Posts tagged “Churchill Productions”

Howling at the Moon with Krista Grotte

Hello, My Freaky Darlings! What a wonderful morning for an interview! And have I got just the one for you! Remember me discussing a little movie by the name of Emerging Past? One directed by the talented Thomas Churchill? Well if you did, you should be hit in the head with a hammer and drowned in the lake!!! Just kidding…or am I? At anyrate…this interview has been on my shelf for a while now. So, it’s with great pleasure that I take it off of that shelf and up on a pedastal. I now present to you a very talented actress. Funny, Strong, Passionate, and full of energy….Park a chair outside in the moon light, wet your throat with a cool drink…because we are gonna’ be…

Howling at the Moon with Krista Grotte

You may pick your tongues up off the floor now guys....

Malice Psychotik: What got you started into acting?

Krista Grotte: I have Always been a natural performer, I was involved in everything I could since grade school, so for me, it is all I have known. I have many home videos of movie remakes I made by myself, lets just hope nobody ever sees them. My first role began after I decided to take acting workshops for fun, I followed the instructions of my acting coach, Corinne Broskett and submitted my headshots. My movie career began with my first role as an inbred transient for the horror short- Filthy. As soon as I read that script- I knew I would nail that role! 

Malice: When your not acting, do you have another profession?

Krista: Yes, I love the psychiatric field- again, its all I have known…Wink, wink to my Family. It truly goes hand in hand with acting. The further off people seem, the more they seem to be drawn to me. Always have been! Its just a natural thing for me working with schizophrenics and addicts.I have a way of helping them change for the better and showing them their illness is just that. It by no means defines them. I am drawn to different dimensions. I wish to open a clinic soon.

The doctor will see you now....

Malice: Emerging Past is a fantastic movie, and I’ve followed it for quite some time. How did you come across the role?

Krista: Thank You! Im very, very proud to be a part of Emerging Past and thank you for following this amazing journey. I had come across the role through Brooke McCarter, we had just wrapped on filming The Godfather of Gore-Herschell Gordon Lewis’ “The Uh-Oh Show.”  It was like a live action cartoon. Crazy times!! Brooke was approached with Emerging Past and he recommended me to join the cast. A couple of lead females hadn’t worked out, to my insane luck, the role of Pamela Garrett was still available. Thom Churchill had contacted me and sent this amazing script. We discussed it further and the rest is history!

Malice: Were there any scenes that that were difficult to film?

Krista: Yes. We had to film a scene where Father Cole was stabbed and butchered…with a crucifex. Not only was the priest stabbed with a crucifex with my hand, we happened to film this scene at the actual Catholic Church rectory…where the priests live. It is this old 3 story building on the Church grounds in Queens, NY. I remember asking Thom, “Do they realize what we are filming here?” I dont even remember what he said, but knowing Thom it was something funny and sarcastic. I said Im gonna go have a cigarette before we shoot this. I went down the three flights of creeky, creepy stairs only to find six priests sitting at the table eating dinner. I had to psychologically prepare myself to hold that sharp cross with Jesus on it and stab the priest over and over as the church bells rang. Yeah, that was difficult to film. I was nervous about flying home after that…

Malice: So, there is a rumor being passed around that you will be in the sequal to Emerging Past. Is it true?

Krista: I think I heard that same rumor!!! 😉

Goddamn It!!!! That's Hugh Heffner....

Malice: You’re also attached to be in the Thomas Churchill’s next film Hallow Pointe. Anything you can tell us about your role?

Krista: It is top secret, but I do know one thing… Anything Thom Churchill is involved in is sure to be quite an experience! Awesome Director! Amazing creativity!! I am anxiously and wholeheartedly looking forward to Hallow Pointe. I love werewolves!!! OOoooooowwwww!!!

Malice: Let’s talk a little about you. What sort of things do you do in preparation for a role?

Krista: I submerse myself into the world of the character I am playing, and it works for me. Reading the dialogue and script over and over has a tendency to subconsciously sink into your actions as well. If you look at my character Pam in Emerging Past, I look so weathered and stressed and just all around different than my other not so serious roles. You can see the emotion on my face. To me, that was the effect we were going for. That is how a woman in that world would be- a deranged mess and I had fun becoming a deranged mess!!! However, it took quite a bit of positive thinking and work to get myself back. Pretty Amazing stuff.

((Editor Note: I have to get myself back sometimes too….it requires a lot of Absinthe and Jager!))

Malice: Do you do horror movies primarily because of a love for horror? Or is that just what roles turns up?

Krista: I have ALWAYS been a horror Fan. I love The Shining, the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Friday the 13th and Jaws. Filthy was my first film ever. It just so happened to be a horror. Working on that set got me ADDICTED to being a part of every horror film I could. Their is just something soooo different about the people on set. The worlds we are in, the fun, the creepiness, the loyal die hard horror film lovers and oooohhh the blood and gore- it’s the coolest thing EVER! It really is. I get emotional just talking about it. 

Thinks about it...What kind of emotion?....Hmmm.....Oh....OHHHHHHHHHHHHH....Me Gusta....

Malice: Taking a look at your resume reveals your a pretty athletic person. I noticed it said you know how to box. How did that come about?

Krista: I have a bit of a rough side, I have been that way since I was a kid. And I Love it. I made my mom get me a weight set for Christmas in Fourth grade. Screw Pilates! I enjoy lifting weights

Rough Side? Never would have guessed it...

Malice: Now it’s time for some “Out-of-Hat” questions…These are just some completely random questions…Just have fun with them…They allow my readers to see a little more about who you are…Nothing is to inappropriate for my site so….

Krista: Oh, now ya tell me- let me go back and put swear words in my interview!!! I always get hell for doing that. So, I appreciate the true horror fans who dont give a damn how I tell my story!

Malice: Who was your favorite character on Scooby Doo?

Krista: Its a tie between Shaggy & Scooby, they are both high as hell! Gives the kids something to look forward to when they grow up.

Malice: What era of horror do you think is most important?

Krista: The gritty, raw feel of horror made in the 60’s and 70’s. I find it really hard to get involved in the newer scary movies that focus on cheap stories and well known stars! The names attached to the film is the most important thing to the studios and thats bullshit! Thats why there are so many remakes today, not as much creativity. Just attach a name and call it a day. No, I want real psychological terror and I will remember those actors for their intensity, not remember a movie because somebody is in it. 

Malice: Werewolves or Vampires? Why?

Krista: Werewolves. Cause we are gonna be working on Hallow Pointe!!! Ooooowwww

That’s all for today Darlings! Hope you enjoyed the interview. I Am dearly hoping most of you read this for the article….If you didn’t….Exposure is exposure and Krista and Me care not!!! Stay tuned for more madness to come. For more on Emerging Past, check the trailer below. For more on Hallow Pointe, follow them on Facebook!

Until Next Time, My Freaky Darlings,

Malice Psychotik

Add Hallow Pointe on Facebook HERE

Watch the video and Like the Link if you know whats good for ya!

April 3, 2012 | Categories: Interviews! | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Here Comes Thomas Churchill!

The last few months have ben a real trip with the celebrity interviews I’ve had the pleasure of doing. In doing these interviews, it has started a cascade effect of leading me to movies and up and coming directors that otherwise I might not have been exposed to. Great Directors! I mean, talent that should really be in the mainstream! I hope one day, these directors will be amongst the likes of Clive Barker, George Romero, John Carpenter, Wes Craven, and Quintin Tarantino! This will mark the third director I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. My Freaky Darlings, allow me to present a man of vision. A man who understands where horror has been and where it needs to go. Move over Rob Zombie, get out of the way Michael Bay….

Here Comes Thomas Churchill!

Malice: Hey there guys and ghouls, I have a real treat for you today. Writer, Director, and Producer of Emerging Past Thomas Churchill! Let’s start with Emerging Past. The trailer for this movie makes it look very impressive. Can you tell us a little about it?
Thomas Churchill: Nope..top secret! Just kidding. OK just a little synopsis of Emerging Past
Pamela Garret (played by Krista Grotte of Hershel Gordan Lewis’ The Uh-Oh Show and Brainjacked), a photographer for a busy newspaper company has just taken a life altering photograph.. After her boss, Cameron (Stephen Geoffreys of Fright Night, 976-Evil) hands her an easy assignment, she takes a photograph that will have her emerged into chaos. As she searches for help within her friend Dylan (Brooke McCarter from The Lost Boys) in a lost city filled with a dark mystery, in this insane situation she soon realizes that no one can help her. When trusting people around you is not an option, it’s her past that can bring her down. ..OK I said too much. Tony Moran (Carpenters Halloween 1 & 2)
, Edward X Young (The Green Monster, Mr Hush) and Mike Marino all have roles in the film.  The film was a great project to work on…Paul and Lorie Weinroth of  Chocolate Bunny Productions gave me total creative control in allowing me to bring what I wrote to life.

Malice: It looks like there are going to be a few hidden “Easter Eggs” (Example Steve Dash’s Character being named Det. Voorhees) Am I correct in assuming there are more?
Thomas: Yes…Emerging Past is more than just film…it has many hidden easter eggs within the story line. It will be a film that you will want watch over and over. Well, I hope my audience will want to watch it over and over.


Malice: As a writer I love finding out the little ideas that spark a story. What got you started on the idea for the movie?
Thomas: Well…the concept came from a road trip my cousin and I did back in 1990. We took a trip to Washington DC to visit his sister. I am a super fan of The Exorcist, I had to see the locations within the Georgetown surroundings. The storyline was thought out within the five-hour trip from New York to DC. I shot a very low-budget version of the film at the same time. Kind of like a treatment. Than worked on the storyline for sometime until what we have today. A good solid Psychological horror. Somewhere between The Exorcist and The Omen is where Emerging Past will sit.
Malice: This film won Best Horror Feature at the New York City International Film Festival for 2010. How did it feel winning such an award?
Thomas: Oh My God…like biting into a York Peppermint Patty…Just kidding. It was amazing! It was a good shot in the arm validating what the crew and cast already feel, that we have a good film. Hopefully, it will not be the last award for this film.

Malice: You even directed a music video for Emerging Past (Soul I Bare- G Tom Mac).  How cool is it having a G Tom Mac song attached to your film? (He wrote “Cry Little Sister” for Gods sake!!)
Thomas: Funny I have 6 G Tom Mac songs in the film. As well as he has written and performed the score…Wow…G Tom is a Legend in the music business! Not only did he is known for Cry Little Sister, but he has written for Kiss, The Who…the list goes on. Most music you hear on The CW network is his. Shooting that video for “Soul I Bare” was a treat. The fans really love it. I am happy I didn’t let his fans down. One of those songs in the film is a song written by G and Cory Haim called “Mend Me”. It is the only recorded song from Cory. I am very honored and proud to have it in the film. A sidebar note Cory was approached to play a role in the film…but fate took its toll… So having the song in the film, it fills that void where Cory should have been in Emerging Past.  We also did another video that will be released shortly is called “Mud” and it’s performed by Katie DiCiccio. G Tom brought her to the Emerging Past table. The song is amazing. Complete opposite of G Tom’s “Soul I Bare”

Malice: I know it’s not out on DVD yet, but do you have any showings coming up on the Film Festival circuit?
Thomas: Yes…we will be showing it at Spooky Empire’s Ultimate Horror Weekend in Orlando, FL October 8-10. We are showing it on Oct 9th at 3:30pm and we will be showing it at the end of Oct at The Mr Hush’s Weekend of Fear Oct 22-24 2010 in PA. In early November we maybe doing another convention. I can not release the name yet…

Malice: Is there any date set for a DVD release?
Thomas: We are discussing that as we speak with some distributors…I am really pushing for a theatrical release first..That’s the goal.

Malice: Your also involved with a project I have been following lately, Mr. Hush. What is your take on the movie?
Thomas: Yes, I am. I am a producer and I play Sheriff Churchill in David Lee Madison’s film. I believe the film will be an instant classic. I can assure you it has been a very long time since an audience has seen a picture like this. We shot it North-East PA back in April. Good times…. What a great town Milford was to shoot a film in. Working with David Madison and the team was cool. David and I produced Emerging Past and Mr. Hush together…funny we never ever produced our homework together…we went to the same Junior High School in Queens, NY together…Now…thats an Easter egg, huh?


Malice: How did you come across Mr. Hush?
Thomas: David had this concept…I was busting his chops for months to direct it…he tortured me until the end until he did it. He let me pop off some scenes, I was happy.  Kind of like how Tarantino and Rodriguez work together. Well, he has talked about it on the Emerging Past set and it was going to be the next film we will do. I love the story. The locations and all that were involved make up a great film. Completely different from Emerging Past. David has already  told me that if Mr. Hush is well received, I will direct the sequel.  So, I hope it is and I do. I believe it is a great story and would love to play on the Mr. Hush field.  The film is an homage to 80’s iconic horror films. The story is so fresh and new which most films are missing in todays recycled projects. We have Brad Loree (Halloween: Resurrection), Edward X Young (Emerging Past, The Green Monster) and Steve Dash  (Friday the 13th: Part 2) and Stephen Geoffreys (Fright Night, 976-EVIL) along with scream queen Jessica Cameron just to name a few.

Malice: You have another film announced too, Cold Plastic. What is that about?
Thomas: Well, Cold Plastic is sooooo different from both Emerging Past and Mr. Hush. Think Boogie Nights meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Production begins early winter in this psychotic murder mystery.

Malice: Now I want to talk more about you, what got you into film?
Thomas: Hmmmm, good question. Well, I started out as an actor. Started making films amongst my friends back in New York. I fell hard in love with the concept of creating a project. From writing, producing and directing my own films. Winning a Best Feature award at 18, helped as well. I was bit by the bug and wanted more.

Malice: One can only assume, when looking at your film history, that you are a horror fan. How long have you been with the genre?

Thomas: Well, I love the genre. My father used to take me to the movies when I was a kid…mostly horror. Whenever a T&A scene will come up, my father’s hand will cover my eyes. He did this with a real violent scenes as well. The sound of horror was not shielded. I was intrigued of what I was hearing and it sounded worse than what I would have saw. My mind was racing with images I was creating in my head for what I was hearing.  Sound to me plays such a big role in film and to equally balance the visuals with Emerging Past, I went to my friends Matt and Mitch over at Soundz Mp3 Entertainment to recreate what scared me as a child. I wanted more…I love all sorts of genre films especially gangster/action films. But…Horror is like my oxygen..I need it to be alive.

Malice: What has been the thrill of your career thus far?
Thomas: Meeting new people, meeting new fans at the conventions, working with friends I grew up with and creating stories that no one has scene before. I like twists. I like things that are not the norm.
Malice: Now it’s a bit of a tradition for me to ask some “Out of Hat” questions. I think I Will change pace and make these either or questions. Shall we begin?
Thomas: Sure…

Malice: Jason Voorhees or Freddy Krueger?
Thomas: Hmmm… Well being a friend of Steve Dash and knowing Kane, Richard, Dick, Ted, Ari , Tom and Ken I have to lean towards Jason. He is a lot like Michael Myers one of my favorite serial killer next to Norman Bates. But, Freddy what can I say Robert is brilliant! The serial killer and slasher films hit the next level with Wes Cravens’ Nightmare on Elm Street…No matter how many remakes are turned out…The originals are ICONIC!

Malice: The Crow or The Lost Boys?

Thomas: Wow…You know I will have to say The Lost Boys! Being I have Brooke McCarter (Paul in The Lost Boys) and G Tom Mac (The Lost Boys theme “Cry Little Sister”) are part of Emerging Past. So family stays with family…and Family is Forever.

Malice: “Family Guy” or “The Simpsons”?

Thomas: I love “The Family Guy”.

Malice: Alice Cooper or Marilyn Manson?

Thomas: Kenny G…just kidding…I like Gene Simmons!

Malice: Well that’s about all the time we have for today, Thom is there anything you would like to add before we finish?

Thomas: Yes…go to Emerging Past and Mr. Hush on Facebook, become a fan and suggest it to your friends as well. Go to my official website www.churchhillproductions.com, www.emergingpast.com, and www.mrhush.net for up to the minute news on our projects. Thank you very much.

I just want to say how awesome it has been getting to know everyone from these projects. You heard it here, make sure to check out Emerging Past at Spooky Empire’s Ultimate Horror Weekend in Orlando, Fl October 9th. If you’re not going to be there, hit it up at Mr. Hush: Weekend of Fear in Matamoras, Pa October 22nd-24th.Check out the Trailer below!

Until Next Time, My Freaky Darlings,

Malice Psychotik

September 30, 2010 | Categories: Interviews! | Tags: , , , | 4 Comments

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