Since Horror Press began, we’ve always been on the lookout for new, bold, independent horror films; we love to share unique voices in horror and their efforts with our readers. And this week, we’ve found something fresh for all of our hair metal fans, as a remake of the 1989 horror film Scream Dream is soon to be realized by independent film company Pink Lightning Productions, replete with crazy music and even crazier aesthetics to match.
Following the young rocker Jamie, things seem to be turning up as she lands a spot as lead singer in a metal band on the rise. But what she doesn’t know is who she’s replacing: the scorned Michelle Shock, a part-time musician and now full-time witch, who makes a deal with the Devil to torment Jamie with black magic. Summoning hellish horrors to try and tear apart the band, things spiral out of control fast as Jamie is driven to madness, and Michelle seeks her revenge.
While the aesthetics of the original film (by Donald Farmer of Shark Exorcist fame) were a bit less over the top, director and writer Adam Freeman describes the Scream Dream remake as stepping into “a neon-lit nightmare of 80s excess, where pastel-colored dreams turn into glittering terrors”. We’re pretty interested in how far this aesthetic gets pushed, given that Freeman has said part of the process involved “covering the entire cast in chunky glitter, applied using a combination of lube and hairspray.”
And we thought the aftermath of summoning demons was hard to clean up.
Freeman says he was inspired by the low-budget heart of Shot-On-Video horror from the 80s and 90s that he grew up on. He was driven to make a film for horror fans looking to stun their senses and cut their teeth on the spectacle of it: “My ultimate goal with Scream Dream is to leave audiences utterly mesmerized.” Part of that sensory experience includes the film’s original music, written and performed by independent heavy metal artist Slasherboy, with music video elements throughout the film that play a pivotal role in the story.
After the resounding success of the original campaign to see Scream Dream funded and filmed, the cast and crew are looking to horror fans once more for help, with aims to finish the production and move directly into distribution, with their campaign page reading: “Your support will not only help us realize our vision but also bring Scream Dream to screens faster than ever before, reaching horror enthusiasts across DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming platforms. Join us in making Scream Dream a cinematic sensation that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats and craving for more!”
As Scream Dream enters the final stages of post-production, their Indiegogo is now live (which you can check out here), and offers plenty of perks for all the fans who want to have a hand in getting it across the finish line. So, if you’re looking for a new weird and wild movie to back, and don’t mind getting your hands a little glittery to grease the wheels, now’s the time, and Pink Lightning Productions are your people.