PHOTO MANIPULATION, a horror thriller currently in post, is an international co-production between Samuel Hain (related to Samhain?) Productions in Canada and the U.S. EFX Works. The feature film follows two couples are terrorized by a former crimes scene photographer.

Synopsis:

Paul and Liz are visiting friends in Montreal. When the friends meet up, the horror sets in. The unsuspecting friends are stalked by a madman, a former crime scene photographer, who can’t seem to let his job go. Having to recreate his own crime scenes, this unseen killer snaps photo after photo of the young friends in attempts to recreate horrific scenes of his own and to his personal liking. Taking place over a 48-hour period, the friends find themselves in odd situations.

The plot sounds groovy and reminds me of a recent Japanese horror film that came out where a crazy broad became obsessed with snapping photos of the deceased. I like this concept of the creep photographing the people BEFORE they die.

PHOTO MANIPULATION is directed by T.M. Langseth, produced by Marie-Helene Tremblay, and executive produced by Marc Makowski (Horror Yearbook friend Greg Lamberson’s SLIME CITY). Langseth just finished viewing a rough cut of the film and is awaiting the score.

“Mike ‘Squig’ McGuigan, our Sound Designer, is no stranger to film scores,” Langseth says. “We’re blessed to have him and his newly formed team of literal experts, adding real pianos to the theme for Photo Manipulation.”

Langseth sees his approach to horror as more classical in nature. “I was fed up with wasting five bucks a day on shitty horror films that wouldn’t scare a six-year-old,” he says, “and they desensitized me. I wanted to make a good horror flick.”

I take it he didn’t like SAW III or IV.

The filmmakers say the final cut should be delivered by mid-December and plan to hold public screenings in early 2008.

The production’s website: www.photomanipulationmovie.com

- Molly Celaschi