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MSUSCF: early
days THE EVIL DEAD |
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MSUSCF: early
days THE EVIL DEAD |
The 'MSUCF' or the Michigan State University Society of Creative Filmmaking was set up by both Raimi and Robert Tapert whilst they were studying together at MSU. The MSUSCF was formed as a creative outlet for their independant films as well as some of the Raimi/Bruce Campbell collaborations made whilst the pair attended high school.
As time passed the society grew to include new members such as amateur effects artist Tom Sullivan, cinematographer Tim Philo and movie fan Scott Spiegel all of which would come to play their part in the process of making 'The Evil Dead'. Sullivan was a self taught make-up effects artist, Philo was an enterprising cinematographer and Spiegel appeared in various short films as well as serving as a FAKE SHEMP on 'The Evil Dead'.
The group made a numbers of films that included the following:
1. Clockwork
| Story: | A homeless serial killer who stalks a lonley rich woman |
| Stars: | Scott Spiegel, Cheryl Gutteridge |
| Production notes: | The group rented rooms on the MSU campus in order to film |
| Mattresses were taped to the walls to muffle the sounds of screaming | |
| The crew was evicted on the first night of filming | |
2. The Happy Valley Kid: The Story of a Student Driven Mad!
| Story: | A student abused by his professors and dumped by his girlfriend who goes mad a week before his final exmas |
| Stars: | Robert Tapert (title role was to be played by Ivan Raimi but he was busy!) |
| Production notes: | Budget was $750. Eventually made a profit of $1500 |
| This was announced as a future project for Renaissance Pictures after 'The Evil Dead' became a success. |
| Story: | A slapstick, murder mystery |
| Stars: | Scott Spiegel, Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, Scott Spiegel, Tim Quill |
| Production notes: | First collaboration between Raimi and f/x man Tom Sullivan |
| Sullivan drew up fliers to
promote the film Film cost $2000..it bombed financially |
"People would show up expecting to see a feature film," said Sullivan. "Instead, they would see a comedy in the vein of the Three Stooges."
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its_murder_pos.jpg 263x317 | 57kb Original poster as used to promote the short movie around the college campus. This image will be thumbnailed soon! |
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murder_pos.jpg 263x317 | 57kb The image to the left is the poster that Tom Sullivan sketched in order to promote the films on campus screenings. Click image to see bigger picture. |
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