Veteran genre documentarian on his upcoming EMPIRE Pictures documentary.
The name Daniel Griffith carries weight for ardent horror-loving home video collectors. Griffith is the owner and operator of Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, a production house that has been creating high-quality bonus features and in-depth documentary for such DVD and Blu-ray imprints as Legendary Films, Scream! Factory, Synapse Films, VCI Entertainment, and more.
Now, the veteran documentarian has set his sights on one of the most celebrated independent genre production houses of the 1980s: Charles and his father Albert Bands legendary and lamented EMPIRE Pictures.
EMPIRE famously produced and released such gems as GHOULIES, TERRORVISION, RE-ANIMATOR, DOLLS, CRAWLSPACE, TROLL and dozens more, many of them filmed in Italy with iconic Italian film craftsmen on the crew. There was a look and feel to these films that made them fan favorites but, like all good things, the EMPIRE machine folded at the tail of the decade, with the Bands going forward to create the still-in-operation Full Moon Features.
But Griffith knows the history and has decided that a deeper look would make for the mother of all strange cinema investigations. He recently launched a KickStarter campaign to provide the necessary funding to finish the feature and, in light of this, SHOCK poked around to learn more
SHOCK: When did you first discover the world of EMPIRE pictures?
GRIFFITH: I was only able to catch one or two of the EMPIRE releases in the theater. The film market for my hometown was quite small at the time. Even when an EMPIRE title would slither into the local multiplex, it would vanish from the marquee faster than you could say SORRORITY BABES IN THE SLIME-BALL BOWL-O-RAMA. Fortunately, I could rely on my local ‘mom & pop’ video store to stock those titles. VHS was the key that unlocked the doors to the fantastical world of EMPIRE. I must have worn out the local video copies of ELIMINATORS and RE-ANIMATOR. As a matter of fact, I may still owe late fees on FROM BEYOND. Sorry, Action Video!
SHOCK: Being a fan is one thing, but why pursue the a massive task of making a feature documentary?
GRIFFITH: Several years ago, when I first started producing documentaries for Shout! Factory’s MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 box sets, I began to realize that the EMPIRE films were merely the 1980’s counterpart to the American International Pictures releases of the 1950’s and 60’s. AIPs titles were B-movie fare produced for a specific audience, similar to EMPIRE. Even more intriguing was the fact that most of the cast and crew on the EMPIRE productions grew up watching those features. I also found the concept of chronicling the rise and fall of a low-budget motion picture studio in the 1980’s appealing. What sets the story of EMPIRE apart is, while other independent film companies were targeting the growing home video market, Charles Band (president of the company) was releasing low-budget horror and fantasy features to drive-in’s and multiplexes around the world. He also used the theatrical market to help secure real estate on video store shelves. He was quite an innovator, the man of tomorrow. However, he was also his own Kryptonite. From the ashes of that struggle, CELLULOID WIZARDS IN THE VIDEO WASTELAND was born.
SHOCK: I know Charlie well and hes a guy who lives in the present. Was he reluctant to talk about the past?
GRIFFITH: I think he was reluctant, at first. It eventually became clear to him that my approach to the subject was fresh… and a bit unexpected. I would not have moved forward without his blessing and support. That being said, the documentary isn’t just the ‘Charles Band’ story. The saga of EMPIRE Pictures involves many of the innovative filmmakers that worked together to reinvent and reinvigorate the independent film industry in the 1980’s. It’s their story, too! Band is merely the foundation.
SHOCK: Whats the ultimate intent here? what do you hope to accomplish?
GRIFFITH: I hope to illustrate how fragile a dream can be, despite having an immense passion for the field and a creative team to propel you. There are so many obstacles to outwit and outmaneuver. The audience will be able to experience exactly what cause the mini-major to crash and burn upon the sticky floors of empty movie theaters. What continues to impress me is how often Charles Band has reinvented, or re-animated himself! He is truly the reigning b-movie filmmaker in Hollywood. The last of an age that dates back to AIP, William Castle with a touch of P.T. Barnum.
You can join the adventure by going here HERE and check out the campaign video below…
