Janel Spiegel 07/27/2023 Interviews, News
DEADSTREAM
WALMART Exclusive Steelbook Blu-Ray Available starting July 18, 2023
BONUS features will include:
Audio Commentary with Writers/Directors Vanessa & Joseph Winter, Producer Jared Cook, and Actress Melanie Stone
Deleted & Alternate Scenes
Monsters & Makeup FX: Bringing Deadstream to Life
On the Set of Deadstream
Bloopers
Daystream: Test Footage and Rehearsals
The Cameras & Lighting of Deadstream
Sound Designing and Mixing Deadstream
True Scary Stories from the Set of Deadstream
Written & Directed by Joseph Winter (V/H/S/99) & Vanessa Winter
Starring Joseph Winter, Melanie Stone (V/H/S/99, Cupid for Christmas), Jason K. Wixom (Permafrost), Jeremy Warner (“Studio C”)
ABOUT: A disgraced internet personality attempts to win back his followers by livestreaming one night alone in a haunted house. But when he accidentally pisses off a vengeful spirit, his big
comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life.
Interview with Joseph and Vanessa Winter – Deadstream
Hello Joseph and Vanessa. Thank you both for taking the time to do this interview. Please tell us how this idea manifested for both of you?
Joseph was initially interested in a story that would take place solely from a camera pointed at a character’s face as he experienced the horrors of a haunted house. I was intrigued by the challenge of a real time story and a found footage film that would go 80s creature feature bonkers by the end. Both of us were looking for a film concept that we could either film ourselves or complete with a small crew. Ultimately, I think we both wanted to do a horror comedy with a lot of practical effects so the different ideas quickly coalesced into the blueprint for DEADSTREAM.
The two of you wrote, directed, and star in the film. What was it like working with everyone? Did you face any challenges having to wear all the hats?
There is never enough time! It was always a battle between the logistical hours that producing requires while also getting in as much creative prep as you would like. I think Joseph especially was feeling the stress of producing getting in the way of acting preparation.
The crew was amazing. It was a magical combination of people who really understood the type of unusual horror comedy blend that was in our heads. Everyone from art, camera, DIT, costumes, creature FX, makeup, and the stunt team contributed hilarious and horrifying ideas that helped shape the movie.
I loved the film, and I think it has a good concept because of our society now. We are all sort of drenched in social media, and horror is able to take on any topic. It makes you think logically, is it worth the views so to speak. Do you think social media has been helpful or hindering to horror?
I really love the horror community and social media definitely helps connect us to some awesome people who share our same passions. So that part is awesome, but of course there is a dark side. One thing that Joseph and I talked a lot about while making Deadstream was how much artists and creators often depend on relevancy and attention online for survival. I think that culture can make it easy for creators to lose track of the difference between positive connection and just “attention.” We also talked about the role that an audience plays in the cycle of someone seeking attention in a negative way. I think it is worth considering how we all contribute to the social media community as creators and viewers.
Did either of you have to do anything special to prepare for the film? Is there a process you have with writing and directing?
It’s very collaborative process when we co-write and direct. We rewrite each other’s pages quite a bit. We like to rehearse and get the DP and other actors in on the shot-listing process. Joseph and I also like to block out scenes with each other and for this film that included acting out fight scenes in our own bathtub haha.
What are both of you working on next?
More horror! Nothing we can officially announce yet.
What do both of you want to say to everyone that will be watching DEADSTREAM?
We hope you have fun!
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