Midnight Horror Picture Show

Are you a fan of horror movies?Midnight Horror Picture Show is a showcase for underground, indie horror- From filmmakers, authors, and artists to the blood-soaked film festivals that fuel the genre — we’re building a community for those who live and breathe horror. Join your host (Neil Willoughby) to gain insights into what makes a good horror story, learn about some awesome festivals to seek out, and listen to horror fans (like you) nerd out over their favorite films. We believe indie horror is where some of the boldest, most innovative storytelling is happening today.

Midnight Horror Picture Show is a tv podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 16 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Midnight Horror Picture Show, a tv show with 16 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #14

  Found Footage, Real Fear: Justin Sulham & Em Genovese on Making "Stockings: Songbird"

  Aug 14, 20261h 4mS1

  Welcome back to the Midnight Horror Picture Show! This week we welcome back returning guest Justin Sulham, writer/director of the found-footage home invasion thriller "Stockings: Songbird", joined by his lead actor, Em Genovese, who plays victim-turned-survivor Marissa opposite Sulham's chilling performance as "Jimmy," the maintenance man who isn't what he seems. In this deep, spoiler-conscious conversation, Justin and Em pull back the curtain on everything that went into making this visceral indie found-footage horror film — from the real-life "maintenance guy knocking on the door" moments that sparked the story, to the practical FX tricks (yes, you can build a blood-shooting rig from Home Depot tubing for under $15), to the emotional toll of playing predator and prey while staying safe on a two-person set. You'll hear how Em's theater background shaped a performance built on trust, muscle memory, and knowing your "track" even without a dedicated continuity crew member; how Justin used phone-camera gimmicks to sneak cinematic close-ups into a "static" found-footage format; and why the fawn response — not just fight or flight — became the emotional engine of Marissa's survival instinct. This episode is essential listening for horror fans, indie filmmakers, actors, and true horror-craft nerds who want to know what really happens behind the camera on a low-budget horror set — the good, the bloody, and the "I refused pain meds because I needed Jimmy to be in pain" kind of dedication. Stockings: Songbird is available now on Blu-ray and VHS — physical media only, slashvillestudios.com Chapters: (0:00) Cold open & guest introductions — Justin Salem & MJ (1:53) Welcome back to the show (2:25) The pitch: why Justin chose home invasion over paranormal found footage (3:49) What drew MJ to the script and the character of Marissa (5:12) Casting Marissa: how Justin knew MJ was right for the role (7:53) On-set process: swinging between mundane and high-intensity scenes (8:38) MJ's theater roots and how stage training shapes film acting (12:22) Found-footage camera strategy: blending static "home cam" and phone POV shots (15:34) Justin on directing himself as villain "Jimmy" while acting opposite MJ (19:10) Carrying 80% of the film: MJ's approach to rising action and emotional pacing (21:33) Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn — building a realistic female survival response (24:05) Justin unpacks Jimmy's psychology, backstory, and "disarming act" (27:43) The physicality of the shoot and how stunts were choreographed safely (29:57) On-set safety advice for actors — and calling out toxic "auteur" directors (32:20) Boundaries, consent, and unscripted moments during intense scenes (35:11) The scariest moments MJ didn't see coming — including a very ticklish scene (37:11) Shooting the film's climactic blood scene in a single take (40:16) DIY practical effects tutorial: building a blood-squib rig for under $15 (43:00) Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, urban legends, and real-life creepy-crawly stories (46:28) Designing Jimmy's disarming "maintenance guy" disguise (49:27) Is there a future for the Stockings universe? Sequel plans and a possible franchise (52:18) What's next for MJ: Going Postal, short films, and upcoming roles (53:32) Where to follow Justin and MJ (plus MJ's baking side hustle) (57:12) Justin's real on-set injury: filming through a shoulder emergency (1:00:26) Wrap-up: where to find Justin's studio, podcast, and more (1:02:22) MHPS news: Sideshow series launch, horror book club, and next episode preview Follow the guests: Justin Sulham Instagram & YouTube: @slashvillestudios Justin's Instagram: @Justin_makes_movies Em Genovese Instagram: @emgenovese Baking page: Let.Em.Eat.Cake_ Follow Us! Instagram: @MidnightHorrorPictureShow Email: MidnightHorrorPictureShow@gmail.com Subscribe and leave a 5-star review to help indie horror creators get seen. Part of the Hiraeth Podcast Network

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  Episode #13

  How Troma Defied Hollywood for 53 Years: Lloyd Kaufman on The Toxic Avenger & DIY Film Making

  Jul 17, 20261h 1mS1

  Lloyd Kaufman — founder of Troma Entertainment and creator of The Toxic Avenger — joins Neil Willoughby, host of Midnight Horror Picture Show, for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation about building the longest-running independent movie studio in history. Lloyd talks about learning to shoot in sequence from Rocky director John G. Avildsen, discovering Oliver Stone at Yale, and how Troma became the launchpad for James Gunn, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Eli Roth, Samuel L. Jackson, and more. He digs into the death of the mid-size independent studio, MPAA censorship double standards, why he shot his new film The Power of Positive Murder in black and white, the recut of Mr. Melvin (aka Toxic Avenger Parts 2 & 3), and how fan-funded distribution — from Indiegogo to Markiplier — might be pointing indie cinema back toward its roots. This one's part film-history lesson, part masterclass in DIY filmmaking, and part Lloyd being exactly as chaotic and hilarious as you'd hope. CHAPTERS (00:00) – Intro: Who is Lloyd Kaufman & what is Troma (01:33) – Falling into Troma & what Lloyd's working on now (03:04) – Shooting in sequence: Trey Parker's Orgazmo trick (05:59) – Get on set: John G. Avildsen, Rocky & learning the ropes (08:13) – Discovering Oliver Stone at Yale (09:53) – New book: "Lloyd Kaufman: Interviews" (11:32) – TromaDance Film Festival 2026 (free submissions, Labor Day weekend) (14:26) – Troma as the "anti-studio" & why indie film is disappearing (19:35) – Cannes, Occupy Cannes & vanishing distribution outlets (21:35) – Crowdfunding, streaming & the death of the video store model (23:31) – The Power of Positive Murder: shot in B&W, inspired by Crime and Punishment (27:06) – No release date, all fan-funded, all fan-run (28:39) – Troma's PA-to-producer pipeline (Sabrina Mendoza, Andrew Miller) (33:48) – Roger Corman, John G. Avildsen & Troma's mentorship legacy (36:34) – Citizen Toxie, school shootings & why Troma tackles hard topics early (38:41) – Mr. Melvin: the "recut" Toxic Avenger sequel (41:44) – Do movies need to be 3 hours long? (43:38) – Sean Baker, Anora & the return of ultra-low-budget indie (47:51) – Markiplier, YouTuber-financed horror & new distribution models (50:44) – "Talent will out": advice for filmmakers with zero money (57:38) – Follow @UncleLloydKaufman on Instagram (59:13) – Outro: Troma-Thon, San Diego Comic-Con & Troma's 2026 tour dates ABOUT THE GUEST Lloyd Kaufman is the President of Troma Entertainment, co-founder of the studio, and director of The Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke 'Em High, and Sergeant Kabuki Man N.Y.P.D. Troma has served as an early launching pad for filmmakers including James Gunn, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Eli Roth. FOLLOW LLOYD & TROMA Instagram: @UncleLloydKaufman | @TromaTeam Watch Troma's full catalog: Troma NOW streaming service: https://watch.troma.com/ UPCOMING TROMA EVENTS (2026) - Troma-Thon 2026 — July 17–18, Mahoning Drive-In, Lehighton, PA (Premiere of PoultryGeist 2) - San Diego Comic-Con — July 23–26, (Sat panel with Chuck Tingle) - Troma San Diego/LA Tour — July 27–August 1 Subscribe to MIDNIGHT HORROR PICTURE SHOW on YouTube and wherever you get podcasts- and leave a 5-star review! It's the single best way to help indie horror creators get seen. Follow us: Instagram @MidnightHorrorPictureShow Theme music by ⁨@nick_ferreri⁩ #LloydKaufman #Troma #ToxicAvenger #IndieFilm #HorrorPodcast #Filmmaking #JamesGunn #IndependentCinema #HorrorMovies #TromaEntertainment

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  Episode #12

  Behind the Mask: Crafting a Horror Icon in Leslie Vernon with Nathan Baesel & David J. Stieve

  Jun 12, 20261h 10mS1

  Twenty years after Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon quietly left theaters and found its true home in the horror community's hearts — and Blockbuster aisles — Leslie Vernon is coming back. And on this episode of Midnight Horror Picture Show, we sat down with the two people most responsible for making him an icon.Nathan Baesel, the Juilliard- and UCLA-trained actor who brought Leslie to life with that impossible mix of charisma and menace, and David J. Stieve, the screenwriter who built the character from the ground up and is now writing Behind the Mask 2: The Return of Leslie Vernon, join us for one of the most in-depth conversations about this cult classic we've ever put on record.We also go deep on: Why Leslie Vernon isn't a villain (at least not to his creators) Nathan's personal connection to the character — and how his own hunger for validation became the performance David's philosophy on writing Leslie as a metaphor for any outsider trying to break into a difficult world Why the original script ended completely differently — and how the entire third act was a late addition The future of indie horror distribution, and why the team is bypassing traditional Hollywood for Behind the Mask 2🎃 LINKS:Behind the Mask 2 Kickstarter (late pledges still open): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/... Leslie Vernon Returns on Instagram: @LeslieVernonReturnsNathan Baesel on Instagram: @nathanbaeselDavid J. Stieve on Instagram & Bluesky: @DjStieveCatch Nathan at Midsummer Scream in Long Beach, CA — August 7–9Nathan will also be at Triangle Terror Con in Durham, NC — September 26 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and find us on Instagram @MidnightHorrorPictureShow.Theme music by ‪@nick_ferreri‬ Chapters: (0:00) Welcome to Midnight Horror Picture Show & Episode Intro (1:35) Meet Nathan Baesel & David J. Stieve: The Minds Behind Leslie Vernon (2:28) The Behind the Mask 2 Kickstarter: $322K and Counting (4:45) Why Behind the Mask Flopped at the Box Office (And Became a Cult Classic Anyway) (5:20) "Blockbuster Built Behind the Mask": The Power of Horror Cover Art (7:18) The Death of Discovery: Movie Poster Culture vs. Streaming Thumbnails (10:00) 20 Years Later: The Urgency Behind Finally Making the Sequel (11:30) The Original Team Returns: Who's Back for Behind the Mask 2 (14:45) Crafting Leslie Vernon: The Character Who Breaks Every Slasher Rule (17:30) Leslie as Metaphor: The Anxious Young Artist Hiding in Plain Sight (18:40) Nathan Baesel on Finding Leslie Through His Own Hunger for Validation (21:50) "Relatability Is the Currency of Acting" — Nathan's Acting Philosophy (23:00) Is Leslie Vernon a Villain? David & Nathan Push Back (25:15) The Cider Press Scene & Leslie's Master Manipulation (Deep Dive) (26:00) 🚨 EXCLUSIVE: The Deleted Scene That Was Actually Filmed (31:10) The Kickstarter Rewards, Physical Media & VHS for Leslie Vernon Fans (32:30) Filming Locations for Behind the Mask 2 (Massachusetts or Illinois?) (38:30) Leslie & Taylor: The Dark Love Story at the Heart of the Film (43:10) Why Halloween's Laurie Strode Is the Key to Understanding Leslie Vernon (47:00) The Sequel Script: Multiple Drafts, Table Reads & Getting the Band Back Together (49:45) David's Award-Winning Short "Wait for It" & Expanding the Leslie Vernon Universe (53:00) Nathan Stepping Behind the Camera: Learning From Robert Englund & Scott Wilson (55:00) The State of Horror: Why the Studio System Is Failing Indie Filmmakers (57:30) Netflix, Consolidation & the Future of Independent Horror Distribution (1:00:00) Fan Encounters & Why Nathan Almost Said No to Convention Appearances (1:02:45) Convention Appearances: Midsummer Scream (Long Beach) & Triangle Terror Con (Durham, NC) (1:06:00) Closing Thoughts: What the Sequel Means to the Creative Team (1:07:46) Outro: Stay Spooky & Support Indie Horror

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  Episode #11

  Episode 11: Building Your Community with Tiffany Albright

  May 15, 202652 minS1

  Today’s guest, Tiffany Albright describes herself as a deviant queer writer/producer living in the South. Her work centers women and LGBTQ+ stories, and explores identity, gender, sexuality, and class in genre settings – from horror to romance. Tiffany has been an artist in residence at Wildacres and the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities. She’s placed in the Academy Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship, Austin Film Festival, the Stowe Story Labs Fellowship, the Page Awards, and ScreenCraft. Tiffany is a high school dropout with a master’s degree, who has lived on three continents but always felt home tugging her back. She now lives in North Carolina, where she founded and runs the nonprofit Queer Fear Film Festival, the production company Lunar Kitchen Films, and the imprint The Crackling Quill. Discover how Queer Fear transforms the film festival experience for queer filmmakers and audiences. Learn about its inclusive approach and community-building efforts. Follow Tiffany @tiffany.a.albright on Insta tiffany-albright.com Follow Queer Fear Film Festival @queerfearfilmfestival on Insta queerfearfilmfestival.org Our theme music is by ‪@nick_ferreri‬ | Insta: @nick_ferreri Please subscribe to our channel and leave a 5 star review. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! Follow us on instagram @midnighthorrorpictureshow Part of the Hiraeth Podcast Network #QueerFear #IndieFilm #FilmFestival #LGBTQ #HorrorFilms #midnighthorrorpictureshow #podcast #filmmaking #filmmaker #horrorcommunity #thelastgoodbye #podcastclips #filmtok #indiefilm #shorts #horrorfilms

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  Episode #10

  Episode 10: Jake Kustasz

  Mar 20, 202637 minS1

  Today’s guest, Jake Kustasz is a Michigan-based author and video producer focusing on horror, comedy, and the absurd. His most recent release- A Devil’s Night Tale, is a horror comic book illustrated by Ethan Woronko that also includes his original short story and an interview about the history of Devil’s Night in Detroit with historian Jeff Pollock. Jake’s talents aren’t confined to any medium- and we talk about his strengths- especially his ability to use social media to network and bring artists together for different projects.Make sure to grab YOUR copy of A Devil’s Night Tale: https://www.memestudium.com/store/p/kb8mibrjjovis0jzprhs68mon43ej7 If you’re local to Metro-Detroit, you can support a small business by picking up your copy at:- Vault of Midnight Detroit - Detroit, MI- Green Brain Comics - Dearborn, MI- Toadvine Books - Berkley, MI- Berkley Public Library - Berkley, MIAnd for any Chicago listeners- Quimby's Bookstore - Chicago, ILYou can follow what Jake is up to next at Memestudium.com or @jakekustasz on InstagramYou can check out the illustrator of “A Devil’s Night Tale” - Ethan Woronko @epworonko_art on InstagramAnd you can learn more about Detroit history tours on Instagram @detroithistorytoursOur theme music is by @nick_ferreri | Insta: @nick_ferreri Please subscribe to our channel and leave a 5 star review. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!Follow us on instagram @midnighthorrorpictureshowPart of the Hiraeth Podcast Network #devilsnight #devilsnightdetroit #newhorrorcomics2026 #horrorcomics

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