Hope y’all had a safe and sane Independence Day, and are planning on seeing some insane, unsafe movies over the holiday weekend! We just want the goddamned illegal fireworks to STOP ALREADY. They started two days early on July 2nd, and we’ll probably be hearing them tonight as well. Our two cat’s nerves are all shot to hell.
So, anyway, this last film from Bloody Cuts, “Dare,” wasn’t a huge production.The reason it was made? To give an example (and illustrate the guidelines) of the “Who’s There?” short film contest. You know, the one that gave us the Grand Prize Winner “Play Time,” and awarded “Lights Out” with Best Director.* So even though this film was just made as an example of what can be done in around three minutes, it really shines. If they didn’t put their usual amount of care and concern and craftsmanship into it –all hallmarks of any Bloody Cuts short– we’d be pretty surprised. Sometimes they shoot them fast, but there’s a ton of prep time. This one has a pretty simple concept… but that doesn’t mean it won’t creep you the hell out!
There’s a really impressive, creative back-story on the official Bloody Cuts page for “Dare,” and this time, you’ll get just as enjoyable–and maybe scarier–experience if you read it first. Here’s that back-story, straight from the Bloody Cuts site:
On the outskirts of Lynnsmouth, three teenage girls break into the grounds of an old crumbling property overlooking Dodman’s lake** and dare each other to enter the rotten house, it’s rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV and his mistress whom hung themselves together in the attic a hundred years past.
The two older girls bully Amy into going first… she must climb to the attic and count to a hundred, a second for each year that’s passed since the deaths of the owners, the legend promises that if you make it to a hundred you’ll see a ghost.
Amy enters the house, she didn’t believe in ghosts…
96… 97… 98… 99…
Here’s what they have to say about the making of “Dare” (do NOT read until you’ve seen the film-SPOILER ALERT otherwise):
‘Dare’ was created specifically for the first ever “Who’s There” Bloody Cuts Film Challenge. This was served up as an example of a sub three-minute short, created to the theme of “Who’s There?” and made for under a $1000 budget. A benchmark, a jumping-off point, a bar set for other filmmakers to jump over.
Which they did. Spectacularly.Filmed over two days in a dilapidated, terrifying old farmhouse, some of the building was sealed off because the ceiling had fallen down. Nature had reclaimed half of it, and the other half was a bird graveyard. It was the least glamorous shoot Bloody Cuts ever had to endure…
Nope, not looking too glam.
Thankfully Bloody Cuts have a lot of skilled friends and family members willing to spend their weekend in a broken-down, soot-filled ruin for free. Featuring some of the more complicated practical effects Bloody Cuts have ever had to deal with, ‘Dare’ required the use of floor-drilling, wire-work, rota-spinning and hiding in cupboards! We even used one of the many bird-skeletons for set decoration.
Due to the isolated location and lack of anywhere remotely clean, Millennium FX’s make-up work had to be applied on the side of a dirt-road, which certainly surprised the locals! Thankfully it didn’t rain, otherwise this would’ve been a very different story. ‘Dare’ delivers a tight, fast, furious and horrifying twist on the haunted house genre. Not bad considering it was created as an ‘example’ of what could be achieved with a limited budget and specific theme.
Trivia: the painting which changes from being ‘normal’ into a twisted nightmare is not actually Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV, but Bloody Cuts writer Joel Morgan. And yes, that is his hat. And no, you can’t have it.
Going back for a repeat viewing? We sure did, and noticed a few creepy details we missed the first time. If you’d like to see the “Making Of” video (sometimes that helps us with our nightmares, for one thing), check it out!
‘Dare’ was created specifically for the first ever “Who’s There” Bloody Cuts Film Challenge. This was served up as an example of a sub three minute short, created to the theme of “Who’s There?” and made for under a $1000 budget. A benchmark, a jumping-off point, a bar set for other filmmakers to jump over. Which they did. Spectacularly.
Filmed over two days in a dilapidated, terrifying old farmhouse, some of the building was sealed off because the ceiling had fallen down. Nature had reclaimed half of it, and the other half was a bird graveyard. It was the least glamorous shoot Bloody Cuts ever had to endure…
Thankfully Bloody Cuts have a lot of skilled friends and family members willing to spend their weekend in a broken-down, soot-filled ruin for free. Featuring some of the more complicated practical effects Bloody Cuts have ever had to deal with, ‘Dare’ required the use of floor-drilling, wire-work, rota-spinning and hiding in cupboards! We even used one of the many bird-skeletons for set decoration.
Due to the isolated location and lack of anywhere remotely clean, Millennium FX’s make-up work had to be applied on the side of a dirt-road, which certainly surprised the locals! Thankfully it didn’t rain, otherwise this would’ve been a very different story. ‘Dare’ delivers a tight, fast, furious and horrifying twist on the haunted house genre. Not bad considering it was created as an ‘example’ of what could be achieved with a limited budget and specific theme.
Trivia: the painting which changes from being ‘normal’ into a twisted nightmare is not actually Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV, but Bloody Cuts writer Joel Morgan. And yes, that is his hat. And no, you can’t have it.
– See more at: http://www.bloodycuts.co.uk/films/dare-bc-horror-challenge/#sthash.wAUpRf6P.dpuf
We honestly don’t think Bloody Cuts UK could have ever made a boring short horror film–even if they tried.
*Speaking of dares, we dare you to watch either of the above contest-winning short films (note that we included helpful links) in the dark, alone, with headphones on. That is, if you weren’t planning on getting much sleep anyway…
**Sound familiar? It’s the lake from “Dead Man’s Lake,” possibly our personal favorite BC film. Or one of our favorites, it’s hard to pick… top three? Maybe.
Dare – is a 3 minute short film created as a benchmark film for the Bloody Cuts Horror Challenge of 2013.
“On the outskirts of Lynnsmouth three teenage girls break into the grounds of an old crumbling property overlooking Dodman’s lake and dare each other to enter the rotten house, it’s rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV and his mistress whom hung themselves together in the attic a hundred years past.
The two older girls bully Amy into going first… she must climb to the attic and count to a hundred, a second for each year that’s passed since the deaths of the owners, the legend promises that if you make it to a hundred you’ll see a ghost.
Amy enters the house, she didn’t believe in ghosts…
96…97…98…99…”
‘Dare’ was created specifically for the first ever “Who’s There” Bloody Cuts Film Challenge. This was served up as an example of a sub three minute short, created to the theme of “Who’s There?” and made for under a $1000 budget. A benchmark, a jumping-off point, a bar set for other filmmakers to jump over. Which they did. Spectacularly.
Filmed over two days in a dilapidated, terrifying old farmhouse, some of the building was sealed off because the ceiling had fallen down. Nature had reclaimed half of it, and the other half was a bird graveyard. It was the least glamorous shoot Bloody Cuts ever had to endure…
Thankfully Bloody Cuts have a lot of skilled friends and family members willing to spend their weekend in a broken-down, soot-filled ruin for free. Featuring some of the more complicated practical effects Bloody Cuts have ever had to deal with, ‘Dare’ required the use of floor-drilling, wire-work, rota-spinning and hiding in cupboards! We even used one of the many bird-skeletons for set decoration.
Due to the isolated location and lack of anywhere remotely clean, Millennium FX’s make-up work had to be applied on the side of a dirt-road, which certainly surprised the locals! Thankfully it didn’t rain, otherwise this would’ve been a very different story. ‘Dare’ delivers a tight, fast, furious and horrifying twist on the haunted house genre. Not bad considering it was created as an ‘example’ of what could be achieved with a limited budget and specific theme.
Trivia: the painting which changes from being ‘normal’ into a twisted nightmare is not actually Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV, but Bloody Cuts writer Joel Morgan. And yes, that is his hat. And no, you can’t have it.
– See more at: http://www.bloodycuts.co.uk/films/dare-bc-horror-challenge/#sthash.wAUpRf6P.dpuf
Dare – is a 3 minute short film created as a benchmark film for the Bloody Cuts Horror Challenge of 2013.
“On the outskirts of Lynnsmouth three teenage girls break into the grounds of an old crumbling property overlooking Dodman’s lake and dare each other to enter the rotten house, it’s rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV and his mistress whom hung themselves together in the attic a hundred years past.
The two older girls bully Amy into going first… she must climb to the attic and count to a hundred, a second for each year that’s passed since the deaths of the owners, the legend promises that if you make it to a hundred you’ll see a ghost.
Amy enters the house, she didn’t believe in ghosts…
96…97…98…99…”
‘Dare’ was created specifically for the first ever “Who’s There” Bloody Cuts Film Challenge. This was served up as an example of a sub three minute short, created to the theme of “Who’s There?” and made for under a $1000 budget. A benchmark, a jumping-off point, a bar set for other filmmakers to jump over. Which they did. Spectacularly.
Filmed over two days in a dilapidated, terrifying old farmhouse, some of the building was sealed off because the ceiling had fallen down. Nature had reclaimed half of it, and the other half was a bird graveyard. It was the least glamorous shoot Bloody Cuts ever had to endure…
Thankfully Bloody Cuts have a lot of skilled friends and family members willing to spend their weekend in a broken-down, soot-filled ruin for free. Featuring some of the more complicated practical effects Bloody Cuts have ever had to deal with, ‘Dare’ required the use of floor-drilling, wire-work, rota-spinning and hiding in cupboards! We even used one of the many bird-skeletons for set decoration.
Due to the isolated location and lack of anywhere remotely clean, Millennium FX’s make-up work had to be applied on the side of a dirt-road, which certainly surprised the locals! Thankfully it didn’t rain, otherwise this would’ve been a very different story. ‘Dare’ delivers a tight, fast, furious and horrifying twist on the haunted house genre. Not bad considering it was created as an ‘example’ of what could be achieved with a limited budget and specific theme.
Trivia: the painting which changes from being ‘normal’ into a twisted nightmare is not actually Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV, but Bloody Cuts writer Joel Morgan. And yes, that is his hat. And no, you can’t have it.
– See more at: http://www.bloodycuts.co.uk/films/dare-bc-horror-challenge/#sthash.wAUpRf6P.dpuf
Dare – is a 3 minute short film created as a benchmark film for the Bloody Cuts Horror Challenge of 2013.
“On the outskirts of Lynnsmouth three teenage girls break into the grounds of an old crumbling property overlooking Dodman’s lake and dare each other to enter the rotten house, it’s rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV and his mistress whom hung themselves together in the attic a hundred years past.
The two older girls bully Amy into going first… she must climb to the attic and count to a hundred, a second for each year that’s passed since the deaths of the owners, the legend promises that if you make it to a hundred you’ll see a ghost.
Amy enters the house, she didn’t believe in ghosts…
96…97…98…99…”
‘Dare’ was created specifically for the first ever “Who’s There” Bloody Cuts Film Challenge. This was served up as an example of a sub three minute short, created to the theme of “Who’s There?” and made for under a $1000 budget. A benchmark, a jumping-off point, a bar set for other filmmakers to jump over. Which they did. Spectacularly.
Filmed over two days in a dilapidated, terrifying old farmhouse, some of the building was sealed off because the ceiling had fallen down. Nature had reclaimed half of it, and the other half was a bird graveyard. It was the least glamorous shoot Bloody Cuts ever had to endure…
Thankfully Bloody Cuts have a lot of skilled friends and family members willing to spend their weekend in a broken-down, soot-filled ruin for free. Featuring some of the more complicated practical effects Bloody Cuts have ever had to deal with, ‘Dare’ required the use of floor-drilling, wire-work, rota-spinning and hiding in cupboards! We even used one of the many bird-skeletons for set decoration.
Due to the isolated location and lack of anywhere remotely clean, Millennium FX’s make-up work had to be applied on the side of a dirt-road, which certainly surprised the locals! Thankfully it didn’t rain, otherwise this would’ve been a very different story. ‘Dare’ delivers a tight, fast, furious and horrifying twist on the haunted house genre. Not bad considering it was created as an ‘example’ of what could be achieved with a limited budget and specific theme.
Trivia: the painting which changes from being ‘normal’ into a twisted nightmare is not actually Lord Tarquin Wyrmwood IV, but Bloody Cuts writer Joel Morgan. And yes, that is his hat. And no, you can’t have it.
– See more at: http://www.bloodycuts.co.uk/films/dare-bc-horror-challenge/#sthash.wAUpRf6P.dpuf
HORROR BOOM 