Class Horror Cast (Horror Movie Podcast)

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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In this episode, I sit down with director Brandon Christensen to talk about his latest film Bodycam, a unique found-footage horror told entirely through the perspective of police bodycams.

We get into the idea behind it, the challenges of working within that format, and what makes it such an effective way to tell a story.

From there, the conversation opens up into a deeper look at Brandon’s love for film as an art form - from the movies and games that shaped him, to the drive to create and tell stories through cinema.

We also get into something a lot of horror fans feel but don’t always talk about, how movies feel different now. The nostalgia of the 80s and 90s, the experience of discovering films back then, and the slow loss (and recent resurgence) of physical media and collecting as part of the culture.

Of course, we dive into horror itself and why the genre continues to connect so strongly with audiences, and how it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves, both at the box office and on the awards stage.

This is a laid-back, honest conversation about horror, nostalgia, and what keeps us coming back to movies in the first place.

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In this episode, we sit down with director, producer, and author Craig Singer for a deep dive into a career that spans filmmaking, studio leadership, and the business side of Hollywood.

Craig takes us back to his early days in the industry and the path that led him to creating films like Dark Ride, Perkins’ 14, and 6:45. We get into the stories behind these projects, the realities of independent filmmaking, and what it takes to bring bold ideas to the screen.

We also discuss his latest project, The Block, and what continues to drive him creatively after decades in the industry.

Beyond directing, Craig shares insights from his time as a VP at Disney, the decision to step away from the corporate world, and how he transitioned back into filmmaking and entrepreneurship, building and selling businesses along the way.

A major part of the conversation focuses on his book, Moguls: The Lives and Times of Hollywood Film Pioneers Nicholas and Joseph Schenck, which explores the history of Hollywood through the rise of the Schenck brothers - from the silent era and the Roaring Twenties, through the Golden Age, World War II, and the paranoia of the McCarthy era. It’s a story that mirrors the evolution of Hollywood itself and the enduring pull of the American Dream.

Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, industry insight, and a genuine love of film, this is a conversation that covers every side of what it means to build a life in the movies.

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In this episode, I sit down with legendary cult Italian director and writer Luigi Cozzi for a fascinating deep dive into a life dedicated to cinema.

From his early days in film journalism and writing, Luigi shares how his passion for movies shaped his path into filmmaking.

We explore his deep love for both science fiction and horror, and how those genres gave him the freedom to create bold, imaginative, and unforgettable films.We dive into some of his most iconic work, including Starcrash, Contamination, and Paganini Horror including the ideas behind them, the challenges of bringing them to life, and the lasting cult legacy they’ve built over the years.

Luigi also reflects on the magic of cinema itself. Why it continues to inspire, how it captures our imagination, and what it truly means to dedicate your life to storytelling. Along the way, he shares honest advice for aspiring filmmakers and creatives trying to find their voice in an ever-changing industry.

This is a conversation about passion, persistence, and the power of film to transport us somewhere else entirely.

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