The Vampire Machine is a live action, short, horror/comedy film that will send you running for the nearest wooden stake. We've shot about half of the film so far, and need your help to finish this sucker up. Thanks for taking the time to learn more!
What's this weird movie about?
Two small-time burglars and a few rebellious high school kids break into a retro arcade to steal quarters and play video games all night. But once inside, they accidentally awaken a vampire who has been using an old arcade machine as a stand-up coffin. Our unlikely heroes must then find a way to take down the bloodthirsty vamp before she escapes into town. But will they survive the night?
What's this movie like?
The Vampire Machine is a lot of things, but first and foremost, it's a vampire movie. As a kid, I watched The Monster Squad about a million times, and I was obsessed with Dracula. I loved how he was both a badass and a weirdo at the same time. Scary enough to make me wear a garlic necklace to sleep, but funny enough for me to dance in my underwear while threatening to suck the blood of my enemies (I was 4... or 14, who remembers).
Since then, I've seen vampires get more and more serious... this has its place, but let's not forget the fun. Our vampire movie walks the line of being funny without crossing into camp, and being a horror film but never taking itself too seriously.
Comedy and horror are two sides of the same messed up coin. In The Vampire Machine, just when you think all is lost you'll probably end up laughing. And when things start to feel light and fun... look out! We're gonna spin that coin until the wheels fall off, creating one hell of a ride. Yeah, my coin has wheels - deal with it.
Two of my big influences in cinema are Akira Kurosawa and Dario Argento. One technique that I very much enjoy is their crazy use of blood! The Vampire Machine is going to be filled with tons of blood... spraying all over the place... for absurd amounts of time (I may have a problem). M
As much as I love the comedy in The Vampire Machine, we're still going to bring the scares. Vampires are scary for a reason - they suck your blood! So I'm going to make sure our vamp leans on the scary side for sure.
While vampire movies are typically dark, for good reason, this one is set in an arcade, so there will undoubtably be more pops of color than the usual vampire movie. I like to picture it like the inside of a dark cave with neon light-up bats flying at you at full speed.
Who's in this thing?
What are we going to do with your money?
We've raised enough to shoot about half of the movie so far. The funds we're asking for now are to finish the last section of the film, post production, and to pay the glorious crew we've been so fortunate to have on this production. Every bit helps!
Below are some vamp-tactic rewards you can get from contributing!
Thank you again for taking the time to read about our little film. With any luck, this will be the best short vampire film set in an arcade that has ever been made. We hope you'll consider joining The Vampire Machine team!