John Harrison (filmmaker)
Encyclopedia
John Harrison is a writer, director, producer and composer.
Harrison was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA
. He graduated from Emerson College
in Boston
with a BS in Theater Arts. For several years after that, he performed on the road with his band Homebrew before moving back to Pittsburgh to take a Master's Degree
in Film and Television from Carnegie Mellon University
. At the same time, he joined legendary blues guitarist, Roy Buchanan
, with whom he toured across the US and internationally for four years. He was also featured on several of Buchanan's albums, including That's What I'm Here For (1974), Live Stock
(1975), and A Street Called Straight
(1976).
In 1973, Harrison and his friends, Dusty Nelson and Pasquale Buba formed a film production company eventually named The Image Works to produce commercials and industrials in the Pittsburgh area. This partnership eventually led to the production of the film "Effects" (1980) which Harrison produced and performed in as the character, Lacey Bickle. In 1974, Harrison began a long collaboration and friendship with filmmaker George A. Romero
. Harrison performed as Sir Pelinore in Romero's "Knightriders
", then became his 1st Assistant Director for both Romero films "Creepshow
" (1982) and "Day of the Dead" (1985).
Harrison also composed the scores for the Creepshow
(1982), Day of the Dead (1985) as well as playing the "Screwdriver Zombie" in Romero's classic Dawn of the Dead (1978). The music that was composed for the score of Creepshow was also featured in the fake trailer for Thanksgiving in the film Grindhouse (2007).
After Creepshow, Harrison moved to Los Angeles to continue his writing and directing career. He wrote, directed and composed the music for multiple episodes of "Tales from the Darkside
" TV show. He was then tapped by producer Richard P. Rubinstein
to direct "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
" (1990) for Paramount which won the Gran Prix du Festival at Avoriaz, France (1991). Harrison's collaboration with Rubinstein
culminated in the Emmy winning TV miniseries, "Frank Herbert's Dune
" (2000) which Harrison wrote and directed, and "Frank Herbert's Children of Dune" (2003) which Harrison wrote and Co-Executive Produced.
In the Fall of ’06, Harrison reunited with mentor Romero to co-produce Romero’s film "Diary of the Dead
" (2007). His action suspense thriller, "Blank Slate
", for producer Dean Devlin
, which Harrison wrote and directed, aired as a twenty episode micro-series on TNT in the Fall of ’08. In 2009, Harrison completed his adaptation of acclaimed horror novelist Clive Barker's
"Book of Blood" which Harrison co-wrote and directed.
Harrison was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He graduated from Emerson College
Emerson College
Emerson College is a private coeducational university located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1880 by Charles Wesley Emerson as a "school of oratory," Emerson is "the only comprehensive college or university in America dedicated exclusively to communication and the arts in a liberal arts...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
with a BS in Theater Arts. For several years after that, he performed on the road with his band Homebrew before moving back to Pittsburgh to take a Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Film and Television from Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
. At the same time, he joined legendary blues guitarist, Roy Buchanan
Roy Buchanan
Roy Buchanan was an American guitarist and blues musician. A pioneer of the Telecaster sound, Buchanan was a sideman and solo artist, with two gold albums early in his career, and two later solo albums that made it on to the Billboard chart. Despite never having achieved stardom, he is still...
, with whom he toured across the US and internationally for four years. He was also featured on several of Buchanan's albums, including That's What I'm Here For (1974), Live Stock
Live Stock
Live Stock is a 1975 album by Roy Buchanan and was released on the Polydor Records label. The cover photo was taken and sent to Roy by Australian music commentator Glenn A Baker. This release, recorded live in New York City, finds axeslinger extraordinaire Roy Buchanan doing what he does best:...
(1975), and A Street Called Straight
A Street Called Straight
A Street Called Straight is a 1976 album by Roy Buchanan and was released on the Atlantic Records label.-Track listing:All tracks by Roy Buchanan except were noted# "Running Out" – 2:51...
(1976).
In 1973, Harrison and his friends, Dusty Nelson and Pasquale Buba formed a film production company eventually named The Image Works to produce commercials and industrials in the Pittsburgh area. This partnership eventually led to the production of the film "Effects" (1980) which Harrison produced and performed in as the character, Lacey Bickle. In 1974, Harrison began a long collaboration and friendship with filmmaker George A. Romero
George A. Romero
George Andrew Romero is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter and editor, best known for his gruesome and satirical horror films about a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. He is nicknamed "Godfather of all Zombies." -Life and career:...
. Harrison performed as Sir Pelinore in Romero's "Knightriders
Knightriders
Knightriders is a 1981 film written and directed by George A. Romero. It was filmed entirely on location in Pennsylvania, especially in Fawn Township and Natrona...
", then became his 1st Assistant Director for both Romero films "Creepshow
Creepshow
Creepshow is a 1982 American horror anthology film directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King. The film's ensemble cast included Ted Danson, Leslie Nielsen, Hal Holbrook, E.G...
" (1982) and "Day of the Dead" (1985).
Harrison also composed the scores for the Creepshow
Creepshow
Creepshow is a 1982 American horror anthology film directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King. The film's ensemble cast included Ted Danson, Leslie Nielsen, Hal Holbrook, E.G...
(1982), Day of the Dead (1985) as well as playing the "Screwdriver Zombie" in Romero's classic Dawn of the Dead (1978). The music that was composed for the score of Creepshow was also featured in the fake trailer for Thanksgiving in the film Grindhouse (2007).
After Creepshow, Harrison moved to Los Angeles to continue his writing and directing career. He wrote, directed and composed the music for multiple episodes of "Tales from the Darkside
Tales from the Darkside
Tales from the Darkside is an anthology horror TV series produced by George A. Romero; it originally aired from 1983 to 1988. Similar to Amazing Stories, The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, The Outer Limits, and Tales From The Crypt, each episode was an individual short story that ended with a plot...
" TV show. He was then tapped by producer Richard P. Rubinstein
Richard P. Rubinstein
Richard P. Rubinstein is an American film and television producer, who has worked mainly in the science fiction and horror genres. In the 1970s and 1980s he collaborated frequently with horror director George A...
to direct "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is a 1990 movie directed by John Harrison based on the anthology television series Tales from the Darkside...
" (1990) for Paramount which won the Gran Prix du Festival at Avoriaz, France (1991). Harrison's collaboration with Rubinstein
Rubinstein
Famous people named Rubinstein include:* Anton Rubinstein , a Russian pianist, composer and conductor, brother of Nikolai Rubinstein* Arthur Rubinstein , a famous Polish-American pianist, not related to Anton....
culminated in the Emmy winning TV miniseries, "Frank Herbert's Dune
Frank Herbert's Dune
Frank Herbert's Dune is a 2001 3D video game based on the 2000 Sci Fi Channel miniseries of the same name. The game was not a commercial or critical success, and was the last product by Cryo Interactive, which went bankrupt shortly after the game's failure.As Paul, the son of the Duke Atreides's...
" (2000) which Harrison wrote and directed, and "Frank Herbert's Children of Dune" (2003) which Harrison wrote and Co-Executive Produced.
In the Fall of ’06, Harrison reunited with mentor Romero to co-produce Romero’s film "Diary of the Dead
Diary of the Dead
Diary of the Dead is a 2007 American/Canadian horror film by George A. Romero...
" (2007). His action suspense thriller, "Blank Slate
Blank Slate
Blank Slate is an initiative run by UK film production company B3 Media that seeks to develop and nurture film making talent from a minority background...
", for producer Dean Devlin
Dean Devlin
Dean Devlin is an American screenwriter, producer, television director and former actor. He is the founder of the production company Electric Entertainment.-Personal life:...
, which Harrison wrote and directed, aired as a twenty episode micro-series on TNT in the Fall of ’08. In 2009, Harrison completed his adaptation of acclaimed horror novelist Clive Barker's
Clive Barker
Clive Barker is an English author, film director and visual artist best known for his work in both fantasy and horror fiction. Barker came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories which established him as a leading young horror writer...
"Book of Blood" which Harrison co-wrote and directed.
Filmography
- Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (2003) - Writer
- Frank Herbert's DuneFrank Herbert's DuneFrank Herbert's Dune is a 2001 3D video game based on the 2000 Sci Fi Channel miniseries of the same name. The game was not a commercial or critical success, and was the last product by Cryo Interactive, which went bankrupt shortly after the game's failure.As Paul, the son of the Duke Atreides's...
(2000) - Writer/Director - Tales from the Darkside: The MovieTales from the Darkside: The MovieTales from the Darkside: The Movie is a 1990 movie directed by John Harrison based on the anthology television series Tales from the Darkside...
(1990) - Director - "Book of Blood" (2009) - Co-Writer/Director
- "DinosaurDinosaur (film)Dinosaur is a 2000 American computer-animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures on May 19, 2000, and is the 39th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
" (2000) - Co-Writer, Story and Screenplay - "Blank SlateBlank SlateBlank Slate is an initiative run by UK film production company B3 Media that seeks to develop and nurture film making talent from a minority background...
" (2008) - Writer/Director - "Diary of the DeadDiary of the DeadDiary of the Dead is a 2007 American/Canadian horror film by George A. Romero...
(2007) - Executive Producer - "Painkiller JanePainkiller JanePainkiller Jane is a fictional character, a comic book heroine created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada for Event Comics in 1995. Originally a five-issue mini-series, the character went on to star in numerous crossover titles with the likes of the Punisher, Vampirella, and Hellboy. Recently, the...
(2005) - Co-Writer/Executive Producer - "Effects (1980) - Executive Producer
Soundtracks
- Effects LaLa Land Records (LLLCD1040), Los Angeles
- Creepshow LaLa Land Records (LLLCD1007), Los Angeles
- Day of the Dead Taurus Entertainment/Numenorean Music, Los Angeles
- Tales from the Darkside: The Movie GNP Crescendo (GNPD 8021), Los Angeles
Books
- Carson, Phil Roy Buchanan, American Axe (San Francisco: Backbeat Books 2001)
- Larson, Randall D. Musique Fantastique (London: The Scarecrow Press 1985)
- Gagne, Paul R. The Zombies That Ate Pittsburgh: the Films of George A. Romero (New York: Dodd, Mead 1987)
- Newman, Kim. Nightmare Movies: A Critical History of the Horror Film 1968–1988 (1988)