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It’s no secret that I’m tired of the Saw franchise. What started out as an edgy horror film with a mesmerizing antagonist (Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw) and some truly squirm-inducing death scenes (at least partially because they allowed audience members to put themselves into the scenes) quickly spiraled off into banal sequels more known for their laughable philosophy (Jigsaw was always a bit of a windbag, but compare Saw to the latter films and take note of how ridiculous it became over time and sequels) and convoluted narratives than actually being, well, entertaining. I mean, this a series that’s carried on for three sequels after killing off one of the most important characters in the entire franchise (yet he continues to turn up in every film…). Last year’s Saw V was the definite low point—the veritable end of the line for me. I’d still review each new Saw film (because it’s my job), but I’ll be damned if I was going to care about them. Naturally, this means Saw VI would wind up being halfway decent just to make a liar out of me.

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Saw VI‘s October 23rd release date is less than a month away…and I wish I cared more than I do. I keep trying to muster up some enthusiasm for Jigsaw’s sixth outing but, to be honest, I’m just not that interested. It’s not like I’d prefer to go to the dentist or anything that extreme, but the Saw series’ constant onslaught of sequels and convoluted storytelling has just worn me out.

Anyway, if you’re one of the people who still get excited at the mere mention of Tobin Bell (and I know there are still lots of you out there), this is for you.

Lionsgate has opened the official Saw VI website. The site has the usual trailers, downloads, galleries, and all that jazz up and running. It also has some other things that aren’t available yet. These “coming soon” items include “bloodlines”, “Jigsaw’s Wheel of Death”, and “Become Jigsaw’s Apprentice”. Sounds like they’re games to me–so that might make it worth your while to visit the site often so you don’t miss out when those things go live.

I’ll admit that I didn’t watch all of the first season of VH1′s reality horror series Scream Queens. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the show (although, to be honest, I thought pretty much all of the contestants sucked) but more that I don’t have a DVR and I forget things are on all the time. I did enjoy the judges (James Gunn, Shawnee Smith, and acting coach John Homa) and the idea of the show. Apparently other folks did too.

Fearnet has posted this news from Gunn’s official blog. Here’s the entry, which not only announces the second season but also tells hopeful contestants how to apply to be on the show. If you’ve always dreamed of being a “final girl” read on to find out how to take the first step to achieving your dream.

Yes, we’ve been in talks about Scream Queens 2 for a long time now, but I’ve been contractually unable to share the news.  But as of now we are casting for Season 2.

Are you an actress dreaming of a once in a lifetime shot at a career on the big screen? Do you have what it takes to handle intense, one-on-one mentoring with a major  film  director?  Would you like training from one of the most celebrated  acting  coaches in Hollywood?  In short, are you ready to be a star?

VH1, in association with Lionsgate (the studio behind such horror blockbusters as SAW and HOSTEL) is NOW CASTING  beautiful, confident, tenacious, uninhibited actresses who are ready for stardom and will stop at nothing to get it.

Ten lucky women will be chosen to compete in  the second season of VH1’s SCREAM QUEENS.  One will win a breakout role in a theatrically-released Lionsgate horror film.

Last year’s winner, Tanedra Howard, recently filmed  a  star-making turn in SAW VI, which  hits big screens this fall.  Will you be next?

Whether you are an experienced pro, or new to Hollywood, classically trained, or a born performer, this could be your shot at greatness.  If you are 21 or older, and appear to be between the ages of 21 and 30, have a competitive spirit, and are willing to put your talent,  and your bigger than life personality on the line for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, then you could be crowned Hollywood’s next SCREAM QUEEN.

The casting team will be holding open calls across the country, but location is not a factor for applying.  Anyone unable to make the casting sessions can submit a home audition tape via mail, and may be chosen for a SKYPE interview with the casting  director.

Just download the application, home tape instructions, and sides.  Follow the directions, and you could be on your way to becoming the next SCREAM QUEEN.  Please note that even if you attend one of the open calls, we strongly encourage you to submit a home video and application as well.  If you have any additional questions, send an email to ScreamQueensCasting@gmail.com.

Open Casting Calls:

Los Angeles: Saturday, August 29th, 2009  TBD

NYC: Saturday September 12th, 2009 TBD

Cool, huh?  Scream Queens was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done, and I can’t wait to dive in.  In fact, I’m planning on checking out at least part of the casting calls in LA.

But, again, for more information about submission requirements, and the specs on how to send in YOUR home-taped audition, go to Joke & Biagio’s website.

Scream On, Scream On, Scream Until Your Dreams Come True,

James

If you’ve been following director Kevin Greutert’s MyTorturePorn blog, then you’ll know that the filming on Saw VI has finished. Here’s a post about it:

After finishing the Saw VI shoot on Wednesday afternoon, I emerged, pale and blinking, into a new world, where the trees had suddenly budded overnight, people were sailing on Lake Ontario in the middle of the week, and I had put my first film production behind me.  It was a mighty feeling, and I committed myself to a few days of fucking off and not getting anything done.  Between the start of prep on January 8th and the end of shooting on May 13th, I’d lost fifteen pounds, despite the daily noontime tuna melts that endeared me so much to the crew, but between Wednesday and today I’ve gained four pounds back again, and it’s because I’ve returned to the cave where I belong.  In other words, I’m in the Editing Room.

Editor Andrew Coutts is doing an amazing job putting together the first cut of the film, which he will be presenting to me next week.  In the meantime, I’m finally taking a good hard look at the footage, and making sure that every precious nugget makes it into the final movie.  The contrast between the gregarious madness of the set and the solitude of editorial feels like two different universes, and I can’t believe that in my life I’ve spent so much time holed away like this.  It’s not human, I tell you!  We need to invent a way to edit on the beach…

Still no real details on the plot or anything like that, but the film is in the can and moving along to the editing stage. Expect the finished product to hit theaters this October.

Surprisingly enough, things have been pretty quiet on the Saw VI front. Last year, it seemed like not a day went by without some sort of news about the franchise, but aside from a few press releases here and there, we really haven’t seen the usual media blitzkrieg associated with a new Jigsaw outing. It’s still early, of course, but I expected we’d get a detailed report on every step of Saw VI’s creation.

It’s not all secrecy and silence, though–as director Kevin Greutert has unveiled a ton of new casting info and behind the scenes photos over at his blog (creatively titled My Torture Porn). There doesn’t appear to be anything particularly Earth-shattering in the posts or photos (so you can proceed without fear of spoilers), but this should give hardcore Jigsaw fans something to tide them over until the real details start to emerge before the film’s October 23rd release date.

It isn’t even April yet, and already the Saw VI buzz (haha, see what I did there? I’m clever) has begun.

Cruising by the official website reveals the following bit of info about the film’s next installment courtesy of producer Mark Burg (who apparently loves caps lock…):

“SHAWNEE SMITH (AMANDA) IS IN SAW VI. THERE ARE SEVERAL NEW CHARACTERS. ALSO, THIS MOVIE IS A LOT MORE VIOLENT THAN THE PREVIOUS V. LASTLY, WE HAVE TRAPS THAT PIT VICTIMS AGAINST EACH OTHER LIKE THE OPENING OF SAW V. COULD BE THE BEST SCRIPT YET!” STAY TUNED FOR MORE EXCLUSIVE NEWS FROM JOHN RAYBIN ON OFFICIALSAW.COM…JOHN WILL BE REPORTING EXCLUSIVE DAILY NEWS FROM THE SET OF SAW VI. THE MOVIE BEGINS FILMING IN TORONTO, CANADA ON MARCH 30.”

I can’t say that any of this has me particularly excited (especially after the train wreck that was Saw V), but who knows–someone out there likes these movies, otherwise they wouldn’t have 40 million dollar opening weekends.

I’m not surprised they’re bringing Smith back. I mean, let’s be honest–this franchise has killed the only two characters who made it marginally interesting in the first place, and the one chance of righting the ship at this point is to keep them in the movies. No one’s cared that Jigsaw has been dead for several sequels (yet still in the films) so it seems unlikely that anyone’s gonna balk at Smith coming back either.