Full Moon Features is an American
motion picture
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
production and distribution company headed by
B-movie
A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publicized bottom half of a double featur ...
veteran
Charles Band
Charles Robert Band (born December 27, 1951) is an American film producer and director, known for his work on horror comedy movies.
Career
Band entered film production in the 1970s with Charles Band Productions. Dissatisfied with distributo ...
. It is known for the
direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...
series ''
Puppet Master'', ''
Trancers
''Trancers'' (also released as ''Future Cop'') is a 1984 American science fiction action film directed by Charles Band and starring Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt, and Art LaFleur. It is the first film in the ''Trancers'' series. Thomerson plays Jac ...
'', and ''
Subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
'', as well as the film ''
Castle Freak
''Castle Freak'' is a 1995 American direct-to-video horror film directed by Stuart Gordon. The film stars Jeffrey Combs as John Reilly, an American recovering alcoholic who inherits an Italian castle when a distant relative passes away. John s ...
'' and the VideoZone featurette through 1989 to 2013.
History
Full Moon Productions era (1988–1995)
After the collapse of Band's previous film studio
Empire Pictures
Empire International Pictures (aka Empire Entertainment) was an American small-scale theatrical distribution company. Charles Band formed Empire in 1983, prompted by his dissatisfaction with distributors' handling of films made by his previous b ...
, he moved back to the United States from Rome and opened Full Moon Productions. Band's goal with Full Moon was to create low-budget
horror,
sci-fi
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universe ...
, and
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...
films while retaining a somewhat "big-budget" look. In the United States, Canada, and several foreign territories, from the company's very humble beginnings, Full Moon teamed with
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...
and
Pioneer Home Entertainment for
direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...
releasing on
VHS and
LaserDisc
The LaserDisc (LD) is a home video format and the first commercial optical disc storage medium, initially licensed, sold and marketed as DiscoVision, MCA DiscoVision (also known simply as "DiscoVision") in the United States in 1978. Its diam ...
and the first release was the feature film directed by
David Schmoeller
David Schmoeller (born December 8, 1947) is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is notable for directing several full-length theatrical horror films including ''Tourist Trap'' (1979), '' The Seduction'' (1982), ''Crawlspace' ...
, ''
Puppet Master'' in 1989, and designed to create the company under the umbrella of Bandcompany, Inc.
''Puppet Master'' turned out to be a huge hit for Full Moon. Following the film on VHS and LaserDisc was a featurette entitled ''No Strings Attached'', which documents the making of ''Puppet Master''. It then featured interviews with cast and crew members, including actor
Paul Le Mat
Paul Le Mat (born September 22, 1945) is an American actor. He first came to prominence with his role in ''American Graffiti'' (1973); his performance was met with critical acclaim and earned him the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year ...
and Charles Band himself. The next three releases—''
Shadowzone'', ''
Meridian: Kiss of the Beast'', and ''
Crash and Burn'' (changing to Full Moon Entertainment with the release of the latter)—all featured a making-of presentation after the film. Paramount, however, didn't believe in the making-of concept and forced Band to pay for all of the additional tape needed. At the same time, Band also reissued two catalog titles, ''
Tourist Trap
A tourist trap is an establishment (or group of establishments) that has been created or re-purposed with the aim of attracting tourists and their money. Tourist traps will typically provide overpriced services, entertainment, food, souveni ...
'' and ''
Parasite
Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The entomologist E. O. Wilson has ...
'' through Paramount.
Some controversy arose, however, many years after the release of ''Puppet Master''. In an interview on the website The Terror Trap, ''Puppet Master'' director, David Schmoeller, says that Charles Band owes him residuals, as well as stating that Charles Band doesn't give credit to directors. Schmoeller continues, saying that Band didn't want him on the director's commentary on the
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...
release of ''Puppet Master'', because "it would reveal that someone else shared in the creation of Full Moon's biggest and most successful franchise."
With the fifth Full Moon release ''
Puppet Master II
''Puppet Master II'' is a 1990 direct-to-video horror film written by David Pabian and directed by Dave Allen. It is the second film in the ''Puppet Master'' franchise, the sequel to 1989's '' Puppet Master'', and stars Elizabeth Maclellan, Gr ...
'' in 1991, Full Moon introduced VideoZone, a behind-the-scenes video magazine. The average VideoZone featured an introduction by Charles Band, the making-of the "movie you just watched," an interview with someone involved in a future Full Moon release, merchandise (such as Full Moon T-shirts, posters and other assorted goods), trailers, and contact information. VideoZone tied together the "
comic book
A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...
feel" that Band insisted with the Full Moon product. In 1992, Full Moon decided to expand into theatrical film production, with a distribution agreement at
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...
, to release two films, but it was never materialized.
Full Moon continued producing its releases throughout the early '90s (sometimes as many as twelve releases a year) and in 1993 founded two more labels: Torchlight Entertainment, specializing in
softcore pornographic
Softcore pornography or softcore porn, is commercial photography, still photography or film that has a pornographic or erotica, erotic component but is less sexually graphic and intrusive than hardcore pornography, defined by a lack of visual sexu ...
sci-fi
comedies
Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term origin ...
and Moonbeam Entertainment, specializing in family orientated sci-fi and fantasy films. Torchlight's first release was ''
Beach Babes From Beyond''; Moonbeam's was ''
Prehysteria!'', which actually became a high seller for distributor Paramount and was one of the first Full Moon films to be sold as an inexpensive
sell-through Sell-through refers to the percentage of a product that is sold by a retailer after being shipped by its supplier, typically expressed as a percentage. Net sales essentially refers to the same thing, in absolute numbers. Sell-through is calculated ...
product (as most Full Moon features were sold on VHS as rental items with prices upwards of $100 for each tape). Full Moon has also set up the Moonstone Records, and film and trading cards based on the company's own properties.
Full Moon Studios era (1995–2002)
In 1995, due to the direct-to-video market losing interest and financial ground with the
rental market in addition to internal issues, Full Moon Entertainment separated from distributor Paramount. Full Moon's
Halloween
Halloween or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve) is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observanc ...
1995 production ''
Castle Freak
''Castle Freak'' is a 1995 American direct-to-video horror film directed by Stuart Gordon. The film stars Jeffrey Combs as John Reilly, an American recovering alcoholic who inherits an Italian castle when a distant relative passes away. John s ...
'' was released on video unrated.
''Castle Freak'' was eventually released in November 1995 in both R-rated and unrated versions.
After the releases of ''Castle Freak'' and ''
Oblivion 2: Backlash'', Band renamed Full Moon Entertainment, Full Moon Studios for the feature ''
Vampire Journals
''Subspecies'' is a Romanian-American direct-to-video vampire horror film series produced by Full Moon Studios and Castel Film Studios. The series ran from 1991 to 1998, and followed the exploits of the undead Radu Vladislas, portrayed by Ande ...
'' and used the name Full Moon Pictures for the following film ''
Hideous!
''Hideous!'' is a 1997 comedy horror film and monster movie, about several elite human oddity collectors and traders who find themselves locked in a castle with several mutated creatures come to life. The film combines live-action actors with rod ...
''. Band continued to distribute all films on his own under then name of
Amazing Fantasy Entertainment until around 1999 when some of the films were distributed by
The Kushner-Locke Company
The Kushner-Locke Company was an American independent motion picture/television production founded on March 12, 1983 by Donald Kushner and Peter Locke.
It is known for films such as ''The Adventures of Pinocchio'', '' Liberace: Behind the Music ...
. In 1997, Bobby Young, who had joined Full Moon two years earlier, has left to start Dominion Entertainment.
With the release of ''
Shrieker'' in 1998, Band enlisted the help of
Ohio
Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...
-based
filmmaker
Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through screenwriting, castin ...
and
Tempe Entertainment Tempe may refer to:
Places
* Vale of Tempe, Greece
* Tempe, Arizona, United States
* Tempe, New South Wales, a suburb in Sydney, Australia
* Lake Tempe, Indonesia
* Tempe, Bloemfontein, South Africa, an area outside Bloemfontein, home to various m ...
founder, J. R. Bookwalter, who had recently relocated to
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
. Bookwalter was commissioned by Band to begin editing features, including ''
Curse of the Puppet Master
''Curse of the Puppet Master'' is a 1998 direct-to-video horror film written by Benjamin Carr and David Schmoeller, and directed by David DeCoteau. The sixth film in the ''Puppet Master'' franchise, it stars George Peck as scientist Dr. Magrew, ...
''. ''Curse of the Puppet Master'' created due to demand from video retailers for a new installment of the ''Puppet Master'' franchise isn't held in high regards with fans of the genre. To conserve costs (as most Full Moon features were being made for much less than the Paramount-distributed films), the film was put together using footage from the first five ''Puppet Master'' files, as well as some new footage. However, Bookwalter's work got Full Moon noticed on
Apple.com
Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, United States. Apple is the largest technology company by revenue (totaling in 2021) and, as of June 2022, is the world's biggest company b ...
where a story was published about Bookwalter's editing of ''Curse of the Puppet Master'' on his
iBook
iBook is a line of laptop computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer from 1999 to 2006. The line targeted entry-level, consumer and education markets, with lower specifications and prices than the PowerBook, Apple's higher-en ...
in a hotel room in Ohio.
Over the next several years, Full Moon continued its releases and even introduced more labels:
*
Alchemy Entertainment
Full Moon Features is an American motion picture production and distribution company headed by B-movie veteran Charles Band. It is known for the direct-to-video series '' Puppet Master'', ''Trancers'', and '' Subspecies'', as well as the film ...
/
Big City Pictures – specializing in
urban
Urban means "related to a city". In that sense, the term may refer to:
* Urban area, geographical area distinct from rural areas
* Urban culture, the culture of towns and cities
Urban may also refer to:
General
* Urban (name), a list of people ...
horror and science-fiction films.
*
Surrender Cinema – replacing
Torchlight Entertainment, specializing in the same soft-core science fiction as Torchlight.
*Cult Video – mainly used to re-release old pre-Empire and Empire-era Band films.
*
Pulp Fantasy Productions – New films that don't fit the usual Full Moon mold.
*Pulsepounders – Replacing Moonbeam Entertainment, specializing in science fiction and fantasy films for families.
Bookwalter would eventually get the chance to direct a Full Moon film with the sequel to ''
Witchouse'', ''Witchouse 2: Blood Coven''. It was Bookwalter's first film on
35 mm and with it opened a new door for Bookwalter's
Tempe Entertainment Tempe may refer to:
Places
* Vale of Tempe, Greece
* Tempe, Arizona, United States
* Tempe, New South Wales, a suburb in Sydney, Australia
* Lake Tempe, Indonesia
* Tempe, Bloemfontein, South Africa, an area outside Bloemfontein, home to various m ...
.
Starting with ''Horror Vision'',
Tempe Entertainment Tempe may refer to:
Places
* Vale of Tempe, Greece
* Tempe, Arizona, United States
* Tempe, New South Wales, a suburb in Sydney, Australia
* Lake Tempe, Indonesia
* Tempe, Bloemfontein, South Africa, an area outside Bloemfontein, home to various m ...
was hired to produce several Full Moon films for Band. All of these films were shot on
DV, a first for Full Moon and were primarily made for under $60,000 (with ''
Witchouse 3: Demon Fire'' completed for $26,000). The films were produced under very tight schedules, some being shot in as little as nine days. While the production drawbacks were high in each situation, this opportunity gave new exposure to Bookwalter and Tempe who was accustomed to producing films on shoestring budgets. On January 16, 2001, Full Moon decided to launch a TV show with
William Shatner
William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1965 debut as the captain of the starship USS Enterpri ...
attached as host, presenting various Full Moon pictures.
Once again, the industry changed and Band decided to end the Full Moon label with the 2002 release of ''
Jigsaw
Jigsaw may refer to:
* Jigsaw (tool), a tool used for cutting arbitrary curves
* Jigsaw puzzle, a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of interlocking pieces
Arts and media Comics
* Jigsaw (Marvel Comics), a supervillain and arch-enemy of ...
''. In 2001, Full Moon decided to bow out of theatrical distribution, and decided to focus back to straight-to-video films.
During this era of Full Moon, Band secured a weekly
television series
A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...
on the
Sci Fi Channel
Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY) is an American basic cable channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. Lau ...
called ''
William Shatner's Full Moon Fright Night''. Veteran actor,
William Shatner
William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1965 debut as the captain of the starship USS Enterpri ...
, hosted Full Moon films with wraparounds, as well as interviews with many of sci-fi's most notable personalities, including
Stan Lee
Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...
and
Jeffrey Combs
Jeffrey Alan Combs (born September 9, 1954) is an American actor. He is known for starring in horror films, such as ''Re-Animator'', and appearances playing a number of characters in the ''Star Trek'' and the DC animated universe television fra ...
. Tempe also received exposure here as ''HorrorVision'' was included in this short-lived series.
With the release of 2000's ''
The Dead Hate the Living!'', Band dropped the VideoZone name and produced behind-the-scenes featurettes without a masthead.
Shadow Films era (2002–2004)
Blockbuster Entertainment
Blockbuster LLC, formerly known as Blockbuster Video, was an American-based provider of home video and video game rental services. Services were offered primarily at video rental shops, but later alternatives included DVD-by-mail, streaming, ...
, a longtime supporter of the Full Moon brand requested the company produce a
slasher film
A slasher film is a genre of horror films involving a killer stalking and murdering a group of people, usually by use of bladed or sharp tools like knife, chainsaw, scalpel, etc. Although the term "slasher" may occasionally be used informally as a ...
, due to the late '90s resurgence of this subgenre, thanks to ''
Scream
Scream may refer to:
*Screaming, a loud vocalization
Amusement rides
* Scream (Heide Park), a gyro drop tower in Soltau, Germany
* Scream! (ride), a tower ride at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags New England
* Scream! (roller coaster), at ...
'' and ''
I Know What You Did Last Summer
''I Know What You Did Last Summer'' is a 1997 American slasher film directed by Jim Gillespie, written by Kevin Williamson, and starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Freddie Prinze Jr. It is loosely base ...
''. With the help of an uncredited Tempe Entertainment, Band produced ''Bleed'' and acquired
Keith Walley
Keith John Walley (born 19 October 1954 in Weymouth, Dorset) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League
The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional association football, ...
's ''
Scared'', renaming it ''Cut Throat''.
Band produced only two more films "officially" under the Shadow name: (''
Birthrite'', ''
Delta Delta Die!
Delta commonly refers to:
* Delta (letter) (Δ or δ), a letter of the Greek alphabet
* River delta, at a river mouth
* D (NATO phonetic alphabet: "Delta")
* Delta Air Lines, US
* Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19
Delta may also r ...
''). Another Keith Walley film ''Speck'' was acquired.
William Shatner
William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1965 debut as the captain of the starship USS Enterpri ...
's DV science-fiction movie ''
Groom Lake
Area 51 is the common name of a highly classified United States Air Force (USAF) facility within the Nevada Test and Training Range. A remote detachment administered by Edwards Air Force Base, the facility is officially called Homey Airport ...
'', produced by J.R. Bookwalter became notorious as one of the most-expensive films of the modern era of Full Moon.
Band also decided around this time to bring back an old label used in the Empire era named
Wizard Video
Wizard Video was a home video distribution company formed by B movie producer Charles Band in the early 1980s. It was well-known for its detailed (and often lurid) box art, especially during the time that it sold videocassettes in larger indivi ...
, which distributed
cult-like films. This modern rendition saw the release of Tempe's ''
Skinned Alive'' and ''
Ozone
Ozone (), or trioxygen, is an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula . It is a pale blue gas with a distinctively pungent smell. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope , breaking down in the lo ...
'' (renamed ''
Street Zombies
A street is a public thoroughfare in a built environment. It is a public parcel of land adjoining buildings in an urban context, on which people may freely assemble, interact, and move about. A street can be as simple as a level patch of dirt, ...
'' for the Wizard release). However, due to low sales, another Tempe film ''Bloodletting'' (which was also renamed: ''
I've Killed Before'') was dropped from the release schedule.
In 2003, Charles Band entered into a deal with
20th Century Fox
20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...
to produce a low budget horror movie. Fox would distribute the movie and Band would retain copyrights. The film was directed by J.R. Bookwalter and named ''Deadly Stingers.'' In the tradition of the giant killer bug movies, ''Deadly Stingers'' was about giant scorpions taking over a town. However, after the film was completed, it was shelved due to a decline in the industry and low sales of another similar project at Fox (excluding Full Moon) entitled ''Dark Wolf''. The film was shown at the Frightvision Horror Festival in 2003, but while it has surfaced on Full Moon Streaming as of December 2013 under the name of ''Mega Scorpions'', it has yet to see a release on DVD or
Blu-ray
The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of sto ...
br>
A teaser trailer for the film does exist on J. R. Bookwalter's
Tempe Entertainment Tempe may refer to:
Places
* Vale of Tempe, Greece
* Tempe, Arizona, United States
* Tempe, New South Wales, a suburb in Sydney, Australia
* Lake Tempe, Indonesia
* Tempe, Bloemfontein, South Africa, an area outside Bloemfontein, home to various m ...
website.
The second Full Moon Pictures era (2004–present)
In late 2003, Band began work on his first 35 mm film in years, ''
Dr. Moreau's House of Pain
''Dr. Moreau's House of Pain'' is a 2004 film directed by Charles Band
Charles Robert Band (born December 27, 1951) is an American film producer and director, known for his work on horror comedy movies.
Career
Band entered film productio ...
''. The film released in January 2004 also marked the official return of the name
Full Moon Pictures. However, the film's video releases all contain the name of Shadow Entertainment, but the film's trailer contains the
Full Moon Pictures logo.
Quickly before the release of ''Dr. Moreau's House of Pain'', Full Moon released ''Puppet Master: The Legacy'', a "greatest hits" film that contained the best scenes from all (hitherto) seven ''Puppet Master'' films with about 20 minutes of a wrap-around story and very bad puppet effects (string rods can be seen in almost every scene featuring the puppets). Once again, all video releases said Shadow Entertainment, but the trailer contained the Full Moon Pictures logo.
On the heels of ''Puppet Master: The Legacy'', Band quickly cut together ''
Tomb of Terror
A tomb ( grc-gre, τύμβος ''tumbos'') is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes. Placing a corpse into a tomb can be called ''immuremen ...
'', ''
Horrific'', and ''
Urban Evil''. These three films edited by ''HorrorVision'' director, Danny Draven, were
clip show
A clip show is an episode of a television series that consists primarily of excerpts from previous episodes. Most clip shows feature the format of a frame story in which cast members recall past events from past installments of the show, depicte ...
s that showed off the best in Full Moon's library.
After the release of those films, Band re-christened the Full Moon name to Full Moon Features. Full Moon Features intends to take more time making films with considerably higher budgets and on
35 mm film 35 mm may refer to:
* 135 film, a type of still photography format commonly referred to as 35 mm film
* 35 mm movie film
35 mm film is a film gauge used in filmmaking, and the film standard. In motion pictures that record on f ...
and as of July 2006 has focused on that with the exceptions of ''When Puppets and Dolls Attack!'', ''
Monsters Gone Wild!'', and ''
Aliens Gone Wild!'' (all clip shows).
In 2005, Charles Band embarked on the Full Moon Horror Roadshow, a traveling, live Full Moon-inspired show featuring Band and actors/actresses from past Full Moon films. Some shows also featured his son,
Alex Band
Alexander Max Band (born June 8, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and actor. He is best known for being the vocalist of Los Angeles rock band the Calling, having performed on their hit song "Wherever You Will ...
. At all shows, Band offered a contest for a chance for a member of the audience to have a part in a future Full Moon feature. As of 2009, none of these winners had received their roles. However, on August 27, 2009, Band blogged that those who were chosen would have the opportunity to be cast in his next project. Band continued the roadshow in 2006, this time putting it in smaller venues. A similar contest offering a part in a movie was held at these events. In 2011, contest winners were contacted for the chance to be extras in the movie ''
Gingerdead Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver''. Available winners who could make it to the set were featured as extras in the movie during a mass electrocution scene at a roller rink. Full Moon uploaded pictures of the contest winners onset on its official Facebook page.
In 2009, Band hopes to expand Full Moon to a similar release schedule more like the mid-1990s with a new release every month. Additionally, the company plans to add sequels to many franchises, including ''Puppet Master'', ''Demonic Toys'', and ''
Head of the Family
''Head of the Family'' is an American 1996 B movie black comedy released by Full Moon Features. It concerns a Southern couple who blackmail a family of mutants to get money and revenge.
Plot
Howard (Gordon Jennison Noice) is the meanest nastie ...
''.
In 2012, the Videozone was brought back, making its return on the DVD release of ''
Puppet Master X: Axis Rising''. In addition, the Moonbeam Entertainment brand label was revived under the name
Moonbeam Films
Moonbeam Films is a family-oriented brand sub-brand of Charles Band's Full Moon Features that is the revived successor to the former Moonbeam Entertainment
Full Moon Features is an American Film, motion picture production and distribution com ...
.
The studio's nearly thirty-year history is covered in the book ''It Came From the Video Aisle'' written by Dave Jay, William S. Wilson, and Torsten Dewi and published by
Schiffer Publishing
Schiffer Publishing Ltd. (also known for its imprints Schiffer, Schiffer Craft, Schiffer Military History, Schiffer Kids, REDFeather MBS, Cornell Maritime Press, Tidewater Publishers, Thrums Books, Geared Up Publications ) is a family-owned publi ...
in October 2017.
Notable releases
*''
Puppet Master'' – Full Moon's first franchise, inspired from an earlier Empire film, ''
Dolls
A doll is a model typically of a human or humanoid character, often used as a toy for children. Dolls have also been used in traditional religious rituals throughout the world. Traditional dolls made of materials such as clay and wood are found ...
'', and
United Artists
United Artists Corporation (UA), currently doing business as United Artists Digital Studios, is an American digital production company. Founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks, the studi ...
' success with ''
Child's Play'' the year prior. Spawned seven sequels: ''
Puppet Master II
''Puppet Master II'' is a 1990 direct-to-video horror film written by David Pabian and directed by Dave Allen. It is the second film in the ''Puppet Master'' franchise, the sequel to 1989's '' Puppet Master'', and stars Elizabeth Maclellan, Gr ...
'', ''
Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge'', ''
Puppet Master 4
''Puppet Master 4'' is a 1993 direct-to-video horror film written by Charles Band among others, and directed by Jeff Burr. It is the fourth film in the ''Puppet Master'' franchise, a sequel to 1991's '' Puppet Master III'', and stars Gordon Curr ...
'' and ''
Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter'' during the Full Moon Entertainment era, ''
Curse of the Puppet Master
''Curse of the Puppet Master'' is a 1998 direct-to-video horror film written by Benjamin Carr and David Schmoeller, and directed by David DeCoteau. The sixth film in the ''Puppet Master'' franchise, it stars George Peck as scientist Dr. Magrew, ...
'' and ''
Retro Puppet Master
''Retro Puppet Master'' (also known as ''Retro Puppetmaster'') is a 1999 American direct-to-video horror film written by Charles Band, Benjamin Carr and David Schmoeller, and directed by David DeCoteau (as Joseph Tennent). It is the seventh film ...
'' during the Full Moon Pictures era, and ''
Puppet Master: The Legacy'' during the Full Moon Features era. A made-for-TV crossover film titled ''
Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys'' was on
Sci Fi Channel
Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY) is an American basic cable channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. Lau ...
in 2004, under Shadow Entertainment. A trilogy of standalone prequels were released in the 2010s: ''
Axis of Evil
The phrase "axis of evil" was first used by U.S. President George W. Bush and originally referred to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. It was used in Bush's State of the Union address on January 29, 2002, less than five months after the 9/11 attac ...
'' (2010), ''
Axis Rising'' (2012) and ''Axis Termination'' (2017). A reboot, ''
The Littlest Reich'', was released in 2018, with a
spin-off, ''Blade: The Iron Cross'', focused on the puppet Blade, in 2020. A second spin-off, ''Doktor Death'', based on the eponymous character from ''Retro'', will be released in 2022.
*''
Subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
'' – Full Moon's take on vampires. It currently consists of ''Subspecies'', ''Bloodstone: Subspecies II'', ''Bloodlust: Subspecies III'' and ''Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm'' (released during the Full Moon Pictures era). Fans of the series also consider the spin-off ''Vampire Journals'' as an entry as well, despite being non-canon. A fifth entry and prequel, ''Blood Rise: Subspecies V'' is in production and slated for a 2022 release.
*''
Trancers
''Trancers'' (also released as ''Future Cop'') is a 1984 American science fiction action film directed by Charles Band and starring Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt, and Art LaFleur. It is the first film in the ''Trancers'' series. Thomerson plays Jac ...
'' – A carry over from Band's days at Empire, under the Full Moon name, he produced ''II'', ''III'', ''4'' and ''5''. A
sixth installment was created by Johnnie J. Young and Jay Woelfel's Young Wolf Productions and was distributed by Band under the Full Moon Pictures label.
*''
Killjoy
Killjoy may refer to:
Characters
* Killjoy, in Charlton Comics' ''E-Man'' series
* Killjoy, in the video game ''Valorant''
* Killjoy, in the Marvel Comics series '' Weapon P.R.I.M.E.''
* Killjoy, in the movie ''The Ice Pirates''
* Dr. Killjoy, i ...
'' – Focuses on the titular Killjoy, a
demonic clown who is summoned to assist revenge plots in all three films, only to prove too overwhelming for each character who calls him. Two follow-ups, entitled ''Goes to Hell'' (2012) and ''Psycho Circus'' (2016), take the series in a whole new direction.
*''
Demonic Toys
''Demonic Toys'' is a 1992 American direct-to-video horror comedy film produced by Charles Band's Full Moon Entertainment and directed by Peter Manoogian. The film centers on a police officer who is terrorized by the title characters after a botch ...
'' – A knock-off of ''Puppet Master'', created a cross-sequel called ''
Dollman vs. Demonic Toys
''Dollman vs. Demonic Toys'' (on screen title being ''Dollman vs. the Demonic Toys'') is a 1993 American direct-to-video horror film. It is a continuation of three films released by Full Moon Features: '' Dollman'', ''Demonic Toys'' and ''Bad Cha ...
'' featuring characters from ''Demonic Toys'', ''
Dollman'' and ''
Bad Channels
''Bad Channels'' is a 1992 American science fiction spoof direct-to-video film, produced by Full Moon Features and released by Paramount Home Video. It is about two aliens (Cosmo and Lump) who invade a radio station with the intention of capturi ...
''. Succeeded by ''
Demonic Toys: Personal Demons'' (2010) and ''Demonic Toys 3: Baby Oopsie'' (2021), the latter of which will center around the franchise's Baby Oopsie doll.
*''
Doctor Mordrid
''Doctor Mordrid'' is a 1992 American superhero film directed by the team of Albert and Charles Band and starring Jeffrey Combs.
Plot
Anton Mordrid (Combs) is a wizard sent to Earth by a being called the Monitor, to stop the evil wizard Kabal ...
'' – Bears striking resemblance to
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
'
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #110 (cover-dated July 1963). Doctor Strange serves as Sorce ...
, though screenwriter
C. Courtney Joyner denies any connection;
one of Full Moon's "flashier" films.
*''
Dragonworld'' – Released by Moonbeam Entertainment, and directed by
Ted Nicolaou
Ted Nicolaou is an American film director, screenwriter and producer.
After graduating from the University of Texas film program, he joined the crew of ''The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'' (1974) as a Sound recording and reproduction, sound recordi ...
(of ''Subspecies''), a young child named John McGowan has moved to Scotland after losing his parents in a traffic accident. He befriends a dragon, who he names "Yowler". A sequel, ''
The Legend Continues'' was released by Kushner-Locke in the United States under the title ''Shadow of the Knight''.
*''
The Pit and the Pendulum
"The Pit and the Pendulum" is a short story by American writer Edgar Allan Poe and first published in 1842 in the literary annual ''The Gift: A Christmas and New Year's Present for 1843''. The story is about the torments endured by a prisoner of ...
'' – Directed by ''
Re-Animator
''Re-Animator'' (also known as ''H. P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator'') is a 1985 American comedy horror film loosely based on the 1922 H. P. Lovecraft serial novelette "Herbert West–Reanimator". Directed by Stuart Gordon and produced by Brian Yuzn ...
''s Stuart Gordon, a retelling of the classic
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wide ...
story.
*''
Prehysteria!'' – A trilogy of kid-oriented sci-fi comedy films about mini-dinosaurs that come to life. Produced under Moonbeam Entertainment.
*''
The Dead Hate the Living!'' – Full Moon's first zombie film, received notable coverage in various horror magazines.
*''
Groom Lake
Area 51 is the common name of a highly classified United States Air Force (USAF) facility within the Nevada Test and Training Range. A remote detachment administered by Edwards Air Force Base, the facility is officially called Homey Airport ...
'' –
William Shatner
William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1965 debut as the captain of the starship USS Enterpri ...
's show about a dying woman who receives a visit from aliens; only notable given the name and the stories behind it, as the film received mostly negative reviews.
*''
The Gingerdead Man'' – One of the latest Full Moon franchises, with the first installment starring
Gary Busey
Gary Busey (; born 1944) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in ''The Buddy Holly Story'' (1978), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won the National Society of Film Critics ...
, who plays a criminal who is sent to the electric chair, comes back to life as a Gingerbread Man, and goes out to kill the woman who sent him to jail. Followed by ''
Passion of the Crust'', and ''
Saturday Night Cleaver
Saturday is the day of the week between Friday and Sunday. No later than the 2nd century, the Romans named Saturday ("Saturn's Day") for the planet Saturn, which controlled the first hour of that day, according to Vettius Valens. The day's ...
'', released in 2011. A crossover, ''
Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong
''Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong'' is a 2013 American crossover horror comedy film produced by Full Moon Features, about a battle between the namesake characters from two other film series, ''The Gingerdead Man'' and ''Evil Bong''. The film was r ...
'', was released in 2013. The series is very much played with a
tongue-in-cheek
The idiom tongue-in-cheek refers to a humorous or sarcastic statement expressed in a serious manner.
History
The phrase originally expressed contempt, but by 1842 had acquired its modern meaning. Early users of the phrase include Sir Walter Scott ...
mentality.
*''
Evil Bong
''Evil Bong'' is a 2006 American stoner horror comedy film directed by Charles Band about a group of stoners who smoke from a sentient, malevolent bong that traps the smoker in The Bong World, a surreal realm filled with killer strippers and othe ...
'' - The Newest Full Moon franchise, Evil Bong is a
horror comedy
Comedy horror, also known as horror comedy, is a literary, television, and film genre that combines elements of comedy and horror fiction. Comedy horror has been described as able to be categorized under three types: "black comedy, parody and sp ...
film series focused on a group of stoners as they battle an evil Bong named Eebee. It was followed by the eponymous first film ''
Evil Bong
''Evil Bong'' is a 2006 American stoner horror comedy film directed by Charles Band about a group of stoners who smoke from a sentient, malevolent bong that traps the smoker in The Bong World, a surreal realm filled with killer strippers and othe ...
'' in 2006, two sequels ''
Evil Bong 2: King Bong'' in 2009, and ''
Evil Bong 3D: The Wrath of Bong'' released in 2011. A crossover with Gingerdead Man released in 2013 under the name ''
Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong
''Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong'' is a 2013 American crossover horror comedy film produced by Full Moon Features, about a battle between the namesake characters from two other film series, ''The Gingerdead Man'' and ''Evil Bong''. The film was r ...
''. Much like Gingerdead Man, It was followed by four more sequels, ''
Evil Bong 420
''Evil Bong'' is a 2006 American stoner horror comedy film directed by Charles Band about a group of stoners who smoke from a sentient, malevolent bong that traps the smoker in The Bong World, a surreal realm filled with killer strippers and othe ...
'' in 2015, ''
Evil Bong High-5!'' in 2016, ''
Evil Bong 666
''Evil Bong'' is a 2006 American stoner horror comedy film directed by Charles Band about a group of stoners who smoke from a sentient, malevolent bong that traps the smoker in The Bong World, a surreal realm filled with killer strippers and othe ...
'' in 2017, and ''
Evil Bong 777'' in 2018, Including a
spin-off in 2021 titled ''
The Gingerweed Man''. The tenth and final film, ''
Evil Bong 888: Infinity High'' was released on May 20th, 2022. The series is played with a
tongue-in-cheek
The idiom tongue-in-cheek refers to a humorous or sarcastic statement expressed in a serious manner.
History
The phrase originally expressed contempt, but by 1842 had acquired its modern meaning. Early users of the phrase include Sir Walter Scott ...
mentality.
References
External links
Full Moon Features Official Web SiteCharles Band's Official Web SiteTempe Entertainment Official Web SiteKiller POV – Charles Band Interview (January 2014) (MP3)
{{Authority control
American independent film studios
Mass media companies established in 1989
Film production companies of the United States
San Fernando Valley
Film distributors of the United States
Sibling filmmakers