Buzz
While Lake Dead might not be a household name among horror aficionados, these insights reveal why it merits deeper exploration.
1. Lake Dead was featured in the second edition of the “After Dark Horrorfest,” initially known as “8 Films to Die For.” This now-discontinued mini film festival showcased eight indie horror films annually in theaters nationwide. It has since evolved into a distribution entity named After Dark Films.
2. The film’s origin traces back to co-producer Jason Hice, who placed an ad in colleges seeking script submissions from screenwriting students. Dan Coughlin, a Cal State Long Beach student at the time, responded with the screenplay for Lake Dead.
3. The initial script discussion for Lake Dead occurred at Coughlin’s fraternity house on the Cal State Long Beach campus.
4. Lake Dead marked director George Bessudo’s first feature film. He later collaborated again with screenwriter Daniel P. Coughlin for his second horror project, Farm House, which follows a couple trapped at an enigmatic vineyard.
5. The production of Lake Dead was remarkably fast-paced, with the entire filming process completed in just 15 days.
6. The actors performed all their own fight scenes, falls, and stunts without the use of stunt doubles.
7. Although Bessudo had meticulously storyboarded the entire film, the tight production schedule led to many scenes and dialogues being improvised on set.
8. Bessudo revealed that movies such as Jaws, The Shining, Poltergeist, The Amityville Horror, and When a Stranger Calls served as key inspirations for Lake Dead.
9. The motel featured in the movie is the “Spanish Hacienda” located at Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita, California. This ranch is a popular filming location, complete with a “Western Street” that boasts a saloon, general store, sheriff’s office, and jail.
10. The RV used by the characters is a 1995 Fleetwood Flair model.
11. True to the indie filmmaking spirit of 2007, the producers of Lake Dead heavily promoted the movie on MySpace. The film’s profile remains active at: https://myspace.com/lakedead.
12. Observant viewers might notice a continuity mistake when Sheriff Chuck Lake escorts Brielle, Kelly, and Ben into the motel for questioning. Gloria, who serves them drugged drinks, is seen in a grey shirt initially, but when the trio is taken back to the police car, she’s suddenly wearing a bright red shirt.
13. Alex Quinn, who portrays Bill, is the youngest son of the iconic actor Anthony Quinn, known for his roles in cinematic masterpieces like Lawrence of Arabia and a two-time Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor in Viva Zapata! and Lust for Life.
14. Although they look alike, the actors playing the deranged brothers are not related in real life. Christian Stokes, who portrayed Abel, has since appeared in films such as Richard Linklater’s Bernie and Escape Plan featuring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Meanwhile, Trevor Torseth, who played Kane, made his acting debut in Lake Dead.
15. Plans for a sequel titled Lake Dead 2: The Rage of Kane were set in motion after the original film’s release, but the project never materialized. The storyline would have followed Kane, the unhinged brother, as he terrorized a church group that purchased the motel property following the events of the first movie.
