(LOS ANGELES, CA.) Nitestar Productions™ launched its own home video distribution
arm this week with their premiere release, "The Blair Witch Rejects", a feature length
straight to video comedy spoof directed by award winning filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos
("Solstice, A Christmas Story", Lifetime Television). In the very first feature length spoof
of "The Blair Witch Project", "The Blair Witch Rejects" chronicles the misadventures of
an inept Beverly Hills independent producer who believes she can ride the coat-tails of
the original movie's success by filming a follow-up.
Casting a talented ensemble cast featuring Kevin Leadingham, Chanda Willis, Brent
Beebe, Deborah Wolff and others, Jerry Vasilatos approached the film as a satire on
independent filmmakers trying to ride the coat-tails of the original film. Using similar
preparation techniques as the directors of "Blair Witch" Mr. Vasilatos guided his
actors by only providing snippets of their character motivations and plot points as the
shoot progressed over three days of shooting right up to the surprise ending, this time
played for laughs. "There were several independent groups here in L.A. all jumping on
the "Blair Witch" bandwagon shooting their own versions as quickly as they could to
cash in on the original's success." Vasilatos says. "To me, that's what was spoofable...
filmmakers haphazardly rushing to ride the coat-tails of something else, unable to come
up with their own original ideas, so that became the focus. We all loved the original
"Blair Witch Project", and witnessing other people rushing to emulate it is what inspired
us to poke fun at them instead. The whole thing became a slapstick farce."
Founding their video distribution arm in 1999 with the intention of releasing films
and other projects that are developed and produced in-house, Nitestar Productions™
will also focused on reviewing outside independently produced features for release
their new home video label.
"The Blair Witch Rejects" (Color / Unrated / 90 Minutes) is now available through
Nitestar Home Video™. If you are a press or wholesale contact interested in receiving
a screening copy and press kit, please contact Nitestar Productions™ by telephone
at 323-468-8089 or by e-mail through this link.
JANUARY 14, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
