Effects (film)

Plot

The film centers on a filmmaker (John Harrison) who is making low budget horror film in rural Pennsylvania. Over the course of filming, the cinematographer (Joseph Pilato) and a female gaffer (Susan Chapek) begin to enter into a romantic relationship. Unbeknownst to them, the film's director is secretly making a snuff documentary with an unwilling cast and crew.

Production

In the behind-the-scenes documentary After Effects on the Synapse DVD, the three principle filmmakers involved - Dusty Nelson, Pasquale Buba, and John Harrison - discuss the film's evolution. They had met while working at a television station in Pittsburgh and later apprenticed under horror filmmaker George A. Romero on his 1978 film Martin. Using that film as an inspiration, they started a LLC and raised $55,000 from family and friends to fund the film.

Release

The film received its world premiere at the Kings Court theater in Pittsburgh on November 9, 1979. Following this premiere, the film was signed for distribution to International Harmony and received limited distribution.

According to director Nelson, the film purportedly screened at the Sundance Film Festival, which at the time was known as US Film Festival. Effects later screened at Three Rivers Film Festival in 2011.