The Collingswood Story
The Collingswood Story is a 2006 American independent found footage horror film written and directed by Mike Costanza and distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment. It was released in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2006.
| The Collingswood Story | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Costanza |
| Produced by | Beverly Burton |
| Written by | Mike Costanza |
| Starring | Stephanie Dees Johnny Burton Grant Edmonds Vera Madeline |
| Music by | John DeBorde |
| Distributed by | Anchor Bay Entertainment |
Release date | June 21, 2006 (UK) |
Running time | 86 min. |
| Language | English |
Plot
The Collingswood Story focuses on the relationship between college students Rebecca Miles (Stephanie Dees) and Johnny Dalmass (Johnny Burton), who attempt a long distance relationship via webcams.
Rebecca Miles has left her hometown—and her boyfriend, John—behind to go to college in Collingswood, New Jersey. For her 21st birthday, John gives her a webcam so the two can stay in touch.
The couple is soon plunged into a nightmarish world when they stumble upon an online psychic, Vera Madeline, who initiates a deadly reign of terror over their lives.
Background
The Collingswood Story, which began production in the year 2000, employed the concept of a feature film viewed entirely through each character's webcam. At the time Skype, YouTube, and built-in computer cams were years before the concept was mainstream and distributors were reluctant to release the "webcam" film.
The filmmaker, Mike Costanza, sent screeners to every major horror website in the US and the UK. The online horror community, hesitant at first to watch an indie film with no distribution, found The Collingswood Story scary and innovative and began to generate a buzz for the new "indie thrill sensation". The online horror community's support helped put this indie horror film on the map.
In 2005, The Collingswood Story screened at many international festivals including Frightfest in London, The Festival of Fantastic Films in Manchester, and the Fearless Tales Film Festival in San Francisco. The film received the Best Cast and Best Indie Film Award. Also that year Anchor Bay UK released the film on DVD. The Collingswood Story received additional favorable reviews. Quotes included "A Low Budget Triumph", "Inventive and Frightening", "The Tense Atmosphere is Simply Superb and Unnerving", "Original and Clever", "Unquestionably the Best "Pure" Horror Film of this Year's Frightfest". Empire Magazine, Dreamwatch, SFX, and journalist Kim Newman also praised the film.
The Collingswood Story was then pitched as a remake to various studios including the producers of Paranormal Activity.
In April 2011, DreadCentral screened the film during their celebration of Indie Horror Month.[1]
Awards
- Best Cast, Fearless Tales Film Festival San Francisco, California 2005
- Best Indie Film, Horror Review Awards
Festivals
- Frightfest, London
- Festival of Fantastic Films, Manchester
- Fearless Tales, San Francisco
- Boston Fantastic Film Festival
- Horrorthon, Dublin
References
- "The Collingswood Story Screening Now Over - THANKS FOR JOINING US". Dread Central. March 24, 2011. Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
"The Best Low Budget Movie Since The Blair Witch Project"—Shivers Magazine, October 2006, Iss. 108, pg. 66, by: Calum Waddell "Kim Newman's Dungeon Breakout Name to Watch: Michael Costanza"—Empire Magazine October 2006, pg. 66, by: Kim Newman "Pleasantly Spooky Post Blair Witch Ghost Story"—SFX Magazine" August 2006, Iss. 146, pg. 130, by: Andrew Osmond "The Making of The Collingswood Story"—The Dark Side Magazine (UK) September 2006, Iss. 122, pg. 60, by: Cameron Scott DVD Monthly August 2006, Iss. 95, pg. 132, by: Jordon Brown