Feature: The Collingswood Story

Don’t go in the Attic...

Trust us, The Collingswood Story is the spookiest low-budget, independent Horror film since The Blair Witch Project... We meet director Mike Constanza.

Made only last year, and billing itself as ‘a revolutionary experiment in the Supernatural’, The Collingswood Story is that rare example of a hyper-low budget shocker that actually manages to be scary, inventive and captivating. Packing more genuine fear in its 80-minute running time than a lot of big budget Hollywood Horror flops of recent memory can even dream of, The Collingswood Story has already made a name for itself among genre websites, publications and film festivals throughout the world. However, the secret is already becoming more and more well-known, and it seems to be only a matter of time before the film finally, and deservedly, breaks out from relative obscurity.

The director, Mike Constanza, tells us that the film is soon to be sold as a genuine theatrical attraction in countries from Canada to Singapore, with North America in the pipeline. “Yes, the film is indeed about to be picked up for a worldwide release”, the director proudly informs me when asked about the movie’s increasing critical fortunes. As of right now, the bare bones DVD release, which the director has been utilizing to gain some much-needed advance publicity, is soon to be superceded by a more in depth ‘special edition’ once the film’s theatrical fate is finalized.

Understandably, director Mike Constanza is thrilled by this prospect of The Collingswood Story finally achieving more widespread recognition. “As an indie film-maker I cannot tell you how rewarding it has been to receive such a great response and such great reviews from all around the world, I am truly honoured,” he tells us. Ever humble, Constanza even states that such a glowing acceptance of his pet project was not really expected. “I was actually very nervous about what the critics might say,” he admits, “but you know – that’s the nature of the beast, there is no control over it... Before pitching the completed film to distributors, I wanted to go in with, hopefully, a few decent reviews. I sent the first screeners out, not even knowing what to expect, and then my very first review for the film came back and it raved about the movie, calling it ‘The Best Low Budget Horror Movie Since The Blair Witch Project’. I was astounded to say the least! I never imagined I would get the reviews that Collingswood has been getting and continues to get! It’s awesome!”

The Collingswood Story is filmed through web cams – with a cast of only three central characters driving the entire narrative. Initially, this proves rather disconcerting, and makes even The Blair Witch Project look like a work of considerable financial magnitude. Likewise, the director himself mentions the challenges involved with overseeing such a premise. Stephanie Dees who fans may recognize from The Gift) finds herself living in whilst at college.

by Calum Waddell

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Shivers #108

Image © Visual Imagination Ltd, Movie © Cinerebel Films
Feature © Visual Imagination 2003. Not for reproduction

Taken from

Shivers #108
November - Bumper 2003
ships from Oct 9 2003
News-stand Price
UK £4.99 / US $9.99

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