21 Million Views on DEMON RESURRECTION YouTube Channel...

It's been some time since I posted about DEMON RESURRECTION, so here's the latest news...

The DEMON RESURRECTION YouTube channel recently passed twenty-one million views – the exact number as I write this is 21,693,248 – and the channel now has over fourteen thousand subscribers.

I realize these numbers are not in the Beyoncé range, but they're still pretty impressive for a low budget horror film from twelve years ago, and it may suggest that there's still enough interest in the film to warrant a new release – which brings me to my next piece of news...

Over the past several months, I've been working on a new version of the film, upscaling it from standard definition (720x480) to high def (1920x1080) and from standard screen (4x3) to widescreen (16x9). I've also been working to improve picture quality, to make it as sharp, detailed and vibrant as possible, while also fixing some of the weaker optical effects, refining the edit and, in general, sanding down as many of the original film's rough edges as possible.

Obviously, upscaling an SD film to HD is never going to give you as good an end result as shooting in HD to begin with, but that wasn't an option for us when we were making the film way back in 2004, and I've been pleasantly surprised by how well the upscaled version of the film is turning out. It's certainly going to be a a great improvement over any version of the film released so far.

I'm hoping to make this newly remastered version of DEMON RESURRECTION available for streaming online via YouTube, Amazon and VHX before Halloween of this year, and I'll be posting here as soon as it's up.

I'd also like to release the remastered HD version of the film on disc. The film had a standard def release on DVD many years ago (a few copies of which are still available) but the film hasn't yet been put out on Blu-ray. Issuing the film on Blu-ray would involve a fair amount of expense, and I've been considering mounting a Kickstarter or IndieGogo campaign to raise money for such a release – offering some nice perks in return for a donation, of course. I'll keep you posted. 

As always, my sincere thanks to all our subscribers, friends, fans and supporters all around the world!


– Bill Hopkins, Director, DEMON RESURRECTION

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UPDATE 11/18/2017: The newly remastered version of DEMON RESURRECTION in 1080 HD & Widescreen is now available at: on these platforms: http://dresurrection.vhx.tv

Or stream it on Amazon (Prime members watch for free): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZXWKBT

Also available on...

Vimeo-on-Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/102966

and on Pantaflix: https://www.pantaflix.com/en/movie/Demon-Resurrection-watch-online-pm741064

Making DEMON RESURRECTION: The Cult Compound Shoot, October, 2004

The final few days of principal photography on DEMON RESURRECTION... 

The cult compound scenes are shot on producer Frank Cilla's Long Island property. During the day, Toth (Will McDonald) reads passages from the bible to his followers while slipping drugged wine to Grace (Alexis Golightly).

Once the sun goes down, the cast and crew begin work on the scenes in which Grace is offered to the cult's demon god...

Actor Dan Almekinder sits with other cult members during the shooting of the cult compound scene.

Actor Will McDonald (Toth)

Director William Hopkins, sets up a daytime shot of Grace (Alexis Golightly) on the "cult compound" set.

Director William Hopkins shoots the final appearance of Kim, the archaeologist, played by Caroline Adams.

Daniel Almekinder (L) and Laurie Miller (R) prepare the cult compound set for a nighttime shoot.

Actor Joe Zaso dons a jacket to keep warm as he waits to shoot a scene on the final night of principal photography of DEMON RESURRECTION.

Alexis Golightly (Grace) and Joe Zaso (Toth's Assistant) try to stay warm during shooting of the cult compound scenes.

Director William Hopkins chats with actor Will McDonald (Toth) and black-robed cult members during a break in shooting.

Buy the DVD: http://www.demonresurrection.com

https://www.facebook.com/DemonResurrection

http://www.twitter.com/demonresurrect

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UPDATE 11/18/2017: The newly remastered version of DEMON RESURRECTION in 1080 HD & Widescreen is now available at http://dresurrection.vhx.tv

Or stream it on Amazon (Prime members watch for free): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZXWKBT

Also available on...

Vimeo-on-Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/102966

and on Pantaflix: https://www.pantaflix.com/en/movie/Demon-Resurrection-watch-online-pm741064

Making DEMON RESURRECTION: The Pit Shoot, October, 2004

Principal photography continues into October of 2004. The same location, producer Frank Cilla's Long Island property, does double duty as both the archeological excavation site and the Toth's cult compound. 

The scene of Toth resurrecting the skeletal corpses in the pit, as well as as the final scene of the film, Toth being dragged into the pit by Grace's zombified friends, are shot at night as the production nears completion...

Edward Wheeler and Laurie Miller set up the "blood-knife" effect for actor Will McDonald (Toth).

The "blood knife" has a tube taped to one side of the blade which runs to a syringe loaded with stage blood which is held off camera by Ed Wheeler. When Toth runs the blade (which has had its edge dulled) over his palm, Ed pumps the stage blood through the tube, giving the appearance that Toth is cutting his own hand. At least, this is the way it's supposed to work. It took several takes before we got it right.

As there was a need for a large number of demons on the night of the pit shoot, Laurie was one of several cast and crew members who volunteered to put on the mask and robes, which explains her attire in these shots.

Stephanie Roy models the latest trends in zombiewear.

Makeup artist Ashley Benatar applies some last minute gore to the zombified friends.

The worst thing about playing a zombie, says Joe McClean (Steven), is having your skin and clothes covered in Karo syrup for hours on end. The syrup, with red food dye added, makes convincing stage blood but it's uncomfortably sticky and attracts insects.

By the night of the pit shoot, which was one of the last nights of principal photography, we had pretty much given up on the zombies' feet. We had fashioned skeletal foot coverings for the zombie performers to wear, but they never looked right on camera. So the actors were allowed to wear their regular shoes and we just framed the shots to avoid showing the zombies' feet.

The pit that was the centerpiece of the archaeological dig set, was dug by producer Frank Cilla and co-producer Edward Wheeler. It took several hours to get all that dirt out and several more hours to get it all back in again after the shoot was completed.

Edward Wheeler demonstrates to actor Will McDonald (Toth) the proper method of clawing one's way out of a pit.

Director William Hopkins lines up a shot of Toth in the pit.

Damian Ladd (John) and Will McDonald (Toth) rehearse their climatic confrontation.

Buy the DVD: http://www.demonresurrection.com

https://www.facebook.com/DemonResurrection

http://www.twitter.com/demonresurrect

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UPDATE 11/18/2017: The newly remastered version of DEMON RESURRECTION in 1080 HD & Widescreen is now available at http://dresurrection.vhx.tv

Or stream it on Amazon (Prime members watch for free): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZXWKBT

Also available on...

Vimeo-on-Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/102966

and on Pantaflix: https://www.pantaflix.com/en/movie/Demon-Resurrection-watch-online-pm741064

Making DEMON RESURRECTION: Staircase Action, September, 2004

More elaborate and potentially dangerous stunt work on the DEMON RESURRECTION shoot: co-producer and stunt coordinator Edward Wheeler and stunt performer Jerry Woods take turns diving off the living room stairs into a landing pad fashioned from cardboard boxes. Wheeler jumps over the bannister from near the top of the flight, while Woods makes an even more perilous jump from the landing at the top of the stairs. Wheeler's jump doesn't make it into the final cut of the film, but Wood's does...

Seen from near the top step, the staircase on which the battle between Denton and the demons will be staged. This still was taken during location scouting, months before principal photography commenced. The sculptures and other bric-a-brac at the bottom of the flight will be removed before shooting begins. 

The cardboard box "landing pad" onto which Woods and Wheeler will be jumping.

Director William Hopkins discusses the set-up with actor and stunt coordinator Laurie Miller.

Edward Wheeler gets into costume as he prepares to perform the staircase jump stunt.

Actor Bashir Solebo (Denton) relaxes with a few of the demon performers while the staircase jump stunt is readied.

Buy the DVD: http://www.demonresurrection.com

https://www.facebook.com/DemonResurrection

http://www.twitter.com/demonresurrect

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UPDATE 11/18/2017: The newly remastered version of DEMON RESURRECTION in 1080 HD & Widescreen is now available at http://dresurrection.vhx.tv

Or stream it on Amazon (Prime members watch for free): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZXWKBT

Also available on...

Vimeo-on-Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/102966

and on Pantaflix: https://www.pantaflix.com/en/movie/Demon-Resurrection-watch-online-pm741064

Making DEMON RESURRECTION: Marcy Gets Ripped, September, 2004

Another elaborate stunt/makeup/special effects scene in DEMON RESURRECTION involves the character of Marcy, played by actor Stephanie Roy, being pulled through a shattered bay window by a crowd of demons while her friends, Steven and Alex (Joe McClean and Eli Kranski), struggle to pull her back, inadvertently dragging her over jagged shards of glass. 

Edward Wheeler and Laurie Miller choreographed the scene; actors/stunt performers Caroline Adams and Daniel Almekinder provided assistance, and makeup artist Ashley Benatar created the on-set gore effects...

Preparing for Marcy's death scene; from left to right, actor Joe McClean (Steven), actor and stuntman Daniel Almekinder, actor Stephanie Roy (Marcy), actor and stuntwoman Caroline Adams, and actor and stunt coordinator Laurie Miller (Kate).

Makeup artist Ashley Benatar adds more stage blood to actor Stephanie Roy's gut wounds.

Actors Eli Kranski (Alex) and Stephanie Roy (Marcy) prepare themselves for Marcy's gory death scene.

Actor Stephanie Roy (Marcy) relaxes with a hot cup of coffee after shooting her character's grisly demise.

Buy the DVD: http://www.demonresurrection.com

https://www.facebook.com/DemonResurrection

http://www.twitter.com/demonresurrect

*************************************

UPDATE 11/18/2017: The newly remastered version of DEMON RESURRECTION in 1080 HD & Widescreen is now available at http://dresurrection.vhx.tv

Or stream it on Amazon (Prime members watch for free): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZXWKBT

Also available on...

Vimeo-on-Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/102966

and on Pantaflix: https://www.pantaflix.com/en/movie/Demon-Resurrection-watch-online-pm741064

Making DEMON RESURRECTION: The Window Fight, September, 2004

One of the most elaborate and dangerous parts of the DEMON RESURRECTION shoot, was the window fight between Kate, played by actress and stuntwoman Laurie Miller, and a trellis-climbing demon, played by co-producer, actor and stuntman Edward Wheeler. Wheeler and Miller, planned the scene out themselves, fashioning special props and equipment for use in the scene, including the break-away trellis and the "landing pad" that Ed eventually drops onto.

Second unit DP, Stephen Snow, in a safety harness, photographed much of the action while hanging off the edge of the house's roof....

Laurie Miller (Kate) confronts the demon on the trellis as it climbs toward the second floor bedroom window.

Director William Hopkins grabs a shot of Edward Wheeler, the trellis-climbing demon.

2nd Unit DP, Stephen Snow, in a safety harness, preparing to shoot the window fight.

The "landing pad," constructed of a mattress, cardboard boxes and wooden sawhorses,
onto which Edward Wheeler, as the trellis-climbing demon, will drop.

Actor Laurie Miller (Kate) pushes the house's latticework trellis - and the demon clinging to it - away from the bedroom window, sending demon actor and stuntman Edward Wheeler flying toward the makeshift "landing pad."

DEMON RESURRECTION actor, stuntman and co-producer, Edward Wheeler, laughs in the
face of danger as he readies to perform the window/trellis stunt.

Buy the DVD: http://www.demonresurrection.com

https://www.facebook.com/DemonResurrection

http://www.twitter.com/demonresurrect

*************************************

UPDATE 11/18/2017: The newly remastered version of DEMON RESURRECTION in 1080 HD & Widescreen is now available at http://dresurrection.vhx.tv

Or stream it on Amazon (Prime members watch for free): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZXWKBT

Also available on...

Vimeo-on-Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/102966

and on Pantaflix: https://www.pantaflix.com/en/movie/Demon-Resurrection-watch-online-pm741064