Micro-Shock Spotlight On: Chris Seaver and Low Budget Pictures

"Making Crap and Being Okay With That"

by Chris Seaver

I will be the first to admit to anyone that I make poop on stick films. I make shlocky, cheesy, low-budget, silly, comedy-horror themed flicks that I don't spend a lot of time on. When I started making movies at age 7, I just picked up the camera and went to work. I learned through making mistakes. And I am still learning with each new project. But, I've been stuck in a rut as of late. I keep chasing something bigger in the film industry. I keep chasing something that will pay for a comfortable living for me and my family. I keep chasing a dragon that will no doubt at some point stomp me out and blow fire all over my supple frame. And I realized something this past week...I am VERY lucky. To do what I have done and to come from where I come from is a HUGE achievement. For a guy who loves making crappy B-Z grade movies to have his shlock sold worldwide and to have a small cult following and HATERS as well is a huge deal.

I am not a film talker. A film talker is a person who just talks about making films and how THEY could do better and THEY could make it look cooler and so on and so forth, but NEVER do. They also like to sit back and slam other people's work and go so far as to slam the person making the film, not knowing the person at all mind you, not knowing or getting the true intentions and how much work actually DID go into the film of course. Just spouting out evil for some reason. I also have to argue with those who say what I do is NOT making films cuz I don't have bigger budgets and they aren't shown in theaters, so they CAN'T be movies, which is just ridiculous film school mentality to its most extreme. I have not quite grasped that part of this whole crazy indie world yet. I am not one of 'those' people. So many filmmakers and film talkers take themselves WAY too seriously. What's wrong with making a low-budget B-movie where the sole purpose is to entertain? Isn't that what movies are supposed to do anyway?

I DO make movies and have for as long as I can remember. I am out there doing what I love to do and that's pretty damn rad in my book. I should be thrilled with the knowledge that my movies and company have been featured in Fangoria magazine, Rue-Morgue, Ultra Violent, Sirens of Cinema etc...That I have Hollywood celebrity fans; that one of my idols, Lloyd Kaufman has become a good friend and supporter of my works and put me in his book. I should be proud of all of the shit I have done and gotten to where I am with nothing but passion and stubbornness. I should be jumping out of my seat to have such a devoted fan base and people who truly want to see what I do next. I should be kissing the ground for such an awesome crew that sticks with me and are loyal to what it is I am trying to do and for putting up with so much crap and movie after movie just keep coming back.

Why do I keep chasing this dragon then? Why do I want to be more than I am? Haven't I become what I wanted to be? After talking to a pretty successful indie-movie master in the industry recently I would have to say 'Yes, I am what I wanted to be, a B-movie filmmaker with a successful company, crew and fan following.' I think things are pretty damn sweet in my life as I type this. Sure I may not have as much money as I would like to live on, but I have an amazing wife and child and I make the types of movies that I wanna see and hopefully others will enjoy as well. I may try to spread my wings a little bit here and there creatively and I may even enhance the way the films look from time to time, but make no mistake, they will ALWAYS be crappy B-movies at their heart. I say bring on the Love and the Hate cuz I and LBP will be here for a VERY long time to come. Thanks to all of my friends, family and crew for sticking with me for all these years and to all of the fans who support the shlock. You all mean the world to me and that's the truth...Oh and to all of the haters? I love you too, you make me feel like a used lady! That's erotic right?

Chris Seaver, Fall 2007.

At the time of this writing, Chris Seaver has been operating Low Budget Pictures for almost 16 years. His current movie "Wet Heat" is due out on DVD through Tempe Entertainment in March 2008. For more information about Wet Heat, and Low Budget Pictures other films, check out their website at www.lowbudgetpictures.net.

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