(re)search my Trash

<body> <div align="left"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="800" cellpadding="0" height="100%"> <tr> <td width="100" rowspan="3" background="../stylepix/square.gif" valign="top">  </td> <td width="4" rowspan="3"></td> <td width="592" height="1%" valign="top"> <p align="center"> <a href="../research/resultperslinks.shtml?Michael Raso"><b>Michael Raso</b> on (re)Search my Trash</a> <p align="center">  </td> <td width="4" rowspan="3"></td> <td width="100" rowspan="3" background="../stylepix/squareright.gif" valign="top">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="592" valign="top" height="99%">  <p><b>In 1989 you were involved with the production of a film called <i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i>, a film that has been released for the first time on VHS/DVD only very recently. In a few words, what is the film about?</b> <p>  <p><b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></b> is a horror anthology in the tradition of <a href="../movies/talesfromthecrypt(1972).shtml"><b>Tales from the Crypt</b></a> and <b>Creepshow</b>. The film was shot in the summer of 1989 on Super 8 film. <p>  <p><b>How did you get involved with the production of the film, and whose brainchild was </b><b><i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i> to begin with?</b><p>  <table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="205"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/michaelraso-head.jpg" width="200" height="189"></td> </tr> </table> <p>I went to William Paterson University here in New Jersey with the <b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml"> Basement</a></b> film crew and director Tim O’Rawe. Tim and I were already making short films together when the opportunity to shoot <b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></b> came up. The short films can be seen on both <b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></b> collection and the <b>Ghoul School</b><i>-Splatter University Edition</i> on DVD. <p>  <p><b><i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i>'s director Timothy O'Rawe - is he still around, and what has become of him?</b> <p>  <p>Tim moved from New Jersey to Hollywood in 1991. He worked on a few scripts including the 1995 Julie Strain film <b>Midnight Confessions</b>. He currently lives in Florida with his wife Kathleen. He teaches and is still writing.<p>  <table align="left" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="205"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/michaelraso-timothy.jpg" width="200" height="159"> <p align="center"><i>Timothy O'Rawe (center) on the set of <b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></b></i></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>You have done the camerawork on </b><b><i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i> and also Timothy O'Rawe's follow-up <i>Ghoul School</i>. What can you tell us about Michael Raso, the cinematographer?</b> <p>  <p>Cinematography was my concentration all throughout school. During the 1980s and early 1990s I was always behind the camera shooting. As time marched on I realized that in order to make a living making films I was going to have to launch my own releasing company. Frustrated relying on others, I launched <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?ei Independent Cinema"> ei Independent Cinema</a></i> in 1994. <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?ei Independent Cinema"> ei Cinema</a></i> was a direct-to-video company. We would produce and distribute our movies to video stores. Little did I know that managing such an operation would take up all of my time – leaving me either on the road or behind a desk. For the time being I had to give up cinematography.<p>  <table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="205"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/michaelraso-demons.jpg" width="200" height="144"></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><b>As producer and cinematographer, did you have any creative control over </b><b><i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i>.</b> <p>  <p> I have always worked well with Tim O’Rawe. He would explain his shots and vision and I would make suggestions on how to shoot it. We had already been working together for a few years so he trusted how I would interpret his shot on paper. </p> <p> <p><b><i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i> was shot on Super 8, right? In a word: Why?</b> <p>   </p> <p> Tim observed how well J.R. Bookwalter’s <b>The Dead Next Door</b> turned out and decided that Super 8 was the way to go. As someone who was already shooting 16mm semi-professionally, I didn’t agree but it was Tim’s budget so I went with the flow. </p> <p>  <p><b>Was <i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i> ever screened publicly, and what were the audience reactions?</b><p>   <p><b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a> </b>was shot and quickly shelved (for 22 years)! The film was mostly underexposed (shot dark) and the technology in 1989 didn’t allow for a quality transfer to videotape. Tim shelved it and immediately moved on to <b>Ghoul School</b> - thankfully, shot on 16mm.<p>  <p><b>You have remained in indie filmmaking all the years since </b><b><i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i>. What has changed over the years?</b> <p>  <table align="left" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="205"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p><img border="0" src="../stills/michaelraso-zombie.jpg" width="200" height="150"></td> </tr> </table> <p>I started my own production/home video label in 1994. It was all life changing. I entered the business as a filmmaker and I quickly was forced to become a businessperson. “Forced” because if I did not adapt to corporate culture I would not have succeeded. Dealing with big chain stores (<i>Blockbuster</i>, etc) required me to do business on their terms, and that meant adapting. It was very helpful that by the time I started my own business I had already worked for <i> Comacst</i> and was familiar with dealing with customers and clients.<p> <p><b>Looking back at </b><b><i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i>, what are the lessons you've learned from today's point of view?</b><p> <p>I have learned to always do a test shoot before undertaking a feature film. <p> Using new (or old) technology? - Test it before diving into a big project!<p> <p><b>What made you think now would be the right time to release <i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i>?</b><p> <p>The idea to release <b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></b> came to us (me and Paige Davis here at <a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Camp Motion Pictures"><i> Camp Motion Pictures</i></a>) organically. Paige suggested releasing a “Big Box” VHS. VHS releases were mostly released in these oversized (and awesome) packages in the early 1980s. What a great idea, pitched way before the <b>House of the Devil</b> release I might add! <b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></b> had never, ever been released – the timing was right!<p>   <p><b>You just have to say a few words about the wonderful VHS/DVD combo box you released </b><b><i><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></i> in, and the other films that come with your movie! And what made you choose exactly these movies?</b> <p>  <p>From what I recall, the title selection happed quite naturally. Don’t know why it was those titles exactly!<p> <p><b>What can you tell us about your company <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema">Alternative Cinema</a></i>?</b><p> <p>J.R. Bookwalter founded <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema">Alternative Cinema</a></i> in Akron, Ohio in 1993. By the mid-nineties, J.R. moved to Hollywood to work for <a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Full Moon"><i> Full Moon</i></a> and sold the magazine and catalog business to me. I re-launched <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema">Alternative Cinema</a></i> and it has been going strong ever since. These days, it has become the one-stop shop for all things cult movies. It’s a real, old-fashioned catalog company. We mail out tens of thousands of catalogs in a year and although we’re on-line as well, lots of orders come through the mail.<p> <p><b>Fortunately for film buffs like myself, <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema">Alternative Cinema</a></i> has released many a cinematic rarity over the years. Now how do you get hold of all these forgotten films? And what can you tell us about Michael Raso, the film buff?</b><p>  <p>I started my businesses (catalog company <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema">Alternative Cinema</a></i> and home video labels <i> Pop Cinema</i> / <a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Camp Motion Pictures"><i> Camp Motion Pictures</i></a>) in the early 1990s, so over the years different producers and content owners have contacted me to see if I wanted to sell their movies. I believe in long-term relationships so almost all of the titles have remained over the years. This has resulted in <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema">Alternative Cinema</a></i> being a huge catalog of cult movies, which is awesome. <p>   <p>I’ve been a horror film since I was a child and my life was heavily influenced by the many hours of viewing the fantastic horror films from the 1930s through the 1970s. I remain a fan of the classic original films and haven’t really kept up on all the re-makes.</p> <p> <p><b><i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema">Alternative Cinema</a></i> also has a production arm though. What can you tell us about the films you've produced over the years?</b><p>  <table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="255"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/michaelraso-producer.jpg" width="250" height="232"></p> <p align="center"><i>Timothy O'Rawe and Michael Raso on the set of <b><a href="../movies/basement(1989).shtml">The Basement</a></b></i></td> </tr> </table> <p>My production and home video labels are a separate company called <i> Pop Cinema</i>. Under <i> Pop</i> I have such labels as <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Seduction"> Seduction Cinema</a></i>, <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Shock-O-Rama">Shock-O-Rama</a></i>, <a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Camp Motion Pictures"><i> Camp Motion Pictures</i></a> and <i> Retro-Seduction Cinema</i>. I’ve produced over one hundred films since the mid-1990s. They’re all low budget but have had quite a bit of success with them – here in the US on DVD, playing cable television and cracking international markets as well.<p> <p><b>As what kind of a producer would you describe yourself?</b><p>  <p>I consider myself a practical producer. Filmmaker Brett Piper said it best when he said, “Mike is the best type of producer. He hired me and stayed the hell out of my way.”</p> <p><b>   </b></p> <p> I trust the people I hire and I’m confident that these folks (people like Brett Piper <i>[<a href="brettpiper(8-11).shtml"><b>Brett Piper</b> interview - click here</a>]</i> or Tony Marsiglia <i>[<a href="tonymarsiglia(12-08).shtml"><b>Tony Marsiglia</b> interview - click here</a>]</i>) are capable of completing their film and doing the best possible job. So, it’s true… I allow directors to get their movie made with the minimum of interference from me. </p> <p> <p><b>Some of your favourite </b><i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema"><b>Alternative Cinema</b></a></i><b>-releases, old and new?</b><p> <p>I don’t really favor one title over another. Most titles were a joy to produce and I value each experience.<p>  <table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="100%">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/phantom5x5.gif" width="5" height="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/phantom5x5.gif" width="5" height="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/phantom5x5.gif" width="5" height="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%">  </td> </tr> </table> <p><b>For <a href="../movies/seductionofmistymundae(2005).shtml"><i>The Seduction of Misty Mundae</i></a>, you for the first (and so far only) time moved into the director's chair. What caused that decision, and what can you tell us about the film as such?</b> <p>  <p>Spending all my time producing didn’t allow me to have the time to be involved in the creative process of movie making, so I decided to take some time to direct a feature. At the time (early 2000s), most of our erotic features were comedies and I felt it would be interesting to have an erotic drama in our assortment of titles.<p>  <p><b>In my opinion, <a href="../movies/seductionofmistymundae(2005).shtml"><i>The Seduction of Misty Mundae</i></a> is very much reminiscent of the films of Joe Sarno - a comment you can at all live with?</b> <p>  <table align="left" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="205"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/michaelraso-sarno.jpg" width="200" height="260"></p> <p align="center"><i>Joe Sarno, Michael Raso</i></td> </tr> </table> <p>At the time <b><a href="../movies/seductionofmistymundae(2005).shtml">The Seduction of Misty Mundae</a> </b> was conceived, we had just started to distribute the films of Joe Sarno. The film is an absolute homage to Joe Sarno’s films, especially his <a href="../movies/inga(1967).shtml"><b>Inga</b></a>. I specifically made it as a “throwback” film.<p>  <p><b>Speaking of the good Mr Sarno, you have not only re-released many of his films from the 1970's but also produced his comeback film <a href="../movies/suburbansecrets(2004).shtml"><i>Suburban Secrets</i></a> - now how did that come about, and what kind of a man was Joe Sarno?</b> <p>  <p>Joe Sarno was an amazing guy and I miss him dearly. He passed away two years ago. By 2001 I was already buying and distributing a number of Joe’s titles. During a screening of <a href="../movies/inga(1967).shtml"><b>Inga</b></a> at the 2001 <i> New York Underground Film Festival</i> I asked Joe why he hasn’t made a film in 20 years. His reply was “no one has asked me to!”</p> <p>  <p>My label <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Seduction"> Seduction Cinema</a></i> was already in production on many films, so I asked Joe if he’d like to make a new film. He was excited by the idea and we immediately started planning the feature <b><a href="../movies/suburbansecrets(2004).shtml">Suburban Secrets</a></b>. <p> <p><b>Any future </b><i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema"><b>Alternative Cinema</b></a></i> <b> releases you want to talk about?</b><p>  <p>Sure thing! Our newest releases:</p> <p> </p> <p><b>Stiffed </b>– clever independent undead crime caper directed by Billy Garberina (<b>Necroville</b>, <b> Feeding the Masses</b>).</p> <p>   </p> <p><b>Trippin – </b><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Camp Motion Pictures"><i>Camp</i></a>’s hilarious stoner-horror-comedy and director Devi Snively are featured in April <i> Fangoria # 312 Notes from the Underground</i>! Coming 04/10/2012</p> <p> </p> <p><b>Documenting the Grey Man – </b>this smart paranormal possession investigation tale from director Wayne Capps was praised by Harry Knowle’s <i> Ain’t it Cool</i> website. Coming 07/17/2012</p> <p>  </p> <p><b> Ground Zero</b> – called “Blood-splattered and creepy” by the critics, <b>Ground Zero</b> is a visceral new take on the zombie origin genre that will have you on the edge of your seat! Coming 08/14/2012</p> <p>   <table align="left" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="305"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/michaelraso-podcast.jpg" width="300" height="233"> <p align="center"><i>The Alternative Cinema Podcast crew: Michael Raso, Bill Hellfire, Erin Russ, John Fedele</i></td> </tr> </table> <p><b><i>Inga Collection</i></b> – Joseph Sarno’s erotic masterpiece and sequel that propelled Marie Liljedahl to international stardom now available for the first time in a gorgeous new collection! Coming 08/14/2012<p>  <p><b>A few words about your <i>Alternative Cinema Podcasts</i>?</b><p>  <p>I started the <i> AC Internet Radio Show</i> in 2009. It’s a fantastic way to chat up all the amazing films that are on DVD. Since <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Alternative Cinema">Alternative Cinema</a></i> not only carries films from my studio but also <i> Blue Underground</i>, <i>Synapse</i>, <i> Severin</i> and many, many more – there is never enough time to talk about all the movies. <p>   <p>The <i>AC Podcast</i> has been compared to early morning “Drive Time” radio because of the zany folks on the show. John Fedele, Bill Hellfire <i>[<a href="williamhellfire(10-13).shtml"><b>William Hellfire</b> interview - click here</a>] </i>and Erin Russ (star of <b>Porkchop</b>) join me monthly. Please do check it out! <a href="http://www.alternativecinemapodcast.com" target="_blank"><b>www.alternativecinemapodcast.com</b></a><p>  <p><b>Filmmakers who inspire you? And your favourite movies?</b><p> <p>George Romero – a solid, hardworking filmmaker, mostly inspired me. I love all the <a href="../research/resultserieslinks.shtml?Universal Horror Cycle"><i><b>horror classics from Universal</b></i></a> to <a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Hammer"><i> Hammer</i></a>-Horror to the schlock of the 1970s.<p> <p><b>... and of course, films you really deplore?</b><p> <p>Don’t really hate anything – I’ll try to watch anything. If it bores me, I just move on to another show.<p> <p><b>Your website, Facebook, whatever else?</b><p> <p>The heartbeat is at <i> Alternative Cinema</i>. Search Alternative Cinema via Google or if on The Facebook.<p> <p><b>Thanks for the interview!</b> <p> <p> Thank you for the opportunity! <p>   </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="592" valign="top" height="1%">  <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> currentyear = "2010"; </SCRIPT> <SCRIPT language="JavaScript" src="../scripts/endcreditsart.js"></SCRIPT> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> dosworsdonn(); </SCRIPT> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </body>