Macabre…ish Horror: For The Love of Bad Movies
For The Love of Bad Movies
I’m going to attempt to convince people who only watch blockbuster or big budget movies, to consider watching low budget indies and/or ‘bad movies’.
Here’s my pitch…
If you are a horror fan then amongst your all time favorites probably includes The Thing, Terminator or Fright Night. Those movies were three of many indie films, (and low budget, at that) of that era. And one was also panned by critics (1). You know, those people that everyone used to look to, when it came to deciding what to watch. And you know what happened, people watched anyway. In no small part to the arrival of the home movie and movie rental market.
That Terminator cinematography we all know and love, we only got that because the production happened at night, as the crew and cast ran around (read: sneaked around), permit-less, to get their shots.
Many of our favorite Fright Night scenes were one takes because the materials they were using were so fragile that they only had one good shot in them. Make the shot or blow the scene. Those were the stakes. And they made it happen.
Our beloved, The Thing, had artists (specifically Rob Bottin lived on set for over a year and had to be hospitalized after for exhaustion and pneumonia) living on set and working for food and yet they created some of the most iconic creatures, kills and body horror we’ve ever seen. And half of their material was sugar and I’m only half joking.
These productions were low budget indie horror films. They all came together because a bunch of artists made that shit happen. Whatever it took. I’m not making the argument that artists should work for food, I’m arguing that incredible art is often made because the artists had more ingenuity and energy than money. And lack of budget is a terrible reason to not give a film a shot.
- “Yeah well I can’t get that hour and a half back.” Yeah and you otherwise would have spend that hour and a half scrolling social media which is a much bigger waste of time. At least you supported artistry by streaming a free movie on Tubi, Michael!
Also, if you’re someone who’s always saying, all the movies are the same with the same big name actors, in every one. Well guess where you can find something new? Ding, ding, ding…indie films because they can take risks where big budget films won’t because the big guys go where the money is until it’s bled dry.
We wouldn’t have all these weird and whimsical shark movies (see: Ghost Shark, Shark Side of the Moon, Avalanche Shark etc.), holiday horror movies and an absolute flood of indie horrors based on beloved cartoons that are now public domain (see: Screamboat, Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey, Pinocchio’s Revenge etc.)
Also, you’ll see some of the most dedicated and talented actors in indie film. If you’re tired of seeing the same old faces then watch indie films. If you have this idea that if the actors were any good they wouldn’t have to work in independent film, you’re wrong. Most actors are working class and they go where the work is. Everyone can’t go to Hollywood and work for these big production companies and directors. And most, also work regular people jobs when they’re not in movies. It doesn’t mean anything, that’s just the game.
- “I saw that one actor in a movie in the theater and now he’s in this low budget movie that no one’s ever heard of.” I hate to be the one to have to inform you that acting is a job. One movie is one job, another movie…is a different job.
Like I said, they are simply working class people in a widely visible profession. They haven’t failed, you’re still seeing them in movies and series, right?! And even if you see them on your tv and then see them teaching at your kid’s school, they still haven’t failed, that’s just the game. Plus those kids are lucky to have them. You should be glad, thank them some time.
And that’s to say nothing of the crew that you never see and who also might be working at a coffee shop when they are not on a set. All those movies and series that you love and are beautifully shot, edited, perfectly green screened and with incredible sound, balanced on the head of a pin and balance sheet by Producers. That’s all thanks to an army of people you will never see.
And don’t get me started on all the ‘free’ stuff they do that promotes all those movies and series. Whenever you listen to a podcast (here’s mine btw), those people are gracing us with their valuable time. Going to conventions, red carpets, signings, showings etc. They don’t have to do any of that but they want us to watch the movies that they have put their all into. And when I say their all, I mean it.
I’ve interviewed people who’ve gone broke, been robbed of their royalties, ended up working with the shadiest people to get this stuff made and your argument is that you’re being distracted from scrolling in the lands of propaganda, ai and boomer rage. Sorry but an hour and a half spent on what may well turn out to be a bad movie, still sounds like a better use of your time.
Plus you may see something you’ve never seen before and may never see again and they only do that in indie films. Someone waited their entire life to create that scene and that’s awesome! Big budget movies do not take those risks and mark my words, if you see something crazy in a big budget film that seems uniquely insane, they saw it in an indie first and it landed. Or they made that indie movie first and the IP went main stream (see: Terrifier).
Sometimes you might notice a film was crowdfunded and you don’t like that and it feels scummy to you. Anyone who makes movies will tell you the hardest part of getting a film made is getting it funded. Making movies always costs more than you think and there’s never enough money. I would argue that going to the people who are most likely to watch your movie and letting them pre-order and buy merch etc. is smart.
They want to support the production and many will, if given the chance. Plus the director keeps creative control because there is not just one deep pocketed investor who also wants creative control, to keep happy, lest he walks away with his still full pockets. If we want new movies, with fresh ideas then we need to support the ones we want and the people who make them. I would argue crowdfunding is one of the better and easier ways to do that.
And in case you didn’t know, some of the most talented, multifaceted and the smartest people I have ever met are in the business of independent horror. A lot of them are people who low key also make games that have won Grammys. They’re also in bands, they’re writers, they are voice actors for your kids’ favorite cartoons, they’re stop motion artists, some are professors, some are also comics out of Second City.
And that last one, can sometimes explain why some of these movies are so hilarious. If you have dark or gallows humor, most of your best laughs are likely hiding in indie horror. Which is another really good reason to watch bad horror movies, by the way. You’re supposed to laugh at the person crash landing down that flight of stairs AND that’s why that person is represented by an obvious disjointed dummy. Because you’re supposed to laugh!
You’re missing out on some of our best and brightest by avoiding independent movies. So risk watching a bad movie, if for no other reason, supporting the arts is supporting a greater good.
As for me, I just love cinema, I watch it all. Always have, always will.