Effects (film)

Effects (also released as The Manipulator) is an American horror film.[1] The film premiered on November 9, 1979, but did not receive a wide release until October 2005, when it received an official DVD release by Synapse Films.[2] It features make-up effects by horror FX legend Tom Savini, who also appears in the film.[3]

Effects
Synapse Films DVD cover
Directed byDusty Nelson
Screenplay byDusty Nelson
Based onSnuff by William H. Mooney
Produced byPasquale Buba
John Harrison (as John S. Harrison Jr.)
Starring
CinematographyCarl Augenstein (as Carl E. Augenstein)
Toni Semple (as Toni Semple-Nelson)
Edited byPasquale Buba
Music byJohn Harrison
Production
companies
Image Works
International Harmony
Release date
November 9, 1979 (premiere)
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$55,000 (estimated)

Plot

The film centers on a filmmaker (John Harrison) who is making low budget horror film in rural Pennsylvania. Over the course of filming, the cinematographer (Joseph Pilato) and a female gaffer (Susan Chapek) begin to enter into a romantic relationship. Unbeknownst to them, the film's director is secretly making a snuff documentary with an unwilling cast and crew.

Cast
  • Joseph Pilato as Dominic (credited as "Joseph F. Pilato")
  • Susan Chapek as Celeste
  • John Harrison as Lacey Bickel
  • Bernard McKenna as Barney
  • Debra Gordon as Rita/Mona
  • Tom Savini as Nicky

Production

In the behind-the-scenes documentary After Effects on the Synapse DVD, the three principal filmmakers involved - Dusty Nelson, Pasquale Buba, and John Harrison - discuss the film's evolution.[4] They had met while working at a television station in Pittsburgh and later apprenticed under horror filmmaker George A. Romero on his 1977 film Martin. Using that film as an inspiration, they started an LLC and raised $55,000 from family and friends to fund the film.

Release

The film received its world premiere at the Kings Court theater in Pittsburgh on November 9, 1979. Following this premiere, the film was signed for distribution to International Harmony and received limited distribution.[5]

According to director Nelson, the film purportedly screened at the Sundance Film Festival, which at the time was known as US Film Festival.[6][7] Effects later screened at Three Rivers Film Festival in 2011.[8]

After its 2005 Synapse Films release, Effects was picked up by the American Genre Film Archive for a new 4K transfer from the original film print in 2017, and received a release on Blu-ray and a limited theatrical re-release.[9]

References
  1. "Effects (1978)". BFI.
  2. Faraci, Devin. "Exclusive Interview: John Harrison (Effects)". CHUD.com. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  3. "Effects (1979) - Dusty Nelson | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie" – via www.allmovie.com.
  4. "EFFECTS (DVD)". Film Threat. November 22, 2005. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  5. "Movie Ad of the Week: EFFECTS (1979/1980)". templeofschlock.blogspot.com. 26 February 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  6. 2005 Synapse Films DVD commentary.
  7. "Dusty Nelson - Historical Commercial Reel". dustynelson.com. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  8. "pittsburgharts.org/sites/pdf/20113RFF_sm.pdf" (PDF). pittsburgharts.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  9. Saathoff, Evan (July 18, 2017). "AGFA To Release 4K Transfer Blu-ray Of EFFECTS!". Birth.Movies.Death.


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