Britgeek here.
CHILLERAMA was one of my favourite films of 2011. I adored the way writer/directors Adam Green, Joe Lynch, Tim Sullivan and Adam Rifkin brought their own styles and tastes to the blood-splattered anthology and created four episodes that not only worked in perfect harmony, but were so very different from each other. They all have their own identity and brand of twisted horror-comedy.
Last month, I spoke to Sean Paul Lockhart and Anton Troy, the stars of Sullivan's segment I WAS A TEENAGE WEREBEAR, a fun and campy tale of repressed sexuality in the style of BEACH BLANKET BINGO meets AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, to discuss how they got involved in the guts 'n' glory of CHILLERAMA, their production stories and associated side projects, like Troy's mockumentary short, THE MAN BEHIND THE BEAST, which you can watch below:
I also promised that I'd soon be presenting the exclusive world premiere of the official CHILLERAMA music video right here on AICN, and it brings me great joy to say that the time has now come, so here's Sullivan to introduce it.
Today I spoke with Tim on the phone and with our conversation he brought some fantastic news regarding the expansion of the CHILLERAMA experience with not only the music video by Psycho Charger, but the announcement of another very special surprise for all the werebears out there who have eagerly been anticipating a fresh opportunity to sink their teeth into another slice of no holds barred outrageousness.
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TIM SULLIVAN: I'm very grateful to see the exclusive world premiere of the CHILLERAMA music video on Ain't It Cool News. What's been great about CHILLERAMA is that it's sort of extended beyond just horror or comedy or gay film festivals, it seems to be very broad, which is interesting for a film that is so... [laughs] I kind of think of it as such a specialised taste. Of all the films I've been a part of it's actually the one project that's had the widest release and widest acceptance.
BRITGEEK: Absolutely. I think it's pretty tasteless, but that's what everyone loves about CHILLERAMA.
TS: [Laughs] I have to say, it's funny, I think of it as like bad taste done with class if that makes sense... [laughs] I don't know, maybe not class, but bad taste with panache. Yeah, let's say that, bad taste with panache. We were going for the Monty Python... I mean, if you look at movies like LIFE OF BRIAN and HOLY GRAIL and THE MEANING OF LIFE, they get some pretty extreme stuff in there. I know that was my sort of inspiration for what I was trying to do.
BG: Did you always actually envision making a music video as well to extend the experience? Obviously Anton Troy made his mockumentary, THE MAN BEHIND THE BEAST.
TS: Well, it's funny because the whole shock 'n' roll thing, that's the name of my column and I use that term quite a bit. My love of film is equal to my love of music. When I was at NYU at college, I had a joint job. I wrote for Fangoria magazine and I also wrote music news for MTV, this is like '84 to '86, it's pretty crazy. So one day I'm hanging out with Gene Simmons and the next day I'm hanging out with Robert Englund.
Music has always been a pretty huge component of every project I've worked on. DETROIT ROCK CITY was the first big one that I worked on and that's where I met Adam Rifkin, and we did a music video for that with Everclear and Gene Simmons. I'd been wanting to do a music video for every one of my films, [2001 MANIACS], DRIFTWOOD, FIELD OF SCREAMS... every one of those have had soundtrack albums with the exception of 2001 MANIACS. I've written songs for every one of them, I've created soundtracks: DRIFTWOOD and FIELD OF SCREAMS are out on CD soundtracks, and it just never happened.
So, I was determined that we were going to do a music video for CHILLERAMA, and the thing is, this was the second time that I've worked with the band Psycho Charger, and they are just amazing. I think of them as like Rob Zombie meets Chris Isaac [laughs]. They did the theme song for FIELD OF SCREAMS – The South Shall Rise – and they wrote this killer song, and it's crazy to me because you know a movie like CHILLERAMA is not gonna get an Oscar nomination [laughs], and I've got to be honest, if the goal of a song for a movie is to convey the essence and spirit and even narrative of the film, I can't think of few theme songs that have done that better than Psycho Charger's actual song, I mean you look at the lyrics and the thing that's really amazing is Jimmy Psycho – who's sort of the genius behind Psycho Charger – he wrote this song before the movie was done, 'cause we needed it, so I gave him a copy of the script and from that script he wrote these amazing lyrics, and [they] just told the story of each episode.
Once I heard the demo I was just like, 'Jimmy, this is fantastic, I have an idea: what if we put sound bites from the movie in there? Little bits of dialogue, some of the more memorable lines,' and he went for it and it just works so good.
I'll be honest with you, a music video, especially in low-budget land these days, nobody wants to spring for a music video …
We originally wanted a music video that was going to take place at the drive-in where we actually filmed it and try and get actors from the movie in it, and it just didn't work out, so me and Adam Rifkin were kind of bummed, like this is ridiculous, the song is too good, a real missed opportunity. In October, after the movie had actually come out and everything … the ZOM-B-MOVIE soundtrack had come out, the Bear McCreary soundtrack, and I knew that we were gonna do a [I WAS A TEENAGE WEREBEAR] soundtrack for Valentine's Day, sort of like the second wave of CHILLERAMA promotion, like when an album comes out, you put out the first single and then three months later you put out the second single … And I thought I'll have time to get this together and I don't care, I'm just gonna do it down and dirty, the way we did the movie. What do I have available?
So, this really cool family, a husband and wife, Bob and Tobi Yeomans … they have this amazing ranch where it's like everything you can think of is there, and that's where we shot BLOODY BLOODY BIBLE CAMP, that's where I shot ONE FOR THE ROAD, the Stephen King short that I produced, and literally I just called them up. Adam Rifkin and I were at the Scream Awards or something like that, he was like, 'Damn, we have to do a music video, this is bullshit,' and I was like, 'Okay, well I'll do it,' because everybody else was busy. So, I called these people up and said I have nothing. I have no money.
None of us, me, [Adam Green], [Joe Lynch] and Rifkin... I just want people to realise this: none of us got paid for CHILLERAMA. We all deferred our salaries. Not one of us got paid. So it's like none of us are getting paid and now we're digging into our own wallets, but it was worth that much to me to do it. I went on eBay, sold some shit [laughs], some signed photos, some signed DVDs, and put that money right into the music video.
I called up these people and said, 'Hey, I got an idea, we're gonna have a CHILLERAMA Halloween haunted house party and we'll have the band there and we'll get all the kids in the neighbourhood to dress up for Halloween, we'll have a couple of cases of beer, and we'll just have a party and film that and see what the fuck happens [laughs]. And that's pretty much what we did.
I always liked the music videos like Thriller by Michael Jackson that had a little bit of a story. Josh Broadus, who's actually the choreographer on WEREBEARS, I cast him as the leader of a group of kids who are trick or treating. He's a vampire, they go to Psycho Charger's house and, instead of candy, they get a copy of CHILLERAMA and the next thing you know, there's a big house party. It was so much fun.
Psycho Charger was crazy, they always wear this skull body paint and it was just nuts. Adam Robitel, from FIELD OF SCREAMS and who also plays Butch in WEREBEARS, actually edited the video, me and Adam Rifkin produced it, and it's nice because for people who are into CHILLERAMA, here's something new, it's almost like those fan films they do for Comic-Con or something like that.
Here's something new you haven't seen yet, it's not on the DVD … It's sort of a thank you to all of the fans who have really supported the hell out of CHILLERAMA.
BG: One of the things that I've been reading quite a lot lately is that you made CHILLERAMA, as a whole, for $300,000. Is that right?
TS: Joe Lynch spent a lot of money on faeces. I think we went over budget. I think we were about 330. I did WEREBEARS for $38,000.
BG: It's amazing really how, collectively, it cost so little.
TS: It works both ways. On the one hand, I'm proud of that, on the other hand, I say that and the next thing I know I've got producers calling me up and they want me to do it again. I want to reiterate we made that for $330,000.
None of us got paid. Honestly, I'm not saying that to gripe, my greatest reward is that right now I'm sitting in my living room, I'm looking at my DVD collection and there's CHILLERAMA sitting on the shelf, it's between CHUCKY and CHINATOWN [laughs]. Money comes and goes and just knowing that this movie that me and Adam Rifkin had in our heads for 12 years is a reality, that is greater than any reward.
And I know there's a lot of people out there who are not gonna be happy about this news, but for those who don't like WEREBEARS, you can skip the next paragraph, and for those who love WEREBEARS, it's time to rejoice, because, despite the fact that it's something that a lot of people don't like or a lot of people love, I WAS A TEENAGE WEREBEAR is going to be expanded into a full-length stage musical that will premiere for at least two months in LA next September, following in the tradition of RE-ANIMATOR: THE MUSICAL, TOXIC AVENGER: THE MUSICAL and all that kind of stuff … Adam Rifkin is producing it with me, Sean Abley, who actually writes for Fangoria and is also a director of stage musicals, [will be] be directing it … I'm producing it, writing it, and I'll be writing about six to eight new songs for it, I've already written two, and I'm excited to say that Anton Troy and Sean Lockhart will actually be reprising their roles.
There's a lot of plays that become movies and lately a lot of movies that become plays, but I can't think of an instance where a movie became a play and the actors in the movie actually reprised their roles on stage, I can't think of that. So CHILLERAMA, like Wadzilla, keeps growing and growing and oozing all over the place.
BG: Is the stage musical where it sort of comes full circle, or do you have any other CHILLERAMA tie-in projects in mind?
TS: CHILLERAMA was always designed not to be a one-off, but to be around for a while. We have big plans for CHILLERAMA and we'll see what happens. Right now the next stage is the musical and we're working on a bunch of stuff, so we'll see what happens. I go back sometimes and I read interviews I've done and things I've said will happen haven't happened, so I'm focusing on the stuff that's actually happening [laughs]. The WEREBEARS musical is a reality, the soundtrack's a reality, the music video's a reality, so... there's a lot of stuff to explore.
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Here's the exclusive press release detailing all the information about both the official motion picture soundtrack and the amazing news of a stage adaptation:
THIS VALENTINE'S DAY, WEREBEARS NEED LOVE TOO! TIM SULLIVAN'S CHILLERAMA: I WAS A TEENAGE WEREBEAR TO BECOME STAGE MUSICAL AS BUYSOUNDTRAX RECORDS RELEASES FILM SOUNDTRACK
Featuring Original Songs By PsychoCharger, Briana Nadeau, Bobby Vinton and Robert Vinton, With Score by Patrick Copeland
(Los Angeles, CA – February 02, 2012) The perfect Valentine's Day gift for the werebear you love, BuySoundtrax Records will release Tim Sullivan's Chillerama: I Was A Teenage Werebear – The Original Soundtrack featuring songs and score performed by PsychoCharger, Briana Nadeau, Bobby Vinton, Robert Vinton, and cast members Sean Paul Lockhart, Gabby West and Anton Troy. The album will be available as a special limited collectors CD as well as digital download on iTunes.
An homage to the drive-in movies of the 50's and 60's, Chillerama is a comedy-horror anthology comprised of four vignettes from some of contemporary horror's biggest filmmakers, among them I Was A Teenage Werebear from writer/director Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs, Driftwood). A funny, subversive spoof of the Eisenhower/Kennedy-era beach movies. I Was A Teenage Werebear follows a day in the life of closeted new kid Ricky O'Reilly (played by Sean Paul Lockhart, aka adult film superstar Brent Corrigan) who falls for Malibu High's mysterious bad boy Talon (Anton Troy). When aroused, the two transform into bestial leather daddies, the titular werebears. The film features five rock 'n roll musical numbers, along with five other songs written specifically for the soundtrack that spin the frothy boy/girl/beach format into a humorously bloody, albeit well-intentioned, call for acceptance and tolerance. And now these songs will be available for the first time exclusively from BuySoundtrax Records.
“One of the pleasures making I Was A Teenage Werebear,” described Sullivan, “was independence it allowed me to simply be me. And that meant coming out of the closet as an admitted fan of movie musicals as well as movie monsters. So taking a page from Rocky Horror and Hairspray, I channelled my inner American Graffiti and Grease and dashed out some ditties I hope combined camp and cool.”
Rounding out the songs performed in the film by Lockhart, Troy and company, Sullivan tapped a variety of artists, including pop diva Briana Nadeau, whose “I'm Gonna Make Him Mine” and “Undercover Lover”, are a perfect blend of Duffy meets Dusty Springfield.
Two other songs featured in the film are courtesy of the Vintons, Bobby and son Rob. “Truth be told,' continued Sullivan, “before I became obsessed with KISS at age 13, I was quite infatuated with Bobby Vinton, our family being Polish and my grandma playing his albums over and over. Never in a million years would I have dreamed that Mr. Lonely himself would be crooning a tune in one of my films. But with “Where Were You When I was 17?”, Bobby Vinton has done just that. As has his son Rob, who not only contributed “Sexy Ways” to the soundtrack, but performs it on screen in the film with his band.
Also included on the soundtrack, Patrick Copeland's guitar twanged score in suite form, as well as a nice little bonus from shockabilly rockers Psycho Charger, who conjured up the hard rocking title track and first single “Chillerama”. As music video for “Chillerama”, starring the band and featuring clips from the film, was directed by Sullivan and will be released to coincide with the soundtrack.
Though part of the Chillerama anthology, I Was A Teenage Werebear has taken on a life of its own after a four month tour of the 30 minute “hairy and uncut” version left fans growling for more. As a result, Sullivan and his Chillerama co-creator and fellow director Adam Rifkin will be bringing a full length musical stage version to LA in September of 2012. Stars Sean Paul Lockhart, Anton Troy and Tom Colby will be reprising their roles, with Rifkin, Lockhart and Colby producing, Sullivan writing the book and lyrics, and Werebear newcomer Sean Abley serving as director.
“I guess the moral of the story is – when you stay true, good things happen,” said Sullivan. “We all stayed true to our vision and theme, and the result is this fun little soundtrack of which we are all proud. These tunes are designed to stick in your brain forever – so proceed at your own risk. And never forget – werebears need love too...”
ABOUT TIM SULLIVAN: Writer/Director/Producer Tim Sullivan is known for a wide variety of modern horror films, most significantly cult favorite 2001 Maniacs (2005) and its popular follow-up, Field of Screams (2010). He began his career as a New Jersey teenager pumping fake blood for 80's splatter classic The Deadly Spawn (1983). Sullivan moved to Los Angeles where he worked in development at New Line Cinema, co-producing Detroit Rock City (1999). With a directing style ranging from the 'splatstick' nature of the Maniacs franchise to the serious bent of teen thriller Driftwood (2007), Sullivan gained additional notoriety as celebrity director of VH1's hit series Scream Queens (2010) as well as creator and host of Shock N Roll, his weekly talk and video blog on leading web network Fearnet.com.
Recently re-joining forces with Detroit Rock City director Adam Rifkin for the comedy/horror anthology Chillerama (2011), Sullivan contributed the musical segment I Was A Teenage Werebear (soon to be a full length stage musical), embracing his passion for camp and rock and roll. Set to follow Chillerama, a variety of projects produced through Sullivan's production entity, New Rebellion Entertainment; teen comedy Battle of the Bands, queer fear anthology Triptych and The Poet in Exile; a stirring drama based on The Doors co-founder Ray Manzarek's bestselling novel about his life with Jim Morrison.
ABOUT BUY SOUNDTRAX: BUYSOUNDTRAX.COM was created for the serious collector of rare and hard-to-come-by CD soundtracks and other unique hard-to-find items. It's own label, BSX RECORDS has been steadily growing and we have been happy to present some long sought-after titles to our customers.
Here's the track listing for the official I WAS A TEENAGE WEREBEAR motion picture soundtrack:
1) Chillerama – Psycho Charger
2) Don't Look Away – Gabby West & Sean Paul Lockhart (Written by Tim Sullivan and Patrick Copeland)
3) Purge – Sean Paul Lockhart (Written by Tim Sullivan and Patrick Copeland)
4) Love Bit Me on the Ass – Anton Troy & Sean Paul Lockhart (Written by Tim Sullivan and Patrick Copeland)
5) Do the Werebear (and Let the Werebear Do You) – Anton Troy, Tom Colby & Chris Staviski (Written by Tim Sullivan and Patrick Copeland)
6) Room For All – Sean Paul Lockhart (Written by Tim Sullivan and Patrick Copeland
7) Where Were You When I Was 17? - Bobby Vinton
8) Undercover Lover – Briana Nadeau (Written by Briana Nadeau and Adam Williams)
9) Sexy Ways – Robert Vinton
10) I'm Gonna Make Him Mine – Briana Nadeau (Written by Briana Nadeau and Ryan Jennings)
11) I Was A Teenage Werebear Instrumental Suite Written by Patrick Copeland:
- A) Main Title - B) There's More to Life... -C) You Saved Me - D) You Saved Me - E) Beach Fantasy - F) Give in to Me, Rick -G) Shower Mayhem Aftermath - H) Even a Boy... - H) Luau Massacre – Werebears Need Love Too
12) Chillerama Drive In (Freak Out Remix) - Psycho Charger
CHILLERAMA is available now on DVD and Blu-ray from Image Entertainment, so go grab your copy right now! CHILLERAMA: I WAS A TEENAGE WEREBEAR – The Original Soundtrack will be available digitally, in stores, and directly from BuySoundtrax Records on February 14.
And just for fun, here are the lyrics to the title track, Chillerama, in all their filthy glory as written and performed by Psycho Charger!
Kaufman Drive-In for one last night
Get your ticket for fun and fright
Four films of super-shock!
The night is young, it's time to rock!
Tomorrow they put in the shopping mall
Uncle Cecil's going to show it all
Hitler, Nazis and a Werebear nation
Giant sperm and DeathAfication!
CHORUS:
Chillerama! All night, dusk til dawn
Chillerama! Get your scares and fun
Chillerama! Go! Go! Before it's gone!
Chillerama! Get down, get it on!
Cecil's loading up the reels
Kids in cars are coppin' feels
Floyd lost one of his pair
The blue goo is everywhere
The popcorn is tainted, people are changin'
Unholy acts of fornication
Lock the doors, run for your life
The horny dead here tonight!
BREAK:
Wadzilla, the giant sperm
The Werebears with lust to burn
Der Fuhrer and his master plan
Meshuggenah, the Monster Man!
GUITAR SOLO
Demon semen glowing blue
Undead whackers hurling goo
Sex zombies drilling their holes
A living dead orgy gone outta control
Don't waste a bullet to the head
Shoot the balls to make them dead
It's the devil's playground here tonight
The time has come to fuck or fight!
CHORUS
Do the werebear!
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