I've been keeping this under wraps for some time now; I've received several inquiries that didn't fallen through in the past but this time it's official: my second script, Abattoir, is being produced in Canada. The director's been nice enough to keep me aboard to do rewrites and generally keep me informed on the project is progressing. So far, my first experience in the industry has been a positive one.

I'd like to thank Don (again) for posting the script on the site in the first place. Otherwise none of this would be happening right now. I'd also like to thank everyone who read and commented (through PM or on the site itself) on the script and helped me make it the best it could be. Seriously, it means a lot. Thanks, guys.

That's awesome, dude!  Congratulations!  I've never read Abattoir.  I've seen it all over but I've never actually opened it.  I think I should now :)

When will filming begin?  

Zoinkers! I'm going to see this! I must see it. Now I have a new movie to look forward too... Nice.

Congrats James!


Phil

Congratulations Jimmy. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Awesome James!!!!!!!

Congrats to you! :-)

Well done James!!!  Keep us in the loop.

Congratulations. It's always cool to see someones hard work pay off. : )

Quoted from greg When will filming begin?

This is actually the second week of filming. The film's actually been in preproduction for quite some time. I just wanted to wait to make the announcement.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to read it. It's been removed from the site. Maybe you'll get to see it instead.

Hey James,

Congratulations, that's great news.  I remember reading the script when you first posted it, and I can't wait to see the finished product.

James, awesome news man! Congrats, keep us posted on how its going.

Hope everything works out. Congratulations again.


Matt.

Congratulations, man. I'm happy for you.  :)

Who be the director?

That's great James! Congrats!

Congrats man.

What -- they chose this over "Kiss of the Locust"??

The fools!!

Quoted from James McClung The film's actually been in preproduction for quite some time. I just wanted to wait to make the announcement.

Extra kudos for that.  It is such a refreshing change from those who post in capital letters every time they get an email from some film school student somewhere.

But then, I would have expected nothing less from you.  This is most excellent news, and I am genuinely stoked for you.

Quoted from Chris_MacGuffin Who be the director?

Kalman Szegvary. Low-budget Canadian director. He's actually the second director to take the helm. He stepped in after the first director dropped off. Before, he was taking on various other duties. He actually runs the production company that's producing the film. I'm glad he's directing now. I think we're both on the same page in regards to how we want this to turn out.

Quoted from bert What -- they chose this over "Kiss of the Locust"?? The fools!!

Haha. To be honest, I'm glad they picked this one. I'm actually planning to rewrite Kiss of the Locust from scratch within the next year or so. The writing's not exactly up to my standards anymore. I think it's a good script but I'll be the first to tell you it reads ameteurish. Still, it'd be cool to see that produced someday as well.

Was  Abbattoir the one with the Independent filmmakers getting killed? Or the one at the restaurant? I might be thinking of something else--but I'm absolutely *sure* I read it a long time ago.

Quoted from ReaperCreeper Was  Abbattoir the one with the Independent filmmakers getting killed? Or the one at the restaurant?

Both, actually.

See, I knew I'd read it

I think it's gonna make a kick-ass film. Has the director shown you any samples of his work?

I love that script! Congrats. Any idea what the budget is going to be?

~Zack~

You lucky bastard James...lol.  No seriously James I'm very happy for ya, I remember reading this and found it very good.  Can't wait to see.  Be sure to keep us informed of any details.

Congratulations James

Independent film makers getting killed and a restaurant, I'm intrigued.  Can we get any more details?

sheepwalker

Quoted from ReaperCreeper Has the director shown you any samples of his work?

No. I have, however, seen a few photos from the Abattoir shooting and what I've seen looks pretty good.

Quoted from Zack I love that script! Congrats. Any idea what the budget is going to be?

Enough to make head molds, that's for sure ;D. Other than that, I don't have any figures I could give you. It's a low-budget film though.

Quoted from The boy who could fly Are they gonna shoot this in Canada, if so do you know where?

It's being shot on location somewhere in Ontario. I think most of the people involved are from Toronto so I can't imagine it's too far from there.

Quoted from Soap Hands Independent film makers getting killed and a restaurant, I'm intrigued.  Can we get any more details?

Considering the script's being produced now, I don't think I'm not entitled to give out spoilers. In any case, I think I can give you a general idea of what it's like. Abattoir was basically my version of the ever-so popular cannibal horror subgenre. Mainly, I wanted more of a focus on the process of preparing humans as food as opposed to people being chased through the woods. It's pretty standard in some regards but not so much in others. I tried to take some typical conventions of the genre and turn them inside-out while expanding upon others that have been seriously downplayed in the past. There's some familiar stuff there but enough new to make it it's own thing as well. Anyway, I hope that gives you some sense of what this should be like.

Excellent news, James. I knew there was potential in the script when I read way back then and offered my advice. I'm happy to also see it produced here in Canada. Too bad it wasn't in BC, or I'd go along and check things out, haha.

Again, congrats. Anytime somebody gets something made, it's a huge accomplishment.

Awesome!  Abbatoir deserves it fully.

I wish they were shooting closer to me!  I've gotta fly to Toronto to shoot some pickups for Marigold...if I hear a chainsaw revving in the woods I'll check it out haha.

That's great news James. Hope every goes smooth all the way through.

Will the film be avalible in stores? If so I'll buy it!

~Zack~

I want to know too. Will it be a film festival thing or will it get an actual release? Maybe it is a little early to ask such questions, but I'm telling you, if the film were to hit shelves or even a small theatrical release, I would buy/see it in a second.




--Julio

It's hard to say at this point. It's been filmed independently so there's obviously no distributor attached. My guess would be these guys up north would be more likely to see it than others but I honestly don't have much to base that assumption on. I think there's going to be a search for a distributor after the film's completed. What kind of distribution this film would (could) get, I have no idea. In any case, I'd be willing to bet this would be available on Netflix if it got a DVD release. It's only a guess, of course, but I think it's an educated one.

I'll get back to you guys about this one.

Alright James! ;D

I'm very happy for you.

If they do get a distributor, I'm sure many people here will run out and get a copy, myself included.  ;D

Congrats,

Cindy

I'll second that, although getting hold of a copy here in England might be tricky.

So... now will you write a follow up or prequel?

~Zack~

Quoted from Zack So... now will you write a follow up or prequel?

IF there is a follow up or prequel, it all depends on how the first film works out. Obviously, we're not even at that stage yet. In a perfect world where Abattoir is a big success, my answer to your question would be... no comment. Make of that what you will.

You're already sounding professional there James lol.  Are you getting ready for the interviews?

Quoted from alffy You're already sounding professional there James lol.  Are you getting ready for the interviews?

LOL. What interviews? I'm just the writer, haha. In all seriousness, as cliche as it may sound, I'm just trying to keep cool about this whole thing. I've had people ask about this script before only to vanish without a trace before I even sent them a response so I figure that's a better mindset to have than getting overexcited. I honestly have no idea how this thing is going to turn out so I can't really say much in regards to sequels and such but I've got my fingers crossed that it'll turn out good.

You're taking the right approach to this James. Good for you. I really hope everything comes through and you get the success you deserve. Also... I look foward to a  sequel/prequel!

~Zack~

Congrats James,

Keep us informed of any teasers and progress of this film. Hope it all turns out to be a success.

Gabe

Hey congratulations man!  Best of luck with you.