Not Another B Movie
Encyclopedia
Not Another B Movie is a satirical comedy
film written and directed by John Wesley Norton which peers into the process of making a low-budget horror film. It was premiered in 2008 under the original title Working Title in Woodridge, Illinois
. It has since been screened at the 2009 Naperville Independent Film Festival
before being distributed by Troma Entertainment
in 2011.
), director Larry (Larry Thomas), and producer James (James Vallo
). Byron struggles in vain to stick to his original vision while Larry and James are intent on altering the script. Aside from wishing to make money, they also want to create a film that will "make the audience walk out...in a good way!" Their shocking movie is tentatively titled "The Umpire Strikes Back", due to the narrative revolving around a baseball ump (Reggie Bannister
) who goes psycho (including a rip off of Hitchcock's iconic black and white shower scene with a bat replacing the infamous knife).
The script alterations as well as the trio's recollections of past ventures are portrayed in short skits and scenes that are interspersed with the restaurant setting throughout. Many of these cutaway scenes feature the bickering (and at times outrageously violent) cop duo Hines (David Faustino
) and Sterns (Joe Estevez
) who are trying to find the killer ump. The cutaways also feature appearances by Edward Asner (as a prospective investor not impressed with James' proposal...unless there's "lots of T&A and he's more than welcome to visit the set"), Erin Moran
(as a women's apparel store owner not impressed with James' merchandising plan), Robert Z'Dar
(as an auditioner for the killer role), and Lloyd Kaufman
(as a victim in a previous feature from the trio).
Back in the restaurant setting, a waitress and struggling actress Holly (Lindsay Gareth) tries repeatedly (and unsuccessfully) to get the trio's attention to cast her in one of their projects through the encouragement of her pushy know-it-all fellow waitress friend Karie (Erin Muir). She is finally able to reach Byron after he (dealing with frustrations of his own) takes a break at the bar to 'get numb'. Byron alludes to her that she will not be taken seriously if they put her in one of their movies. Holly however is at a breaking point and willing to take the risk no matter what it takes, but Byron respectably still resists.
The film concludes with Byron deciding to strike out on his own and 'do something he's proud of for a change'. He gives Holly his card and heads out.
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
film written and directed by John Wesley Norton which peers into the process of making a low-budget horror film. It was premiered in 2008 under the original title Working Title in Woodridge, Illinois
Woodridge, Illinois
Woodridge is a suburb of Chicago, located primarily in DuPage County, Illinois with portions in Will County and Cook County. It uses the 630 and 331 area codes. The population was 30,934 at the 2000 census. A special census commissioned in 2003 put the population at 33,253...
. It has since been screened at the 2009 Naperville Independent Film Festival
Naperville Independent Film Festival
The Naperville Independent Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Naperville, Illinois which features the work of independent filmmakers. Actress Karen Black helped open inaugurate the festival in 2008...
before being distributed by Troma Entertainment
Troma Entertainment
Troma Entertainment is an American independent film production and distribution company founded by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz in 1974.The company produces low-budget independent movies that play on 1950s horror with elements of farce...
in 2011.
Plot
The body of the movie revolves around a farcical business meeting at a restaurant between screenwriter Byron (Byron ThamesByron Thames
Byron Thames is an American television and film actor and musician.-Career:Born in Jackson, Mississippi, he relocated shortly after his birth to New Orleans, Louisiana, he moved to Hollywood, California with his mother at age eight to pursue a career as an actor.After meeting actor/director...
), director Larry (Larry Thomas), and producer James (James Vallo
James Vallo
James Vallo is an American producer and actor best known for his role as Al Manac in Space Daze and its sequel Spaced Out. His recent productions include the upcoming Sister Mary, Not Another B Movie and Chasing Hollywood as well as the award winning Paranormal Calamity...
). Byron struggles in vain to stick to his original vision while Larry and James are intent on altering the script. Aside from wishing to make money, they also want to create a film that will "make the audience walk out...in a good way!" Their shocking movie is tentatively titled "The Umpire Strikes Back", due to the narrative revolving around a baseball ump (Reggie Bannister
Reggie Bannister
Reginald Horace "Reggie" Bannister is an American musician, actor, producer, writer, and activist. He is often referred to as "The Hardest Working Man in Horror".-Biography:...
) who goes psycho (including a rip off of Hitchcock's iconic black and white shower scene with a bat replacing the infamous knife).
The script alterations as well as the trio's recollections of past ventures are portrayed in short skits and scenes that are interspersed with the restaurant setting throughout. Many of these cutaway scenes feature the bickering (and at times outrageously violent) cop duo Hines (David Faustino
David Faustino
David Anthony Faustino is an American actor and rap artist primarily known for his role as Bud Bundy on the sitcom Married with Children.-Early life:...
) and Sterns (Joe Estevez
Joe Estevez
Joseph "Joe" Estevez is an American actor, director, and producer.He is the younger brother of actor Martin Sheen and the uncle of Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Renée Estevez, and Ramon Estevez.-Early life:...
) who are trying to find the killer ump. The cutaways also feature appearances by Edward Asner (as a prospective investor not impressed with James' proposal...unless there's "lots of T&A and he's more than welcome to visit the set"), Erin Moran
Erin Moran
Erin Marie Moran is an American actress, best known for the role of Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days and its spinoff Joanie Loves Chachi.-Early life:...
(as a women's apparel store owner not impressed with James' merchandising plan), Robert Z'Dar
Robert Z'Dar
Robert J. Zdarsky , better known as Robert Z’Dar, is an American actor and film producer, perhaps best known for his role as Matt Cordell in the cult horror film Maniac Cop and its two sequels. Due to his unusual facial structure, he is often referred to as "The Chin".-Early life:Born in Chicago,...
(as an auditioner for the killer role), and Lloyd Kaufman
Lloyd Kaufman
Lloyd Kaufman is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and occasional actor. With producer Michael Herz, he is the co-founder of Troma Entertainment film studio, and the director of many of their feature films, including The Toxic Avenger and Tromeo and Juliet. Kaufman also serves as...
(as a victim in a previous feature from the trio).
Back in the restaurant setting, a waitress and struggling actress Holly (Lindsay Gareth) tries repeatedly (and unsuccessfully) to get the trio's attention to cast her in one of their projects through the encouragement of her pushy know-it-all fellow waitress friend Karie (Erin Muir). She is finally able to reach Byron after he (dealing with frustrations of his own) takes a break at the bar to 'get numb'. Byron alludes to her that she will not be taken seriously if they put her in one of their movies. Holly however is at a breaking point and willing to take the risk no matter what it takes, but Byron respectably still resists.
The film concludes with Byron deciding to strike out on his own and 'do something he's proud of for a change'. He gives Holly his card and heads out.