originally played by Roberto Vanzi, this time round played by Firefly Media newcomer Kyle Webster (pictured above right).

Release Information and Still Frenzy

Apologies for being an absolutely rubbish blogger over the past few months. We've been so busy on the project, especially over the past few weeks, that there's barely been time to fart, let alone update the blog. Accept my sincerest apologies, and be safe in the knowledge I shan't ignore you anymore. :-D

You'll be happy to know the making of the movie is moving along at a jolly good pace. I'd say we were around 75% complete now.

Here's some information regarding the upcoming release of the movie. We're hoping to have the whole project on YouTube for Christmas Day this year... That's less than 100 days away!

However, don't worry if you can't wait that long. A teaser trailer will be making it's way to YouTube in the next few weeks. After that, a full theatrical trailer will be uploaded during early November. Then, as the release date draws very close, for every Monday in December I'll be uploading a short clip of the movie to tease you even more.

As you've all been so patient - and I've been such a poor blogger, here's a collection of stills from the movie. As you can see, it's really starting to take shape now.


There, doesn't that look exciting? Expect more stills, news and updates over the next few days - this blog is most definitely back on track.

Finally... an Update!

A short update, just to tell you I'm still alive and we're still making the movie...

Apologies for not writing sooner, I've been very busy over the past few weeks - Sarah and Rory have both had their final exams, I've been working extra at work and my laptop has fried itself, making updating the blog rather difficult. But, as Summer is quickly approaching (when the majority of the shoot is scheduled for), there'll be plenty of updates coming up over the next few weeks.

In other news, almost all of Sarah and Rory's scenes are now shot, we'll be wrapping their scenes up on the 23rd and 26th of June. I'll fill you in on the past two shooting nights soon, and there may even be some short clips coming to YouTube.

Keep checking back!

Third Shooting Night

Last night's filming went far more swimmingly than I anticipated. As Rory is cursed and his dissertation isn't due in for another five days, we decided to record some of his scenes next week, which meant we had the whole evening to do half of the stuff I intended to shoot. Needless to say you can see the benefits, as I was able to take my time much more on each compostion, as you can see in some of the framing below. Rory and Sarah filmed a couple of brief sequences that feature in the first half of the movie, one of which screen caps 1-4 feature in. The last two screen captures come from the second half of the movie where all the excitement kicks in... but I don't want to give too much away!

Filming in the city wasn't as difficult as I thought. Picking a Sunday night definitely worked in our favour, as the place was deserted, minus a few foreign students and a handful of tramps asking for spare change. I think the footage really emphasises the "British" element from the locations we chose - you don't get more British than a red phone box, and some areas of Manchester city, especially around the central library and town hall, look both gothic and spooky. I deliberately tried to capture the look of What Have You Done to Solange?; you'll have to let me know how successful I was.

Not too much went wrong either - although there are a couple of nice out-takes involving Rory, who tripped over twice on set, on camera. Clumsy.

As for future filming nights, as planned there should only be one more major shooting night, two at most, the first of which we've tentatively penned in for next Monday or Tuesday. There really isn't too much left to do with Sarah and Rory - some make-up effects (make of that what you will), a handful of short scenes and retakes, and one shot on location in a nearby street named Moon Grove, which, despite being slap bang in the middle of the student digs mecca of Manchester has retained some Victorian glory, complete with cast-iron streetlamps and cobbled street.

Still intending to get on that top ten gialli I keep mentioning... I'm working on it.

The Case of the Scorpion's Tail

Apologies for no updates through the week, but there hasn't been much to report. I could have done an update on Friday regarding Sarah starting to do her hair for filming tomorrow - two days later, but I passed on the opportunity.

Sunday is almost upon us - and the BBC weather forecast warns us only of light drizzle, so it looks like we'll be going ahead with filming tonight. We'll be around the red phone boxes in Manchester town centre, so what problems that'll cause us is anyone's guess.

I've added some extra scenes into the script for Sarah and Rory's character's - I've been so impressed with what they've done so far I thought I'd flesh their parts out, one of which is a sly nod to Sergio Martino's gialli, The Case of the Scorpion's Tail (1972).

After tonight, Rory and Sarah should have a large bulk of their scenes shot for the picture, as long as things go to plan. Which they rarely do. But fingers crossed.


In the meantime, here's yet another still of Sarah from the second filming night.