A horror film at a Columbia hotel? Yes! Over the past few days, a film crew took over Smith’s Hotel along Route 462 to make just such a film. Director B. Harrison Smith, whose credits include Zombie Killers and Death House, said his latest film, The Special, is a “horror story about addiction.” He describes it as something you might see on Tales from the Crypt or Creepshow and that it has a “very odd feel to it.” (For more information on the film, go HERE.)
Smith, and Bob Smith (no relation) of Smith’s Hotel allowed Columbia Spy unrestricted access to the film set this past Thursday and Friday, which included the bar area and second-floor hotel rooms. Besides the director, the contingent included several actors, plus personnel for editing, camera, sound, special effects, continuity, and makeup.
Horror filmmaking has come a long way since the early black and white “film” days, with digital technology now allowing a crew to be more mobile and able to complete a film in a relatively short time. Columbia Spy witnessed the capability of that technology first-hand as Smith and script supervisor Mel Baxter were able to watch each scene unfold in real time on a monitor as the action was being shot in the next room. Smith said the footage is captured on data storage cards that are transferred to a laptop for editing. Post processing happens later, in which color adjustments and other fixes are done.
At day’s end on Friday, the crew wrapped up at the hotel, aiming to move to an undisclosed location next week. Shooting is expected to be completed within several weeks but the movie won’t be ready for release until several months down the line, except for private screenings. Smith said a film typically can take up to a year from start to finish – sometimes a year and a half.
Smith explains that private investors have financed most of his films. His previous works include 2010’s The Fields with Cloris Leachman and Tara Reid, which he produced and wrote but didn’t direct. Smith’s other films are Six Degrees of Hell with Corey Feldman, Camp Dread with Eric Roberts, and Zombie Killers with Billy Zane, Dee Wallace, and Mischa Barton. He also made Death House which he says has “the greatest collection of horror names in a single movie.” In addition, he directed the action-comedy, Garlic and Gunpowder, which was shot in Los Angeles with Michael Madsen, Vivica Fox, Judy Tenuta, and others.
I'm GLAD I don't live in that Columbia anymore it is a “SCARY” town and the Boro MGMT. have no clue as to what they are doing.
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Hope they had a chance to dine on Smith's great sandwiches!!
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you can tell the borough had nothing to do with this or it would have been all screwed up.
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Congratulations to Smith's Hotel ��
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Hope we get to see this when it's ready good job
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I hope to hell they fed them steaks steaks steaks and subs subs subs and lots of booze. That should be in the credits that they were well fed. Good job Smitty's.
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Well the town may BE scary, but when you're hungry for some tasty subs and steaks and good fellowship then Smith's is your place to be entertained.
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I'm GLAD I don't live in that Columbia anymore it is a “SCARY” town and the Boro MGMT. have no clue as to what they are doing.
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Hope they had a chance to dine on Smith's great sandwiches!!
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you can tell the borough had nothing to do with this or it would have been all screwed up.
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Congratulations to Smith's Hotel ��
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Hope we get to see this when it's ready good job
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I hope to hell they fed them steaks steaks steaks and subs subs subs and lots of booze. That should be in the credits that they were well fed. Good job Smitty's.
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Well the town may BE scary, but when you're hungry for some tasty subs and steaks and good fellowship then Smith's is your place to be entertained.
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