The Ironbound Vampire

Back in 1997, I made a film about a Vampire from my old neighborhood, the Ironbound Section of Newark, NJ. I wanted a different approach to vampirism besides the I bite your neck and turn you into a vampire routine. 

I had little money to produce this film, actually $2000 which is less than a catering truck makes at a legit film shoot for one lunch break.  I began with the story of a World War I soldier who was severely wounded and taken off the battlefield and brought back to life, except in order to be saved, he was turned into vampire.

He sneaks passage on a ship that was bringing home the dead from the war.  He returns to Newark and lives in the shadows of the city. He becomes a famous writer that specializes in stories of World War I. His success brings the money he needs to survive. 

He pays people, who are financially desperate, for their blood, one pint at a time. He always has repeat customers, and this system works throughout the decades.

The story winds itself through many characters and locations. Since there was little money in my budget, the actors could not be paid, and most were friends and family.

I was lucky.  At the Chiller Horror Convention held in Secaucus, NJ I met Dolores Fuller.  She was the girlfriend of film producer, Ed Wood. It just happened that the film “Ed Wood” was released that year, and Sarah Jessica Parker played the part of Dolores Fuller.  Dolores didn’t have a reservation at the hotel and she and her husband Philip had no place to stay.  Overhearing their conversation, I offered my place for them to stay, and they accepted.

To repay my kindness, she played a part in the film.  Conrad Brooks another Ed Wood actor was also in town and with an offer of a room, he agreed to play a part.

Then there was Johnny Link.  A very different type of person who loved horror films and wanted to star in one.  At “Chiller” he heard that I was making a Vampire movie.  He cornered my wife Sue and auditioned his talent as a zombie.  It was a scary act, and he was in.

It seemed each of my actors was a story in themselves.  I pulled together a cast that gave all they had to make the film a success.  The vampire was a good-looking guy named Richard Matyskiel who worked at an auto body shop. Scream Queen, Deana Demko was the female lead who had a scream unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

The film was released on VHS and was wildly successful (*now on DVD).  The film is used at various film schools as a teaching tool, based on, “What can be produced without money?”  Sales went into the thousands and it is still selling today.

Since then, I’ve produced many films with larger budgets and better equipment. Although each one was successful, not one has been as successful as The Ironbound Vampire.

After all these years, a few months ago, a nightclub called “The Newark Culture Club” opened in Newark and featured the film for their patrons. I was there to answer all their questions. The viewing room was filled.

Soon the film will be streamed, and at least 5 times a year, I’m interviewed on various shows to discuss the film.

What did we learn from this?  To the new film makers out there, make the film and do your best even with the little resources you may have. A good story is extremely important.  I hope you are now motivated enough to get up and go for it!