Analog Nightmares: The Shot On Video Horror Films of 1982-1995

by Richard Mogg, Mark Polonia (Contributor), Doug Stone (Contributor)

The most comprehensive, all-inclusive look at the history and evolution of shot on video horror films. In 1982, "Boardinghouse" became the first shot on video feature-length horror film ever made. Totally lensed on videotape, the film was later transferred to 16mm and blown-up to 35mm for theatrical exhibition. In 1983, David A. Prior shot "Sledgehammer" on video and eventually released the film on videotape. For the first time, analog video became the format used in motion picture productions. It was smeary, messy and it wasn't film... but it was cheap. In 1985, United Home Video boldly released "Blood Cult" with the claim it was "the first movie made for the home video market." The booming popularity of video stores coupled with a never-satisfied demand for content ensured these films longevity. Soon hundreds of titles followed, all video-created features by independent unknowns. They weren't from Hollywood. They weren't trained. But they had a lot of heart and a love for horror. And they made their own movies against the odds. For the first time EVER - "ANALOG NIGHTMARES" has brought these films together. Everything from "Boardinghouse" to "Zombie Holocaust" individually reviewed, categorized and presented chronologically by production year. Over 260 films! Featuring in-depth interviews with the filmmakers themselves - some speaking for the very first time! TIM BOGGS! MARK POLONIA! DONALD FARMER! TIM RITTER! JOEL D. WYNKOOP! DOUG STONE! ANDREA ADAMS! GARY WHITSON! DAVE CASTIGLIONE! PHIL HERMAN! ERIC STANZE! JAMES L. EDWARDS! WALTER RUETHER! TODD JASON COOK! NICK MILLARD! DAVID "THE ROCK" NELSON! RON BONK!

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror, Film

508 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2018

Reviews

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond being the most comprehensive, utmost source on the subject of Shot-On-Video horror, this is simply one of them most engaging "reference books" I can think of, with tons of facts, interviews, reviews, everything anyone could want from this sort of thing.

If you're a fan of horror movies, particularly the obscure ones; a fan of looking at times-passed in the entertainment industry; a fan of learning about the making of cinema; hell, if you're a fan of reading unusual non-fiction, this is a must read/own.

[James Oxyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The compendium SOV horror deserves: rough around the edges with spelling and grammar errors throughout, but the passion, dedication, and elbow grease that obviously went into it transcends any bit of technical nitpickery. Insane someone watched and compiled this many SOV films into a book, but then again, it's insane people went out and made these movies (and found home video distribution!) in the first place. Yet another book where you'll leave with a trash bag full of great(?) new titles to track down and watch.

Gotta say though, seeing the amount of films that essentially boil down to "women getting stripped and tortured for 90 minutes" got pretty depressing after a while, especially with the W.A.V.E. titles. The misogyny lingering behind a lot of these stories is no secret, but seeing it in overwhelming surplus just felt icky.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Really great information on some difficult to find SOV films. This was obviously a passion project for the author. He clearly loves these films. (Going as far as recommending one film right after saying 2 hours could easily be cut from the run time. 2 hours!) The writing itself is fairly poor though.

[Melvin Van t hof · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I liked this book, then I got bored with it and then I warmed up for it again. It's definitely the best book about SOV movies. It's a whole new world to me. I watched only one title thus far but I'm going to check out more. This is a great guide.

[Joshua Dahlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read in a long time! Everything that got me into horror is in this book and then some. I found myself reading snippets at a time just so I can draw out the reading and prolong the ending. The interviews were phenomenal and the layout with the films was spot on. This is definitely a labor of love. And Mr Mogg you are in luck because I absolutely loved everything you covered here. Great Book!

[Justin Decloux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essential for anyone interested in the wave of Shot on Video horror films that sprung out of the video revolution. Richard Mogg catalogues all of them by year, but instead of feeling like an encyclopedia, he crafts a breezy and readable tome filled with informed opinions, amazing interviews and contextual information. A must-own!

[Blair Hoyle]

A wonderful reference guide on the shot-on-video boom of the '80s and '90s. It's not written with the same sense of humor as the Bleeding Skull! books, and my taste heavily varies from the author's (he's not a fan of Shatter Dead, a masterpiece, and refers to all of the W.A.V.E. films as "required viewing") but if you're into SOV, this is a must-read.

[Larry Ggggggggggggggggggggggggg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb reference materials, the interviews and full page posters rule