Class Horror Cast (Horror Movie Podcast)

In this episode, we sit down with director and cinematographer John R. Leonetti for a deep dive into his incredible career and lifelong love of filmmaking.

We talk about his early beginnings in the industry and his work behind the camera on iconic films including The Mask, Mortal Kombat, Dead Silence, Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 2, and The Conjuring.

That naturally leads into the conversation about his transition into directing with Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and how that experience shaped the next phase of his career.

We also explore his entry into The Conjuring Universe with Annabelle, including discussion around some of the real-life mythology and inspiration behind the infamous doll.

John shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from across his career, opens up about why films like Dead Silence continue to build passionate cult followings, and even talks about the possibility of Dead Silence 2.

And to top it all off, he reveals an incredible upcoming project that horror fans will absolutely not want to miss.

If you've ever wanted to hear stories from inside the making of some of modern horror and cult cinema’s most memorable films, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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In this bonus episode, I was interview by a radio station here in Ireland called South-East Radio on a show called 'Saturday Morning Mix with John Moynihan' 

We chat about my start in horror and love for film in general. The beginning of my blog 'Firstclasshorror' which slowly turned into the podcast you listen to each week. Some stories over the years. 

There is also a connection between Wexford (where I live) Halloween 3: Season of the witch and Robocop 1&2... Can you guess?!

We dive into the concept behind writing my first published book 'Horror Hot Takes' which is now available worldwide.

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Also available through Barnes&Noble, Red Books, Byrnes Bookstores, Seanchai Books, Nerd-Up and many more!

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This week on ClassHorrorCast, I’m joined by screenwriter Jeff Barker for one of the most thoughtful and inspiring conversations we’ve had on the show.

Jeff is not only a writer in his own right, but also the father of filmmaker Curry Barker, whose new film Obsession has been making a huge impact. We talk about the incredible success surrounding the film, Jeff’s own contributions to the project, and what it’s been like watching something that started so small become such a major moment.

We dive deep into Jeff’s lifelong love of cinema, how he developed his voice as a writer over the years, and the kinds of stories and emotions he’s always been drawn to expressing creatively. We also discuss some of the filmmakers and movies that continue to inspire him.

Beyond filmmaking, this episode becomes a conversation about family, passion, and perseverance. Jeff opens up about his relationship with Curry through the years and what it means to now witness everything they’ve achieved together.

We also talk about Curry’s next film, which has already wrapped, and Jeff shares his thoughts on the upcoming A24 Texas Chainsaw project.

Along the way we explore imposter syndrome, navigating difficult periods in life, staying positive, and continuing to chase creative goals no matter where you are in the journey.

We also spend time discussing Jeff’s fantastic YouTube channel, The Screenplay Lab, where he creates brilliant screenplay breakdowns and insightful analysis of some truly great films.

This is a unique, honest, and incredibly interesting conversation with someone whose own creative journey feels like it’s only just beginning and someone who may have some very exciting years ahead.

Enjoy the episode.

More of my content and to purchase my book HERE

Jeff Barker's
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In this episode of ClassHorrorCast, I’m joined by Steve Barton!

One of the true pioneers of modern online horror media and co-founder of Dread Central.

We dive deep into Steve’s early beginnings as a horror fan, his days posting on the legendary Fangoria message boards, and the completely random encounter with Tony Timpone that ultimately changed the course of his life forever.

From there, Steve takes us through the creation of Dread Central and the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs that came with building one of the most important horror outlets in internet history during a time when online horror journalism was still the wild west.

Throughout the conversation, Steve reflects on the relationships he built with legendary figures including George A. Romero and Sid Haig, sharing incredible stories from decades spent inside the horror industry and convention scene.

We also discuss Steve’s pivotal involvement in the rise of Terrifier and the Art the Clown phenomenon, his role in helping bring attention to the franchise, and the difficult fallout that eventually led to his firing from the production.

It’s an honest and deeply personal discussion about passion, loyalty, success, disappointment, and the realities of working within the entertainment industry.

The episode also explores Steve’s raw and emotional autobiography, which serves as a brutally honest reflection on following a dream, navigating personal struggles, and dedicating your life to horror culture.

We wrap things up by discussing his current projects, consulting work, writing, and what the future holds next.

This is a fascinating conversation with somebody who helped shape modern horror fandom in the age of the internet and a must-listen for horror fans, filmmakers, collectors, and anyone who grew up living on horror message boards and websites during the early online era.

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In this episode, we’re joined by filmmaker Rob Schmidt, the director behind the cult classic Wrong Turn, as well as Crime + Punishment in Suburbia, The Alphabet Killer, Masters of Horror, and more.

We dive deep into his career, exploring the stories behind his films, the challenges of bringing them to life, and what it was really like working within the horror genre during a very different era.

Rob shares behind-the-scenes insights on Wrong Turn, discusses the evolution of the franchise, and opens up about whether he’d ever consider returning.

Beyond film, we also get into his work in true crime television, including Your Worst Nightmare, Swamp Murders, and Dead Silent, and talk about the growing fascination with real-life horror stories.

It’s an honest and wide-ranging conversation covering creativity, industry realities, and the ups and downs of pursuing a career in filmmaking, with some genuinely valuable advice for anyone trying to follow their passion.

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